Finding out the best VPN for streaming is a difficult task as there are a lot of VPN providers competing with each other to be on top. The competition has given users a lot of choices to opt from.
More often than not, even if you do settle upon a VPN, you are likely to face at least one of the following problems:
- The VPN slows down and begins to lag.
- The VPN will not support multi-functional devices or allow for multiple logins.
- The VPN’s customer support is abysmal.
We understand how aggravating that may be. As a result, we have gone through the rigorous VPN services testing procedure so that you do not have to. So, take a look at our list of the 5 best streaming VPNs before you invest in one.
How do I choose the Best VPN for Streaming?
The best VPN for streaming on the market combine lightning-fast connection speeds with impenetrable security. A fast and dependable connection is clearly beneficial for steady streaming with no dreaded buffering. A large number of servers is often a big help when it comes to getting a solid connection. Here are some features to consider when choosing the Best Streaming VPN.
Download Speed | 5+ Mbps |
Max Connections | 5 to 10 devices |
Server Reliability | Always up and active |
Server Locations | Spread Worldwide |
Device Support | Cross-Functional |
Streaming Apps Access | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer |
Torrenting Support | P2P Protocol |
Price | Affordable |
Customer Support | Instant |
Quick Summary: 5 Best VPN for Streaming
After rigorous testing and comparisons, we have listed the 5 best VPN for Streaming that will allow you to watch your favorite movies and TV shows from this streaming service:
- ExpressVPN – Recommended VPN for streaming. It has high-speed servers that can unblock Disney Plus quickly, and it is the most reliable VPN in terms of security.
- Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for streaming because of its speed, price, and features. It offers unlimited multi-logins and unblocks Disney Plus instantly.
- NordVPN – Largest server network that provides amazing security features. It has 5400+ servers in 59 countries and can unblock any streaming platform without dropping speed or controlling bandwidth.
- CyberGhost – Unique VPN has lots of amazing features for unblocking popular streaming platforms, including Disney Plus. and also unblock Netflix
- IPVanish – Popular VPN. It has highly optimized servers for streaming, and it offers 10 simultaneous connections.
Streaming Services VPNs can Unblock
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How to stream with a VPN?
There is no single solution that will work with any VPN provider you come across in the wild. Each VPN service is unique, and some may require additional measures to operate with streaming video. Some will require you to connect to specialized streaming servers, while others will operate right away.
If you want a quick sumary, here’s how to stream with a VPN.
- Choose a streaming provider for which you require a VPN: Netflix, Hulu, or another? This will help you filter down your VPN options.
- Select a VPN service provider. ExpressVPN comes highly recommended.
- Purchase a subscription and sign up for an account.
- Install and configure the VPN on your device. You may acquire it via an app store or the provider’s website.
- Start the software and log in.
- Connect to a server that allows you to access the streaming service (this step will heavily depend on your VPN provider).
- While connected to a VPN, access the streaming service’s website or start their app.
- That’s it; have fun!
A Detailed Look at the Best Streaming VPNs
Before we delve into a more elaborated description of the Best VPNs for streaming that offer the best performance for streaming geo-blocked websites such as Netflix, let’s get the most basic thing straight: They all have excellent unblocking abilities, no matter where in the world you are.
1. ExpressVPN – Recommended VPN for Streaming
ExpressVPN tops our list of recommended VPNs due to numerous reasons, but especially because it is the fastest. In the speed tests we conducted, it managed to offer a download speed of 87.18 Mbps and an upload speed of 52.13 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. We have connected to a server in New York.
It has been in the business since 2009 and has an extensive network of VPN servers. This VPN has a network of 3000+ servers and also a total of 25+ US locations.
Here is the speed test result we conducted on ExpressVPN to check its speed for different streaming services.
ExpressVPN has a built-in useful Kill Switch feature, which avoids system statistics from dripping external VPN app tunnels if the VPN connection flops. It also offers some great security features like 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection and also guarantees a no-log policy. This is the best VPN for streaming.
Its cheapest plan is just US$ 6.67/mo - Save 49% and get 3 extra months FREE with 12-month plan that comprises 12+3 free months and also offers a 30 day money-back guarantee as well. You can also read the guide Does ExpressVPN Work With Netflix?
Pros | Cons |
Finest performance on multiple OS (Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows) | A bit slow with MAC OS |
Flawless accessibility | No instant customer service |
Excellent data retrieval policy | Not supporting Internet Explorer |
5 parallel connections for each subscription |
Recommended Servers: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas
2. Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for Streaming
Despite being a small network, Surfshark is giving the ultimate tough time to its competitor with excellent features like unlimited simultaneous connections through which you can support your entire office or home in just US$ 2.30/mo - 82% Off on 2 Years Plan. Surfshark is one of the best affordable streaming VPN app. This is the best VPN for streaming and affordable too.
It also provides you with features like ad-blocking, anti-tracker, and anti-malware tools and has 3,200 servers in 65 locations and 600+ US servers in 23+ locations.
The loss of speed was just 17% on average during the speed test we conducted, which pushes it ahead of many competitors.
It offers a download speed of 88.14 Mbps and an upload speed of 83.72 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. We have connected to a server in Atlanta.
This cheapest streaming VPN extension support for top browsers like Chrome and Firefox has ranked It up among its competitors as it is strongly recommended by the German Cyber Security Firm Cure 53.
They have excellent apps compatible with streaming devices like Windows, iOS, Mac OS, iOS, Smart TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, and routing devices. Game console configuration is also supported by DNS. It also provides 30 day money back guarantee. For more details you can read Does Surfshark Work With Netflix?
Repeated buffering and sudden speed drops are the main symptoms of bandwidth throttling, which Internet Service Providers use to slow down their users’ internet connections. This Virtual private network has a solution for you as it provides bufferless streaming.
You can also use 5 Best VPNs to Watch Disney Plus From Anywhere to unblock any streaming service of your choice. Surfshark is also one of the best VPNs for HBO Max streaming.
Surfshark provides three special modes to facilitate its users:
- The Camouflage Mode hides your activity
- The Multihop Mode hops your data through various countries to hide you
- The No Borders Mode enables you to use Surfshark in restraining areas
Pros | Cons |
Unlimited Connections | Unsatisfactory Customer Services |
Affordable Packages | Kill Switch has to be operated manually |
Money-Back Guarantee | Static IP Address |
Recommended Servers: Buffalo, Los Angeles, Las Vegas
3. NordVPN – VPN with the Largest Server Network
NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers in the industry, owing to its vast number of servers. While most of its competitors offer 5 connections, it offers 06 with its servers. It is operating in 62 countries with more than 5300 servers on more than 80 server locations and 1970+ US servers in 15 locations.
When you connect to it, it automatically links you to the fastest server available in the location. This reliable service user can also reach them to provide a Private IP option to run the dedicated VPN service. Its Kill Switch feature turns the VPN into TOR in a single click. It is one of the best VPN for streaming tv such as YouTube TV outside USA, Peacock tv, Sling tv and many more. You can also read 5 Best VPNs To Watch HULU if you want to know about Hulu.
On a 100 Mbps connection speed, this VPN provided a download speed of 85.48 Mbps, an upload speed of 48.42 Mbps. We have connected to one of the servers in New York.
NordVPN will cost you US$ 3.49/mo - Save 60% on 2 Years Deal and includes a full 30-day refund policy. We also have a detailed guide of Does NordVPN Work With Netflix? for you.
Pros | Cons |
Brilliant App options | Uses Static IP |
Flawless accessibility | Inefficient Customer Support |
Strict no-log policy | Kill switch does not work properly with iOS |
Recommended Servers: Atlanta, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago
4. CyberGhost – VPN with unique unblocking features
CyberGhost is a unique VPN for streaming. It has a huge network of 6400 servers in 90 countries that will allow you to change your local IP address so that you can access geo-restricted content in your region. It unblock streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and many more.
When tested on a US server, it managed to offer a download speed of 81.98 Mbps and an upload speed of 40.90 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. We have connected to a server in New York.
CyberGhost’s 3-year bundle costs $2.75 per month and includes top-of-the-line security features such as 256-bit encryption, dedicated IP, Wi-Fi protection, and seven simultaneous connections. This is the best VPN for streaming movies.
It has a strict no-logs policy and also offers a money-back guarantee.
Pros | Cons |
24/7 Live Chat support | Server in China do not perform well |
Apps for all devices | Limited payment option |
Strict no-log policy | Didn’t work out of the box |
5. IPVanish – VPN with some Surprising Features
IPVanish is a VPN service provider based in the United States that focuses on speed, security, and anonymity. It currently has over 1,300 servers (and counting) in over 75 countries. It is the best VPN for HBO.
It is one of the best options for streaming as all of its servers use the AES 256-bit encryption protocol, and no IP or DNS leaks are permitted.
On a 100 Mbps connection, this VPN managed to offer a download speed of 75.12 Mbps and an upload speed of 39.48 Mbps. With this speed this is the best VPN for streaming video.
It allows 10 multi-logins with the same account, and for all of this, it charges only $6.95 for a subscription.
Pros | Cons |
Unblock major streaming platform | do not have servers in China |
user-friendly interface | Lack of optimized servers |
offer unlimited connections | Poor client application |
Why Choosing the Right VPN is Important for Streaming
Geo-blocks ensure that you are allowed to watch only that content which airs in your country. Needless to say, they annoy the hell out of streaming enthusiasts who are interested in a variety of content from all around the globe.
Thankfully, there is a workaround for this frustrating restriction: you can sign up for a premium VPN. Right VPN can unblock many streaming websites of your choice.
However, you must keep in mind that many popular streaming sites have begun to employ anti-VPN technology to identify connection attempts from outside of the regions they are restricted to.
This often means that when users connect to these platforms through a VPN, their IP address gets logged and checked against an internal list of known VPN services IPs. If the user’s real IP matches one on the list, they are blocked from access for a set amount of time before being able to log back in.
Therefore, you must remember that we only recommend a premium VPN over the free VPN services because a reliable VPN is able to successfully evade the identification mechanisms these streaming platforms employ.
A VPN can be used on any device like Android TV, Apple TV, Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, and many others.
Worst VPNs For Streaming
There are many great VPNs, but not all of them work for streaming movies.
1 – TunnelBear – Free Version
The free version of TunnelBear is only compatible with Hulu, and it provides 500 MB per month. This means you can unblock Hulu but not use any other streaming services. The paid version of VPN may give you more options to get a better streaming service.
2 – CactusVPN
CactusVPN will not unblock popular streaming services like Netflix unless you switch from the encrypted to a more insecure, non-encrypted service type. I attempted to use both with streaming Netflix US and found that to be a major issue with CactusVPN.
3 – Hotspot Shield – Free Version
Hotspot Shield’s free VPN version is one of the best, but it’s not ideal if you want to stream movies. The 500 MB data cap only gave us about 30 minutes of streaming in HD each day for a month with no throttling. Thankfully, there are paid versions that offer more and don’t throttle you.
FAQs
What can I do if my VPN has been blocked for streaming?
Which are the best TV streaming services?
Which VPN Is Good For Streaming?
Is a VPN worth it for streaming?
Should I go for a free streaming VPN?
Which VPN is best for streaming?
Is NordVPN good for streaming?
Does a VPN improve streaming?
Conclusion
Only high-quality VPNs can bypass geo-restrictions and let you stream content from platforms such as Netflix US from any location. However, it can be difficult to choose the best VPN for streaming, but it won’t be with the help of the above guide.
Finally, you can stop worrying about finding the best streaming VPN and start enjoying your streaming experience!