VPN is a commonly heard term these days, talked about in articles, videos, sponsor segments and more. But perhaps you’re a relative newcomer to the internet and you don’t really know what a VPN is, which one is the right choice for you, or even why you might want one at all..
VPN is short for a Virtual Private Network. It’s a security tool that protects your internet usage from anyone who might want to try and snoop on it or intercept it to steal information from you. A VPN can also be used to unblock region-locked streaming content and websites all over around the world. If you’re looking for more details you can check out this what is a VPN article on our sister site, TechRadar, for more details.
With so many different providers out there, it can be hard to know which one to pick if streaming is what's most important to you. We're here to help you cut through all the marketing blurb and let you know which ones we think are the best streaming VPNs.
An IT expert since 1999, Shaun has worked in a variety of companies and roles from tiny startups to multi-national corporations, from Desktop Support to Systems Administration to Technical Writer.
The three best streaming VPNs in 2024
How to pick a streaming VPN
When looking to choose a streaming VPN there's a few things to take into account. As well as the cost of the subscription, you need to look at the connection speeds that are offered and make sure that any service you pick is going to be fast enough to let you stream in full HD and 4K. You need to look at the server locations and the number of servers as well, and ensure that they have plenty of servers in those countries to make sure you can easily access the content you're interested in.
This is why we do not recommend free VPNs for streaming. Few free VPNs support streaming, and they tend to offer very limited numbers of locations and come with bandwidth limits that seriously restrict how much you can watch without paying.
The best streaming VPN
✔️ You want to access multiple streaming platorms around the world: NordVPN's ability to unblock streaming content around the world is unrivaled
✔️ You need a fast VPN: NordVPN regularly hits speeds of over 950 Mbps in our testing, far more than you need to stream HD and 4K content
✔️ You need to stream using Amazon Firestick: NordVPN is one of the only VPNs that work with Amazon Firestick
❌ You mostly use mobile: NordVPN's mobile apps are a little clunky compared to its competitors
❌ You do a lot of torrenting: NordVPN supports torrenting on its servers but not all its servers work with torrent clients. Finding a server can involve some trial and error
🔒 NordVPN remains the top choice when it comes to accessing streaming content around the world. Coupled with fast connection speeds and an impressive suite of security features, you get the best streaming VPN around. If you're not convinced, you can try it for risk free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Head on over to TechRadar's NordVPN review for more insight into how this provider performed in our testing.
One of the most frustrating things about streaming services is the simple fact that not all content is available in every part of the world and if you want to access something that isn't available in your location, you're going to need a VPN. With a VPN you can connect to a server in the location you need and you'll be able to access all of that region's content without worrying about geo-blocking or licensing restrictions.
NordVPN makes finding the right server a breeze with its in-app map layout supported with a handy list of countries allowing you to easily find where you need to connect to. It doesn't even matter which country your account is registered in, bit it the USA, UK, Australia, or Japan. NordVPN unblocks libraries from around the world without fail. Our testing confirms it reliably works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee
NordVPN offers apps for just about every device available today, including PC, mobile, and tablet. It even works with game consoles. In addition to being able to stream to your heart's content you get ad-blocking tools and malware protection for all of your devices. You can even upgrade your subscription level to get access to NordVPN's password manager and cloud storage services. It's also the only VPN provider to offer scam insurance should the worst happen.
While it might not be the absolute fastest VPN out there, NordVPN is no slouch in the speed department. Using its WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol it easily placed among the fastest VPNs during our testing. This means you'll be able to enjoy streaming in HD (high definition) and 4K with no buffering and no worries about your connection dropping out right when the action kicks off.
There are a few hiccups we've encountered while using NordVPN, though. For starters, its mobile apps aren't the easiest to figure out. There are inconsistencies between them and what tools are available on the desktop versions. Overall, there just isn't the same detail and navigation ease with the apps as there is with the computer apps.
Another point to be aware of is though NordVPN comes with ad blocking and malware protection, these aren't as effective as antivirus software. These programs are dedicated to malware blocking and overall threat protection, and so do a much better job than what you get with NordVPN. Still, for the price of this service, having a little bit of extra security isn't a bad thing.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fun and interactive, though maybe a little too busy and overwhelming for some users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Its mobile apps have a few quirks, and the interactive map isn't for every, but all other devices and apps are super easy to use | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest VPNs we tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Reliably unblocks access all around the world. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | No-logging policy and AES 256-bit encryption mean high marks for both security and privacy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Quick responses and an easy-to-understand knowledge base that are both helpful and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Overall a good deal, though there are other VPNs that are cheaper | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best streaming VPN for beginners
✔️ You want a highly configurable VPN: ExpressVPN lets you set your preferences and will save them for future sessions
✔️ You want to stream content anywhere: ExpressVPN has servers in over 160 locations, though it has fewer total servers than NordVPN
✔️ Security is a priority: ExpressVPN is on of the best VPNs when it comes to privacy and security features
❌ You primarily use US or UK Netflix: ExpressVPN isn't consistent when unblocking these apps, though it's perfect for watching in Japan or Australia
❌ You're on a tight budget: Though it's worth the subscription cost ExpressVPN is expensive compared to other services. Surfshark is our top budget pick
❌ You need a Linux app: Though it does work with Linux, it isn't the best choice because it's missing a graphical user interface (GUI)
🔒 ExpressVPN may not be the cheapest VPN, but the ease of use and attention to detail are just a couple of the reasons why it's one of our top streaming VPN choices.
Check out this ExpressVPN review and see why it's one of our top choices for most users.
Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN has been around for a long time and they’re one of the best known VPN providers out there. But how does it measure up when it comes to unblocking streaming services?
When you sign up for ExpressVPN you’re not just signing up for a great streaming VPN that can reliable and consistently unblock streaming sites both big and small, including all the most common ones like Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and Netflix. You’re also getting a suite of other features to make your online life easier, including a built in password manager called ExpressVPN Keys which is built into the mobile apps, but is a separate download for those on Windows/MacOS. There’s also an ad blocker, and ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager that blocks malicious sites and website trackers.
ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile devices including iOS and Android. It can also run natively on both your router and your smart TV, so you can stream content no matter where you are or what device you’re using. Along with a wide range of device support, ExpressVPN boasts a wide range of server locations, over 105 at last count, ensuring that you should be able to find a fast connection close to you as well as one in any country you might need to access content in.
▶ Try ExpressVPN for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN isn’t as fast as NordVPN, but it’s anything but slow, especially when you connect using its proprietary Lightway protocol. You will see a bigger hit to your connection speeds when using ExpressVPN, during testing speeds on our gigabit line hovered right down around 410Mbps on WireGuard/Lightwave, and dropped to 210Mbps when using OpenVPN. These speeds are more than adequate for streaming in both HD and 4K, which means no annoying buffering and no worries about missing the exciting parts of the movie because your connection has dropped out.
The ExpressVPN app feels a little dated compared to sleek offerings from companies like Surfshark, but it does the job well enough and makes picking locations as simple as could be. On start-up there’s a nice, friendly power button style icon that will automatically connect to the nearest smart location, and the locations are provided in a straight forward list that also stores your recently used locations. The mobile app even has an informative little graph that shows you the amount of time your device has been protected and what your current location and IP address are.
While ExpressVPN’s reputation took a bit of a hit recently with the unfortunate discovery of DNS leaks in its apps, the company moved quickly to resolve the issue and reassure customers. It remains a top-tier VPN that’s powerful, easy to use and works with all the most popular streaming services out there. It is a little on the expensive side compared to its competitors, but it offers a polished and easy to use service that will enable to you access the content you want to watch no matter which streaming library it might be in.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
| Design | Everything you need is easily found without a lot of clutter to distract you | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Easy to use for anyone just learning about VPNs, and very configurable for tech-savvy users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | It’s fast enough to support streaming, but it is significantly slower than both Surfshark and NordVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Struggles with a couple of Netflix apps, but just about everything else is easily accessed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | ExpressVPN's privacy tools keep your data from leaking, or falling into the wrong hands | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Express VPN support is friendly, helpful, professional, and available 24/7. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | It's expensive, even if it is worth it | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap streaming VPN
✔️ You want the best deal money can buy: Surfshark hits the high mark with great subscription offers that make it perfect for anyone on a budget
✔️ You need a super-fast connection: with 960 Mbps downloads speeds in testing, Surfshark is the fastest VPN on our list
✔️ You need an easy interface: Surfsharks's interface is information, while also being easy to use for those just starting out
❌ You want more servers locations: ExpressVPN has more server locations than anyone else, 160 in an impressive 94 different countries
❌ You need a reliable kill switch: though it does work, our tests show some potential issues with the kill switch. If this is a problem for you, consider either NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
🔒 Surfshark's budget-friendly price can't be beaten, nor can its top speeds, which are awesome for streaming TV shows on every device in the house.
Read this full Surfshark review to see why it's more than just a fast VPN, it's a budget-friendly security suite.
Surfshark is proof that a budget price doesn’t mean you need to compromise on features when it comes to picking a great streaming VPN. Not only do you get a fast VPN with great unblocking capabilities for accessing content worldwide, it includes a comprehensive security suite to keep you safe while you’re doing it.. Surfshark not only comes with built-in ad-blocking, an antivirus solution, tracker-free web browsing, and a data breach notifier, it even has a tool called Alternative ID that generates brand new identities and email addressed for you to use online. This protects you from being inundated with spam any time you need to register for something.
Even though Surfshark is cheaper than competitors like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, it’s just as capable as them when it comes to unblocking capabilities. Our testing shows it can reliably and consistently unblock multiple Netflix libraries as well as Disney+, ITV, the BBC iPlayer and more, making it a solid and cost-effective choice for those who want to stream foreign libraries.
▶ Try the fastest VPN for Netflix on unlimited devices
Being able to unblock multiple libraries is a good selling point, but you need fast connections and plenty of servers spread around the world to take advantage of it and Surfshark won’t let you down. Not only does Surfshark have servers in 100 different countries around the world, it’s one of the fastest VPNs in our speed tests. Reaching speeds of over 950Mbps when connected through WireGuard and a chart topping 640Mbps using OpenVPN you’ll be able to stream, torrent or game without ever needing to worry about lag or buffering.
Sufshark’s apps can feel a bit busy and cluttered compared to competitors like ExpressVPN, taking a similar approach to NordVPN with its map-style interface. It does give users a lot of information and options, but could be intimidating to those not used to such things.
In day to day use the app is solid and usually reliable, however there have been a handful of instances with the Windows app where the killswitch doesn’t work properly, leaving users browsing and torrenting, assuming they were safe when in fact they were unprotected. This is a rare case, though, and normally Surfshark’s apps are rock solid and offer plenty of configuration and customization options for more experienced users to customize it to their specific needs.
With a low monthly cost, fast download speeds for streaming and torrenting and the ability to unblock multiple streaming libraries worldwide, Sufshark remains our top choice for the budget-conscious VPN user. If you’d like to know more, head over and check out our in-depth Surfshark review, and then try it out for yourself, risk free, thanks to Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Intuitive and easy-to-use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | One of the best for newbies just getting use to a VPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Lightning-fast speeds that top our testing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Struggles with a couple of services, but most are easily unblocked | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Some kill switch issues, but does include ad blocker and antivirus solution | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | The answer is in its extensive library of help articles, but it's hard to navigate, especially if in a hurry | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Can't beat the price and the wealth of security features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best streaming VPN with free version
✔️ You need Linux (GUI) support: Proton VPN's Linux app is a good choice for Linux users who don't want to use the command line
✔️ You need a free VPN: the free version of Proton VPN doesn't allow TV streaming, but it has unlimited bandwidth and is available for most devices.
❌ You need fast speeds: Proton VPNs speeds are more than fast enough for streaming, but slower compared to Surfshark.
❌ You want to watch 10Play: ProtonVPN struggled with this service. Another VPN would be a better choice here.
🔒 ProtonVPN is secure, and unblocks plenty of streaming services around the world. Plus, it even offers a free VPN plan.
Read this in-depth review of Proton VPN to learn about its free offering and paid subscription, and what both have to offer.
When you sign up to Proton VPN you’re not just getting a great streaming VPN, you’re getting a suite of security and privacy related tools that benefit not only those interested in streaming, but anyone concerned about their online privacy too. A Proton VPN subscription includes the NetShield Ad-blocker, which blocks not only adverts but trackers and malware too. There’s DNS leak protection that ensures your browsing history never leaks and a multi-hop solution called Secure Core which routes your traffic through multiple servers for added security.
Proton are a well known company that not only offer a reliable and secure VPN service that’s great for streaming, they offer a free VPN that, while limited in terms of the number of devices you can use (only 1) and locations you can connect to (only 5), has no monthly bandwidth cap making it one of the best free VPNs on the market today. Though, as you can’t use it for streaming or torrenting, we’re going to focus on the paid version. Though if you’d like to know more, you can check out this list of the best free VPNs for a deeper dive.
▶ Try ProtonVPN's unlimited free plan
With apps for all major platforms and devices, as well as browser extensions and even a Linux client, Proton VPN has you covered no matter what you’re using. In use the app layout is similar to NordVPN, using a map display alongside a list of countries to choose from, as well as a handy little graph showing your session traffic/downloads and connection speeds.
For those with a paid subscription, Proton VPN is a solid choice for unblocking content and streaming video. It’s more than fast enough for HD and 4K streaming, with WireGuard speeds that rival Surfshark and NordVPN, and a respectable 400Mbps download speed on OpenVPN. For those on holiday or working away from home, our testing has shown that Proton VPN can easily and reliably unblock streaming sites such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and the BBC iPlayer so you won’t need to go without your favorite shows, no matter where in the world you are.
While it doesn’t offer unlimited connections like PIA or Surfshark, it’s limit of 10 devices is more than enough for all but the busiest households, allowing the entire family to stream their content of choice at the same time.
With an impressive dedication to user privacy and security, a great free version, fast servers for streaming and gaming, and impressive unblocking abilities, Proton VPN is a great choice for anyone looking for a streaming VPN. If you want to know more, you can read this Proton VPN review. If you want to try it yourself you can download and try Proton VPN’s free version and, if you want to pay, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee that means you lose nothing by trying it out.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | This is especially helpful for users that prefer dark mode | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | The mobile apps are easy to use, but the desktop ones are more cluttered | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | A lot of variation between apps, but overall decent and useable | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | All paid services are great at unblocking content | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | AES-256 bit encryption, a good no-log policy, and add-on options to boost all-around security | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Help articles are technical and hard to figure out, and live support is hit or miss | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Paid subscriptions are a little expensive, but its free service has a lot to offer | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN for Linux streamers
✔️ You want dedicated streaming servers: PIA has specific streaming servers to help you unblock your favorite content wherever you want.
✔️ You need customization: you can change the protocols you want and the encryption you use, just to name a few of PIA's options
❌ You're new to VPNs: PIA is highly configurable and not the easiest for beginners. We recommend either Surfshark and ExpressVPN's easy-to-use apps.
❌ You need faster speeds: though it's fast enough to support torrenting and 4K streaming, PIA isn't the fastest choice on this list.
🔒 Private Internet Access has so many servers it's hard not to find what you need when you need it, but it isn't recommended for new or inexperienced users.
For users that want to know more about the options available with this VPN, check out this in-depth Private Internet Access review.
While most streaming companies focus on Windows, MacOS and mobile device users, Linux users want to stream TV and movies as well and we have a VPN especially suited for those folks. PIA is our top choice for Linux users, especially those who might be new to the platform. With an easy installation process and a full-featured GUI app, PIA makes accessing streaming content on Linux a breeze.
Not only a VPN client, PIA offers a respectable choice of additional features. Especially important for busy households there’s support for an unlimited number of devices so you never need to worry about how many things you’re running the VPN on at once. There’s split-tunneling to allow you to choose which apps use the VPN and which don’t, which can be important for banking apps. There’s also PIA Mace which is an ad/tracker/malware blocking tool to help protect you from a plethora of online annoyances.
▶ Try PIA and stream on unlimited devices today
PIA’s mobile and desktop apps are minimalist and easy to get to grips with for the average user, using a design that’s similar to ExpressVPN’s big, friendly power-button icon to get you connected. The Linux app also has all the same features as either the MacOS and Windows ones so you don’t need to suffer a compromised experience just because you’re on Linux.
Where PIA does struggle a little is in our speed tests, with WireGuard speeds dropping to 330Mbps and OpenVPN down to 270Mpbs. This is still far more than you need for 4K streaming and while we might want better results, PIA is still more than fast enough to cope with anything you might want to watch. This mean you can take advantage of its ability to unblock all the most popular streaming sites including Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+.
While its speeds might not be the best of the best, PIA still shines as the best streaming VPN for Linux users. It has an impressive set of tools and features including a GUI client for less experienced users, coupled with strong unblocking capabilities to give you access to all the content you might want to watch. If you’d like to know more about PIA, why not check out this in-depth Private Internet Access review, and then give it a try yourself. You can use it risk free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Not a lot of detail, but it is very customizable | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not the best choice for beginners | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | It's good but average in just about every area | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Really good at unblocking TV streaming services including Netflix | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Uses the latest technology to really secure its VPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Some of the best customer support that's always available, and its support library is helpful, too | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | A good price point value for everything you get with this service | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How we test streaming VPNs
We have a rigorous testing regime for any VPN that we recommend which starts on the providers website and looking at the claims that it makes. What features are on offer? What claims are made about speed or unblocking ability or security?
Then we test the client itself, running through everything from downloading and installing to client functionality, testing the different encryption protocols, connecting to different servers to test connection speeds and checking for any leaks that might compromise security.
We test connection speeds at least 120 times across 2 sessions, using both a US connection and a UK one to see how real-world use stacks up to the providers claims, and finally we test with multiple exclusive shoes from different streaming services to see if it is able to reliable unblock them around the world.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best VPN for streaming?
Any of the VPNs we've recommended in this list would be a great choice for streaming, but we think that NordVPN is currently the best choice around thanks to its class-leading combination of speed, features and ability to reliably and consistently unblock all the major streaming platforms in multiple locations around the world.
What can I use a streaming VPN for?
You can use a streaming VPN to unblock websites that might not be available in your country, like accessing American news sites from Europe. A streaming VPN can be used to access region-locked shows and movies if you're travelling for work or on holiday, or to gain access to content that isn't available in your country. As well as that, the streaming VPNs we recommend are also great for online security and privacy.
Is using a VPN for streaming illegal?
In most parts of the world the use of a VPN is completely legal, though your streaming company might disapprove of its use and, in extreme cases, might end up banning your account. There are some locations, however, where the use of a VPN is tightly controlled or outright outlawed. You can find more information about this in the are VPN services legal? article over on our sister site Techradar.
Can streaming services tell if you’re using a VPN?
There's a constant battle between streaming providers trying to block VPNs and VPN providers trying to make sure that they can provide access to their service. Streaming providers will regularly block IP address ranges that they know are being used by VPNs, and VPN providers will always be looking to ways to get around around new blocks that are put in place. The VPNs we recommend in this list are the most reliable options out there.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
