People increasingly rely on top streaming VPNs to stay up-to-date with their favourite shows, and it’s easy to see why. International copyright and licensing restrictions determine who can watch specific content; these rules constantly change. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when the movie you’re eager to watch isn’t available in your country.
That’s where a VPN comes in handy. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can mask your location and fool websites and streaming platforms into thinking you’re accessing them from another part of the world.
Factors to consider while choosing a streaming VPN
When choosing a streaming VPN, there are three key factors: reliable access to numerous streaming sites, a good variety of servers, and excellent speeds. Our top pick, NordVPN, excels in all these areas and offers a clean, polished interface that simplifies streaming overseas content while maintaining excellent privacy.
Not all VPNs offer this combination, and it’s important to note that in mid-2021, Netflix significantly cracked down on VPN use. As a result, many providers initially struggled, but the best ones have since improved and are now performing well.
It’s also worth noting that most streaming sites prohibit the use of VPNs and may threaten to deactivate your account.
Keep reading to see the best VPNs compared head-to-head, evaluating their unblocking capabilities, speed, and overall value for money.
- Nord VPN- The top streaming VPN that also excels in security
Available on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers
Server locations: 140+ in 111 countries
Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, C4, 9Now, 10play
Maximum devices supported: 10
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Support: 24/7 live chat, knowledgebase
Pros | Cons |
Excellent streaming performance | Polarizing mobile interface |
Functional kill switch | Fewer server locations than ExpressVPN and Surfshark |
Serious speeds | |
Huge array of global servers |
NordVPN is a streaming powerhouse that can unblock virtually any platform. Whether you want to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, or DAZN (just to name a few), NordVPN has you covered
NordVPN’s emphasis on streaming is clear with its SmartPlay technology, a secure proxy service designed to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming websites. This feature is enabled by default in all NordVPN apps, automatically redirecting user requests through suitable remote servers.
You won’t encounter any issues accessing BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube. NordVPN has significantly improved its access to Netflix in recent months, offering access to libraries in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Essentially, NordVPN provides all the tools necessary to enjoy streaming content from around the world—including exceptionally fast speeds.
NordVPN operates more than 6,000 servers across 111 countries worldwide—a substantial network. The fact that NordVPN offers over 6,000 servers in 111 countries is a bonus, ensuring great speeds no matter where you are.
Navigating between locations is seamless thanks to NordVPN’s well-organized server lists, allowing you to quickly switch locations and bypass any geo-restrictions you encounter. The service offers several specialized servers, including dedicated P2P servers, obfuscated (cloaked) servers, and Onion Over VPN.
Streaming service providers constantly update their systems to prevent geo-unblocking, but NordVPN consistently finds ways to bypass these restrictions. In short, you get access to dozens of streaming services, including Netflix, iPlayer, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, and many more.
In addition to excellent encryption, NordVPN offers a handy SmartPlay feature. This combines Smart DNS with your base VPN connection, maximizing your connection’s performance for smoother, faster streaming. Especially useful for streaming in HD, SmartPlay also bypasses streaming services’ VPN blocking tools, ensuring you have near-guaranteed access to anything you want to watch.
NordVPN provides consistent speeds and stands out in security with its dedicated obfuscated servers that enhance privacy. These servers make it appear as though you aren’t using a VPN, bypassing tools designed to block VPN traffic.
NordVPN’s kill switch is highly reliable, preventing any leaks if activated. Additional security features include a dedicated IP address and Onion Over VPN.
While NordVPN’s mobile app offers the same features as the desktop version, its interface is less intuitive than ExpressVPN and Surfshark. However, NordVPN provides plenty of explainer guides, support articles, and excellent 24/7 live chat support to assist with any issues you may encounter when accessing your preferred shows or TV events.
NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat support along with various guides and articles to assist you in smoothly accessing the shows or events you want to watch. Additionally, its subscription plans include extra tools and apps for a slightly higher monthly fee, such as a data breach scanner, personal data removal service, cross-platform password manager, and 1 TB of cloud storage. Compare these features against ExpressVPN with the peace of mind of a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
Design | It is generally a useful interface, though some users might feel a bit crowded. | 4 star |
Ease of use | Although easy to use, the map-like design may not appeal to everyone. | 4 star |
Performance | One of the fastest, with an average speed of 950 Mbps on NordLynx. | 5 star |
Unblocking | Effortlessly bypasses restrictions on most content streaming platforms. | 5 star |
Security and privacy | Robust encryption with added features such as threat Protection for secure streaming. | 5 star |
Customer support | Dependable 24/7 customer support | 5 star |
Price | Offers great value for the price. | 4 star |
- ExpressVPN – An excellent VPN for streaming, as well as all your other online needs.
Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, Sling TV, HBO, DAZN, Kayo, and Peacock
Compatible devices: Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox
Server locations: 160
Maximum devices supported: 8
24/7 live chat support: Yes
Pros | Cons |
Access the biggest streaming platforms | Slightly pricier |
Quality mobile clients | Only 8 devices supported |
Reliable high-speed performance | Previously encountered some minor issues with Netflix |
Extensive selection of servers and locations | |
Top-quality apps |
ExpressVPN unblocks all major TV streaming services worldwide, consistently allowing access to your favorite platforms. ExpressVPN can seamlessly unblock multiple international Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, and other popular streaming services.
ExpressVPN provides a variety of native clients for Windows, Mac, Linux, and other devices, but its mobile offerings truly stand out. The intuitive and well-designed iOS and Android apps enable automatic connection to the nearest optimized server, delivering high speeds. Additionally, ExpressVPN features its own SmartDNS tool, MediaStreamer, which allows you to access geo-restricted content on devices like Smart TVs by spoofing your location.
ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature allows you to choose which apps are protected by the VPN, enabling you to access local sites and services while streaming your favorite content simultaneously.
ExpressVPN has solid speeds, averaging 750 Mbps, providing sufficient bandwidth to stream content anywhere in the world and fast enough to stream over a dozen TV shows or movies in 4K simultaneously.
The provider has recently increased its simultaneous connection limit from five to eight. Since most users only connect about four devices at a time, this allows both you and other members of your household to benefit. However, other providers like Surfshark offer unlimited simultaneous connections.
In addition to its limited number of simultaneous connections, ExpressVPN is priced higher than much of its competition, including NordVPN, which offers a wide range of security tools at a lower cost.
ExpressVPN justifies its higher price with unparalleled customer support, available 24/7 to provide expert advice and resolve any issues. Plus, with its 12-month plan, you get 3 months of additional protection, a password manager, and a year of unlimited cloud storage, all for free. Don’t just take our word for it—try it yourself with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN may be premium-priced, but its MediaStreamer tool is a standout feature for streaming on devices like Smart TVs and gaming consoles. This tool is a game-changer, enabling access to geo-restricted and overseas content even on devices that typically don’t support VPNs.
With MediaStreamer, you can effortlessly unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and more. This is particularly impressive considering the ongoing efforts of these services to block VPN access. Additionally, ExpressVPN offers reliably fast connection speeds, making 4K and HDR streaming smooth and buffer-free.
ExpressVPN has 3,200 servers in 105 countries across 160 locations. While it may not match NordVPN’s 6,000+ servers, the quality and reliability of ExpressVPN’s servers ensure you won’t experience buffering issues while streaming.
Coverage is particularly robust in the U.S. and Europe, but ExpressVPN also boasts more global locations than many competitors, with 27 in Asia-Pacific alone. Fans of Asian content and K-dramas will find ExpressVPN an excellent choice.
Beyond streaming, ExpressVPN prioritizes security. It offers secure DNS, multiple layers of privacy, AES-256 encryption, and a selection of protocols, ensuring your data remains protected. The no-logs policy guarantees that your online activities stay private, and the kill switch feature further safeguards your sensitive information by preventing data leaks if the VPN connection drops.
In summary, ExpressVPN is an outstanding VPN for streaming content. If you’re looking for a trustworthy VPN and are willing to invest in premium service, ExpressVPN is a top-notch alternative to NordVPN.
Feature | Comments | Ratings |
Design | A user-friendly design that is easy to navigate, visually pleasing, and straightforward to comprehend. | 5 star |
User friendly | Suitable for beginners with minimal expertise required. | 5 star |
Performance | Dependable and consistently fast, though some competitors offer faster peak speeds. | 4 star |
Unblocking | With servers across 160 locations in 105 countries, it ensures access to a wide range of content. | 5 star |
Security and privacy | Top-notch security with 256-bit AES encryption | 5 star |
Customer support | Support from experts is accessible around the clock, 24/7. | 5 star |
Price | Priced higher compared to other alternatives. | 4 star |
- Surfshark- Affordable option ideal for streaming
Available on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux (GUI), routers
Server locations: 143 in 100 countries
Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, C4, 9Now, 10Play
Maximum devices supported: Unlimited
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Support: 24/7 live chat, knowledgebase
Pros | Cons |
Class-leading connection speeds | Occasional issues with the kill switch in extreme conditions. |
24/7 Live chat support | |
Excellent value for money | |
Use it across unlimited devices. |
The provider offers a superb balance of speed and affordability. It’s an excellent VPN for streaming, allowing access to Netflix, Amazon Video, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, 10 Play, and 9Now effortlessly across the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and other regions.
While intended for household use, enforcing this rule becomes challenging due to the VPN’s stringent no-logs policy, ensuring user data remains untracked.
Surfshark also offers a GPS spoofing feature, enabling secure access to global content by aligning your current location with that of your selected VPN server. This ensures coverage even if certain apps require your physical location for access.
Surfshark also claims the top spot in our list of affordable VPN providers, available at an effective monthly cost of $1.99 with its two-year plan. With one subscription covering unlimited simultaneous connections, it surpasses other leading streaming VPNs. This allows you to install it on multiple devices and promote online safety by sharing the subscription with your family or friends.
In addition to delivering high-quality service, Surfshark helps users evade ISP bandwidth throttling, a tactic where ISPs limit connection speeds to incentivize users to upgrade to pricier plans. By concealing your online activities, Surfshark prevents ISPs from throttling your connection, ensuring smooth streaming of your favorite TV shows and movies at high speeds. Moreover, Surfshark has demonstrated impressive performance, reaching peak speeds of 950 Mbps, ideal for seamless 4K streaming.
However, recent tests revealed some issues with Surfshark’s kill switch, which detracts from its overall reliability and quality. If privacy concerns and avoiding accidental IP leaks are priorities for you, opting for ExpressVPN or NordVPN may be preferable. While Surfshark excels in unblocking content, NordVPN outperformed it in recent comparisons.
On the positive side, Surfshark is exceptionally user-friendly, making it an ideal choice for beginners. However, it may lack some advanced features that power users might seek in a VPN service.
Overall, Surfshark offers excellent value for money and ensures a fantastic streaming experience for most users. You can always assess its performance yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee period.
Surfshark’s RAM-only servers ensure enhanced online safety by not storing any data about you or your activities. This feature, also employed by ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and other leading VPNs, is a significant advantage.
Surfshark proves to be an excellent VPN for Fire Stick, boasting a custom app for Amazon Fire TV that is user-friendly yet offers a variety of customization settings. It stands out as one of the most straightforward VPNs to use on Fire Stick.
However, Surfshark’s standout feature is its affordability. Typically priced at less than $2.50 per month, and sometimes even below $2 during promotions, it combines value with high performance, earning it my top recommendation as a budget-friendly VPN.
It’s worth noting that Surfshark may not be the best choice for users with older Windows versions like 7, 8, or 8.1, as these platforms no longer receive app updates from the VPN. Updating to a supported OS can enhance your streaming experience beyond Surfshark’s updates.
Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial for Android, iOS, and Mac, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it easy to test its suitability for your needs. With its affordable price and solid performance, Surfshark is an excellent choice for a streaming VPN.
Feature | Comment | Rating |
Design | Minimalistic, clean, and intuitive design | 5 star |
Ease of use | Ideal for beginners and straightforward to use | 5 star |
Performance | Impressively fast speeds | 5 star |
Unblocking | Highly effective in unblocking streaming apps and circumventing censorship | 4 star |
Security and privacy | While the kill switch may have some room for improvement, everything else performs excellently. | 4 star |
Customer support | Reliable 24/7 customer support and a wealth of helpful articles | 4 star |
Price | Cheap VPN offering exceptional value | 5 star |
- Proton VPN- Excellent VPN for streaming, with a free trial available
Available on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux (GUI), routers
Server locations: 119 in 91 countries
Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, C4, 9Now, 10Play
Maximum devices supported: 10
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Support: Email, knowledgebase
Pros | Cons |
First-class Netflix unblocking | Relatively expensive |
Good speeds | The free version can’t stream |
Powerful, secure apps |
Proton VPN excels at providing the streaming experience users seek from a VPN. Proton VPN is not only one of the most secure VPNs available but also a formidable streaming tool.
It effortlessly bypasses Netflix’s restrictions in many regions, including challenging locations like Japan. Moreover, Proton VPN can unlock content from a variety of streaming services such as Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. No matter what you want to watch, Proton VPN ensures you can access it.
Proton VPN excels in online security, offering robust features like AES-256 encryption and an effective kill switch. Additionally, it includes Proton’s Stealth protocol, which disguises VPN traffic as regular traffic, allowing access in even the most privacy-restricted countries.
As of May 2024, Proton VPN boasts around 4,900 servers, surpassing Surfshark and ExpressVPN.
For those who despise buffering, Proton VPN’s unique VPN Accelerator technology, enabled by default, can boost server speeds by up to 400%. This cutting-edge feature is unique to Proton VPN, setting it apart from other top VPN providers.
The auto-reconnect feature ensures your connection is quickly re-established if it fails. On Proton VPN’s iOS app, the always-on VPN feature is permanently activated, while Android users need to enable it manually.
With Proton VPN, you can stream content completely anonymously. The company ensures no activity logging or tracking and offers Bitcoin and cash payment options for extra privacy.
Proton VPN is typically on the pricier side, with a standard rate of €4.99/month for a two-year plan. It’s worth exploring the free VPN option, though it’s not suitable for streaming.
In summary, Proton VPN is an excellent privacy-focused streaming VPN, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure it meets your needs.
Feature | Comment | Rating |
Design | The intuitive and dynamic design, with dark mode as a standout feature | 4 star |
User friendly | Certain desktop features might be too complex for regular users to comprehend | 3 star |
Performance | Proton has significantly improved, now offering speeds of 950 Mbps with WireGuard. | 5 star |
Unblocking | Unblocks most sites on the paid subscription | 4 star |
Security and privacy | State-of-the-art security with Swiss law protection and an independent audit | 5 star |
Customer support | Fast response times with numerous guides | 4 star |
Price | It’s not the cheapest option, but its promotional price makes it more affordable. | 4 star |
- Private Internet Access- Many configuration options and excellent streaming performance
Available on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux (GUI), routers
Server locations: 150+ in 91 countries
Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, C4, 9Now, 10 play
Maximum devices supported: 10
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Support: 24/7 live chat, knowledgebase
Pros | Cons |
A wide variety of streaming sites | Middling speeds |
Variety of customization | Apps lack the polish of competitors’ |
Multiple servers |
Private Internet Access (PIA), I found that this well-established and popular provider ranks among the best streaming VPNs. PIA unblocks capabilities from Netflix and BBC iPlayer to Disney Plus and YouTube.
Despite its fifth-place ranking due to strong competition, PIA performs well for most sites. While unblocking Amazon Prime Video’s U.S. library and the Australian 10 Play service can be inconsistent, it easily handles most sites.
PIA’s standout feature is its extensive level of configuration. You can adjust settings like server location, encryption level, and port forwarding to optimize your VPN for a superior streaming experience with reduced latency and enhanced security. This configurability also makes PIA an excellent choice for torrenting.
Even if you’re not tech-savvy, PIA is user-friendly, allowing you to connect with just one touch via its app interface. It also offers a wide range of server locations, so you can find the best server for your content, no matter where you are.
One minor inconvenience is switching between regular applications and the browser during binge-watching sessions. However, you can enable the Bypass List functionality to specify which streaming websites should bypass the VPN. While not unique to PIA, its implementation of split tunneling is very effective.
Though PIA doesn’t have the highest speeds, it’s sufficient for streaming without interruption. Speed might not be PIA’s strongest suit, but its security features are top-notch. PIA includes an excellent kill switch and has an independently audited no-logging policy, proven twice in court, ensuring your data remains private.
Importantly, PIA is the cheapest provider on this list, making it a great bargain given its robust features. If you’re looking for an affordable VPN for streaming, PIA could be the perfect choice for you.
- Hide.me- A high-performance VPN for ultimate speed and unrestricted access
Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, ITV Hub, All4, 9Now, 10Play
Compatible devices: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Router Server locations: 87
Maximum devices supported: 10
24/7 live chat support: Yes
Pros | Cons |
Astonishing speed performance | Kill switch issues |
Access all major streaming services | Requires an updated security audit |
Excellent value for your money |
Over the past year, Hide.me has significantly risen in our rankings, establishing itself as a top-tier streaming VPN. Its strong track record of unblocking numerous popular streaming services and achieving some of the fastest speeds in our biannual tests contribute to its reputation. With an upgrade to 10 Gbps on most servers, Hide.me now ranks among our top 5 fastest VPN services, reaching peaks of 950 Mbps.
Supported by excellent WireGuard speeds, Hide.me is an outstanding option for streaming. Although it previously faced challenges in unblocking Netflix catalogs in various countries, it now performs flawlessly. It also successfully unblocked Disney Plus, Prime Video, UK services like BBC iPlayer, All4, ITV Hub, and Australia’s platforms 9Now and 10Play.
In addition to its fast connection speeds, Hide.me provides exceptional security features that enhance your daily online experience, particularly when streaming content. Its MultiHop feature allows you to connect to two servers simultaneously, boosting your anonymity and privacy, similar to NordVPN’s Double VPN. Unlike NordVPN, Hide.me gives you the flexibility to choose the two servers, offering a customizable solution without significantly slowing you down.
Hide.me is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, consoles, and smart TVs, offering extensive coverage. With an affordable 3-year plan that includes an additional three months for free, Hide.me remains a reliable VPN for unblocking streaming services, delivering speeds that effortlessly handle 4K streaming.
However, there are some drawbacks. The excellent free VPN offering does not include streaming service unblocking, which is only available to paying customers. Additionally, some issues with the kill switch persist, potentially leaving users vulnerable when changing locations. The quoted security audit from 2015 feels outdated, raising concerns for privacy-conscious users. For those prioritizing privacy, ExpressVPN or NordVPN may be better choices.
Features | Comments | Rating |
Design | User-friendly and intuitive interface | 5 star |
User-friendly | Better suited for advanced and demanding users | 3 star |
Performance | Extremely fast, surpassed only by Surfshark | 5 star |
Unblocking | Successfully unblocks all major streaming services | 5 star |
Security and privacy | Experiencing some kill switch issues; the security audit is outdated | 3 star |
Customer support | There are lots of supporting articles, and live chat is available 24/7 | 5 star |
Price | Overall, provides good value for the money | 4 star |
- PureVPN- Unlock affordably and effortlessly
Streaming services unblocked: US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, YouTube, and HBO
Compatible devices: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Android TV, Fire Stick
Server locations: 96
Maximum devices supported: 10
24/7 live chat support: No
Pros | Cons |
Supports up to 10 simultaneous connections | Apps with occasional glitches |
Affordable long-term subscription options | Subpar support site |
Unblocks all content |
PureVPN is a great budget-friendly option that allows you to enjoy your favorite shows at a lower cost, no matter your location, although it does have some drawbacks. If your priority is accessing Netflix rather than privacy concerns, PureVPN is worth considering.
PureVPN has regained its position as a top contender for bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming services. It successfully unblocked every service we tested, including worldwide Netflix catalogs, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, and Prime Video, solidifying its place among the best streaming VPNs available.
Its mobile experience has been significantly enhanced, now featuring in-app live chat that directs users to the branded PureVPN website instead of an unbranded page. The ability to create shortcuts is also a convenient addition for quickly connecting to a server and launching preferred streaming services.
Moreover, PureVPN maintains above-average speeds in our latest tests, peaking at 650 Mbps—a slight decrease from its previous peak of 840 Mbps. While not matching the speeds of our top-recommended VPNs, it still delivers a swift and dependable connection capable of effortlessly handling 4K streams.
If speed is your top priority, NordVPN, Surfshark, or Hide.me are better options. During our testing, we encountered some security issues, such as apps sending crash reports without user consent. PureVPN’s support website also fell short of expectations, and there were several issues with the Windows and iOS clients, including problems with the kill switch and difficulty canceling connections.
For those uncertain about PureVPN, it offers a 31-day money-back guarantee. While it excels as a streaming VPN with a strong track record of unblocking content, if you seek a more comprehensive VPN package, providers like ExpressVPN or NordVPN may better meet your needs.
Features | Comments | Rating |
Design | Simple and intuitive interface | 5 star |
User-friendly | Easy to navigate, but some apps have irritations and issues | 3 star |
Performance | Dependable, yet with moderate speeds | 4 star |
Unblocking | Successfully unlocks all major streaming services | 5 star |
Security and privacy | Encountered some kill switch issues; apps were observed sending crash reports without user consent | 3 star |
Customer support | Considerably lagging behind other top providers | 3 star |
Price | Offers excellent value with longer-term plans | 4 star |
FAQs
Q. Are VPNs beneficial for streaming?
Whether a VPN is worthwhile for streaming depends entirely on your viewing preferences and frequency. If you’re someone who craves a wide range of movies and TV shows and is willing to go the extra mile to access all content, then a VPN becomes indispensable. It allows you to start watching Netflix and Amazon Prime content that might not be available in your region.
Similarly, if you’re a passionate sports fan but find the coverage lacking in your current location or during travels, a VPN enables you to watch your favorite teams or players with more extensive global coverage.
Q. Which streaming services are compatible with VPNs?
The range of streaming services that can be unblocked by VPNs is extensive. It would be quicker to list services that aren’t accessible via VPN. You can unblock Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, DAZN, YouTube, Disney Plus, Fubo, All 4, ITV Hub, and many other domestic networks. If you’re uncertain and want to test whether a VPN will work with your preferred streaming service before committing, we recommend opting for a VPN with a free trial to evaluate it risk-free.
Occasionally, a VPN may successfully unlock a service one day and encounter issues the next. This is more common with lower-quality providers.
Q. Is it advisable to opt for a free streaming VPN?
It is recommended to steer clear of free VPNs if your goal is reliable stream unblocking. They often have data limits, and bandwidth restrictions, and are unreliable for unblocking streaming services.