Best VPNs for Streaming: Bypass Geo-Blocks in a Blink

If you’re struggling to access Netflix, Hulu, and other famous binge-worthy platforms, the best VPN for streaming will come in handy. You see, VPNs for streaming are overly popular because they provide access to more content. That’s what we all want, right? By simply changing your IP address, you can access more Netflix catalogs. This rings true for unblocking BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, or any other streaming platform you can fathom. In theory, all providers will allow this, as all can alter your online location.

Well, practice shows different results. Not many providers can be called the best VPNs for streaming because many of them don’t work for this purpose. This means you can’t just go online, pick a random one, and go with it. You need to put some thought into it.

Or better said, we need to. Having already sifted through dozens of VPNs, we have enough experience to identify the best ones for streaming. Keep reading as we reveal them and explain just how well they work for watching high-quality content.

The 5 Best VPNs for Streaming in 2024

This list will contain premium options because they’re the most reliable. We’ll address our experience with free alternatives later in this guide – it wasn’t great. For now, let’s stick to our tried-and-tested streaming-friendly VPN services:

1. NordVPN – the #1-rated streaming VPN overall
2. ExpressVPN – great for watching 4K movies and series
3. Private Internet Access – excellent for unblocking Netflix USA
4. Surfshark – the cheapest VPN for streaming
5. CyberGhost – offers a Smart DNS service on all devices

Now that our cards are on the table, we can just say go with NordVPN and enjoy. However, it would be smarter to read our mini-reviews of these services and pick one afterward.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is always our go-to option for streaming. As our favorite pick, it offers 6,400+ servers dispersed in around 111 countries. This server network, along with pitch-perfect streaming optimization, results in staggering performance in 2024.

This provider unblocks 20+ Netflix catalogs, works with BBC iPlayer and MAX, and can access Hulu, Peacock, and dozens of other similar platforms abroad. In addition, you’ll find NordVPN’s speed the best around, as it takes full advantage of the NordLynx protocol. It’s based on WireGuard, which easily achieves up to 10 Gbps speeds for smooth 4K streaming.

We appreciate NordVPN’s unlimited bandwidth as well as the Smart DNS service, which helps to unblock more content on other non-VPN-supported devices.

NordVPN’s Meshnet function is another worthy extra. It’s great for traffic routing, which can be used to bypass the Netflix password-sharing ban. Many users love its easy-to-use apps for all platforms followed by 10 simultaneous connections. What does this mean?

Exactly what you’re thinking! Watching content on the fly on your phone, tablet, or laptop without limits! NordVPN isn’t just the best streaming VPN. It’s great for privacy thanks to Double VPN servers, bank-grade encryption, and a certified no-logs policy.

Above all, its price is cut down significantly with a recent 70% discount on its 2-year plans. If you really need a streaming-optimized VPN service that you can comfortably rely on, this is a banger! Oh, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it’s completely devoid of risk.

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2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a reputable provider whose greatness stems from many of its features. For one, this is a very fast service thanks to Lightway, a proprietary protocol. This popular VPN for streaming allows you to fully utilize its 10 Gbps servers for ZERO buffering.

Better yet, it has them in 105 countries and most of them work with Netflix. Apart from Netflix US and Japan, users can enjoy sports-streaming platforms or free TV channels like BBC, ITV, and 9Now. ExpressVPN’s qualities are enhanced by MediaStreamer.

This Smart DNS service works with US-based platforms and fully supports all devices. That’s how you can use your PlayStation console to unblock more Netflix content. The company’s premium VPN for streaming also includes full support for Smart TVs.

It is, in fact, the first provider to develop a native Apple TV (tvOS) VPN app dedicated to uninterrupted streaming. Its web browser extensions also work well for this, and thanks to WebRTC leak protection, no website will detect your VPN usage – clever!

ExpressVPN lacks some features compared to NordVPN, so it’s not our #1 VPN for streaming. Double VPN and Meshnet are some of them. It’s also a tad more expensive but you can lower its price with a nifty 49% discount thanks to 3 free months for the 1-year plan.

Overall, this provider impresses way more than it disappoints. Other features include 24/7 live chat support, unlimited traffic, 8 simultaneous connections, Advanced Protection, a no-log policy, and many more. Read our ExpressVPN review for more information.

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3. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is a great balance of price and performance. It’s a cheap VPN for streaming that covers ALL American states, making it incredibly popular for watching content. After all, the best movies and series are rooted in the USA.

After testing it, we saw how well it worked with American Netflix, Peacock TV, ABC, BBC, and a dozen more portals. Private Internet Access has dedicated streaming locations in its apps, aiding your unblocking attempts further. Speed-wise, PIA is no match for NordVPN.

However, its WireGuard implementation improves things and makes watching movies and series less laggy. We also like its PIA MACE feature that blocks ads and trackers while using this highly-rated VPN for streaming. PIA capitalizes on other things too.

Like the previous two services, it offers Smart DNS for added versatility. Its dedicated IP addresses can also help you alleviate geo-blocks and access many websites. PIA’s strongest suite is security, which is in the form of 256-bit encryption and RAM servers.

This VPN resides in America but still doesn’t store any logs and takes utmost care of your privacy. Value-oriented people will like its unlimited simultaneous connections because it opens up more possibilities. Its device support is stellar but not the best.

Namely, PIA doesn’t support Firestick natively, putting it below NordVPN and ExpressVPN. However, these tiny drops in quality are also reflected in its price, which is just above $2 a month. That’s cheaper than the previous two VPNs by a long shot.

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4. Surfshark

One of our favorite VPNs for streaming shows and movies is Surfshark. It follows in the footsteps of PIA, offering impressively cheap prices, unlimited bandwidth, and some of the most streaming-capable servers. Overall, this provider beats many of its competitors.

It can unblock the largest number of Netflix libraries – thirty. On top of that, it works with some “atypical” catalogs like Singapore, India, and Turkey. Netflix isn’t the only thing that Surfshark unblocks. It would take hours to list all other platforms and TV channels.

Important to mention is its speed, which is more than great. Our tests showed that Surfshark is reasonably fast and doesn’t significantly impact internet speeds. However, despite using WireGuard, it’s still slightly slower than NordVPN. On the bright side, Surfshark supports all devices.

We found its VPN app for iPhones to be amazing at unblocking content. In addition, its router support means you can VPN-protect all devices in your home and enjoy unlimited streaming with this VPN. Surfshark comes with NoBorders, which gets rid of censorship.

This means you can use it in China and still access your favorite platforms for binging. This provider has a handy CleanWeb 2.0 ad blocker, helping you get rid of trackers and ads. However, it also comes with Smart DNS, which focuses mostly on US streaming sites.

Price-wise, Surfshark is an established player in the market of affordable options. For just over $2.10 a month, you can get a 24-month plan with 3 extra months. This cost is very low considering its rock-solid security, ironclad privacy, and 3,200+ worldwide servers.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost ends this list of the top-ranking VPNs for streaming. CyberGhost is the value king, packing 12,000+ servers with thousands of streaming-optimized ones at over $2/mo and a 45-day money-back guarantee.

This already sounds awesome but there’s more to unravel. This provider’s 10 Gbps servers showcase above-average performance when using WireGuard, which ensures smooth 4K footage across all devices. Interestingly, you also get torrenting servers.

While they’re only on desktop platforms, they’re fast, secure, and reliable for all P2P purposes. CyberGhost’s subscriptions come with Smart DNS but it’s way different here. It has DNS addresses in dozens of locations, not only in the United States like the others.

This means you can unblock various Netflix catalogs or services like ITV, BBC, Hulu, and many more on all your devices. We explained how Smart DNS works here – it’s very simple. CyberGhost excels in security by offering strong encryption and RAM servers.

However, it adds another punch with its NoSpy servers, IPv6 leak protection, and a no-log policy. Being one of the top VPNs for streaming in 2024, it’s equipped with dedicated IP addresses in 20+ locations. They can remove IP blacklisting typical for shared IPs.

CyberGhost’s lack of obfuscation is detrimental. It also offers 7 simultaneous connections, which is way less than NordVPN and other best VPNs for streaming. At least you’ll enjoy a free VPN trial for 24 hours that you can test without paying, so get a glimpse of it now.

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Do Free VPNs Work for Streaming Content?

Free VPNs enjoy popularity among budget users or better said, those without a budget to spend on a VPN. But how well do they work for streaming? Well, as expected, this isn’t their forte, as most free providers are designed only for basic stuff. Browsing is pretty much the only one.

Free providers come with various limits in terms of bandwidth and speed. While some are unlimited, they’ll severely limit your speed, resulting in a laggy and buffer-laden experience. Another problem is an intentional lack of streaming optimization, which is why these providers are often blocked.

When you try to watch Netflix with a free VPN, you’ll either see an error message or won’t be able to find the movie or series you wanted. That’s because you’re a free user. In most cases, free VPNs’ paid plans are streaming-optimized, so this feature is locked behind the paywall.

Some VPNs, like PrivadoVPN, will occasionally work but their limited bandwidth will spoil the fun. PrivadoVPN is limited to 10 GB of monthly bandwidth. But then, you have more radical limits like the 2 GB from TunnelBear or 500 MB a day with Hotspot Shield.

If we factor in the lack of security in most free providers, privacy issues, and poor device compatibility, it’s easy to see why they don’t make the cut. The best free VPNs we discussed recently are safe and secure but you won’t enjoy streaming with them.

How Did We Select the Best VPNs for Streaming?

When you say streaming, that is a pretty broad term for watching content online. Some people prefer Netflix while others love watching sports. Here’s how we cherry-picked the most reliable providers to cover both aspects of unblocking and watching content.

Unblocking Abilities

This was our #1 criterion for the list. The best VPN service for streaming must be able to unblock geo-restricted content easily. Not all providers are optimized for this, and as you saw, free providers will often get detected. We tested hundreds of providers.

However, we selected these five because they’re extremely efficient at unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hotstar, MAX, or any other popular streaming service. Moreover, these providers work with a heap of foreign TV channels, making them great for watching sports.

If you’re choosing these providers mainly for Netflix, you’ll be amazed at how well they perform. The providers we selected work with 10 to 30+ catalogs, depending on your choice. Surfshark can unblock around 30, while NordVPN, our top-rated option, works with 20 or more.

This means you can unblock all types of movies, shows, anime, and other entertainment.

Performance

After unblocking the content you want, a VPN must perform well. Otherwise, it’s irrelevant whether it works with Netflix, Hulu, or any other platform. We speed-tested each provider multiple times to ensure it meets our highest standards. Rest assured, all do.

NordVPN is the superior option, as its speeds reached 300 Mbps in many of our tests. This is ample performance to watch content in 4K without buffering. The performance also comes down to protocols and our favorite VPNs for streaming have some of the best around.

These include primarily WireGuard but also protocols like NordLynx, Lightway, and OpenVPN. All five providers have 10 Gbps RAM-only servers, ensuring you can always enjoy top-tier speeds not just for streaming but also for torrenting and online gaming.

Device Compatibility

Believe it or not, most people use a VPN to stream content on mobile devices. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones are frequently used for streaming, which is why our favorite picks need to cover all platforms. Thankfully, they do, which is super important.

Our providers work on Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS, Android, and even devices like Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, routers, and many others. We think simultaneous connections are vital if you’re switching between your devices frequently.

They allow you to VPN-protect multiple devices at a time without logging out of the VPN app on other devices. Surfshark and PIA have unlimited concurrent connections, while NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost have 10, 8, and 7 respectively.

All should cover your needs and be more than sufficient.

Server Locations

Server locations are important for circumventing geo-restrictions. The more locations you have, the more content you can unblock. While that’s not always the case, when you have a quality VPN for streaming, it usually is. NordVPN’s 110+ countries are welcome.

We also have ExpressVPN’s 105 countries plus city-level servers for added convenience. Apart from locations, we also took into account the server fleet sizes of each streaming VPN. When you have more servers, it’s easier to pick the fastest one.

Besides, smaller server fleets can be overcrowded more easily. Larger server fleets are harder to overcrowd because there’s always more room for additional users. As a result, the performance remains consistent and without slowdowns, lags, and other annoyances.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is our last criterion in terms of importance. VPNs are usually very easy to use. However, we went a step ahead to ensure you can connect to a VPN server for streaming with a click or tap on the screen. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA are great for this.

They offer the servers you recently right on the home screen, so you can just click on one of them and start watching immediately. With their options to put certain servers in the Favorites category, you can save the ones that work well and use them when needed.

How to Use a VPN to Unblock Streaming Services?

In a recent article, our team explained how to watch SBS outside Australia. This trick was so simple that even the most “hardcore” newbies could perform it in an instant. Well, let us bring some great news because unblocking streaming services with a VPN is the same!

Here’s how to do it:

1. Subscribe to one of the 5 best VPNs for streaming. We recommend NordVPN but any other pick will do.
2. Download and install the service to your device. As said, all devices are supported.
3. Open the app and sign in with the credentials provided in Step 1.
4. Connect to a server in the location you need.
5. Go online and stream the movie, show, or sports event you couldn’t before!

The trick is to pick up a corresponding server for your needs. For instance, if you want to unblock Hulu, you must use a US server. Conversely, for watching Hotstar, you need an Indian server, and so on. It couldn’t be simpler.

VPN Not Working for Streaming: What to Do?

If you experience issues with your VPN while streaming, you might think you’re doing something wrong. Don’t worry if this happens, as VPN-related problems can occur, especially when unblocking platforms with strong anti-VPN firewalls.

We’ll go through some of the most typical fixes and explain how they can help.

• Clearing your browser cache. This is, so far, the best fix to overcome geo-restrictions and access your favorite content. Browser cache and cookies accumulate and contain information about your original location that can be divulged to the streaming site you’re trying to visit, even nullifying the effect of the VPN. The goal is to go to your browser’s settings, clear cache and cookies, and try again. It should work.
• Using another VPN server. Providers have thousands of servers, so some of them can malfunction and not work properly. Until they’re fixed, you can use another server in the same country to unblock the platform you want. We noticed this workaround works often and has an immediate effect.
• Try another protocol. WireGuard, NordLynx, and Lightway are the best protocols you can use for speeds and streaming. However, if they fail, try using OpenVPN TCP because it’s effective at getting over geo-blocks and censorship.
• Use Smart DNS. You can also try Smart DNS if things go south. All providers offer it, so simply go to your account, get a DNS address, and paste it into your device’s DNS settings. Smart DNS is a replacement if a VPN for streaming fails, so test it out.
• Install a VPN browser extension. NordVPN’s and ExpressVPN’s extensions are great for accessing streaming services. They can unblock Netflix and a few other platforms if you can’t do it directly from the app. They’re free if you’re a subscriber as well.
• Contact customer support. This is the last resort if you can’t find the solution. Customer support will explain if the service works with the site you’re trying to access. They can also tell you which server to use to access it. Don’t hesitate to reach out in times of need.

Summary

Whichever website you’re trying to access, you’ll need an excellent VPN to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming services and ensure a buffer-free experience. NordVPN and ExpressVPN top the list as the two best options with virtually no notable downsides.

We included Private Internet Access and Surfshark as amazing but also budget-friendly alternatives. They offer unlimited concurrent connections and wide server spread. Finally, there’s CyberGhost with its dedicated streaming servers on all devices.

While this VPN is the least impressive, its low price and powerful Smart DNS make it very competitive. We think this is all you need to know. If you’re interested in learning more, we suggest reading our guide about unblocking websites, which can also aid streaming.

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