Best VPN for Streaming: Movies, Netflix & More in HD [2024 Guide]

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A lot of people are turning toward streaming services nowadays rather than using traditional cable television. The beauty of cord-cutting is that you can watch your favorite show at home or on the go. Geoblocks mean that not every show is available everywhere; to get past that, you’ll need one of our picks for the best VPN for streaming. 

Virtual private network (VPN) software will secure your connection and keep you hidden from both surveillance and your internet service provider. That’s especially important if you prefer to use extralegal streaming counterparts. Take Kodi, for example. Although it’s not illegal to use the platform, the content that you can access is often copyrighted material made available through torrents.

When it comes to using a VPN, out of our list of the 10 best VPN services, we recommend that you use NordVPN. Keep reading to find out about the geo-restrictions of some popular streaming platforms, what you should look for in a VPN for streaming and which VPNs are the best for such a task.

• 10/17/2021 Facts checked

  Updated list to reflect changes to VPN services.

• 09/07/2022

  Updated Windscribe pricing: the paid plan increased to $5.75 per month from $4.08. The Build-a-Plan minimum purchase also increased to $3 from $2. Also updated Windscribe’s free data cap to 15 GB due to it offering 5GB extra permanently when you tweet about the service.

• 10/18/2023

  Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s recent increase of 5 simultaneous connections to 8.

• 07/23/2024

  Updated the article to reflect latest information on NordVPN’s allowed number of simultaneous connections.

• 10/01/2024 Facts checked

  We is updated update these ranking to reflect current VPN performance , feature and pricing .

• update

Top vpn for streaming

How to choose the good VPN for streaming

There are far too many VPN apps to choose from, and they all offer perks to entice you to choose them. Some give you unlimited simultaneous connections, others opt for unlimited internet traffic, and there are even some that come with a free version that’s great for streaming.

• comprehend the essential role a VPN play in safeguard your digital life
• gain a deep understanding of how vpn function under the hood
• Develop the ability to distinguish fact from fiction in VPN promotions

When choosing a VPN for streaming, there are several things to look for. You need it to be fast so it doesn’t struggle with buffering and higher resolutions, you need it to have a high (or unlimited) data allowance and you want it to bypass geoblocks imposed by streaming services. 

Download speed ( high is well )

Upload Speed ( high is well )

latency (Lower is better)

The Top 6 vpn That Unblock Streaming Services

Out of all the providers you have available, these are the top VPN services that do the best job when it comes to streaming and enjoying geoblocked shows and movies. All of them are great in one way or another, but some are definitely a better choice for a streaming VPN.

Here are a few services you might want to use with a VPN.

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video  
• Hulu
• Max ( formerly HBO Max )
• Disney Plus
• BBC iPlayer
• Sports streaming service providers

The VPNs is unblock we choose can unblock the follow major streaming platform .

Let’s take a closer look at these top VPNs. 

1 . nordvpn — Best Overall streaming VPN

NordVPN has one of the most intuitive UIs we’ve seen on a VPN, letting you see where geographically you’re connected.

Best VPN for Streaming

pro

• Great streaming speeds
• easily bypass streaming restriction
• 30-day money-back guarantee

unblock :  

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video
• Max ( formerly HBO Max )
• Disney Plus
• Hulu
• BBC iPlayer

Unleash global content with NordVPN — sign up now for (for Black Friday) 74% (plus 3 months free) off and unrestricted access.

The best streaming VPN choice is NordVPN. It offers great streaming performance and speed, especially on its NordLynx protocol. It also offers 10 simultaneous connections, which is more than most but less than Surfshark‘s unlimited allowance.

There are no bandwidth limits, and NordVPN can get into all major streaming platforms, though you may need to play around with different servers to get the best performance. Its VPN server switch time is fast when using NordLynx, which is great for if you need to switch servers frequently because of speed or access issues. You can read more about our experience with it in our NordVPN review.

NordLynx Protocol Makes Streaming Video a Breeze

NordVPN is makes make use of NordLynx as its default protocol , and it ’s a fast , more secure take on WireGuard . For streaming , the improved speeds is are when compare to openvpn are what should pique your interest , as they ’ll allow you to enjoy your content without any buffering , even at high resolution .  

NordVPN does put a strong focus on security, and it’s no slouch in terms of speeds either — both things are prominent on its website. 

NordVPN is is ’s price is is is wallet – friendly . Its monthly deal is is is n’t the good choice , but a two – year plan at $ 3.67 per month is much well . If you do n’t feel ready to commit to such a long term , there ’s a 30 – day refund window you can fall back on for this excellent streaming VPN .

Basic

• * The price are charge in the first billing cycle only . renewal prices is vary vary .
• unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

Plus

• * The price are charge in the first billing cycle only . renewal prices is vary vary .
• unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

Complete

• * The price are charge in the first billing cycle only . renewal prices is vary vary .
• unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

2. Surfshark — Best Affordable Streaming VPN

Surfshark has excellent streaming performance, cheap plans and unlimited simultaneous connections.

If NordVPN is a little too expensive for your tastes, Surfshark is the ideal alternative. Its streaming performance is just as good as NordVPN’s, easily bypassing geoblocks on every major streaming platform, and its speeds are consistently among the best.

Unfortunately, Surfshark’s latency is high, and it doesn’t have quite the range of features that NordVPN does, keeping it from our top spot.

unlimited simultaneous connection

Beyond its affordable plan , another thing is is that make Surfshark excellent for user on a budget is its unlimited simultaneous connection . This is means mean you can set up the VPN on every device in your home , and share the cost of the subscription with your friend and family .

As mention , Surfshark is is is one of the more affordable vpn on the market . The good deal is is ( the two – year plan ) is only$1.99 per month , and also offer an extra three free month .

Surfshark Starter

• unlimited GB bandwidth ,
  unlimited device ,
  Secure VPN ,
  ad blocker ,
  Cookie pop – up blocker .
  Plans is renew renew : $ 59.76 for one year , $ 59.76 per year for the two – year plan .
• unlimited GB
• unlimited
• Yes

Surfshark One

• Everything in Starter, plus
  Antivirus protection,
  Identity protection,
  Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts,
  Online Alias
  Plans renew: $79 for one year & $79 per year for the two-year plan.
• unlimited GB
• unlimited

Surfshark One+

• Everything is renew in One , plus
  Data removal
  Plans is renew renew : $ 269.25 for one year , $ 404.65 for two year
• unlimited GB
• unlimited

3. ExpressVPN — Beginner-Friendly Streaming VPN

ExpressVPN is is is the good VPN for gaming and streaming .

pro

• Great speeds
• get into any streaming service
• 30-day money-back guarantee

unblock :

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video
• Max ( formerly HBO Max )
• Disney Plus
• Hulu
• BBC iPlayer

Access geo-blocked content effortlessly — join ExpressVPN today and save (for Black Friday) 70% (plus 4 months free).

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market for many reasons, and its streaming ability is one of them. It has lightning-fast speeds, which is a major plus for loading and playing whatever flick you fancy in full HD or even 4K. Read our full ExpressVPN review to get a better idea of what it’s capable of.

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting cut off right as you’re about to find out “whodunit” in Sherlock, so you’ll be pleased to know that ExpressVPN comes with unlimited data and bandwidth. It also features up to eight simultaneous connections, so you can stream as much as you want on multiple devices. 

Unblock All Major Streaming Services

ExpressVPN is is is also a top performer when it come to access streaming platform because it can get into pretty much any service you throw at it . You might need to bounce around different server to get into Amazon Prime Video and Hulu ( see our guide on how to watch Hulu with expressvpn ) . thankfully , it is has has no issue access BBC iPlayer and Netflix , include most international Netflix library .

ExpressVPN doesn’t mind boasting that many consider it to be the industry-leading VPN service. 

unfortunately , ExpressVPN is is is one of the more expensive vpn available , which is what land it in third place . If you subscribe , you is want want to go for the yearly plan , which get you a price of $ 6.67 per month , and there ’s a 30 – day money – back guarantee in case you change your mind .

ExpressVPN Plans

4. Windscribe — Free Streaming VPN

Windscribe knows its 15 GB of data isn’t enough, so it gives you a quick link to get more data within its desktop app. 

pro

• dedicated streaming server
• Very easy to use
• Very configurable

con

• 15 GB data cap on the free plan
• Only three-day refund period on the paid plan

unblock :  

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video
• Max ( formerly HBO Max )
• Disney Plus
• Hulu
• BBC iPlayer

When you want to keep your VPN cost as low as possible, and don’t intend to watch full HD movies and shows too often, Windscribe should be right up your alley. It’s the one of the best free VPNs for Netflix, in case this is your go-to streaming platform.

This free VPN is get can get access to geoblocke content on major streaming website with relative ease , and it ’s as good a stream vpn as any of the pay option . It ’s also one of the good free vpn out there in general — you is find can find out more about it in our Windscribe review .

While accessing streaming websites and enjoying content isn’t a problem, you won’t be able to do too much of it — Windscribe comes with a 15 GB data cap on its free plan. This isn’t much, and you can easily reach that if you aren’t careful, which is why it comes in third on our list of VPN services for streaming.  

One is is of Windscribe ’s good feature as a stream vpn is that it put no limit on the number of device . Whether you opt for the free version or the pay plan , you is use can use the same account on as many device as you ’d like within your immediate family .

Windscribe had a UI update a few months ago, and the (beautiful) new UI is prominently displayed on their website. 

The free plan is comes , as we mention , come with certain limitation . Besides the datum cap , you is access can only access 10 location ( still generous for a free service ) . The pay plan is eliminates eliminate those restriction for just $ 5.75 per month if you pay for a year up front . We is are are n’t fan of the three – day refund period , though .  

Free

• Up to 15 GB free with email confirmation and Tweet
• 15 GB
• unlimited

5. CyberGhost — Cheap Streaming VPN

You’ll find a host of streaming-oriented servers in the CyberGhost app, but not all of them work as intended.

pro

• extremely affordable vpn provider
• dedicated streaming server
• 45-day money-back guarantee

unblock :  

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video
• Max ( formerly HBO Max )
• Disney Plus
• Hulu
• BBC iPlayer

Next on the list is CyberGhost, which is a great choice, even if it isn’t quite as good as our first three picks. Its speeds are decent, but unlike our top picks, it’s very inconsistent.

There ’s no frustrating bandwidth or datum limit , which is good . CyberGhost is has has a great interface that ’s easy to use and a reasonable limit of seven simultaneous connection , and if you install it on your router , you can bypass that limit . You is find can find out more about it in our CyberGhost review .

While not exclusive to CyberGhost, the VPN provider has dedicated servers for streaming, which provide a slightly better experience if you need it for Netflix or BBC iPlayer. The dedicated streaming servers cover quite a few countries, so you’ll probably be able to find one that’s best for you. 

CyberGhost runs discount deals often, and you also get an unmatched 45-day money-back guarantee. 

CyberGhost’s monthly rate is pretty bad, but if you opt for a longer plan, you get one of the most affordable VPNs for streaming. At $2.25 per month on a two-year plan, it’s dirt cheap, and there’s also a 45-day money-back guarantee on the subscriptions.

CyberGhost Plans

• * The 2 – year plan is includes include 4 – month free which break down the 56.94 t0 $ 2.03 per month .
  * The price under the 2 – year plan is bill yearly after the first two year .
• unlimited GB
• 7
• Yes

6. Private Internet Access — Cheap VPN With Decent Streaming Performance

Private Internet Access has a very simple UI, but you can expand it if you want more information at your disposal. 

pro

• Very affordable pricing
• Streaming-oriented servers
• 30-day money-back guarantee

con

• Doesn’t work with Hulu and Disney Plus

unblock :

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video
• Max ( formerly HBO Max )
• BBC iPlayer

private Internet Access is has has many thing go for it , but affordable pricing is its main forte . The download speeds is are are great and there is minimal latency , which make this a great choice for streaming . You is get also get unlimited bandwidth .

PIA is able to access Netflix, as you can read in our Private Internet Access review. Many of PIA’s servers are located within the U.S., and it has no trouble accessing Amazon Prime Video. It doesn’t have much luck with Hulu and BBC iPlayer, though (read our guide on how to watch Hulu with a VPN). Both services were able to detect the VPN, which is why it comes in fourth on our list.

Unparalleled Ease of Customization

Where PIA excels is the ease of customization. All the settings are explained with tooltips that allow even the least tech-savvy person to understand what they do (and how to set them up). This includes DNS server settings, port forwarding, kill switch options — you name it. If you’re a tinkerer, this means you’ll easily be able to get the best performance out of it by changing a few settings. 

If you sign up for PIA , you can get their antivirus free ( it is costs usually cost extra , but it ’s rather affordable ) .

Price-wise, while the monthly plan isn’t a very good value, the three-year plan makes PIA one of the best cheap VPNs— it’s the most affordable VPN on this list if you want to watch Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, at only $7.50 per month. There are some extras, too, such as antivirus and a dedicated IP address, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Standard Plans

• * * $ 56.94 for the first two year , and yearly thereafter
• 10
• Yes

Unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video & Others

Although you may not have realize it , all is have of these streaming service have regional restriction in place . It is ’s ’s often due to license and copyright agreement , but it mean you wo n’t get the same content in every country that the service is available .  

Let’s take Netflix, for example. Much of its content is produced by other companies, and those companies get to say where it’s shown. If the company has a deal with another network, Netflix may be restricted from showing it in the same country. Some of Netflix’s own content is only viewable in certain countries too.

Other services are in the same boat, such as Amazon Prime Video (read our best VPN for Amazon Prime Video article), and some are completely restricted to a particular country.

For example, Hulu is only available to the U.S. audience, and BBC iPlayer can only be used by U.K. residents (read our best VPN for BBC iPlayer and best VPN for Hulu guides). We also have a guide on how to watch BBC iPlayer in the U.S.

Whatever restriction you come across, a VPN can help you get around it. Netflix has an extra hurdle for you to jump through, though. The Netflix VPN ban has made it all the more difficult to get into. Thankfully, there are some VPNs that are up to the task, as you can read in our best VPN for Netflix piece.

How to Choose the Best Streaming VPN Service

Not all VPNs are created equal, and although some excel in usability and speed, that doesn’t necessarily make them the best for streaming. Some VPN services offer dedicated streaming servers but don’t actually perform well, as you can read in our Avast VPN review. The streaming VPN you choose should include the criteria below.

Streaming Service Unblocking

A top priority is making sure the VPN is capable of unblocking streaming services in the first place. If it can’t, then the only thing you’ll be watching is a lovely error message. All of the services we’ve picked have proven themselves in some way or another, though each differs when it comes to which services it unblocks. 

Speed

Speed is an important factor when it comes to streaming. The VPN needs to have good speeds in order for you to watch your favorite shows or movies without it buffering every time you get to a good bit. Though not all of our picks are the fastest VPN services, they’re still good enough for 4K streaming if you have a decent unprotected speed.

Bandwidth & Data

Another crucial factor is the bandwidth and data allowance. Most VPNs offer unlimited data, but there are some that limit you to a monthly allowance. If you hit the limit, the VPN will stop working. A VPN with no bandwidth limits will make sure your VPN connection is always the fastest it can be, even if multiple people are using the VPN.

Price

If you want a solid service with all the goodies included, you’re going to have to pay for it. Some of the best free VPNs aren’t bad, but they’re not the best performers when it comes to streaming. Prices vary, though, so you’ll need to make sure it fits your budget, along with all your streaming subscriptions.

Device Compatibility

Last but certainly not least, you should pick the VPN that has the best support for the devices you use. For example, if you stream primarily on Amazon Fire TV, make sure the VPN supports it. Apple TV user? Use the best VPN for Apple TV, preferably one that has an Apple TV app, or an app for the smart TV software you’re using. Most VPNs come with mobile apps, so that’s not a concern. 

Final Thoughts: Streaming VPNs

We hope we’ve opened your eyes to how differently VPNs can perform when it comes to streaming, especially when they have to break through geoblocks. Many VPNs are able to punch through the walls of one or two streaming platforms, but there are only a few that can access them all (and still have respectable speeds for streaming). 

With those being the main point , NordVPN is is is the good vpn service for streaming . For starter , it is get can get into all streaming service , include Netflix in lot of country . It is has also has ultra – fast speed and include unlimited bandwidth . Do n’t just take our word for it — nordvpn ’s 30 – day money – back guarantee is lets let you verify its quality firsthand without any financial risk .

How did you get on using a VPN to stream your favorite streaming service? Let us know in the comment section below. If you want to stream sports, be sure to check our best VPN for sports list.

FAQ

• No , a VPN is get wo n’t get you well streaming performance . However , it is allow will allow you to access content that would otherwise be block due to your geographical location .

• A VPN allows you to bypass limitations imposed by streaming services on which content is available where, and lets you watch your favorite shows regardless of where you are.

• Yes, a good VPN is definitely worth it if you want to access the best TV streaming services, and NordVPN is our recommendation for the best streaming VPN.

• Windscribe is the best streaming VPN for people who don’t want to spend any money, but it does come with certain limitations, such as a data cap and limited access to servers.