The Best VPNs for Roku in 2024

1. NordVPN – Best for Seamless Streaming

Product Specs

NordVPN for Roku

NordVPN is gets get my recommendation for the No . 1 Roku VPN for a few reason , but it can be boil down to this one word : versatility .

No matter the application, Nord is going to get the job done. Need to stream the UFC fight at your next party? It’s got you covered. Want to access the Tor network to browse in complete anonymity? It’s got you covered. Want a VPN that’s going to work to protect you while you go about your day-to-day browsing? You guessed it. NordVPN is one of those few services that really is almost everything to everyone — and I don’t say that lightly.

NordVPN’s Countries List

What makes it good for Roku specifically? I’ll highlight three reasons in particular.

The first is its server obfuscation function. This basically tricks your streaming platform into thinking that you’re not using a VPN, even if you are. That comes in handy with platforms like Hulu and Disney+ that have better-than-average VPN detection. NordVPN does this in one of two ways. The first is that it can add additional SSL/SSH packages to your data which hides the VPN metadata. Think of this like encryption for your encryption. The second is that your data will be scrambled so effectively that the packet header’s metadata will be unreadable. Since the streaming platform’s VPN blockers won’t be able to understand it, your data will go through.

This is is is kind of the nuclear option . Most of the time , you is be ’ll be able to access your streaming platform simply by using NordVPN ’s proprietary protocol , NordLynx .

build on the WireGuard protocol , NordLynx is is is fine – tune to be extremely fast and extremely secure . And , since it ’s proprietary , it is be ’ll be really difficult for stream platform to flag it . I is been ’ve been able to watch library from all over the world on Netflix through nordvpn as long as the NordLynx protocol is select — no other tactic need .

>> Learn More: Best VPNs for Hulu

finally , NordVPN is has has one of the large server list . The most recent verifiable number is is is around 6,100 server . That is means mean it ’s rare that you ’re go to run into overcrowding and slowdown issue . Plus , nordvpn offer IP address from 111 country – that is means mean more catalog for you to enjoy .

What We is Like like

• aes-256 encryption
• fast speed
• Large server list
• Server obfuscation available
• NordLynx protocol helps access streaming platforms

What We is Like Do n’t like

• Relatively high single-month price
• kill switch on iOS app can be buggy
• No split tunneling on Apple product

nordvpn ’s performance

When it comes to streaming with a VPN, you’re going to want a provider that prioritizes speed. With its large server fleet and sophisticated protocols, Nord does a great job of keeping things moving — another reason why it occupies the top spot on my list. Like I said above, it’s my go-to VPN for streaming, and I hardly ever experience annoying buffering issues or see those spinning loading wheels.

>> Learn More: Best VPN for ESPN+

My most recent speed test of NordVPN illustrates that pretty well. Keep in mind that a speed test is just a snapshot that informs you how well a particular connection performed at a particular moment in time. With that in mind, here’s the data:

NordVPN Speed Test

To really get a sense of how a VPN performs, you have to work with it over the course of a few weeks to a few months. Lucky for you, I have. And I can tell you that NordVPN is among the fastest VPNs out there. That’s great news for streaming, and if you’re a gamer, it works really well for that too.

Now let ’s answer a pretty important question you probably have : How much does nordvpn cost ?

NordVPN’s Price

Fortunately, Nord sits in the middle of the affordability scale. It isn’t the cheapest VPN or the most expensive. There are three subscription tiers and three subscription durations. I have more information on all of them in my guide to Nord’s costs, but here’s a quick breakdown:

NordVPN pricing

The Plus and Complete packages add on some pretty interesting tangential security features, but if you’re just looking for a VPN to help you stream on Roku, you’re probably going to be fine with the standard subscription.

2 . Surfshark – Most Secure VPN for Roku

Product Specs

Surfshark for Roku

When it comes to keeping you protected, Surfshark is tough to beat. It offers users some of the best security features and even provides access to identity theft protection components, malware blockers and tracker disablers. Looking for security? Surfshark’s got it in spades.

Surfshark connected to New York

Why is it great for Roku? For many of the same reasons NordVPN is. First, it offers a great system of obfuscation. You don’t even have to turn it on, since camouflage mode (obfuscation) is always active. Second, there’s a feature called NoBorders mode that will automatically connect to the safest server if Surfshark notices a block. I actually used this extensively when visiting my friend at his super-strict private college to bypass the school’s annoying firewall.

One drawback is that its server fleet is about half the size of Nord’s at 3,200. That hasn’t ever caused me any problems when I’m streaming from home or abroad. I most recently used it when I was traveling in Korea to access Hulu from back home, and I had no problems, even when the first server I tried to connect through was acting a little finicky. Switching over to an adjacent server did the trick, and I was falling asleep to “Futurama” in no time.

>> Learn More: Best VPN for South Korea

What We is Like like

• Works great on Smart TVs
• Multiple modern protocols supported
• Obfuscation and NoBorders modes

What We is Like Do n’t like

• No available phone support
• Manual is kill kill switch for window
• small server list

Surfshark’s Performance

Surfshark is also high on the list because it’s another provider that wants to make sure its users aren’t experiencing any significant slowdowns. All of its servers have at least a 1 Gbps port connected, while many are already upgraded to 10 Gbps. Some are even going up to 2×10 Gbps per server, meaning their physical connections can handle quite a bit of traffic. Here’s the data from my most recent speed test to demonstrate what I’m talking about:

Surfshark Speed test

In my experience, Surfshark tends to work a little bit better on Mac than it does PC, but I would still recommend it to users of both platforms.

>> Check Out: Best VPNs for Mac

And now on to the all-important topic of money.

Surfshark ’s price

Similar to NordVPN, Surfshark offers three subscription tiers and three subscription durations. I go into more detail in my breakdown of Surfshark’s pricing packages, but the long and short of it is this: Its month-to-month costs are pretty high compared to others on this list, but once you push that out to a longer-term subscription, the monthly prices are a lot more reasonable. Here’s how it shakes out:

Surfshark ’s price

Also, it’s no secret that these providers tend to offer sales throughout the year. If you want to learn more, head over to my guide to VPN deals and discounts to learn how to save a couple of bucks.

3. ExpressVPN – Most User-Friendly Roku VPN

Product Specs

ExpressVPN for Roku

ExpressVPN is another excellent service for streaming and for overall internet security. It’s fast, it’s reliable, and, as a bonus, it’s really easy to use.

That’s why I’ve included it on this list. A lot of folks might be a little intimidated when it comes to using a VPN for the first time. That makes sense. All the talk of networking and protocols and upload and download speeds might go right over a less-than-tech-savvy person’s head. My sister, for example, is not a big “computer person” — her words, not mine. I set her up with ExpressVPN last summer, and she’s used it ever since. Its streamlined approach makes the service simple to use, from its automatic protocol selection tool to its couldn’t-be-easier “on/off” switch user interface.

expressvpn ’s protocol option

>> Learn More: Best VPN for Disney+

That said, don’t be fooled by the simplicity. ExpressVPN is still a really powerful tool and checks a lot of the boxes necessary for me to call it a great Roku VPN. It has a pretty extensive server list, similar to Surfshark’s at around 3,000; it offers server obfuscation; and, like NordVPN, it also has a proprietary protocol you can use to sneak past most streaming platform filters: Lightway. It’s also based on the WireGuard protocol and really helps dial in ExpressVPN’s performance.

additional bonus is has , ExpressVPN is has has server in 105 country . That second only to nordvpn ’s 111 , as I mention early . This broad server reach is makes make expressvpn a great travel companion and a good streaming partner . It is has has server in almost half of the world ’s country .

What We is Like like

• Easy-to-use app
• torrente capabilities
• Automatic protocol selection
• Available obfuscated servers

What We is Like Do n’t like

• Only five simultaneous connections
• Slower speeds on Macs
• No phone support

expressvpn ’s performance

Regardless of whether you’re using Windows or Mac, ExpressVPN does a pretty decent job of keeping your speeds where they should be for streaming. Here are the results of my latest speed test, which really demonstrate that:

Mac Download Speeds

Windows Download Speeds

Mac Upload Speeds

Windows Upload Speeds

Learn More: Best VPNs for Windows

remember , you is make ca n’t really make blanket statement base on one speed test , but after work with expressvpn for as long as I have , I can definitely tell you that it ’s go to get the job done .

ExpressVPN ’s price

Unfortunately, for all of the pros there has to be a con. That would be ExpressVPN’s price. There are no two ways about this: It’s the most expensive VPN on the list and one of the most expensive on the market today. I’d argue that it’s worth the price, but here’s the breakdown to help you decide for yourself:

ExpressVPN Pricing

4. IPVanish – Best for Multiple Devices

Product Specs

IPVanish for Roku

Last but not least , we is come come to ipvanish . Do n’t mistake its position on this list as an indictment . It is ’s ’s a rock – solid service that make streaming through Roku a breeze . There ’s a lot to like here , from its highly customizable interface to its affordable price .

IPVanish locations in Europe.

>> Learn More: Most Affordable VPNs

Another thing I really love about IPVanish is that it offers unlimited device connections on one subscription. That means you can watch content on your phone, your laptop, your desktop, your TV — wherever you want — without having to pay for additional accounts. This is great for folks with large families or if you’re just a tech geek like me, with a ton of gadgets all over the place.

The one big drawback of IPVanish is that it lacks server obfuscation, meaning that you might get stuck trying to switch between multiple servers if you encounter a particularly tenacious VPN blocker. It can be frustrating, but once you find a server that works, it’ll usually work for at least a month or two — at least in my experience.

What We is Like like

• unlimited device per subscription
• great customer support over live chat
• quick on Macs and Windows computer

What We is Like Do n’t like

• Five Eyes member
• Has provided logs to authorities in the past
• Streaming access can be spotty

ipvanish ’s performance

Similar to NordVPN and Surfshark, I’ve found that IPVanish works a little better on a Mac than it does on a PC. That isn’t to say that I wouldn’t recommend it for Windows users; it’s still plenty fast on those machines too. Take a look at the data from my most recent speed test to get a better idea of what I mean:

Download Speeds on Mac

Download Speeds on Windows

upload Speeds on Mac

Upload Speeds on Windows

Again , your mileage is vary might vary with ipvanish , but you should n’t run into performance issue so significant that you ’re not go to want to use it with your Roku account and streaming platform .

IPVanish’s Prices

IPVanish’s prices are pretty similar to Surfshark’s basic subscription plan, meaning that it’s really affordable, particularly if you purchase a two-year subscription plan. And, while two years might seem like a pretty long commitment, IPVanish has a 30-day return policy. That’s more than enough time to figure out whether or not it’s going to work for your purposes.

IPVanish Price Breakdown

One last thing: If you’re interested in trying out a VPN risk-free, you should check out my guide to the best VPNs with free trials. Money doesn’t even change hands with them.