Best VPNs for Streaming of 2024

Best VPNs for Streaming of 2024

Written by: VPNRatings.com Editorial TeamUpdated: Apr 2, 2022
 
In order to help you find the Best VPN for Streaming, we spent more than 40 hours analyzing every VPN on the market, graded each one on over 20 different features, and put together this list to help you narrow down your options and choose the Best VPN for when you’re streaming shows, movies, or live events.

Our Selection Criteria

Not all VPNs are created equal. We analyzed every single VPN service on the market rated them based on 24 different variables across 4 categories to pick the best VPN services.

  • shape-1 65
    VPNs Reviewed
  • shape-1 49
    VPNs
    Curated
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    Top Picks
  • 1. Reputation

    Great user reviews, testimonials, and recognition from other reputable outlets.

  • 2. Security

    Uses the highest available level of encryption and the most up-to-date-security features.

  • 3. Server Coverage and Speed

    Vast networks of servers in multiple countries and the fastest connections.

  • 4. Logging Policy

    Commitment to not collect your data to sell to advertisers or share with law enforcement.

Best VPNs for Streaming

CyberGhost

CyberGhost makes it easy to access streaming platforms by providing a tab of servers that are optimized for streaming, as well as another set of servers for torrenting. In fact, you can even choose servers based on which streaming library it unlocks (BBC iPlayer, Netflix UK, etc.) rather than just the server’s location.

CyberGhost offers 6,100+ servers across 60+ countries, helping you access your favorite media no matter where you are. Other features include VPN apps for all major operating systems, and a free subscription to the PassCamp password manager.

Based in Romania, CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy and publishes transparency reports every three months with information on any legal requests they’ve received. All data is encrypted using 256-bit AES, and you can choose to connect to their dedicated NoSpy servers, which they own and operate themselves for added security.

You can sign up for a month-to-month plan for $12.99 per month with a 14-day money-back guarantee. Or, choose a longer plan ($7.99 per month for 6 months or $2.75 per month for a year) to get an even better price and a 45-day money-back guarantee. Support is available in English, French, German, and Romanian if you need help getting started.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

Features
Price1 month: $12.99
6 months: $7.99/month
18 months: $2.75/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)6,100+ fast servers in 60+ countries
Number of Devices7
Compatible with Chrome, Firefox
More Features—Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
—Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Youtube, Prime Video, Kodi, HBO, Disney+, Showtime
— Encryption: 256-bit AES

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN promises to help you access dozens of streaming services, including the most popular platforms like Netflix and Hulu, and local sporting events. All you have to do is connect to a server in the country where your sporting event is happening. With over 160 locations in 94 countries, ExpressVPN will work most anywhere.

They also offer a Speed Test feature on Windows and Mac devices that allows you to see the download speed and latency of each server before you connect. If you don’t understand the technical details, that’s OK: you can just choose the server with the highest Speed Index for the fastest streaming connection.

In addition to helping you bypass geographic restrictions, ExpressVPN can help you avoid bandwidth throttling, which is what happens when your ISP or network slows down your streaming speed to prioritize other traffic.

No matter what you’re using your VPN for, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logging policy and strong encryption standards (256-bit AES) to keep your data safe.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

Features
Price1 month: $12.95
Six months: $9.99/month
15 months: $6.67/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)160 VPN server locations in 94 countries
Number of Devices5
Compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi browsers
More Features—Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
—Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Youtube, Prime Video, Kodi, HBO, Disney+, Showtime
—Encryption: 256-bit AES

Hotspot Shield

Currently, Hotspot Shield offers streaming access to Netflix and Hulu, with other video platforms, including Amazon Prime and Twitch, coming soon. You can watch recorded content, live sporting events, streaming games, and more.

Hotspot Shield offers a free plan, but with slow connection speeds and a 500 MB daily data limit, it won’t be fast enough for streaming. Its Premium plan offers unlimited data and speeds of up to 1 Gbps, with servers in over 115 locations in 80+ countries. With this plan, you can connect up to 5 devices at once for $7.99 per month.

They also offer a Premium Family plan for $11.99 per month, which lets you connect up to 25 devices at once, 5 for each member of your family. This might be a good option if you and your family members all watch different types of content. You can also install Hotspot Shield on your Smart TV or router to protect your entire home network.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

Features
PriceFree for Basic
Premium: $7.99/month
Premium Family: $11.99/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)3,200+ servers in 80+ countries
Number of Devices5
Compatible with Chrome, Firefox
More Features—Customer Support: 24/7 live chat support
—Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Youtube, Prime Video, Kodi, HBO, Disney, Showtime

IPVanish

IPVanish makes it easy to watch your favorite streaming content with handy guides to a variety of sporting events, from March Madness to the Tour de France. Simply choose a server located in the country where your event is happening and stream it live.

IPVanish no longer advertises access to Netflix and Hulu, because these platforms have been cracking down on VPNs and blocking their IP addresses. If you don’t need access to overseas content, though, you can use the split-tunneling feature to watch your local streaming libraries while using IPVanish to protect your other network traffic. IPVanish also supports Sling TV, YouTube, Kodi, and several other platforms.

If you want to give IPVanish a try, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and plans as low as $6.49 per month for unlimited devices. You can install it on your Windows and Mac devices, as well as on your Smart TVs and routers. It uses 256-bit AES encryption and comes with 250 free GB of encrypted storage from SugarSync® as a bonus.

Read our full IPVanish review.

Features
PriceOne month: $10.00
3 months plan: $8.99/month
1year: $6.49/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)1,500+ servers in 75 countries
Number of DevicesUnlimited devices
Compatible withChrome
More Features—30-day money-back guarantee
—Customer Support: Live Chat, Email, and phone
—Streaming Services: Live sporting events
—Encryption: 256-bit AES

LiquidVPN

LiquidVPN

LiquidVPN claims to have the “best U.S.A. VPN network” and reviewers confirm that its servers are successful at unblocking U.S. Netflix. It also supports the BBC iPlayer, Kodi, and YouTube, and has servers that are optimized for P2P torrenting.

With servers in only 11 countries, though, it offers less extensive global coverage than many of its competitors. LiquidVPN has a no-logs policy, uses 256-bit AES encryption, and allows up to 8 simultaneous connections, depending on the plan. It also offers a unique modulation feature that helps to randomize and protect your IP address.

You can choose the SideKick plan for $7 per month on two devices, Road Warrior for $10 per month on four devices, or Ultimate for $18 on eight devices. All plans provide unlimited bandwidth and twenty-four seven customer support, and you can pay for LiquidVPN with Bitcoin, PayPal, and all major credit cards.

Features
PriceSideKick: $7/month>br> Road Warrior: $10/month
Ultimate: $18/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)40+ servers in 20 cities and 11 countries
Number of Devices2 – 8
Compatible withChrome, Firefox
More Features—Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
—Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, Kodi, Fox, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, ABC
— Encryption: 256-bit AES

NordVPN

NordVPN promises to help you stream content without interruptions, even during rush hours when your ISP might be throttling your bandwidth and prioritizing other types of content. They also offer a SmartPlay feature that allows you to connect to the best VPN server without having to worry about manually updating your DNS settings.

With over 5,100 servers in 59 countries, NordVPN can help you access the streaming services you want, whether you’re staying home or traveling abroad. NordVPN is also known for its proactive approach to privacy, with AES-256-GCM encryption, a no-log policy, and a privacy-friendly jurisdiction in Panama.

You can try NordVPN out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee, with up to six devices connected to your account. One-month plans cost $11.95 per month, while a 6-month plan costs $9.00 per month and a 1-year plan costs $5.75 per month, paid up front. Credit cards and cryptocurrencies are accepted, as well as AliPay and WeChat.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Features
PriceOne-month: $11.95
6 months: $9.00/month
1 year: $5.75/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)5,100+ servers in 59 countries
Number of Devices6
Compatible withChrome, Firefox
More Features—30-day money-back guarantee
—Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
—Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Youtube, Prime Video, Kodi, HBO, Disney+, Showtime
—Encryption: AES-256-GCM

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is an affordable VPN with over 3,300 servers in 30+ countries. With plans costing as little as $2.69 per month (for a total of $69.95 for two years), you can use Private Internet Access on up to 10 separate devices. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and more.

Private Internet Access takes security seriously, using the OpenVPN protocol, 256-bit AES encryption, and its own DNS servers. It also publishes a Transparency Report on any official data requests it’s received, has a strict no-log policy, and has released the source code for its apps on GitHub, where it can be independently reviewed.

As with many of the VPNs on this list, it’s worth trying it out first and making sure it can access the streaming content you want to watch. Recent reviews say that it can unlock Netflix in the U.S., U.K., the Netherlands, and Australia, but some other libraries were inaccessible. Fortunately, PIA’s 30-day money-back guarantee means you can get a refund if it doesn’t live up to your expectations.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

Features
PriceOne month: $9.95
1 year: $3.33/month
2 years: $2.69/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)3,341 VPN and Proxy servers in 52 locations across 32 countries
Number of Devices10
Compatible withChrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari
More Features—30-day money-back guarantee
—Customer Support: Email
—Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, the BBC, Youtube, Prime Video, Kodi, HBO, Disney, Showtime
—Encryption: 256-bit AES

PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN uses high-bandwidth networks to help you stream HD content without any slowdown due to ISP throttling or buffering. You can choose from over 150 servers in 60+ countries to get access to that region’s libraries, as well as the full U.S. Netflix catalog and other geo-restricted platforms like the BBC iPlayer.

With PrivateVPN, you’ll get access to military-grade encryption and a no-logging policy based on Swedish privacy regulations. You can use this VPN on up to six devices, with a one-click setup to get you up and running on Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and more.

PrivateVPN offers plans as low as $8.10 per month, or $3.82 per month with an annual subscription. All plans come with twenty-four seven support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Features
PriceOne month: $8.10
3 months: $5.03/month
13 months: $3.82/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)150+ servers in 60 different countries
Number of Devices6
Compatible withChrome, Firefox
More Features—30-day money-back guarantee
—Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
—Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Youtube, Prime Video, Kodi, HBO, Disney+, Showtime

Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that can consistently unblock Netflix, due to its large network of 1,700+ servers that can unlock at least 10 regional libraries. It also supports less well-known platforms like Crunchyroll, which is popular for streaming anime, and SlingTV, a live TV streaming service offering sports, TV shows, and movies.

One of Surfshark’s notable features is that you can use it on unlimited devices, which is rare among VPNs for streaming. Prices start at $1.99 per month on a 24-month plan, all the way up to $11.95 per month if you prefer to pay monthly.

Surfshark accepts payments via credit card, cryptocurrency, and other popular payment platforms, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. They have a strict no-log policy, and are based in the British Virgin Islands for strong privacy protections.

Read our full Surfshark review.

Features
PriceOne month: $11.95
12-month: $5.99/month
24-month: $1.99/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)1,700 servers in 63+ countries
Number of DevicesUnlimited devices
Compatible withChrome, Firefox
More Features—Free Trial: 30 days
—Customer Support: Email
—Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Youtube, Prime Video, Kodi, HBO, Disney+, Showtime
—Encryption: 256-bit AES

VyprVPN

VyprVPN subscriptions allow up to five simultaneous connections, with over 700 servers in 64 countries to help you access U.S. and international streaming content. In addition to 256-bit AES encryption, VyprVPN uses a proprietary technology called Chameleon™ that can help you get around ISP bandwidth throttling and network restrictions.

VpyrVPN costs as little as $2.50 per month if you sign up for a 24-month plan, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can download apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more, so you can stay connected on all your devices.

If privacy is important to you, you can count on VyprVPN’s kill switch, no-logging policy, and 256-bit AES encryption to keep your Internet traffic safe.

Read our full VyprVPN review.

Features
Price1 month: $12.95
1 year plan: $3.75/month
2 years plan: $2.50/month
Servers (#) in Countries (#)700+ VPN servers in 64 countries
Number of Devices5
Compatible withChrome
More Features—Free Trial: 30 days
—Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
—Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Youtube, Prime Video, Kodi, HBO, Disney+, Showtime
—Encryption: 256-bit AES

How We Chose the Best VPNs for Streaming

Using a VPN for streaming comes with a different set of concerns than using a VPN for other activities. In short, you need a VPN that can get around your streaming platform’s geo-restrictions, while also being fast enough to handle high-quality video streams.

In addition, it’s worth considering your VPN’s security and logging policy to ensure that your personal data will be protected. Here are the key factors that we used to come up with our list of the best VPNs for streaming:

Security

Streaming movies may not call for the same level of security that you’d want if you were transmitting personal banking details or other sensitive data. But it’s still a good idea to choose a VPN with up-to-date encryption protocols. That way, your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online and you don’t have to worry about leaking your personal data.

All of the VPNs on our list use 256-bit AES with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512, which is a military-grade encryption standard that will keep your data secure.

Server Coverage

Server coverage is especially important when choosing a VPN for streaming, because it determines how fast your connection will be and which countries you can connect to. All of the VPNs that we’ve chosen have extensive server coverage all over the world. This should allow you to access streaming libraries available in other regions.

Logging Policy

A logging policy refers to how much personal data and metadata your VPN collects. The most trusted VPNs have a no-log policy and don’t collect any data. Less reputable VPNs may log and resell your data for advertising purposes. We’ve used a third-party site to verify that all of the VPNs listed below have a strict no-logging policy.

Free Trial

We’ve focused on VPNs that either offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee. That’s because access to streaming platforms can be hit or miss, so it’s important to try out a VPN before committing to it for the long-term. Don’t just trust that a VPN provider will help you get around streaming restrictions – sign up for a free trial and test it out.

We didn’t factor in price when compiling this list because most VPNs offer subscriptions at a variety of price points depending on which plan you sign up for. We’ve avoided free VPNs, because in addition to security concerns, most free VPNs have speed and data restrictions that make them unsuitable for accessing streaming platforms.

Best VPNs for Streaming Basics

Why Should I Use a VPN for Streaming?

If you’re thinking of using a VPN for streaming, then chances are it’s because you want to access content that isn’t available in your region. Many users want to unlock the U.S. Netflix library, for example, because it has the largest number of titles in the world. On the other hand, you might be trying to access content that’s only available in another country, such as the BBC iPlayer in the U.K., or a sports game on local TV.

It can also be handy if you travel frequently and want to be able to watch your favorite shows in another country. Even if you have an account in your home country, you’ll be limited to whatever catalog is available in the country you’re connecting from.

Are Streaming Services Included in a VPN Subscription?

It would be nice if your VPN subscription included access to Netflix and Hulu, but that’s not how it works – you’ll still need to have an account in order to stream content. There are only a handful of streaming platforms, such as YouTube, that allow users to watch content without being logged in.

If a VPN says it supports a particular streaming platform, it doesn’t mean they’ve struck a deal with that platform to provide you access. It just means that their servers are able to connect to that platform and may be able to unlock additional libraries.

Will Any VPN Server Work?

Streaming platforms are getting better at recognizing and blocking VPN connections, so it’s not as simple as connecting to any VPN server to access content. Even if your VPN provider supports a particular platform, you may have to connect to a specific server in order for it to work. Some VPN providers have specific servers that are optimized for streaming, and other servers that are dedicated to torrenting or gaming.

Should I Use an App or Browser?

Using a browser to access streaming platforms via your VPN is more likely to result in a successful connection. That’s because it’s easier for your VPN to spoof your location by pointing to one of their own DNS servers. An app can override this setting, and give away the fact that your DNS location and IP address don’t match. This is more likely to result in your streaming service detecting a proxy and denying you access.

Is It Legal to Use a VPN for Streaming?

In most countries, using a VPN is legal, but it may be against your streaming platform’s terms of service. That’s because they expect you to use their platform “primarily within the country in which you have established your account.” If the platform detects that you’re using a VPN, the most likely scenario is that they’ll prompt you to turn it off.