Even the most popular streaming services are either entirely or partially limited to specific countries. For example, Hulu works in the US and Japan only, while Paramount+ works in the US, Canada, and a handful of European countries. Then, we have services like Netflix, which is available worldwide, but where each country has its own (oftentimes limited) library.
Fortunately, there is a solution to bypass these geo-restrictions: the trick is to use the best VPN for streaming. By using a VPN, you’ll get an IP address from a country of your choice. So, if you want to unblock Hulu, for example, just connect to a VPN server from the US. This will trick the streamer into believing you’re located in that country.
In this article, we’ll share the best streaming VPNs and show you how to use them. You’ll learn how to choose the right VPN and which countries are the best for streaming movies and TV shows. We’ll also show you the best streamers, talk about the speeds you need for streaming over a VPN, how to fix your VPN if it’s not working, and we'll go over some FAQs as well.
To set up and use a VPN for streaming TV shows and movies, you need to subscribe to a VPN, install its app, and then pick and connect to a server. Let’s have a more in-depth look:
Before you can stream with a VPN, it's crucial to pick a suitable location. For example, pick a location in the United States if you wish to access Hulu, (HBO) Max, or Paramount+. Netflix's US library is filled with interesting titles as well. Or, go to a location in the UK to watch BBC iPlayer, free of charge.
The best streaming VPN must unblock all the major streaming services. Therefore, it’s crucial to pick a VPN with an extensive server network in many different countries with popular streaming platforms—especially the US, as it supports a large majority of them.
What’s more, fast speeds and reliable performance are a must if you want to avoid connection interruptions. A reliable VPN should come with obfuscated servers that mask you’re using a VPN, as well as necessary security features like a kill switch, a strict no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, and multiple VPN protocols.
Your chosen VPN must also allow a significant number of simultaneous connections and work on different devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and routers. It should also bring an affordable price and plenty of value overall. Last but not least, you should go for a VPN that has a reliable money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support for a supportive streaming experience.
Following these criteria, these are the 6 best VPN services for streaming TV shows and movies in 2024:
NordVPN is the best streaming VPN with a vast server fleet of 6,000+ servers in 60+ countries—and 1,970 of them are in the US. This makes it one of the best VPNs for unblocking various streaming platforms anywhere in the world.
In terms of speed, NordVPN provides fast and consistent connections. In fact, based on our tests, it's among the fastest VPN providers right now. As a result, you’ll have an interruption-free streaming experience with Netflix, Prime Video, Max, Disney+, and more.
NordVPN has obfuscated servers that will help you hide the fact that you use a VPN, as well as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch that activates when your connection fails, strong VPN protocols (NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN), and a verified no-logs policy.
This provider allows 6 simultaneous connections and has apps for your PC, laptop, phone, Fire TV Stick, and more. Also, it has a SmartDNS feature, so you can stream on devices that don’t natively support VPNs, such as smart TVs—making NordVPN an excellent option overall.
You can become a subscriber for $3.39/month if you pick NordVPN's 2-year plan. Also, this VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied with its services. Finally, another great benefit is its customer support, which is available 24/7.
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Surfshark earned its place on our list because it's an amazing VPN for TV streaming. It has 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries, and 600+ of them are located in the US. Therefore, this VPN will enable you to unblock all your favorite streaming services from anywhere.
Moreover, Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs on our list and provides reliable performance even across long distances. This means that you can freely stream many different Netflix libraries, Disney +, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video, along with many other services.
This VPN ensures top-notch security as it has obfuscated servers that hide your VPN utilization, a kill switch feature, AES-256 encryption, and strong VPN protocols (WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN). Even better, Surfshark has a third-party-audited no-logs policy.
The best part of Surfshark in terms of streaming is that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections on your phone, laptop, PC, Fire TV Sticks, routers, and more. In addition, Surfshark is an excellent option for streaming movies, as it has a SmartDNS feature that enables you to use it even on devices like TVs, which don’t have native VPN support.
This VPN also has a great price - only $2.29/month for its 2-year plan. Lastly, Surfshark has 24/7 customer support along with a 30-day money-back guarantee that ensures a refund if you decide it’s not the right fit.
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ExpressVPN is another VPN for streaming thanks to its extensive network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including 15+ US locations. In addition, this is the best VPN for international streaming because it unblocks any video streaming platform worldwide.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN has lightning-fast speeds and stable performance, delivering smooth Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, and Prime Video streaming.
Security is an essential criterion, and you have nothing to worry about with ExpressVPN. It comes with a ton of obfuscated servers that will hide your VPN usage. Plus, you’ll get strong AES-256 encryption, a kill switch feature, various VPN protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Lightway), and a strict, independently audited no-logs policy.
What’s more, ExpressVPN allows 8 simultaneous connections and native apps for different devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. It also offers a SmartDNS feature so you can even stream on devices that don’t have native app support, such as smart TVs and digital media players like Roku or Fire TV Stick.
Everything listed above is available at $6.67/month, which is how much ExpressVPN's annual plan costs. This VPN also has knowledgeable 24/7 customer support that can help you overcome any issue. Lastly, you can have a risk-free experience due to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
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CyberGhost VPN is one of our top choices because it has a huge server network of 11,500+ servers in 100 countries, 2,100+ of which are in the US. As a result, this VPN is capable of unblocking streaming services globally.
Regarding speed, CyberGhost offers decent connection rates, but it’s far from being the fastest option. However, you’ll still get stable performance that supports streaming of Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max, and Disney+, to name a few. Better yet, it offers streaming-optimized servers for the best possible experience watching your favorite movies and TV shows.
While CyberGhost lacks obfuscated servers, it does have NoSpy servers that only its team can access and control. Moreover, there are other strong security features, such as AES-256 encryption, VPN protocols (WireGuard and OpenVPN), an automatic kill switch, and a no-logs policy that is frequently audited.
CyberGhost comes with 7 simultaneous connections, and it offers easy-to-use apps for phones, tablets, computers, streaming devices, and even routers. There's practically no device or platform without CyberGhost's native software.
At the moment, CyberGhost comes priced at only $2.19/month (2-year subscription). The VPN offers a 45-day money-back guarantee (on longer-term plans) and a 14-day money-back guarantee (on its monthly plan). Additionally, its 24/7 customer support is a great benefit as it’s available round-the-clock for any issue you may encounter.
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Private Internet Access (PIA) has an extra-large server network, with thousands of servers in 90+ countries, including servers in all 50 US states. Thus, PIA can bypass all geo-restrictions and unblock any streaming platforms worldwide.
Compared to our other VPNs, PIA delivers average speeds, but it is still reliable with stable streaming connections for Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max, and more. However, not all its servers unblock foreign Netflix libraries, so if you encounter an issue, simply connect to a different server.
PIA comes with all the necessary security and privacy features, such as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, a regularly audited no-logs policy, and robust VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPsec. You’ll also get an additional layer of security through obfuscation. Keep in mind that PIA’s settings are highly customizable, so you can prioritize speed over security.
This provider works on any device and allows unlimited simultaneous connections. So, whether you want to stream on a computer, phone, tablet, or media streaming device, PIA will support it. In addition, you can use custom DNS to use this VPN on a router or other devices that don’t directly support VPNs.
Despite its long list of features, PIA still comes at an affordable price - $2.19/month if you pick its 2-year plan. Lastly, PIA has customer support available 24/7 and a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re unsatisfied.
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We had to include IPVanish in this guide because it has 2,200+ servers in 75+ locations, with 1,300+ in the US alone. This means IPVanish can unblock plenty of different streaming platforms from around the world.
In terms of speed, IPVanish is one of the slowest providers on this list, but its performance is still stable and consistent. Therefore, you can easily unblock Max, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. You might run into issues unblocking Netflix, but that can be resolved by switching servers.
If you want to stay safe, IPVanish has the right features for you. It comes with obfuscated servers, AES-256 encryption, an audited no-logs policy, a kill switch feature, and various secure VPN protocols (WireGuard, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPsec).
IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections and can be installed on phones, laptops, tablets, and even Android Smart TVs and some media streaming devices like Fire TV Stick. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t provide a SmartDNS feature.
You can get IPVanish for $3.25/month for its 2-year plan. Last but not least, if things don’t work out, you can easily get a refund thanks to IPVanish’s 30-day money-back guarantee. Their 24/7 customer support will help you with any issues that may arise.
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Yes, you need a VPN for streaming to unblock content and services in countries where they are unavailable. For example, if you’re located in a region where a particular movie or TV show is blocked, you will encounter a message like the following: “Oh no! This title currently isn’t available to watch in your country.”
With a VPN for streaming, you’ll be able to unblock various streaming platforms around the world and access their geo-restricted content. However, there are also other reasons why you might need a VPN:
Choosing the best VPN for streaming can sometimes be challenging, as there are hundreds of VPNs on the market. That’s why we created some key points that will help you decide which VPN fulfills your needs. Check out the following tips:
There's a streaming service for just about any type of content these days. With that said, the most popular (and, for many, the best) TV streaming service is Netflix. Here's our list of the best on-demand streaming services available today:
Aside from on-demand streaming services, live TV streaming services also exist. Those allow you to stream dozens of TV channels live while also offering on-demand libraries. So, here are the most popular live TV streaming services:
The best country to connect to using a VPN for streaming TV shows and movies depends on a number of factors. First, consider whether streaming is legal in the country. It’s also important to check if the country imposes restrictions on VPN usage.
Most importantly, the country in which you choose to connect to a VPN server depends on what content you want to stream and where it's available.
In the below table, you'll find a list of countries with access to the most extensive streaming libraries:
Streaming services block VPN users due to broadcasting and distribution rights as a way to ensure their content is available in certain countries or regions only.
For example, streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Max bid for individual TV shows and movies. That's how they acquire the rights to offer that content in select countries only for a limited period.
Consequently, streaming services are obliged to prevent access to users from other countries, and they even go one step further as they try to block VPNs as well. As you already know, VPNs are often used to unblock streaming platforms, which is why you truly need the best VPN if you wish to unblock "hidden" titles.
If you want to dive deeper into this topic, we recommend our guides that explain why Netflix blocks VPN services, as well as why Hulu blocks VPN users.
Once you connect to a VPN server, the speed of your Web connection should be 1 to 3 Mbps to be able to stream any video at all.
If you're after streaming in HD, you need a 5- to 8-Mbps connection. And if you want to stream in 4K (available on select media streaming services if you have a subscription that supports 4K streaming), you need a 16- to 25-Mbps Web connection.
For more precise information, check out the following table. We made sure to cover the most popular streaming platforms, as you can see just below.
Know that no matter which VPN you pick, it will slow down your Web connection to a certain degree (here's why a VPN will slow you down). With that said, here's how much a VPN will slow you down and how to speed up a slow VPN.
Yes, you can use a streaming VPN to watch sports online. In fact, a reliable VPN will give you something you won't find elsewhere if you're into sports.
We're talking about sports blackouts here. As a consequence of various deals, sports streaming services are forced to introduce blackouts to specific markets, making it impossible for you to watch those games as they happen.
Just like it unlocks new content, a VPN will help you bypass blackout restrictions by making you appear as if you're somewhere else. That means you'll get to watch the following sports without any blackouts:
To give our recommended VPNs a proper test, check out the best sports streaming services and the best NFL streaming services.
If your streaming VPN isn’t working and you’re having issues watching your favorite streaming service, you can follow a few simple steps to try to solve the problem. Here are some tips to help you out:
Yes, you can use a free VPN for streaming. However, we don’t recommend it because free VPNs often collect and sell your data, as well as compromise your security and privacy.
Moreover, free VPNs are slower, have limited bandwidth, and have smaller server networks that can’t unblock the most popular, high-quality streaming platforms. Even worse, they can expose you to malware threats.
Free VPN providers are also unreliable and can lead to a subpar streaming experience full of buffering and disconnections. Also, they don’t have great content-unblocking capabilities, so the number of global streaming platforms they can access is very limited.
Premium VPNs are a much better solution for streaming. Therefore, we recommend checking out the best VPN services, which come with affordable prices, top-notch security, and seamless streaming. Even better, go with a free VPN trial, which gives you access to high-end VPN features for a limited time.
We especially recommend NordVPN's free trial, which lasts 7 days and can be activated on Android. For other devices and platforms, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back policy.
Most streaming apps are only available in certain regions, so you have to be located in their respective countries to unblock them. Also, even if a streamer is available in a particular country, the content it offers is geo-restricted, too. However, as explained in this guide, there's a way to get everything your favorite streaming platforms offer.
With a VPN, you’ll be able to access your favorite platforms and media anywhere. That said, we recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for streaming, as it easily unblocks any streaming service you could want to watch. With access to 6,000+ servers worldwide that offer seamless 4K streaming, it’s not surprising that NordVPN stands out from its competitors.
That’s all for our comprehensive guide to the best VPN for streaming. If you have any additional comments or remarks, feel free to share them via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!