The Best VPNs for Streaming: Movies, TV Shows & More!

The streaming industry is continually evolving by producing engaging and thrilling content to keep viewers entertained all day long! With the ever-increasing popularity of streaming content, you can see many streaming services being launched in different countries.

The leading streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max have a huge fan following due to their vast library of content. However, these streaming services are only available in a few countries and are geo-restricted outside the supported regions. 

Luckily, there is a way to overcome this situation by using the best VPN for Streaming. Yes, VPN services plays a vital role in unblocking region-locked streaming services effectively. So, the next question is what are the best VPNs for streaming? 

Let’s begin with a quick summary of the best VPNs that give you a lag-free & uninterrupted streaming experience!

The 3 Best VPNs for Streaming (Quick Summary)

We compiled the definitive list of the 3 best VPNs after performing an in-depth research and analysis on the VPNs for streaming purposes. Check out this quick summary to get familiar with the best VPNs available to access a wide range of streaming platforms:

Why Do You Need a VPN for Streaming?

VPNs have many use-cases like avoiding ISP throttling, obtaining anonymity, receiving public Wi-Fi security, shopping natively, accessing blocked websites, and most importantly, unblocking streaming websites that impose geo-restrictions and content limitations.

It’s a handy tool for many, but particularly for entertainment-geeks, it’s a blessing. If you’ve dived a little deeper into VoD services, you probably know that platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Prime Video, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer are bound by licensing agreements. 

This means, what titles may be available in one country, may not be available in another. And in some circumstances, you may even be unable to access a streaming platform entirely, due to it not have your location in the approved list of countries/regions. 

This is where using a VPN service comes in. By connecting to a VPN server in any specific location, you can easily unblock any streaming platform or access the content library of that particular region, without facing any issues or interruptions.

However, not all VPNs have the capability to bypass geo-restrictions or unblock streaming services. As a result, if you are in search for a VPN for streaming, you will need to carry out your due diligence in selecting a premium provider! That’s where we come in!

The Best Streaming VPN Today: Detailed Analysis

To analyze your geographical location, streaming service providers examine your public IP address and instantly block you if you are caught streaming outside the supported regions. Therefore, we’ve tested over 50+ VPNs to find out the best VPNs for streaming videos. The following five VPNs perform exceptionally well in our testing and analysis phase.

1. ExpressVPN: The Best VPN for Streaming

Launched in 2009, ExpressVPN tops our list of the best VPN for streaming, as its jam packed with ultra-fast servers, smart security features, and much more. It comprises highly-optimized 3,000+ servers in 90+ countries to unblock an array of VoD services. This VPN flawlessly bypasses geo-restrictions giving you a lag-free streaming experience.

We’ve tested the Express VPN on a 100Mbps connection by connecting to a New Jersey server. To our surprise, we obtained lightning-fast download speeds of 89.42 Mbps and 84.64 Mbps in upload speeds respectively, guaranteeing that you receive good uptimes and performance when unblocking streaming content from anywhere in the world. 

ExpressVPN is compatible with multiple devices such as Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, Nook HD, Kindle Fire, Smart TV, Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc. You can simultaneously connect 5 devices on a single subscription, allowing you and your friends to enjoy the latest movies such as The Batman, The Lost City, Morbius, Toronto, Doctor Strange, and more!

Verdict: ExpressVPN’s app are easy to use and install, their split tunneling feature helps you select which apps should use the VPN and not, and network lock prevents your data from leaking while streaming, making it a great option for all entertainment-geeks!

2. Surfshark: Affordable VPN for Streaming

A highly-competent streaming VPN that introduced its service in 2018, is now considered an all-rounder due to its quality and affordability. It comes equipped with 3,200 servers in 60+ countries, among which 500+ servers are situated in the United States, which are capable of unblocking USA-based OTT services such as Hulu, Peacock TV, HBO Max, and Netflix.

We received an impressive 85.22Mbps download speed and 83.71Mbps upload speed on a 100 Mbps connection after testing Surfshark on United States- Los Angeles server. To enjoy a bufferless streaming experience, simply subscribe to Surfshark VPN and connect to a suitable server that runs smoothly in your location.

The best part is that Surshark allows streaming on unlimited devices simultaneously with a single subscription package and is not restricted to a particular number of device connections, unlike other VPNs. Get this VPN at $2.49/mo (81% Off on 2 Years Plan) along with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Verdict: Surfshark’s obfuscation technology helps unblock a myriad of streaming platforms. Add this to its list of features which include GPS Spoofing, Multihop connect, and Bypasser and Surfshark is a must-buy for all streaming fanatics!

3. NordVPN: Fastest VPN for Streaming

Even though NordVPN was founded in 2012, its high-speed servers continue to make it a sought-after VPN. It is a hub for one of the largest networks, with more than 5,200 servers in 60+ countries, including 1,970+ servers in the United States.

We received blazing fast download speeds of 89.97Mbps and 86.51Mbps upload speeds on a 100Mbps connection. NordVPN outperforms its rivals and proves its usefulness by enabling movie enthusiasts to unblock many popular streaming services to enjoy binge-watching.

A value-added feature is that you can effortlessly connect up to six different devices. The good news is that you can even test out the 7-day free trial for Android and iOS with a return policy that allows you to get your money back within 30-days! 

Verdict: WireGuard protocol and AES-256-GCM encryption algorithm of NordVPN keep your online data safe and protected. You even have access to features like CyberSec for protection against pop-ups and ads while watching shows and movies online.

How We Selected the Best VPNs for Streaming?

It’s difficult to pick the best VPN among the hundreds of options available. You can’t possibly keep up with all of the VPNs on the market except if you have a global team of experts ready to test them. All of our reviews and lists, including this one, were created by doing just that.

What are the Best TV Streaming Services?

As we all know, the streaming sector is very chock full of options, making it difficult to choose from the many VoD services available right now. In this crowded field, you must be on the lookout for the perfect streaming service, correct?

Put an end to your quest, as we have a list of the greatest streaming platforms with a load of delightful content in many types! With the use of a VPN provider, you can even gain access to a broader range of titles. 

Services	Categories	Countries available
Netflix	TV Shows, movies, anime, documentaries, Netflix Originals and more!	190+ Countries
Hulu	Tv shows, movies, Hulu originals, live sports, news, and events.	US and Japan Only
Disney+	Thousands of movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.	60+ Countries
HBO Max	Movies, classic TV shows, series, epic Dramas, HBO originals, etc.	US Only
Peacock TV	Shows, movies, LIVE sports and events, and much more	US Only
Prime Video	Movies, shows Amazon Originals, premium channels, sports & more.	20+ Countries

How Does a Streaming VPN Work?

A virtual private network (VPN) basically functions by establishing a safe, private, and encrypted connection between your device and the Internet. Instead of connecting through your regular internet service provider (ISP), a virtual private network (VPN) will reroute your device’s IP address through one of its own remote servers that acts as an intermediary.

This will function to hide your IP address, and as a result, it will be possible to disguise the location of your streaming device. This is especially useful when VPN servers are situated in different countries. Using this method, which is often referred to as spoofing, it is feasible to view content that is geographically restricted on a number of different streaming websites.

It is important to be aware that the terms and conditions of some streaming services expressly prohibit the use of VPNs. It is extremely unusual (and, for the most part, unheard of) for providers to terminate a subscription because the user was found to be using a VPN. Instead, they will typically prevent access if they discover that a VPN is operating, but they will let you in again if they are unable to disable it.

After a brief period of obscurity, VPNs are now commonplace, making them simple to set up and use. Once you’ve completed the online purchase and registration process, follow the on-screen instructions to install the software. Then, simply connect to a VPN server of your choice, and enjoy unlocking a whole new world of entertainment!

Can I Use a Streaming VPN to Watch sports?

Yes, you can definitely opt for a reliable VPN to watch sporting content on DirectTV Stream,  ESPN+, Fubo TV, and other streaming platforms. But you need to ensure that you choose a trustworthy VPN service.

Most streaming service providers detect low-quality VPNs and instantly block you when you try to access them outside their specified regions. Therefore, we recommend premium VPNs that keep themselves constantly updated to avoid detection.

Also, they should utilize state-of-the-art technologies to effectively bypass geo-restrictions. Thus, enabling you to watch trending sports games such as NFL’s Sunday Night Football, Frisbee Forever, Basket Ball Shots, NASCAR, the NHL, Premier League, and more!

In our testing, we’ve had success using the above-recommended VPNs for a variety of services, including Sky Go, Kayo, DAZN, Star Sports and many, many more.

Can I Unblock Streaming Content with a Free VPN?

Yes, you can unblock streaming content with a free VPN but it doesn’t offer any guarantee of keeping you censored on the internet. Free VPNs are suggested for short-term use as there are concerns related to security, privacy, server connectivity, data exchange, activity logs, and more. 

If you are looking for the best free VPN for streaming, Proton VPN is an ideal solution. We tested ProtonVPN to unblock the US Netflix library, and to our surprise, it easily unblocks Netflix in a range of locations. 

However, we did encounter an issue accessing the Netflix Japan library. And we found that the Japan library is hard to unlock. On the other hand, ProtonVPN works great with Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. 

The Best VPN for Streaming: FAQs:

When it comes to finding and selecting the best VPN for streaming, you may come across some concerns. Below we answer some of the most frequently asked questions!

Final Words 

VPNs have permanently changed the streaming industry; taking the browsing experience to the next level with top-level encryption techniques, no-log policy, IP Leak Protection, unlimited speed & bandwidth, and more. For all streaming passionate, getting a VPN for streaming is your one-stop solution to unblock a wide range of VoD services efficiently.