Best VPN for Streaming

Because of the increasing privacy concerns and to access and unblock content, using a VPN has become a common practice. According to the Statista report, the global market size of VPN will reach about $36 billion by 2022. Whether you want to reliably unblock and access the streaming services restricted in your region, or you want an extra layer of security, a good VPN has got that covered. 

Keep in mind, though, that not all VPNs are equal, and some of them are way better than the other. That’s why we have come up with the best VPN for streaming, along with some useful information that you need to know. So, keep on reading to find out the best VPN that serves you the best according to your needs.

The Best VPN for Streaming

You can find hundreds of streaming VPNs available in the market. It makes it very challenging to opt for the one that suits you the best. That’s why we have done all the heavy lifting for you and come up with the best VPN for streaming after extensive research work. The following statistics and facts show that NordVPN is undoubtedly the best VPN for video streaming. There are some other great VPNs for streaming, and you can check it as an alternative. If you are getting difficulties with streaming with a VPN, check our troubleshooting section or contact VPN’s customer service.

Why is NordVPN

nordvpn

First of all, NordVPN allows you to unblock the following streaming services:

  • Netflix
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • BBC iPlayer
  • YouTube
  • Hulu

One of the best things about NordVPN is that it has more than 5443 optimized servers. Moreover, choosing the server that you want to use at a given time is a piece of cake. All you need to do is to open a sidebar that contains the list of all the servers and click on the one that you want. Not only does it save you the time to scroll through the whole website to find the best server to use for streaming activity.

Each of the servers that NordVPN has offers unlimited data and bandwidth. So, you can have your private data transmission as much as you want. Additionally, it works with all the famous torrenting platforms such as Vuze, BitTorrent, uTorrent, and others. In our research and hands-on experience, we found NordVPN working faster than many other VPNs.

Another neat feature that also proves that NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN for streaming is its server recommendation tool. It provides you with the fastest streaming server within no time. You just need to select your server protocol along with your location to find the suggestions for the fastest servers. Other than that, NordVPN comes with the following benefits.

  • Top-notch security and privacy features
  • Kill switch feature to prevent data breaches and privacy compromises
  • Double VPN capability to double the protection
  • Reliable and fast speed across the globe
  • Allows you to connect six different devices on various platform types
  • Over 5443 optimized servers in 59 different countries
  • The pricing models are extremely affordable
  • Accepts cash and different cryptocurrencies for payments
  • Keeps the Netflix support updated

These features and functionalities make NordVPN the best VPN for video streaming.

Properties of a Good VPN for Streaming

Before we break down the list of the best streaming VPNs, let’s talk about the characteristics and properties of a good VPN for streaming.

VPN Allows You to Watch Content on Streaming Sites Without Your ISP Throttling

The streaming websites such as Netflix, YouTube, and others are some of the top platforms where people consume most of their bandwidth. According to 2020 reports, streaming traffic on Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Youtube skyrocketed. Because of the higher consumption, many ISPs slow down the connection speed to reduce usage. VPN streaming eliminates this problem and allows you to enjoy HBO and other sites’ streaming without throttling.

VPN Allows You to Access Geo Restricted Content

Services like Netflix and Amazon Prime have changed the way we watch TV. A VPN for streaming allows you to access the original content that is restricted in your region. It is one of the best things about streaming VPNs that it changes your IP address to make you appear from some different country.

VPN Allows You to Avoid Eavesdropping

Eavesdropping on your internet connection is not a very difficult task for third-party users. VPNs come with built-in privacy features that encrypt your data transmission. That’s why it’s not easy for someone to breach your private data. This feature comes in handy, especially if you’re using a public internet connection available at the airport or in a café. 

VPN Protects VoIP Communication

It’s one of the great features of a VPN. Although the security features of communication services such as Skype and Zoom are undoubtedly difficult to break, they are not immune to geo-restrictions, hackers, and censors. If your communication is originating from a country or location where the internet is monitored heavily, then the interception risks increase. On the other hand, if you use a VPN, all of your communication will remain private, with almost zero chances of being intercepted.

VPN Allows You to Unblock Social Media

If you are from a country where social media is blocked, you can use a VPN to stay connected. Countries with heavy censorship have permanently blocked many popular social media platforms. It strictly speaking prevents the free flow of information. You can get around these blockages by using a VPN to continue using your social media accounts just like any other country.

VPN Provides You with the Functionality to Hide Your Actual Location

You can easily make yourself at home by using a VPN. You might need this feature rarely, but it’s very useful many times, like when you don’t want other people to know that you’re traveling. You can choose the server of your own country while traveling, and it will make you appear at home virtually. 

Popular Streaming Services That VPNs Can Unblock

It can be very annoying and equally frustrating when you are not able to access a particular serial, movie, or TV show even on a platform you have paid for. For example, if you’re from the US and want to watch a Japanese TV show on Netflix, you won’t be able to access it. That’s because it won’t be available in the US’s database of Netflix. That’s where VPN streaming comes into play as it allows you to connect to the servers present in other countries. Here are some of the most popular streaming services that you can unblock by using a streaming VPN.

Streaming Services

The simple answer is that there are countless streaming services that you can unblock on the go by streaming with a VPN. Moreover, it also depends upon the terms and conditions issued by your VPN service provider. Most of the well-known VPNs allow you to unblock the streaming services such as:

  • Netflix
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Hulu
  • Sling
  • BBC iPlayer
  • YouTube
  • Spotify
  • Disney Plus
  • HBO
  • Dubo
  • Dawn
  • ITV Player
  • SkyGo
  • Crackle
  • Vudu
  • Hotstar
  • Quibi
  • AT&T TV Now
  • Showtime
  • Kodi
  • Fubo

These are some of the most popular streaming services that you can unblock by using a VPN. There is also another very decent option that you can use other than VPN for the same purpose, which is Smart DNS. You can use it on Apple TV, PlayStation, and Xbox with a dedicated IP address to make your unblocking experience even more reliable.

Why Are Free VPNs Not Reliable for Streaming

If you use a free VPN service, you need to reconsider it right for a few good reasons. Not only because it’s not as reliable as paid options, but it also comes with many other downsides that you might now be aware of. We have compiled a list of some of the most important ones that will allow you to understand why free VPNs are not reliable for streaming.

Free VPNs Cannot Unblock Streaming Services

As mentioned, the premium VPNs services such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN allow you to unblock the get restricted content from different streaming services. That’s because they have to pay a lot of money for the resources to offer content unblocking services. Unfortunately, the free VPNs for streaming do not come with such resources and fail to unblock the geo-restricted content you want to access.

Free VPN Services can Monitor, Collect and Sell Your PII

All the people who use the internet have their own unique digital footprint. Not only does it contain your browsing history, but it also contains your PII (Personally Identifiable Information). While using services like free VPN, you share your private data with the service provider. While they provide you with the privacy features and some other perks of a VPN, they can earn by selling your personal and private data to other organizations. What do you think about how they generate profit?

If you’re concerned regarding your privacy and personal data, which you must be, then you should stop using most of the free VPN services.  

Free VPN Can Leak Your IP Addresses

VPN stands for a virtual private network, which provides you with efficient encryption and complete security. Regardless of the type of your digital data transmission, a VPN must offer the features mentioned above. Thus, it must protect you against all the prying eyes, hackers, and cyber threats. 

A free VPN comes with many loopholes that can leak your IP address and data. It paradoxically defeats the very purpose of a VPN if the service provider is doing it intentionally. Moreover, it also doesn’t offer the level of security that it must, and all of your activities can be tracked. It makes your data transmission vulnerable to tons of different types of data breaches and privacy threats. 

Free VPNs Significantly Slow Down Your Connection

If you have been using a free VPN service for quite a long time now, you must have already observed that it slows down your internet speed. And this can’t make streaming experience any better. The service providers of a free VPN do it intentionally to force you to purchase their paid services.

Free VPNs are Not Safe

You can easily understand why offering a premium service without any cost can be cause for concern. It is one of the most dangerous dark sides of free VPNs. In simple words, they use your personal data to their own advantage.

Free VPNs Usually Come with Aggressive Ads

Whenever you visit a website, you’ll be bombarded with ads if you’re using a free VPN service. If a VPN service provider is not using or selling your personal data, then it tries to make a profit through ads. The fact of the matter is that these ads can make you vulnerable to countless digital threats. Moreover, it can also affect your computer’s performance dramatically, along with privacy threats. 

The Best VPNs for Streaming

As we have already mentioned that choosing the right and the fastest VPN for streaming can be very daunting. Now you don’t need to go into that hassle to search for the right option. That’s because the following list contains the best streaming VPNs you can opt for. Read the features of each product to make sure that you select the one that suits you the best.

NordVPN

nordvpn

Unlike other VPNs available in the market, NordVPN comes with a little bit of everything. As already mentioned, it offers a diverse and large collection of servers. Moreover, the best security practices and strong privacy settings, along with some unique tools, make it one of the best and fastest VPN for streaming.

Features

Many features make NordVPN one of the best streaming VPNs, and some of them are listed below:

Servers Around the Globe

NordVPN has over 5000 servers in 59 different countries around the world. It means that it will never have to search for the best server too far from your physical location. It simply means that you won’t have to experience slow internet speed.

Data Usage

Its data usage features make it one of the best VPNs for torrenting. It means that every video on the P2P server will buffer without throttling, which keeps you from unwanted waiting. Moreover, it comes with no data limits, and you can download or upload data as much as you want. The best part is that you can watch Netflix by accessing any country’s database. 

Kill Switch

NordVPN comes with a kill switch that comes in very handy when the VPN connection stops working. For instance, if you’re downloading a big file and your VPN stops working for any reason, it will automatically stop downloading and close the apps. This way, your data transmission stays private, and not even your ISP can observe your activities.

Zero Log Policy

Since the beginning, NordVPN has a zero-log policy, which means that they do not log any of your activities. NordVPN doesn’t store anything except payment history, customer service information, and email address. These data statistics are essential for basic operations. 

Split Tunneling

NordVPN offers this feature that allows you to route some apps through the VPN while keeping other apps working through your standard network.

Powerful Encryption

The encrypted data is not understandable even if someone breaches it. NordVPN has impressive standards when it comes to data encryption, and it uses IPSec and IKEv2 to maintain a VPN connection. Moreover, it uses AES 256-bit keys for encryption, which is the very same encryption technology that intelligence agencies and governments use.

Pros
  • Incredibly fast uploading and downloading speed
  • Maximum security and privacy with its zero-log policy
  • Offers uninterrupted streaming
  • Protects the user’s data non-stop
  • Onion over VPN
  • Blocks ads and malware
  • Offers compatibility on all the big platforms (Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux)
  • 24/7 support
Cons
  • We don’t see any significant downsides in the NordVPN service.

ExpressVPN

expressvpn

ExpressVPN is one of the most impressive and fastest VPN for streaming services. It offers an outstanding internet speed with a great reputation for security and reliability. It has gained so much popularity in 2020 and comes with a user-friendly and easy to navigate interface. It’s also one of the best options for beginners, and its compatibility with all the major platforms makes ExpressVPN a very good streaming VPN. Here are some of the most significant features that you want to know about this VPN.

Very Strict Logging Policy

Just like any other popular and reliable VPN, ExpressVPN also has a very strict logging policy. It doesn’t hold onto your navigation through the web, DNS queries, metadata, and IP addresses. 

Quick Speed

When it comes to uploading or downloading, ExpressVPN offers impressive speed. You will not find noticeable throttling even if you’re on a server far away from your physical location.

High Rated Application

One of the best things about ExpressVPN is that it provides you with a user-friendly and responsive application on all platforms. Whether you’re using it on Android or iOS, you’ll not have to experience unwanted application crashes.

Split Tunneling

If you want a VPN that allows you to split your connection for streaming and other activities, ExpressVPN is a good choice.

Streaming Services

ExpressVPN offers streaming access to geo-restricted content available on Netflix as well as on many other streaming platforms. Moreover, you can also use it for torrenting. It comes in very handy as the stats suggest that about 54 percent of smartphone users use a VPN to access content for better entertainment.

Pros
  • Diversely distributed large fleet of servers
  • Offers split tunneling
  • Powerful information security and string privacy features
  • Offers support for OpenVPN protocol on all the compatible platforms
  • User-friendly, simple, and responsive interface
  • Does not enforces any data retention laws
  • No logging policy feature
  • Impressive customer support
  • Dedicated VPN app for the router
  • Secure and fast browser extensions
  • Works with Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and other popular streaming services
Cons
  • It’s more expensive compared to its competitors
  • A little slower OpenVPN speed
  • Comparatively fewer features when it comes to cost

Surfshark

surfshark

If you want a VPN that offers the best streaming VPN that offers great value for your money, there is likely no better option than Surfshark. Although it’s relative to a new product, it has made its way quite efficiently in the VPN market. With its long array of features are the most competitive prices, it’s undoubtedly one of the best VPNs to opt for. Here we have listed some of its most impressive features along with its pros and cons.

HackLock

Did you know that until 2019 it used to take on average more than 200 days to identify a single data breach? It simply means that for more than half a year, someone is wandering around with their credentials strewn across the internet. Hacklock is one of the most innovative features that come with Surfshark that allows you to find data breaches sooner. It searches your email address on the entire internet that provides you with the information if any data breach has occurred.

Logging Policy

The Surfshark team only collects the information that is of utmost importance, such as your email address, and payment history. It never logs a single thing about your browsing history or private data.

Low Price

Being affordable is one of the best and unique features of Surfshark. It comes with a 30 days trial period, and its pricing models are the most cost-effective. 

Torrenting

Surfshark also offers a great experience of torrenting. Moreover, it keeps your identity protected through all online activities.

Unlimited Devices

While other famous VPNs restrict you to five or six devices, Surfshark comes with an entirely different story. You can use unlimited devices simultaneously with Surfshark with all the features and services it offers.

Netflix

You can access movies and TV shows from all around the world while using Surfshark VPN. You can access any country’s database at any time without working about data limits.

Pros
  • Private and safe connection
  • Excellent speed
  • Multi-hop connection feature
  • Surfshark application is available on all the famous platforms
  • Power global server presence
  • Amazing prices that offer a great bang for your buck
  • Smooth buffering of geo-restricted content
  • Nifty additional features
  • Smooth and hassle-free user experience
Cons
  • Allows P2P from all the available services
  • No dedicated IP option

CyberGhost

cyberghost

CyberGhost is one of the VPNs that has the highest number of servers (over 6000) in about 89 different countries. It offers very good basic and extensive protection and safety features with great speed.

Exceptional Customer Service

The customer service that CyberGhost’s team offers stands it out from the crowd. You can access their live support any time you want because they are available 24/7. The customer care team is super responsive, experienced, and highly qualified. They answer all the questions that you have within no time and resolve your queries.

Affordability

Just like Surfshark, CyberGhost is also very affordable, which makes it a great value for your money. 

Kill Switch

CyberGhost comes with the Kill Switch functionality that keeps you protected and safe even if your VPNs stop working immediately. All of your downloads will be stopped, and the application you had opened with VPN will also be automatically closed.

Strong Encryption

CyberGhost also uses AES-256-bit encryption that most of the agencies and governments use for their data transmission. 

Torrenting

CyberGhost offers one of the easiest torrenting experiences as it comes with a dedicated switch called “Torrent Anonymously.” 

Widely Compatible

CyberGhost offers its applications on all the major platforms such as Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, etcetera.

Pros
  • Over 6000 servers available from 89 countries
  • Multi-platform support
  • Powerful choice of encryption and protocols
  • Reliable and decent speed
  • Affordable
  • A good choice for streaming and one of the best VPNs for Netflix
Cons
  • Doesn’t tuned right out of the box
  • Limited payment options

PrivateVPN

privatevpn

The PrivateVPN is not the best or the fastest VPN for streaming that we have tested, but it certainly doesn’t mean that it’s the slowest one. In fact, it’s one of the fast-growing streaming VPNs out there. It comes with a pretty useful set of features and offers a handsome speed that will help you just like any other VPNs. You only need to read the features mentioned below to understand if it’s your cup of tea or not.

Security

PrivateVPN offers decent privacy and security features. It keeps your internet activities, your location, and your IP address protected and private. It doesn’t allow anyone to monitor your activities.

Apps

PrivateVPN covers all the major platforms and offers its application for them, such as Mac, iOS, Windows, Android, and more.

Streaming

You can use PrivateVPN to unblock different websites and geo-restricted content. You can use it to watch the content available on Netflix that you cannot access your actual location.

Pros
  • Offers six simultaneous connections
  • Comes with unlimited bandwidth
  • AES-256 encryption
  • Zero-logging policy
  • 30-days money-back guarantee
  • Good customer care services that provide free services for remote setup and installation
  • Easy desktop and mobile installation
Cons
  • Fewer servers as compared to other VPN services
  • Does not offer the same functionality for the mobile users
  • Does not provide 24/7 live chat support service

Troubleshooting

Your VPN may stop working for streaming at times. You can perform the following in order to solve the problem.

What to Do if VPN Doesn’t Work for Streaming?

  1. Try different servers: The first step to perform when your VPN stops working for streaming is to try different servers. Changing the server might help you to resolve the problem. 
  2. Ask support: The best way to resolve any problem if your VPN is not working to stream content is to contact support. Many of the popular VPN service providers offer 24/7 live customer support. You can use that to resolve all of your problems.
  3. Try Smart DNS options: You can leave using a VPN altogether if you only want to access geo-restricted content. That’s because you can use Smart DNS for that without affecting the traffic of your device. Moreover, you won’t even have to mask your actual IP address by using Smart DNS. 
  4. Try buying a dedicated IP add-on: If you’re still facing the problem, then consider getting a dedicated IP address as an add-on.  
  5. Get Another VPN: If none of the options mentioned above solve your problem, then consider it a red flag. It’s time to change your VPN service provider, and you can opt for any of the best VPN for streaming mentioned above.
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