There are times when you might want to use a virtual private network (VPN) to watch a movie or video. If you're traveling, or looking to avoid location-based blackouts for sports, you can often connect to a VPN server and use your streaming account to watch. That said, it is a legal gray area, at best, when you aren't in your typical location.
This can be controversial, as owners of entertainment content and intellectual property go to great lengths to control their products' distribution, especially in international markets for movies and TV shows. Even if you have a legal right to content at home, there might be issues regarding a streaming service's terms and conditions when you are elsewhere or masking your original IP address.
Also: The best travel VPNs
Controls tighten even further for sporting events, like highly-anticipated matches or games. In return, VPN vendors go to great lengths to make the case that their services can be used to bypass restrictions, including content blocks based on location.
Based on 's hands-on testing and research, we namedExpressVPN the best VPN for streaming TV and music in 2023. It has top-tier speed and a massive global network of servers while supporting numerous devices. Regardless of what you're streaming on and where you want to stream, ExpressVPN will likely have you covered.
Also:The best live TV streaming services
If you want to ensure you're finding the right VPN for your streaming needs, read on for our best picks.
ExpressVPN features: Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield TV Simultaneous Connections: 8Kill Switch:YesPlatforms:A whole lot (see the full list here)Logging:No browsing logs, some connection logs Countries: 105 Money-back guarantee:30 days
ExpressVPN supports many platforms and devices and has an exceptionally large network of servers, making it an ideal VPN for streaming. With ExpressVPN, you can access a host of streaming services, including Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Spotify, HBO, Showtime, Amazon Prime Video, and more, as well as sports events, although you may have to install the VPN directly on your router, such as in the case of Apple TV.
During testing, I found ExpressVPN to be fast enough, with a download speed reduction that is unlikely to impact streaming. You should not experience buffering issues while watching your favorite shows with this VPN. It is also quick to connect and has recently expanded its server network to 105 countries.
The company has also recently introduced a number of security improvements, including an ad blocker and the option to block explicit content by default.
Review: ExpressVPN
A paid subscription is generally a better choice when using a VPN for streaming. Oftentimes, free or basic options will either prevent streaming from popular services entirely or restrict speeds to the point where streaming becomes a frustrating experience reminiscent of the days of dial-up.
At the time of writing, a subscription to ExpressVPN costs$9.99 per month for six months or$12.95 for one month of access. When you take advantage of ExpressVPN's deal for a yearly subscription you will pay for the service for$6.67 a month and get three additional months free.
View now at ExpressVPNSurfshark VPN features: Native streaming apps:Fire TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield TVSimultaneous connections:unlimitedKill Switch:YesPlatforms:Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Firefox, ChromeLocations:100Servers:3,200+Logging:No activity logsMoney-back guarantee:30 days
Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs on our list, offering a solid product at an excellent price.
In our Surfshark VPN review we found no DNS leaks, and the service has a strong security focus -- although, sometimes, speeds can be marginally lower than other VPNs.
If you're looking for a VPN suitable for Amazon's Fire TV stick or Android TV, this VPN is for you.
Also: ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Which is best?
Surfshark should work with the most popular streaming services, such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, and Disney+. The company attempts to disguise your VPN traffic as regular traffic to circumvent geolocation blockers.
Remember that if you're having trouble streaming, you may need to try a different server or country location. Sometimes, streaming services will block IPs specifically connected to a VPN, and so switching location can remove this barrier to access.
Surfshark is also one of our top choices for affordability.
Surfshark's VPN costs begin at$2.21/month for a two-year subscription plan and$3.99/month for a one-year subscription. Alternatively, you can sign up for one month with plans starting at$15.45.
A deal is currently available for two-year plans. If you sign up for the starter Surfshark Starter plan ($2.21/month), you will be given three months for free. The medium-tier plan, Surfshark One ($2.73/month), will grant you four months. Or, the premium plan, Surfshark One+ ($4.11/month) gives you five months for free.
View now at SurfsharkNordVPN features: Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Android TVSimultaneous connections:6Kill switch:YesPlatforms:Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Chrome, FirefoxLogging:None, except billing dataCountries:60 Servers:5,000+Money-back guarantee:30 days
NordVPN has the performance you need to stream your favorite content. During testing, I found that NordVPN consistently performs well in terms of speed and stability. The VPN also has exceptionally fast connection times and works well on mobile.
NordVPN works with most major streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and the DAZN channel for live and on-demand sports streaming. If you have trouble accessing content, try another server.
FAQ articles are available that detail how to securely stream with most of these services, as well as using native apps. If you run into problems or are unsure which is the best server to connect to for unlocking a specific service, live chat and email support are available.
A tip is to use the "quick connect" function when streaming, provided that the country you're streaming from has geographical access to the content you want to watch. This function will select the best server available for speed.
Review: NordVPN
Prices start from$2.99 per month on a Standard two-year plan to$14.99/month on a Complete one-month subscription. One-year plans start at$4.49. At the time of writing, NordVPN is running a promotion for new subscribers, giving away three months of additional access for free when you sign up for a one or two-year agreement.
View now at NordVPNIPVanish VPN features: Native Streaming Apps:Fire TVSimultaneous Connections:UnlimitedKill Switch:YesPlatforms:Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, plus routers, Fire Stick, and KodiLogging:No activity logsServers:2,200+Locations:75+ Money-back guarantee:30 days
For folks who love the Kodi media player, IPVanish is the VPN for you. IPVanish has detailed setup guides for using Kodi with many of the more popular streaming devices. IPVanish works well while accessing popular streaming services such as Netflix, too.
Based on customer feedback, it appears the company has recently improved its streaming capabilities for users in the US. However, IPVanish can still be more limited in terms of streaming capabilities than other top VPNs. you might need to configure split tunneling to view Hulu (if possible).
IPVanish is a highly configurable product. Its native apps are intuitive, and the user interface has excellent performance graphics. It's easy to see the current status of servers, so you can connect to locations where the server load is less likely to impact your streaming experience.
Review: IPVanish
Regarding performance, IPVanish had fast connection speeds in recent tests. However, download speeds tend to lag behind other VPNs, and you may struggle with high-resolution streaming.
At the time of writing, IPVanish's plans start at$3.33/month on a two-year plan, rising to$4.49 per month for a year of access. A one-month subscription will cost you$12.99. Keep in mind that, as with all VPN services, you might have to pay tax on top.
View now at IPVanishThe best VPN for streaming is ExpressVPN. It has top-tier speed and a massive global network of servers while supporting an exceptionally large number of devices. Regardless of what you're streaming on and where you want to stream, it's likely that ExpressVPN will have you covered.
VPN for streaming | Price | Native streaming apps | Simultaneous connections | Logging | Countries | Money-back guarantee |
ExpressVPN | $6.67+ per month | Android derivatives, Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield TV | 5 | No browsing logs, some connection logs | 96 | 30 days |
NordVPN | $3.79+ per month | Android derivatives, Fire TV, Android TV, Kodi, Chromecast | 6 | None, except billing data | 59 | 30 days |
Surfshark | $2.21+ per month | Android derivatives, Fire TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield TV, Chromecast | Unlimited | No activity logs | 100 | 30 days |
IPVanish | $3.33+ per month | Android derivatives, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield TV, Kodi | Unlimited | No activity logs | 75+ | 30 days |
To find the right VPN to meet your streaming needs, you'll need to do some hands-on testing. Sometimes, only specific servers can unlock certain services. You want to be sure you can stream where you want to stream and through a VPN server that has the performance to support video.
Choose this VPN for streaming... | If you want... |
NordVPN | To unlock Netflix. It consistently works with the streaming platform and is one of the few VPNs that can bypass its strict geo-restrictions, and as of August, it still works. NordVPN has a massive server network and fast connection speeds, making it an ideal choice for streaming high-quality video. |
ExpressVPN | Native device support and a huge server network. It offers a wide range of native apps for streaming devices, including Fire TV, Android TV, and Nvidia Shield TV. Additionally, it has a massive server network with locations in over 94 countries, making it easy to find a server that can unblock your preferred streaming services. |
Surfshark | The most affordable option. Despite its low price, Surfshark offers a range of features such as unlimited simultaneous connections, fast connection speeds, and support for a wide range of streaming services. Surfshark is also one of the few VPNs that offer native apps for Fire TV and Android TV, making it easy to stream on your preferred device. |
IPVanish | Unlimited connections and Kodi compatibility. IPVanish is compatible with Kodi, making it an excellent option for those who use the popular media player to stream content. IPVanish is also a great VPN if you are looking for unlimited connections. It allows you to connect as many devices as you want simultaneously, making it an ideal choice for larger households. |
Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our team. We've been talking about other VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.
does test VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test from all locations. Every home, every community, every local ISP, and every nation has a different infrastructure. It's essential that once you choose, you test for all your likely usage profiles and only then make the decision to keep the service or request a money-back guaranteed refund.
These VPNs also have solid money-back guarantees, and we would not have recommended them otherwise.
We analyzed the best VPNs for streaming TV and movies below using the following criteria that were most important in helping you make an informed decision:
VPN is an acronym for virtual private network. These services allow users to browse the internet privately and securely connect to open or public Wi-Fi networks. VPNs provide users with the ability to change their virtual location by redirecting their connection through one of the VPN servers located around the world. A VPN will encrypt all of your traffic, ensuring that you're hidden from hackers, your internet service provider, and governments.
If a government is monitoring your online activities at the ISP level, however, they may still recognize the signature of a VPN in use, even if what you're doing is entirely hidden.
VPNs are beneficial in unblocking geo-restricted content and can be a crucial tool for accessing information in countries with oppressive governments. Additionally, they are vital services for anyone seeking to maintain a high level of safety and privacy online. Keep in mind, though, that because VPNs are anonymous (or at least should be), they can also be used to hide illegal online activities, such as pirating content.
Since many streaming services restrict access to content in different geographic regions, using a virtual private network can allow you to unblock streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu -- simply by changing your IP address and appearing as if you are in a different region. Change your location, and you can access the libraries tied to your chosen region.
In general, here are the steps for using most VPNs with your preferred streaming service:
Keep in mind using a VPN to unblock content restricted in your region may violate the terms of service of the streaming service. Also, some VPNs do not work with all streaming services, and access may change at any time.
VPNs, set-top boxes, and streaming sticks don't always work well together. You might have to set up your router to distribute a VPN to all your devices for blanket coverage or connect your TV as a client to your PC and use that machine's VPN-protected network. If you want to stream TV through a VPN, picking up a VPN-supportive device such as a Fire TV stick or a router with a VPN enabled is one of the easiest pathways.
A VPN is not required for streaming movies, games, or TV shows. However, it can change your location to unlock certain services or products in other countries. The tradeoff is that a VPN will likely slow down your connection --especially if you opt for a free plan -- because the distance to the server, encryption process, and protocol can cause internet speed lags.
If you find that streaming with a VPN is unbearably slow, try connecting to a different server, or you may need to try a different VPN service altogether. Lag can oftentimes be unnoticed with better VPN services.
It's important to note that many free VPNs will prevent you from streaming altogether or will have a strict data usage limit.
Basically, Android TV is a version of Android. That means most apps in the Google Play store will run reasonably well on Android TV -- including VPN clients. Most VPN vendors slightly recode their Android handheld apps to have a wide-screen UI for the TV and put those apps into the Play Store.
Since Amazon's Fire TV is basically a skinned version of Android TV using Amazon's app store, VPN vendors didn't have to do too much technically to make it work -- and Amazon is, of course, a huge market. So you just go to the app store and install the app. Easy peasy.
Unfortunately, there aren't native VPN apps available for all streaming devices. You can still take advantage of a VPN, but you'll need to set it up on your router or PC network. The same process applies if you want to stream with Xbox, Playstation, or Switch.
It's possible that using a VPN could slow down your streaming speed, but this depends on a variety of factors such as the quality of your VPN, the location of the server you're connected to, and your internet connection speed. Some VPNs are optimized for streaming and offer fast and stable connections -- such as the ones listed in this guide.
If you experience traffic slowdowns, check not only your VPN but also your Wi-Fi connection between your device and your router or access point. Sometimes connectivity issues begin at the source, and in other cases, switching your selected VPN server may be enough to resolve speed problems or connectivity drops.
If our best VPNs for streaming aren't the best choices for you, no problem. Here are a few other secure and reputable services that could meet your needs and budget:
Focused on security and privacy with end-to-end encryption, it's highly secure and has a no-logs policy. ProtonVPN's two-year plan is only$5.55 a month.
View at ProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access (PIA) VPN is a cheap service that offers an extensive server network spread across many countries for$1.98 monthly (and four months free) with a three-year subscription.
View at PIACyberGhost focuses on ease of use and affordability and has a large server network. Get a two-year subscription with an additional two months free for$2.11 a month, or take advantage of a 45-day money-back guarantee.
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