The best streaming VPNs in 2024

Streaming movies and TV shows online has become our primary method of consuming media. Unfortunately, platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime only show you content that’s available in your country due to geo-restrictions.

You never have full access to a streaming platform’s content library unless you use a VPN to bypass these geo-restrictions.

Using the best VPN for streaming, you can change your IP address and fool the site into thinking you’re in a different location. This will allow you to enjoy a diverse viewing experience from another country without moving an inch.

Not every VPN will unblock streaming platforms, though. We tested several services and found the following to be the best for streaming in 2024.

Top 5 best streaming VPNs

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for streaming in 2024
2. ExpressVPN – Best streaming VPN with a minimalistic app
3. Private Internet Access – Cheapest VPN for streaming content
4. CyberGhost – User-friendly VPN with streaming-optimized servers
5. Surfshark – Best streaming VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections

While testing the above-mentioned VPNs, here are some of the factors we took into consideration:

• Number of servers – How large the VPN’s server network is.
• Security features – What sort of security features the VPN has.
• No-log policy – Whether or not the VPN adheres to a no-log policy.
• Simultaneous connections – The number of devices you can use the VPN on simultaneously.
• Price – How much the VPN costs.

The best VPNs for streaming in 2024

With the best VPN for streaming, you’ll be able to unlock your favorite platform’s content library from other regions. For example, if you’re into anime, you can access Netflix Japan. Here are 5 of the best VPNs for streaming in 2024:

1. NordVPN – the best streaming VPN in 2024

NordVPN

1

9.6

/10

Visit NordVPN

Pros & cons

• Unblock streaming platforms from 113 countries
• Has been audited multiple times
• Stream media in HD quality with the NordLynx protocol

• No trial version for iOS, Windows, or macOS

NordVPN is our top choice for streaming platforms in 2024. You can run it on 6 devices at the same time and unlock content libraries on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime from over 50 countries. It uses NordLynx protocol, which allows for uninterrupted streaming in HD quality.

The Panama-based VPN service comes with many advanced security features, which ensure that your online traffic remains protected while you catch up on your favorite TV series. This is one of the reasons why it’s also the top VPN for streaming sports.

NordVPN’s interface on macOS.

By using its Multi-Hop or P2P-optimized servers, you can get better speeds and more privacy. NordVPN keeps no records of your information. It’s been audited by independent parties, proving the fact that providing a safe and secure experience is its utmost priority.

You can get NordVPN from $3.46/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. ExpressVPN – Simple and minimalistic VPN for streaming

ExpressVPN

1

9.7

/10

Visit ExpressVPN

Pros & cons

• Has servers in 105 countries for streaming
• Has a native app for routers
• Has been audited by independent firms multiple times

• No trial version
• More expensive than other streaming VPNs

We were immediately drawn to ExpressVPN because of its minimalist app design. It’s incredibly easy to use and offers strong protection, fast speeds, and a large server network for streaming as well. It uses a proprietary protocol called Lightway, which makes sure you get the best speeds when watching anything on a streaming platform.

Lightway has been audited independently twice and the VPN as a whole was audited 12 times in the year 2022 alone. Apart from the lightning fast protocol, ExpressVPN has many other features, including a kill switch, split tunneling, RAM-based servers, and Threat Manager.

Watch British shows and movies with the help of ExpressVPN.

It has a native app for routers, which makes it perfect for people who want a VPN-enabled router.

ExpressVPN is available from $4.99/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. Private Internet Access – Most inexpensive streaming VPN with 30,000 servers

Private Internet Access

1

9.4

/10

Visit Private Internet Access

Pros & cons

• Gives you access to 30,000+ servers in 91 countries
• Lets you buy a dedicated IP for streaming at an additional cost
• Cheapest VPN for streaming

• Headquartered in a 5 Eyes country

Private Internet Access has expanded the list of its servers to 35,000 from 10,000 in just one year. Its server network spans 84 countries, so you can unblock sites like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu from many different regions.

The VPN isn’t as user-friendly as other providers, but it’s a great choice for those who are already familiar with how VPNs work. You can customize the main screen and use split tunneling to exclude certain apps and sites from being routed through the VPN.

PIA’s iOS app lets you customize the main screen.

It has several other features, including an ad blocker called MACE and 10 simultaneous connections. You can also buy a dedicated IP address for an additional fee, which will reduce your chances of getting blocked when you visit streaming sites.

Private Internet Access costs from $2.03 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It has a trial version for all platforms.

4. CyberGhost – Best VPN with servers that are optimized for specific streaming sites

CyberGhost

1

9.3

/10

Visit CyberGhost

Pros & cons

• Has streaming-optimized servers
• Audited by Deloitte
• Stream shows from over 100 countries

• Not the best VPN for advanced users

It’s impossible not to include CyberGhost on a list about streaming VPNs. It comes with dedicated servers for specific streaming sites such as Netflix, Hulu, and Sky Go. The CyberGhost team updates these servers on a regular basis so you can rest assured they’ll almost always work.

All of its servers run on RAM, so no personal information is stored and it uses WireGuard protocol to provide the highest degree of security. You can switch to other protocols, too, such as OpenVPN and IKEv2.

Streaming-optimized servers on CyberGhost.

Apart from that, CyberGhost has a kill switch and split tunneling. You can also connect to one of its P2P-optimized servers and get a dedicated IP for an additional fee. It’s been audited by Deloitte, a Big Four firm.

CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee and costs from $2.03/month.

5. Surfshark – Streaming VPN for people who want unlimited simultaneous connections

Surfshark

1

9.5

/10

Visit Surfshark

Pros & cons

• Allows you to stream on as many devices as you want
• Lets you change GPS coordinates to avoid detection on streaming platforms
• Has servers in 100 countries

• Located in a 14 Eyes country

Surfshark is another affordable VPN for streaming. It’s perhaps the best service for families since you can use it on an unlimited number of devices. Moreover, it has servers in 100 countries, allowing you to stream content from many different regions.

The VPN comes with a unique feature called “GPS override” on Android. This feature alters your phone’s GPS coordinates, which makes it even more difficult for streaming platforms to learn about your actual location.

Surfshark has servers in 100+ countries, making it one of the best VPNs for streaming.

Some other advanced features that you get with Surfshark include Multi-Hop servers, dark web monitoring, an ad and tracker blocker, and Rotating IP.

Surfshark has also been audited by Deloitte, which is why it’s considered one of the safest options for streaming. Check out our detailed review of Surfshark if you’re interested in learning more about its features.

You can get Surfshark from $1.99/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Trial versions are available for Android, iOS, and macOS.

Top VPNs for streaming: A comparison

We’ve added a table below to make it easier for you to understand the differences between our top streaming VPNs:

Methodology: how we tested streaming VPNs

As mentioned above, you won’t be able to stream your favorite shows with every VPN. We tested multiple services and found a few that are reliable for streaming. Here are the things that helped us create the list:

• Number of servers – If you want to stream content from other regions, you have to make sure the VPN you use has a large server network. That’s why we only picked those services that have thousands of servers in 50+ countries.
• Security features – The VPNs on our list have powerful security features which will protect your online traffic and make sure you don’t get caught when you open a streaming site.
• No-log policy – Without a strict no-log policy that’s been audited, it would be impossible to tell if a VPN respects its users privacy. Luckily for you, all the VPNs on our list have had their no-log policies tested by independent firms.
• Simultaneous connections – If you want your entire family to enjoy the benefits of streaming content from other regions, then you’d want a VPN that has simultaneous connections. Our list includes services that have simultaneous connections ranging from 5 to unlimited.
• Price – You’ve already spent money on streaming platforms, so you might not be willing to spend more on a VPN. All the services we’ve recommended are affordable and offer trial versions.

Do you need a VPN for streaming?

Yes, you need a VPN for streaming if you want to watch content from a different country or you’re traveling and want to watch content from back home.

Platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime can’t show certain content in different regions due to copyright laws. That’s why they have geo-restrictions in place to make sure you only see content that’s legally available in your region.

Use your VPN to unblock streaming platforms no matter where you are.

If you joined Netflix while you were in the USA but are now traveling in Japan, you’ll only be able to watch movies and shows that are available in Japan. To access the American content library, you’d have to use a VPN for the USA and connect to one of its servers.

How to use a VPN with streaming services

To use a VPN for streaming services, follow the steps below:

1. Choose a VPN from our list.
2. We recommend NordVPN because it has a wide server network and multiple advanced security features.
3. Download the VPN on your device.
4. Connect to a server in a country whose content library you want to unblock.
5. Enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies!

Which streaming services can I watch with a VPN?

There are so many streaming services you can watch with a VPN that it would be impossible to list all of them here. Nevertheless, here are some of the most popular ones you can unblock:

• Netflix for movies, TV shows, and documentaries
• fuboTV for sports content
• Channel 4 for British TV shows and movies
• Disney+ for content by Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and more
• MLB for baseball games
• Amazon Prime for TV shows and movies

Bottom line

There are many VPNs out there that you can use to watch movies and TV shows from other countries. In our opinion, NordVPN is the best choice because it lets you watch content from over 50 countries and you can use its advanced security features to keep your online traffic safe.

Which one you should use depends on many factors, such as what sort of content you want to watch, which countries’ content library you want to access, and how much you’re willing to spend on the VPN.

You need a VPN for streaming if you’re traveling and want to keep watching shows from back home or you simply want to watch something from a different country.

It’s the easiest way to bypass geo-restrictions and watch whatever you want without spending more money on other streaming services.

All you have to do is pick a VPN from our list, get it running on your device, and connect to a server from a region whose content you want to watch. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to start watching your favorite shows from all around the world!