The Best VPNs for Streaming

Since we’ve been using ExpressVPN, we’ve tested it on 120 streaming services from all over the world. Our data shows that it’s able to unblock the most streaming sites out of any VPN.

Here’s a list of some popular global streaming sites that ExpressVPN works with:

ExpressVPN is ideal for British TV; it’s able to stream BBC iPlayer and ITVX, and it’s still the best VPN for watching Channel 4 outside the UK.

It works well for other European countries, too. We used it to get an Italian IP address and stream RaiPlay, and to watch French TV, too.

If you’re looking to stream international sports, the VPN streams 4 different DAZN regions, and was the best VPN for NFL Game Pass, in our testing.

The only disappointment was that we were not able to stream the AFL on Australia’s Kayo Sport.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix. It unblocks 18 different libraries, including content available only in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the US, and the UK.

The only VPN that is better than ExpressVPN for Netflix regions is Windscribe, which unblocks an industry-leading 32 libraries.

Although it doesn’t have specific servers for streaming, our tests have found that almost every ExpressVPN server works with Netflix and other streaming platforms. This makes using ExpressVPN to watch streaming content much simpler than other VPNs.

ExpressVPN is very fast on both local and international connections. We measured an average global download speed of 85Mbps, which is ideal for buffer-free streaming. Using ExpressVPN, you’ll be able to watch all your favorite TV shows in HD or even 4K from anywhere.

For instance, we were able to load every streaming service in 4K quality using ExpressVPN on our Roku.

ExpressVPN has the widest device compatibility of any VPN. You can install its bespoke apps on numerous streaming devices, including Apple TV and Fire TV Stick. It also comes with an intuitive app for Google TV and a dedicated app for routers.

If you want to stream on your desktop or mobile, you can use ExpressVPN’s apps for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

It also has a Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer. This spoofs your location and unblocks content on devices that aren’t compatible with VPNs, including games consoles.

As with ExpressVPN, NordVPN unblocks almost all of the 120 streaming service we tested. Here is a list of some of the most popular sites it unblocks:

NordVPN is particularly impressive for UK streaming. It comes with 629 UK servers and is our top pick for BBC iPlayer and reliably unblocks Channel 4 and ITVX. Only a few VPNs can get around BBC geo-blocks and NordVPN has been the best at doing it for a while.

However, it disappoints if you want to use a VPN to watch Korean shows. NordVPN fails to unblock both Kakao TV and Wavve. It’s also unable to access Hotstar from outside of India.

NordVPN is able to access 17 Netflix regions. It’s the best VPN for Japanese Netflix and easily unblocks content from the US, Germany, Italy, the UK, and more.

NordVPN has fully-featured apps for Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and Apple TV, making streaming on your Smart TV much easier.

It’s also got excellent apps for deskptop and mobile apps if streaming on portable devices is your preference.

Additionally NordVPN offers a Smart DNS that works to access geo-restricted services without the need of a VPN. This also enables you to stream content on games consoles.

Based on our comprehensive tests, PrivateVPN unblocks 84 streaming sites from across the world.

This is less than ExpressVPN and NordVPN but it’s still a very impressive result. Here’s a list of some of the most popular sites that PrivateVPN does and does not access:

It’s unfortunate that PrivateVPN fails to access Hotstar and YouTube TV. It also disappoints when it comes to German streaming in particular, as PrivateVPN doesn’t work with Joyn, RTL+, or the German DAZN.

PrivateVPN provides unrestricted access to 10 international Netflix catalogues with just one subscription. This includes popular libraries from the US, UK, and Canada.

Only Hide.me. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Windscribe access more libraries than PrivateVPN.

Although PrivateVPN performs slightly worse than ExpressVPN and NordVPN for scale of access to blocked sites and Netflix libraires, it remains a substantially cheaper option.

On its best price deal, PrivateVPN only costs $2.00 per month. You can also use PrivateVPN for free by using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

As a result of its discount price, we’ve found that PrivateVPN is not as innovative as its rivals. It’s slower to update and it has still not developed an Apple TV app or a Smart DNS. This effects its overall streaming performance.

PrivateVPN has a relatively small server network, with servers in 62 countries. This means that, compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, many global streaming sites will not be available.

In terms of speed, our tests show that using PrivateVPN to connect to almost anywhere in the globe will deliver speeds up to 82Mbps, which is an 18% speed loss.

This is a greater speed loss than ExpressVPN and NordVPN, but 4K streaming requires around 25Mbps, meaning PrivateVPN is more than fast enough for maximum resolution streaming, even if you’re connecting from thousands of miles away.

Surfshark is our top pick if you want to stream sports from across the globe, including football, cricket, racing, and more. After testing it with multiple sports sites, we’ve compiled a list of sports streaming sites that Surfshark can unblock and which sports are available:

While other VPNs on this list can also stream these sites, Surfshark stands out because it has a GPS spoofer on Android . This means Surfshark is able to get around tough geo-blocks that use geo-location technology, including MLB.TV, ESPN+, and Hulu Live TV.

Here are the results of our global Surfshark streaming tests:

You can watch 9 different Netflix libraries through Surfshark’s VPN servers, including content from Brazil, Canada, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, the US and the UK’s Netflix libraries.

While Surfshark has no dedicated streaming servers, almost all its US servers will work for Netflix. In our most recent tests, only the St.Louis and Charlotte servers didn’t work.

You can watch Disney+ through every single Surfshark server. For this reason, we also recommend it as the best VPN for Disney+.

While access to BBC iPlayer has been inconsistent, you can watch it using Surfshark’s browser extensions. Surfshark is also our budget choice to watch Max from overseas.

We found Surfshark to have the best app for Android TV and excellent dedicated apps for all other streaming devices, including Fire TV, Apple TV, and desktop and mobile devices.

It also has a Smart DNS that you can setup to access geo-blocked content without a VPN connection. However, this is limited to US content only.

If you need help to set up or use the apps to stream your favorite shows the Surfshark customer support team is also on hand 24/7 via live chat.

Surfshark’s speeds are competing with the fastest VPNs, able to reach an average global connection of 83Mbps. This means streaming from any global streaming service can be done in high resolution and without any lag.

With access to 98 global streaming sites, Surfshark is excellent value for money. It costs just $2.29 per month on a two-year subscription, which is cheaper than ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Here is just a sample of how CyberGhost performs with the most popular global streaming sites:

In total, CyberGhost unblocks 77 streaming services from across the world. This is impressive, but it is the lowest number on this list, and it’s disappointing to see that CyberGhost doesn’t unblock DAZN, Kayo Sports, Jio Cinema, and RTVE Play.

CyberGhost has servers in 100 countries and it makes streaming simple by highlighting the server locations that unblock specific platforms.

CyberGhost’s native VPN apps are easy to use and well-designed, especially its Fire TV Stick software.

The VPN service also offers a Smart DNS that is compatible with multiple international regions, including Japan, Germany, the US, the Netherlands, and the UK. Most Smart DNS solutions are restricted to US streaming only.

However, it’s a problem that CyberGhost still hasn’t developed an Apple TV app like most leading VPNs.

Although CyberGhost’s overall streaming performance is less impressive than other VPNs, we recommend it as it’s the best option for those who want a free trial for streaming.

CyberGhost has multiple free trial offers. On top of that, you can take advantage of its 45-day money-back guarantee, which is the longest refund guarantee of any VPN. This essentially means you get access to lots more streaming content completely free.

PrivadoVPN Free restricts its server network to 11 countries, meaning lots of popular international streaming sites are completely unavailable.

Here is a glimpse of how PrivadoVPN Free performed in our streaming tests:

Where PrivadoVPN has servers its streaming performance is impressive. It unblocks many of the most popular streaming services in the world, including Max, Hulu, and US Netflix.

PrivadoVPN Free only unblocks 2 Netflix libraries, but this is actually one of the best results of any free VPN. Only Windscribe Free unblocks more, but PrivadoVPN is arguably more useful as its the only free service that can access the US library.

PrivadoVPN Free’s speeds are very fast for a free service, with average international speeds of 84Mbps. This matches our actual experience of using PrivadoVPN, because we rarely encountered buffering.

PrivadoVPN has the best free VPN app for Android TV. It works with US Netflix and other streaming services and comes with the ability to add shortcuts to your favorite streaming apps.

Similiarly, it’s Fire TV Stick does a good job of accessing streaming services on your TV. It used to function poorly, but PrivadoVPN has now resolved all issues.

The downside is the absence of an Apple TV app, which most leading VPNs now offer, as well as Smart DNS, which PrivadoVPN has decided not to offer.