Whether it’s via your phone, tablet, laptop or even television, streaming has become one of the most popular ways to consume movies and TV shows. And by using a VPN for streaming you can access content from all over the world. The big question is - how can you find the best VPN for streaming?
This guide to the best streaming VPNs will put you in the ideal place to select the best streaming VPN for your needs. We will also reveal our choices for the best VPNs for streaming and explain what we look for when reviewing streaming VPNs.
Virtual Private Networks (VPN) send your internet connection through remote servers. This gives you a new IP address and disguises your online activity. When it comes to streaming, because your new IP address is located in a different country, you can access the streaming content offered in that country.
Before we explain how you can find the best VPN provider for you, we are going to outline a few of the key benefits of using a VPN for your streaming.
Whilst the above benefits are compelling, it is only fair to look at some of the potential disadvantages of using a VPN for streaming:
As you can see from the two potential issues listed above, it is hugely important that you find the best VPN for streaming. There are a lot of options out there, and it is vital to identify your individual preferences and requirements.
Are you an Apple or Android user? Or do you have devices that work on different operating systems entirely? If it is the latter (for example, an old television), then you may find that some VPN providers do not meet your needs. Always check to see that a VPN provider is compatible for streaming on all of your relevant devices.
As is the case with devices, compatibility is also a big issue when it comes to streaming services, especially if you use apps. If you just subscribe to Netflix and/or YouTube, you should have no problem finding suitable VPNs. But if you use any niche streaming services, you need to find out which VPNs work on those apps.
As discussed earlier, streaming content varies from country to country. So make sure you find out which server locations you need to use for the shows you want to stream. When you’ve done that, you need to research the VPN providers that have servers in those countries.
You don’t need to break the bank to get a good quality VPN, but it will involve a small outlay. Fortunately, most VPN services offer a range of payment plans to suit your budget and requirements. Do you want a monthly membership, or are you willing to commit to a longer subscription? The latter option will usually work out cheaper each month but ties you in for longer.
Once you have answered those questions, it is time to move on to the most important part of the process - research. Here’s what you need to do:
The best starting point for any research into streaming VPNs is on this very site. Our streaming VPN operator guides look at all of the areas listed above. Our experts have a wealth of experience in streaming VPNs and use this knowledge to thoroughly test the quality of streaming VPNs. This includes assessing the quality of their customer support provisions, plus their payment plans, mobile apps and much more.
Whilst it is imperative to find out what our experts think, it is also useful to discover the thoughts of other streaming VPN users. After all, these are the people who are using streaming VPNs regularly, so their views are valuable and informative. Look for patterns in user reviews. If one person has a specific problem it may just be a unique situation, but if a host of users are identifying the same issue, it points towards a much wider problem.
Many VPN providers offer a free trial. This gives you a short period of time (typically seven days) to test out a VPN provider and ascertain whether it meets your requirements. During these free trials, test out as many parts of the VPN service as possible. Contact customer support. Try out servers from different locations. Attempt to install the app on all your devices. The more information you have, the better placed you are to decide whether a VPN is right for you.
You need to find the best streaming VPN for you, but to point you in the right direction, our experts have made their picks for the best VPNs for streaming:
| Provider | Price | Number of countries covered | Number of servers | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurfsharkVPN | $2.30 for 26 months | 100 | 3200+ | * Less than $60 for a 26 month subscription * Comes with an installation guide * Unlimited connections to multiple devices at the same time |
| Express VPN | $6.67 per month for 15 months | 94 | 3000+ | * Impeccable security provision * Compatible with apps for all major streaming services * Impressive speed and performance |
| NordVPN | $3.29 per month for two years | 60 | 5,500+ | * Widely regarded as one of the best VPN providers on the market * An Incredible number of servers * Works with all well known streaming sites |
SurfsharkVPN may not be the fastest VPN for streaming, but it is a fantastic option for users wanting a top end provider at an affordable price. SurfsharkVPN offers a range of payment plans, but if you opt for the 26 month subscription, you will pay just $2.30 per month.
Despite the low price, the drop in speed and performance is only minor, and our experts were more than satisfied with SurfchackVPN in this department. Another huge pro of SurfsharkVPN is that you connect to an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. This makes it a great option for large households.
For fans of niche streaming services and content from relatively obscure countries, ExpressVPN is a very popular choice. The provider is compatible with all major streaming apps, has servers in almost 100 countries and offers some of the best security you will find from a VPN provider.ExpressVPN uses military grade 256 bit AES encryption as well as a host of other high end security features.
ExpressVPN is by no means the cheapest VPN on the market, but in our experts’ opinion, the quality and coverage provided more than justifies the cost.
If speed and performance are your two biggest considerations, you will not go wrong with NordVPN. Although NordVPN only have servers in 60 countries, they use an incredible number of servers within those countries. Consequently, this means you can be assured of a fast, reliable connection and excellent picture quality.
NordVPN also delivers when it comes to supporting areas. They provide 24/7 live chat, plus a range of payment options. It all adds up to a fantastic all round option for VPN streaming.
If you had never previously considered a VPN for streaming, hopefully, the above article will have changed your mind. As you can see, there are a multitude of benefits associated with VPNs, and for a small outlay, you can significantly enhance your streaming experience.
Of course, it is important that you successfully identify the best streaming VPN for you, so don’t forget to undertake the three research methods outlined in this article. And always remember that security needs to be your number one consideration when using a VPN for streaming. Look for the best value option, but make sure you do not compromise on privacy and security. Good luck!
That depends on the streaming site you are using and the location of the server. That being said, some streaming VPNs are regularly faster than others. The best way of finding out the fastest VPN for your personal streaming needs is to read our expert guides to streaming VPNs.
Yes, but make sure you do not compromise on security and quality. Many cheap streaming VPNs are inferior to the best options on the market. If you read our expert VPN streaming reviews, you can find out the best value-for-money options available.
That is a personal decision. The best way to discover your ideal VPN for video streaming is to read our VPN streaming guides. They thoroughly assess each operator and look at all of the key areas that make a great VPN. We can also recommend reading other user reviews and, where possible, taking advantage of free trial periods.
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