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In a hurry? Here’s the best VPN for streaming in 2024:
- 🥇ExpressVPN (63% off here in December 2024): Works with 100+ streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. Also has a smart DNS, provides the fastest streaming speeds for HD and 4K streaming on the market, and has super-intuitive apps for all devices. Also provides good security for streaming and has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN
I always try to use a VPN while streaming, both when I’m at home and when I’m traveling abroad. With a VPN, I can securely stream my favorite content and avoid bandwidth throttling at home, and I can also access my home libraries when traveling to other countries.
Still, I know how tough it can be to find a good streaming VPN. Most VPN services just don’t work with popular streaming platforms, like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. And out of the ones that do work with top streaming sites, many have slow HD and 4K streaming speeds, while others have buggy or difficult-to-use apps.
But I can guarantee that all the VPNs in this article are great for streaming. I’ve been using VPNs for streaming for the past 5+ years, and the ones I listed here have always provided me with consistent access to popular streaming platforms, as well as fast speeds and beginner-friendly apps.
Quick Look at the Best VPNs for Streaming in 2024:
- 🥇 1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for gaming in 2024.
- 🥈 2. Surfshark — Excellent streaming VPN for Android users.
- 🥉 3. NordVPN — Great streaming VPN for Netflix users.
- 4. CyberGhost VPN — Intuitive VPN with streaming servers.
- 5. Private Internet Access — Privacy-focused VPN for streaming.
- Bonus. PrivateVPN — Decent minimalist VPN for streaming.
🥇 1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN Service for Streaming in 2024 ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is without a doubt the best VPN for streaming out there. The provider works with a huge number of streaming services, it maintains the fastest streaming speeds on the market, and it comes with super-intuitive apps for all devices.
I love how ExpressVPN works with 100+ streaming services, including popular platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, YouTube TV, and Max. This is also the best Netflix VPN in 2024, as it consistently works with 15+ Netflix libraries, including Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Netflix Japan.
Plus, I’m happy that this streaming VPN also has a smart DNS, which is a useful tool that lets you access streaming content on devices that don’t work with VPN apps (like gaming consoles or certain smart TV models). I actually use the provider’s smart DNS very often while traveling, as I don’t always get access to a smart TV whose operating system supports VPN apps. And since the smart DNS doesn’t provide encryption, you get much faster streaming speeds than with the VPN.
Also, ExpressVPN is the fastest streaming VPN out there. It has VPN servers in 100+ countries, making it very easy to use nearby servers for streaming movies and TV shows (to get the fastest speeds). In fact, whenever I use ExpressVPN to enjoy streaming content while traveling, all HD and 4K videos always load instantly (and they never buffer when I skip through them).
And I’m really happy with how user-friendly this VPN is. All of its apps are intuitive and make it very simple to find and connect to different server locations. Plus, the provider has apps for all major platforms — desktop, mobile, and smart TVs.
You also get access to Shortcuts, which is a feature that lets you set up 1-click app and website shortcuts — these shortcuts show up on your connection screen after you connect to a VPN server. I always use the Shortcuts tool to get instant access to Netflix and Amazon prime Video after connecting to ExpressVPN.
Finally, this is also a very secure streaming VPN. It protects your streaming traffic with advanced tools, including full leak protection, perfect forward secrecy (provides a different encryption key for each VPN session), and RAM-only servers (every reset wipes all server data). Also, the provider has a strict no-logs policy that has passed multiple independent security audits.
ExpressVPN’s prices start at $5.49/month, which I think is pretty affordable. Still, I can see how some people would consider this streaming VPN to be a bit pricey — but keep in mind it provides the best value on the market, its longest plan often offers extra months of service for free, and it has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Highly recommended
ExpressVPN
Bottom Line: ExpressVPN is the best streaming VPN in 2024, as it works with 100+ streaming platforms (including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more). It also comes with a smart DNS and maintains the fastest streaming speeds on the market. Plus, its apps are super easy to use (and available for all devices), and all purchases come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read my full ExpressVPN review
🥈 2. Surfshark — Excellent Android VPN for Streaming Surfshark
Surfshark is among the best streaming VPNs for Android users. It works with 100+ streaming services, including top ones like BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Netflix — and it’s also compatible with 15+ Netflix libraries.
What makes Surfshark so good for streaming on Android is its GPS-spoofing features. Basically, the provider’s Android app has a feature that can match your device’s GPS data to your VPN IP address — this makes it much harder for streaming mobile apps to detect your VPN connection (in addition to checking IPs, streaming mobile apps also check device GPS data).
Plus, the provider also has one of the best Android apps on the market. The interface is super-easy to navigate, and all settings and features come with helpful explanations. Plus, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can install and use it to stream on as many devices as you want (so it’s a great pick for large families).
The provider also comes with a smart DNS (just like ExpressVPN), which is great. And I like how Surfshark has easy-to-follow tutorials for setting up its smart DNS — by following them, it shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes to configure its smart DNS tool.
Surfshark also has 3,200+ servers in 95+ countries and very fast streaming speeds — whenever I use this VPN for streaming, both HD and 4K videos usually load instantly (even when connected to distant servers). Plus, I like how you get access to split-tunneling, which lets you choose which apps and sites use or don’t use the VPN (so you can use it to boost your streaming speeds).
And this streaming VPN is also very secure. It comes with high-end security and privacy tools, including RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and an audited no-logs policy. Plus, it has IP Rotator, which regularly changes your VPN IP without dropping your VPN connection — this provides privacy and might also make it harder for streaming services to detect and block your VPN connection.
Surfshark is really budget-friendly, with prices starting as low as $2.19/month. And the VPN service also backs all purchases with a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee.
Highly recommended
Bottom Line: Surfshark is an excellent streaming VPN for Android users. It works with 100+ streaming platforms, and it also has a GPS-spoofing tool on Android that makes it harder for streaming mobile apps to block your VPN connection. Plus, the VPN is really fast and easy-to-use, and it backs all of its plans with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read my full Surfshark VPN review
🥉 3. NordVPN — Great for VPN Users Who Stream Netflix a Lot NordVPN
NordVPN is among the best VPN providers for Netflix since it works with 30+ libraries. This includes tons of popular Netflix libraries — Netflix US, Netflix UK, Netflix Japan, and Netflix Germany. So, you get tons of variety.
What’s more, the provider also works with many popular streaming sites. It doesn’t say how many it can access (unlike ExpressVPN and Surfshark), but it’s still compatible with a lot of top services — such as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
Also, NordVPN has a smart DNS and SmartPlay. The latter is a mix of VPN and smart DNS technology, and the feature is enabled by default across all of the provider’s servers. Basically, SmartPlay makes it much harder for streaming platforms to detect and block your VPN connection.
This VPN provider also offers very secure streaming. It has an audited no-logs policy and high-end security features, including full leak protection, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy. Also, it has Threat Protection, a feature that blocks ads, shady sites, and malware — this tool could protect you from malicious streaming websites.
And NordVPN has good streaming speeds too, as it has 6,000+ servers in 110+ countries. I use it pretty often for streaming while traveling, and all HD videos I watch always load instantly (and 4K videos take less than 3 seconds to fully load). Plus, you also get access to split-tunneling, which you can use to boost your streaming speeds.
Also, I think this provider has really intuitive apps, which make it very easy to find and connect to a server and start securely streaming. I also like how NordVPN has apps for all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV.
NordVPN has tier-based subscriptions — I personally recommend getting the Basic subscription since it comes with all the VPN features you need for streaming (the only tool that’s missing is Threat Protection, which is available on the other subscriptions). The VPN’s paid plans start at $3.99/month, and each purchase is backed with a 30-day refund.
Highly recommended
NordVPN®
Bottom Line: NordVPN is a quality VPN service for Netflix users, as it’s compatible with 30+ Netflix libraries. In addition, it also works with lots of popular streaming sites, and it provides very good speeds, high-end security, and user-friendly apps. Plus, the provider also backs all purchases with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. CyberGhost VPN — User-Friendly VPN With Dedicated Streaming Servers CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN provides access to 100+ streaming servers in 20+ countries. These servers are optimized to refresh their IPs very fast, so that streaming platforms can’t detect and block them. The provider’s streaming servers are compatible with 50+ streaming sites, which is really good — though, I still think you get better variety with ExpressVPN and Surfshark, as both of them work with 100+ streaming platforms.
I also like how intuitive the provider’s apps are — the interface is intuitive, which makes it very simple to find the provider’s streaming servers. Plus, all settings and features come with helpful explanations, so you never feel lost while using the VPN’s apps. Also, CyberGhost VPN has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Fire TV, which is very good.
I’m also a big fan of the VPN’s Smart Rules feature, which basically lets you automate VPN connections. For example, you can configure the provider’s app to automatically connect to your favorite streaming server and open your desired streaming app on launch.
Finally, CyberGhost VPN is also really secure, as it comes with advanced tools, like RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. Also, it secures your streaming data with strong leak protection and an audited no-logs policy.
CyberGhost VPN is affordable, with prices beginning at $2.19/month. The provider also has a free 24-hour trial that lets you test all of the VPN’s features. Plus, CyberGhost VPN also backs all long-term plans with a very generous 45-day money-back guarantee (it has a 14-day refund for its shortest plan).
Bottom Line: CyberGhost VPN provides access to streaming servers that work with 50+ streaming sites. In addition, the VPN has a feature that lets you automate your VPN connections to streaming sites and apps. On top of that, you get access to user-friendly apps for all devices and strong security and privacy features. Also, the provider backs all long-term plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read my full CyberGhost VPN review
5. Private Internet Access — Privacy-Focused VPN for StreamingOnline Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is great for protecting your privacy while streaming. The vendor comes with a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited and also proven true in many court documents. In addition, all of the provider’s apps are open-source, which means anyone can inspect the code for security and privacy issues.
What’s more, the VPN has strong security features too. It comes with full leak protection, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy. Plus, it has MACE, which is a very good ad blocker that can protect you from shady sites that might try to impersonate legitimate streaming platforms.
PIA also has good streaming support, as it works with 20+ streaming sites via streaming servers. Plus, it has a smart DNS as well. That said, I think you get significantly better variety with ExpressVPN and Surfshark — they both work with 100+ streaming platforms, and they also each come with a smart DNS.
The provider also has intuitive apps for desktop and mobile platforms, though it’s a shame it’s missing dedicated apps for Android TV and Fire TV. Still, I like how PIA supports unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a decent pick for large families.
Private Internet Access is pretty budget-friendly, as its pricing starts at $2.19/month. What’s more, the vendor backs each one of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line: Private Internet Access is good for users interested in streaming and privacy. It works with 20+ top streaming sites, and it also has high-end privacy features (including an audited no-logs policy and open-source apps). Plus, it provides good security and it allows unlimited connections. Also, the VPN backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read my full Private Internet Access review
6. Bonus. PrivateVPN — Decent Minimalist VPN for Streaming PrivateVPN
I think PrivateVPN is good for people who are new to VPNs, as its apps are really minimalist — this basically means there are not a lot of settings and features to change. So, if you’re worried that using a VPN is overwhelming, this provider might be a good pick for you. Plus, it has apps for most platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Fire TV).
The VPN has good streaming support. It doesn’t say how many sites it works with, but it’s compatible with the most popular ones (Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, etc.). That said, it’s not that good for Netflix since it doesn’t work with Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Netflix Japan. And I also think it’s a shame it’s missing a smart DNS. If this is an issue, get ExpressVPN instead — it works with 100+ streaming services, it’s compatible with 15+ Netflix libraries, and it has a smart DNS.
Also, PrivateVPN has 200+ servers in 60+ countries and fast speeds — in the speed tests I ran, most HD videos loaded instantly, while 4K videos only took around 3 seconds to load (and I only experienced really minor buffering at the start of the videos).
PrivateVPN is super cheap, with prices starting at only $2.00/month. What’s more, it also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for all of its plans.
Bottom Line: PrivateVPN is good for beginners, as all of its apps are really minimalist and simple to use. On top of that, the VPN works with many popular streaming platforms, and it also maintains very good speeds for streaming. Plus, it has super cheap plans, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read my full PrivateVPN review
Quick Comparison of My Top Picks
How I Chose the VPNs on This List
- Get a VPN with good streaming support — Variety is important, so I recommend picking a VPN provider that works with at least 5 popular streaming services. ExpressVPN, my top pick, is compatible with 100+ streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.
- Go for a VPN with fast streaming speeds — When you use a VPN for streaming, your speeds will slow down due to the encryption-decryption process and the distance between you and the VPN server. But top providers will optimize their service to minimize the speed loss (so that it’s barely noticeable).
- Pick a VPN with a smart DNS — This isn’t mandatory, but it’s definitely useful. With a smart DNS, you can access streaming content on devices that don’t let you install VPN apps. Pretty much all of the VPNs I recommend come with a smart DNS.
- Pick a VPN that’s easy to use — You shouldn't have to spend more than 2 minutes installing a VPN app. Also, the app needs to have an intuitive design, so that you can easily find and connect to a server and start streaming.
- Get a streaming VPN with a big server network — Having access to tons of server locations help you improve your VPN speeds (by only streaming content on nearby servers), and it also lets you access content libraries from multiple countries. I recommend getting a VPN with servers in at least 50+ countries (ExpressVPN has servers in 100+ countries).
- Choose a secure VPN for streaming — While security isn’t the focus when it comes to streaming, it’s still important. That’s why I recommend getting a VPN that has all essential security features, such as military-grade encryption, a kill switch (to prevent traffic leaks), a no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection.
- Get a VPN that offers good value — I recommend buying a VPN that comes with extra features (like split-tunneling, which is useful for improving streaming speeds) and affordable plans. Also, ideally, the VPN would also have a generous money-back guarantee.
VPNs That I Recommend Avoiding for Streaming
- TunnelBear — This provider is very easy and fun to use, it provides great speeds, and it comes with a large server network. However, it offers really poor streaming support, as it doesn’t work with top sites like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, or BBC iPlayer.
- Astrill VPN — The VPN has very good security features, and it works really well in restrictive countries. That said, while it works with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, it can’t access BBC iPlayer and Max. Plus, it lacks a smart DNS, and it’s also very pricey.
- IPVanish — IPVanish has good speeds, works with Netflix, and allows unlimited simultaneous connections. But it can’t access Max, Hulu, and YouTube TV, it doesn’t work with some popular Netflix libraries (like Netflix Japan and Netflix Germany), and it’s missing a smart DNS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best VPNs for Streaming in 2024 — Final Thoughts: Final Thoughts
ExpressVPN
NordVPN®
About The Author
Hi! I’m Trevor James, a Canadian YouTuber who travels the world full-time. I make videos about food, travel, and cybersecurity. I have been traveling the world and making videos for over 10 years. You can read more about me here.
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