A VPN is an indispensable tool not only for streaming, but also for staying safe online, both at home and when traveling. Using one is becoming increasingly common as we spend most of our days online in some capacity. A good VPN also locks down your connection, keeps your data private, and lets you stream with confidence at home, on the road, or on sketchy public Wi-Fi.

Of course, VPNs aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some are built for speed to keep streams smooth and buffer-free, others lean hard into security, and a handful manage to nail both. We’ve done the legwork to narrow down the standouts, so you don’t have to.

If you’re ready to upgrade the way you stream, let’s find the VPN that best fits you.

Best VPN for streaming

While there’s nothing that separates a “streaming” VPN from any other VPN, it all comes down to execution. While most providers will help you in some capacity, a streaming-ready VPN reliably gets around geo-blocks, letting you watch your favorite shows, movies, and live sports no matter where you are.

That doesn’t mean the fundamentals disappear. You still want strong encryption, a true no-logs policy, a wide network of servers, and solid customer support if you hit a snag. Where the best VPNs pull ahead is performance: faster speeds, servers tuned for major streaming platforms, and consistent playback across all your devices.

The short version? Every VPN boosts your security, but only the right one keeps game day and binge nights free from buffering and blackout headaches.

And just as important, your VPN should actually work with the services you use most — whether that’s Netflix, Hulu, DIRECTV, Fubo, YouTube TV, or something else — so you can keep streaming your favorite movies, shows, and teams even when you’re away from home.

Why should I use a VPN for streaming?

You might want to use a VPN when streaming for a few reasons. Not only is it a good habit to use one to protect yourself when doing anything online, but it’s also a good habit to use one when traveling or streaming content from your home region that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

Here are a few of our top reasons to use a streaming VPN:

• Access geo-restricted content: When you’re away from home or in another country, you may be unable to access your typical streaming library. A VPN is convenient because it lets you connect to a server in your home location and stream as if you were home.
• Privacy: No matter how safe you are online, a VPN will protect you from hackers and malware and prevent your ISP and other trackers from following your online activity.
• Avoid throttling: If your ISP throttles your internet connection after reaching certain limits, a VPN can help avoid these slowdowns while masking your streaming traffic.
• Stay safe on public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi is one of the most unsafe connections, so using a VPN will protect you from any bad actors looking to access your personal data or potentially even steal your identity.

NordVPN - My top pick

• 6000+ servers
• 111 countries
• No-logs policy
• Up to 10 devices at once
• Double VPN
• Split tunneling
• 24/7 support

A consistent favorite amongst The Streamable team, NordVPN is my top pick for the best streaming VPN. Not only is NordVPN one of the most well-known providers, but it is also one of the best-reviewed across the board. NordVPN packs a lot into its offerings, giving you insane value for your monthly subscription price. It has no issues unblocking all the most popular streaming services, making it a wise choice thanks to its extensive feature set and solid reputation.

Their top offering lets you snag a full two years of basic service, plus get three extra months free. If you want to beef things up with extra threat protection or their password manager, you can do so by stepping up to NordVPN Complete for just a bit more per month and still get an extra three months free. If that’s still not enough, NordVPN now offers a higher tier, Prime, which gets you everything NordVPN has to offer in one package.

SurfShark VPN - Best on a budget

• 3200+ servers
• 94 countries
• No-logs policy
• Unlimited devices
• Double VPN
• Split tunneling
• 24/7 support

If you’re looking to save a bit but still have a reliable VPN, Surfshark might be what you’re after. It trails our top pick in a few areas, though not by much. Surfshark VPN is a bit cheaper and faster than NordVPN, but it has fewer servers across fewer countries and lacks some features found in the higher NordVPN tiers. That said, you should have no issues unblocking your favorite streamers when you’re away from home.

Typically on the cheaper end of VPN providers, Surfshark often runs promos to bring prices down even further. You can again save by signing up for a two-year plan, which also nets you three free months. If you want to kick things up with some extra features, you can opt for SurfShark One or hit up even more features with SurfShark One+. All plans include a secure VPN, ad blocker, and cookie pop-up blocker, so you’ll have the basics covered no matter which plan you choose.

ExpressVPN - Best for power users

• 3000+ servers
• 100+ countries
• No-logs policy
• Up to 10 devices
• Double VPN
• Split tunneling
• 24/7 support

If you want something that works, has a clean interface, and gives you plenty of options, look no further than ExpressVPN. With new tiers and pricing, it also has a great UI across all its apps, so you won’t have to hunt for settings. There are plenty of servers from which to choose, and you can unblock all big-name streaming services.

While ExpressVPN used to cost nearly double that of most other providers, the new tiers offer more affordable pricing, with the Basic plan now on par with other top VPN providers. Those needing more than basic protection can also opt for the Advanced or Pro tiers, which add additional security features.

Proton VPN - Best free VPN

If you’re unsure if a VPN is right for you, you can try one before you buy — or even get by with the free version if you don’t need any extras. If you’re looking to get your feet wet without dropping a dime, I love Proton VPN for the free features it provides. It’s incredibly reliable and will unblock a handful of streaming services.

Honorable Mentions

While we do have our favorites, there are still a bunch of other VPNs that may work better for you. Maybe you want more server options, unlimited devices, a kill switch, or something cheap and easy. Regardless of what you’re after, here are other great choices for a streaming VPN.

• Best Bang for Your Buck: PrivadoVPN | Starting at $1.11 per month
• Best for Casual Users: PIA VPN | Starting at $2 per month
• Best Money-Back Guarantee: CyberGhost VPN | Starting at $2 per month

Streaming VPN FAQ

Do I need a VPN?

While you don’t necessarily need a VPN for everyday streaming, it will be useful when traveling and away from home. Certain streaming services have what are called “geo-blocks” or “geo-restrictions,” meaning you can’t stream certain services from certain places. So, if you’re traveling and want to stream like you would back home, for instance, catching your favorite sports team or staying up to date with your current TV binge, a VPN can help you do that.

Can I use a VPN while traveling?

Yes! It’s our favorite VPN to use! As we mentioned above, a VPN is indispensable when you travel, so you can always stream your favorite TV shows, movies, and sports wherever you are in the world.

Can I use a VPN on multiple devices?

In most cases, yes. If you’re referring to using a VPN on various devices, one at a time, the answer is almost always yes. Most VPN providers offer software that works across several devices, including phones, tablets, smart TVs, Macs, Windows PCs, and streaming devices. You can install the app from your chosen provider wherever it’s available and use it on the respective device as needed.

The answer to the question of whether multiple devices can be used simultaneously is… maybe. Most providers offer multiple device limits, sometimes two, sometimes seven, sometimes even 10. Others allow unlimited concurrent devices, and very few limit you to just one at a time. Always check the details of your chosen provider to know just how many you can use.

Can I get a VPN for free?

Many providers offer a free software version, which is typically very limited. However, you can always try a free version before you fully commit. Both Proton VPN and Privado VPN offer free versions that may very well suit your needs.

Is it legal to use a VPN for streaming?

While VPNs tend to get a bad rap, they are legal for streaming. As long as you use the software responsibly and do not violate the provider’s terms of service, you’ll have no issues regarding the legality of a VPN.

Does a VPN affect streaming speeds?

You’d think that adding another layer to your streaming would hurt your overall internet speeds, but that’s not the case. This may have been true a few years ago, but now things in the VPN world are much better, and you’ll see very few hiccups on your typical download or upload speeds when using a VPN to stream content.

Will a VPN work with all my devices?

You’ll have to check your provider’s specific offerings, but most VPN software works with your phone, tablet, and computer at the very least. Some have apps for streaming hardware like Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, or other smart TVs. In many cases, you can also configure your home router to install software or settings to protect all devices on your network.