A VPN, or virtual private network, is a great tool that can be helpful for anyone to have in their streaming arsenal. Not only VPNs offer core protections that make being on the internet safer, but they also provide customers the ability to stream in regions and countries that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Traveling for work or vacation? A good VPN can connect you with your favorite streaming services while you’re away, making it seem as if you never left your couch. Whether you’re watching sports or movies, or just streaming the latest episode of your favorite show, a VPN can help you connect and stream from anywhere in the world stress-free.

However, not all VPNs are created equally. While most have decent unblocking capabilities, some do the job much better than others and provide additional security features that add to the overall value. Choosing the best streaming VPN for you is no easy task, but don’t sweat it because we’ve done all the hard work for you. If you’ve been cruising the internet to find the streaming VPN that fits your needs well, you’ve come to the right place!

Best VPN for streaming

You might be wondering just what differentiates a “streaming VPN” from just the standard VPN. In short, it’s not very much aside from being able to unblock streamers and help you avoid any geo-restrictions with your specific streaming services so that you can continue to use them when you’re away from home. In almost all cases, you’ll get basic protections from online threats and malware, multiple servers, a no-logs policy, and around-the-clock support. The best streaming VPNs, however, will give you that extra edge with features like faster speeds and the ability to use the software on multiple devices at once.

Of course, you’ll want to be sure that your VPN of choice also unlocks your preferred streaming services — be it Netflix, Hulu, Fubo or others — when you’re away from home and still want to stream your favorite movies, TV shows or sports teams.

NordVPN - Best overall

• 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 our top pick for the best streaming VPN. Not only is NordVPN one of the most well-known providers out there, 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. NordVPN has no issues unblocking all of the most popular streaming services, making it a smart choice thanks to its extensive feature set and solid reputation,

Currently, NordVPN also has some stellar deals for Black Friday. Their top offering comes in at 74% off where you can snag a full two years of basic service for just $3 per month ($80.73 total) plus you’ll get an extra three months free. If you want to beef things up with extra threat protection or their password manager, you can do so with NordPN Plus for $3.89 per month ($105 total) and still get an extra three months free. Still not enough? NordVPN Ultimate is $5.89 monthly ($159 total) and has extras like 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage, identity protection, and more.

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 than NordVPN and faster as well, but it sports fewer servers across fewer countries. Many of the same features are there, but it doesn’t have many of the options seen in NordVPN. That being said, you should have no issues unblocking all of your favorite streamers while away from home.

Typically on the cheaper side of VPN providers, Surfshark’s Black Friday deals are even more of a bargain. You can grab a full two years of protection with SurfShark Starter for just $2 per month, plus you’ll get an extra four months free ($55.72 total). If you want to kick things up with some extra features, you can opt for SurfShark One at just $2.49 per month ($69.72) or hit up even more features with SurfShark One+ for $3.99 per month ($119.70). 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.

Express VPN - Best for everyday users

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

If you want something that just works, has a clean interface, and gives you plenty of options, look no further than ExpressVPN. While it’s a bit pricier than our other picks, it also has a great UI across all of its apps, meaning you won’t have to go hunting for settings. There are plenty of servers from which to choose, and you can unblock all of the big-name streaming services.

While ExpressVPN typically runs nearly double the price of most other providers, a rare Black Friday deal for 2024 has the price see a savings of 82% on a two-year plan at just $5 per month plus you’ll get an additional six months free – 30 months in all for $149.70. ExpressVPN also offers a one-year plan for $6.67 per month and a monthly rate of $13 if you prefer.

Best free streaming VPN

If you’re still unsure if a VPN is right for you, you can always 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, we love Proton VPN for the free features it provides. It’s extremely 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 just something cheap and easy. Regardless of what you’re after, here are some 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 certainly come in handy 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’ll be 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! In fact, it’s our favorite use for a VPN! As we said above, a VPN is indispensable if you travel, so you can always stream your favorite TV shows, movies, and sports no matter where 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 a number of devices, including phones, tablets, smart TVs, Mac, Windows, and streaming hardware. 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 multiple devices at the same time 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, but it 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 totally 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. A few years ago, this may have been true, 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 install software or settings on your home router to protect all of the devices on your network.