Your favorite show is just a VPN connection away. Watch it with one of the top VPNs we’ve tested for accessing streaming services.
Seeing your favorite show get moved to a regional catalog you don’t have access to can be frustrating, but luckily, a VPN can help. We mainly evaluate VPNs as privacy tools that safeguard your data against malicious third parties. However, we also examine how reliable a VPN is at unblocking Netflix. Each option on this list reliably allowed us to access Netflix in our tests. We also give special attention to services that offer streaming-specific features, such as specialized servers and generous multi-device connections. Read on for the best VPNs for streaming, followed by everything you need to know to choose the right service for you.
ProtonVPN offers one of the best free subscription tiers we’ve seen. The company has numerous servers worldwide that are specifically designated for streaming. It was able to unblock Netflix in every region we tested. Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: Proton’s latency may be a deal breaker for intensive gaming, but we found its speeds to be steady and reliable for streaming video. NetShield is a handy ad blocker that can help de-clutter your favorite streaming site, though don’t expect it to consistently remove pre- and mid-roll ads. Proton also has servers tailored for streaming that are built to bypass blocks. You can try Proton out for free with a plan that offers eight servers to choose from and doesn’t come with any data limits. However, we recommend the premium subscription for testing streaming services, as most of the free servers are detected.
Privacy and security: The people behind Proton take privacy seriously, with an unyielding commitment to transparency and accountability that is rare in the VPN space. All apps are open-source, so you never have to question if there’s a hidden vulnerability that could compromise your data. Annual audits and frequent transparency reports demonstrate that Proton consistently maintains its standards year after year.
Speed and performance: Proton’s premium servers rank in the middle of the pack in terms of performance, with a 20.11% decrease in download speeds, a 43.21% decrease in upload speeds, and a 351.26% increase in latency.
Streaming: We had no issues streaming Netflix with Proton. Proton’s premium servers worked flawlessly, granting us access to every regional catalog we tested.
User experience and ease of use: All of Proton’s apps are streamlined and easy to use, catering to both beginners and experienced users. Features are easily accessible and clearly labeled on both desktop and mobile interfaces. It’s easy to tell when you’re connected to a server, and you can access advanced options with just a couple of clicks. Who It’s For
Users who want a free VPN: If you’re on a budget or aren’t sure if you want to commit to a full VPN subscription just yet, ProtonVPN’s free plan offers access to the maximum bandwidth available on a select choice of servers.
Privacy-conscious users: Proton’s unwavering commitment to transparency and privacy makes it one of the best options for those who value their privacy. Proton is an excellent choice, thanks to its stellar privacy standards and robust anti-malware protections through NetShield.
NordVPN is a privacy juggernaut at a premium price. Its streaming-specific network options make it an easy choice for reliable streaming access.Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol is fast, open-source, and reliable. It also provides access to split tunneling and multi-hop connections. Nord’s Threat Protection Pro keeps you safe from malware on most streaming sites and blocks nasty trackers that could try to keep tabs on your browsing habits.
Privacy and security: Nord maintains transparent privacy standards with third-party audits and a frequently updated transparency report. NordLynx utilizes open-source technology, allowing you to examine what makes the service tick. Nord doesn’t keep logs, and its no-logs policy has been independently verified in multiple security audits by VerSprite, Cure53, Deloitte, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC).
Speed and performance: Nord has consistently delivered excellent performance in our tests. It reduced our download speeds by just 5.20%, upload speeds by 5.78%, and increased our latency by 58.14%. Just keep in mind that your experience may vary depending on your proximity to a Nord server.
Streaming: Streaming with Nord was streamlined. We didn’t experience any buffering or stuttering with videos. Additionally, Nord managed to unblock every regional Netflix library that we tested against.
User experience and ease of use: Nord’s desktop apps can be a tad cluttered and overwhelming, especially if you’re new to VPNs.
