The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites

Bypass content restrictions to access more content.
By Joseph Green  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Overview

Best For Speed

ExpressVPN

Jump to Details
Best For Interface

CyberGhost VPN

Jump to Details
Best For Security

NordVPN

Jump to Details
Best For Server Network

Private Internet Access

Jump to Details
Best For Multiple Devices

Surfshark

Jump to Details
Best For Support

PureVPN

Jump to Details
See 1 More

We know why you're here, and that's to access more content from around the world with the help of a VPN. You can use these popular services to binge-watch all of the movies and shows you want, even if they're not usually available in your location. Once you've connected to a VPN, you'll be able to override streaming geo-restrictions and unblock everything on offer.

You've already got a lot of options when it comes to streaming, with the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ pumping out masses of great entertainment at the moment, but sometimes these sites can be cruel. We've all been in the same situation: you sign up to a service to watch a particular show, only to realise that it's not available in your location.

This is when a VPN can help.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are valuable tools for improving your online security. They help you to stay safe and anonymous online by shielding your personal data from the prying eyes of authorities and hackers.

These clever services work by hiding your IP address and rerouting your internet traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel. This secures your bank transactions, protects your digital identity, and lets you work safely on public WiFi networks. This process also means that you can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country, meaning you can watch all the extra content that is normally locked to that location.

What should you consider when subscribing to a VPN?

There are plenty of things that you should consider when it comes to streaming with a VPN, and we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about before subscribing:

  • Bandwidth — There are some VPNs out there that place monthly caps on network bandwidth, meaning you can only download a certain amount of data. You should avoid these services, unless you're on a free trial. If you're paying for a VPN, you should be able to download and upload as much as you want.

  • Connection speed — A VPN is going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything that results in painful buffering. If you're going to be streaming with a VPN, you obviously don't want anything that will impact your connection speed to the point that you can't watch a film or show without frustration.

  • Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. You are likely to come across terms like "military-grade" and "enterprise-grade," which just means that you can rely on it to do its job.

  • Number of connections — The best VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account. At the very least, you should opt for a service that offers multiple simultaneous connections. This means you can stream securely on all your devices.

  • Privacy policy — It's worth paying special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of the VPN you are planning on using. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't clear, it's best to avoid. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. If privacy is the objective, it's absolutely essential that your VPN is not going to store these details. If it does, the whole thing is kind of pointless.

  • Server network — The best VPNs provide access to thousands of geographically diverse servers, which means you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming. If you want to unlock content from a particular location, you should make sure a VPN has servers in that country.

There are absolutely loads of things to consider when subscribing to a VPN, and we wouldn't expect you to remember everything. The most important things to keep in mind when searching for a streaming-friendly VPN are connection speed and server network. The rest is a bonus.

Should you use free VPNs?

The good news is that there are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. Alternatively, you can pay for a VPN. So which option is best for you and your lifestyle?

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs. There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

What we're saying is that the best option for streaming securely and accessing the online world without restrictions is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN for streaming?

A VPN is the safest, fastest, and most reliable way to gain access to your favourite shows, movies, sporting events, and videos. This does not mean that every VPN is great for streaming however, and some services are better suited to the job than others.

Finding a VPN for streaming is not a simple task, and that's why we've helped you out by lining up a selection of your best options. We know that everyone has a different set of priorities when it comes to connection speed, security, and customer support, and that's why this line-up offers a bit of everything.

We checked out everything on offer, and ExpressVPN, NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, Surfshark, and more have made the cut. It's really down to you to decide on your favourite option, and we recommend taking your time and carefully considering everything on offer.

These are the best streaming VPNs in 2024.

ExpressVPN is one of your best options for streaming, and that's because it offers strong connection speeds and apps specifically designed for your favourite sites.

You can choose from server locations in 105 countries, and switch as often as you like, with no limits. This means you can watch, listen, stream, and enjoy content from censored and blocked websites around the world. You also get unlimited bandwidth, so you can download as much as you want, without your ISP or VPN capping certain kinds of traffic.

Another positive about ExpressVPN is that the service promises that real humans are available at all hours via email and live chat to help you with setup and troubleshooting. This is really vauable for both beginners and advanced users.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

CyberGhost VPN is one of the most popular services on the market, and that's down to its attractive and easy-to-use interface. This is always nice to have, but it wouldn't mean much unless CyberGhost VPN also offered advanced features for streaming.

CyberGhost VPN has a fairly large sever network and lets you connect up to seven devices simultaneously. It's also strict on privacy, with a no-logging policy that should appeal to the security conscious users. It's the server distribution that really helps with streaming though, as you should always be able to find a decent connection.

Netflix is probably the most aggressive streaming site when it comes to blocking VPNs, but CyberGhost VPN offers a specialised Netflix server to bypass its restrictions.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

NordVPN logo

NordVPN

Best For Security

NordVPN is probably the best service when it comes to security, but that doesn't mean it lacks the necessary features for effective streaming.

Buffering is the enemy of binge-watching, and streaming just isn't an enjoyable experience with a slow internet connection. NordVPN has a massive range and number of servers all around the world, meaning there’s a higher chance you’ll find one nearby. This results in a speedy connection and less buffering.

So whether you're travelling for business, studying abroad, or staying at home, you can maintain access to your favourite websites and entertainment content with NordVPN.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

Private Internet Access is a robust service that offers everything you need to stream content from all over the world. Users get powerful encryption, strong connection speeds, and a massive server network. Subscribers can also connect 10 devices simultaneously, which is great news if you stream on tablets, laptops, smartphones, and everything else.

There's no free version and Private Internet Access is overdue a third-party audit, but besides this, there really isn't much to complain about. It's a comprehensive VPN with an intuitive and easy to use app that should suit just about everyone.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

Surfshark logo

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

Surfshark is a great option if you have a lot of streaming devices in your home, or a lot of people who are likely to be streaming at the same time. You can connect an unlimited number of devices at the same time with Surfshark, which is great news if you and your housemates can't agree on what to watch.

Surfshark does not offer the most advanced security features, but you still get things like split tunnelling, around the clock customer support, and much more.

The interface is also pretty slick and user-friendly, which makes Surfshark is good choice for total beginners.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

PureVPN logo

PureVPN

Best For Support

Unless you are very experienced with VPNs, it's likely that you could benefit from customer support at some point, and PureVPN has a strong reputation for dealing with problems in a timely manner.

Users get decent server coverage, military-grade encryption, split-tunnelling, and the ability to stream content from anywhere. PureVPN celebrates its ability to unblock streaming services on its site, but some users have reported problems with Netflix. This is a constantly changing situation though, so it's worth keeping an eye on how things develop in the future.

PureVPN also offers decent connection speeds for streaming, unlimited bandwidth, an automatic kill switch, and a no-logging policy.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

Photo of Joseph Green
Joseph Green
Shopping Editor

Joseph joined Mashable as the UK Shopping Editor in 2018. He worked for a number of print publications before making the switch to the glittery world of digital media, and now writes about everything from coffee machines to VPNs.


Recommended For You
Unblock Pornhub for free with this simple hack
Glasses on laptop

OnlyFans is the most lucrative side hustle, tax service shows
onlyfans logo on a phone

How to watch Emma Stone in 'Poor Things' ahead of the Oscars
emma stone in poor things

The Roomba Combo j7+ is pretty good at cleaning and really good at not eating phone chargers
Roomba and charging dock on hardwood floor with cat in hallway in the background

HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) review: Finally, a Windows laptop with great battery life
HP Spectre x360 14

More in Tech
The best laptops you can buy in 2024 for work, school, and gaming
a 15-inch m3 apple macbook air sitting on a wooden table in starbucks

15-inch M3 MacBook Air review: Read this before you even think about buying
15-inch M3 MacBook Air on a table

XREAL (formerly Nreal) Air AR glasses are so cool but need some serious work
pair of tinted AR glasses with smaller lenses inside

RayNeo Air 2 XR glasses capitalize on the hype without delivering on promises
woman's hand holding dark, reflective XR glasses

Galaxy S24 Ultra review: I’m a Samsung stan, but iPhone 15 Pro Max is testing me
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 9
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 9
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 8
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 8
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 8
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!