Find and compare the best VPN for streaming 2023

Which VPN is the best for streaming?

Are you currently abroad and want to watch content that is familiar but blocked? Or are you at home and want to watch geographically blocked content that is not available in your country?

We can help you! We test the VPN providers with streaming platforms every week: Netflix, DAZN, Amazon Prime Video, Sky and other platforms. In our reviews of the providers, you will find detailed information and in this article, there is a summary to choose the best VPN for your needs.

Streaming with VPN – important aspects

Please, pay attention when looking for the service, which is the best for Streaming:

  • Not every VPN is suitable for all TV channels (even if the service unblocks VPN Netflix, there’s no guarantee that, for instance, BBC iPlayer will work fine as well).
  • Not every VPN is suitable for ensuring “anonymity when streaming” (your VPN provider should not collect your data)
  • Not every VPN service offers good speed while streaming (especially for UHD and 4K, it is necessary to have high speeds – without buffering problems)

Different applications with different VPN providers

Also, pay attention to the devices you want to use for streaming. So the right VPN service also supports them. For example PC, iPad, macOS, FireTV, Google Chromecast Android TV, etc. You can’t install and use every service everywhere. If you have an AppleTV or SmartTV device that you want to use for streaming, we recommend buying a VPN router, which can be purchased for only 20 euros.

Best VPN for streaming
Best VPN for streaming

Some useful features that make a VPN service best for streaming:

  • Some features can help you set up a VPN connection, such as SmartDNS. Others, such as split tunnelling, help you manage your VPN connection. Some VPN providers still offer dedicated servers for streaming. So it is important to know which servers work best for streaming.
  • As a rule, reliable VPN services have servers whose IP addresses are constantly updated to avoid detection. Best VPN for streaming also use innovative technologies to bypass VPN blocking.
  • Multiple simultaneous connected devices. You can share your VPN with friends or family so they too can watch content that is geographically limited.
Surfshark: best for streaming with the most affordable price
Surfshark: best for streaming with the most affordable price

How does a VPN service unblock streaming platforms?

This is where the very essence of how a VPN connection works: the VPN redirects your device’s connection and uses one of its servers. This means that your ISP cannot see what you are browsing, and a bonus is that the traffic on the VPN servers is encrypted. This makes your connection secure and anonymous.

This way, it will appear on the website that you are in that country, and you can access any content that would normally only be available if you are physically in that region.

Which VPN is best for streaming?

Nowadays relatively many VPN providers have managed to unblock streaming platforms, especially English-speaking platforms (we have tested plenty of German streaming services – they are harder to unblock). We have made the best 4 VPN services for streaming abroad directly comparable.

Streaming of TV and video content
VPN service name

NordVPN

Surfshark VPN

OVPN

CyberGhost VPN

Atlas VPN

Use on home router
Use with KODI
SmartDNS
FireTV App
Avoid warnings
Supported international streaming platformsDisney+ (US)Hulu (US)Amazon Prime Video (US)Netflix (US)Apple TV (US)Watch ESPN (US)Channel 4 (US)NFL Gamepass (US)MLB.tv (US)abc (US)CBS (US)FOX (US)NBC (US)Showtime (US)FLIX (US)epix (US)HBO Now (US)ITV (UK)Eurosport (UK)Sky (UK)BBC iPlayer (UK)Sky News (UK)Bloomberg (UK)BT Sport (UK)Channel 4 (UK)Sky Go (IT)YouTubeSpotifystarz (US)hustlerTV (US)PenthouseTV (US)PlayboyTV (US)Disney+ (US)Hulu (US)Amazon Prime Video (US)Netflix (US)Apple TV (US)Watch ESPN (US)Channel 4 (US)NFL Gamepass (US)MLB.tv (US)abc (US)CBS (US)FOX (US)NBC (US)Showtime (US)FLIX (US)epix (US)HBO Now (US)ITV (UK)Eurosport (UK)Sky (UK)BBC iPlayer (UK)Sky News (UK)Bloomberg (UK)BT Sport (UK)Channel 4 (UK)Sky Go (IT)YouTubeSpotifystarz (US)hustlerTV (US)PenthouseTV (US)PlayboyTV (US)Disney+ (US)Hulu (US)Amazon Prime Video (US)Netflix (US)Apple TV (US)Watch ESPN (US)Channel 4 (US)NFL Gamepass (US)MLB.tv (US)abc (US)CBS (US)FOX (US)NBC (US)Showtime (US)FLIX (US)epix (US)HBO Now (US)Eurosport (UK)Sky (UK)BBC iPlayer (UK)Sky News (UK)Bloomberg (UK)BT Sport (UK)Channel 4 (UK)YouTubeSpotifystarz (US)hustlerTV (US)PenthouseTV (US)Disney+ (US)Hulu (US)Amazon Prime Video (US)Netflix (US)Apple TV (US)Watch ESPN (US)Channel 4 (US)NFL Gamepass (US)MLB.tv (US)abc (US)CBS (US)FOX (US)NBC (US)Showtime (US)FLIX (US)HBO Now (US)ITV (UK)Eurosport (UK)Sky (UK)BBC iPlayer (UK)Sky News (UK)Bloomberg (UK)BT Sport (UK)YouTubeSpotifystarz (US)hustlerTV (US)PenthouseTV (US)PlayboyTV (US)Disney+ (US)Hulu (US)Amazon Prime Video (US)Netflix (US)Watch ESPN (US)NBC (US)HBO Now (US)BBC iPlayer (UK)YouTube

Which free VPN is best for streaming?

The best free VPN for streaming is AtlasVPN. It unblocks some streaming platforms well and really is best for streaming if you want a free service.

Prices of the best streaming VPN services

Costs / Tariffs
VPN service name

NordVPN

Surfshark VPN

OVPN

CyberGhost VPN

Atlas VPN

Free use
Tariff (1 Month )12.99 EUR15.45 EUR12 EUR11.99 EUR11.22 EUR
Tariff (6 Months )41.94 EUR (per month 6.99 EUR)
Tariff (12 Months )67.35 EUR (per month 5.61 EUR)59.88 EUR (per month 4.99 EUR)36.89 EUR (per month 3.07 EUR)
Tariff (14 Months )41.86 EUR (per month 2.99 EUR)
Tariff (26 Months )59.64 EUR (per month 2.29 EUR)
Tariff (27 Months )102.33 EUR (per month 3.79 EUR)
Tariff (28 Months )56.94 EUR (per month 2.03 EUR)
Tariff (30 Months )46.05 EUR (per month 1.54 EUR)
Tariff (36 Months )151.92 EUR (per month 4.22 EUR)
Number of simultaneous connections per account6unlimited77unlimited
Test optionsMoney-back guaranteeMoney-back guaranteeMoney-back guaranteeMoney-back guaranteeFree tariff availableMoney-back guarantee

Apps & Applications of the best VPN for streaming

VPN service name

NordVPN

Surfshark VPN

OVPN

CyberGhost VPN

Atlas VPN

Available protocolsIKEv2OpenVPN (UDP)OpenVPN (TCP)Multi-hop VPNSSL/ProxyWireGuardWireGuardOpenVPN (UDP)OpenVPN (TCP)L2TP/IPSecMulti-hop VPNSSL/ProxyIKEv2SOCKS5ShadowsocksOpenVPN (UDP)OpenVPN (TCP)Multi-hop VPNIKEv2SOCKS5WireGuardOpenVPN (UDP)OpenVPN (TCP)IKEv2WireGuardWireGuardMulti-hop VPNIKEv2
Own applications/appsAndroidKODI AddOnFireTVOpenWRTASUSWRTOpenVPN UDPWindowsMac OSXApple iOSChrome extensionFirefox extensionLinuxTomatoDD-WRTOther OS/IntegrationAndroidKODI AddOnFireTVOpenWRTASUSWRTOpenVPN UDPWindowsMac OSXApple iOSChrome extensionFirefox extensionLinuxTomatoDD-WRTOther OS/IntegrationAndroidOpenWRTASUSWRTOpenVPN UDPWindowsMac OSXApple iOSChrome extensionFirefox extensionLinuxTomatoDD-WRTOther OS/IntegrationAndroidKODI AddOnFireTVOpenWRTASUSWRTOpenVPN UDPWindowsMac OSXApple iOSChrome extensionFirefox extensionLinuxTomatoDD-WRTOther OS/IntegrationWindows PhoneKODI AddOnFireTVAndroid TVWindowsMac OSXApple iOSAndroidLinux
KillSwitch function
Applications languageEnglishGermanSpanishFrenchSwedishEnglishGermanSpanishRussianFrenchSwedishItalianDutchEnglishGermanSwedishGermanEnglishSpanishRussianFrenchEnglish

Speed of the best streaming VPN

Maximum speed tested
VPN service name

NordVPN

Surfshark VPN

OVPN

CyberGhost VPN

Atlas VPN

Download361300 kbps431444 kbps879900 kbps151230 kbps288901 kbps
Upload335444 kbps410980 kbps898222 kbps99087 kbps280750 kbps
Jitter2 ms1 ms0 ms5 ms2 ms
Ping13 ms14 ms25 ms39 ms29 ms
Tested with OpenVPN (UDP) on17.03.202424.03.202424.03.202404.04.202420.03.2024
Connection withinGermanyGermanyGermanyGermanyGermany

Privacy with the VPN best for streaming

Anonymous on the Internet
VPN service name

NordVPN

Surfshark VPN

OVPN

CyberGhost VPN

Atlas VPN

Changed virtual location
Protection against requests for information
Prevent general monitoring
Prevent targeted surveillance
No log files
Obfusication (masking)

Company overview of the best VPN for streaming

VPN service name

NordVPN

Surfshark VPN

OVPN

CyberGhost VPN

Atlas VPN

Operating sitePanamaLithuaniaBV.IcelandNetherlandsLithuaniaSwedenRomaniaUSA
Clearing locationCyprusNetherlandsSwedenCyprusUSA
Local legislation has an impact on customer protection
Operation and billing separately
Server locations56100179036
No log files
Own DNS Server
Virtual server
Dedicated server
RAM-Disk Server
Hardware owner
IP addresses owner

How do we test streaming with a VPN?

You should know that ‘streaming’ is not the same in every country. Most TV media libraries, for instance, block VPN users. For example, the much-loved Netflix can be watched in different languages. Probably, you know that Netflix has a huge amount of content that is only available in certain regions. Hulu and BBC iPlayer, meanwhile, are only available in one country.

How to make English-language content available abroad with a VPN service?

You just have to connect to a server of your VPN provider and watch your favourite series, films or TV shows!

Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, Paramount+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, YouTube, Crunchyroll and Disney+ – there are many streaming services you can enjoy from anywhere in the world using a VPN!

And if, for example, you’re a paying customer of a sports streaming service – just turn on your streaming VPN, log in to your streaming service and watch.

This is how we check VPN providers with streaming services:

  • We use Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices.
  • We use VPN providers’ apps/applications on them.
  • If possible, we use DNS servers provided by the providers themselves.
  • We connect to English VPN service locations.
  • In the available browsers (Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari) we open the offers of the video platforms.

PLEASE, PAY ATTENTION! Such useful features as high speed and user-friendliness do not necessarily make a VPN provider the best for streaming.

This procedure is essential to emphasize because using the platforms on other devices or with the providers’ apps often yields different results. In many cases, ISP applications cannot be used even when using VPN services, this is because applications often implement additional DNS settings for their own devices. This leads to VPN services being recognised as proxy/VPN services and users being blocked.