The Best VPNs for Streaming

We’ve tested ExpressVPN with 120 streaming services from all over the world, and our test results show that it unblocked 115: the most out of any other VPN.

Here’s a short list of popular global streaming platforms ExpressVPN works with:

ExpressVPN is our top-rated VPN for Netflix, with access to 18 regions, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, the US, and the UK. Only Windscribe Pro can access more (32).

ExpressVPN can access Netflix India with ease.

Americans will also love the VPN’s ability to bypass US sport blackouts, like beating DAZN’s geo-restrictions to watch out-of-market games on Canada’s NFL Game Pass, or streaming blackout games on MLB.TV.

ExpressVPN is also a great choice to unlock Canadian and Australian geo-blocked content. This allowed us to watch Kayo Sports outside Australia without issue, giving us access to smooth AFL and NRL streams.

ExpressVPN has been consistently one of the fastest VPNs since we started testing it in 2016. You’ll very rarely experience buffering or picture degradation during streams, even live broadcasts.

Speeds aside, what is outstanding about ExpressVPN is its formidable compatibility with most devices under the sun.

In addition to the usual native apps for mainstream devices, it offers specific ones for Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and Android TV.

Combined with streamlined browser extensions and a Smart DNS solution called MediaStreamer (for use with game consoles and UK/US streaming services), this gives you an incredibly wide compatibility across devices.

Plus, all the apps are incredibly easy to use, helped by the fact they share the same highly intuitive interface.

ExpressVPN’s well-designed app for iPhone.

Finally, you have the option to invest in ExpressVPN’s own VPN router, Aircove, which comes with its own branded web app.

It costs extra, but it’s a fantastic way to assign individual IP locations to your household devices. It also makes it infinitely easier to use your VPN with your Roku box or stick.

NordVPN is particularly impressive at bypassing UK and Canadian streaming geo-blocks.

Its 440 UK VPN servers worked flawlessly with BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 and ITVX. It performed less reliably with Sky Go, though.

The VPN’s Canadian IP addresses were also very effective at beating local geo-restrictions on Crave, CBC Gem, and Sportsnet+.

Connected to a NordVPN Canadian server on mobile.

NordVPN is clearly a great VPN for streaming with reliable access to most content platforms around the world. The only notable one we couldn’t unlock at all was India’s JioHotstar.

In addition to apps for desktop and mobile, NordVPN has also fully featured software for Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and Apple TV, making streaming on your Smart TV much easier.

That said, we found NordVPN’s apps less intuitive than ExpressVPN’s.

They aren’t as neatly designed, especially the desktop and TV apps which are visually underwhelming compared to other VPNs we’ve reviewed.

NordVPN’s Windows and macOS apps side-by-side.

None of NordVPN’s apps are hard to use, but they’re just a bit too “busy” with add-ons and other distractions. Also, the desktop can’t be resized, therefore taking up more space than necessary on smaller laptop screens.

While Surfshark only works with 10 Netflix regions, which is considerably fewer than ExpressVPN and NordVPN, we were amazed at the VPN’s ability to unblock every regional library on Disney+.

In fact, the VPN works with Disney+ through every single server; an industry-leading feat.

Surfshhark unblocked all popular Disney+ regions.

If you’re in the US and using Surfshark, you’ll be able to unlock all of Hulu’s content without the need to get a Disney+ Bundle.

And while Surfshark works with 6 fewer streaming platforms than NordVPN, it actually works with JioHotstar and Sky Go, which its rival can’t.

Surfshark offers the best VPN app for Android TV and excellent native apps for all other streaming devices, including Fire TV and Apple TV.

There is also Smart DNS functionality you can take advantage of, although you’ll only be able to unblock US content.

But, what really stands out with Surfshark is its Android app’s ability to spoof your GPS location.

Several mobile apps use your device’s GPS data services, in addition to your IP address, to figure out where you really are.

Most VPNs require you to use a separate third-party “fake GPS” app in parallel, however Surfshark has developed its own integrated solution.

Once activated, Surfshark’s Override GPS location syncs your VPN IP and GPS data to place you in the same matching location.

Setting up Surfshark’s ‘Override GPS’ location setting.

Thanks to the tool, we streamed NHL blackout games on the ESPN+ Android app, and beat out-of-market restrictions on NFL+.

Sadly, the tool only works on Android devices since iOS doesn’t allow GPS spoofing at the system level.

Windscribe’s free servers unblock 5 Netflix regions, which no other free VPN can match.

Windscribe’s free London servers can stream UK Netflix.

The regions it unblocks are: France, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, and the UK. Sadly, the US Netflix library remains blocked.

One of Windscribe’s main free rivals, PrivadoVPN, does work with the American library but it only works with 2 regions altogether.

To maximize your Netflix subscription and unlock the most Netflix regions for free, we suggest using both Windscribe and PrivadoVPN.

You can use the free VPN plan on the same devices as the paid subscription.

In addition to apps for desktop and mobile, you also get access to apps for Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and Apple TV.

We were pleased that Windscribe’s streaming performance is consistent on each app; all worked well and without bugs or errors.

As a free VPN, Windscribe’s catch is its restrictive 10GB monthly data cap, which equates to roughly four hours of high-definition streaming. It’s better than nothing, but it’s simply too little for heavy streamers.