The Best VPNs for Streaming

Since we’ve been using ExpressVPN, we’ve tested it on 120 streaming services from all over the world. Our data shows that it’s able to unblock the most streaming sites out of any VPN.

Here’s a list of some popular global streaming sites that ExpressVPN works with:

ExpressVPN is ideal for British TV; it’s able to stream BBC iPlayer and ITVX, and it’s still the best VPN for watching Channel 4 outside the UK.

It works well for other European countries, too. We used it to get an Italian IP address and stream RaiPlay, and to watch French TV, too.

If you’re looking to stream international sports, the VPN streams 4 different DAZN regions, and was the best VPN for NFL Game Pass, in our testing.

The only disappointment was that we were not able to stream the AFL on Australia’s Kayo Sport.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix. It unblocks 18 different libraries, including content available only in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the US, and the UK.

The only VPN that is better than ExpressVPN for Netflix regions is Windscribe, which unblocks an industry-leading 32 libraries.

Although it doesn’t have specific servers for streaming, our tests have found that almost every ExpressVPN server works with Netflix and other streaming platforms. This makes using ExpressVPN to watch streaming content much simpler than other VPNs.

ExpressVPN is very fast on both local and international connections. We measured an average global download speed of 85Mbps, which is ideal for buffer-free streaming. Using ExpressVPN, you’ll be able to watch all your favorite TV shows in HD or even 4K from anywhere.

For instance, we were able to load every streaming service in 4K quality using ExpressVPN on our Roku.

ExpressVPN has the widest device compatibility of any VPN. You can install its bespoke apps on numerous streaming devices, including Apple TV and Fire TV Stick. It also comes with an intuitive app for Google TV and a dedicated app for routers.

If you want to stream on your desktop or mobile, you can use ExpressVPN’s apps for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

It also has a Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer. This spoofs your location and unblocks content on devices that aren’t compatible with VPNs, including games consoles.

As with ExpressVPN, NordVPN unblocks almost all of the 120 streaming service we tested. Here is a list of some of the most popular sites it unblocks:

NordVPN is particularly impressive for UK streaming. It comes with 629 UK servers and is our top pick for BBC iPlayer and reliably unblocks Channel 4 and ITVX. Only a few VPNs can get around BBC geo-blocks and NordVPN has been the best at doing it for a while.

However, it disappoints if you want to use a VPN to watch Korean shows. NordVPN fails to unblock both Kakao TV and Wavve. It’s also unable to access Hotstar from outside of India.

NordVPN is able to access 17 Netflix regions. It’s the best VPN for Japanese Netflix and easily unblocks content from the US, Germany, Italy, the UK, and more.

NordVPN has fully-featured apps for Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and Apple TV, making streaming on your Smart TV much easier.

It’s also got excellent apps for deskptop and mobile apps if streaming on portable devices is your preference.

Additionally NordVPN offers a Smart DNS that works to access geo-restricted services without the need of a VPN. This also enables you to stream content on games consoles.

Surfshark is our top pick if you want to stream sports from across the globe, including football, cricket, racing, and more. After testing it with multiple sports sites, we’ve compiled a list of sports streaming sites that Surfshark can unblock and which sports are available:

While other VPNs on this list can also stream these sites, Surfshark stands out because it has a GPS spoofer on Android . This means Surfshark is able to get around tough geo-blocks that use geo-location technology, including MLB.TV, ESPN+, and Hulu Live TV.

Here are the results of our global Surfshark streaming tests:

You can watch 9 different Netflix libraries through Surfshark’s VPN servers, including content from Brazil, Canada, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, the US and the UK’s Netflix libraries.

While Surfshark has no dedicated streaming servers, almost all its US servers will work for Netflix. In our most recent tests, only the St.Louis and Charlotte servers didn’t work.

You can watch Disney+ through every single Surfshark server. For this reason, we also recommend it as the best VPN for Disney+.

While access to BBC iPlayer has been inconsistent, you can watch it using Surfshark’s browser extensions. Surfshark is also our budget choice to watch Max from overseas.

We found Surfshark to have the best app for Android TV and excellent dedicated apps for all other streaming devices, including Fire TV, Apple TV, and desktop and mobile devices.

It also has a Smart DNS that you can setup to access geo-blocked content without a VPN connection. However, this is limited to US content only.

If you need help to set up or use the apps to stream your favorite shows the Surfshark customer support team is also on hand 24/7 via live chat.

Surfshark’s speeds are competing with the fastest VPNs, able to reach an average global connection of 83Mbps. This means streaming from any global streaming service can be done in high resolution and without any lag.

With access to 98 global streaming sites, Surfshark is excellent value for money. It costs just $1.99 per month on a two-year subscription, which is cheaper than ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

We tested Windscribe Free with over 100 international streaming sites and found that it unblocks 44 of them. You can see the results of some major global streaming sites below.

Here’s a list of some popular global streaming sites that Windscribe Free works with:

This is an impressive streaming performance from a free service. However, our expansive testing has shown that Windscribe Free struggles with less popular sites, including streaming services from Spain, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and Brazil.

Windscribe Free unblocks 5, which is more Netflix libraries than any other free VN service. This includes France, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, and the UK.

It’s disappointing to see that the US Netflix library remains blocked. PrivadoVPN Free doesn’t come close to accessing the same number of Netflix libraries as Windscribe (only 2 libraries) but it does unblock US Netflix. We suggest combining both free VPNs to access the largest number of geo-blocked catalogs for free.

You can use Windscribe Free on the same devices as the paid subscription, allowing you to unblock streaming services on Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and Apple TV.

This is alongside free apps for desktop (macOS and Windows) and mobile. 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 limiting 10GB monthly data cap. You can acquire an extra 5GB per month if you tweet a Windscribe ad. One of our testers did it to stream more content for free, but it’s up to you.