The Best VPNs for Streaming 2024

We recommend NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost if you’re looking for a high-speed virtual private network (VPN) that can unblock geo-restrictions on Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and beyond. 

We’ve highlighted NordVPN as the best overall for streaming, Surfshark as our best value VPN for streaming content across various platforms, and CyberGhost for its dedicated-streaming servers. With their fast speeds, high compatibility on various devices, and excellent security and privacy features, you can’t go wrong with any of these VPN providers.

The best VPNs for streaming

• NordVPN: Best overall
• Surfshark: Best value VPN
• CyberGhost: Best for streaming-optimized servers

Top 3 VPN services for streaming compared

VPN
Starting price	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually)
Netflix support
Hulu support
BBC iPlayer support
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review

How we tested the best VPNs for streaming

We selected NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost as the best VPNs for streaming based on the streaming services they claim to support, their test results during our streaming tests, and their features for allowing and enhancing streaming. The features we looked at include: 

• Streaming-optimized servers: Provide smooth connections and fast speeds for streaming specific platforms
• SmartDNS: Switches your DNS servers to unblock geo-restricted content ib aby devuce
• Ad blockers: Can be handy for blocking video ads for uninterrupted streaming

We also considered each VPN's compatibility, especially if they went above and beyond by providing apps for smart devices like Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and Android TV.

NordVPN: Best overall

Who it’s best for

NordVPN, has fast connection speeds, a high server count with server locations around the globe in 111 countries, strong levels of security and privacy, and compatibility across a plethora of streaming platforms.

What’s more, if you’re particularly concerned with privacy, you’ll also be pleased to learn that NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, with no data retention laws. This means it operates outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances.

What we liked

Based on our testing, NordVPN unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more. And we found it among the best VPNs with fast U.K. servers, which is excellent for unblocking access to U.K. libraries across several streaming services.

With its fast speeds, NordVPN is ideal for streaming. During our latest round of testing, NordVPN increased our speeds with every server location we selected, even the U.K. and Australia.  

NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy too, which is consistently verified by an independent audit performed by a third-party company like Deloitte, for example.

Lastly, features like SmartPlay (SmartDNS) and a dedicated IP help you securely access streaming content while unblocking geo-restrictions. Here’s a quick look at the standout features NordVPN offers:

• Dedicated IP: Lets you keep an IP address specific to you to access IP-restricted networks, which is great for unblocking geo-restrictions on streaming platforms.
• SmartPlay: Bypasses DNS blocking by switching your DNS servers when you try to access unavailable content
• Double VPN: Provides an additional layer of encryption by routing you through two or more VPN servers

What we didn’t like

Although we've had success unblocking Netflix with NordVPN, Nord has removed Netflix from its list of supported streaming services. So if Nord is ever unable to unblock Netflix, you won't be able to receive support from the site. Even so, you can still use NordVPN to bypass Netflix's password-sharing ban.

We also found its multi-tiered plans confusing. For example, NordVPN offers three plan types, Ultimate, Plus, and Standard, with a monthly, one-year, or two-year payment plan to select from. That’s nine different price points to consider. For those with decision fatigue, these plan options may be too mind-boggling and confusing for their taste when in a hurry to choose a plan. 

NordVPN specs

Price range	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Number of servers	6,800+ servers in 111 countries
Number of connected devices	10
Streaming-optimized servers	No
Average speed	394.15 Mbps
DNS leak test	Pass
Kill switch test	Pass
Unblocks Netflix	Yes
Unblocks Hulu	Yes
Unblocks BBC iPlayer	Yes
Unblocks Amazon Prime Video	Yes
Unblocks Disney+	Yes
Unblocks Max (HBO Max)	Yes
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

Surfshark: Best value VPN for streaming

Who it’s best for

Surfshark is the ultimate choice for anyone on a seeking an excellent value on a VPN for Netflix. It allows for unlimited simultaneous connections and its starting price is $1.99/mo (billed every two years). 

Surfshark also unblocks other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. And if you’re living in the U.K. or enjoy accessing streaming content from across the pond, you may be pleased to learn that Surfshark has been rated as one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer. Now, would you fancy that?

What we liked

We loved Surfshark’s budget-friendly price. It has a starting price of $1.99/mo (billed every two years) plus support for an unlimited number of devices. It's also compatible with a wide range of operating systems, mobile devices, and even smart TVs, so you can use this service for streaming on all the devices in your home. This assortment of features makes it a great option for families looking to stream.

But don’t be fooled by its affordability. Its low cost doesn’t mean poor quality — Surfshark is jam-packed with features that boost your security and privacy. This is great if you want to use a VPN to hide your location while keeping your data secure, and if you like to use a VPN for Netflix and other streaming services.

With its fast connection speeds and a server network totaling 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, Surfshark makes it easier to connect to a VPN server with speeds to support your streaming habits. No suffering through buffering, we say.

Check out this list of Surfshark's features that make it worth the money:

• CleanWeb: Blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts.
  
• Multi-hop: Allows you to route your traffic through several servers at once.
  
• Rotating IP (Nexus): Lets you change your IP address every five to 10 minutes to evade trackers.

What we didn’t like

We don’t like that Surfshark is currently headquartered in the Netherlands, a country that’s part of the Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes alliances. If you opt for a VPN that is based in a region with strict privacy laws that doesn’t share intelligence with other countries or potentially participate in government surveillance, then other options may be more suitable for you.

Despite this drawback, Surfshark has never suffered from a data breach, and it has a lot of potential to be a one-size-fits-all VPN solution for most people. 

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
Streaming-optimized servers	No
Average speed	298.09 Mbps
DNS leak test	Pass
Kill switch test	Pass
Unblocks Netflix	Yes
Unblocks Hulu	Yes
Unblocks BBC iPlayer	Yes
Unblocks Amazon Prime Video	Yes
Unblocks Disney+	Yes
Unblocks Max (HBO Max)	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

CyberGhost: Best for streaming-optimized servers

Who it’s best for

CyberGhost is another budget-friendly VPN with a lot of features to ensure your streaming session remains secure and uninterrupted. It has streaming-optimized servers for specific streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. 

What we liked

CyberGhost is unique because it offers optimized servers for a number of purposes. We love that you can use the streaming-optimized servers to help prevent lag and buffering. This all comes in at a starting price of $2.03/mo (billed every two years).

Here are some of CyberGhost's specialized servers:

• Streaming-optimized servers: Servers for countries worldwide that are optimized for specific streaming services including Netflix, Hotstar, ESPN+, and more.
• NoSpy servers: Premium, in-house servers with better speeds and stronger security
• Gaming servers: Reroute your tarffic through the fastest servers with the lowest ping to prevent lag, throttling, and DDoS attacks
• Torrenting servers: P2P servers with high internet speeds and powerful encryption

We also like CyberGhost's dedication to privacy. It's headquarted in Romania, which is outside of the Eyes alliances and it's against data retention laws. CyberGhost releases quarterly public transparency reports and its regularly audited by third parties.

What we didn’t like

During our most recent testing, CyberGhost easily unblocked most Netflix libraries but couldn't get past Netflix Australia. This is likely not a deal breaker for most streamers, but it's worth keeping in mind.

We also wish CyberGhost offered split tunneling across more devices. Right now, CyberGhost is only available for Android so you won't be able to split your traffic while streaming with Windows, macOS, or iOS. 

CyberGhost specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Number of servers	Unlisted in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
Streaming-optimized servers	Yes
Average speed	69.04 Mbps
DNS leak test	Pass
Kill switch test	Pass
Unblocks Netflix	Yes
Unblocks Hulu	Yes
Unblocks BBC iPlayer	Yes
Unblocks Amazon Prime Video	Yes
Unblocks Disney+	Yes
Unblocks Max (HBO Max)	Yes
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review

Honorable mentions

We selected our top three picks, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, for multiple reasons including streaming support, compatibility with various platforms, server locations available, pricing, and, most importantly, privacy and security features offered.

But if those three picks don’t meet your needs, Private Internet Access (PIA), CyberGhost, and IPVanish are also worth a look:

• Private Internet Access: PIA offers a suite of security features and a broad server network. It allows for unlimited simultaneous connections and includes an ad-blocking feature. Last but certainly not least, PIA’s price is one of the lowest out there, starting at $2.19/mo (billed every two years).

  Get Private Internet Access | Read Our Private Internet Access VPN Review

• ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN provides fast speeds with server locations in 105 countries and it can unblock plenty of streaming libraries. It also offers plenty of flexibility whether you're using devices that run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS — or even devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers.

  Get ExpressVPN | Read Our ExpressVPN Review

• IPVanish: IPVanish stands out with its unlimited simultaneous connections and strong security features. Like the best streaming VPNs, it can unblock multiple Netflix libraries.

  Get IPVanish | Read Our IPVanish Review

Speed tests

We test all of our VPNs by measuring our baseline internet speed then calculating how much the VPN impacts this speed based on the selected server location. Speed is an important factor to test on your VPN, especially when it comes to streaming. A speedy VPN will ensure you can keep your device secure while maintaining a stream with limited buffering or lag. 

	VPN speed to US server	Normal speed	Speed loss
NordVPN	430.75 Mbps	297.64 Mbps	45% increase
Surfshark	333.43 Mbps	345.75 Mbps	4% decrease
CyberGhost	97.36 Mbps	186.21 Mbps	48% decrease

NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost had vastly different speed test results. NordVPN almost doubled our internet speeds, which is one of the best results we've recorded during our latest round of testing. Surfshark had a more expected result, only slightly decreasing our internet speeds. Finally, CyberGhost had the most dramatic impact on our speeds, but at least our streaming remained smooth.

How to choose a VPN for streaming

When selecting a VPN for streaming, it’s important to consider features that are helpful for streaming support before making a decision.

Look for these important features:

• Fast-speed connections
• A large server network spanning worldwide
• AES 256-bit encryption
• Secure VPN protocols (e.g., WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN)
• No-logs policy independently audited by a third-party company
• 24/7 live chat support or email
• Advanced security features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and smart DNS.

How to unblock streaming services with a VPN

Using a VPN, you cleverly swap your actual IP address with a chosen one, fooling streaming platforms into thinking you're in a different region. This “trick” allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content otherwise unavailable to you.

A VPN is a clever trick to hide your online activities and true IP address. Plus, it ensures your internet service provider can't slow down your internet (ISP throttling) by encrypting your traffic.

Finally, obtaining a dedicated IP address, which is an IP address specific to you, can help you unblock streaming content on streaming services that vigorously block VPNs. That’s because it also tricks the streaming platform into believing it’s not a VPN since there’s hardly any traffic coming from your IP address since it isn’t shared.

Read more about the best VPN services available and learn more about other VPN options.

Best streaming VPNs FAQs

Bottom line: The best VPNs for streaming

When it comes to selecting the best VPNs for streaming, it’s important to choose a VPN that offers fast connections and a plethora of high-speed servers, along with robust security and privacy features that can help you unblock any restrictions that streaming services may impose.

NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost made it to our top three list of the best VPNs for streaming. And Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish are alternatives that might do the trick if our top three picks don’t meet your needs. 

3 best VPNs for streaming

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
	Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years)	Best overall	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best value VPN	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review
	Starts at $2.03/mo (billed every two years)	Best for streaming-optimized servers	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review