The best VPN for streaming: Expert tested

The best VPN for streaming is ExpressVPN. It has top-tier speed and a massive global network of servers while supporting numerous devices. Regardless of what you're streaming on and where you want to stream, it's likely that ExpressVPN will have you covered. However, if you are looking for something else, these are the key features of our full list of recommendations.

To find the right VPN to meet your streaming needs, you'll need to do some hands-on testing. Sometimes, only specific servers can unlock certain services. You want to be sure you can stream where you want to stream and through a VPN server that has the performance to support video.

Below, you will find the best use cases for each of our recommended streaming VPN services. 

When you are deciding on the most suitable streaming VPN for you, you should consider the following factors:

• Price: VPN prices vary, and although the most expensive services can cost you upwards of $10-$20 per month, you can also find solid, reliable VPNs for as little as a few dollars. However, keep an eye on renewal rates as some VPN providers hike the price after introductory periods.
• Trial length: You need to consider your preferred price point in relation to how long you think you will need a VPN. If you're in it for the long haul, consider a two-year subscription -- as you also tend to earn the best prices with the longest terms. Some VPNs will offer longer options. 
• Streaming availability: Many VPN providers will transparently publish what streaming services work through their connections. Some of the most popular streaming services -- such as Netflix and Disney+ -- will typically work on most, although you may not have access to all geolocked content libraries.
• Security: Consider the VPN's security track record. Preferably, the VPN will be open to external audits and they won't have suffered any major, recent data breaches. You will also want a VPN provider that constantly improves its security posture in a transparent way. 

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our ZDNET team. We've been reviewing VPNs for years, and have spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression if we've included them on this list.

ZDNET does test VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test from all locations. Every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure. Once you choose a VPN, it's essential that you test for all your likely usage profiles and only then decide whether to keep the service or request a money-back guaranteed refund.

These VPNs also have solid money-back guarantees, and we would not have recommended them otherwise. 

We analyzed the best VPNs for streaming TV and movies below using the following criteria that were most important in helping you make an informed decision:

• Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance, especially while streaming. After all, there's no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags, making it intolerable.
• Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service at the same time. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and possibly even a smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you'd need a service that allows at least 5 simultaneous connections.
• Security: There's no point using a VPN unless their security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured that the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.
• Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it prevents a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
• Geoblocks and streaming: We know that VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations perform well when it comes to these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while you are streaming. 
• Countries & servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether or not there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide variety for customers.
• Trial length & price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee. 

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

VPN is an acronym for virtual private network. These services allow users to browse the internet privately and securely connect to open or public Wi-Fi networks. VPNs provide users with the ability to change their virtual location by redirecting their connection through one of the VPN servers located around the world. A VPN will encrypt all of your traffic, ensuring that you're hidden from hackers, your internet service provider, and governments.

If a government is monitoring your online activities at the ISP level, however, they may still recognize the signature of a VPN in use, even if what you're doing is entirely hidden.

VPNs are beneficial in unblocking geo-restricted content and can be a crucial tool for accessing information in countries with oppressive governments. Additionally, they are vital services for anyone seeking to maintain a high level of safety and privacy online. Keep in mind, though, that because VPNs are anonymous (or at least should be), they can also be used to hide illegal online activities, such as pirating content.

Since many streaming services restrict access to content in different geographic regions, using a virtual private network can allow you to unblock streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu -- simply by changing your IP address and appearing as if you are in a different region. Change your location, and you can access the libraries tied to your chosen region.

In general, here are the steps for using most VPNs with your preferred streaming service:

1. Choose a VPN provider. You must choose one with servers in the region where the streaming service you want to access is available. Our list above has some great options. 
2. Download and install the VPN software. Follow the instructions provided by the VPN provider to get the VPN actually up and running on your device.
   
3. Connect to a server. Once you have installed the VPN, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to choose a server. Pick one in the region where the streaming service you want to access is available.
   
4. Log in to the streaming service. After connecting to a server, log in to the streaming service. It should now see you as located in the region of the VPN server you connected to -- thus allowing you to access any content in that region (which would normally be unavailable if you don't live there).
   
5. Start streaming. Voila! Easy right?
   

Keep in mind using a VPN to unblock content restricted in your region may violate the terms of service of the streaming service. Also, some VPNs do not work with all streaming services, and access may change at any time.

VPNs, set-top boxes, and streaming sticks don't always work well together. You might have to set up your router to distribute a VPN to all your devices for blanket coverage or connect your TV as a client to your PC and use that machine's VPN-protected network. If you want to stream TV through a VPN, picking up a VPN-supportive device such as a Fire TV stick or a router with a VPN enabled is one of the easiest pathways. 

A VPN is not required for streaming movies, games, or TV shows. However, it can change your location to unlock certain services or products in other countries. The tradeoff is that a VPN will likely slow down your connection -- especially if you opt for a free plan -- because the distance to the server, encryption process, and protocol can cause internet speed lags.

If you find that streaming with a VPN is unbearably slow, try connecting to a different server, or you may need to try a different VPN service altogether. Lag can oftentimes be unnoticed with better VPN services.

It's important to note that many free VPNs will prevent you from streaming altogether or will have a strict data usage limit. 

Basically, Android TV is a version of Android. That means most apps in the Google Play store will run reasonably well on Android TV -- including VPN clients. Most VPN vendors slightly recode their Android handheld apps to have a wide-screen UI for the TV and put those apps into the Play Store. 

Since Amazon's Fire TV is basically a skinned version of Android TV using Amazon's app store, VPN vendors didn't have to do too much technically to make it work -- and Amazon is, of course, a huge market. So you just go to the app store and install the app. 

Unfortunately, there aren't native VPN apps available for all streaming devices. You can still take advantage of a VPN, but you'll need to set it up on your router or PC network. The same process applies if you want to stream with Xbox, Playstation, or Switch.

It's possible that using a VPN could slow down your streaming speed, but this depends on a variety of factors such as the quality of your VPN, the location of the server you're connected to, and your internet connection speed. 

If you experience traffic slowdowns, check not only your VPN but also your Wi-Fi connection between your device and your router or access point. Sometimes, connectivity issues begin at the source, and in other cases, switching your selected VPN server may be enough to resolve speed problems or connectivity drops.

If our best VPNs for streaming aren't the best choices for you, no problem. Here are a few other secure and reputable services that could meet your needs and budget.