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TV who? With more users moving to online streaming each day, networks are quickly shifting gears to meet customers where they’re at. New streaming platforms keep emerging, and with it, treasure troves of newly anticipated content. Yet, it’s frustrating for users to find out that their beloved subscription prevents them from viewing full libraries due to geo-restrictions.
To combat this, many users are investing in a VPN to gain access to global movies, TV shows, and sporting events. Overall, the best VPN here will unlock international content at buffer-free speeds, secure your personal login information, and hide your IP address. So, our experts at AlwaysVPN have compiled a list of the five best VPNs for streaming in 2021 to help you make an informed decision on which service is right for you.
Top 5 VPNs for Streaming
| # | Provider | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  ExpressVPN | #1 streaming VPN with fantastic speeds and flexible payment options Read More |
| 2 |  NordVPN | Strong VPN with a massive network, fast speeds, & unblocking capability Read More |
| 3 |  CyberGhost | VPN with fast, dedicated streaming servers and a user-friendly interface Read More |
| 4 |  Private Internet Access | Veteran VPN with 35K+ servers & the ability to unblock streaming sites Read More |
| 5 |  Hola VPN | Budget-friendly alternative perfect for streaming on up to 10 devices Read More |
pros
- Safe, unrestricted torrenting/P2P
- Unlocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer & more
- 3,000+ servers in 94 countries
cons
- No kill switch on iOS
- More expensive price point
- Only 5 simultaneous connections
Best overall, ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for streaming for many reasons, not the least of them its massive server network and ability to unblock almost every streaming service you can think of. Unlike other VPNs, ExpressVPN boldly advertises the list of websites it can unblock and allows for up to 5 device connections at once. It’s also known for consistently delivering faster speeds which is necessary for streaming in 4K or downloading P2P content.
From our tests, we were able to successfully unblock content from popular sites like BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and even Netflix – the hardest streaming service to crack. ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, with no plans on slowing further development. Try ExpressVPN for one month risk-free or consider a longer plan for a discount. It’s very flexible on payment methods and term lengths.
For more in-depth information, read our ExpressVPN Review.
pros
- Slick UI, making it exceedingly easy to use
- Vast array of security features
- Massive list of high speed U.S. servers
cons
- One of the pricier VPNs
- Replaced free trial with money-back guarantee
One of the top VPNs for unblocking Netflix and other streaming sites is NordVPN. Coming in as #2 for the best VPN for streaming, NordVPN is fast, safe, and secure. It delivers some of the fastest connection speeds we tested thus far and has over 5,500 servers in 59 countries, which is ideal for heavy streamers.
In addition, NordVPN offers serious features like AES 256-bit encryption and double VPN encryption, so you never have to worry about your devices and data getting breached. It also comes with proprietary SmartPlay DNS settings, which is a big bonus when it comes to speeds needed for watching shows in 4K. If streaming is a priority for you, we recommend giving NordVPN a try.
For more in-depth information, read our NordVPN Review.
NordVPN Special
NordVPN Special
pros
- Fast, secure and easy to use
- Top pick for streaming
- Allows Torrenting/P2P
cons
- Logs some anonymous data
- Doesn’t work with Chromebook
CyberGhost is arguably one of the best VPNs for streaming. It has a massive server network and offers an advanced Smart DNS feature that allows users to unlock Netflix and other websites on all smart TVs and gaming consoles. To top it off, CyberGhost has dedicated VPN servers specifically for streaming to make all your TV binge dreams come true.
Similar to ExpressVPN, CyberGhost proudly advertises an extensive list of content libraries it can unblock and offers simultaneous connections on up to 7 devices, so you never have to prioritize security over your entertainment needs again. If you’re still on the fence, consider testing out this VPN risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee
For more in-depth information, read our CyberGhost VPN Review.
4. Private Internet Access
pros
- Verified zero-logs policy
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
- PIA uses open source software
- One of the few VPNs that can unblock streaming sites
cons
- Could improve UI
- Limited additional features
Private Internet Access (PIA) is another solid VPN for streaming from our tests. It boasts unrestricted U.S., UK, Netherlands, Canada, Romania, Germany, France, Sweden, and Swiss-based internet services and has over 35,000 servers across 78 countries. You read that right. This gives users substantial coverage, and the ability to access international content that is otherwise unavailable.
As you can see in the list above, PIA is one of the few VPN providers able to unblock a wide variety of streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. This, coupled with its lowest-priced plan of $2.69/mo., makes Private Internet Access a shoo-in service for streamers.
For more in-depth information, read our Private Internet Access VPN Review.
pros
- Freemium VPN business model
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
- A large network and great speeds
- Very easy to install and use
cons
- Limited privacy features
- Freemium version logs data
- No third-party audit
As a freemium VPN, Hola is a solid budget-friendly service geared towards streaming and torrenting. It easily unblocks streaming content and allows for up to 10 simultaneous connections. Be it your smartphone, tablet, or computer, Hola VPN is quick to set up and has one of the sleekest UI among VPNs.
Its free plan is ideal for users that only care about overcoming censorship and accessing geo-restricted content. However, if you’d like your browser secure and private as well, you’ll want to check out its premium plan. Priced at $2.99/mo. 3 years, it’s on par with most top-rated providers. Hola VPN is fully transparent about its free and paid tiers, so you always know what you get.
For more in-depth information, read our Hola VPN Review.
VPN FAQs for Streaming
- How important is it to have a VPN when streaming?
- How do I set up a VPN for streaming?
- Can a streaming service ban my account for using a VPN?
- Is it illegal to stream with a VPN?
- Is a VPN good for streaming?
- What VPN is best for streaming?
1. How important is it to have a VPN when streaming?
In general, it’s always good to have a VPN for an added layer of protection against your ISP, government agencies, and other third parties from tracking your data and slowing down your speed. However, if you’re not interested in accessing geo-restricted international content, you won’t notice the most obvious benefit of using a VPN for streaming. The biggest benefit of a streaming VPN is its ability to unblock content from streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu.
2. How do I set up a VPN for streaming?
To stream movies and TV shows with a VPN:
- Subscribe to the VPN service of your choice.
- Download and install the VPN software on your device.
- Log in using your VPN account credentials.
- Turn on the VPN kill switch and anti-leak protection features.
- Select a server from whatever country you’d like to connect to.
- Once your VPN is connected and turned on, navigate to your streaming service and log in with your account credentials.
- You now have access to all international content your streaming service has to offer.
- Start streaming your favorite shows and movies.
3. Can a streaming service ban my account for using a VPN?
While some streaming services will attempt to block your connection when you use a VPN to stream, it’s highly unlikely that your account will be banned for it. Contrary to popular belief, platforms like Netflix don’t ban VPN usage because they’re greedy. They do this because oftentimes they don’t have the rights to air certain content in many countries.
4. Is it illegal to stream with a VPN?
With the exception of a few countries, it’s completely legal to use a VPN while accessing the internet and streaming. However, there are some local, state, and provincial laws that yellow government officials to seize VPN customer data at will.
Countries that offer the most freedom when it comes to streaming VPNs include the U.S., the United Kingdom, and most countries within the European Union.
Piracy is the main contributor to people’s apprehension about using a VPN. A VPN can be used as a tool to pirate (i.e. access and share copyrighted content) without consequence, which is strictly against the law.
When considering a VPN for streaming, make sure to look at your streaming service’s terms and conditions before subscribing to a VPN. Some platforms like Netflix explicitly state that using a VPN to access geo-restricted content is against their user policies.
5. Is a VPN good for streaming?
A VPN is a great way to access geo-restricted content your streaming platform has to offer. By default, most streaming services have restrictions of what content certain users can watch based on their geographical location.
When you use a VPN, your real IP address – that number code that signals to different websites and servers where your physical location is – is hidden from outside parties like the Netflixes of the world. So, if you live in the U.S. but want to watch the British version of The Office, you can sign into a server located in England using a VPN and watch content otherwise hidden from your streaming account.
6. What VPN is best for streaming?
While there are hundreds of streaming VPNs to choose from, the best VPN will unblock movies and TV shows from anywhere in the world, securely offering buffer-free access to your favorite international content. Our experts at AlwaysVPN have compiled a list of the five best VPNs for streaming above to help you make an informed decision.
