Are you a streamer tired of being kicked off quality content for pesky geo-restrictions? Is your internet connection putting a damper on your streaming success? Do you know what it truly means to have constrained bandwidth and throttled speeds?
Don’t worry – there’s a fast and easy VPN for streaming on this list that suits your needs.
With the right VPN (a virtual private network), you can conquer all those annoying trouble spots with one simple subscription.
So, jump into our list of the top 7 picks that’ll keep your stream chugging along – we guarantee they’re not just bluster and empty promises.
Thanks to these amazing services, you’ll be able to find something that meets both your budget, speed and security needs — so power up those servers; it’s time to get streaming!
Before we get into the VPNs themselves, let’s take a quick look at what a VPN is.
What Is a VPN?
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) have become rapidly popular in recent years for streaming purposes.
VPN technology provides a secure connection over the internet from an individual device to a network by encrypting data and preventing unauthorized people from eavesdropping.
They are also used in corporate environments, allowing remote workers to securely access files and other resources from their office computers.
VPNs not only provide users with the security of knowing their data is safe, but VPNs can also grant geo-location access to services that may otherwise be restricted due to region-locking.
VPNs offer a reliable solution if you’re looking for a secure connection while streaming or need access to corporate resources away from the office.
What Is the Best VPN For Streaming?
Here are our seven top VPNs for streaming if you want to enjoy your favourite movies and shows without disruptions.
1. FastVPN.
FastVPN offers a great combination of features that make it well-suited for streaming. Its unblocking capabilities are top-notch and excellent, allowing you to access various streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, HBO Max, and more.
Its speeds on local servers are fast enough for smooth and uninterrupted streaming experiences. Although there is a slight drop in speed when streaming on global servers, it’s still faster than average.
FastVPN also has an impressive server network with 1,000 servers distributed worldwide in over 50 countries. These reliable servers offer great connection stability when streaming from far-away destinations.
The VPN uses industry-standard encryption and robust protocols, making it safe and secure when engaging in activities like streaming or torrenting.
FastVPN has native apps for major operating systems, such as Windows, Android, and macOS, as well as iPhone and Linux devices, while also being compatible with many other devices via manual set-up configurations.
On top of that, they have a 30-day money-back guarantee so if you’re not happy with the services provided you can always get your money back easily.
Key Features of FastVPN:
- Perfect compatibility: Native apps for Windows, Android, macOS, and iPhone and Linux devices.
- Fast speed: Its speeds on local servers are fast enough for smooth streaming experiences.
- Great unblocking capabilities: Access various streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, HBO Max, and more.
- Affordable price: All plans offer excellent value for the money.
- Various servers: They have 1,000 servers distributed worldwide in over 50 countries.
- Strong security: Industry-standard encryption and robust protocols.
- Supports torrenting: Engage in activities like streaming or torrenting.
- Kill switch: Protects you from accidental data leakage in case of unexpected disconnection.
FastVPN Pricing:
- 1 Year plan: $34.56 per year ($2.88/month)
- Monthly plan: 5.88 per month
There’s a 1-month free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
2. ExpressVPN.
With a comprehensive network of 3,000+ servers in 160 locations across 94 countries, ExpressVPN offers plenty of options for finding a reliable streaming connection and apps for all major devices.
The apps are very user-friendly and feature great security features such as the Lightway protocol, bulletproof kill switches (Network Lock), a clear privacy policy, and comprehensive third-party privacy and security audits.
ExpressVPN’s app also runs natively on Apple’s M1/M2 for maximum performance – a huge plus if you’re an Apple user.
The streaming capabilities of ExpressVPN are top notch too. It can easily unblock international Netflix catalogs, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and much more with no issues whatsoever.
With its powerful AES-256 encryption protocols on all its services and a zero-logging policy on all traffic data, your data always remains safe with them.
The customer support is knowledgeable and provides helpful answers to your questions within minutes in both audio chat and email formats.
All in all, ExpressVPN provides a secure connection without compromising your speed or stability while streaming, which makes it one of the best streaming VPN services out there.
Key Features of ExpressVPN:
- Private DNS: DNS requests are routed through VPN servers for added protection.
- Threat Manager: Detects malicious websites and blocks them before they can cause harm.
- 24/7 live support: Reachable through audio chat and email.
- Proprietary Lightway VPN protocol: A highly secure VPN protocol developed by ExpressVPN to provide maximum security.
- Reliable kill switch: Protects you from accidental data leakage in case of unexpected disconnection.
- Apps for Mobile, tablets, and desktops: Can be used on multiple devices simultaneously.
- Router app: Compatible with most routers through its dedicated router app.
ExpressVPN Pricing:
- ExpressVPN 12 months: $6.67 per month
- ExpressVPN 6 months: $9.99 per month
- ExpressVPN 1 month: $12.95 per month
3. NordVPN.
NordVPN offers powerful streaming performance and excellent security features. Its large server count and strong security protocols provide safe and reliable access to streaming services worldwide.
Its custom version of WireGuard, NordLynx, encrypts your data at high speeds, allowing a smooth and secure streaming experience.
They offer excellent apps compatible with all major platforms, including routers, making them especially suitable for people who want to access streaming platforms from multiple devices.
The platform’s no-logging policy has been verified through extensive auditing, and users feel comfortable knowing their data is safe.
NordVPN also offers good price value and a generous money-back guarantee, so you can get a refund if unsatisfied with their service.
NordVPN offers an excellent combination of features, making it an ideal choice for streaming.
Its fast speeds and robust security protocols make it perfect for unblocking services such as Netflix or BBC iPlayer, regardless of where you are located.
And with their great customer service team on hand to help you if something goes wrong: you can find in-depth tutorials and troubleshooting articles in multiple languages.
Key Features of NordVPN:
- Simultaneously used on six devices: Your account can be used on six devices ago.
- High-speed NordLynx protocol: The connection is secured with the latest VPN protocols, including NordLynx.
- Unparalleled security smarts: AES-256 encryption ensures maximum data protection and no logs kept.
- New Meshnet secure network: Create a secure VPN connection for private and secure browsing.
- VPN for streaming: Unblock censored content and access streaming services with no restrictions.
- Money-back guarantee: Get a full refund within 30 days if unsatisfied with the VPN service.
NordVPN Pricing:
- NordVPN 2 Year: $2.49 per month
- NordVPN 1 Year: $4.49 per month
- NordVPN 1 Month: $11.99 per month
4. Private Internet Access.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is an excellent service provider for those seeking a reliable and affordable VPN for streaming. With its expansive server network, ten simultaneous connections, and the option of two free months on the two-year plan, it’s one of the most attractive packages out there.
You can access their servers in 84 countries, including 18 US cities. This offers plenty of options when you want to surf anonymously and securely.
Since 2010 PIA has been providing customers with high download speeds, averaging 101 MB/s, while uploads come in at 91 MB/s— allowing seamless streaming and torrenting experiences.
PIA is compatible with US Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services, no matter where you are located around the globe.
For safety, Private Internet Access offers a kill-switch feature which automatically shuts off your internet connection if your VPN drops unexpectedly so that your data remains secure from passersby or hackers on public hotspots.
PIA is certainly competitively priced compared to rivals in the market—the six-month plan costs $45 (which works out to $7.50 per month), while the monthly plan only runs $12 per month and includes two free months if opting for the two-year plan at just $2.19 per month.
On top of this, it also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not happy with their service for any reason within that time frame.
Key Features of PIA:
- Dedicated IPs available: PIA VPN offers dedicated IPs to use concurrently on ten devices.
- Solid download speed: With average speeds of 101 MB/s for downloads and 91 MB/s for uploads, PIA is great for streaming or downloading large files.
- Strong encryption protocols: AES-256 encryption ensures maximum data protection with no logs kept.
- Massive server network: Expansive servers with 84 countries and 18 US cities.
- Advanced split tunnelling: Create a secure VPN connection for private and secure browsing.
PIA pricing:
- Private Internet Access for 2 Years: $2.03 per month
- Private Internet Access for 1 Month: $11.99 per month
5. PureVPN:
PureVPN is an excellent VPN provider that offers a range of great features at an unbeatable price. It has become one of the most reliable and secure streaming VPN services due to its 6,500+ high-speed servers across 78 countries, app support for desktops, mobiles, and even smart TVs with ten simultaneous connections, and verified no-logging credentials by an audit.
Performance is where PureVPN truly stands out, as it easily manages twice the speeds of some competitors.
PureVPN now unblocks Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus with absolutely no issues whatsoever. You can access all your favorite streaming services while remaining anonymous and safe on the internet.
For those concerned about privacy, PureVPN provides military-grade encryption protocols such as OpenVPN and SSTP that exceed industry standards in security and anonymity.
PureVPN has several additional features, including an internet kill switch which prevents any data from being sent over your internet connection if the connection fails or drops; split tunnelling, which lets you route certain traffic through the VPN while leaving other traffic untouched; and ad blocking which prevents popups and ads from appearing on websites without taking away from the overall browsing experience.
Overall, PureVPN offers users amazing value for money, high-performance levels, and top-notch security features – making it one of the best virtual private networks available.
Key Features of PureVPN:
- Fast WireGuard: Enjoy VPN speeds up to 5 times faster than traditional VPN protocols.
- Affordable pricing plans: Enjoy budget-friendly monthly, yearly, and two-year options.
- No DNS leaks: Keep your identity secure with PureVPN’s zero log policy and DNS leak protection.
- Port forwarding support: Open all ports for streaming, gaming and torrenting easily.
- AES-256 encryption: Keep your data secure with the most advanced VPN encryption protocol.
- Password manager add-on: Get extra security by adding a layer of protection to your passwords.
Pure VPN Pricing:
- PureVPN 5 years: $1.13 per month
- PureVPN 1 year: $1.99 per month
- PureVPN 1 month: $10.95 per month
6. ProtonVPN.
ProtonVPN is an outstanding choice as a streaming VPN provider that takes security and privacy seriously.
With over 1,750+ servers in 63 countries worldwide, ProtonVPN provides excellent coverage to ensure your online activities remain private and secure.
The company offers a generous ten-device limit and apps for various platforms such as Windows, macOS, iOS and Android to ensure that all your devices can benefit from the VPN connection.
What sets ProtonVPN apart from other VPNs for streaming is its commitment to strong encryption and independent audits.
The platform uses only top-grade AES 256-bit encryption with 4096-bit RSA key exchange, the same security level used by banks and governments worldwide to ensure no data leakage or other vulnerabilities are present in their system.
ProtonVPN does not just take security into account but also performance. To further increase speeds, the service supports the WireGuard protocol, one of the most advanced security protocols available today.
It also utilizes dynamic server switching, which routes you through the fastest connection based on real-time ping measurements for maximum speed and reliability.
On top of that, all servers use RAM disk storage, so no traffic logs can be stored on hard drives avoiding potential privacy breaches due to hacking attempts or data theft by malicious actors.
ProtonVPN offers several different options depending on your needs, ranging from basic plans with limited features to full-access plans with multiple simultaneous connections per account.
Key Features of ProtonVPN:
- Great for streaming: With servers optimized for streaming, Proton VPN can easily unblock all your favourite streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
- Open-source apps: All Proton VPN apps are open-source and constantly checked for any vulnerabilities or exploits.
- Free plan with unlimited bandwidth: Enjoy the basic version of Proton VPN without worrying about data caps.
- 100+ servers on the free plan: Enjoy VPN usage with more than a hundred different server locations worldwide.
- Privacy-focused: Proton VPN follows strong encryption and independent audits to ensure your online activities remain private and secure.
- Great connection speeds: With dynamic server switching and WireGuard protocol support, you can get blazing-fast speeds for all your VPN needs.
ProtonVPN Pricing:
- Proton VPN 2 years: $3.99 per month
- Proton VPN 1 year $4.79 per month
- Proton VPN 1 Month $7.19 per month
7. CyberGhost VPN.
CyberGhost has 7,000-8,000 servers in 115 countries, offering great coverage and fast speeds with powerful apps.
One of the highlights of CyberGhost is its streaming capabilities. It unblocks US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer with no issues.
CyberGhost doesn’t fail to deliver on security features either; It offers various levels of encryption, including OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols and top-notch AES encryption with 256-bit keys – so your data is always kept safe from prying eyes.
Additionally, it has built-in features, including an automatic kill switch and DNS leak protection to ensure your connection remains secure even if an unexpected disconnection or leak is detected.
Whether you’re using it for streaming or just browsing securely online, CyberGhost can provide you with good performance and reliability.
Key Features of CyberGhost VPN:
- Tons of servers: Enjoy access to over 7,000 servers in 115 countries worldwide.
- Great streaming features: Easily unblock US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.
- 45-day money-back guarantee: Enjoy a risk-free VPN experience with CyberGhost’s generous refund policy.
- Good WireGuard speeds: Enjoy VPN speeds up to 5 times faster than traditional VPN protocols.
- Feature-heavy apps: Get all the features you need from your VPN, such as an automatic kill switch and DNS leak protection.
CyberGhost VPN Pricing:
- CyberGhost 2 Years: $2.03 per month
- CyberGhost 1 Month: $12.99 per month
How Do You Choose the Best VPN For Streaming?
Choosing a virtual private network (VPN) can be tricky, especially for streaming. After all, you need a VPN that offers good performance, top-notch security, and an affordable price.
To help make the process easier — and perhaps even more enjoyable — we’ve created these factors to consider.
Location: Where is the Server Located?
When selecting the right VPN for streaming, server location is key. That’s because your connection will be faster if the server is closer to you geographically.
Higher latency can result in lagging video and audio, so look for a streaming VPN with servers in or near your country or region.
A larger number of servers also means more choices in finding better speeds and stronger connections.
How Many Devices Can Connect Simultaneously?
Not every plan allows for multiple devices connected at once — some may restrict simultaneous connections to just two or three devices maximum.
But if you want to stream on multiple devices at once (like your laptop and smartphone), you’ll need a plan that supports more than two connections simultaneously.
Look closely at the plans available from different providers, so you don’t get stuck with too few simultaneous connections.
What Level of Security Does It Offer?
Security is always important when choosing any digital service, but it’s especially critical when selecting a VPN for streaming purposes.
Look for one that offers military-grade encryption protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec and other advanced security features.
Like multi-hop connections and kill switches which provide extra layers of protection in case of an unexpected disconnection from your VPN server while streaming online content.
Performance and Pricing: What Is Your Budget?
The price of your chosen VPN should always reflect its performance levels; otherwise, what’s the point?
So keep an eye out for vendors offering high speeds at competitive prices, reliable customer service, uptime, no data caps or throttling, unlimited bandwidth, plenty of servers, strong encryption protocols, secure payment options like Bitcoin, and extra features like split tunnelling.
Customer Support: Is It Available 24/7?
High-quality customer support is essential when choosing any digital service provider, especially one that provides access to potentially sensitive data like your IP address and browsing history via a virtual private network (VPN).
Make sure that whatever provider you select has excellent customer support, including 24/7 availability, if something goes wrong while streaming online video content.
With these five tips in mind, hopefully, you now have a better idea of choosing the best VPN for streaming without spending too much time searching through endless lists online! Good luck!
Why do you need a VPN for streaming?
Let’s look at how a VPN can improve your streaming experience!
Streaming Privacy
A VPN encrypts your connection and changes your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track your activities when streaming content online.
This is especially important if you’re streaming on public wi-fi networks, which are notoriously insecure and can be an easy target for hackers.
Even if someone does manage to get into your data stream, they won’t be able to figure out who or where it comes from since all this information is hidden behind a thick layer of encryption provided by a good VPN service.
Safe For Shopping Online
It’s not just streaming that needs a secure connection; online shopping is another activity that benefits greatly from using a VPN.
Many websites collect personal information such as name, address, and credit card numbers when completing transactions.
Without encryption, this data could be stolen by cybercriminals using it for malicious purposes.
However, with a trusted VPN, this information is heavily encrypted and much less vulnerable to theft or hacking attempts.
Improve Buffering Issues
Streaming requires high bandwidth speeds for videos to play without buffering issues or laggy playback performance; otherwise, viewers experience long wait times between video segments or low-quality streams with poor resolution and sound quality problems.
Connecting to an optimized server via a virtual private network (VPN) helps improve overall streaming speeds by providing faster download speeds while also lowering latency so that streams aren’t affected by congestion on the network – great news for anyone who hates buffering interruptions during movies!
Watch Geo-Restricted Content
Different countries have regulations that may restrict certain types of online content available within their region-based boundaries, commonly referred to as geo-blocking or regional restrictions.
By masking your real IP address with one generated from another country, you can bypass these limitations and enjoy shows that would otherwise be unavailable in your area – making watching foreign films even easier!
Stream Restricted Networks
Some networks, like Netflix and Hulu, have restrictions preventing users outside certain regions from accessing their services; however, these limits can be circumvented quite easily by connecting through a virtual private network (VPN).
With an encrypted tunnel established between two computers located at opposite ends of the globe, regardless of your location, you can still watch whatever shows are being streamed on these restricted networks.
Stream Content Wherever
With a VPN, you can access geo-restricted content and stream your favourite shows on the go.
That means no more worrying about whether you’re in the right location to watch a movie or TV show.
A good VPN will let you connect to servers worldwide so you can view whatever content you desire, wherever you are.
FAQs.
What Is a VPN For Streaming?
A VPN is a secure tunnel between two or more devices. VPNs protect private web traffic from snooping and interference by third parties like internet service providers but can also bypass regional restrictions on content.
VPNs are often recommended for anyone who streams content online, as they can help improve streaming speeds and privacy. Additionally, some VPNs offer specialized servers for streaming that can help reduce buffering issues.
What Is The Difference Between a VPN And a Proxy?
VPNs and proxies anonymize your traffic by routing it through a remote server, but there are some key differences between the two technologies. Proxies are typically faster and less reliable than VPNs, and many only support HTTP traffic (not HTTPS).
Additionally, proxies do not encrypt your traffic like VPNs, making them less secure.
VPNs are generally considered more expensive than proxies, but they offer greater security and reliability due to their encryption features.
How Do VPNs Work?
VPNs work by encrypting data between your device and a VPN server. This helps protect your privacy by ensuring that no one can view or track your web traffic, even when using public wi-fi networks.
VPNs typically use protocols like OpenVPN or IKEv2 for added security, and some offer specialized VPN servers designed specifically for streaming content.
A VPN may be the right choice if you want to improve your streaming experience.
Wrap up.
The best VPN for streaming in 2023 is FastVPN. It’s a fast, reliable, affordable option that keeps you safe while streaming your favourite shows and movies.
If you’re looking for a great all-around VPN, ExpressVPN is another excellent choice. NordVPN and Private Internet Access are good options if you want to save money, while PureVPN and CyberGhost VPN offer top-of-the-line security features.
It’s time to start planning your binge-watching schedule for 2023.
Whether you want to stay up to date on the latest episodes of Game of Thrones or need a good excuse to avoid your family during the holidays, these VPNs will have you covered.
So put down that turkey leg and fire up your streaming device—we’ll take care of the rest.
