The Best VPNs for Streaming 2024

Best Value Streaming VPN

4.9

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On Surfshark's website

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Surfshark

• All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
• Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
• One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
• Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance

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Best for Dedicated Streaming Servers

4.9

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On NordVPN's website

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NordVPN

• Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
• Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
• 3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
• Too many confusing plans

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Fastest VPN for Netflix

4.6

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On ExpressVPN's website

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ExpressVPN

• Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
• Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
• Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
• More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

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We recommend Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN if you’re looking for a high-speed virtual private network (VPN) that works well for streaming on multiple platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and beyond. 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.

This review will cover the nitty-gritty details about why we chose our top picks. We’ll highlight Surfshark as our best value VPN for streaming content across various platforms, NordVPN as the best VPN for dedicated streaming servers, ExpressVPN for its fast speeds and ability to unlock extensive libraries on Netflix. Let’s dive in.

The best VPNs for streaming

• Surfshark: Best value VPN for streaming
• NordVPN: Best for dedicated streaming servers
• ExpressVPN: Fastest VPN for unblocking Netflix

Top 3 VPN services for streaming compared

VPN
Starting price	Starts at $2.29/mo	Starts at $3.99/mo	Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually)
Money-back guarantee
Streaming support	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Yes — Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, and more
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark: Best value VPN for streaming

Unlimited Device Protection and Large Server Network

4.9

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On Surfshark's website

VPN

Surfshark

79% off + 2 months free

• All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
• Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
• One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
• Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance

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 prices is often close to $2.00/mo. 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. With its affordable pricing range starting at $2.29/mo on the low end, we were pleased that Surfshark offers support for an unlimited number of devices and its compatible with a wide range of operating systems, mobile devices, and even smart TVs. 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+ 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 were bummed that Surfshark struggled to unblock Netflix Canada during our most recent round of testing. Netflix is always attempting to stop you from using a VPN with its service, so this may not occur with you, but we thought that was worth sharing.

We also didn’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

NordVPN: Best for dedicated streaming servers

Customizable Coverage That is Simple to Use

4.9

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

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On NordVPN's website

VPN

NordVPN

Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra

• Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
• Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
• 3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
• Too many confusing plans

Who it’s best for

For those who enjoy watching content on Hulu, NordVPN is an excellent choice as the best VPN app for Hulu. It offers a wide range of servers around the world with quick speeds and strong security and privacy features.

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

NordVPN, has fast connection speeds, a high server count with server locations around the globe in 60 countries, strong levels of security and privacy, and compatibility across a plethora of streaming platforms.

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.

With its fast speeds, NordVPN is ideal for streaming. 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.

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

Although NordVPN only covers six devices at once, if you install NordVPN on your router, it secures every device on your network while only using a single slot out of the six available. We thought this NordVPN router setup was a clever way to secure as many devices as you need (as long as they're on the same network).

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. That means that 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.

NordVPN can be a bit pricey, like ExpressVPN, and costs at least $3 extra when you opt for its Ultimate plan. While it’s great that NordVPN offers monthly payment options, its pricing may not be practical for people who want to save money on a VPN or have a tight budget.

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

ExpressVPN: Fastest VPN for unblocking Netflix

Extensive Server Network Provides Protection Wherever You Go

4.6

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

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On ExpressVPN's website

VPN

ExpressVPN

Save 49% (3 months free)

• Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
• Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
• Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
• More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

Who it’s best for

ExpressVPN provides fast speeds with server locations in over 105 countries and it can unblock plenty of streaming libraries. That makes it one of the best VPN for Netflix fans worldwide who enjoy streaming their favorite movies and binge-watching shows. Perfect for people and travelers alike who turn on their VPN, grab some munchies, and binge-watch shows from the U.K. to Japan.

What we liked

Given the quality of ExpressVPN's lightning-fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth, we were astounded by its ability to unblock movies and TV shows on Netflix, as well as other streaming content on platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and others.

Thanks to its compatibility with various platforms, ExpressVPN 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. Thus, it works best with Netflix apps on various devices. Moreover, we were pleased to discover that ExpressVPN is jam-packed with features that uphold your security and privacy.

Take a look at several of ExpressVPN’s highlighted features:

• Lightway protocol: Created by ExpressVPN for faster, more reliable, and more secure connections
  
• Threat Manager: Blocks apps and sites from communicating with trackers and other malicious third parties
  
• Private DNS: Private, encrypted DNS is provided on every server.

What we didn’t like

While ExpressVPN is loaded with security and privacy features along with its fast speeds, we were disappointed to find that ExpressVPN has a hefty price range of $6.67–$12.95/mo while only supporting up to eight devices. NordVPN and Surfshark are both much cheaper and Surfshark allows for unlimited devices, so ExpressVPN is probably not the best value option on the list.

We were also bummed when we learned that the modern, fast, and secure VPN protocol WireGuard isn’t available. But if you’re content with using ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol Lightway or IKEv2 and other secure protocols offered, it shouldn’t be a big problem.

ExpressVPN specs

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.

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

• CyberGhost: CyberGhost is another budget-friendly VPN with a lot of features to ensure your streaming session remains secure and uninterrupted. We also like that it’s headquartered in Romania, outside the 14 Eyes Alliance.

  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

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

  Read Our IPVanish Review

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.

Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN made it to our top three list of the best VPNs for streaming. And Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, 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 $2.29/mo	Best value VPN for streaming	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review
	Starts at $3.99/mo	Best for dedicated streaming servers	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
	Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually)	Fastest VPN for unblocking Netflix	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Unlimited Device Protection and Large Server Network

4.9

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On Surfshark's website

VPN

Surfshark

79% off + 2 months free

• All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
• Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
• One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
• Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance

Author Details

Mars Groves

About the Author

Mars is a California-based cybersecurity professional and writer currently pursuing a B.S. in Cybersecurity. With interests ranging from OSINT to ethical hacking and threat intelligence, Mars leverages his two years of writing experience to produce informative content on topics such as Internet guides and VPNs.