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Whether you’re binge-watching your favorite TV series on Netflix, enjoying live sports events, or catching up on the latest released on Disney+, streaming has revolutionized the way we consume content. However, the experience isn’t always seamless, especially when geo-restrictions and content blocks come into play.

This is where Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for streaming come to the rescue. To make it easier for you, we’ve curated a list of all the top-rated VPNs for streaming.

ExpressVPN

When it comes to VPNs for streaming, ExpressVPN stands out as a top contender. It offers blazing-fast performance, making it the ideal choice for uninterrupted streaming sessions. Let’s dive into its pros and cons.

Pros

  • Huge Server Network: ExpressVPN boasts a massive server network with over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, ensuring you can access content from around the world.
  • Unblocks Multiple Streaming Services: ExpressVPN excels at unblocking various streaming platforms, including Netflix (US, Canada, UK, Japan, Australia, and Spain), BBC iPlayer, HBO, Sling TV, Showtime, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video.
  • Exceptional Speed: Express VPN is known for its incredible speed, ensuring you can watch content in native 4K quality without lags or buffering, even on long-distance servers.
  • Global Accessibility: It’s effective at bypassing censorship, making it suitable for users in countries with strict internet regulations like China, UAE, Russia, or Iran.
  • Multi-Device Support: ExpressVPN supports all major platforms and allows up to 5 simultaneous connections. You can even protect multiple devices connected to a router.

Cons

  • Cost: ExpressVPN is not the most budget-friendly option in the market.
  • Limited Simultaneous Connections: It allows only 5 simultaneous connections, which might be limiting for some users.

ExpressVPN is undoubtedly a frontrunner among the best VPNs for streaming. Its superior speed and unblocking capabilities make it a top choice for streaming enthusiasts.

Surfshark

Surfshark is another fantastic option for VPNs to use for streaming, with a focus on providing native support for Fire TV and Android TV. Let’s explore its pros and cons.

Pros

  • Unlimited Simultaneous Connections: Surfshark breaks the norm by offering unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to protect all your devices with a single subscription.
  • Wide Range of Features: It comes with an array of useful features to enhance your online experience.
  • Affordable Pricing: Surfshark is known for its cost-effectiveness, with various pricing plans to suit your needs.
  • Affordable Long-Term Plans: You can opt for long-term plans that offer substantial discounts, such as three months free with a two-year plan.

Cons

  • Slower Upload Speeds: In some cases, upload speeds may be slower than usual.

Surfshark proves to be a fantastic option for those who prioritize affordability and native support for Fire TV and Android TV while enjoying seamless streaming.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost VPN is one of those services that may surprise you with its streaming capabilities. Let’s dive into its strengths and weaknesses.

Pros

  • Huge Server Park: CyberGhost boasts an extensive server network, with over 9,100 servers in more than 90 countries, providing global coverage.
  • Dedicated Streaming Servers: CyberGhost offers dedicated servers for streaming so that you can access foreign TV channels and popular streaming platforms.
  • Ad-Blocker: Its built-in ad-blocker eliminates annoying pop-ups and speeds up page loading times.
  • Competitive Pricing: CyberGhost is a cost-effective option, offering significantly lower prices than some competitors.
  • 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee: With a substantial money-back guarantee, you can try CyberGhost without any risk.

Cons

  • Limited Netflix Libraries: CyberGhost falls short when it comes to unblocking Netflix catalogs, especially compared to ExpressVPN. While it works with Netflix US and occasionally Netflix Canada, it struggles with others.
  • Geographic Restrictions: It won’t work in censorship-heavy countries, limiting your streaming capabilities compared to some other VPNs.

CyberGhost is the best VPN for your FireStick and an attractive choice if you seek affordability and a massive server network, though its performance with Netflix may not be as comprehensive as some other VPNs.

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is known for its extensive free plan, but its premium offering steps up the game for streaming. Here are the pros and cons of using ProtonVPN for streaming.

Pros

  • Impressive Server Network: ProtonVPN boasts more than 2,900 servers in 65+ countries, offering diverse server locations.
  • Dedicated Streaming Servers: It provides dedicated streaming servers across multiple locations, making it a versatile choice for unblocking content.
  • Excellent for Netflix: ProtonVPN shines when it comes to unblocking Netflix, including Netflix US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.
  • Broad Streaming Capabilities: It works well with various streaming platforms, such as BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO, even when you’re outside their respective countries.
  • Satisfactory Performance: While not the fastest, it delivers decent performance, allowing you to stream content in high quality.
  • Ad-Blocker: ProtonVPN features NetShield, an ad-blocker, which can help eliminate annoying ads on certain streaming sites.

Cons

  • Geographic Limitations: ProtonVPN won’t work in highly censored countries, and its device support is somewhat limited.
  • Price: It is priced higher compared to some competitors, making it less budget-friendly.

ProtonVPN offers a premium streaming experience with reliable unblocking capabilities and diverse server locations, even though it may come at a slightly higher cost.

NordVPN

NordVPN excels in many areas, but it also has some limitations. Here are the pros and cons of using NordVPN for streaming.

Pros

  • Strong Security Features: NordVPN offers robust security features, including a Double VPN, a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and AES 256-bit encryption with support for all major security protocols.
  • Vast Server Network: With over 5,700 servers worldwide, NordVPN provides options for diverse server locations.
  • Additional Tools: NordVPN’s subscription plans come with added features like a data breach scanner, personal data removal, cross-platform password manager, and 1 TB of cloud storage.

Cons

  • User Interface Complexity: Some users might find NordVPN’s map-style interface a bit overwhelming. If you prefer a simpler design, other options may be more suitable.
  • Limited Server Countries: NordVPN offers servers in 60 countries, which is fewer than some competitors like ExpressVPN.

NordVPN strikes a balance between security, usability, and unblocking capabilities. It’s an all-in-one solution with various tools, but if you’re looking for more server countries, alternatives like ExpressVPN might be better suited.

Hide.me

Hide.me is an excellent choice for streaming, but it has its limitations. Here are the pros and cons of using this VPN for streaming.

Pros

  • Lightning-Fast Speeds: Hide.me offers exceptional speed, making it perfect for streaming in 4K and HD quality.
  • Effective Streaming Unblocking: It has a strong track record of unblocking popular streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, ITV Hub, All4, 9Now, and 10Play.
  • MultiHop Feature: Hide.me’s MultiHop feature allows you to connect to two servers simultaneously, enhancing your privacy and security.
  • Configuration Options: It’s highly configurable, allowing you to tailor your VPN settings to your needs.

Cons

  • Limited to Paying Customers: Streaming unblocking is limited to paying customers only, so you won’t enjoy these benefits with the free version.
  • Kill Switch Issues: Some users have reported issues with the kill switch, potentially leaving you vulnerable when changing locations.
  • Outdated Security Audit: Hide.me’s last security audit dates back to 2015, which may raise concerns for privacy-focused users.

Hide.me is a top choice for users who demand speed above all else. Its impressive streaming capabilities and flexibility in configuring VPN settings make it a great option for streaming enthusiasts.

Conclusion

In the realm of VPNs for streaming, each service has its unique strengths and limitations. When you’re looking to enhance your streaming experience, consider these top-rated VPNs for streaming. They provide the key to unlocking a vast array of content, all while safeguarding your online privacy.