What Are The Best VPNs for Streaming Today?

Casual online browsing used to be a low-risk activity. That’s all changed. Unscrupulous hackers have the know-how, and tools, to pull up your IP address, exploiting it to track your web activities. They can steal your financial data or even launch a debilitating cyberattack. It’s a gloomy perspective to open with, but we figured our readers would rather be aware of the threats than remain blissfully ignorant. The good news? You’re not helpless. Finding the best deterrent, using a reliable VPN to protect your identity, you can create a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. This virtual pathway exists to guard your data from prying eyes and provide a dummy location.

Online privacy was and will always be one of the basic functions of this software type, but there’s since been a knock-on effect, one that goes beyond browsing confidentiality. With so many users streaming content, sometimes from all around the globe, VPNs mask your streaming habits as well. That’s good news for privacy-conscious digital media consumers.

Why VPNs Unlock More Streaming Content?

Instead of wasting several paragraphs weighing the pros and cons, we’re hitting the main points right from the jump, giving you a clear, no-nonsense breakdown on why a VPN is a must-have for streaming purposes. We start with ISP (Internet Service Provider) throttling:

1. You’ve used up most of your month’s bandwidth, about to hit your data cap hard. The Better Call Saul marathon you’ve been watching is about to slow to a crawl. A VPN masks your streaming activities from your provider, stopping your ISP from throttling your connection.
2. Marketers target ads to your browsing habits and physical location. If you don’t want your streaming service to broadcast walls of ads, each seemingly locked into your identity, get a VPN.
3. An international traveler goes out of the country but wants to catch up on a favorite show back home, only to be locked out because they’re overseas. VPNs cleverly disguise your IP Address.
4. Much the same as above, censorship is big in some countries, restricting access to some streaming platforms. A VPN can help you bypass these censorship measures.
5. When we don’t trust local networks, stopping in Starbucks to hook up to their Wi-Fi hotspot, we turn on the Virtual Private Network we’ve subscribed to and enjoy private media browsing.

It’s difficult to get a grasp on this protocol. To help, we think of VPNs as imaginary tunnels. Don’t be surprised to see this term employed heavily by techy types, used to describe how your connection is routed through a secure, encrypted pathway. Done right, your data flows as an impossible to decode, or locate, information stream. Mentioned already but worth repeating, that includes ISPs and streaming platforms, whether they be in your home country or overseas. They simply can’t ‘see’ you.

The bigger points have been presented, leaving only the fact that this is a paid service. The servers, often internationally distributed, need maintenance and resources to keep your connection stable, secure, and fast. All that being said, let’s put the brakes on the technology lecture. We could fill this post with info on this internet protocol, but that’s not why you’re here. If you’re interested in the technology, read this article on VPNs from CNET. As for us, we’re about to get our review goggles on, easing off on the tech geek-outs and focusing on the reviews.

ExpressVPN for Fast and Reliable Streaming

Expertly Reviewed – Five of our lead staffers use ExpressVPN, with a sixth flip-flopping between this service and NordVPN. It has a reasonable monthly price, which always seems to be on sale. Monthly payments can also be made, but they’re far more expensive. However, seeing as how the less expensive month-to-month payments are made in an annually paid lump sum, some users do turn to the more expensive option. Anyway, we used the 7-day trial to do our streaming tests, unsure if we wanted to commit to anything long-term. Expect outstanding location masking when it’s installed, plus such desirable bonus features as 4K streaming support and access to over 2000 globally positioned servers.

Reviewed after installing, there was no complex instructions, no multi-step control panel configurations to run through. A small panel pops up, a circular ON icon waits a tap or mouse press, and you’re instantly protected, ready to stream content from your chosen country or sidestep an overly strict data throttling ISP. Some VPNs we tested did bypass geolocked media platforms, but then we were left cursing as the stream froze every few seconds, the show, movie, or sporting event suffering from a fun-blunting buffering error. There’s nothing worse. That wasn’t the case with ExpressVPN. Fast and reliable, their blazing fast servers simply worked. We even played around a little, bringing in regional content from the UK via BBC iPlayer and Sky Channels. The Great British Bake Off soon had our staffers slacking off, at least until we cracked the whip and got them back in line.

Professionally Critiqued – Just about everything obeys the ‘it-just-works’ design ethos incorporated by the software developers behind this app. It supports every imaginable operating system, and there’s workarounds to get the software working on routers as well. We spent an hour setting up the software on an Android TV, simultaneously tasking an intern with the job of installing it on their iPhone. The result was flawless cross-device performance, fast and buffer-free. Expect solid extras, such as 24/7 customer service and parental controls, plus access to 105 countries of readily accessible streaming content. 

NordVPN for a Sprawling Network of Fast VPN Servers

Expertly Reviewed – Let’s start off by showcasing the NordVPN feature that had our heads turning as if on a well-greased hinge. We’re referring to the over 7400 servers and 118 country coverage statistic that struck our lead reviewers right between the eyes. And they’re not slow, not by any means. Like we explained in the previous VPN mini review, getting past a geolocked server is no good if the media then freezes, going into a frame stuttering loop that no amount of player cache management can eliminate. You live with the interruptions or try another international server. With thousands available, over 2,200 alone in the USA, we soon found one that provided smooth content playback, tuning in to a big sporting event that would otherwise have been blocked in our region.

NordVPN has a 30-day no-risk trial, no limitations. We took this thoughtfully provided link for a spin, installing the service and trying it out on various streaming platforms. Netflix was the target app of the afternoon, our servers changing in seconds on the app dashboard to pull up both Canadian and US shows. We spoofed our location for our third test, slipping into Netflix UK. Our subscription was authentic, so we didn’t have any issue browsing through their big library, settling on Squid Games for some harrowing survival drama with a surreal edge. As for bonus features, we settled into a nearby coffee shop for the afternoon, rain coming down heavy. As we were worried about some of the shifty individuals there—admittedly, they could have been on a caffeine high—the fast connecting NordLynx and WireGuard online hookup kept our tunneling link secure and encrypted. From here, we could check a home network Plex server or check in with the office to see if any changes had been made to a newly issued work calendar. 

Professionally Critiqued – It did sometimes take several attempts to connect to a server and get our Netflix or Hulu shows spinning at high-definition bitrates, but the fact that there were near limitless servers helped mitigate this issue, offering ample alternative connection points. There were also times when Netflix simply refused to cooperate. Again, the solution was to try a different server or clear out the app cache. Speaking of, NordVPN can be installed on Android or iOS devices, Windows or Apple systems, and there’s also a Linux edition. We got adventurous, trying out the software on Android and Apple TV hardware, with no problems to report. Plans to check out vary from Basic to Prime, totally four in all. As usual, payments are listed as monthly, but you’ll be asked to pay costs as one annual lump sum. 

Surfshark for Dual VPN Multi-Hop Security

Expertly Reviewed – We’re still running a finger along the number of fast servers and countries promoted on each of these app websites, which is why Surfshark had no trouble whatsoever rocketing high into this review. By the numbers, we were looking at over 100 countries, the server sprawl adding up to an impressive 3200 potential streaming locations. No matter where we were tuning in from, we found a host. As one of our staffers is a globetrotter and tech enthusiast, we were aware that this infrastructure would work in reverse, too. If he vacationed in the UK or Canada, his subscriptions to ESPN wouldn’t leave him locked out. The same with Paramount+ or Disney+ content, his kids could watch Star Trek or WandaVision to their hearts content, no matter where in the world they ended up.

One other, somewhat unexpected clincher, had us singing our praises for Surfshark. It was the website, showcasing tutorials in a straightforward manner, explaining clearly how to install the app on a router, and generally making the setup process painless for users of all knowledge levels. No complicated jargon, just simple, step-by-step instructions that even a beginner could follow.  They had gone out of their way to write up a dedicated streaming page, listing zero-buffer fast servers just below the server and countries stats. Further down, they go into details on the reasons for subscribing that we’ve already discussed. They range from censorship worries to ISP throttling, before going into the usual list of system and device compatibility platforms. As usual, Windows and Mac OS, Linux and other options all get a mention. FireTV is also in there, bringing VPNs to the Amazon loving masses.

Professionally Critiqued – As a rule, a cleanly designed website does not necessarily equal a similarly well engineered app. Not that this is a prelude to criticizing Surfshark, it’s just a general observation. Far from taking a dig at its features, the software was a delight to manage. There’s the requisite trial, only for 7-days this time, and three tiers of annually paid location masking and privacy focused tools. A monthly payment could also be made, although it’s a costlier proposition. For extras, we took note of Dynamic Multi-Hop, which is a means of connecting to two VPNs, boosting user security even further. BBC iPlayer, a British staple, streamed fast and without buffer, and we went as far as to pull up a stream from South Korea; one of our younger staffers has to get her daily K-Drama fix, after all.

ProtonVPN As a Transparent Open Source VPN

Expertly Reviewed – If you’re already sold on the encrypted security bias built into Proton Mail, then ProtonVPN is likely to satisfy your needs for streaming privacy. Testers are unbiased in our offices, but we still had a grain of suspicion concerning the dominance of ExpressVPN and NordVPN. The superior 12150+ servers and 115+ country server support eliminated that marginal inclination, convincing us that there was room for more at the top of the premium VPN pile. If anything, the Swiss privacy law protected servers and open source policies contributing to the app’s competitive edge had us rethinking our initial doubts. Add to that streaming optimized networking, and we knew we had a worthy contender for best streaming VPN currently on the market. Sure, the two bigger developers will inevitably draw more attention, but open source and ethics-driven transparency set ProtonVPN apart in a way that really caught our attention.

The monthly prices were comparable to our other reviews, maybe a touch lower in some cases. What did stand out was a lower than expected monthly price. At $9.99 a month, we could say no to a 12 or 24 month plan with confidence. However, we couldn’t find a free trial. What was on offer instead of a trial was a free tier, one that allowed access to the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, Japan and the US. No UK or any other Asian nations either, the goal of the free tier is surely to try out its features before committing to a paid subscription. And forgive us if we’re being skeptical, but even if a free VPN is good for browsing the internet, we had doubts that it would be able to stream high definition content without at least an occasional glitch. That’s not quite good enough, not for a Netflix party binge or a final half hour of a major sporting event. Incidentally, ProtonVPN has its own long list of streaming platforms, each with a link that optimizes connectivity. You’ll find it here. Availability, as expected, covers a vast range of devices and operating systems, Mac OS to Windows, Android to iOS, and far more besides.

Professionally Critiqued – The same level of skepticism can be applied to the big VPN developers, such as NordVPN. Granted, NordVPN and ExpressVPN have strict no-logs policies. All the same, ProtonVPN has transparency and trustworthiness going for it, making the app an appealing choice for streamers who have a suspicious nature. Other advanced tech talents that come standard on the app, like secure servers, IP masking, and DNS leak protection, further strengthen that appeal. For regions like China and Russia, obfuscation was yet another incredibly useful tool; it’s designed to make masked data look like regular, non-encrypted internet traffics, bypassing  restrictions in censor-heavy countries. Bottom lining it, there’s a lot to like about ProtonVPN, not least of which is the app’s commitment to privacy.

IPVanish as Your Affordable VPN Service

Expertly Reviewed – Just to be clear, cheaper isn’t the same as less effective. The $2.19 per month plan, charged for in one payment for two years at $52.96, throws in 2,400+ fast servers in over 140 countries. That’s the highest we could find. If one of our staffers went to a conference or workshop in Australia or Vietnam, they’d know that there’d be no need to sit in their hotel and watch the local news. Activating IPVanish, content from their home nation would stream without video stalling issues bringing up a spinning circle of buffering doom. For other countries, we navigated over to this server page on their website to find out just how many countries were covered by VPN servers. Then a WireGuard protocol connection had us up and running, testing for streaming platforms that could detect our out-of-country presence. ISP providers were next, cut out from discovering our location and throttling our connection. Next, we tested popular platforms.

It took a few attempts, but a server located in Manchester, England held steady, and we were all caught up in an old episode of classic Doctor Who, the now over 60 year old science-fiction drama. A Netflix binge out of Japan brought in homegrown anime, while 7plus Australia bypassed regional restrictions, letting our soap opera nut watch old episodes of Home and Away for hours. Finally, we had to tear her away, we had a review to finish. For work or local Wi-Fi, the same plan brings split tunnelling and a Kill Switch. If the VPN goes down because of heavy traffic, no one will suddenly see your real IP Address. AES Encryption and double hop connections were also standard, boosting anonymous browsing to the max. As for the Advanced plan, priced at a generous $3.29 per month and charged $78.96 for the first two years, we didn’t see too many benefits to tempt us up to this tier. A secure browser is handy but not exactly unique, although cloud backup and file syncs did cause a momentary flutter of temptation.

Professionally Critiqued – One of the few drawbacks, not often experienced either, were the couple of slowdowns experienced when targeting certain servers. A few Eastern European sites, and South Asian one as well, threw up data streaming bottlenecks and laggy media playback when attempting to launch a certain movie or show. It’s not a problem that we could easily duplicate, so it was put down to heightened traffic during certain periods of the day. Remember, time zones exist, and they will affect server loads at different times, especially when users from high-traffic regions are online. Free trial for mobile devices, otherwise supported by a 30-day money back guarantee. All the usual operating systems and mobile device platforms are supported.

Unlock the VPN for Your Streaming Needs!

It’s tempting to install a free VPN, but that’s a move best left to general browsing. For streaming, pulling in high-definition and 4K content, you’ll want a paid account through one of these highly rated services. NordVPN scored high in that regard, and it can get past the tricky checks and balances that guard popular streaming platforms. Our tests covered  Netflix and BBC iPlayer, plus some of the generally popular web-hosted channels out of other international regions. The number of servers in each of these regions was important, as was the servers’ communications protocols. HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) is everywhere, but you’ll also find streams on other broadcasting protocols, including RTMP and P2P. Peer to Peer is an aging but still well-supported torrent supporting standard, by the way. It supports file sharing.

ExpressVPN gets high marks for a sprawling server map. Like NordVPN, if one server is down, you’ll likely find another nearby that’s working. Surfshark straddles the market between these two, followed by ProtonVPN and IPVanish. For open source transparency, ProtonVPN just beats out IPVanish.  Wrapping up with this final thought, ISP providers and international borders have a chokehold on your right to stream. Privacy in exposed Wi-Fi hotspots is another issue. Whether it’s server coverage, privacy features, or open-source transparency, keep your streaming habits secure, and fast. Get a VPN, one that doesn’t compromise on reliable and advanced location tunneling features.