A VPN can help you unlock geo-restricted streaming sites like Netflix USA, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and ESPN+. A VPN replaces your IP address with a foreign one to make you hide your true location.
In so doing, you can access content restricted geographically regardless of where you are in the world. VPNs come in two types: free and paid. Our experts tested more than 20 free and paid VPN tools to find out their efficiency in streaming online content. Here are the winners.
#1: NordVPN
With servers in more than 110 countries, NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming online content. Compared to the other providers, NordVPN emerged as the best tool for unlocking the following streaming sites:
- Disney+
- Netflix
- BBC iPlayer
- DAZN
- YouTube TV
The best part about NordVPN is that it offers smooth streaming. You see, some of its competitors can also unlock Netflix and Hulu. But you need to try out different servers before you can find one with smooth and reliable streams.
Beyond unlocking leading streaming sites, NordVPN excels in security and privacy. It uses top-notch security features to encrypt your data and keep your IP address private.
If you want to choose the best VPN for streaming online content, try this one. It checks all the boxes of a great VPN provider. It is also relatively inexpensive and has plans that allow you to protect every device in your house.
#2: Surfshark
If you’re looking for a budget VPN to stream American sports while vacationing abroad, try Surfshark. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with all its plans, meaning you pay only if it satisfies your needs.
Speaking of which, Surfshark has 3200+ servers in 100 countries. It is fast and secure. Similar to NordVPN, Surfshark bypasses geo-restrictions easily. It doesn't matter if you want to unlock Netflix, Hulu, Fubo TV, or YouTube TV.
Unlike some of its competitors, Surfshark doesn’t buffer during live streams. It maintains high streaming speeds with most of its servers, only sometimes slows down during peak hours.
If you experience buffering, switch to a different server and you’ll have a better experience. Surfshark uses AES-256 for data encryption. It has a smart DNS feature and offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has been ranked among the best VPNs for streaming content in the last decade. Armed with more than 3000 servers in 105 locations, ExpressVPN gives you the freedom to unblock geo-restricted content in dozens of countries. It can unblock popular entertainment sites like Disney+, Hulu, FuboTV, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix.
You can also use this VPN to stream sports streaming apps. ExpressVPN runs smoothly during live streams. It will even help you block adverts. However, some streaming apps might ask you to turn off the ad blocker to continue watching the content.
When it comes to security, ExpressVPN encrypts your data using AES-256. What’s more, it doesn’t keep your logs. The only downside to choosing this provider is that it has some of the most expensive plans in the industry.
IPVanish
IPVanish promises fast speeds and top-of-the-line security while browsing the Internet. It has over 2200 servers in 52 countries and can unlock content from all the major streaming service providers.
The VPN can help you watch Netflix UK shows while in India or Canada. You can use it to stream MLB baseball games while in Costa Rica or watch Bollywood TV shows during your business trip to Dubai.
IPVanish doesn’t offer specific servers for streaming. You must use regular servers which can be a hit or miss. IPVanish can certainly improve on this issue. Another concern in IPVanish is that it increases its plans annually.
Other than that, the VPN is a solid choice for unblocking geo-restricted content. It uses military-grade security protocols and doesn’t lag during most streams. Another benefit is that you can connect multiple devices simultaneously without an issue.
Cyber Ghost
When you choose Cyber Ghost for your VPN needs, it gives you four months free and a money-back guarantee. The VPN features more than 11000 servers in 105 countries, giving you an extensive list of IP addresses to use.
When tested by our experts, Cyber Ghost performed exceedingly well in unblocking Netflix, Apple TV, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. It also unblocks football, basketball, hockey, Formula 1, and other sports seamlessly.
Cyber Ghost offers smooth live streams with most of its servers. It is secure and doesn’t collect your data, meaning you can use it to browse the Internet safely without worrying about the VPN handing over your data to authorities.
PureVPN
PureVPN unblocks nearly every popular streaming site. From Netflix to Hulu. It uses a secure protocol to keep you safe while browsing the Internet. It is also cheap—its five-year plan costs $1.83 per month.
PureVPN offers many of the benefits expected from a top-tier company. But it also features some drawbacks. For example, it has kill-switch issues, meaning your data may leak if you ever lose access to the Internet suddenly.
Another issue is that PureVPN offers slow customer service. It also has a limit on simultaneous connections (10). If these issues aren't a deal breaker, consider this VPN. You'll enjoy Netflix TV shows, football, and YouTube TV documentaries while in any part of the world.
Hide.me
Hide.me is one of the best VPNs for fast internet connections and internet security. The VPN unblocks popular streaming sites smoothly. And it offers reliable streaming with few buffering issues.
Additionally, Hide.me has some unique security features. For example, it has a MultiHop feature that lets you connect to two servers simultaneously to enhance security and privacy.
You can use Hide.me on all major devices, including smart TVs, routers, and smartphones. Its only major downside is that you can't use more than 10 devices with one plan, which is somewhat reasonable.