7 Best VPNs for Streaming Content

One of the most common reasons people use a VPN is to regain access to their usual streaming services (like Netflix , Hulu, and BBC iPlayer) while traveling abroad.

 

VPNs change your IP address and allow you to bypass geo-restrictions on sites and apps like these, which often only allow you to watch in certain countries. This article will introduce you to the best VPNs for streaming content in 2025.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is a top choice for a streaming VPN. This premium VPN is known for its smooth streaming experience. The author tested NordVPN's speeds while connected to a server in the United States. As you can see from the chart below, it's very fast.

 

NordVPN's average download speed across all three tests was 223.71 Mbps. If you want a VPN for 4K streaming, NordVPN is your best bet.

NordVPN allows access to just about anything, but it does require knowing which server to connect to. You should head over to NordVPN's knowledge base and simply search for the video streaming service you want to use. You can convert those servers to favorites in the app to make them easier to find later.

 

NordVPN is great for users who want to watch the international Netflix catalog. We tested it successfully with Netflix US, UK, Australia, Brazil, Italy, India, Netherlands, Spain, and Germany. The app is available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Linux. You can connect up to 10 devices at once.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is an affordable VPN that offers access to around 3,200+ servers in 100 countries and works with some of the most popular streaming services. It can even securely access particularly stubborn platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.

To find out if the provider is fast enough for streaming, we tested the speeds of servers in the United States. You can see the results in the chart below.

 

Surfshark's average download speed is 198.38 Mbps, which is fast enough to stream at the highest available resolution without any lag or buffering. Best of all, Surfshark doesn't limit connections, allowing you to protect every device you own.

This VPN doesn't have a list of servers that are compatible with which platforms, but since customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, you can find out which server to use in seconds. Apps are available for Windows, iOS, Android, MacOS, and Linux.

3. IPVanish

IPVanish had no problems accessing Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime Video during testing. It allows users to choose between individual servers rather than just selecting a specific city.

In terms of speed, this provider is fast. In our tests, IPVanish achieved an impressive average speed of 179.26 Mbps. The fast speeds make it suitable for streaming and activities like gaming and torrenting . This provider is popular with Kodi users and doesn't limit the number of devices you can connect.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. Subscriptions are great value, with the Essential plan costing the equivalent of $2.19/month. The Advanced plan costs $1/month more and includes a sandboxed secure browser and 1TB of cloud storage.

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable streaming VPNs. Luckily, ExpressVPN has a live chat service on its website that rarely keeps customers waiting longer than 5 minutes.

 

We tested ExpressVPN's speeds when connected to a server in the United States. The provider consistently achieved speeds above 110 Mbps, which is a pretty good result and the most consistent provider with fluctuations under 3 Mbps throughout the day.

ExpressVPN is fast enough to stream in 4K, as long as your base connection speed is up to it. It's available on Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Linux, and some Wi-Fi routers. You can connect up to 8 devices at once.

5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has recently stepped up its efforts to offer more streaming services to its users. The app works with all the sites we tested. Furthermore, the app has its own list of dedicated streaming servers that clearly state the services they are designed for.

Overall, the provider has over 10,000 servers in over 100 countries. The average download speed is 160.16 Mbps, which is pretty good. In short, CyberGhost is a great choice for smooth streaming.

Users can take advantage of the 24/7 live chat feature in case they run into any issues, but with most of this VPN's security tools pre-configured, you shouldn't have too much trouble.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. You can connect up to 7 devices at once.

6. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) earns a spot on this list thanks to its large server network, reliable performance, and beginner-friendly interface. PIA has servers in 91 countries, including some locations optimized for streaming and bypassing content restrictions. This ensures users have smooth, uninterrupted access to popular streaming services like Netflix, SlingTV, NowTV, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

 

PIA speeds can vary a bit, so you may need to switch between servers if you want the fastest speeds. You can also try lowering the encryption level if you need a speed boost.

Security is a top priority for PIA, with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption and support for multiple VPN protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. A strict no-logs policy, automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection further enhance user privacy.

PIA is compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. This VPN also supports unlimited device connections, making it perfect for users with multiple devices or those who want to share their VPN access with friends or family.

7. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a smaller provider that is still great at accessing many major streaming platforms. Users can securely access Netflix in almost any country, including the US, UK, Italy, Japan, and France. PrivateVPN also works with Hulu on both the browser and the app, although the number of servers you can use with Hulu is a little more limited.

PrivateVPN isn't the fastest VPN provider, but it's still fast enough to stream 4K video without any buffering – provided you have a good base connection speed. Otherwise, choose one of the faster providers mentioned above.

There is a live chat service, but unfortunately it is not available 24/7. PrivateVPN offers up to 10 simultaneous internet connections on one account. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV.