Streaming has steadily become one of the most highly-preferred online activities of netizens across the globe.
Vast amounts of series, films and documentaries have never been more easily accessible, with a host of platforms vying for the title of most plentiful service.
Throughout this guide, we will take a closer look at how the use of a VPN can enhance these platform’s performance further, along with the best VPNs for streaming in 2024.
Why use a VPN for streaming?
For many, the overriding motivation for using a VPN for streaming is the bypassing of geo-restrictions.
Although the major streaming services offer a plethora of content, there are some limitations to access that exist.
As is the case with Netflix, each country has its own library of original series and movies.
This means that you can only access the content that is specific to your location.
By employing the use of a VPN, users can circumvent this barrier by connecting to a server in an alternative region.
Similarly, certain countries enforce significantly restrictive internet policies. This censorship makes it difficult to view content from particular locations.
When a VPN connection to an international server is initiated, these constraints can be avoided. This is achieved by replacing your actual IP address with that of the new server.
Aside from this, using a VPN when streaming adds an additional layer of protection over your data and personal information.
All of the providers that will be discussed on this page prioritize privacy. This is indicated by their active re-investing of funds earned through subscriptions back into their security infrastructure.
These measures take the form of powerful encryption protocols, kill switches and other threat protection features.
What are the best VPNs for streaming in 2024?
With an expanding range of VPNs available to choose from, browsing through the features and policies of each can be taxing.
To simplify this, we have compiled a list of the top five best streaming VPNs in 2024.
CyberGhost
| Minimum cost | $2.50/ month (2-year plan) |
| Avg. speed | 548 Mps (USA server) |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited |
| Countries | 91 |
| Device connections | 7 |
| Headquarters | Romania |
CyberGhost has been staking its claim as a go-to provider for over 38 millions users since 2011.
Based in Romania, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, the brand offers access to over 11,700 servers in 91 global locations.
As for selecting a VPN for streaming, they allow for unparalleled access to a world of content, regardless of where you are based.
Additionally, they do not succumb to any location restrictions. In fact, CyberGhost grants access to a number of regions with explicitly restrictive internet policies, including China.
Using optimized servers, you can seamlessly stream your favorite content on 10Gps servers with zero interruptions.
Where security is concerned, your connection will be protected using an AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption protocols.
As well as this, the brand’s kill switch feature works to consistently monitor your connection. This is immediately severed to safeguard your data if an interruption occurs.
ExpressVPN
| Minimum cost | $8.32/ month (1-year plan) |
| Avg. speed | 193 Mps (USA server) |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited |
| Countries | 105 |
| Device connections | 8 |
| Headquarters | British Virgin Islands |
Trusted by over 4 million users, this brand has become synonymous with online security and speed.
Providing over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN is amongst the frontrunners of the best VPNs for streaming.
Viewing content from across the globe is easier than ever.
This provider utilizes the Lightway protocol, which offers lightning-fast speeds, unwavering reliability and heightened security.
It also consumes substantially less of your device’s battery.
ExpressVPN puts a halt to bandwidth throttling by ISPs, which is achieved by shielding your traffic in a fully-encrypted tunnel.
By doing so, you can download content at a faster rate and completely avoid any buffering or lag.
All activity carried out whilst connected to an ExpressVPN server is encrypted by an AES-256-GCM protocol, which is practically impenetrable.
This security, partnered with a kill switch, network lock and other privacy features, presents total peace of mind for users.
NordVPN
| Minimum cost | $3.00/ month (2-year plan) |
| Avg. speed | 417.0 Mps (USA server) |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited |
| Countries | 111 |
| Device connections | 6 |
| Headquarters | Panama |
NordVPN has long been committed to facilitating its users’ online privacy. They have been helping almost 15 million people guard their personal data across a range of activities since 2012.
The NordLynx protocol, built around WireGuard, enables users to experience their favorite shows and movies at full speed, partnering swift speeds with robust encryptions.
Along with these encryptions, the presence of a kill switch and dark web monitor works simultaneously to shield your data from any potential leaks.
With 6,395 servers across 111 countries, NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming content from at home and abroad.
NordVPN supplies unlimited bandwidth.
Therefore, you can download as many series as you wish without ever experiencing any data caps.
Additionally, the brand has introduced SmartPlay. This feature allows users to stream their preferred content safely and securely from any device with the NordVPN app.
Private Internet Access
| Minimum cost | $2.00/ month (3-year plan) |
| Avg. speed | 124 Mps (USA server) |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited |
| Countries | 91 |
| Device connections | Unlimited |
| Headquarters | United States |
For over ten years, Private Internet Access has consistently delivered one of the most well-rounded services to close to 15 million customers.
The provider offers an extensive network of 35,000 servers, spread across 91 countries.
This ensures that you can access your content of choice, no matter the streaming service or geographic specifications.
With optimized servers, users can bypass any restrictions enforced by these platforms for the use of a VPN. This allows for the maintenance of full connection protection at all times.
Private Internet Access employs open-source protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard.
With these, your data is significantly less susceptible to breaches.
Furthermore, the brand presents a variety of additional security features that work to safeguard your connection whilst streaming. These include an automatic kill switch, split tunneling and MACE.
MACE is PIA’s own ad-blocker, designed to detect and block ads, tracks and malware.
Surfshark
| Minimum cost | $2.01/ month (2-year plan) |
| Avg. speed | 59 Mps (USA server) |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited |
| Countries | 100 |
| Device connections | Unlimited |
| Headquarters | Netherlands |
Based in the Netherlands, Surfshark has continuously worked to simplify online privacy since its founding in 2018.
Although it has less seniority than that of the aforementioned brands, its network selection, security features and privacy policies make it an undeniable one of the best VPNs for streaming in 2024.
Surfshark enables users to watch their favorite content, from anywhere in the world, with a choice of 3,200 servers across 100 countries,
Using AES-256-GCM encryption protocols, your traffic whilst connected to one of the brand’s servers is fully shielded against malicious snoopers and ISP’s data caps.
Privacy is a paramount with Surfshark.
This is why they also offer a kill switch, leak protection, a multi-hop feature that alternates your IP address every 10 minutes and a sophisticated antivirus package.
Time to invest
Recruiting the use of a private network is advantageous for a number of reasons across a variety of online activities.
Whether you need a VPN for gaming, browsing or streaming, having an added layer of security over your data at all times is favorable.
With the five providers detailed above, you can be assured of extensive geographical access, steadfast privacy and rapid speeds.
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