Table of Contents
Proton VPN
Best for Privacy Wonks
Bottom Line:
ProtonVPN offers the best free subscription tiers we've seen, plus it's compatible with popular streaming services such as Apple TV+ and Hulu.
PROS
- The best free VPN subscription
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent speed test scores
CONS
- Awkward ChromeOS implementation
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 10 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 67 countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | Unlimited |
IVPN
Best for Flexible Pricing
Bottom Line:
IVPN boasts a unique approach to multi-hop connections and a privacy-first account system. Unfortunately, in our testing, many streaming services blocked the VPN service completely or limited access for IVPN users.
PROS
- Flexible, affordable pricing
- Powerful multi-hop system
- Privacy is baked into its account system
- Strong stance on transparency
CONS
- Offers few server locations
- Multi-hop and account ID features might confuse some
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 7 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 32 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
Mullvad VPN
Best for Bargain Hunters
Bottom Line:
Mullvad's excellent VPN secures your connection and protects your privacy for an unbeatable price. That said, VPN application doesn't play well with top streaming services such as Disney+ and HBO Max.
PROS
- Affordable
- Requires no email or account information
- Radically transparent
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and port forwarding
CONS
- Awkward desktop interface
- Servers in a small range of countries
- Pay-as-you-go system may confuse some customers
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 5 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 38 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
NordVPN
Best for Premium VPN
Bottom Line:
It's a privacy juggernaut, at a premium price. In testing, many streaming services including Amazon's Prime Video and HBO Max functioned well while connected to a NordVPN server.
PROS
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Excellent design
- Traffic routing and file-sharing with Meshnet
- Built-in antivirus tools
CONS
- Expensive
- Lackluster malware-blocking results
- Limited utility of free Meshnet traffic routing
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 6 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 111 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
Surfshark VPN
Best for Protecting Many Devices
Bottom Line:
Surfshark VPN is expensive, but the app works with streaming services such as Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and VRV.
PROS
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Large global server presence
- Multi-hop and split tunneling tools
- Intriguing potential in Surfshark Nexus
CONS
- High monthly price
- Some issues with IP rotator feature in testing
- Privacy policy needs clarification
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | Unlimited |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 100 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
TunnelBear VPN
Best for First-Time VPN Users
Bottom Line:
Easy to use and easily affordable, TunnelBear servers also work well with almost every streaming service we tested.
PROS
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent privacy policies
- Annual independent audits
- Friendly, approachable design (with bears!)
CONS
- No multi-hop connections
- Split tunneling not available on all platforms
- Data limit on free subscription
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | Unlimited |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 23 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | 500MB - 1.5GB Per Month |
CyberGhost VPN
Best for Frequent Travelers
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost offers the largest VPN server network we've seen, and in testing, the VPN app worked with Amazon's Prime Video, Apple TV+, CuriosityStream, HBO Max, Kanopy, and Paramount+.
PROS
- Large, well-distributed server fleet
- Allows up to seven simultaneous connections
- Several add-ons, including antivirus
- Outstanding speed test scores
- Newly completed third-party audit
CONS
- Expensive
- Confusing privacy policies
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 7 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 90 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
Mozilla VPN
Best for Consumers of Conscience
Bottom Line:
Mozilla VPN protects your privacy, however, in testing almost all of the major streaming services blocked or limited access for Mozilla VPN users.
PROS
- Helps support nonprofit Mozilla
- Powered by privacy hawk Mullvad VPN
- Simple, classy design
- Multi-hop and split tunneling
CONS
- Few server locations
- Gathers some user information
- Expensive compared with Mullvad VPN
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 5 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 37 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
Private Internet Access VPN
Best for Power Users
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access offers a robust VPN service but only Apple TV+ and Kanopy allow streaming with its VPN servers.
PROS
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Split tunneling and multi-hop
- Numerous server locations
- Completed third-party audit
CONS
- Expensive
- No free version
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | Unlimited |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 84 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
Hotspot Shield VPN
Best for General Users
Bottom Line:
Hotspot Shield VPN looks great, has an excellent network of servers, and it was the only VPN service allowed by every streaming service we tested.
PROS
- Numerous server locations
- Slick, approachable client
- Split-tunneling by domain
- Hefty services bundle
CONS
- Expensive
- Free version throttled, supported by targeted ads on Android
- Gathers significant, but anonymous, data
- No third-party infrastructure audit
- Dated transparency report
- Limited WireGuard support
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 5 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 80 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | 500MB Per Day |
You can use a use a VPN to keep your browsing details private while navigating your online world, but you may hit a roadblock when trying to watch your favorite movies or television shows. Streaming services and VPNs just don’t play well together, and streaming companies are constantly updating and changing their policies when it comes to blocking or limiting access for VPN users. At the same time, VPN services work to keep streaming content available for their customers.
Why Streaming Services Block VPNs
Many streaming services have licensing agreements with their content holders stating the specified content is only available in certain countries or geographical territories. When a subscriber uses a VPN and tries to watch or listen to content that isn’t available in their region, they're likely violating a licensing agreement.
Another reason streaming services block traffic coming from VPN servers is to comply with local law. Some governments block certain content from users within their country.
It's a sticky situation for all parties because subscribers may feel they should be able to access their entire content library regardless of their location. Streaming services have to please their rights holders (and not get on the bad side of governments). VPN services have to find ways to keep streaming services unblocked to please their customers. As a result, streaming services and VPNs engage in a near-constant battle of cat and mouse when it comes to blocking and unblocking IP addresses.
What You Can Watch
Some streaming services, like Netflix, let VPN-using subscribers watch original and select licensed content. So if you’re in Atlanta using a VPN server located in the Netherlands, you can still watch hit series like Stranger Things or k-dramas like Vincenzo.
Recommended by Our Editors
Some VPN services manage to evade detection and allow access to the entire Netflix library for the VPN server's region. Other streaming sites block VPN users from their service completely, even if the user’s region matches their home region.
VPNs vs. Streaming Sites
If you're looking to watch videos using well-known streaming platforms, we put together a chart of VPN services and their ability to log in to some of our top-rated streaming sites. We have not tested how much content you can view from region to region. This chart simply notes which services have VPNs wholly blocked and which VPNs can access streaming programming.
Open: Content played normally
Blocked: Content did not play
Limited: Subset of content available and played normally
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