5 Best VPN for Streaming Everything in 2020
After a long tiring day at work, trying to complete all pending tasks, dealing with new responsibilities, and being incredibly proactive as possible, when you finally reach home, the only thing a person demand is a little relaxation and entertainment.
However, most Video-on-Demand (VoD) services in the industry impose geographical and content limitations, due to licensing agreements from production houses. So, I decided why not create a guide on the 5 best VPNs for streaming in 2020. But first…
5 Best VPNs for Streaming: Quick Overview
After carefully analyzing hundreds of user reviews, I have compiled a list of the Best streaming VPN to help users to find one service that best suits their budgetary needs and privacy requirements.
For a summary, I have added this table that provides details regarding the pricing and popular platforms each VPN unblocks. However, if you want to gain more detailed information regarding each provider, continue reading.
| VPN Provider | Price | Hulu | Netflix | iPlayer | Disney+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | $2.49/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NordVPN | $3.71/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ExpressVPN | $6.67/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PureVPN | $3.33/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CyberGhost | $2.75/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Why Should You Use a VPN for Streaming?
It is a weird kind of discrimination learning that you cannot watch a particular video just because you are not located in the country. While of course, there is a lot that goes into this rule of geo-restricting content.
Streaming platforms have to bow down to governments, advertising companies, producers/directors, and copyright infringement hunters demanding proper licensing. And, it is only fair, things are done legally.
However, it is still cruel to pay the same price for a premium service and not gain access to its complete library. Platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ limit titles available country-by-country.
This is where using VPNs come in, allowing users to shift their location by changing their IP address to one in a different country, hence making it possible to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock the complete libraries.
1. Surfshark: Best VPN for Streaming
| Pricing | $2.49/mo on a 2-Year Plan |
| Unblocks Hulu | Yes |
| Unblocks Netflix | Yes |
| Unblocks BBC iPlayer | Yes |
| Unblocks Disney Plus | Yes |
| Servers | 1,700+ in 60+ Countries |
| Multilogins | Unlimited |
| Data Encryption | AES-256-GCM |
| Website | www.surfshark.com |
The BVI-based provider is famed for offering the best deals in the marketplace. However, even so, it manages to compete against top names like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. In fact, it offers better functionality for half the price.
Although you do not have a special mode available for streaming, Surfshark manages to unblock all popular streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+. Much of it is owed to its obfuscated server technology from the NoBorders feature.
The best part of all: you have the ability to establish unlimited simultaneous connections. As such, you can feel assured to stream anywhere on any device with a single subscription, saving you quite the bucks. A subscription will set you back by $1.99/month on the 2-year plan!
- 1,700+ Servers in 63+ Countries
- Based in the British Virgin Islands
- 7-Day Free Trial for iOS Users
- Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
- AES-256-CBC and AES-256-GCM
- No free trial available
Need more information? Re-direct yourself to this full 2020 Surfshark review!
2. PureVPN: “Popular Websites” Mode Available
| Pricing | $3.33/mo on a 5-Year Plan |
| Unblocks Hulu | Yes |
| Unblocks Netflix | Yes |
| Unblocks BBC iPlayer | Yes |
| Unblocks Disney Plus | Yes |
| Servers | 3,200+ in 140+ locations |
| Multilogins | 10 |
| Data Encryption | AES-256 |
| Website | www.purevpn.com |
Based in Hong Kong, PureVPN is a cheap VPN service; one that is endorsed by Forbes and commended by Trustpilot users around the world. This is because the VPN offers the perfect balance between price and performance.
Although it did face a little trouble with the FBI, the VPN has worked hard on gaining the trust of users again. All of its apps feature a dedicated streaming mode with a listing of all popular VoDs that you can unblock.
As a first in the VPN industry, PureVPN is also the ONLY provider that successfully unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Hulu directly from its browser extension, eliminating the need to install the VPN on any other device.
- 3,200+ Servers in 140+ Countries
- Based in Hong Kong (Safe Jurisdiction)
- Endorsed by Forbes
- Dedicated IPs Available
- Multi-logins on Five devices
- Basic Security Features
Need more information? Re-direct yourself to this full 2020 PureVPN review!
3. NordVPN: Unblocks All Streaming Services
| Pricing | $3.71/mo on a 2-Year Plan |
| Unblocks Hulu | Yes |
| Unblocks Netflix | Yes |
| Unblocks BBC iPlayer | Yes |
| Unblocks Disney Plus | Yes |
| Servers | 5,100+ in 59+ locations |
| Multilogins | 6 |
| Data Encryption | AES-256-CBC |
| Website | www.nordvpn.com |
Based in Panama, NordVPN enjoys a good reputation among streamers around the globe. Thanks to its huge collection of 5,100+ physical servers and features like multi-logins on six devices, obfuscation, CyberSec, and DoubleVPN, you can bypass VPN blocks efficiently!
You can even get a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android devices. In addition to this, the provider offers exceptional speeds, which improve the entire streaming experience. You can watch your favorite movies/TV shows in HD with laudable consistently, though latency does increase a little for long-distance connections.
Thanks to the new NordLynx protocol, the provider successfully manages to unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+. The best part of all: you can purchase a plan for a minimal $3.71/month if you opt for their 2-year subscription!
- 5,100+ servers in 59+ Countries
- Based in Panama (Safe Jurisdiction)
- Verified & Audited “No-Logs” Policy
- Free Trial & 30-Day Refund
- Multi-Logins on 6 Devices
- Prices are a Bit Too Steep
Need more information? Re-direct yourself to this full 2020 NordVPN review!
4. ExpressVPN: Fastest VPN for Streaming
| Pricing | $6.67/mo on a 1-Year Plan |
| Unblocks Hulu | Yes |
| Unblocks Netflix | Yes |
| Unblocks BBC iPlayer | Yes |
| Unblocks Disney Plus | Yes |
| Servers | 3,000+ in 160+ locations |
| Multilogins | 5 |
| Data Encryption | AES-256-GCM |
| Website | www.expressvpn.com |
ExpressVPN manages to rank in every category for the best VPN, thanks to its exceptional development team and remarkably fast servers, which are perfect for streaming movies/TV shows online in HD.
This goes true especially for software apps like the Popcorn Time, which combines P2P/Torrenting features with media capabilities. It offers unmatched protection when streaming pirated content or unblocking platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus.
You also have a huge database of 3000+ servers in 160+ locations around the world, which ensures you receive no server load issues and guarantees you receive fast speeds for 4k streaming!
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries
- Based in the British Virgin Islands
- Verified “no-logs” policy
- Multi-logins on 5 devices
- 30-day refund policy
- Prices are a bit too steep
Need more information? Re-direct yourself to this full 2020 ExpressVPN review!
5. CyberGhost: Specialized Servers for Streaming
| Pricing | $2.75/mo on a 2-Year Plan |
| Unblocks Hulu | Yes |
| Unblocks Netflix | Yes |
| Unblocks BBC iPlayer | Yes |
| Unblocks Disney Plus | Yes |
| Servers | 6,200,+ in 90+ countries |
| Multilogins | 7 |
| Data Encryption | AES-256-CBC |
| Website | www.cyberghostvpn.com |
CyberGhost also offers specialized servers for streaming on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more, while making available advanced features like Wi-Fi Protection, Ad/Tracker Blocking, Kill Switch, and Multi-Logins on seven devices.
To access these specialized servers, all you have to do is enter the name of the VoD into the search bar, available on the top left corner of the Windows client. Android and iOS versions list these servers in the recommended “Streaming” listing.
- 6,100+ Servers in 90+ Countries+
- Kill Switch and Leak Protection
- Zero WebRTC/DNS/IP leaks
- 45-Day Refund Guarantee
- Up to 7 Simultaneous Connections
- Basic Security Features
Need more information? Re-direct yourself to this full 2020 CyberGhost review!
Which Streaming Platforms a VPN Can Unblock?
By using a VPN for streaming, you can watch all your favorite TV shows/movies from over the world, without much hassle. This includes content from geo-restricted websites, which include Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, Hotstar, Voot, and more.
With many sports events like the Commonwealth Games, FIFA, WrestleMania, NCAA Basketball, Formula One, and ICC coming up after every few months, VPNs are also the best solution for accessing live streams on ABC, ESPN, Fox, and Sky Sports.
In addition to streaming, VPNs prove incredibly useful for P2P/Torrenting enthusiasts. By adding a layer of encryption on the network, users stay protecting when downloading torrent files or streaming them via Popcorn Time and other BitTorrent technologies.
Is Free VPN for Streaming a Reliable Choice?
Not really; a great majority of free VPN services in the marketplace adopt shady practices to cover up for the costs of managing a Virtual Private Network in the first place. Bear in mind there are expenses related to server expansion, app development/debugging, tech support, etc.
So, if you aren’t paying the service money, how do they match the expenses? Well, most free VPNs are loaded with advertisements/trackers. Some even tend to be a Botnet that leeches bandwidth and data when installed on your device, while others may sell your data to third parties.
Streaming VPN: FAQs
When using a VPN for streaming across multiple premium websites, you may come across certain issues/errors that may leave you thinking. Below we have answered some of the most common questions:
Do you need a VPN for streaming?
If you want to unblock the complete content libraries of different streaming platforms, a VPN is the best solution available. It allows you to access a whole new world of entertainment, whether that be movies/TV shows or live TV.
Is VPN good for streaming?
Not every VPN service is a great option for indulging in streaming activities. You need a provider that comes equipped with the necessary features and technologies required for bypassing VPN detection algorithms on different streaming platforms!
Which VPN is best for streaming?
Currently, if you are looking for the best option for streaming, consider signing up with Surfshark. For a low cost of $1.99/month, the VPN unblocks 16+ Netflix libraries and all popular streaming sites, minus any hassles or proxy detected errors.
What VPN do streamers use?
A quick search on Google will reveal that most users opt for ExpressVPN and NordVPN for streaming. However, if you are looking for something more budget-friendly, then you might want to check out PureVPN and Surfshark.
Does VPN stop buffering?
VPNs cannot directly stop buffering issues. If your internet speed is slow while connected to a server, you will still experience troubles with buffering. However, a VPN can help improve speeds, if your ISP indulges in bandwidth throttling!
Does a VPN make streaming faster?
When connected to a VPN, your internet speeds will reduce, due to the additional encryption added, and traffic passing through a secure tunnel. However, if your ISP throttles bandwidth, VPNs can definitely make streaming faster!
Wrapping Things Up
This best VPN for streaming guide was an exercise towards explaining the ways through which users can use a VPN to unblock different streaming platforms around the world.
With every factor taken into consideration, Surfshark is the undisputed champion for streaming seamlessly. However, if you are looking for an alternative, do consider signing up with PureVPN.
If you face any issues or need to give better recommendations, feel free to comment below. Also, do share the guide with friends and family members, who are looking for the best VPN for streaming!
