Streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ have revolutionized the way we watch our favorite TV shows and movies. However, a significant challenge still exists – geo-blocking. If you’ve ever tried to access your streaming content while traveling abroad, you’ve likely encountered restrictions based on your location.
Due to copyright and licensing limitations, not all the content available in your usual location will be accessible in other countries. This can have various implications for businesses.
For instance, hotels may struggle to offer guests their preferred entertainment, and frequent travelers might find themselves unable to access their favorite shows or movies overseas, all due to geo-restrictions imposed by streaming platforms.
This is where virtual private networks (VPNs) come into play. VPN software allows you to alter your IP address, making it appear as though you are browsing from a different location. This enables you to access your preferred streaming content regardless of your actual physical location.
In this post, we will explore the five best VPNs specifically tailored for streaming purposes.
1
Pulseway
Employees per Company Size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Company Size
Any Company Size
Features
Activity Monitoring, Antivirus, Dashboard, and more
2
ESET PROTECT Advanced
Employees per Company Size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Company Size
Any Company Size
Features
Advanced Threat Defense, Full Disk Encryption, Modern Endpoint Protection, Server Security
3
ManageEngine Log360
Employees per Company Size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees)
Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise
Features
Activity Dashboard, Advanced Threat Analytics, Analytics/Reporting, and more
Top VPNs for streaming comparison
When selecting a VPN for streaming purposes, the network of servers and their locations are crucial factors to consider. These aspects significantly influence the extent to which geo-blocked content can be accessed.
Surfshark: Best overall streaming VPN
If you are looking for a comprehensive solution, I highly recommend Surfshark. This VPN offers great value for money and everything you need to access geo-restricted content. With a network of 3,200 servers across 100 countries, Surfshark provides users with a broad range of platforms to unblock.
Based on my experience, Surfshark consistently delivers fast speeds, making it an ideal choice for those who dislike buffering delays. Additionally, Surfshark allows for an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, eliminating the need for multiple subscriptions to protect various devices and users.
Reasons for Choosing Surfshark
I selected Surfshark for its well-rounded VPN features, cost-effectiveness, and pricing structure. Its expansive server network spanning 100 countries and support for unlimited simultaneous device connections make it an excellent choice for unblocking streaming services and their content.
Pricing Details
Surfshark offers three plans: Starter, One, and One+. While Starter includes the primary VPN service and an ad blocker, One provides a private search engine and data breach alerts.
One+ encompasses all features of the One plan and enables the removal of user information from company servers.
databases. All three plan options come with one-month, one-year, and two-year alternatives.
Here’s a summary of all Surfshark one-year subscription plans:
- Surfshark Starter: $3.99 per month.
- Surfshark One: $4.09 per month.
- Surfshark One+: $6.49 per month.
Features
- 3,200 servers in 100 countries.
- RAM-only servers.
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections.
- Independently audited no-logs policy.
Pros
- Affordable pricing.
- Fast VPN speeds.
- Can protect multiple devices at no additional cost.
Cons
In our hands-on review, Surfshark VPN achieved a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
NordVPN: Best for speed and stability
If speed is your primary concern, opt for NordVPN. While it is renowned for its privacy-centric features, NordVPN also delivers some of the quickest performance among the VPNs listed here. In my NordVPN testing, I consistently maintained fast speeds and encountered no connection drops while multitasking. Based on my observations, I believe no avid streamer will encounter difficulties streaming high-resolution content on their device.
Currently, NordVPN boasts 6,265 servers in 104 countries — exceeding what Surfshark currently provides. While not the sole determining factor, this extensive server network significantly contributes to the swift VPN speeds delivered by NordVPN.
However, it’s worth noting that Surfshark remains more cost-effective than NordVPN and offers unlimited device connections compared to NordVPN’s six-device limit.
Why we chose NordVPN
I opted for NordVPN due to its top-tier speed performance, positioning it as an excellent choice for users seeking the fastest speeds for streaming their preferred content.
Pricing
NordVPN offers three tiers: Standard, Plus, and Complete. For streaming, Nord’s Standard plan suffices. Opting for their Plus tier grants data breach scanning functionality and the NordPass password manager. Complete combines all these features with an additional 1TB of encrypted cloud storage.
We have monthly, one-year, and two-year plans for all three tiers. Here are the prices for a one-year subscription on each tier:
- NordVPN Standard 1 year: $4.99 per month.
- NordVPN Plus 1 year: $5.99 per month.
- NordVPN Complete 1 year: $6.99 per month.
Features
- 6,265 servers across 104 countries.
- Dark Web Monitor.
- AES-256 encryption.
- Threat protection against ads, trackers, and malware.
Pros
- Fast and reliable speeds.
- Offers a suite of privacy and security features.
- Independently audited no-logs policy.
Cons
- Only six simultaneous device connections.
- More expensive than Surfshark.
In our hands-on review, NordVPN received a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
ExpressVPN: Best for ease of use
ExpressVPN is another popular choice that provides an excellent solution for individuals valuing the overall app experience. In my opinion, ExpressVPN features the best design and interface compared to the other selections in this list. Throughout my review, I particularly emphasized ExpressVPN’s user interface (UI) as a compelling reason to give it a try.
ExpressVPN presents a modern and sleek interface that is aesthetically pleasing and not overly technical. If you find security software like VPNs somewhat daunting, I highly recommend ExpressVPN, as it simplifies the process.
In addition to these factors, ExpressVPN offers quick speeds and remarkable stability. In my testing, I encountered no connectivity issues or speed problems.
Why we chose ExpressVPN
I selected ExpressVPN for its desktop application’s enjoyable and well-crafted user interface. Its UI is user-friendly and intuitive, making it a top choice for less tech-savvy users.
Precios
ExpressVPN ofrece tres opciones de planes: mensual, semestral y anual.
- ExpressVPN 1 mes: $12.95 al mes.
- ExpressVPN 6 meses: $9.99 al mes.
- ExpressVPN 1 año: $8.32 al mes.
Características
- Servidores en 105 países.
- Servidores únicamente con RAM.
- Cifrado AES-256.
- Puede proteger hasta 8 dispositivos simultáneamente.
Pros
- Interfaz bien diseñada y fácil de usar.
- Velocidades rápidas y estables.
- Más de 10 auditorías independientes completadas.
Contras
- Costoso.
- No cuenta con opciones de planes a largo plazo.
En nuestra reseña práctica, ExpressVPN obtuvo una calificación de 4.4 sobre 5 estrellas.
CyberGhost VPN: La mejor opción para una extensa red de servidores
Si buscas una amplia oferta de servidores, CyberGhost VPN es tu elección. La red de servidores de CyberGhostVPN abarca 126 ubicaciones y 100 países. Se reporta que está compuesta por alrededor de 9,000 servidores. Aunque este no es un número oficial de CyberGhost, incluso el extremo inferior de esta estimación es mucho más grande que la mayoría de las otras redes de servidores de esta lista.
Con la flota de servidores de CyberGhost, tienes más flexibilidad en las plataformas de transmisión y el contenido georrestringido que puedes desbloquear. CyberGhost VPN también combina esta gran red con servidores optimizados específicamente para la transmisión.
Me gusta especialmente cómo CyberGhost incluye qué servicio de transmisión se desbloquea mejor con un servidor optimizado para la transmisión en particular. Por ejemplo, en la Figura D, podemos ver que uno de los servidores australianos de CyberGhost está optimizado para Netflix AU.
Por qué elegimos CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN se destacó en esta lista por su amplia flota de servidores y servidores optimizados para la transmisión. También suma puntos por mostrar de manera inteligente qué servicios de transmisión se deben utilizar con cada servidor de transmisión.
Precios
CyberGhostVPN tiene tres opciones de planes: mensual, semestral y suscripción de 2 años. Aquí están los precios de cada uno:
- CyberGhost VPN: $12.99 al mes por 1 mes.
- CyberGhost VPN: $6.99 al mes por 6 meses.
- CyberGhost VPN: $2.19 al mes por 2 años.
Características
- Servidores en 126 ubicaciones.
- Servidores optimizados para la transmisión.
- Garantía de devolución de dinero de 45 días.
- Cifrado AES-256.
Pros
- La sección de transmisión muestra el servicio de transmisión optimizado.
- Verificación diaria de cada servidor de transmisión.
- Plan asequible de 2 años.
Contras
- No tiene plan anual.
- El plan de seis meses es un poco caro.
En nuestra reseña práctica, CyberGhost VPN obtuvo una calificación de 4.3 sobre 5 estrellas.