No matter where you are, you can’t try out Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO, or any other streaming service. That is unless you use a VPN that lets you stream, like Ivacy VPN. Many streaming sites restrict what you can watch based on where you live. So, geo-blocks could make it so you can’t watch your favorite movies or TV shows. But if you use a VPN, you can fake your IP address and access the content only available in certain places from anywhere.
But not all VPNs can unblock streaming content and let you watch videos quickly and without restrictions. We compiled a list of the best VPNs for streaming in 2023 after testing many services from different countries.
What should you think about before picking a VPN to use for streaming?
Like most things in life, different VPNs work best for different things. Because of this, not every VPN is the same regarding streaming. So, we’ve put together a list of what makes a VPN the best for streaming:
The ability to get around restrictions on your favorite streaming services. If you want to watch Netflix, you don’t need a VPN that only lets you watch YouTube TV. Choose the VPN that gives you access to the streaming services you want to use.
- A large server fleet: More people means more fun. Streaming services have different libraries for different places, and you want to be able to access them all.
- Multiple simultaneous connections: This is nice to have if you want to save money and let your friends or family use the VPN so they can also stream content that isn’t available in their country.
- Speed and effectiveness: These are critical to stream content without stopping and waiting. No one wants to get comfortable on the couch with a new season of their favorite Netflix show only to find that it won’t load.
How we found out about streaming VPNs
If you want to find a free VPN for streaming, you’ll need to change how you search. It depends on what kind of service you’re trying to unblock. Even if a service unblocks Netflix, it doesn’t mean HBO Max or BBC iPlayer will also work. You have to look closely.
- Speed: It’s not enough that the service gets around blocks. It would help if you had high and consistent speeds for streaming, especially at UHD and 4K resolutions. This will let you watch movies and TV shows without waiting for them to load. No one likes to stare at a blank screen while the movie is loading. We chose only the best VPNs for movies and TV shows because of this.
- Valuable Features: Some features, like SmartDNS, can help you set up connections like VPNs. With them, you can watch media that is blocked in your country without installing a VPN. Some, like split tunneling, can help you manage your VPN connection. There are a lot of helpful VPN features to consider when choosing a streaming VPN.
- Network size: What if you’re interested not only in unblocking US services/libraries? What if you’re from a smaller country and want to watch a local station while on vacation? Whether or not this is possible will depend on how many countries your provider works in—the better the coverage – the better your chances to unblock even niche content from local broadcasters.
- Confidentiality and safety: Your VPN shouldn’t keep track of your information or compromise your security. If you are streaming via Kodi add-ons, this will be one of the first boxes you’ll have to tick.
- Price: Even if you pay the highest price, you may still get better performance. Consider how much you’re getting for your money.
Why a VPN is necessary for streaming
There are many reasons to use a VPN when streaming. We chose the most important:
Unblock content that is limited by location
Some services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime limit what you can watch based on where you live. So, while Netflix in the United States has more than 5,000 titles, Netflix in Spain has just over 3,500 titles. So, a VPN is the best way to access the streaming platform’s restricted content.
Bypass restrictions on different platforms for streaming
Sometimes, a streaming service may not even be available in your location. Using a VPN to stream videos can help you get around restrictions and try out different platforms, whether you live there or are just visiting.
Don’t slow down your bandwidth.
Streaming can use much data, slowing your connection or causing your ISP to charge you more. So, a VPN will encrypt your Internet traffic and hide what you do online from your ISP.
Conclusion
With so many streaming platforms, we only naturally want to watch everything they offer. But some platforms are only available in certain countries, and others have different libraries for different places. But we no longer have to sit around without our favorite shows.
A VPN can help bypass the geo-restrictions and allow you to access countless streaming services and their libraries regardless of location. However, not every VPN unblocks every streaming service.
We found that the best VPN for unblocking streaming platforms is Ivacy VPN. It makes it easy to use streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and many more. Plus, it lets you watch content without buffering problems and access geo-restricted content on devices that don’t support VPN connections. This makes it the best VPN for watching movies, sports games, and other content.
