Best VPN For Streaming in 2021
In this article, we take a deep dive look at the best VPN for streaming
- Last Updated Jun 1, 2021
If your presence on the internet is a regular one, then we’re sure you already know how popular VPN services are. Over the last couple of years, in particular, installing a VPN has become a key necessity for people who want to be able to stream their favorite movies and shows.
This is because, when you establish a VPN connection between you and the internet, the VPN will ensure that all of your data is routed through something known as an “encrypted virtual tunnel.” This means that your IP address will be disguised, which will allow you to stream content from locations that would otherwise be restricted.
The only problem? There are plenty of different VPNs on the market, and not all of them are made equal. That’s why, here at WePC, we’ve carefully scoured the internet and found five of the most popular VPN servers that will not only ensure you get the best value for your money but that you’re able to stream what you want, wherever you want.
Products at a Glance
How We Picked
When it comes to selecting all of the products that end up making it into our product reviews, we take the time to ensure that they are of the highest quality and will genuinely cater to your needs. That’s why, we only ever recommend hardware and software components that we would use ourselves (if we aren’t already, that is!). In addition to that, here at WePC, our team has many years of experience in the industry, and all of that know-how gets applied to each of our reviews.
When selecting the best VPN for streaming, we have made sure to take into consideration a variety of different factors including its speed, value for money, and overall performance features. Not only have we done this to ensure that you have confidence in your purchase, but that you will get the very best streaming experience and value for your money, too.
Best VPN For Streaming in 2021
If you’re looking for a reliable VPN that will allow you to stream all around the world, look no further than our best all-around choice of ExpressVPN.
If you’re hunting for the very best all-around VPN for streaming, then you don’t need to look any further than ExpressVPN. The best part about ExpressVPN is that it is able to unblock pretty much all of the most popular streaming services around the world, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as being ideal for any device, including mobile.
This all comes down to their huge catalog of over 3000 servers and 94 countries, which is one of the largest server counts that we have come across. As all of the servers are distributed evenly throughout all of these locations, it means that you’ll be able to enjoy consistently stable speeds, no matter where in the world you are streaming content from.
This means that whether or not you want to stream your favorite TV show that’s unable in your country, a big sporting event, or you just want to watch movies to your heart’s content, ExpressVPN’s lightning-fast speed will be able to cater to you. Even on the off chance that you may encounter a snag in the road, you can have the peace of mind that ExpressVPN’s live chat (24/7) will get you back up and running in no time at all.
Not only that, but to ensure your safety, ExpressVPN even has an integrated kill switch that will automatically disconnect from your phone, computer, or tablet from the internet if the VPN connection suddenly drops out, alongside manual privacy features that you can control as and when needed. This will ensure that your private information will never be compromised.
It’s worth keeping in mind that on the pricing front, subscriptions are quite high, especially when in comparison with its competitors. Nevertheless, you really do get what you pay for with ExpressVPN and are even given the freedom of choosing between three different payment options. All in all, given its usability, huge server count, and lightning-fast speed, you can count on ExpressVPN to cater to all of your streaming needs and then some.
NordVPN is a provider that has been specifically tailored to meet the demands of streaming, which is why we’ve included it in our shortlist.
Featuring a clever, SmartPlay technology, NordVPN utilizes a secure proxy service provider that is able to sneak through all geo-restrictions imposed by many of the most popular streaming services. This particular feature has been made default by NordVPN, meaning that its servers will automatically reroute your requests through the most suitable remote server.
Thanks to that, if you choose to partner up with NordVPN, it means that you’ll have no trouble accessing hundreds of different streaming services, including YoutTube, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and of course, Netflix. Plus, thanks to NordVPNs tutorials, guides, and responsive live chat support, you’ll have no trouble accessing the streaming service that you want, even if you’re a beginner and have no experience with a VPN.
NordVPN boasts a huge server count of 5,500 servers that span across 80 locations, and this figure is ever-growing. As far as performance goes, you can expect lightning-fast, above-average speeds as well as a solid consistency across locations, and can even benefit from using their servers across six devices at once with no impact on the overall performance.
In addition to this, you’ll also be able to use this provider with the peace of mind that all of your personal information will be kept private thanks to its Double VPN feature, kill switch, and 256-bit encryption. Given its price, speed, and optimization for streaming, this VPN is absolutely awesome.
If you’re on a budget but still want to get your hands on a VPN suitable for all of your streaming needs, look no further than SurfShark.
Don’t be fooled by the modest price point of SurfShark, because this VPN provider offers a performance that rivals some of the more premium choices currently available on the market!
Armed with SurfShark, you can bet that you’ll be able to unlock huge streaming services with ease, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and even Amazon Prime Video. It supports platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, and IOS, and offers around 3,200 servers located in over 100 countries across the globe.
If you’re on the fence, SurfShark even allows you to test it out for 30 days free of charge to see if its a good fit for you and, if it is, you’ll be able to enjoy unlimited bandwidth and streaming for the incredible starting price of less than $3 a month (yes, you read that right).
In addition to that, it’s also worth keeping in mind that one subscription will allow you to connect to SurfShark’s servers across unlimited devices. This means that, if you wanted, you could use SurfShark to stream on multiple devices such as your mobile, tablet, and laptop all at the same time – without breaking the bank or compromising on streaming speeds. Impressive or what? This is definitely one to consider.
A tried and true favorite of many VPN users around the world, CyberGhost is full to the brim with functionality, servers, and the ability to navigate past geo-blocking.
Armed with CyberGhost, you’ll be able to access a wide variety of streaming services, including HBO Max, Disney+. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video across a wide variety of devices including your mobile, PlayStation, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
It boasts a server count of more than 6,000, which is super impressive, as well as locations that spread to over 110 countries in the world. Besides that, though, much of CyberGhost’s popularity can be attributed to its simple interface, which makes it an absolute delight to use.
Regardless of whether you have experience using VPNs or are a beginner, CyberGhost is super easy to navigate, and even comes complete with a responsive customer service team that can be reached at any time via the 24/7 live chat support.
Plus, as far as security goes, you can use this VPN with the peace of mind that all of your data and personal information will be kept private. This is because CyberGhost utilizes a 256-encryption alongside offering support for PPTP, OpenVPN, and L2TP-IPsec protocols, all while being able to block ads and tracking. All in all, it’s a great choice.
Last but certainly not least, we have selected the Hotspot Shield VPN, which is another worthy contender for those looking for a VPN tailored to streaming purposes.
Though Hotspot Shield doesn’t have as many servers (1,500) as some of the other VPNs we have included in this list, it does have something that they don’t, and that is its Catapult Hydra Protocol. In a nutshell, this feature will be able to find rapid connection and exceptionally fast connection speeds, making it well-suited for streaming at all levels, including 4K.
With Hotspot Shield, you’ll be able to access some of the most popular streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Youtube. On top of that, thanks to Hotspot’s live 24/7 chat, you’ll also be able to get in touch with customer service quickly in order to resolve any issues if something goes wrong.
One of the biggest pitfalls of Hotspot Shield is its Catapult Hydra Protocol. Though it helps to ensure fast and speedy connections without buffering, it does, unfortunately, result in less flexibility with regards to VPN configuration. This means that, at this time, this particular VPN is not fully compatible with devices such as Kindle tablets and Smart TVs.
Things To Consider
Our Verdict
So, there we have it! You made it to the finish line. After reading through this guide, we hope that you’ve not only discovered your new go-to VPN for streaming but also learned some helpful insider knowledge along the way, too! Out of all of the VPNs we covered today, our best overall choice is ExpressVPN, purely because of its reliability, speed, and top-notch customer service. However, if you’re on a budget and are looking for the best value, we recommend checking out SurfShark, especially as you can try it for 30 days to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Besides that, if you have any thoughts that you’d like to share we’d love to hear from you. Just head on over to our community forum to get in touch and join the conversation. Thanks for reading!