Best VPN for Streaming in 2026

A VPN for streaming keeps your viewing private and lets you watch your own streaming services while you travel. Providers like NordVPN and Surfshark say a VPN also stops your internet provider from slowing down video traffic. It routes your connection through an encrypted server so services see that server’s location instead of yours. The best VPN for streaming in 2026 has apps for smart TVs and streaming sticks, fast enough speeds for 4K, and servers that streaming services do not block.

Not every VPN works well for streaming. Services like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ actively block VPN connections, and some providers have better track records than others. In this guide, I cover the eight top VPNs for streaming, what each provider says it supports, and how to set one up on a Fire TV Stick, Apple TV or any other streaming device. For the full ranking across all uses, see our best VPN services. If you only need a free option, see our best free VPNs guide.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming if you own a smart TV or a game console that cannot run VPN apps. Its MediaStreamer smart DNS feature works on Samsung and LG TVs, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch by changing the DNS on the device itself. You register your home IP address in your ExpressVPN account and enter the MediaStreamer DNS addresses on the device. ExpressVPN’s support pages say “You cannot change locations with MediaStreamer.” MediaStreamer does not encrypt your traffic, so it is not a full VPN, but ExpressVPN says it lets those devices access streaming services.

ExpressVPN also has native apps for Fire TV Stick (Fire OS and Vega OS), Apple TV (tvOS 17+) and Android TV. It says it is “optimized to work with Netflix” and has troubleshooting guides for Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Max and YouTube TV. It also has service pages for ESPN+ and DAZN. For Roku, there is no native app; ExpressVPN suggests a hotspot or router.

One important note: ExpressVPN’s support pages say you should connect to a server in the country where you are currently located. Using the VPN to get around a streaming service’s geographic restrictions “is strictly prohibited and constitutes a breach” of its Terms of Service. This is stated on its Netflix, BBC iPlayer and general streaming pages.

Who is ExpressVPN best for?

People who stream on smart TVs, game consoles or other devices that do not support VPN apps. MediaStreamer fills the gap.

Recent upgrades to ExpressVPN:

Added Vega OS support for the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, expanded to 113 countries, and introduced post-quantum protection by default on Mac.

ExpressVPN’s pricing:

Basic is $2.99/mo on a 28-month plan, billed $83.72 up front. A 15-month plan is $4.99/mo, billed $74.85. Month to month is $14.99. All long-term plans renew at $99.95 per year. The monthly plan renews at $14.99 each month. The 30-day money-back guarantee applies to new users only and does not cover renewals, redemption-code purchases or Apple App Store and Google Play in-app purchases. Advanced ($4.49/mo) and Pro ($7.49/mo) tiers add a password manager, identity insurance and more devices.

Product details: ExpressVPN is registered in the British Virgin Islands. It runs RAM-only TrustedServer hardware that wipes data on every reboot. KPMG completed its third security audit in June 2025. It supports Lightway (its own open-source protocol), WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. Basic allows 10 simultaneous devices. Read our full ExpressVPN review.

Pros and cons of ExpressVPN:

NordVPN says it is the fastest VPN, citing tests by Artifact Security and West Coast Labs. It also advertises 817+ Mbps without saying which test produced that number. The page notes that some supporting sources were published through paid partnerships.

SmartPlay is built into every NordVPN app and turns on automatically. NordVPN says it combines VPN encryption with smart DNS to support streaming without extra setup. For older Samsung or LG TVs, NordVPN offers SmartDNS, a DNS-only feature covering eight services: Netflix Originals, Disney+ (US), Amazon Prime (US), Max (US), Fox Now/Fox News (US), Paramount+, Peacock TV and Fubo TV. SmartDNS has no encryption and supports IPv4 only.

NordVPN’s help center does not promise that any named service will work. Its streaming articles are titled “Netflix doesn’t work with NordVPN” and so on, with troubleshooting steps. The framing is “access your paid content from home while traveling,” and using NordVPN to bypass copyright regulations violates its Terms of Service.

Who is NordVPN best for?

Streamers who care about speed. NordVPN advertises 817+ Mbps, and SmartPlay means there is nothing to configure.

Recent upgrades to NordVPN:

Added a Vega OS Fire TV app, Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 apps, and updated speed testing.

NordVPN’s pricing:

Basic is $3.49/mo on a 27-month plan, billed $94.23 up front. A 12-month plan is $5.49/mo, billed $65.88. Month to month is $14.99. Long-term plans renew at $139.08 per year. The monthly plan renews at $14.99 each month. The 30-day money-back guarantee covers the initial purchase only. Renewals are not refundable unless local law requires it. Apple App Store, Amazon Appstore and retailer purchases go through that seller’s refund process. Google Play refunds go through NordVPN support within the guarantee terms. Complete ($4.49/mo) and Prime ($7.49/mo) tiers add antivirus, a password manager and cloud storage.

Product details: NordVPN is registered in Panama. Its no-logs policy has been reviewed by PwC (2018, 2020) and Deloitte. The page introduction claims six reviews total, while other sections of the same page report five. All servers are 10 Gbps and RAM-only. It supports NordLynx, OpenVPN and IKEv2. Ten simultaneous devices on one account. Read our full NordVPN review.

Pros and cons of NordVPN:

Proton VPN publishes the longest list of streaming services it says it supports: about 150, including Netflix in 26 regions, Disney+ in 22, Prime Video in 22, Max in 21, and sports services like ESPN+, DAZN (8 countries per Proton), F1 TV, MLB.TV and fuboTV. PIA also publishes Netflix server-country counts, but Proton’s list is the most detailed.

Streaming runs on Proton’s Plus servers, which the site says are all optimized for streaming. A separate streaming server type or smart DNS feature was not found on its site as of September 2026. For Roku, Samsung TVs and consoles, Proton’s answer is a router. It has native apps for Fire TV (including Vega OS), Apple TV (tvOS 17+, paid only) and Android TV.

Proton says on its Max page: “We can only guarantee access to streaming services if you have a Proton VPN paid plan.” Its Netflix page frames the pitch as “a US-based subscriber connected to a US server sees the catalog meant for US audiences,” and the streaming hub FAQ quotes Netflix’s terms and says using a VPN to watch content not licensed in your area breaks Netflix’s policy. Proton also notes that Secure Core (its multi-hop feature) is not recommended for streaming because exit servers “do not always support streaming.”

Who is Proton VPN best for?

People who want to know exactly which services and regions a provider claims to support before subscribing. Proton publishes the most detailed region list, including 26 Netflix regions.

Recent upgrades to Proton VPN:

Expanded to 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries, completed its fifth Securitum audit in 2026, and added a Vega OS Fire TV app.

Proton VPN’s pricing:

Plus is $2.99/mo on a 24-month plan, billed $71.76 up front. A 12-month plan is $3.99/mo, billed $47.88. Month to month is $9.99. Long-term plans renew at $83.88 per year. The monthly plan renews at $9.99 each month. The 30-day money-back guarantee applies to each plan.

Product details: Proton VPN is based in Switzerland. Securitum has audited its no-logs policy every year since 2022, five times so far. All apps are open source. It supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard and Stealth (for blocked networks). Ten simultaneous devices on paid plans. Read our full Proton VPN review.

Pros and cons of Proton VPN:

Surfshark allows unlimited devices on every plan (its Terms of Service say it “reserves the right to enable limits of an immoderate number of simultaneously connected devices”). PIA and Windscribe also allow unlimited devices with their own restrictions. Good for households with several streaming devices.

Surfshark names Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max and Prime Video on its streaming pages. Every service page tells readers to connect to a server “in your home country.” Surfshark says it has 440+ UK servers in four cities for BBC iPlayer. Its Prime Video blog post acknowledges “Amazon actively tries to block VPNs.”

Surfshark shut down its SmartDNS on February 2, 2026. Roku, Samsung and LG TVs now need a router or a shared hotspot. Surfshark has native apps for Fire TV (including Vega OS), Apple TV (tvOS 17+) and Android TV (Android 7.0+).

Who is Surfshark best for?

Households with many streaming devices that do not want to count connections.

Recent upgrades to Surfshark:

Completed its second Deloitte no-logs report in 2025, added Vega OS Fire TV support, and expanded to 4,500+ servers.

Surfshark’s pricing:

Starter is $2.49/mo on a 27-month plan, billed $67.23 up front. A 15-month plan is $3.39/mo, billed $50.85. Month to month is $16.45. Long-term Starter plans renew at $79 per year. Monthly plans renew at $16.45. The 30-day money-back guarantee applies to the initial purchase only and is limited to one refund per service. Sign-ups through resellers are excluded, except those through Paddle, Google Play or Cleverbridge. Prepaid or gift card purchases, Alternative Number purchases, anonymous Dedicated IP purchases and free trials of 30 days or longer are also excluded. One ($2.79/mo) and One+ ($4.49/mo) tiers add antivirus, a search tool and data-breach alerts.

Product details: Surfshark is based in the Netherlands. Deloitte completed no-logs assurance reports in 2023 and 2025. It supports WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. Servers are RAM-only and 10 Gbps. Read our full Surfshark review.

Pros and cons of Surfshark:

PIA offers two streaming features. Its apps include streaming-optimized servers with IPs that are “regularly refreshed” to avoid blocks. For Roku and other devices without VPN apps, PIA has Smart DNS, which changes your virtual location without routing traffic through a VPN server.

PIA’s streaming pages name Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, HBO Max and ESPN+. Its Netflix page mentions streaming-optimized servers in 10+ countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and India. It has about 60 sports pages covering NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, F1 and more. Native apps cover Fire TV, Apple TV (tvOS 17+) and Android TV. Roku gets Smart DNS.

PIA’s streaming pages say that using a server in another country to reach another country’s catalog “goes against our terms of service and is not acceptable.” PIA frames streaming as reaching your usual content from home while you travel.

Who is PIA best for?

Roku owners and anyone who needs Smart DNS for devices without VPN apps.

Recent upgrades to PIA:

Expanded to 104 countries and 170 locations with 10 Gbps NextGen servers. Added an Apple TV app.

PIA’s pricing:

The 3-year + 3-month plan is $2.03/mo, billed $79 up front, and renews at $79 every 3 years. A 12-month plan is $3.99/mo, billed $47.88, and renews at $47.88 per year. Month to month is $11.95 and renews at $11.95 each month. Renewal pricing is flat at every term. The 30-day money-back guarantee applies to new or first-time users only and does not cover app-store purchases or users who requested a refund in the previous three months.

Product details: PIA’s apps are open source. Deloitte has audited its no-logs policy (the year is not stated on the official site). It supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, both open source. RAM-only servers. Unlimited simultaneous devices.

Pros and cons of PIA:

Windscribe’s streaming feature is Windflix: servers “optimized for streaming” that are maintained to keep access working. Windscribe’s knowledge base names Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime as services that work with Windflix. There is also an “Unlock Streaming” toggle in the account dashboard that turns on the optimized streaming servers.

Windscribe is honest about limits. Its knowledge base says it “can’t guarantee that all streaming services will work.” A separate Netflix article says you “might only have access to Netflix Original titles” and “We can’t make any promises or guarantees about this.” Max, Peacock, ESPN and DAZN were not found on the Windscribe pages we checked.

Windscribe has apps for Fire TV, Android TV (including Nvidia Shield) and Apple TV (tvOS 17.5+). For Roku, Samsung, LG and consoles, workarounds include a router, a Secure Hotspot from a PC, or Control D (a separate DNS service from Windscribe’s founders).

Who is Windscribe best for?

People who want to pay for only the streaming locations they use. Build-a-Plan starts at $3/mo.

Recent upgrades to Windscribe:

Expanded 10 Gbps to 139 datacenters, added an Apple TV app (tvOS 17.5+), and the Unlock Streaming toggle.

Windscribe’s pricing:

Pro yearly is $5.75/mo, billed $69 per year. Pro monthly is $9. Build-a-Plan starts at $3/mo for locations you choose. Windscribe says “the price you signed up for is the price you pay. Forever.” The refund window is 7 days, under 10 GB used on the paid plan and first payment only; support troubleshooting is required before a refund is approved. Renewals are not refundable.

Product details: Windscribe uses bare-metal, RAM-only servers. Packetlabs audited its server stack in June 2024. An independent audit of the no-logs policy was not found on its site as of September 2026. It supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth and WStunnel. Unlimited devices for personal use; account sharing is prohibited, and extreme use may result in a ban.

Pros and cons of Windscribe:

hide.me runs a separate set of streaming servers that appear under a “Streaming” tab in its app. These servers are available in select countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. They are Premium only.

A March 2026 help article names Netflix, Prime, Hulu and DAZN as services that “actively block IP addresses associated with VPNs” and says hide.me’s streaming servers are “designed to bypass blocks.” A 2020 blog post claims “all regions for Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,” but that claim is six years old. BBC iPlayer has its own guide: connect to a UK streaming server. A current Netflix region list was not found on the pages we checked. Max was not found on the pages we checked.

hide.me has apps for Fire TV (2nd gen+), Apple TV and Android TV. Roku and consoles need a router. Samsung and LG TV app support was not found on the pages we checked. A smart DNS feature was not found on its site as of September 2026.

Who is hide.me best for?

People who want dedicated streaming servers in the app and a pricing guarantee that keeps renewal identical to signup.

Recent upgrades to hide.me:

Added a Securitum no-logs audit, expanded to 2,600+ servers, and added an Apple TV app.

hide.me’s pricing:

The 26-month plan is $2.69/mo, billed $69.99. A 13-month plan is $4.23/mo, billed $54.99. Month to month is $11.99. The pricing guarantee means every plan renews at the same price and duration. The 30-day money-back guarantee covers the first order only, requires written email notice within 30 days, and applies only if you have not previously claimed a refund or violated the terms. App-store purchases follow the store’s rules.

Product details: hide.me is based in Malaysia. Securitum audited its no-logs policy. It supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEther and SSTP, plus its Bolt protocol on Windows. Up to 10 simultaneous devices. Servers run at 10 Gbps.

Pros and cons of hide.me:

PrivateVPN makes the most direct streaming claim here. Its Netflix page says you can “access the full US catalogue of movies and TV shows as soon as you sign up.” It names Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video and BBC iPlayer on separate pages. Its Hulu page is candid: “The honest answer… is ‘sometimes.'” These are PrivateVPN’s own claims; we have not tested them.

A Smart DNS or streaming-optimized server feature was not found on PrivateVPN’s site as of September 2026. Its network feature is HQN (High Quality Network): capacity purchased directly from transit providers. Native apps cover Fire TV and Android TV. Apple TV app not available. Roku and consoles need a router. Samsung and LG TV support was not found on the pages we checked.

PrivateVPN has the smallest network on this list: 200+ servers in 63 countries (per its main site; its help FAQ says 43 countries). It has 12 US cities and 2 UK cities on its server list.

Who is PrivateVPN best for?

People willing to trade a smaller server network for a provider that makes direct claims about US Netflix access.

Recent upgrades to PrivateVPN:

Added WireGuard support, a Chrome browser extension and a Dublin server for RTE Player.

PrivateVPN’s pricing:

The 36-month plan is $2.00/mo. A 3-month plan is $6.00/mo, billed $17.99. Month to month is $9.90. PrivateVPN’s pricing page says it bills $72 every 12 months after the first 36 months. The 30-day money-back guarantee is for new customers only, requires a stated reason, and excludes purchases below $45, renewals, crypto payments and upgrades or added licenses. App Store purchases are refunded by Apple, not PrivateVPN.

Product details: PrivateVPN is based in Sweden. An independent audit of its no-logs policy was not found on its site as of September 2026. It supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec and PPTP. Ten simultaneous connections.

Pros and cons of PrivateVPN:

How Our Best Streaming VPNs Compare

ExpressVPN leads overall, but each provider has a different streaming strength. The table below compares all eight side by side.

This grid shows what each provider’s own website says about specific streaming services as of September 30, 2026. “Named on its site” means the provider mentions the service. “Not found on its site” means we did not find the service mentioned. “Says it may not work” means the provider’s own page warns about blocks or limited support. We have not tested any of these services ourselves.

Based on each provider’s own website, Sept. 30, 2026. Named means the provider mentions the service; we have not tested it.

Setting up a VPN for streaming takes a few minutes on most devices. Here are the steps.

1. Pick a VPN and subscribe. Choose a provider from this list. All eight have a money-back guarantee (conditions vary; see each provider’s card above).
2. Install the app on your streaming device. All eight providers have Fire TV Stick and Android TV apps. Seven of eight have Apple TV apps (PrivateVPN does not). For Roku, Samsung TVs, LG TVs or consoles, check whether the provider offers Smart DNS (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PIA) or use a router setup.
3. Connect to a server in the country you are in. ExpressVPN tells travelers to pick the country where they are currently located. Other providers say to connect to your home country’s server. Pick a server near you for the best speed.
4. Open your streaming app and play something. If the service detects the VPN and blocks playback, try a different server in the same country. Clear the app’s cache, restart the app, or try a browser instead of the app.

How much speed do you need for streaming?

NordVPN’s streaming page says HD needs “around 5 to 8 Mbps” and 4K “may need even 25 Mbps.” NordVPN also says “a VPN usually has a negative impact on speed” unless your provider is already throttling you.

Best VPN for Netflix

Proton VPN says it supports Netflix in 26 regions, the most detailed list among these eight providers. ExpressVPN says it is “optimized to work with Netflix” but does not list regions. NordVPN’s help center addresses Netflix but does not promise it works. We plan to cover Netflix in depth on a separate page: best VPN for Netflix.

Keep in mind that using a VPN to watch Netflix content not licensed in the country where you are currently located can violate Netflix’s Terms of Use. ExpressVPN, PIA and Proton VPN each say so on their own websites.

Best VPN for streaming on a Fire TV Stick

All eight providers on this list have a Fire TV Stick app. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Proton VPN and Surfshark all support the newer Vega OS found on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2025). First-generation Fire TV Sticks may not support any VPN app.

Best VPN for streaming sports

ExpressVPN names ESPN+, DAZN, Peacock, YouTube TV and Sky Sports on separate pages. Proton VPN lists ESPN+, DAZN (8 countries per Proton), F1 TV, MLB.TV and fuboTV. PIA has about 60 sports event pages (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, F1 and more), though these name events rather than services. Sports streaming often involves regional blackouts. Connecting to a server in a different US city may help, but check your streaming service’s terms first.

Best VPN for streaming Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video and BBC iPlayer

Proton VPN lists the most regions for Disney+ (22) and Prime Video (22). Surfshark says it has 440+ UK servers for BBC iPlayer. ExpressVPN has service pages for each of these.

I evaluated each VPN on six factors. The scores are from the live /best-vpn/ page and reflect overall performance, not streaming alone.

Security

A streaming VPN still needs to protect your traffic. I looked at encryption, no-logs policies and audits, plus these three features:

• No-logs policy: every provider on this list states a no-logs policy. Six have a named third-party no-logs audit: ExpressVPN (KPMG), NordVPN (PwC and Deloitte), Proton VPN (Securitum), Surfshark (Deloitte), PIA (Deloitte) and hide.me (Securitum). Windscribe has a separate security audit of its software by Packetlabs. An independent no-logs audit was not found on the sites of PrivateVPN or Windscribe as of the pages we checked.
• Kill switch: cuts your internet if the VPN drops, so your real IP is not exposed to the streaming service. All eight have one, though Windscribe calls it “Firewall” on desktop and uses the OS Always-On VPN on mobile.
• Double VPN/multi-hop: routes traffic through two servers for extra protection. NordVPN, Proton VPN, Surfshark, PIA, Windscribe and hide.me each offer a version. A multi-hop feature was not found on ExpressVPN’s or PrivateVPN’s site as of the pages we checked.

Server coverage

More locations mean more options when a service blocks a server. Proton VPN leads with 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. PrivateVPN trails at 200+ servers. For streaming, US and UK variety matters most: ExpressVPN and PIA each cover all 50 US states.

UX

A good streaming VPN should need minimal setup. NordVPN says SmartPlay handles streaming automatically. The others need a server pick.

Plans and pricing

Prices range from $2.00/mo (PrivateVPN, 36 months) to $5.75/mo (Windscribe, yearly). Renewal prices vary widely: PIA and hide.me keep the price flat, and Windscribe says its price stays the same, while NordVPN renews at $139.08/yr and ExpressVPN at $99.95/yr. For a price-focused ranking, see our best cheap VPNs.

Compatibility

Streaming happens on TVs, sticks and consoles, not just phones and laptops. I looked at which providers have native apps for Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and Android TV, and which offer Smart DNS or MediaStreamer for devices without VPN apps. ExpressVPN (MediaStreamer), NordVPN (SmartDNS) and PIA (Smart DNS) stand out. Surfshark shut down its SmartDNS in February 2026. All eight also have apps for best VPN for iPhone, best VPN for Android and best VPN for Mac.

Connectivity

4K needs about 25 Mbps. NordVPN advertises 817+ Mbps without naming the test. Most providers claim 10 Gbps servers. The only way to know your real speed is to test it on your own connection.