Greatest VPN for Streaming in 2024

Proton VPN

If you’d like a VPN that’s free and nonetheless capable of stream the US Netflix library, then Proton VPN is the perfect alternative. Proton VPN is at present the one free VPN the CNET recommends, as a result of it’s safe, protected to make use of and doesn’t put any limits on pace or utilization. Technically, Proton VPN’s free servers aren’t optimized for streaming, however we nonetheless achieved adequate speeds and had been capable of easily stream Netflix content material via the VPN’s free US servers.

With Proton VPN’s premium service, which incorporates servers in 112 nations (versus 5 with the free plan), we had been capable of entry content material from a number of Netflix regional libraries in addition to content material on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus. The one hiccup we bumped into was that we had been unable to stream Disney Plus on MacOS via Proton’s US servers, though it labored positive on different platforms. Proton VPN’s paid subscriptions value $10 monthly, $60 for the primary yr (then $80 yearly) or $108 complete for the primary two years (then $80 per yr).

Learn our Proton VPN assessment.

Personal Web Entry

The wallet-friendly Personal Web Entry, or PIA, is an open-source VPN supplier with a powerful deal with privateness. PIA prices simply $12 month-to-month, $40 yearly or $79 each three years. Not like many different VPN suppliers, PIA would not have value hikes, so your plan ought to renew on the identical value as your unique buy. Though PIA labored effectively sufficient for Netflix and Disney Plus, it struggled with Amazon Prime Video. PIA has apps for almost each platform, together with Home windows, MacOS, Linux (with a GUI), internet browsers, iOS/iPadOS, Android/Android TV and Apple TV.

Regardless of its affordability in contrast with many VPN rivals, PIA is hard to advocate for streaming due to its middle-of-the-road pace efficiency. In our testing, we clocked an underwhelming 49% common web obtain pace loss. Of us with quick (50Mbps or extra) web speeds ought to be positive, however slower or extra unreliable web connections like satellite tv for pc web may not work as effectively. (For reference, Netflix recommends a minimal 15Mbps obtain pace for a single 4K UHD video stream.) In the end, PIA is a implausible VPN with robust privateness options, however its streaming shortcomings restrict its attraction for VPN customers who need to unblock a big selection of streaming content material. 

Learn our PIA assessment.

IPVanish

IPVanish is a good VPN for streaming for those who’re new to VPNs and desire a answer that’s easy to make use of and will help you watch content material on numerous streaming platforms. Throughout our testing, we had been capable of entry Netflix libraries from a handful of areas, together with content material on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus. Though some VPNs could battle to ship throughout platforms, we had been capable of entry every of the streaming companies we examined on every of the gadgets we examined them on with IPVanish. The principle space the place IPVanish struggles is its pace. The inconsistency of IPVanish’s speeds — we clocked a excessive 44% common web pace loss in our 2024 assessments — could put a damper in your streaming expertise, particularly whereas watching 4K ultra-high-definition movies.

With IPVanish, you’ll have entry to servers in 56 nations, which is sort of a bit lower than different choices like NordVPN (111 nations), ExpressVPN (105 nations), Surfshark (100 nations), Proton VPN (100 nations) and PIA (91 nations), so for those who’re seeking to stream content material from a selected area, you’ll need to examine IPVanish’s server web page to make sure the supplier has servers in these areas earlier than buying a subscription. A month-to-month subscription to IPVanish prices $13 monthly, which is on par with many different VPNs, however its annual plan begins off cheaper than each NordVPN and ExpressVPN at $33 for the primary yr. IPVanish gives a two-year plan that prices $52 for the primary two years mixed. However beware that the one-year and two-year plan costs bounce dramatically to $90 after the preliminary one- or two-year time period. Contemplating its gradual web speeds, small server community and mid-pack costs, IPVanish is not superb for streaming lovers.

Learn our IPVanish assessment.

Mullvad

Mullvad is a wonderful alternative for privacy-conscious VPN customers. It is also one of many quickest VPNs we have examined, with a formidable total 13% pace loss. Nonetheless, although it labored effectively with Netflix, Disney Plus and Hulu, it struggled with streaming Amazon Prime Video throughout our assessments and would not supply full, native assist for good TVs or streaming gadgets like Amazon Hearth TV Stick or Apple TV. That, together with its comparatively small community of servers in simply 44 nations makes Mullvad a troublesome promote for people wanting to make use of the VPN for streaming functions.

Mullvad requires zero private data to enroll — not even an e-mail tackle — and prices a flat price of $5 a month whether or not you employ it for a month, a yr or 5 years. You possibly can pay for and add as many months to your account as you need, however Mullvad would not have recurring subscriptions of any type as a result of it strives to gather as little knowledge as doable. In the event you’re not happy with the service, then you’ll be able to request a refund inside the first 30 days of buy.

Learn our Mullvad assessment