Best VPN for streaming movies and other content

Watch your favorite shows without any slowdown.

Do you need a VPN for streaming?

Yes, you do need a VPN for streaming. Unless you have a VPN, or a virtual private network, bandwidth throttling can often ruin your streaming big time.

A good VPN can protect your online communications from unwanted snoopers, including your ISP, and will give you a steady connection when streaming or downloading media content. Use it anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Benefits of using a streaming VPN

Use NordVPN's app on mobile for your daily browsing anytime and anywhere you are.

ISP content prioritization is one of the bandwidth throttle reasons while you are trying to stream online._alt

Monthly bandwidth limit leads to low speed on tablet, laptop, phone or any other device

Access content while traveling
Use a VPN to stream your favorite movies, TV shows, and sports events securely and privately, no matter where you are.
Stream with no interruptions
Fast VPN connection on all streaming services with no limits on speed or bandwidth – the best experience you can get.
Stay secure at all times
Enjoy the content you want while your internet traffic is fully protected by next-generation encryption.

Stream live sports with NordVPN

Stream your favorite live sports events safely and without any interruptions with NordVPN app for SmartTVs._alt

Protect your traffic data with NordVPN while using unprotected or public Wi-Fi to stream sports.

Use NordVPN's app on any device to safely support and stream your favorite sports content.

Watch the game securely from anywhere, anytime
Watch the full match – not just the highlights. Whether it’s football or MMA, a VPN can help you enjoy live sports streaming without interruption.
Stream sports online with more privacy and security
Without a VPN, your data traffic is exposed on unsecured networks — including public Wi-Fi. NordVPN encrypts your online activity, so you can securely stream sports online in cafes, hotels, or the airport lounge.
Support your favorite team
Official sports streaming sites offer the best experience – and support the wider world of sport. Subscriptions and ad money feed into licenses, infrastructure, and sports coverage. With NordVPN, you can securely watch sports from official sources at an amazing speed.

Why do you experience throttling when streaming?

Use streaming VPN to enjoy your favorite content without any internet connection lags

Repeated buffering and sudden speed drops are the main signs of bandwidth throttling, which is something ISPs (Internet Service Providers) do to slow down the internet connection of their users. Throttling can occur at any time and any place between your device (smartphone, tablet or personal computer) and the service or website that you’re using. That means you’re not getting the speeds you are used to.

Will a VPN stop buffering? It will if it’s your ISP messing with your connection because of your online activities. But if the problem’s on the other end (e.g., the streaming service is overwhelmed), there’s not much you or any VPN can do.

ISPs try to avoid traffic jams during peak Internet usage, thus reducing your bandwidth.

P2P services can be a reason for the bandwidth throttle on a PC._alt

4 situations when an ISP may throttle your bandwidth

Heavy rush hours
If your internet speed tends to slow to a crawl in the evening, it’s probably because your ISP is trying to avoid traffic jams during internet peak times.
Content prioritization
By making accessing certain streaming websites impossible, the ISP may be trying to encourage the adoption of alternative paid services that benefit them or their affiliate partners.
P2P and streaming websites
Sometimes your ISP can get suspicious when they see that too much data is being uploaded or downloaded from a popular website. For example, you may get throttled only when watching movies and TV shows on your favorite streaming platform or using P2P services.
Bandwidth caps
A snail-speed connection may be a sign that you have exceeded your monthly bandwidth limit. In other words, your ISP tries to encourage you to upgrade your plan.

Stream at full speed

You don’t need to fear bandwidth throttling or slowdowns with NordVPN online service. By routing your stream through an encrypted virtual tunnel and hiding your IP address, NordVPN prevents your ISP from messing with your connection. And with our wide server network, robust architecture, and revolutionary NordLynx protocol, you get the fastest VPN connection and, therefore, the best online streaming experience on the planet.

Get NordVPN

Here’s why NordVPN is the best streaming VPN

Optimized for speed

With 5856 VPN servers to distribute traffic loads and our lightning-fast NordLynx protocol, you can seamlessly stream content while traveling. With the US, UK, Canada, and 60 other countries to choose from, you’re sure to find a server nearby – perhaps even in your home country.

SmartPlay feature

The advanced SmartPlay technology is implemented by default in all NordVPN apps. Enjoy secure access to your favorite streaming sites and services with no extra steps.

No throttling

Other streaming VPNs place monthly caps on network bandwidth, allowing you to upload and download only a limited amount of data. We don’t do that. Enjoy as much online content as you want.

Multiple connections

You can secure up to six devices with one account simultaneously, so whether you’re using a VPN to watch some videos on your phone, or organize a movie night at home, you can do both.

How to access your favorite content securely with VPN

Download

Pick your VPN plan and download the NordVPN app to your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Connect

Choose a VPN server or hit the Quick Connect button and let our smart algorithm do it for you.

Enjoy

Enjoy secure streaming. Just make sure you have a streaming service subscription if required.

Ready to stream at full speed?

Get NordVPN

30-day money-back guarantee

Please note that the NordVPN service should never be used to bypass copyright regulations. NordVPN does not promote, condone, or endorse the use of the service for such purposes. For more details, please read the NordVPN Terms of Service.

FAQ

Is it legal to use a VPN for streaming?

Streaming your favorite shows with a VPN on is entirely legal as long as you have a subscription for that streaming service.

Is a VPN good for streaming?

VPN is a perfect tool for streaming video content. It will secure your data and even make you feel at home while traveling. With a VPN, you can securely access your favorite TV shows and movies as if you’ve never left. However, often free VPN providers impose monthly bandwidth limits, making them a bad choice for secure streaming.

NordVPN is one of the most user-friendly VPN services on the market, so you can easily set it up on your smart TV or Apple TV and enjoy movie nights with your friends and family. Without bandwidth limits, NordVPN is one of the best streaming VPNs.

Are free streaming sites safe?

The sites that offer content for “free” often come with many risks — like malware, annoying ads, and malicious pop-ups. Most free streams are also only available in low resolution, interrupting your game every few minutes with potentially harmful advertising.

For a smooth and secure streaming experience, use official sports streaming sites and streaming platforms with a reliable VPN.

How to set up a VPN for streaming?

Get a NordVPN subscription, download the app, log in, and click the Quick Connect button. That’s it! Now you can access streaming services with NordVPN securely, wherever you are. But if you run into any issues, our customer support is always ready to help.

What is the best VPN for streaming?

When it comes to accessing online content, the faster your VPN is, the better. So a VPN that has a proven track record of offering the fastest speeds and a global network of servers such as NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming. If you want to keep people watching, you can’t have your stream glitching or dropping altogether. And there’s no VPN faster than NordVPN, thanks to our modern VPN protocols and a mind-boggling number of VPN servers.

Popular streamers might also want to protect themselves from DDoS attacks. Once you connect to a VPN, your real IP address stays hidden and you get a new one. Without your real IP, no one will be able to overwhelm your network and ruin the stream.