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The fastest VPN for streaming movies and shows
Ideal VPN for bandwidth-intensive activities like 4K/8K streaming and video conferencing.
The fastest VPN¹ (817+ Mbps in speed tests).
Trusted by millions of users worldwide.
Please note that using NordVPN to bypass any regulatory or judicial measures, or for any other illegal activities is strictly prohibited and violates our Terms of Service. Make sure you use NordVPN in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as the terms of any websites or services you access using NordVPN.
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What is streaming with a VPN?
Streaming with a VPN simply means that you can access your paid legal content from home you wouldn’t otherwise, such as while you’re traveling. A VPN can help you not miss favorite shows from home while you’re away.
Do you need a VPN for streaming?
You don’t need a VPN for streaming but it helps a lot, especially if you travel frequently. For example, you may want to access your home country's paid content from legal libraries or privacy could be a concern, especially when you connect to public wi-fi often. It can also help if you suspect that your ISP is throttling your connection based on your activity.
What are the benefits of using a streaming VPN?
What are the disadvantages of using VPN for streaming?
How to choose the best VPN for streaming?
To know which VPN is best for streaming, you must consider a number of factors, such as available speeds, server locations, and compatibility with different platforms.
Streaming platform support
A good VPN should function across most popular platforms and devices. But it’s important to choose a provider that clearly communicates potential restrictions, because some streaming services, like Disney+, Hulu, or Netflix may limit VPN connections.
Connection speed and buffering
If you’re planning to stream high-quality videos, a provider that offers the best speeds should be a priority. HD streaming requires around 5-8 Mbps download speed, while 4K streaming may need even 25 Mbps. Untrustworthy VPN providers will simply cause too much buffering.
Server network and locations
Distance to the nearest physical server matter. Naturally, a VPN provider with thousands of servers worldwide will help you browse smoother compared to a provider that only has a handful of servers available.
Device and platform support
The great thing about streaming apps is that they support so many devices — computers, smartphones, TVs. A good VPN should offer similar coverage as well as support multiple connections to cater to the watching needs of your whole household.
Free VPN vs paid VPN for streaming
Streaming requires great connection speeds, a network of servers, and adequate infrastructure. Paid VPNs can offer it all, while capabilities of free VPNs can be severely limited.
Here’s why NordVPN is the one of the best streaming VPNs
NordVPN has always focused on providing privacy and security while ensuring the highest levels of performance. Here’s what you get with NordVPN:
| Covered locations | 211 |
|---|---|
| Servers | 9,300+ |
| Protocols | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec (manual connection), NordWhisper |
| Security | Strong AES-256 encryption, post-quantum encryption |
| VPN bandwidth | Unlimited |
| Average VPN speed | Overall: 817 Mbps UK: 837 Mbps Germany: 843 Mbps Singapore: 811 Mbps California: 806 Mbps |
| Latency overhead | +3ms |
| Data privacy | No logs of your activities |
| Active devices per account | 10 |
| Features | SmartPlay, Kill Switch, Meshnet, split tunneling, Threat Protection |
| Dedicated IP | In 24 countries (requires additional purchase) |
| Specialty servers | Obfuscated, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, P2P |
| Leak prevention | DNS and IP |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
How to use a VPN for streaming?
Get started in seconds! Download a VPN app for your device, set it up, and click on “Secure my connection”. Or follow the steps to set up a VPN on a router to protect your entire household.
You can set up a VPN on most smart TVs without much fuss. Whether you need a VPN for Apple TV, a VPN for Android TV, or another smart TV OS, simply get a Nord Account, download the VPN app for your device, and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up. To ensure your VPN is protecting every device on your home network, set up NordVPN on your router.
Common VPN streaming issues and solutions
Whether you stream with or without a VPN, you’re bound to sometimes experience small issues. Here are the most common streaming problems and ways to solve them.
Shows the wrong region/catalog
Sometimes, you may see the wrong catalog of shows if a service reads the IP wrong. It’s also possible you simply forgot you have a VPN on.
To fix this:
Clear cache of your streaming apps.
Try switching to another server.
Connection drops during streaming
A connection may drop for various reasons, such as a server overload or network instability due to a high bandwidth demand.
To fix this:
Restart the device.
Choose a nearby VPN server.
Close apps that may be consuming bandwidth.
The streaming content doesn’t load
Streaming content can stop loading because of an outage or network interference.
To fix this:
Clear streaming app cache.
Switch to another VPN server.
Turn off location services.
Restart the app.
Limited server locations
Some VPNs have a limited number of VPN server locations, often concentrated in popular locations such as Australia, United Kingdom or the United States. It might restrict your ability to access your paid home content from specific regions.
To fix this:
Use a VPN provider that has a broad network of VPN servers, such as NordVPN.
Errors related to using a VPN
A device with a VPN not connecting or errors related to using a VPN is one of the common issues with some streaming services. Note that NordVPN should never be used to bypass copyright regulations.
Join tech experts and users
PewDiePie
110M subscribers
Browse the internet safely, but most importantly, freely. A VPN is one of those things that are just good to have. I recommend NordVPN.
Veritasium
2060K subscribers
I've been using NordVPN for years now. And it's been a lifesaver while travelling. It makes me feel much safer at airports, cafés and libraries. NordVPN has been extremely reliable, so I highly recommend them!
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
2520K subscribers
We're curious about everything – just not how much hassle it can be to stay safe online. NordVPN is easy to use and lets us focus on what we really care about.
30-day money-back guarantee
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