Updated Sep 2026

Best VPN for Streaming (2026)

Unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more from anywhere. We tested 7 VPNs. Rankings based on measured data.

Our top pick:NordVPN9.2/10

What matters for streaming — how we scored each VPN

Primary criteria: Server reliability for unblocking geo-restricted content. Beyond this core requirement, we weighted overall score, privacy, and price.

NordVPN

The proven choice for most people.

Best Overall

9.2/10

Excellent

NordVPN has the largest verified server network, consistently fast speeds, and a independently audited no-logs policy. It costs more than Surfshark but the reliability gap is measurable — especially on streaming.

96%

Speed kept

137

Countries

$3.09

/mo 2-yr plan

9,300+ servers in 137 countries — the widest real network we've tested
Independent no-logs audits by Deloitte, most recently reconfirmed Feb 2026
Meshnet feature lets you connect your own devices without extra cost

More expensive than Surfshark or Private Internet Access

See NordVPN deal Full review →

30-day money-back guarantee

Surfshark

Unlimited devices. Honest price. No surprises.

Best Value

9.0/10

Excellent

Surfshark covers unlimited devices for around $2.49/month on the 2-year plan. Speed is slightly behind NordVPN but more than sufficient. The unlimited simultaneous connections policy alone makes it the obvious choice for households or anyone with more than 5 devices.

91%

Speed kept

100

Countries

$2.49

/mo 2-yr plan

Unlimited simultaneous connections — covers every device in your household
Around $2.49/month on 2-year plan — still one of the best price-to-feature ratios we've found
CleanWeb blocks ads, malware, and trackers (works across all apps, not just browser)

Slightly lower speed retention than NordVPN — 91% vs 96%

See Surfshark deal Full review →

30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN

The fastest VPN we've ever tested. At a price.

Fastest Speeds

8.6/10

Very Good

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN we've tested and the easiest to use — and a 2026 pricing overhaul dropped its 2-year Basic plan to $2.79/month, undercutting NordVPN rather than costing nearly double.

98%

Speed kept

105

Countries

$2.79

/mo 2-yr plan

Fastest speeds we've recorded — 98% speed retention on nearby servers
Lightway protocol (proprietary, open-source) is genuinely fast and audited
Consistently unblocks all major streaming platforms

Multi-tier plan structure (Basic/Advanced/Pro) makes it easy to pay for features you don't need

See ExpressVPN deal Full review →

30-day money-back guarantee

Astrill

The VPN that actually works in China.

Best for China & Censorship Bypass

8.3/10

Very Good

Astrill is the only VPN we've tested that works consistently in China, Russia, and the UAE. The proprietary StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols bypass deep packet inspection that defeats standard WireGuard/OpenVPN connections. The price — now $30/month, or $180/year — reflects this specialized capability.

90%

Speed kept

Countries

$12.50

/mo 2-yr plan

StealthVPN protocol works reliably in China — tested from Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen
OpenWeb protocol is the fastest obfuscated protocol we've tested — negligible overhead
App-Specific VPN lets you route individual apps, not just system-wide

$30/month is the most expensive mainstream VPN — even the 2-year plan ($12.50/month) is steep

See Astrill deal Full review →

IPVanish

Unlimited connections. WireGuard speeds. US jurisdiction.

Best for Unlimited Connections

8.2/10

Very Good

IPVanish delivers fast WireGuard speeds with unlimited simultaneous connections. The US jurisdiction and a 2016 incident where they logged user data (under previous ownership) are real concerns — but two independent no-logs audits since (2022, 2025) have meaningfully rebuilt credibility.

88%

Speed kept

113

Countries

$2.19

/mo 2-yr plan

Unlimited simultaneous connections — covers every device in your home
Fast WireGuard speeds — 88% retention in testing
3,400+ servers in 113 countries

US jurisdiction (5 Eyes member) — highest legal exposure of any VPN

See IPVanish deal Full review →

30-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost

Streaming-optimized servers. Easy enough for first-timers.

Easiest for Beginners

8.1/10

Very Good

CyberGhost's streaming-optimized servers are labeled by platform (e.g., 'Netflix UK', 'BBC iPlayer') — the most accessible approach we've seen for non-technical users. It's now Deloitte-audited like NordVPN, though Romanian jurisdiction and Kape ownership remain considerations.

80%

Speed kept

100

Countries

$2.03

/mo 2-yr plan

Platform-specific streaming servers labeled by service and country
11,000+ servers in 100 countries — third largest network we've tested, behind PIA and ProtonVPN
Easiest interface for VPN beginners — one-click connect to streaming platforms

Romanian jurisdiction — recently amended data retention laws raise concerns

See CyberGhost deal Full review →

45-day money-back guarantee

PureVPN

6,500 servers. Cheap long-term plans. A complicated history.

Budget Long-Term Plans

7.7/10

Good

PureVPN has the cheapest long-term pricing in the category and a large server network. A 2017 incident where they logged and shared user data with the FBI despite claiming no-logs remains a serious historical mark — though PureVPN has since built the industry's only 'always-on' KPMG audit contract with unannounced inspections (four audits to date) to rebuild that trust.

79%

Speed kept

Countries

$2.03

/mo 2-yr plan

One of the cheapest VPNs at extended plans — around $2/month on longer terms
6,500+ servers in 78 countries — large, well-distributed network
10 simultaneous connections

2017 incident: provided user activity logs to FBI despite no-logs marketing claim — the most serious privacy breach in VPN history

See PureVPN deal Full review →

31-day money-back guarantee

Streaming VPN comparison table

Feature	NordVPN9.2/10	Surfshark9/10	ExpressVPN8.6/10	Astrill8.3/10	IPVanish8.2/10
Our Score	9.2	9	8.6	8.3	8.2
Monthly Price	$3.09/mo	$2.49/mo	$2.79/mo	$12.50/mo	$2.19/mo
Servers	9,300+	4,500+	3,000+	300+	3,400+
Countries	137	100	105	57	113
Simultaneous Devices	10	Unlimited	10	5	Unlimited
Speed (tested)	730 Mbps (96%)	695 Mbps (91%)	755 Mbps (98%)	685 Mbps (90%)	670 Mbps (88%)
No-Logs Policy
Independently Audited
Kill Switch
Ad Blocker
Streaming
Torrenting / P2P
Port Forwarding
Obfuscation
Double VPN
RAM-Only Servers
Jurisdiction	Panama (outside 5/9/14 Eyes)	Netherlands (EU jurisdiction)	British Virgin Islands	UAE / Seychelles (outside 5/9/14 Eyes)	USA (5 Eyes member)
Money-Back Guarantee	30 days	30 days	30 days	None	30 days

Data verified April 2026. Prices reflect lowest available plan per month (billed upfront).

Frequently asked questions

What makes a VPN good for streaming?

Server reliability for unblocking geo-restricted content. Beyond this core requirement, you need reliable speeds (so your activity isn't degraded by the VPN), a verified no-logs policy, and support for the platforms you use.

How often do you update these rankings?

Speed data is tested weekly from 8 server locations. Streaming reliability is checked monthly. Pricing is verified monthly at checkout. This page was last verified in April 2026.

Do you earn commissions on these recommendations?

Yes. We earn affiliate commissions on some links. Our rankings are set by test data collected independently. Commission rates do not affect ranking position. Commission rates for each recommendation are published in individual reviews.

Related guides

Explainers

How to Watch Netflix with a VPN — Works in 2026 →How to Watch BBC iPlayer Outside the UK (2026) — VPN Guide →How to Access Geo-Blocked Content — Complete Guide (2026) →

Other categories

Best VPN for Privacy →Best VPN for Gaming →Best VPN for Travel →Best VPN for Torrenting →Best VPN for Budget →Best VPN for Netflix →Best VPN for BBC iPlayer →Best VPN for Disney+ →