Facts checked 17 Oct 2026 Formula published below
Best VPN for streaming
Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and others show different shows in different countries, and some services, like Japan's TVer, only work inside their home country. These three get through most reliably on our ratings.
Top pick
NordVPN 96/100
Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.
What matters for streaming
Catalogues change at the border
Many services are licensed country by country. TVer only works in Japan, and HBO Max only reached Germany and Italy in January 2026. [1] [2]
Speed matters more than server count
For HD and 4K you need a fast nearby server; pick the closest country that carries the show you want.
Check the terms
Watching another country's catalogue can break a streaming service's terms, and services block many VPN servers. A VPN does not change what you are licensed to watch.
The top 3
#1
NordVPN 96/100
Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.
Try NordVPN#2
ExpressVPN 87/100
Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.
Try ExpressVPN#3
Surfshark 86/100
Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.
Try SurfsharkFull ranking
| # | VPN | Score | Breakdown | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NordVPN | 96/100 | Streaming 10 · Speed & gaming 9 · Privacy & audits 8 | Try NordVPN |
| 2 | ExpressVPN | 87/100 | Streaming 9 · Speed & gaming 8 · Privacy & audits 8 | Try ExpressVPN |
| 3 | Surfshark | 86/100 | Streaming 9 · Speed & gaming 8 · Privacy & audits 7 | Try Surfshark |
| 4 | CyberGhost | 83/100 | Streaming 9 · Speed & gaming 7 · Privacy & audits 6 | Try CyberGhost |
| 5 | Private Internet Access | 80/100 | Streaming 8 · Speed & gaming 8 · Privacy & audits 8 | Try Private Internet Access |
| 6 | Proton VPN | 73/100 | Streaming 7 · Speed & gaming 6 · Privacy & audits 10 | Try Proton VPN |
How we scored
Nobody pays for a position here. Each VPN's score out of 100 uses these weights:
- Streaming
- 73%
- Speed & gaming
- 13%
- Privacy & audits
- 13%
Ratings are our editorial scores for the six VPNs we track. Country pages add whether each VPN connects there and what visitors report. How we track
Questions people ask
What is the best vpn for streaming?
On our scores, NordVPN (96/100), then ExpressVPN and Surfshark. The weights used are listed on this page.
Is it legal to stream with a VPN?
Using a VPN is legal in most countries, but watching another country's catalogue can break a service's terms of use, and services block many VPN servers.
Sources
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick