Best VPN For Streaming | Stream Geo-restricted Content
Overview
VPNs are now being used all around the world by people. It has become a must have digital tool for many people. Data protection is one of the major reason for using a VPN. Many people also use VPN to stream Geo-restricted content.
VPNs can unblock the big streaming websites/ applications easily. There are some production houses that have block some content on streaming sites which means that they can only be watched in a specific region.
Geo-restrictions work because of IP addresses. As IP address is unique for each network and the IP addresses varies from one country to other. So by masking the IP address, one will be able to stream the geo-restricted content in that country.
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How VPNs help you stream Geo-restricted content?
The streaming services identify if the user based on the IP address and it provides access to content accordingly.
VPNs can bypass these Geo-restrictions. Most VPNs have servers around the world and they can be accessed by their subscribers.
One more reason why people need VPNs is that when travelling outside their country people need the help of VPN. Since the access to the local shows and movies are protected by Geo-restriction VPNs. It can help them watch their favorite shows even when they are thousand of Kms away from their country.
So, the days of dreaming to watch the contents of Netflix US or UK are over, just install a VPN, select a server of the respective country and you are good to go. Get into your comfort zone and binge-watch the world’s best shows.
VPNs are dream come true for every person who was sad after Geo-restrictions hid their favorite shows from them. Not just Netflix, Amazon Prime or Hulu but YouTube also falls under Geo-restrictions.
People are not even allowed to listen to some songs. This is unfair, right? To make everything right there are VPNs in the world. They are legal, they protect the device and the connection. They keep away the digital thieves and open all kinds of locks on the content available online.
Why Do You Need A VPN for Streaming?
If you are one of those people who are not okay with Geo-restrictions and want to watch what you want and whatever is available in the world, you need a VPN right away.
It is important to take control of what you can see and what you cannot.
We can understand that these restrictions are because of license agreements and the makers don’t really want them to do that. Hence you can use VPNs to watch their shows.
It is legal to stream content with the help of VPNs so there is no need to be scared. Although there is risk when trying to connect to a free server, they are not as secure and can no more bad than good. It is better that you use paid VPNs for streaming securely on HD quality without any buffers.
People who think this job can also be done by proxy servers, I just want to warn you they are not secure. To stay safe and still enjoy your favorite shows, there is no better option other than a VPN.
A proxy server can be dangerous for data protection, they can take away all the information that you have, they can track your activities and put you in trouble.
Ever heard about that saying, “killing two birds with one stone”, VPN is that stone and the birds are Geo-restrictions and risk on privacy and data protection. There is no better way to hide the IP and stream whatever you want other than Virtual Private Networks.
Benefits of using VPN for Streaming
Though the benefits of using a VPN for streaming are innumerable, here are the most prominent advantages:
1. Hiding traffic from ISP:
While using movie applications and add-ons to stream TV shows and movies unofficially, it is important to prevent the ISP, i.e, Internet Service Providers from knowing or tracking the streaming data as well as the location.
A VPN service basically encrypts all the data which is involved in streaming as well as all the data present in that specific area (For instance, an individual's home).
This VPN is also helpful in passing personal data through the VPN server to any desired location anywhere in the world. This prevents the ISP from tracking the data and sources of internet traffic.
2. Access to more content:
Location greatly affects the amount of content that every user is able to view and download. As far as live TV is concerned, a majority of channels and programs are restricted to certain geographical areas.
This locks the possibilities for the viewer to access them. A VPN server will help in portraying the location even if the user is not there physically. In this manner, users become able to access more content.
3. Safe use of public Wi-Fi:
Using public Wi-Fi spots becomes extremely safe while using a VPN service. It demolishes the threat of theft or manipulation of data as the input will be totally in an encrypted form by the VPN.
Hackers cannot have access to this data. It does not depend on the time or location of data usage, the user stays protected irrespective of the ISP they use.
4. Legal:
Though there is always ambiguity in the fact whether VPN is legal or not, if thorough research is done, it can be seen that the use of VPNs is completely legal excluding some countries like Iran and China.
As long as the ISP does not block any user from buying VPN services, he/she can use them without any fear of legal issues.
5 Best VPN for Streaming
1. ExpressVPN
If you look at the VPN market you will know that this is one of the best VPNs that is available. This VPN has secured the no.1 spot in many lists and it also works up to the expectations of its users. This VPN has the power to bypass Geo-restrictions and unblock most of the streaming services including Netflix and Hulu.
This VPN offers great performance and a seamless experience. The VPN servers have good strength and they do not disconnect randomly. It has more than 3000 servers in over 94 countries all over the world. They have servers in most of the big countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Spain, etc.
ExpressVPN works with almost all the streaming services around the world and can also unblock most of them. This VPN has the best reputation all around the internet. The only thing that can make people think twice is its price, it is comparatively higher than the others.
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2. NordVPN
This VPN is the best rival of Express VPN. There is no other VPN service provider that can compete the way it provides VPN service. It offers it’s users all the best measures for protection from online threats.
There are many servers that can be used by the users to unblock and stream their favorite shows and movies on any streaming platform of their choice. Amazon Prime is getting smart and they have found out some of their servers and have blocked them, but other than that, you can use all other streaming services.
This VPN passes the test in terms of performance and streaming speed as well. If the base speed of the internet connection is good, it can provide amazing results.
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3. Surfshark
This is very new to the market but it does have a reputation because it offers amazing streaming speed. Speed is the most important feature to look at while deciding a VPN for streaming. They have more than 1000 servers in most of the important countries.
Their server network is small but strong. The speed is not as high as Express VPN and Nord but it is better than most other providers. The application of this VPN is very user friendly. If the user faces any problem, their customer support is always available to solve the problems.
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4. IPVanish
This VPN service provider offers connection speed that allows HD-streaming. It can unblock almost all the streaming applications and also gives a good performance.
There are more than 1300 dedicated servers of this VPN in more than 50 countries.
This allows them to bypass the Geo-restrictions of almost any region in the world. IPVanish own all their servers hence there is no intervention.
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5. PureVPN
Everyone has a bad past, so does PureVPN. Even after a bad past, this VPN service now holds a TrustScore of 9.5 out of 10. This is amazing, this is the only thing which made itself into the top 5 best VPN list. They have improved a lot during the past few years and won the hearts of their users.
With over 2000 servers in more than 140 locations, this VPN can bypass most Geo-restrictions. The speed of the servers depends on the base internet connection and can reach up to 30 Mbps at times.
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How To Unblock Streaming Devices Using VPN?
VPNs are used to unblock streaming services, this is done by removing the Geo-restrictions that are imposed on them. This will not be easy until the users know the logic behind it. Geo-restrictions means there are some geographical restrictions that restrict the users from a specific area to access the content.
The USA uses Geo-restrictions and hence only the users who use VPN can access Geo-restricted content from outside the USA. For this, there are some steps that are to be followed.
It is important to use a VPN that provides smart DNS services where the DNS address can be changed too.
After you choose a good VPN service, follow the steps mentioned below:
- 1Download the VPN application and log in to it by entering valid credentials.
- 2To remove the Geo-restriction and unblock the streaming service for a particular area, choose the server from the same location. For example, choose a server from the UK if you want to remove Geo-restrictions imposed there.
- 3After choosing the server and connecting to it, download the streaming applications that you want to access.
- 4Log in to the streaming application with valid credentials.
- 5Enjoy the movies and shows exclusively for some other area while sitting in your own room.
The users should know that this will only work with the best VPNs and not with free VPNs. There are some applications that can identify if the user is trying to bypass it with the help of a proxy server and they block the access.
The best VPN servers are capable enough of hiding and changing your IP address. It is all about the IP address and DNS address. Both of them are used to identify the current location of the device. Good VPNs can mask them both and replace with a new address.
Streaming VPN FAQs
1. Does a VPN really improve streaming?
VPN has given positive results when they were tested whether they can improve streaming. Since the best VPNs has large number of servers all over the world it can avoid congested servers and automatically redirect you to a different server with less traffic which in turn improves the streaming. This way it can also avoid buffering.
2. Is VPN Safe to Use?
The main purpose of using a VPN is to increase security. The Internet is not a safe place and VPN protects your devices from unwanted tracking and intrusion.
VPNs add a layer to protect the data and privacy of the users. VPN hides the original IP address of the device and replaces it with its own IP address that makes the device safe. No one can track the device location or information while using a VPN.
3. What Streaming Services Can a VPN Unblock?
The best VPN can unblock most of the streaming services like:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
- Hotstar
- BBC iPlayer
- Youtube
- HBO
- Showtime
VPNs have a server in many countries and hence they can remove almost all kinds of Geo-restrictions and allow their users to view all the content that is uploaded on the internet without worrying about anything.
Free VPNs or normal VPN services cannot always do that as most of the streaming services have anti-VPN policies that do not allow users to stream with normal VPNs. Only the best VPNs can unblock them.
4. How to Stream With a VPN?
VPNs can be used to improve the online streaming experience by removing the Geo-restrictions and hiding the IP so no one can track and block the device. Below are the steps that will allow the users to stream with the help of a VPN:
- First subscribe to one of the best VPN services mentioned in the article.
- Install the application on the device where you wish to use the VPN and stream your favorite shows.
- After installation login to the application and select the server of your choice. Don’t forget to choose the server in the country whose Geo-restriction you want to remove.
- Download and login to the streaming application you want to use.
- All is done, just watch whatever you want, everything you need is unblocked.
5. How do I use and unblock Netflix using a VPN?
It is really easy, the users just need to login to their VPN service and find a server in that location whose content they want to unblock. For example, if you want to unblock Netflix USA, select a server from the USA.
After connecting to a server from the USA just login to Netflix and that’s all. You will have access to all the content that is available on Netflix USA.
Conclusion
VPNs are not only important for privacy. They also help in unblocking most of your favorite streaming applications/websites. Only the best VPNs can unblock them as free servers do not always connect and are not always available in the country where the users want.
The VPNs included in this article have many servers across the world and can even bypass the anti-VPN policy of most of the streaming websites.
It is very easy to subscribe, install and use these VPNs with any of the streaming services on any device. The users need to know that it is legal to use VPNs in most countries until they are not watching or doing something that is illegal.
Enjoy your favorite shows on your favorite services, enjoy all the content available in the world by removing Geo-restrictions.
We are a group of Technical experts who are very much concerned about Online Privacy. Every review that we write is the result of multiple testing on various devices. We verify the locations and the server that provides the IP and check whether it is safe to work with or not.
