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Thanks to VPNs, it’s getting easier than ever to safely stream your favorite TV series, movies and other programs from anywhere around the world.
What is a VPN? Think of it as a digital cloak that allows you to stream everything from must-watch TV shows to movies and sporting events, whenever and wherever you want.
Traveling abroad? VPNs will keep you connected while you’re away. But they’re not just for streaming your favorite programs internationally and accessing websites that may be inaccessible from outside of the U.S. You can use a VPNs at home, or at work, to keep your personal information secure as most VPNs offer private streaming and malware protection to keep your devices safe from viruses, hackers, phishing and other digital scams.
To get technical, a VPN, or “virtual private network,” encrypts your connection to hide your IP address, which allows you to stream from just about anywhere around the world. Although some platforms restrict VPN use, you can access VPNs on certain streaming platforms such as DirecTV, Peacock, Philo and Max.
Most VPN services have monthly and annual plans, but if you’re not so familiar with the process, you might not want to lock yourself into an extended plan just yet. It’s better to start with a monthly package, or free trial where available (some VPNs offer a 30-day, money-back guarantee.)
To help you get started, we’ve collected a list of the five best VPNs for streaming, web surfing, gaming and more that are compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, FireTV, Chrome, Firefox and other platforms.
See below for a short rundown of plans, pricing and other details you need to know.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a favorite of ours, due to its convenience, ease of use and speed. It works on multiple streaming platforms, allowing you to stay connected to your favorite programs, no matter how far you travel. It’s incredibly user-friendly, with easy access on up to 10 devices.
NordVPN has a strong connection to multiple servers in 111 countries around the world, but you’ll receive a notification to choose a new server if the current one is going offline or unavailable. Other features include malware protection, Data Breach Scanners, along with ad-blocking and tracking, which stops sites from tracking your online activity.
And right now, you can join for up to 71% off, plus three months free.
ExpressVPN
With servers in more than 150 countries, the ability to connect on up to eight devices simultaneously and a 30-day, money-back guarantee, ExpressVPN is one of the Web’s most popular VPN services (just Google “VPNs” and see what pops up first).
ExpressVPN offers one of the best options for international streaming at rapid speed (there’s a reason why it’s called “express” VPN) along with encrypted files, safe browsing and added protection to keep your personal information secure. You can join ExpressVPN for $6.67/month (49% off) for the first three months.
Surfshark
For a budget option, consider Surfshark. It’s a decent, budget VPN, according to TikTok reviews.
The VPN protects your personal info: search history, passwords and IP address. And you won’t have to worry about pop-ups, cookies and ads. There’s also antivirus protection that blocks access to your device’s camera.
Private Internet Access
Billed as the most “transparent” VPN option among its competitors, Private Internet Access offers fast streaming, advanced split tunneling that lets you customize settings for different apps and websites, and a “Kill Switch” to keep your data safe from leaks if the connection drops.
Like many of the other choices on the list, PIA has ad-blocking, 24/7 customer assistance and monthly, annual and three-year plans, the latter being the cheapest at $2.19 for three years and three months. Monthly plans cost $11.99 and the year plan is $3.33/month (billed annually).
More Budget VPNs
Other budget VPN options include CyberGhost ($2.19 per month) and PureVPN for $3.46/month (regularly $19.95). There’s also Pure VPN, which features a comprehensive, user-friendly dashboard, “cutting-edge encryption” for secure and private browsing, and a social media checker that scans your privacy settings.
Reviews are mixed on PureVPN, as multiple Reddit users noted slower speeds and lagging. Keeping that in mind, PureVPN offers monthly plans for $19.95, or $4.96 for the annual plan. The Max plan is $3.46/month (reg. $19.95) for a two-year subscription, plus 83% off for four months.
For more streaming recommendations, see our roundups of the best digital antennas for access to local channels and best internet for rural areas.
