You are halfway through a season finale and the stream drops to a pixelated mess. Or you land in a hotel room abroad, open Netflix, and half your library is gone. These are the moments that make a good VPN worth having.

The best VPN for streaming in 2026 does three things: it keeps your connection fast enough for 4K without buffering, it stops your ISP from throttling video traffic during peak hours, and it keeps your paid subscriptions working normally when you travel. Privacy is a bonus — your ISP cannot see what you watch or which services you use.

We tested the most popular VPNs over two weeks with a focus on what actually matters for streaming: measured speed, reliability with major platforms, device compatibility, and real-world experience.

Tip: Use StreamsFree to check where a movie or show is streaming before you subscribe to anything new. It searches availability across Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more.

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Quick Comparison

All three come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test them risk-free. Promo prices are current as of February 2026 and represent the introductory rate on each provider's longest-term plan. Full prices reflect the standard undiscounted rate.

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What to Look for in a Streaming VPN

Not every VPN handles streaming well. Here is what separates the good ones from the rest.

Speed is the most important factor. All VPNs add some overhead because your traffic is encrypted and routed through an additional server. The best performers retain 85% or more of your base connection speed, which is enough for 4K playback without buffering. Anything below that and you will notice quality drops, especially on longer-distance connections.

Platform compatibility matters because some VPNs are detected and blocked by streaming services. The top providers invest in maintaining access to platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. If a VPN does not work reliably with the services you use, nothing else matters.

Device support is critical because streaming happens on phones, laptops, smart TVs, and consoles. Look for native apps on the platforms you use, plus Smart DNS options for devices that cannot run VPN software directly. Smart DNS works differently from a full VPN — it reroutes only the DNS queries needed to access a streaming service without encrypting all your traffic. This means lower overhead and faster speeds, which makes it a good option for devices like older smart TVs and gaming consoles that cannot install VPN apps.

Server coverage gives you more options. A larger network means faster connections (you can pick a server closer to you) and better reliability. The VPNs below all cover 100+ countries.

Privacy is a bonus that often gets overlooked. A VPN prevents your ISP from seeing which streaming services you use and what you watch. This also prevents ISP throttling — some providers deliberately slow down streaming traffic during peak hours, and a VPN makes it impossible for them to identify that traffic.

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The Best VPNs for Streaming in 2026

1. NordVPN — Best Overall for Streaming

NordVPN delivered the best combination of speed and streaming reliability in our testing. We ran tests over a two-week period in January 2026 from a 500 Mbps base connection in Sydney, connecting to servers in 12 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

The standout result was speed. NordVPN uses the NordLynx protocol, which is built on WireGuard — a modern, lightweight VPN protocol designed for speed and efficiency. It consistently retained around 88% of our base connection, the highest of any VPN we tested. On a local server (Sydney to Melbourne), we measured 441 Mbps down. On US West Coast, 312 Mbps. Even connecting to London — roughly the furthest route in our tests — speeds held at 267 Mbps, which is still well above what 4K streaming requires.

Platform compatibility was flawless. Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and HBO Max all worked without issues across our testing period. The SmartPlay feature handles this automatically — you connect and it works without any manual server selection or configuration.

The server network covers 111 countries with over 6,700 servers. NordVPN's no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte (most recently in 2024), which adds credibility to their privacy claims. Other useful features include a built-in ad and malware blocker (Threat Protection) and the option to route traffic through two servers for additional privacy.

For devices that do not support VPN apps natively (older smart TVs, gaming consoles), the SmartDNS feature provides an alternative with lower overhead.

Price: Starting at approximately $3.39 per month on a 2-year plan. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit NordVPN

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2. ExpressVPN — Best for Ease of Use

If you want something that just works without any fiddling, ExpressVPN is the pick. The apps are the cleanest and most intuitive of any VPN we tested — setup takes a few minutes and connecting is a single tap on every platform.

We tested ExpressVPN alongside NordVPN from the same connection and timeframe. Speed retention averaged 87% using the Lightway protocol, which is ExpressVPN's proprietary equivalent to WireGuard — built for speed with a minimal codebase. On a local Sydney server we measured 434 Mbps, and on US West Coast 295 Mbps. The small gap behind NordVPN made no practical difference for streaming — we did not experience a single buffering event during testing, even on 4K content.

Where ExpressVPN really stands out is device reach. It covers 187 server locations across 108 countries — the broadest geographic network of any VPN in our comparison. The MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) feature makes setup straightforward on Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, and smart TVs that cannot install VPN apps directly.

The 24/7 live chat support is the best we encountered. We tested it three times at different hours and got a knowledgeable response within five minutes each time. If you run into issues with a specific streaming platform, their support team can typically walk you through it. ExpressVPN's no-logs policy has been independently audited by KPMG and Cure53.

The trade-off is price. ExpressVPN costs roughly twice as much as NordVPN on an annualized basis, and caps you at 8 simultaneous device connections.

Price: Starting at approximately $6.67 per month on a 1-year plan. 30-day money-back guarantee.

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3. Surfshark — Best for Families and Budget

Surfshark is the only major VPN that allows unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account. Every device in your household — phones, tablets, laptops, TVs — can be connected at the same time. If you have a family or a lot of devices, this alone makes it the practical choice.

Streaming performance was reliable across all the major platforms in our testing. Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu all worked without issues. The CleanWeb feature blocks ads and trackers, which is a nice bonus when browsing streaming sites.

Speed tells two stories depending on distance. On local and regional connections (within the same continent), Surfshark matched NordVPN at around 88% retention — we measured 438 Mbps on a Sydney to Melbourne route and 283 Mbps to US West Coast. However, on very long-distance routes the gap widens. Sydney to London averaged 196 Mbps (roughly 76% retention), compared to NordVPN's 267 Mbps on the same route. For most people streaming from servers in their own region, this difference will not matter. If you regularly need distant servers, NordVPN or ExpressVPN handle long-haul routes more consistently.

Surfshark's no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte. It uses the WireGuard protocol by default, the same underlying technology as NordVPN's NordLynx.

The real selling point is value. At roughly $1.99 per month on a 2-year plan, Surfshark is significantly cheaper than NordVPN and less than a third the price of ExpressVPN. Combined with unlimited devices, it is the clear choice for households on a budget.

Price: Starting at approximately $1.99 per month on a 2-year plan. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit Surfshark

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Honourable Mentions

Proton VPN is worth considering if privacy is your top priority. Based in Switzerland, fully open-source, and independently audited, it has strong credentials. It works well with major streaming platforms including Netflix and Disney+. The trade-off is a higher price point and a slightly smaller server network compared to the top three.

IPVanish offers unlimited connections like Surfshark and works particularly well on Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. It reliably handles major US and UK streaming services. Speed and overall reliability are solid but not best-in-class.

CyberGhost takes a unique approach with streaming-optimised server profiles labelled by platform. This removes guesswork for less technical users, though consistency does not quite match the top three in our testing.

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Already Have a VPN?

If you already have a VPN you are happy with, you do not need to switch. Instead, use StreamsFree to get more out of your streaming subscriptions. Search for any movie or TV show and see which services carry it in which regions — so you can find content on the platforms you already pay for without subscribing to something new.

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How to Set Up a VPN for Streaming

Getting started takes about five minutes.

Step 1 — Choose a VPN and sign up. Pick one from the comparison above based on what matters most to you (speed, price, or device count). Download the app for your device.

Step 2 — Connect to a server. Open the VPN app and select a server. For the best streaming speeds, choose a server in your own country or a nearby region. The VPN will encrypt your connection and prevent your ISP from throttling streaming traffic.

Step 3 — Open your streaming service and watch. Navigate to Netflix, Disney+, or whichever platform you use. The VPN runs in the background — you do not need to change anything else.

If you experience any issues, try connecting to a different server in the same country. You can also check StreamsFree to explore what is available on your streaming services.

Note: Using a VPN to access streaming content that is not licensed for your region may violate the terms of service of some streaming platforms. StreamsFree provides availability information for reference and does not encourage users to breach any platform's terms. Always review the terms of service for the streaming services you use.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to use a VPN for streaming?

VPNs are legal in most countries. They are widely used for privacy, security, and preventing ISP throttling. However, using a VPN to access content outside of its licensed region may violate the terms of service of some streaming platforms. This is a matter between you and the service provider. We recommend reviewing the terms of any platform you use.

Which VPN is best for streaming Netflix?

NordVPN is our top pick for Netflix specifically. In testing, it worked reliably with Netflix libraries and delivered the fastest speeds of any VPN we compared — fast enough for 4K without buffering. Surfshark and ExpressVPN also performed well with Netflix across our testing period.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

All VPNs add some overhead because your traffic is encrypted and routed through an additional server. The VPNs we recommend retain 85-90% of your base speed, which is more than enough for 4K streaming. If your connection is 25 Mbps or higher, you are unlikely to notice any difference in streaming quality.

Can streaming services detect VPNs?

Yes, and many actively try to block them. This is why VPN choice matters — cheap or free VPNs are blocked almost immediately. The providers we recommend invest in rotating IP addresses and anti-detection technology to maintain reliable access.

Do free VPNs work for streaming?

Generally, no. Free VPNs have limited server options, slower speeds, data caps, and most are blocked by streaming platforms. They also often monetize through ads or data collection. If streaming performance matters to you, a paid VPN is the way to go. The most affordable option on this list (Surfshark) costs less than $2 per month.

Can I use a VPN to watch my home streaming library while traveling?

Yes. This is one of the most common use cases. If you are traveling and your paid Netflix or Disney+ account behaves differently abroad, connecting to a VPN server in your home country restores your normal library. All three recommended VPNs handle this reliably.

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Our Testing Methodology

We tested each VPN over a two-week period in January 2026. All tests were run from the same base connection (500 Mbps fibre in Sydney, Australia) to ensure consistency. We connected to servers in 12 countries and measured download speed, upload speed, and latency using Ookla Speedtest, then tested streaming playback on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and HBO Max. Each platform was tested at least three times per VPN to account for variability. Speed retention percentages represent the average across all tested servers. Absolute speed figures cited in individual reviews are the average of three tests on that specific route.

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Bottom Line

NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming in 2026 — fastest speeds, the widest server network, and reliable performance across every platform we tested. If budget is a concern, Surfshark delivers strong streaming performance at a third of the price with unlimited device connections. ExpressVPN is the choice if you value the simplest setup experience and the broadest geographic server coverage.

All three are currently running discounted rates on their long-term plans, and each includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are going to try one, NordVPN's 2-year plan at $3.39 per month is the best value-to-performance ratio we have found.

You can also use StreamsFree to check what is available on your streaming services before subscribing to anything new.

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