The best VPN for YouTube in 2025

Even better, NordVPN clocked in at 950 Mbps on its proprietary NordLynx protocol during our latest tests, meaning it’s more than capable of keeping up with HD and 4K content.

NordVPN's SmartPlay feature is a built-in smart DNS tool that automatically adjusts your DNS settings to ensure a smoother and faster connection. It comes in handy if you want to watch YouTube videos on your Android TV, Fire TV, or Apple TV, or other devices that don’t natively support a VPN client.

Even though NordVPN prices start at just under $3 per month for its basic plan, if you want to unlock the full NordVPN experience, the Plus plan at $3.79 per month is the one you should opt for.

The only area NordVPN loses out to its rivals, ExpressVPN and Surfshark, is ease of use. Although its map-style interface is a nice novelty, it can admittedly feel a little tricky to navigate, especially if you’re using the mobile VPN app on a smaller screen.

On the bright side, though, NordVPN offers dedicated apps for Android TV and Fire Stick TV, so you can stream directly on a big screen without having to look for any workarounds.

Another area where we’d like to see an improvement is the number of simultaneous connections. Currently, NordVPN lets you connect 10 devices at once. Although it’s still pretty generous and more than enough for most households, it feels slightly underpowered when compared to the likes of Surfshark and PIA, which offer unlimited connections, and even ExpressVPN, which has now cranked up its limit to 14 connections.

Surfshark is also the fastest VPN we've tested, thanks to class-leading speeds of over 950 Mbps on the WireGuard protocol.

Combined with servers in over 140 locations – fewer than NordVPN but plenty to ensure excellent global coverage – Surfshark is capable of unblocking every streaming service, including YouTube (in multiple regions), Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.

Along with offering apps for virtually every platform and device, including browser add-ons, Surfshark is also refreshingly easy to use. All of its apps are intuitive, clutter-free, and offer a quick-connect button for instant protection. You can log in to the app on a Smart TV using either a login code (generated from the Surfshark app on another device), a QR reader, or simply by entering your account details.

One of the few nitty-gritty issues Surfshark could sort out is its server listing system. While there is a relatively easy-to-use Favorites feature, there have been occasions where I’ve had to scroll through each country’s locations – something that can be unnecessarily time-consuming and frustrating when all you’re trying to do is quickly switch countries to watch a geo-blocked YouTube video.

As soon as you log in, you’re greeted with a large Connect button, which you can tap to get connected to the fastest server near you. And for those who want to stream on their Smart TV, ExpressVPN offers three very convenient login methods: via QR code, by entering your username and password, or by entering a code generated on your ExpressVPN web dashboard.

Speeds are crisp, too. We recorded top speeds of 898 Mbps using our 1Gbps testing line, which puts ExpressVPN right on par with the speediest providers on the block – it’s only a fraction slower than NordVPN and Surfshark.

Also, if you’re looking to extend your streaming experience beyond YouTube, you’ll be glad to know that ExpressVPN handles Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer without a hitch. It’s worth noting, however, that we did encounter a few minor issues when using ExpressVPN to access Netflix in Australia and Japan, and 10Play in Australia. That said, in neither of those cases did ExpressVPN fail to access the platforms.

And if you think ExpressVPN’s simplicity comes at the cost of security, think again. ExpressVPN actually ranks among the most secure VPNs we’ve tested. In addition to having undergone 23 independent audits so far – the most of any VPN – it was also the first VPN to offer post-quantum encryption, plus it’s headquartered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands and uses RAM-only servers.

The only real annoyance, therefore, is ExpressVPN’s price. Even after its recent price cut – with its Basic plan dropping from $4.99 per month to $3.49 per month – it’s still nearly half a dollar more expensive than NordVPN, and significantly more expensive than Surfshark and PIA.

That said, for the price, you do get a service that has not only proven its security and unblocking capabilities time and again, but also throws in a bunch of extra tools, such as a password manager and an ad, malware, and tracker blocker.

One of our favorite features from Proton VPN’s list of anti-censorship tools is the Stealth Protocol, which obfuscates your connection by merging it with regular internet traffic, making it virtually impossible for ISPs to detect that you’re using a VPN.

ProtonVPN also stands out with its Secure Core technology, which routes your connection through two servers – one super-secure server in either Switzerland, Sweden, or Iceland – and then finally to the location of your choice. You also get plenty of flexibility here, as ProtonVPN has servers in over 144 locations around the world.

That said, do note that Secure Core servers aren’t optimized for streaming, even though you’re very unlikely to face any buffering or quality issues – that’s because ProtonVPN is one of the speediest providers we’ve tested, with top speeds of over 950 Mbps in our latest tests.

Along with access to YouTube, ProtonVPN also unblocks Netflix– although it took two attempts to load – as well as Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more, all without any noticeable hiccups. And although its black and purple UI might not be for everyone, getting set up and connected is pretty straightforward thanks to its large “Quick Connect” button.

Also, if you’re someone who enjoys watching YouTube on the big screen, you’ll be glad to know that ProtonVPN is available on all platforms, including Mac, Windows, Fire TV Stick, and even Android TV.

Arguably, the only gripe we have with the service is its slightly higher-than-average cost. A two-year plan will set you back $3.59 per month, which, given ExpressVPN’s new pricing tiers, makes ProtonVPN the most expensive VPN on this list.

That said, it’s worth noting that ProtonVPN also comes with a host of extra tools, including encrypted cloud storage from Proton Drive, a secure password manager and identity protection from Proton Pass, and a private inbox from Proton Mail.

When it comes to mingling low cost and top performance, PIA is truly in a league of its own. Like Surfshark, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning not only can you stream YouTube from any of your own devices, but you can also share the love with your family and friends.

On the security front, PIA has proven to be one of the most private VPNs, having proven its no-logs policy in court on two separate occasions. PIA’s MACE feature blocks ads, malware, and phishing websites at the DNS level, giving you an overall more secure online experience.

As an added perk, each of PIA’s servers is P2P compatible, making it one of the best torrenting VPNs around.

A genuine concern with PIA could be its ease of use. While it might look appealing to someone who likes to get under the hood, thanks to its many advanced tools and customization options, those who prefer a more plug-and-play experience might find ExpressVPN the better choice.

Also, we were a little disappointed that it doesn’t offer a straightforward QR code sign-in for Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV. That said, you do have the option to install it on your router, meaning there’s still a workaround to use PIA on devices that don’t natively support VPNs.