The best VPNs for streaming — top choices for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and more based on expert testing

Ease of use

NordVPN has apps for every streaming platform - including Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, and so on - which are all easy to set up.

You can sign in using a QR code or email/password combination, but the former of these is super handy on TV-based devices where you'd otherwise be left typing with a remote.

The in-app experience is nearly identical across platforms, handy if you're new to VPNs and haven't quite worked your way around. Android TVs most closely resemble the traditional phone or desktop layout, with icon panels directing you to the additional features on offer.

Scrolling for servers on TVs proved to be nicely responsive too, meaning we weren't left frustrated while a laggy interface tried to catch up with what we wanted.

Overall, there should be little to confuse you if you're new to VPNs, or have yet to try NordVPN on platforms aside from your phone or computer.

Performance

This simplicity is then well-complemented by NordVPN's performance. Testing NordVPN across computers, phones, tablets, and streaming sticks, we constantly found our server connection times to be quick, no matter if we were connecting locally or to a more distant country.

What's more, as mentioned already, NordVPN hardly struggled with streaming services whatsoever. Only Prime Video Australia and YouTube US proved problematic. But, since these were a problem for every VPN we tested to some degree, it's more likely that these services have ramped up their VPN detection measures than so many VPNs have suddenly gotten worse.

Regardless, Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer, 7Plus, 9Now, TVNZ+, ITVX, and more were all unblocked seamlessly this time round, a stellar display.

It's more than likely that NordVPN's SmartPlay capabilities played a considerable role in this. SmartPlay incorporates traditional SmartDNS technology and weaves the privacy benefits of a VPN throughout. This means rather than just your DNS server changing, your whole virtual location can be changed and encrypted, all while hiding your IP address.

Ease of use

Norton is a family favorite thanks to its simple apps, and it's no different with the VPN. You can get yourself set up in a matter of seconds, and it's got apps for essentially every platform.

The only omission to note is Amazon's new VegaOS for Fire Stick, though as yet this hasn't been widely adopted, so it isn't a huge red flag.

Once you're loaded up, its apps are laid out in such a way that practically anyone should be comfortable navigating it.

While this is, in part, due to a current lack of broader features as you'd expect from say NordVPN or Surfshark, it's perfect if you're new to VPNs or looking to set up an elderly family member with some added protection online.

This simplicity also means you'll have no issue moving between devices. There's little there to change so you can quickly get to grips with customising your experience and getting connected no matter the device you're on.

Performance

Norton's performance came as a welcome shock this time round. In particular, it had absolutely zero issues with Prime Video and US YouTube, two platforms that had proven impossible to crack for big names like Surfshark and CyberGhost.

Otherwise across the major platforms it was flawless. This includes Netflix in multiple regions, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, TVNZ+ and more.

It did have some minor struggles with 7Plus and 9Now. That said, both platforms eventually worked after a couple of server changes, so no major concerns there.

This time round it falls short of top spot purely due to its performance with live events. Testing it with sports events in particular across platforms such as Peacock and Eurosport we saw more instances of buffering and quality drops than we'd like, and certainly less than we had with NordVPN.

Ease of use

Proton VPN has the same level of compatibility as any of the top streaming VPNs. This means you can install it on any streaming device, and if anything isn't compatible, you have the option of installing it as a router VPN instead to bypass the issue.

Signing in, you don't get the option of a QR code; instead, you're directed to using a specific link and entering a unique code, not a bad alternative, but a tad slower.

Once in, all of Proton VPN's apps might appear a tad more daunting than other providers due to the darker colours, but on most devices, you'll quickly see explainers for the features you're greeted with and won't need to click for long before finding what you need.

On smart TVs, you're greeted by a sea of flags to scroll through, which is a bit less optimal, though, with time, it's a simple enough experience to navigate.

Performance

Streaming with Proton was broadly stress-free compared to the majority of VPNs. Yes, it couldn't unblock Prime Video in Australia, Canada, or Japan, but this service bested almost every VPN during this round of testing.

Outside of this, Proton's only noticeable struggles were with YouTube US, Disney+ and ITV in the UK, and TVNZ+. All of these issues were quickly fixed with a server change or two, so it's nothing too big to stress about.

Yet again, it was streaming live events with Proton that proved the difference maker in our rankings. Using Peacock, we'd sometimes see the stream completely drop out, and often there'd be struggles to reach high-quality video, all in the space of one football match.

While this isn't ideal, it's still far better than you might expect from the VPNs we don't rank on this list. Plus, VPN performance with these services constantly changes, so it could soon be that this issue subsides.

Ease of use

If there's one thing we love about ExpressVPN, it's how easy it is to use, no matter what device you're on. ExpressVPN is available across everything from your traditional computers and mobiles, so Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, through to your smart TV, WiFi router, and streaming boxes such as Fire Stick or Apple TV, all of which provide near identical experiences too.

Much like NordVPN, on trickier devices, to enter your username and password, you can use a QR code to sign in (or sign up), meaning no worries about typing with your TV remote. Once you're in, it's as simple as clicking the big red button presented to you if you simply want to connect to your nearest server to be secure.

Alternatively, you can use its server list to scroll through servers across 113 countries. It should be noted, however, that ExpressVPN only supports ten simultaneous connections on its Basic plan.

This, for many, won't be an issue, but once you tally up streaming devices, tablets, phones, and laptops that might be present for a family, it might be the case that this is too few, in which case Surfshark may be the best alternative.

Performance

ExpressVPN's performance was, for the most part, impressive. While it struggled with Prime Video US, this was an issue for many VPNs so is not a huge red flag. It's Netflix performance, however, proved more problematic.

The provider failed to unblock Netflix is Australia and Japan, no matter how hard we tried to fix it. It's the only provider on this list to have encountered problems with Netflix this time round. Given how fine the margins are between the best streaming VPNs right now, it's hard to ignore such an issue either.

It also performed similarly to Proton with live events. While ExpressVPN never struggled unblocking the platforms we were watching on, we'd occasionally see our stream drop out entirely, or struggle to reach the video quality we'd expect from the platforms.

Ease of use

PrivadoVPN's apps are simple to the point of almost looking too basic. You've got a toggle to turn the VPN on and off, a hamburger menu for accessing its few features and customisations, and that's about it.

What this means is that it's near-impossible to be confused, no matter your experience level. Plus, it means you're able to connect and stream in a matter of seconds without being bogged down by additional customization options.

This is perfect if you're looking for a cheap introduction to VPNs, or need a quick, secure option to tide you over while you look for the perfect VPN for your needs.

Performance

Aside from Prime Video, PrivadoVPN performed superbly. No issues with the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITVX or TVNZ+.

It did find some small issues with Disney+ though these were quickly rectified by a server switch which is no hassle at all. All in all, a very strong showing for a VPN that'll cost you less than a tank of gas.

That said, zero access to Prime Video is a huge loss for some people, and a big reason for it not being higher on this list. What's more, it regularly struggled with live events far more than other VPNs.

Be it dropouts or poor picture quality, we regularly struggled with live sports on Peacock and Eurosport using Privado VPN. Thankfully, its app interface is so small and simple that it was quick enough to resolve the bigger dropouts, but this runs the risk of missing a crucial moment should you be watching a big game.