The Best VPNs We’ve Tested for Video Streaming in 2026

Features and capabilities: Proton’s latency may be a deal breaker for intensive gaming, but we found its speeds to be steady and reliable for streaming video. NetShield is a handy ad blocker that can help de-clutter your favorite streaming site, though don’t expect it to consistently remove pre- and mid-roll ads. Proton also has servers tailored for streaming that are built to bypass blocks. You can try Proton out for free with a plan that offers eight servers to choose from and doesn’t come with any data limits. However, we recommend the premium subscription for testing streaming services, as most of the free servers are detected. 

Privacy and security: The people behind Proton take privacy seriously, with an unyielding commitment to transparency and accountability that is rare in the VPN space. All apps are open-source, so you never have to question if there’s a hidden vulnerability that could compromise your data. Annual audits and frequent transparency reports demonstrate that Proton consistently maintains its standards year after year.

Speed and performance: Proton’s premium servers rank in the middle of the pack in terms of performance, with a 20.11% decrease in download speeds, a 43.21% decrease in upload speeds, and a 351.26% increase in latency. 

Streaming: We had no issues streaming Netflix with Proton. Proton’s premium servers worked flawlessly, granting us access to every regional catalog we tested. 

User experience and ease of use: All of Proton’s apps are streamlined and easy to use, catering to both beginners and experienced users. Features are easily accessible and clearly labeled on both desktop and mobile interfaces. It’s easy to tell when you’re connected to a server, and you can access advanced options with just a couple of clicks. 

Users who want a free VPN: If you’re on a budget or aren’t sure if you want to commit to a full VPN subscription just yet, ProtonVPN’s free plan offers access to the maximum bandwidth available on a select choice of servers. 

Privacy-conscious users: Proton’s unwavering commitment to transparency and privacy makes it one of the best options for those who value their privacy. Proton is an excellent choice, thanks to its stellar privacy standards and robust anti-malware protections through NetShield. 

Features and capabilities: NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol is fast, open-source, and reliable. It also provides access to split tunneling and multi-hop connections. Nord’s Threat Protection Pro keeps you safe from malware on most streaming sites and blocks nasty trackers that could try to keep tabs on your browsing habits.

Privacy and security: Nord maintains transparent privacy standards with third-party audits and a frequently updated transparency report. NordLynx utilizes open-source technology, allowing you to examine what makes the service tick. Nord doesn’t keep logs, and its no-logs policy has been independently verified in multiple security audits by VerSprite, Cure53, Deloitte, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC). 

Speed and performance: Nord has consistently delivered excellent performance in our tests. It reduced our download speeds by just 5.20%, upload speeds by 5.78%, and increased our latency by 58.14%. Just keep in mind that your experience may vary depending on your proximity to a Nord server.

Streaming: Streaming with Nord was streamlined. We didn’t experience any buffering or stuttering with videos. Additionally, Nord managed to unblock every regional Netflix library that we tested against. 

User experience and ease of use: Nord’s desktop apps can be a tad cluttered and overwhelming, especially if you’re new to VPNs. The dashboard is excellent for advanced users, as it features a range of useful menus and tools.

Netflix watchers: Those looking to access streaming content will appreciate NordVPN’s extensive selection of regional servers. 

Users who also want antivirus: Nord’s Threat Protection Pro has some limitations, but it’s one of the more affordable options out there, considering you also get Nord’s VPN bundled with it. 

Features and capabilities: ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol is known for its reliability and is backed by post-quantum encryption, making it suited for consistent video streaming. You can also take advantage of split tunneling if you want to watch local content while the rest of your traffic remains encrypted.  

Privacy and security: ExpressVPN is transparent about its data practices. The service does log some aggregate data about user data usage, but the company claims that none of this information can be tied back to user accounts. Biannual transparency reports reinforce this claim, as well as the 22 independent security audits that Express has undergone. 

Speed and performance: ExpressVPN decreased download speeds by 18.55%, upload speeds by 7.45%, and increased latency by 95.62%. These scores place it ahead of most services, making it a solid choice for data-intensive tasks like streaming or downloading videos. 

Streaming: Netflix access was seamless with ExpressVPN. We pitted it against five regional catalogs from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan. It performed well, giving us unrestricted access to every single one. 

User experience and ease of use: ExpressVPN boasts a sleek and intuitive interface. Its single-button connection screen makes it a breeze to get connected, and the settings menu features a range of advanced options for those who want to fine-tune their connection. 

Binge watchers: ExpressVPN is for those who want fast and reliable streaming. The VPN’s specialized Lightway protocol makes it an excellent option for streaming, gaming, and browsing. 

First-time VPN users: ExpressVPN’s intuitive interface makes it easy to use without prior knowledge. 

Features and capabilities: CyberGhost’s streaming-specific servers are meant specifically for accessing regional content from various streaming services. A vast network of over 11,500 servers in 100 countries makes CyberGhost an excellent choice for accessing country-specific content. It also achieved solid performance scores, making it a good choice for reliable video streaming. 

Privacy and security: CyberGhost’s service is backed by a comprehensive and easy-to-read privacy policy that clearly states that the company does not retain, sell, or trade user data. The VPN releases quarterly transparency reports and is regularly audited by privacy firms such as Deloitte. 

Speed and performance: CyberGhost performed well in our latest round of speed tests. We saw a 13.96% reduction in download speeds, a 4.46% decrease in upload speeds, and a 92.46% increase in latency. We found it to be plenty fast enough for quality video streaming.

Streaming: We pitted CyberGhost against five regional Netflix catalogs: The US, UK, Australia, Japan, and Canada. It was able to access each region’s specific content catalog without running into blocks or restrictions. 

User experience and ease of use: All of CyberGhost’s apps are organized and easy to use. You can quickly find the streaming servers on the left-hand sidebar. It’s always clear when you’re connected thanks to a large power button icon on the right side of the dashboard. Each server displays the current user load, allowing you to easily identify fast streaming servers in your area.

Task-specific users: CyberGhost is for users who want dedicated server options for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. The VPN’s advanced NoSpy servers make it an excellent choice for those who need uncompromising privacy.  

Mobile users: CyberGhost’s mobile apps are straightforward to use, offering full access to advanced features. It’s easy to take your content on the go, thanks to the seven simultaneous device connections supported. 

Features and capabilities: Surfshark’s network boasts good global coverage, with a presence in 100 countries, making it a suitable choice for accessing regional content. Advanced connection options, such as multi-hop and post-quantum encryption, enable you to tailor your security preferences with ease. Surfshark aims to be a one-app security solution and comes bundled with an antivirus, ad blocker, and additional identity protection tools.

Privacy and security: Privacy policies can be confusing and dense. Surfshark takes a more comprehensive approach, offering an in-depth yet digestible policy that explains how the company handles data. The service has verified these claims with frequent third-party audits and quarterly transparency reports.

Speed and performance: Surfshark’s performance was impressive. We only saw a 3.25% decrease in download speeds, a 6.07% decrease in upload speeds, and an increase in latency of 83.92%.

Streaming: Netflix access was no problem for Surfshark. It accessed every regional catalog we tested without running into blocks. We did not experience stuttering or slow load times even when connected to distant locations.

User experience and ease of use: The user experience is consistent across all applications. Each version of Surfshark features a sleek design with clearly described features. It’s easy to pick up and use as a new user, and it has enough depth for more experienced users to tinker with.

Users who prioritize speed: Surfshark is a solid choice for those looking to watch their favorite shows from anywhere without compromising on security. The VPN was one of the fastest we have tested, and it easily unblocked regional Netflix catalogs. 

Users who want a single-app solution: The biggest selling point for Surfshark is its ecosystem of privacy tools. It’s a good choice for those who may not want a handful of subscriptions to different services. With Surfshark, you can configure an array of tools all from a single control hub under one account.