Proton VPN
If you need a VPN that’s free and nonetheless capable of stream the US Netflix library, then Proton VPN is the perfect selection. Proton VPN is at the moment the one free VPN the CNET recommends, as a result of it’s safe, secure to make use of and doesn’t put any limits on pace or utilization. Technically, Proton VPN’s free servers aren’t optimized for streaming, however we nonetheless achieved adequate speeds and had been capable of easily stream Netflix content material by way of the VPN’s free US servers.
With Proton VPN’s premium service, which incorporates servers in 112 nations (versus 5 with the free plan), we had been capable of entry content material from a number of Netflix regional libraries in addition to content material on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus. The one hiccup we bumped into was that we had been unable to stream Disney Plus on MacOS by way of Proton’s US servers, though it labored advantageous on different platforms. Proton VPN’s paid subscriptions price $10 per thirty days, $60 for the primary 12 months (then $80 yearly) or $108 whole for the primary two years (then $80 per 12 months).
Learn our Proton VPN evaluation.
Non-public Web Entry
The wallet-friendly Non-public Web Entry, or PIA, is an open-source VPN supplier with a powerful concentrate on privateness. PIA prices simply $12 month-to-month, $40 yearly or $79 each three years. In contrast to many different VPN suppliers, PIA does not have value hikes, so your plan ought to renew on the similar value as your unique buy. Though PIA labored nicely sufficient for Netflix and Disney Plus, it struggled with Amazon Prime Video. PIA has apps for almost each platform, together with Home windows, MacOS, Linux (with a GUI), net browsers, iOS/iPadOS, Android/Android TV and Apple TV.
Regardless of its affordability in contrast with many VPN rivals, PIA is hard to advocate for streaming due to its middle-of-the-road pace efficiency. In our testing, we clocked an underwhelming 49% common web obtain pace loss. People with quick (50Mbps or extra) web speeds ought to be advantageous, however slower or extra unreliable web connections like satellite tv for pc web may not work as nicely. (For reference, Netflix recommends a minimal 15Mbps obtain pace for a single 4K UHD video stream.) In the end, PIA is a unbelievable VPN with robust privateness options, however its streaming shortcomings restrict its attraction for VPN customers who wish to unblock a wide array of streaming content material.
Learn our PIA evaluation.
IPVanish
IPVanish is a good VPN for streaming if you happen to’re new to VPNs and need a resolution that’s easy to make use of and can assist you watch content material on numerous streaming platforms. Throughout our testing, we had been capable of entry Netflix libraries from a handful of areas, together with content material on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus. Though some VPNs could wrestle to ship throughout platforms, we had been capable of entry every of the streaming providers we examined on every of the gadgets we examined them on with IPVanish. The principle space the place IPVanish struggles is its pace. The inconsistency of IPVanish’s speeds — we clocked a excessive 44% common web pace loss in our 2024 assessments — could put a damper in your streaming expertise, particularly whereas watching 4K ultra-high-definition movies.
With IPVanish, you’ll have entry to servers in 56 nations, which is sort of a bit lower than different choices like NordVPN (111 nations), ExpressVPN (105 nations), Surfshark (100 nations), Proton VPN (100 nations) and PIA (91 nations), so if you happen to’re trying to stream content material from a selected area, you’ll wish to examine IPVanish’s server web page to make sure the supplier has servers in these places earlier than buying a subscription. A month-to-month subscription to IPVanish prices $13 per thirty days, which is on par with many different VPNs, however its annual plan begins off cheaper than each NordVPN and ExpressVPN at $33 for the primary 12 months. IPVanish gives a two-year plan that prices $52 for the primary two years mixed. However beware that the one-year and two-year plan costs soar dramatically to $90 after the preliminary one- or two-year time period. Contemplating its sluggish web speeds, small server community and mid-pack costs, IPVanish is not ideally suited for streaming fans.
Learn our IPVanish evaluation.
Mullvad
Mullvad is a wonderful selection for privacy-conscious VPN customers. It is also one of many quickest VPNs we have examined, with a formidable total 13% pace loss. Nevertheless, although it labored nicely with Netflix, Disney Plus and Hulu, it struggled with streaming Amazon Prime Video throughout our assessments and does not provide full, native assist for good TVs or streaming gadgets like Amazon Hearth TV Stick or Apple TV. That, together with its comparatively small community of servers in simply 44 nations makes Mullvad a tricky promote for people wanting to make use of the VPN for streaming functions.
Mullvad requires zero private info to enroll — not even an e-mail handle — and prices a flat payment of $5 a month whether or not you employ it for a month, a 12 months or 5 years. You may pay for and add as many months to your account as you need, however Mullvad does not have recurring subscriptions of any type as a result of it strives to gather as little information as doable. When you’re not happy with the service, then you may request a refund throughout the first 30 days of buy.
Learn our Mullvad evaluation
