The 5 Best VPNs for Streaming in 2026

Streaming services (Netflix, Prime Video, TF1+, M6+, and others) are now part of everyday life for many people. Whether you pay for them or use free tiers, they all share the same drawback: they come with geo-restrictions. In practice, that means the content catalogue (films, series, reality TV, and so on) changes depending on the country you’re in. In some situations, access to a platform can even be completely blocked when you travel abroad.

To get around these limits, many users rely on VPNs: these tools can, among other things, change your IP address and make it look like you’re connecting from another country. Done properly, it’s an excellent way to unlock restricted catalogues-provided you pick a VPN that’s genuinely built for streaming.

One key point matters here: VPNs are not all created equal. Some struggle to unblock major services such as Netflix, Prime Video or BBC iPlayer. Others are simply too slow, which ruins smooth viewing-especially in 4K. That’s why we put together this comparison of the 5 best VPNs for streaming in 2026, to help you choose with confidence.

Selection of the best VPNs for streaming in 2026:

1. NordVPN: the best VPN for streaming in 2026
2. Proton VPN: the biggest server network in this comparison
3. ExpressVPN: exceptional speeds, ideal for 4K streaming
4. CyberGhost: dedicated streaming servers, the cheapest on the podium
5. Surfshark: unlimited connections, unbeatable value for money

The 5 best VPNs for streaming

1) NordVPN

Pros

• High speeds suited to streaming
• Vast possibilities thanks to an enormous server network
• Streaming on 10 devices at the same time
• Apps available on all types of device
• Unbeatable quality-to-price ratio
• Customer support 24/7
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Promo code PRESSECITRON

Cons

• No telephone line to reach customer support

NordVPN stands out as the best VPN for streaming in 2026, with no fewer than 9.200 servers across 129 countries, a no-logs policy certified by Deloitte for the sixth consecutive time in February 2026, and some of the fastest speeds on the market-ideal for high-definition video. It’s easy to see why millions of people rely on it: the technical proposition is very solid.

Performance is one of NordVPN’s biggest strengths, largely thanks to its in-house NordLynx protocol. It’s built for speed with lightweight code, without compromising on security. In real use, it’s excellent for keeping a high level of privacy while streaming on Netflix and beyond. Buffering is essentially absent: playback starts quickly and runs smoothly. NordVPN also includes unlimited bandwidth-something that’s non-negotiable for a top-ranked streaming VPN.

Another practical detail sets it apart from some rivals: NordVPN can remain active for a while even when your device goes into standby. That means you don’t have to keep reconnecting the VPN each time you return to your streaming session. It’s particularly convenient on a Smart TV, or when resuming a film you paused earlier.

On the server side, NordVPN sets a very high bar with 9.200 servers in 129 countries. That’s a huge number of regions you can connect through to unlock streaming content. Since March 2026, the iOS and Android apps have included an interactive map that lets you choose a country with a single tap, making server selection even faster on phones and tablets. The macOS interface, meanwhile, was redesigned in April 2026.

Our readers can use the exclusive promo code PRESSECITRON to get NordVPN at the lowest price on the market: 3,37 €/month for 28 months, a rate you won’t find elsewhere (on the official site, NordVPN lists 3,49 €/month for 24 months).

2) Proton VPN

Pros

• The largest network in this comparison: 20.332 servers in 148 countries
• 191 locations, offering the widest geographic coverage
• Unlimited bandwidth on the paid plan
• 10 simultaneous connections
• Fully open-source code
• A free plan is available to try the service
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• No servers specifically dedicated to streaming
• Customer support by email only

In a streaming-focused ranking, second place largely comes down to one hard metric: sheer server capacity. On that front, nothing beats Proton VPN, which operates 20.332 servers spread across 148 countries and 191 locations. It’s the biggest network in this comparison, well ahead of NordVPN’s 9.200 servers.

Why does that matter so much when dealing with Netflix or Prime Video? Because the battle between platforms and VPNs is fought through IP addresses. Streaming providers constantly blacklist IP ranges they’ve identified as belonging to VPN infrastructure. The larger and more frequently refreshed the network is, the more “new” IPs remain available-and the better your odds of landing on a server that still works.

There’s a second advantage that’s less obvious, but just as important: Proton VPN is the only major player whose source code is fully open. Security researchers can review its apps line by line, across every platform. Where most of the market asks you to trust them, Proton enables verification. Its no-logs audits, signed by Mozilla and Securitum, reinforce that positioning.

For pricing, the VPN Plus plan comes in at 2,99 €/month over 2 years, with 10 simultaneous connections, unlimited bandwidth, and a 30-day refund guarantee. A free version is still available, but it’s restricted to 10 countries, one device, and throttled speeds-more of a showcase than a real streaming solution. The broader ecosystem has also kept expanding, with Proton Meet and Proton Workspace launched in April 2026, followed by Lumo 2.0 at the end of June 2026-a major update to the brand’s private AI assistant, which remains a standalone product independent of the VPN subscription.

3) ExpressVPN

Pros

• Extremely high speeds
• Effective across many platforms
• Easy-to-use app
• 105 countries available
• From 10 to 14 simultaneous connections depending on the plan
• Official FIFA partner for the 2026 World Cup
• Free trial for 30 days

Cons

• Relatively expensive

ExpressVPN is among the best VPNs for streaming in 2026 and takes its place on the podium. Beyond being one of the fastest VPNs available, it reliably gets around blocks on some of the strictest streaming platforms. Its proprietary Lightway protocol, written in Rust, delivers stable connections-even when streaming in 4K. The app’s design was refreshed in early 2026, making it even more straightforward to use.

With 3.000 servers across 105 countries, it unlocks an impressive amount of video content and significantly improves your streaming experience. ExpressVPN also earns its streaming reputation because it runs on a wide range of devices: computers, tablets, smartphones, Android Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and even certain compatible routers. Anyone who streams primarily on a connected TV or media box will appreciate that flexibility.

Reliability is another strong point. Few things are more frustrating than a connection dropping every 10 minutes in the middle of a film. With ExpressVPN, disconnects are uncommon. And when they do occur, the service reconnects within seconds, avoiding prolonged interruptions. It’s also worth noting that ExpressVPN became an official FIFA partner for the 2026 World Cup-an unsurprising match for a use case that’s in high demand: watching sports broadcasts from abroad.

A single subscription covers 10 to 14 devices at the same time, depending on the plan you pick, making it easy to share with family members. The Pro plan also includes ExpressAI, a private AI assistant that provides access to multiple models including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, with 500 credits per day. The Advanced and Pro plans add ExpressKeys (a password manager) and ExpressMailGuard (unlimited email aliases). In every case, you get an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee, starting at 2,29 €/month over 28 months.

4) CyberGhost

Pros

• Streaming-dedicated servers
• High speeds
• Very competitive pricing for a premium service
• Strong multi-platform app
• Money-back guarantee up to 45 days

Cons

• 7 simultaneous connections per account

CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs for streaming in 2026, thanks in particular to servers tailored to specific platforms. With more than 12.000 servers in 100 countries and 126 locations, it remains a top option for anyone looking for a fast, stable VPN with a hard-to-beat value proposition.

Its apps include streaming-specific servers: you can pick a server that’s already optimised to unblock the platform you want. This is genuinely useful because it saves time. On the biggest streaming services, anti-VPN measures can be tough. With CyberGhost’s dedicated servers, you’re very likely to bypass them successfully.

The provider’s excellent speeds also justify its place in this ranking, whether you’re streaming films and series or watching French TV channels while abroad. CyberGhost protects up to 7 devices simultaneously and includes a 45-day refund guarantee with no conditions-the longest in the entire market.

On price, CyberGhost is still one of the most affordable options in our premium selection. Its long-term subscription works out at 1,59 €/month over 26 months, making it a standout choice if you want a reliable streaming VPN without spending too much. To make sure you get the best rate, see our dedicated article on CyberGhost promo codes.

5) Surfshark

Pros

• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• 100 countries available
• No bandwidth limit
• Static IP included at no extra cost
• New Dausos protocol, up to 30% faster speeds
• Highly competitive pricing

Cons

• Speeds slightly behind the premium benchmarks
• Stability can sometimes be inconsistent

Surfshark rounds off this comparison of the best VPNs for streaming. Founded in 2018, it celebrated its 8th anniversary in April 2026 and has become a well-established name in the market. With 4.500 servers in 100 countries, the company has found the right formula: a simple app, a broad network, and very strong performance when it comes to unblocking streaming platforms.

In terms of raw speed, Surfshark still sits a little behind the podium leaders, but it keeps improving. In April 2026, it introduced Dausos-its first proprietary protocol-released as a Beta on macOS. Built on AEGIS-256X2 encryption designed to resist post-quantum threats, it claims up to 30% extra speed compared with standard protocols, directly improving 4K comfort. The technical component has been independently audited by Cure53.

Surfshark’s biggest advantage, however, is pricing. Starting at 1,99 €/month over 27 months (24 months + 3 months free), it’s the cheapest VPN in our selection. It’s a great fit for users who don’t need the absolute top-end premium experience.

And the value goes even further thanks to unlimited simultaneous connections. You can run it on your computer, tablet, smartphone and Smart TV-and share your subscription with anyone you like. That’s a rare feature in the premium segment, and something neither NordVPN nor ExpressVPN offers. Surfshark also includes a static IP at no added cost (where many competitors charge extra), plus the CleanWeb ad blocker, which noticeably improves streaming by removing intrusive adverts on certain free services.

Comparison table of the best VPNs for streaming

VPN	Servers	Countries	Connections	Price/month	Guarantee	Streaming advantage
NordVPN	9.200	129	10	3,37 € (28 months)	30 days	NordLynx speeds and reliable unblocking across all platforms
Proton VPN	20.332	148	10	2,99 € (2 years)	30 days	The largest pool of IP addresses on the market
ExpressVPN	3.000	105	10 to 14	2,29 € (28 months)	30 days	Lightway protocol, 4K stability
CyberGhost	12.000+	100	7	1,59 € (26 months)	45 days	Platform-specific dedicated servers
Surfshark	4.500	100	Unlimited	1,99 € (27 months)	30 days	Streaming on an unlimited number of screens

How to choose a VPN for streaming

Now that you’ve seen our selection of the best VPNs for streaming in 2026, here are the key criteria we used to build this ranking. Picking a strong streaming VPN isn’t about installing the first app you come across-several technical factors will shape how smooth your viewing really is.

1. Connection speed

Unsurprisingly, speed comes first. A slow VPN leads to long loading times, interruptions, and that spinning icon in the middle of the screen when a video can’t keep up. To avoid that, you need a VPN that can sustain excellent throughput, including when you’re streaming in 4K. Every service in our selection offers sufficient speed to keep playback smooth.

2. Connection stability

Speed alone isn’t enough: a good VPN must also be stable. Some providers can post strong speed results but still suffer frequent drop-outs. A dependable VPN, like NordVPN, can hold a connection for hours without instability. That kind of consistent performance is what separates premium services from unreliable offers.

3. Ability to unblock platforms

The best VPN for streaming must get around the geo-restrictions enforced by major services (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, etc.). NordVPN, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN are among the most widely used VPNs on Netflix. No VPN can unblock 100% of platforms in 100% of countries at all times, but the best providers deliver reliable access to popular services, thanks to obfuscated servers and constant IP rotation.

4. Unlimited bandwidth

It’s crucial that your chosen VPN doesn’t impose a bandwidth cap. High-resolution streaming (UHD, 4K) can burn through tens of gigabytes very quickly. If your VPN limits you to 2 GB or 10 GB per month, you’ll hit a wall fast. All VPNs in our comparison include unlimited bandwidth on their paid plans.

5. A large, well-placed server network

The more servers a VPN operates across a wide range of countries, the more options you have to access different catalogues. Proton VPN, for instance, provides 20.332 servers in 148 countries, while NordVPN offers 9.200 servers in 129 countries-opening the door to a broad range of localised content. But country count alone isn’t enough: servers must also be tuned for streaming, and the provider needs specific technology to bypass restrictions.

The VPN doesn’t work on a streaming service: what should you do?

Many streaming services actively try to detect and expose users who rely on VPNs to get around geo-blocking. Platforms typically block IP addresses linked to VPN servers and show an error message as soon as VPN usage is detected.

If your VPN isn’t working properly, these steps often help:

• Connect to a different VPN server
• Clear your browser cache and cookies, then relaunch the streaming service
• Try a different browser to access the platform
• Turn off GPS and location services on your device

In most cases, one of the first three options is enough to fix the issue. It’s also worth contacting your VPN provider’s support team: agents can point you to the best servers for a particular service, or advise switching protocol (WireGuard instead of OpenVPN, for example).

Also bear in mind that streaming platforms regularly update their VPN detection methods. A server that worked perfectly last week may be blocked today. That’s why it’s important to choose a provider that refreshes its IP addresses frequently and operates a large server fleet. This is exactly why NordVPN, with 9.200 servers, and Proton VPN, with 20.332 machines, tend to be more reliable over time.

2026 conclusion: which one should you choose?

Today, a subscription to a streaming platform (Netflix, for example) usually only gives you access to the film and series catalogue of the country where you physically are. But when you use a VPN intelligently, you can unlock the United States, United Kingdom, Canada or Japan catalogues on the very same platform, with your existing subscription. For the same cost, you can end up with two, three, or four times more content.

In that game, NordVPN comes out on top for three reasons: 1) it’s fully anonymous and secure, 2) it unblocks all well-known streaming platforms without being detected, and 3) it delivers fast speeds so films and series play in HD without any loading. It earns its place as the global VPN leader and remains extremely easy to use. Our readers get an exclusive rate of 3,37 €/month over 28 months with the code PRESSECITRON, a preferential offer NordVPN reserves for our audience.

If your main priority is the largest network possible-with the biggest reserve of IP addresses to stay ahead of platform blocks-then Proton VPN and its 20.332 servers is the most credible alternative.