Watch your favorite shows without any slowdown.
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Do you need a VPN for streaming?
Yes, you do need a VPN for streaming. By encrypting your online traffic and routing it through a secure remote VPN server, a good VPN can protect your online communications from unwanted snoopers (including your internet service provider or ISP) — meaning you can enjoy streaming with improved security and privacy. VPNs also prevent your ISP from throttling your bandwidth based on traffic type.
Benefits of using a streaming VPN
Access home content while traveling
Use a VPN to stream your favorite movies, TV shows, and sports events from home securely and privately, no matter where you are.
Stream with no interruptions
A fast VPN connection on all streaming services with no limits on VPN bandwidth – the best experience you can get.
Stay secure at all times
Enjoy the content you want while your internet traffic is protected by next-generation encryption.
Stream live sports with NordVPN
Watch the game securely from anywhere, anytime
Watch the full match – not just the highlights. Whether it’s football or MMA, a VPN can help you safely enjoy live sports streaming without interruption.
Stream sports online with more privacy and security
Without a VPN, your data traffic is at risk on unsecured networks — including unsecured public Wi-Fi. NordVPN encrypts your online activity, so you can securely stream sports online in cafes, hotels, or the airport lounge.
Support your favorite team
Official sports streaming sites offer the best experience – and support the wider world of sport. Subscriptions and ad money feed into licenses, infrastructure, and sports coverage. With NordVPN, you can securely watch sports from official sources at an amazing speed.
Why do you experience throttling when streaming?
Repeated buffering and sudden speed drops are the main signs of bandwidth throttling, which is something ISPs do to slow down the internet connection of their users. Throttling can occur at any time and with any device (smartphone, tablet or personal computer), leading to you not getting the speeds you otherwise should.
Will a VPN stop buffering? It will help if it’s your ISP messing with your connection because of your online activity. But if the buffering is happening at specific hours or if the problem’s on the other end (e.g., the streaming service is overwhelmed), there’s not much you or any VPN can do.
4 situations when an ISP may throttle your bandwidth
Content prioritization
By making accessing certain streaming websites impossible, the ISP may be trying to encourage the adoption of alternative paid services that benefit them or their affiliate partners. A VPN would be helpful in this situation.
P2P and streaming websites
Your ISP may get suspicious if it sees that too much data is being uploaded or downloaded from a specific website. For example, your bandwidth may get throttled only when you’re watching movies and TV shows on your favorite streaming platform or using particular services. A VPN will help you avoid bandwidth throttling based on specific activity.
Heavy rush hours
If your internet speed tends to slow to a crawl in the evening, it’s probably because your ISP is trying to avoid traffic jams during internet peak times. A VPN does not prevent bandwidth throttling in this case.
Bandwidth caps
A snail-speed connection may be a sign that you have exceeded your monthly bandwidth limit. In other words, your ISP is trying to encourage you to upgrade your plan. Unfortunately, a VPN won’t help in this situation.
Stream at full speed
You don’t need to fear VPN bandwidth limits or slowdowns with the NordVPN online service. With our wide server network, robust architecture, and revolutionary NordLynx protocol, you get the fastest VPN connection and, therefore, the best safe online streaming experience on the planet.
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Here’s why NordVPN is the best streaming VPN
Optimized for speed
With 6484 VPN servers to distribute traffic loads and our lightning-fast NordLynx protocol, you can safely and seamlessly stream content from home while traveling. With 111 countries to choose from (including the US, UK, and Canada), you’re sure to find a server nearby.
SmartPlay feature
The advanced SmartPlay technology is implemented by default in all NordVPN apps. Enjoy secure access to your favorite streaming sites and services with no extra steps.
No throttling
Other streaming VPNs might place monthly caps on VPN bandwidth, allowing you to upload and download only a limited amount of data. We don’t do that. Enjoy as much online content as you want.
Multiple connections
You can secure up to ten devices with one account simultaneously, so you don’t need to choose between using a VPN to watch some videos on your phone or organizing a movie night at home — you can safely do both.
How to access your favorite content securely with VPN
01
Download
Pick your VPN plan and download the NordVPN app to your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
02
Connect
Choose a VPN server or hit the “Quick Connect” button and let our smart algorithm do it for you.
03
Enjoy
Enjoy secure streaming. Just make sure you have a streaming service subscription if required.
Ready to stream at full speed?
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30-day money-back guarantee
Please note that the NordVPN service should never be used to bypass copyright regulations. NordVPN does not promote, condone, or endorse the use of the service for such purposes. For more details, please read the NordVPN terms of service.
FAQ
Is it legal to use a VPN for streaming?
Streaming your favorite shows with a VPN on is entirely legal as long as you have a valid subscription for that streaming service.
Is a VPN good for streaming?
A VPN is a perfect tool for streaming video content. It will secure your online traffic and even make you feel at home while traveling. With a VPN, you can securely access your favorite TV shows and movies as if you’ve never left. However, free VPN providers may impose monthly VPN bandwidth limits, making them a bad choice for secure streaming.
Fortunately, NordVPN has no VPN bandwidth limits, making it one of the best streaming VPNs. It’s also available on many popular smart TVs, so get a VPN for Apple TV or a VPN for Android TV to safely enjoy movie nights with your friends and family.
Are free streaming sites safe?
The sites that offer content for “free” often come with many risks — like malware, annoying ads, and malicious pop-ups. Most free streams are also only available in low resolution and interrupt your experience every few minutes with potentially harmful advertising.
For a smooth and secure streaming experience, use official streaming sites and streaming platforms with a reliable VPN.
How do I set up a VPN for streaming?
Get a NordVPN subscription, download the app, log in, and click the “Quick Connect” button. That’s it! Now you can access streaming services with NordVPN securely, wherever you are. But if you run into any VPN-related issues, our customer support is always ready to help.
What is the best VPN for streaming?
When it comes to accessing online content, the faster your VPN is, the better. It follows that a VPN with a proven track record of offering some of the fastest VPN speeds and operating a vast global network of servers with modern VPN protocols would be the best VPN for streaming — like NordVPN.
A VPN can also protect you from DDoS attacks. Once you connect to a VPN, your real IP address is hidden behind the IP address of your VPN server — and without knowing your real IP, hackers will find it much harder to overwhelm your network and ruin your day.
