5 Best VPNs of 2024: How to Stream Your Favorite TV Shows and Movies from Anywhere

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Thanks to VPNit becomes easier than ever to securely stream your favorite TV series, movies and other programs from anywhere around the world.

What is a VPN? Think of it as a digital cloak that lets you stream everything from must-watch TV shows to movies and sporting events, whenever and wherever you want.

Traveling abroad; VPN will keep you connected while you're away. But they're not just for streaming your favorite shows internationally and accessing websites that might not be accessible outside the US. You can use a VPN at home or at work to keep your personal information safe, as most VPNs offer private streaming and malware protection to keep your devices safe from viruses, hackers, phishing and other digital scams.

To get technical, a VPN or “virtual private network” encrypts your connection to hide your IP address, which allows you to stream from almost anywhere around the world. Although some platforms restrict the use of VPNs, you can access VPNs on some streaming platforms such as DirecTV, Peacock, Philo, and Max.

Most VPN services have monthly and yearly plans, but if you're not that familiar with the process, you might not want to lock yourself into an extended plan just yet. It's best to start with a monthly package or free trial where available (some VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.)

To help you get started, we've put together a list of the five best VPNs for streaming, browsing, gaming, and more that are compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, FireTV, Chrome, Firefox, and other platforms.

See below for a brief summary of programs, pricing and other details you need to know.

NordVPN

NordVPN is our favorite because of its convenience, ease of use, and speed. It works across multiple streaming platforms, allowing you to stay connected to your favorite shows no matter how far you travel. It's incredibly user-friendly, with easy access to up to 10 devices.

NordVPN has a strong connection to multiple servers in 111 countries around the world, but you'll get a notification to choose a new server if your current one is offline or unavailable. Other features include malware protection, data breach scanners, and ad blocking and tracking, which prevents websites from tracking your online activity.

And right now, you can sign up for up to 71% off, plus three months free.

ExpressVPN

With servers in over 150 countries, the ability to connect up to eight devices at once, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN services on the web (just Google “VPN” and see what comes up first).

ExpressVPN offers one of the best options for fast international streaming (there's a reason it's called an “express” VPN) along with encrypted files, secure browsing, and extra protection to keep your personal information safe. You can sign up for ExpressVPN for $6.67/month (49% off) for the first three months.

Surfshark

For a budget option, consider Surfshark. It's a decent, budget-friendly VPN, according to TikTok Reviews.

VPN protects your personal information: search history, passwords and IP address. And you won't have to worry about pop-ups, cookies and ads. There is also anti-virus protection that prevents access to your device's camera.

Private internet access

As the most “transparent” VPN option among its competitors, Private Internet Access offers fast streaming, advanced split tunneling that lets you customize settings for different apps and websites, and a “Kill Switch” to keep your data safe from leaks if the connection drops.

Like many of the other options on the list, PIA has ad blocking, 24/7 customer support, and monthly, annual, and three-year plans, with the latter being the cheapest at $2.19 for three years and three months. Monthly plans are $11.99 and the annual plan is $3.33/month (billed annually).

More Budget VPNs

Other budget VPN options include CyberGhost ($2.19 per month) and PureVPN for $3.46/month (regularly $19.95). There's also Pure VPN, which features a comprehensive, user-friendly dashboard, “cutting-edge encryption” for secure and private browsing, and a social media checker that scans your privacy settings.

Reviews are mixed on PureVPN, as multiple Reddit users noted lower speeds and lag. With that in mind, PureVPN offers monthly plans for $19.95 or $4.96 for the annual plan. The max plan is $3.46/month (reg. $19.95) for a two-year subscription, plus 83% off for four months.

For more streaming recommendations, check out our roundups of the best digital antennas for local channel access and the best internet for rural areas.