Best VPNs for streaming Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ in 2026

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online.

VPNs can conceal your online activities by routing traffic through an encrypted tunnel that connects to secure servers worldwide. The most reliable VPNs use the same encryption standards as governments in the United Kingdom and the United States, ensuring that even your Internet Service Provider (ISP) on Wi-Fi cannot record the websites you visit, the duration of your sessions on each site, or your current location. This protection extends to advertisers, trackers, and hackers, preventing them from monitoring your online behaviour.

Furthermore, personal information entered into online forms and sensitive data transmitted to and from your device will be safeguarded from hackers using strong encryption provided by a VPN.

Should you use a free VPN to stream?

Free VPNs can be an extremely appealing proposition, especially if you're new to these apps and want to test the waters before jumping into a multi-year subscription. However, we'd seriously recommend investing in a paid-for VPN service to stream video content from across the planet.

That's because, while free VPNs might sound appealing, if you're not paying with a monthly Direct Debit, you're likely paying for these services with your time or personal data. If not, these providers will impose a series of restrictions to incentivise you to switch to one of its paid plans.

The most immediate issue you're likely to face is data caps.

Free VPN services usually restrict you to about 10GB of data per month. Since streaming Netflix in High Definition consumes roughly 3GB per hour, a free plan effectively limits you to watching just three movies a month before cutting you off entirely. Streaming platforms like Disney+ and Netflix also aggressively block VPN IP addresses.

Free services tend not to have the budget to continuously refresh IP addresses, meaning you'll frequently encounter the dreaded ‘Proxy Detected’ error messages rather than your show. Even the legitimate free VPNs, such as Proton VPN, are not designed for streaming. Proton VPN offers unlimited data and great security, but tends to deliberately block streaming support on its free tier to encourage people to upgrade.

If you are trying to save money, a far more effective strategy is to utilise money-back guarantees offered by premium services. Top-tier providers like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark allow you to pay for a subscription and then request a full refund within 30 days.

Is it legal to use a VPN with streamers like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video?

Yes — in the UK, VPNs are legal, but that does not mean every streaming platform is happy about them. Netflix may flag VPN or proxy use and limit what you can watch, Prime Video tells users to deactivate VPN or proxy servers, and Disney+ says access via a VPN is not permitted under its subscriber agreement, so the real issue is usually platform rules and geo-restrictions rather than the VPN itself.

The best VPN for streaming

Looking for the best VPN for streaming? You are in the right place.

From Netflix and Disney+ to BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and live sports, the right VPN can unlock geo-restricted content, boost online privacy, and deliver fast, reliable, buffer-free streaming on everything from smartphones and smart TVs to laptops and Fire TV Stick devices. In this guide, we cut through the noise with expert picks for the fastest VPNs, best VPN apps, and top streaming VPNs for security, speed, and all-around value.

ExpressVPN

Do you regularly binge-watch a boxset or tune-in to live sports coverage on one of the biggest streamers or catch-up services, and want to access this vital app when away from the comfort of your own sofa?

ExpressVPN ensures you'll never go without your favourite shows.

This award-winning VPN remains one of the most reliable tools for unblocking global streaming content, consistently bypassing the increasingly sophisticated VPN detection used by major platforms hellbent on stopping users from using this security-focused software.

ExpressVPN is optimised to work with 90+ streaming services and provides access to over 20 unique Netflix libraries, including those in the US, UK, Canada, and Japan and successfully unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and HBO Max/Max.

For UK-specific services, it also works flawlessly with Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4 (née All 4).

For those who must watch live sports while on holiday, it is ideal for accessing regional sports broadcasts, such as NFL, NBA, and Premier League games, through platforms via ESPN on Disney+, Peacock, and DAZN.

Thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN has a minimal impact on internet speeds, which is more than sufficient for buffer-free 4K streaming. It also prevents activity-based throttling, where internet service providers intentionally slow down your connection when they detect high-bandwidth video streaming.

ExpressVPN also works on Linux, macOS, Windows 11, and Windows 10, and smartphones – perfect for any device you may have, including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV (tvOS), Android TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox, PS5 and many more.

Prices start at £1.99 per month, allowing you to secure up to 14 different gadgets. Users can tap into a massive infrastructure of 3,000+ servers spanning 105 nations so you can have your fill.

NordVPN

NordVPN is widely regarded as one of the top-performing VPN for streaming, largely due to its proprietary NordLynx protocol and SmartPlay technology. It currently unblocks every major global streaming platform, including Netflix – with explicit support for 15+ different regional libraries from around the globe, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and of course, HBO Max.

When it comes to speed, NordVPN helps maintain your internet speeds, which is critical for buffer-free 4K and Ultra HD streaming. Nord also has a vital tool called Meshnet, bypassing restrictions on platforms like Netflix. It works by routing your traffic through your home computer while you’re away, and for streaming services, you will appear to be streaming from your primary residence.

NordVPN also has some of the most comprehensive server lists to choose from, operating over 6,400 servers across 111 countries. NordVPN is also compatible with a large number of devices, including Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, PS5, Xbox and much more.

Surfshark

Surfshark is frequently cited as one of the best-value VPNs for streaming, particularly for households, due to its unique policy of unlimited simultaneous connections. Unlike other VPNs, Surfshark lets you connect to as many devices as you want for as little as £1.49 a month.

Surfshark currently unblocks a wide range of platforms across its global network of 4,500+ servers and reliably unblocks 30+ unique Netflix libraries, including major catalogues in the US, UK, Japan, Canada, and Australia.

For UK users, it is fully compatible with BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Sky Go, and Channel 4 and consistently bypasses geo-blocks for Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, and Paramount Plus.

It’s also great for more niche platforms and sports services like Hotstar, Crunchyroll, and DAZN.

Surfshark also has some smart tech built into it. Using its Nexus architecture, the IP Rotator feature regularly changes your IP address during a session without disconnecting, which helps evade VPN detection systems used by streaming sites.

Surfshark also solidly retains your internet speeds, not as good as Nord or ExpressVPN, but still great for streaming. Surfshark also prevents ISPs from detecting high-bandwidth streaming and intentionally slowing down your connection.

CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN is widely considered a top-tier choice for streaming due to its unique specialised server network.

Unlike other providers, where you might have to trial multiple servers to find one that isn't blocked, Cyberghost provides a dedicated ‘For Streaming’ tab that labels servers by the specific service they are optimised to unblock. Instead of just clicking a United Kingdom server and hoping Netflix works, you click a server that specialised for Netflix servers or other streaming services, taking the guesswork out if the IP address is blocked.

It has dedicated servers for over 35 different streaming services. This includes major platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and HBO Max. It is particularly effective for UK services, with dedicated streaming servers for BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4. These servers are monitored daily to ensure their IP addresses haven't been blacklisted by the broadcasters.

Cyberghost has upgraded much of its network to 10Gbps hardware, making sure you lose minimal internet speed while streaming for 4K and ultra-HD but tends to be slower than other rival VPN providers,

Cyberghost is also a great budget option like Surfshark with prices starting at £1.78 a month and compatible with a wide range of device including Windows, Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, PS5, Chrome, Firefox, Linux, Mac and more.

Why should you use a VPN for HBO Max and other services?

If you have always thought that a VPN is only for protecting your privacy, it has become more than that, allowing you to get cheaper products and software and more importantly, access the streaming services you want from anywhere in the world.

Most streaming services tend to block certain countries or stop you from accessing your account when you’re on holiday.

The good news is that a VPN helps mask your location and lets you watch all these streaming services without any issues whatsoever by choosing a UK location on your chosen VPN service.

That’s not all, because a VPN can also help at home as well. Many services tend to hide certain programmes or series depending on where you live across the world, allowing you to access shows that only those in certain countries can see.

If streaming is your friend, then a VPN is really a service you should consider picking up because it can make it worth your money.