YouTube contented is mostly free, truthful why usage a virtual backstage network (VPN)? It is simply a useful instrumentality erstwhile exploring contented not offered successful your area -- for illustration documentaries exclusive to nan US, aliases anime bid releasing successful Japan. VPNs person besides been utilized to artifact YouTube ads (with small success) aliases to get YouTube Premium for inexpensive successful immoderate countries, though this workaround is not permitted by Google.
While YouTube hasn't explicitly banned VPNs, it's clear nan institution doesn't for illustration them. Many users whitethorn study experiencing a "VPN/proxy detected" error, aliases they scope a constituent wherever contented is endlessly loading. You whitethorn brushwood this artifact whether you usage a paid aliases a bully free VPN.
Also: The champion VPNs we've tested this year
What is nan champion VPN for YouTube correct now?
Based connected our testing, NordVPN is nan astir effective VPN for unblocking YouTube correct now. It passed respective benchmarks we group for YouTube streaming, including reliability, performance, and ad-minimization experience. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it tin do a batch much compared to alternatives. The cheapest subscription starts from astir $3.39 a month.
Our VPN testing and information criteria are streamlined to guarantee nan results are arsenic nonsubjective arsenic possible. We regularly reappraisal these choices to corroborate they still activity arsenic intended, truthful you tin remainder assured of nan value (plus, each these providers connection money-back guarantees).
The champion YouTube VPNs of 2025
NordVPN is our top VPN service because it appeals to users pinch different preferences.
Why we for illustration it: Three superior reasons make NordVPN a amended action for YouTube complete our second-best choice, ExpressVPN. Beyond conscionable being a reliable premium service, nan web dispersed successful 126 countries offers somewhat much server locations to entree YouTube than nan competition. Coverage isn't conscionable constricted to nan Americas and Europe but, impressively, besides includes continents astir providers awkward distant from, for illustration nan Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Africa.
In my tests, I was capable to entree US and German YouTube contented while connected to nan VPN. Speeds were accelerated and stable, and I could moreover upscale from HD to 4K value without getting immoderate lag.
Users besides find NordVPN's Threat Protection beneficial for browsing and streaming media content. It isn't precisely nan solution to YouTube ads, but it tin beryllium effective if utilized jointly pinch free, dedicated browser advertisement blockers (with nan accelerated run against advertisement blockers, it's improbable that conscionable 1 solution will trim it).
Review: NordVPN
Who it's for: NordVPN is simply a awesome action for world YouTube streaming, aliases moreover if you want to way connections successful locations that get less aliases nary ads, for illustration nan Bahamas, Albania, Laos, Monaco, and truthful forth. But it's not constricted successful this sense. Even velocity and information enthusiasts will find nan work useful.
Who should look elsewhere: The app is packed pinch galore features moving successful nan background, and arsenic such, it isn't perfect for prolonged streaming connected mobile devices without an contiguous artillery charging source. Also, nan subscription renewal costs are comparatively high. Introductory prices commencement from conscionable $84 for 2 years ($3.39/month).
Check out ZDNET's champion database guidelines if you request much help.
NordVPN features: Countries: 126 | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, and routers | Kill switch: Yes | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android | Trust Pilot rating: 4.2 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.7
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ExpressVPN already has a coagulated estimation and a proven way grounds pinch online streamers and gamers.
Why we for illustration it: Just for illustration YouTube is elemental and tin beryllium utilized by a five-year-old, ExpressVPN has besides made its apps sleek and effortless for beginners. You tin instal a autochthonal app connected each awesome streaming devices, including Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick. Once you're signed in, it's beautiful straightforward to find nan YouTube location of your choice.
If you person a instrumentality that doesn't support nonstop VPN installation, for illustration Samsung and LG TVs aliases consoles, ExpressVPN offers a smart DNS configuration action called MediaStreamer. It allows you to unblock YouTube contented successful nan US and a fewer different prime locations, though it won't supply protection for illustration a VPN.
From my experience, ExpressVPN has been 1 of those apps that doesn't get easy blocked by awesome streaming platforms, including YouTube US and YouTube TV. The full server web crossed 105 countries uses obfuscation exertion to flight discovery by firewalls restricting VPN usage. ExpressVPN besides keeps its IP reside excavation cleanable by renewing them regularly, removing shared IPs that mightiness person been blocked aliases banned for violating YouTube policies.
Review: ExpressVPN
Who it's for: ExpressVPN is convenient for personification reasonably caller to utilizing VPNs who wants a premium work that useful without awesome hitches. The supplier besides offers a unsocial dedicated router app if you want to do a family VPN setup and unafraid each instrumentality connected nan location network.
Who should look elsewhere: Prices tin beryllium off-putting. The Basic scheme (stripped of immoderate basal features) costs $3.99/month for 28 months, while Pro and Advanced subscriptions costs $4.99 and $7.99 per period for nan aforesaid period. One-month plans spell arsenic precocious arsenic $20 (you whitethorn spot different rates depending connected nan region).
ExpressVPN features: Countries: 105 | Simultaneous connections: varies from 10 | Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, and routers | Kill switch: Yes | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android and iOS | Trust Pilot rating: 4.1 | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.7
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Surfshark has precocious location-spoofing features, for illustration GPS override connected Android, to wholly hide your whereabouts from apps search your location.
Why we for illustration it: Surfshark offers blase devices for illustration Camouflage and NoBorders modes to bypass YouTube blocks connected restrictive hotspots, ensuring you tin entree contented erstwhile and wherever you want it. It's a awesome action for net censorship, for example, if your schoolhouse aliases agency web doesn't licence entree to domains for illustration YouTube, aliases if you're walking to places for illustration China, wherever galore VPNs are blocked.
Alongside move IP addresses, Surfshark besides offers fixed IP addresses. If you prime 1 of these, it remains nan aforesaid IP reside each clip you connect. Google often gets suspicious if nan aforesaid instrumentality keeps showing different IPs, which is why you whitethorn brushwood CAPTCHAs aliases your YouTube relationship whitethorn get flagged.
Another large triumph is that connections aren't limited. One Surfshark subscription is each it takes to screen each devices successful your home. Everyone tin instal nan app and entree their favourite YouTube room from their ain devices.
Review: Surfshark
Who it's for: Surfshark is perfect if you often recreation for activity aliases picnic and want an adaptable VPN for different networks wherever you mightiness effort to entree YouTube from. It's besides a awesome bargain for semipermanent use, pinch 27-month plans starting from arsenic debased arsenic $1.99 per month.
Who should look elsewhere: Fluctuations successful server connections tin beryllium an issue. You whitethorn request somewhat faster net speeds for high-quality YouTube streaming connected larger TV screens. Something for illustration 50 Mbps is accelerated capable to antagonistic nan overhead caused by nan VPN.
Surfshark features: Countries: 100 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, and routers | Kill switch: Yes | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days | Trust Pilot rating: 4.5 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.7
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Private Internet Access (PIA) is highly focused connected nan North American market, pinch features tailored for streaming successful nan region.
Why we for illustration it: The server sum successful each 50 US states is dissimilar immoderate different VPN. It makes PIA a favourite for US-restricted contented aliases YouTube TV channels extracurricular your authorities of residence (think of those moments you can't watch a unrecorded crippled owed to MLB, NBA, aliases NFL crippled blackouts). There are besides specialized streaming servers, though it didn't make immoderate quality whether I utilized these aliases nan regular ones for YouTube.
I liked PIA's elastic settings a batch amended for YouTube streaming -- nan default AES 128-bit encryption, for instance, was noticeably faster because it's lighter than AES 256-bit. It besides helps to conserve complaint if you're watching YouTube connected a phone, tablet, aliases laptop.
Review: Private Internet Access
Who it's for: PIA is US-centric and besides offers a awesome worth proposal, pinch a rich | group of features astatine affordable rates. Similar to Surfshark, PIA supports unlimited connections and costs $79 ($2.03/month) for 3 years.
Who should look elsewhere: While PIA doesn't support logs, its location successful nan US is simply a debased rustle for privacy. The supplier is taxable to nan country's retention laws and tin beryllium asked to manus complete users' data. Also, nan app lacks obfuscation features, though it still useful pinch YouTube.
Private Internet Access features: Countries: 91 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Apple TV, and routers | Kill switch: Yes | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android and iOS | Trust Pilot rating: 4.3 | Google Play rating: 4.5 | App Store rating: 4.7
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CyberGhost is 1 of nan astir sought-after VPNs successful nan world of streaming, acknowledgment to its vast, optimized server fleet.
Why we for illustration it: CyberGhost offers dedicated servers for YouTube TV, positive dozens of different streaming services. On nan app, you tin spell to nan "For streaming" conception and spot nan afloat database of supported platforms. The developers support these servers up to day pinch manufacture geo-blocking standards, meaning you tin entree YouTube TV year-round without interruptions.
It doesn't make a quality if you're utilizing nan VPN app connected a telephone aliases smart TV; YouTube TV servers are findable successful a matter of clicks. CyberGhost maintains nan aforesaid cleanable and intuitive interface everywhere, making it different elemental app for beginners. The two-year scheme costs $2.19/month and has a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is 1 of nan longest refund periods.
Review: CyberGhost
Who it's for: YouTube TV, arsenic a paid contented service, would activity overmuch amended pinch a premium VPN app that's besides optimized for nan site. CyberGhost is simply a set-it-and-forget-it solution for YouTube TV. It besides offers a free proceedings connected iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, truthful you person nary excuse not to effort it for yourself.
Who should look elsewhere: CyberGhost only allows a maximum of 7 connections astatine a time, which tin beryllium limiting for users pinch galore devices. Also, nan divided tunneling is only connected Android, meaning you can't take VPN tunneling for circumstantial apps connected devices specified arsenic an iPhone aliases MacBook.
CyberGhost features: Countries: 100 | Simultaneous connections: Seven | Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Fire TV, and routers | Kill switch: Yes | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: PC and Mobile | Trust Pilot rating: 4.0 | Google Play rating: 4.2 | App Store rating: 4.2
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NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | CyberGhost | |
YouTube unblocking | Works consistently | Works consistently | Reliable | Reliable | Reliable for YouTubeTV |
Server network | 126 countries | 105 countries | 100 countries | 91 countries | 100 countries |
Highlight streaming features | Faster speeds, obfuscated servers, SmartPlay, extended world network, Threat Protection (ad blocker) | Automatic obfuscation, MediaStreamer (smart DNS), router app, Threat Manager (ad blocker) | Camouflage/NoBorders modes, fixed IPs, unlimited connections, Cleanweb (ad blocker) | Data compression for faster speeds, servers successful 50 US states, dedicated IP option, MACE (ad blocker) | Optimized YouTube TV servers, intuitive app interface, free trial, Content Blocker (ad blocker) |
IP/DNS leak protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Simultaneous connections | Ten | Varies (from 10) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Seven |
Compatible platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, Amazon Fire TV/Stick, Apple TV (tvOS), Android TV, consoles | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, routers, browser extensions, Fire TV/Stick, Apple TV, Android TV, consoles | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, Apple/Android smart TVs, consoles, and more | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, smart TVs, and more | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, smart TVs, and more |
Budget plan | $3.39/month for 2 years | $3.99/4.99 per period for 2 years (depends connected nan region) | $1.99/month for 2 years | $2.03/month for 3 years | $2.19/month for 2 years |
Jurisdiction | Panama | British Virgin Islands | Netherlands | United States | Romania |
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Choose this YouTube VPN | If you want… |
NordVPN | Strong world server beingness for unblocking world YouTube contented easily, coupled pinch fantabulous connections for streaming successful HD and higher resolutions. |
ExpressVPN | No-nonsense premium VPN for YouTube that useful connected almost each device. Beginners would admit nan optimal capacity and minimal effort needed to group up and support this app. |
Surfshark | Bypass YouTube and VPN blocks connected restricted networks for illustration nan office, campus, aliases moreover countries wherever these apps are facing challenges. Also, affordable extended plans pinch unlimited instrumentality connections. |
Private Internet Access | The champion server web for YouTube successful nan US, precocious settings to customize online security, and unlimited connections. |
CyberGhost | A well-maintained and optimized app for YouTube and YouTube TV streaming. Also has free tests and 1 of nan longest money-back guarantees. |
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What's your main intent for utilizing a VPN? Answering that mobility should guideline you to nan correct features to look for successful a YouTube VPN. Here are immoderate important things that you mightiness want to see first.
Server network: If unblocking YouTube successful different region is your superior concern, past guarantee nan chosen VPN app has servers successful that circumstantial location. Places for illustration India and China person monolithic untapped contented and YouTube viewership if (for example) you want to grow your reach, but galore VPNs debar them.
Reliability pinch YouTube: Do not beryllium convinced astatine look worth if you've sewage it correct pinch YouTube nan first fewer times. Some VPNs can't support up pinch nan platform's ever-changing blocking systems and whitethorn extremity moving soon aft that. Subscribing to a reputable supplier pinch a regular attraction regular will springiness you much bid of mind.
Obfuscation: Apps pinch obfuscation settings are much apt to activity wherever others fail. It's a system that scrambles your connections truthful websites and networks can't observe that you're utilizing a VPN.
Device compatibility: While astir VPNs tin beryllium installed connected a smartphone, tablet, aliases desktop, immoderate don't person apps for systems for illustration Linux, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, consoles, and routers. You should corroborate beforehand if nan VPN package useful pinch your YouTube streaming device.
Good velocity performance: Using a VPN tin slow down your net speeds. But choosing an app that's optimized for velocity whitethorn not person immoderate noticeable effect connected connections and streaming.
Simultaneous connections: Conveniently watch YouTube connected aggregate devices without losing relationship if nan VPN work provides capable allowance.
User protection: Ensure nan VPN is besides unafraid and tin supply beardown anonymity online. Features for illustration a termination move and IP/DNS leak protection should beryllium disposable to support privateness successful nan arena of VPN relationship failure.
The pricing: While high-end VPNs tin beryllium costly, you tin find a reliable VPN wrong your fund range.
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Our YouTube VPN testing scope included nan free video-sharing level and related streaming services for illustration YouTube TV and YouTube Premium. We started pinch a database of 15 renowned VPNs for online streaming (including free ones) and assessed their expertise to activity reliably pinch YouTube. We group each VPNs to automatic protocol truthful that each app could prime nan astir optimized tunnel.
We tried YouTube entree pinch each VPN, choosing random servers successful astatine slightest 3 locations from countries pinch breathtaking viewership, for illustration nan US, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, India, nan UK, Germany, Japan, and Hong Kong. Around 80% worked successful astir of these locations, but nan apical services we listed maintained capable speeds for high-resolution streaming connected awesome devices, sloppy of nan server distance.
Another area that piqued our liking is nan ad-blocking experience. NordVPN and PIA, especially, did an astonishing occupation astatine filtering immoderate YouTube ads (bearing successful mind this isn't what VPNs are meant for) compared to different VPNs.
For more, cheque retired our afloat VPN testing methodology.
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Windscribe's free type is amended for YouTube streaming than Proton VPN, which is presently our prime for nan best free VPN service. The second doesn't support streaming pinch free servers, and sum is only successful 5 countries compared to 12 for Windscribe. Both are safe options, fixed nan information risks astir free services. Proton VPN free is amended successful nan consciousness that it doesn't restrict bandwidth, while Windscribe free has a 10GB/month maximum information cap.
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Yes, YouTube has precocious filters to observe and moreover artifact aliases restrict entree to contented (you whitethorn get a notification to disallow nan app). It's not conscionable IP addresses and DNS accusation that tin uncover your VPN usage; postulation patterns tin besides beryllium analyzed. This is why VPNs pinch obfuscation features are preferred for YouTube since they tin flight detection.
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If a VPN is getting blocked connected YouTube, immoderate things tin thief to hole nan issue. You tin effort different servers successful nan aforesaid location, aliases moreover clearing your browser cookies and cache, earlier accessing nan tract again. You tin besides alteration settings; for example, effort utilizing nan OpenVPN alternatively of nan WireGuard protocol. Contact support aliases effort different app if thing seems to activity -- galore connection free tests and money-back guarantees.
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Most VPNs connection browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, and you tin usage them pinch YouTube. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are among nan elite paid services worthy considering, but if you want to spell nan free way, cheque retired nan likes of Windscribe, Privado VPN, and Hide.me (proxy). Also statement that browser extensions won't springiness you arsenic galore features arsenic nan app (even server entree whitethorn beryllium limited), which tin impact capacity pinch YouTube.
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Other VPNs for YouTube we've tested
These VPNs aren't our apical picks for YouTube for astir people, but we've still thoroughly vetted them and tin corroborate that they are coagulated alternatives. Many look connected our different apical VPN lists arsenic well.
IPVanish subscriptions commencement from $2.19 a period for 2 years, and you tin link unlimited devices pinch a azygous account. With that, you besides get user-ready apps for different platforms beyond telephone and PC, for illustration Apple TV and Google Chromecast.
The supplier boasts a excavation of complete 40,000 IP addresses connected rotation, which makes it little apt that you'll stock nan aforesaid 1 pinch different users besides willing successful accessing YouTube content. The Android TV and Fire TV apps connection a termination move feature, keeping your IP reside hidden erstwhile nan VPN relationship drops while streaming connected these devices.
Review: IPVanish
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Astrill VPN has galore built-in settings for China, wherever not conscionable YouTube but besides VPN apps get blocked. Signature protocols for illustration OpenWeb and StealthVPN supply very beardown obfuscation. OpenWeb can't beryllium detected by heavy packet inspection systems programmed to observe and artifact entree to definite sites online.
The server dispersed is astir 60 countries, which isn't that much, but locations for illustration nan US bask bully sum pinch complete 30+ cities represented. That's much than capable to effort should immoderate servers garbage to activity pinch YouTube while successful China. Features for illustration Application Filter and Smart Mode let you to prime apps and websites to passageway connected nan VPN.
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PrivadoVPN features affordable rates starting from conscionable $1.11/month for 2 years and $1.33/month for 1 year. The work besides has a free tier wherever users get 10 GB of information each month.
The app has useful features for YouTube streaming, including parental controls if you want to restrict entree for young children. It offers extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers, and users are openly encouraged to interaction support if they acquisition challenges pinch streaming.
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