Best VPNs for YouTube in 2025: 5 providers for unblocking content

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YouTube content is mostly free, so why use a virtual private network (VPN)? It is a handy tool when exploring content not offered in your area -- like documentaries exclusive to the US, or anime series releasing in Japan. VPNs have also been used to block YouTube ads (with little success) or to get YouTube Premium for cheap in some countries, though this workaround is not permitted by Google.

While YouTube hasn't explicitly banned VPNs, it's clear the company doesn't like them. Many users may report experiencing a "VPN/proxy detected" error, or they reach a point where content is endlessly loading. You may encounter this block whether you use a paid or a good free VPN.

Also: The best VPNs we've tested this year

What is the best VPN for YouTube right now?

Based on our testing, NordVPN is the most effective VPN for unblocking YouTube right now. It passed several benchmarks we set for YouTube streaming, including reliability, performance, and ad-minimization experience. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it can do a lot more compared to alternatives. The cheapest subscription starts from around $3.39 a month.

Our VPN testing and evaluation criteria are streamlined to ensure the results are as objective as possible. We regularly review these choices to confirm they still work as intended, so you can rest assured of the quality (plus, all these providers offer money-back guarantees).

The best YouTube VPNs of 2025

NordVPN is our top VPN service because it appeals to users with different preferences.

Why we like it: Three primary reasons make NordVPN a better option for YouTube over our second-best choice, ExpressVPN. Beyond just being a reliable premium service, the network spread in 126 countries offers slightly more server locations to access YouTube than the competition. Coverage isn't just limited to the Americas and Europe but, impressively, also includes continents most providers shy away from, like the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Africa.

In my tests, I was able to access US and German YouTube content while connected to the VPN. Speeds were fast and stable, and I could even upscale from HD to 4K quality without getting any lag.

Users also find NordVPN's Threat Protection beneficial for browsing and streaming media content. It isn't exactly the solution to YouTube ads, but it can be effective if used jointly with free, dedicated browser ad blockers (with the rapid campaign against ad blockers, it's unlikely that just one solution will cut it).

Review: NordVPN

Who it's for: NordVPN is a great selection for global YouTube streaming, or even if you want to route connections in locations that get fewer or no ads, like the Bahamas, Albania, Laos, Monaco, and so forth. But it's not limited in this sense. Even speed and security enthusiasts will find the service useful.

Who should look elsewhere: The app is packed with many features running in the background, and as such, it isn't ideal for prolonged streaming on mobile devices without an immediate battery charging source. Also, the subscription renewal costs are relatively high. Introductory prices start from just $84 for two years ($3.39/month).

Check out ZDNET's best list guidelines if you need more help.

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ExpressVPN already has a solid reputation and a proven track record with online streamers and gamers.

Why we like it: Just like YouTube is simple and can be used by a five-year-old, ExpressVPN has also made its apps sleek and effortless for beginners. You can install a native app on all major streaming devices, including Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick. Once you're signed in, it's pretty straightforward to find the YouTube location of your choice.

If you have a device that doesn't support direct VPN installation, like Samsung and LG TVs or consoles, ExpressVPN offers a smart DNS configuration option called MediaStreamer. It allows you to unblock YouTube content in the US and a few other select locations, although it won't provide protection like a VPN.

From my experience, ExpressVPN has been one of those apps that doesn't get easily blocked by major streaming platforms, including YouTube US and YouTube TV. The entire server network across 105 countries uses obfuscation technology to escape detection by firewalls restricting VPN usage. ExpressVPN also keeps its IP address pool clean by renewing them regularly, removing shared IPs that might have been blocked or banned for violating YouTube policies.

Review: ExpressVPN

Who it's for: ExpressVPN is convenient for someone fairly new to using VPNs who wants a premium service that works without major hitches. The provider also offers a unique dedicated router app if you want to do a household VPN setup and secure every device on the home network.

Who should look elsewhere: Prices can be off-putting. The Basic plan (stripped of some basic features) costs $3.99/month for 28 months, while Pro and Advanced subscriptions cost $4.99 and $7.99 per month for the same period. One-month plans go as high as $20 (you may see different rates depending on the 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 on Android and iOS | Trust Pilot rating: 4.1 | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.7

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Surfshark has advanced location-spoofing features, like GPS override on Android, to completely hide your whereabouts from apps tracking your location.

Why we like it: Surfshark offers sophisticated tools like Camouflage and NoBorders modes to bypass YouTube blocks on restrictive hotspots, ensuring you can access content when and wherever you want it. It's a great option for internet censorship, for example, if your school or office network doesn't permit access to domains like YouTube, or if you're traveling to places like China, where many VPNs are blocked.

Alongside dynamic IP addresses, Surfshark also offers static IP addresses. If you pick one of these, it remains the same IP address every time you connect. Google often gets suspicious if the same device keeps showing different IPs, which is why you may encounter CAPTCHAs or your YouTube account may get flagged.

Another big win is that connections aren't limited. One Surfshark subscription is all it takes to cover all devices in your home. Everyone can install the app and access their favorite YouTube library from their own devices.

Review: Surfshark

Who it's for: Surfshark is ideal if you often travel for work or vacation and want an adaptable VPN for different networks where you might try to access YouTube from. It's also a great bargain for long-term use, with 27-month plans starting from as low as $1.99 per month.

Who should look elsewhere: Fluctuations in server connections can be an issue. You may need slightly faster internet speeds for high-quality YouTube streaming on larger TV screens. Something like 50 Mbps is fast enough to counter the overhead caused by the VPN.

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Private Internet Access (PIA) is highly focused on the North American market, with features tailored for streaming in the region.

Why we like it: The server coverage in all 50 US states is unlike any other VPN. It makes PIA a favorite for US-restricted content or YouTube TV channels outside your state of residence (think of those moments you can't watch a live game due to MLB, NBA, or NFL game blackouts). There are also specialized streaming servers, though it didn't make any difference whether I used these or the regular ones for YouTube.

I liked PIA's flexible settings a lot better for YouTube streaming -- the default AES 128-bit encryption, for instance, was noticeably faster because it's lighter than AES 256-bit. It also helps to conserve charge if you're watching YouTube on a phone, tablet, or laptop.

Review: Private Internet Access

Who it's for: PIA is US-centric and also offers a great value proposal, with a rich set of features at affordable rates. Similar to Surfshark, PIA supports unlimited connections and costs $79 ($2.03/month) for three years.

Who should look elsewhere: While PIA doesn't keep logs, its location in the US is a low blow for privacy. The provider is subject to the country's retention laws and can be asked to hand over users' data. Also, the app lacks obfuscation features, although it still works with YouTube.

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CyberGhost is one of the most sought-after VPNs in the world of streaming, thanks to its vast, optimized server fleet.

Why we like it: CyberGhost offers dedicated servers for YouTube TV, plus dozens of other streaming services. On the app, you can go to the "For streaming" section and see the full list of supported platforms. The developers keep these servers up to date with industry geo-blocking standards, meaning you can access YouTube TV year-round without interruptions.

It doesn't make a difference if you're using the VPN app on a phone or smart TV; YouTube TV servers are findable in a matter of clicks. CyberGhost maintains the same clean and intuitive interface everywhere, making it another simple app for beginners. The two-year plan costs $2.19/month and has a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is one of the longest refund periods.

Review: CyberGhost

Who it's for: YouTube TV, as a paid content service, would work much better with a premium VPN app that's also optimized for the site. CyberGhost is a set-it-and-forget-it solution for YouTube TV. It also offers a free trial on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, so you have no excuse not to try it for yourself.

Who should look elsewhere: CyberGhost only allows a maximum of seven connections at a time, which can be limiting for users with many devices. Also, the split tunneling is only on Android, meaning you can't choose VPN tunneling for specific apps on devices such as an iPhone or MacBook.

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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, extensive global network, Threat Protection (ad blocker)	Automatic obfuscation, MediaStreamer (smart DNS), router app, Threat Manager (ad blocker)	Camouflage/NoBorders modes, static IPs, unlimited connections, Cleanweb (ad blocker)	Data compression for faster speeds, servers in 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 month for 2 years (depends on the 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

Choose this YouTube VPN	If you want…
NordVPN	Strong global server presence for unblocking international YouTube content easily, coupled with excellent connections for streaming in HD and higher resolutions.
ExpressVPN	No-nonsense premium VPN for YouTube that works on almost every device. Beginners would appreciate the optimal performance and minimal effort needed to set up and maintain this app.
Surfshark	Bypass YouTube and VPN blocks on restricted networks like the office, campus, or even countries where these apps are facing challenges. Also, affordable extended plans with unlimited device connections.
Private Internet Access	The best server network for YouTube in the US, advanced settings to customize online security, and unlimited connections.
CyberGhost	A well-maintained and optimized app for YouTube and YouTube TV streaming. Also has free trials and one of the longest money-back guarantees.

What's your main purpose for using a VPN? Answering that question should guide you to the right features to look for in a YouTube VPN. Here are some important things that you might want to consider first.

Server network: If unblocking YouTube in another region is your primary concern, then ensure the chosen VPN app has servers in that specific location. Places like India and China have massive untapped content and YouTube viewership if (for example) you want to expand your reach, but many VPNs avoid them.
Reliability with YouTube: Do not be convinced at face value if you've got it right with YouTube the first few times. Some VPNs can't keep up with the platform's ever-changing blocking systems and may stop working shortly after that. Subscribing to a reputable provider with a regular maintenance routine will give you more peace of mind.
Obfuscation: Apps with obfuscation settings are more likely to work where others fail. It's a mechanism that scrambles your connections so websites and networks can't detect that you're using a VPN.
Device compatibility: While most VPNs can be installed on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, some don't have apps for systems like Linux, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, consoles, and routers. You should confirm beforehand if the VPN software works with your YouTube streaming device.
Good speed performance: Using a VPN can slow down your internet speeds. But choosing an app that's optimized for speed may not have any noticeable impact on connections and streaming.
Simultaneous connections: Conveniently watch YouTube on multiple devices without losing connection if the VPN service provides enough allowance.
User protection: Ensure the VPN is also secure and can provide strong anonymity online. Features like a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection should be available to maintain privacy in the event of VPN connection failure.

The pricing: While high-end VPNs can be costly, you can find a reliable VPN within your budget range.

Our YouTube VPN testing scope included the free video-sharing platform and related streaming services like YouTube TV and YouTube Premium. We started with a list of 15 renowned VPNs for online streaming (including free ones) and assessed their ability to work reliably with YouTube. We set all VPNs to automatic protocol so that each app could select the most optimized tunnel.

We tried YouTube access with each VPN, choosing random servers in at least three locations from countries with exciting viewership, like the US, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, India, the UK, Germany, Japan, and Hong Kong. Around 80% worked in most of these locations, but the top services we listed maintained adequate speeds for high-resolution streaming on major devices, regardless of the server distance.

Another area that piqued our interest is the ad-blocking experience. NordVPN and PIA, especially, did an amazing job at filtering some YouTube ads (bearing in mind this isn't what VPNs are meant for) compared to other VPNs.

For more, check out our full VPN testing methodology.

Windscribe's free version is better for YouTube streaming than Proton VPN, which is currently our pick for the best free VPN service. The latter doesn't support streaming with free servers, and coverage is only in five countries compared to 12 for Windscribe. Both are safe options, given the security risks around free services. Proton VPN free is better in the sense that it doesn't restrict bandwidth, while Windscribe free has a 10GB/month maximum data cap.

Yes, YouTube has advanced filters to detect and even block or restrict access to content (you may get a notification to disallow the app). It's not just IP addresses and DNS information that can reveal your VPN usage; traffic patterns can also be analyzed. This is why VPNs with obfuscation features are preferred for YouTube since they can escape detection.

If a VPN is getting blocked on YouTube, some things can help to fix the issue. You can try different servers in the same location, or even clearing your browser cookies and cache, before accessing the site again. You can also change settings; for example, try using the OpenVPN instead of the WireGuard protocol. Contact support or try another app if nothing seems to work -- many offer free trials and money-back guarantees.

Most VPNs offer browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, and you can use them with YouTube. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are among the elite paid services worth considering, but if you want to go the free way, check out the likes of Windscribe, Privado VPN, and Hide.me (proxy). Also note that browser extensions won't give you as many features as the app (even server access may be limited), which can affect performance with YouTube.

Other VPNs for YouTube we've tested

These VPNs aren't our top picks for YouTube for most people, but we've still thoroughly vetted them and can confirm that they are solid alternatives. Many appear on our other top VPN lists as well.

IPVanish subscriptions start from $2.19 a month for two years, and you can connect unlimited devices with a single account. With that, you also get user-ready apps for other platforms beyond phone and PC, like Apple TV and Google Chromecast.

The provider boasts a pool of over 40,000 IP addresses on rotation, which makes it less likely that you'll share the same one with other users also interested in accessing YouTube content. The Android TV and Fire TV apps offer a kill switch feature, keeping your IP address hidden when the VPN connection drops while streaming on these devices.

Review: IPVanish

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Astrill VPN has many built-in settings for China, where not just YouTube but also VPN apps get blocked. Signature protocols like OpenWeb and StealthVPN provide very strong obfuscation. OpenWeb can't be detected by deep packet inspection systems programmed to detect and block access to certain sites online.

The server spread is about 60 countries, which isn't that much, but locations like the US enjoy good coverage with over 30+ cities represented. That's more than enough to try should some servers refuse to work with YouTube while in China. Features like Application Filter and Smart Mode allow you to select apps and websites to tunnel on the VPN.

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PrivadoVPN features affordable rates starting from just $1.11/month for two years and $1.33/month for one year. The service also has a free tier where users get 10 GB of data every month.

The app has useful features for YouTube streaming, including parental controls if you want to restrict access for young children. It offers extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers, and users are openly encouraged to contact support if they experience challenges with streaming.

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