6 Best VPNs for YouTube (2025)

In the ever-evolving world of online streaming, the importance of a reliable VPN service cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to accessing YouTube. Whether it’s for unblocking geo-restricted content, bypassing network restrictions at school or work, or simply for unlimited online freedom, you deserve the right to a secure VPN.

After spending over 152 hours testing more than 39 VPNs, I carefully compiled this trusted list of the Best VPNs for YouTube. My goal was to provide an honest, comprehensive view that highlights real-world performance, features, and pricing across both free and paid options. One tool surprised me with how seamlessly it handled high-quality streaming. This well-researched guide delivers unbiased, up-to-date recommendations based on transparent breakdowns and safe, verified findings. Read more…

 

Best VPNs for YouTube TV

1) ExpressVPN

Overall Best VPN for YouTube

ExpressVPN delivers a fast and dependable service ideal for YouTube users. I evaluated its YouTube performance and found it superior to most alternatives. ExpressVPN is by far the most recommended VPN for YouTube. Based in the land of British Virgin Islands, the company operates an impressive network of over 3000 servers spread strategically across 105 countries. Its Media Streamer allowed me to load restricted videos quickly. I advise content creators and frequent streamers to consider this vpn for youtube for consistent performance and privacy.

Features:

• Server Network: ExpressVPN boasts an extensive server network that supports many streaming services. In addition to the massive server network, ExpressVPN now features virtual servers.
• Speed: ExpressVPN’s server networks deliver blazing-fast internet connection speeds. With ExpressVPN, you will not experience any buffering even when streaming 4K videos on your smart TV.
• Ultra-fast Streaming: This feature ensures seamless playback on YouTube, even at 4K resolution. I have streamed live events with zero buffering using optimized servers. While using this feature one thing I noticed was the consistent performance, even during peak hours.
• Network Lock: This kill switch blocks all internet traffic the moment the VPN disconnects. I suggest keeping this feature enabled during YouTube sessions. It adds an extra layer of privacy, especially when switching networks or facing unstable connections.
• Global Server Access: ExpressVPN offers server coverage in 94 countries, letting you bypass restrictions on regional YouTube videos. I have tested this while traveling and easily accessed videos that were blocked in some countries. I recommend trying multiple nearby locations to find the fastest and most stable server for streaming.
• IP Masking: It hides your original IP while browsing or uploading to YouTube. This ensures you are anonymous and protected from tracking. I once used this while managing a client’s channel and appreciated the peace of mind it offered.

Why ExpressVPN for YouTube?

ExpressVPN excels at unblocking geo-restricted YouTube content. It also stands out as one of the fastest VPNs, ensuring high connection speeds that are essential for a seamless viewing experience even when viewing 4K footage.

Pricing:

Here are the pricing plans for ExpressVPN:

12 months	6 months	1 month
$6.67 per month	$9.99 per month	$12.95

Visit ExpressVPN >>

30-Days Money-back Guarantee

---

2) NordVPN

Best for Large Server Network

NordVPN offers an impressive balance of speed and security. I reviewed its YouTube unblocking performance and found it effortless. Streaming was seamless, even during peak hours. The tool made content from different regions instantly available. I particularly liked how stable connections remained despite switching servers. It is a great option if you want to avoid throttling and watch YouTube without borders. My advice is to connect through the nearest optimized server for the best way to enjoy HD content. YouTubers working with international collaborators rely on NordVPN to bypass location blocks and access global trends quickly, giving them an edge in staying relevant and creating fresh content.

Features:

• Dark Web Monitor: NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor keeps an eye on your email credentials in underground networks. It immediately notifies you if your data appears in any known breach. While testing this feature, I received a breach alert that helped me update my passwords quickly.
• Public Wi‑Fi Protection: This feature encrypts your data when using public Wi-Fi, which is especially helpful in cafes, airports, or while traveling. It ensures your YouTube streaming remains private and secure on open networks. The tool lets you enable auto-connect on untrusted networks for seamless protection.
• Thousands of Servers: NordVPN offers access to over 156 server locations worldwide. This helps you bypass content restrictions and ensures buffer-free YouTube streaming at higher speeds. I suggest switching servers manually if your stream buffers too often, as some locations perform better than others.
• Simultaneous Connections: You can protect up to six devices with one NordVPN account, including phones, laptops, and tablets. It works well for families or users with multiple streaming devices. I have streamed YouTube on my tablet while using a separate region on my phone simultaneously without issues.
• Server Network: NordVPN operates an expansive server network with 6100+ servers across 61 countries. These 10GBPs servers enable users to bypass geo-blocks and access YouTube content with ease and security.
• Streaming Performance: To improve the streaming experience, NordVPN has a handful of servers that are optimized for ultra-fast streaming. With these servers, streaming a UHD 4K video on YouTube is never a problem.

Why NordVPN for YouTube?

NordVPN’s vast server network and advanced technology make it a top choice for YouTube users. With this VPN, you never have to choose between speed and security, as you all get it in one package.

Pricing:

Here are the pricing plans for NordVPN Standard subscription:

2 Years	1 Year	1 month
$3.39 per month	$4.89 per month	$12.69

Free trial length: It has 30 days money back guarantee

Visit NordVPN >>

30-Days Money-back Guarantee

---

3) Surfshark

Best YouTube VPN for Smart TVs

Surfshark impressed me with its reliable streaming performance. I tested it on my Smart TV and could stream YouTube in HD without buffering. It offered me consistent access to region-specific videos. I particularly liked its clean user interface and fast server switching, which made setup quick. It is important to note that its British Virgin Islands jurisdiction helps you avoid privacy risks. A digital content creator I spoke with said Surfshark’s Smart DNS support was the easiest way to bypass geo-blocks on their Samsung TV. That made a noticeable difference.

Features:

• Server Network: Surfshark has an extensive server network with more than 3,200 RAM-only servers. These servers are spread out across more than 100 countries, making Surfshark stand out as one of the best VPNs for YouTube.
• Privacy and Security: Surfshark’s advanced industry standard AES-256-GCM encryption ensures your data is safe as you enjoy streaming YouTube content. In addition, you get to access features such as DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and a kill switch to protect your streaming sessions.
• Supported Devices: Surfshark supports all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. I have also used it on my FireTV and Android TV without facing compatibility issues. You will notice it also supports unlimited simultaneous connections, which makes it ideal for families or multi-device users.
• Camouflage Mode: Camouflage Mode is incredibly useful in countries with heavy internet censorship like China or Russia. It hides VPN traffic so your ISP cannot detect that you are using a VPN. While testing this feature, I found it bypassed firewalls in restrictive networks where regular VPNs failed.
• Auto Connect: The auto-connect feature makes sure you are always protected when accessing YouTube on public or unsecured networks. It instantly activates the VPN without manual intervention. This saved me multiple times when switching between home Wi-Fi and mobile data.
• CleanWeb Feature: CleanWeb blocks YouTube ads, trackers, and even malicious links, providing a smoother experience. I have streamed ad-free YouTube for hours without interruptions. There is also an option that lets you whitelist specific websites if you want to view ads on select channels.

Why Surfshark for YouTube?

Surfshark VPN offers excellent compatibility with smart TVs. It enables unrestricted access to YouTube TV and other YouTube services like YouTube Premium and YouTube Music.

Pricing:

Here are the pricing plans for the Surfshark Starter Pack:

2 Years	1 Year	1 month
$1.99 per month	$3.19 per month	$15.49 per month

Free trial length: 30 days

Visit Surfshark >>

30-Days Free Trial

---

4) Private Internet Access VPN

Best Advanced Security Features

Private Internet Access VPN stands out for its robust feature set, tailored to enhance the YouTube viewing experience. Since its debut in 2010, PIA has established itself as a trustworthy provider and has amassed more than 15 million customers. The service offers advanced security protection, widespread server locations, and easy-to-use features. With these capabilities, I could achieve uninterrupted streaming. I was able to customize the settings and keep my connection private, which is essential for Smart TV users concerned with digital safety. In my opinion, it is an ideal option for families who watch global content regularly and want to avoid restrictions.

Features:

• Server Network: Private Internet Access operates a network of state-of-the-art servers around the world. The servers have a capacity of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) and are located in 122 different locations across 91 countries.
• Unblocking Capabilities: Private Internet Access excels at unblocking geo-restricted YouTube content with ease. I was able to access YouTube Premium content, YouTube Music, and YouTube TV without any issues.
• Advanced Split Tunneling: Route YouTube through the VPN while keeping other apps on regular internet to maximize performance. This helps when streaming and downloading simultaneously, without affecting speed. While testing this feature, I noticed my YouTube videos ran smoother while large downloads ran on my local network.
• Dedicated IP Option: Get a fixed IP address to avoid repeated login prompts or captchas on YouTube. This helps keep your viewing session stable, especially when switching devices. I recommend this if you use multiple accounts or devices—it keeps everything consistent and avoids annoying verifications.
• Ad and Tracker Blocking: The MACE feature automatically blocks YouTube ads and third-party trackers. It improves load times and ensures a more focused, uninterrupted viewing experience. I used this while binge-watching tutorials and noticed fewer distractions and zero pop-ups throughout.
• Customer Support: When testing out Private Internet Access, I contacted their customer support through the live chat feature on their website with a query on how to install the application on my Linux computer. The agent I was connected to took me through the step-by-step process of resolving my issue effectively.

Why Private Internet Access for YouTube?

Private Internet Access is ideal for YouTube due to its unlimited simultaneous connections and strong unblocking capabilities. It also takes stringent measures to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection is compromised.

Pricing:

Here are the pricing plans for Private Internet Access:

2 Years	6 Months
$2.19 per month	$4.50 per month

Free trial length: 30 days

Visit PIA >>

30-Days Free Trial

---

5) FastestVPN

Most Affordable VPN for YouTube

FastestVPN s a solid and affordable VPN that surprised me with its streaming performance. I went through different test scenarios to check its reliability for YouTube, and it performed better than expected. It is the ideal solution if you want uninterrupted access to content worldwide. I analyzed its server response times, and the tool made watching even 4K videos smooth. Make sure you choose its YouTube-specific servers for the best results. Gamers often use this VPN to stream walkthroughs from blocked regions, thanks to its consistent speeds and low latency.

Features:

• Server Network: FastestVPN offers 800+ servers across nearly 50 countries, helping you stream YouTube without regional restrictions. I tested its Japan and U.S. servers for anime and tech content, and both delivered smooth performance. You will notice faster connections if you manually choose a server close to your actual region.
• Smart Tunneling: This feature lets you route only YouTube through the VPN while keeping other apps on your regular internet. It is especially useful when you want to maintain high speeds for non-video apps. While using this feature one thing I noticed was that streaming was more stable during multitasking when Smart Tunneling was turned on.
• 10Gbps Servers: These servers provide ultra-fast speeds, crucial for high-resolution YouTube videos and skipping ISP throttling. I streamed multiple 4K videos without buffering or drops. They are ideal if you regularly watch long-form YouTube content like live shows or podcasts.
• Unlimited Bandwidth: There are no data caps, which means you can watch YouTube as much as you like without slowdown. I streamed videos for over 5 hours straight during testing, and speed remained consistent. I recommend this if you are a daily YouTube user or creator who uploads frequently.
• Multiple Protocols Support: Choose between WireGuard for faster speeds or OpenVPN for better security. The flexibility helps customize the experience based on your streaming habits. I often used WireGuard when traveling to ensure YouTube loaded faster on limited networks.
• 99.99% Uptime: FastestVPN’s servers stay reliably online almost all the time, reducing risks of disconnection during streams. I used it while uploading a long video to YouTube and faced zero interruptions. There is also an option that lets you auto-connect to the most stable server to avoid any lags.

Why FastestVPN for YouTube?

FastestVPN is an excellent choice for YouTube due to its unblocking capabilities, affordable pricing, ultra-fast connection speeds, and commitment to customer service. Perhaps the most outstanding aspect is that it is way cheaper, but the services are as good as highly-priced options.

Pricing:

Here are the pricing plans for FastestVPN:

1 Month	1 Year + 1 Year Free	Lifetime
$5.00 per month	$0.83 per month	$40.00

Free trial length: 31 days

Visit FastestVPN >>

31-Days Free Trial

---

6) CyberGhost

Best YouTube VPN for MacOS

CyberGhost is a powerful choice I checked out while narrowing down the best VPN for YouTube. Its streaming servers are clearly labeled, which saved me time. I recommend trying it if you dislike technical setups. Over the course of my evaluation, it showed consistent speeds, especially for 4K YouTube content. I found that its one-click interface and helpful setup guides are great for beginners. It offered me a seamless way to bypass regional blocks. If you are aiming to view global content without buffering, this may help. Keep in mind, it also offers ad-blocking and malware protection features. Content creators are using it to research YouTube niches from different countries without triggering regional filters.

Features:

• Server Network: CyberGhost has VPN servers located in over 100 countries and 125 key cities. This wide reach helps reduce latency while streaming YouTube from different regions. I suggest switching between nearby servers to find the one with the best performance during peak hours.
• Tunnelling Protocols: CyberGhost supports three leading protocols—WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. WireGuard is particularly well-suited for YouTube as it balances speed and encryption effectively. While testing this feature, I consistently got better streaming results using WireGuard compared to OpenVPN.
• Smart Rules: Smart Rules give you control to automate VPN actions based on custom triggers. You can set CyberGhost to auto-connect when launching YouTube or your browser. The tool lets you specify which apps trigger VPN, helping streamline your streaming sessions.
• Dedicated IP Option: CyberGhost offers a dedicated IP feature to help maintain uninterrupted YouTube access. It minimizes CAPTCHA requests and reduces detection by streaming platforms. You will notice more stable playback and fewer buffering issues with a static IP address.
• Security and Privacy: Its military-grade 256-bit AES encryption protects your online activity against the prying eyes of hackers, governments, or internet service providers. Not even CyberGhost can see your online activities. Additional features include split tunneling, automated Wi-Fi protection, and a dedicated kill Switch.
• Unblocking Capabilities: CyberGhost VPN lets users access blocked YouTube Premium and YouTube TV content. By changing your virtual location with CyberGhost VPN, you can get around geographical restrictions. This grants you unlimited access to premium and region-locked YouTube content from anywhere.

Why CyberGhost for YouTube?

With its feature-rich native apps for the most popular devices, CyberGhost retains its place as one of the best VPNs for YouTube. Its network of 10GBPS servers ensures that you enjoy buffering-free content even while using the OpenVPN protocol.

Pricing:

Here are the pricing plans for CyberGhost:

2 Years	6 Months
$2.19 per month	$6.99 per month

Free trial length: 45 days

Visit CyberGhost >>

45-Days Money-back Guarantee

Feature Comparison Table

How Did We Chose Best VPNs for YouTube?

At Best VPN Zone, we are committed to providing accurate and unbiased VPN reviews grounded in detailed research and extensive hands-on testing. Our team has spent over 152 hours evaluating more than 39 VPNs, focusing on performance, security, privacy, and real-world usability. We emphasize speed, access, and reliability to ensure smooth YouTube streaming without buffering or restrictions. Each recommendation in this guide reflects verified results, up-to-date data, and practical insights that benefit users globally. This trusted list includes both free and paid options, chosen through transparent analysis.

• Number and Location of Servers: We chose based on large server networks that consistently deliver optimized access for different countries and regions.
• Speed: Our team tried each VPN and selected those that allow you to stream YouTube HD videos smoothly without lag.
• Pricing: We made sure to shortlist services that offer the best value plans without compromising streaming features or speed.
• Ease of Use: The experts in our team selected tools based on interfaces that simplify usage for all users across devices.
• Compatibility: We picked VPNs that work flawlessly on smart TVs, mobile devices, laptops, and tablets with ease and reliability.
• Unblocking Capabilities: Our team prioritized options that consistently unblock regional YouTube content without compromise and resolve access issues rapidly.

The Advantages of Using a VPN for YouTube

If you’re wondering whether there’s a need to use a VPN for accessing YouTube or YouTube TV VPN proxy, here are some key benefits:

• Enhanced Online Privacy: A Virtual Private Network provides an additional layer of privacy when streaming content.
• Access Blocked Content: VPNs can unlock a world of content on YouTube TV that may be restricted in certain regions or countries.
• Avoid Throttling: Reliable VPN providers like ExpressVPN prevent ISPs from throttling internet speeds. As such, you get to enjoy a smooth YouTube streaming experience.
• Bypassing Firewalls: VPNs are instrumental in navigating past firewalls. It can allow you to access YouTube content that may be blocked at work or school.

How Do I Bypass Geo Restrictions on YouTube?

Here are the steps on how to bypass geo restrictions on YouTube:

Step 1) Visit the ExpressVPN Website and click on “Get Started” in the top right corner.

Step 2) Here, choose a plan that works for you from the 1-month, 6-month, or 1-year plan.

Step 3) You can now enter the email address and choose a method of payment you prefer to work with. Enter the payment information and complete the registration.

Step 4) Finally, you can download the latest version of the ExpressVPN client suitable for your device.

Step 5) On your ExpressVPN dashboard, copy the activation code that you will use to install your ExpressVPN client.

Step 6) Choose the fastest server in the United States and click Connect.

 

Now, you can access any restricted YouTube content.

Countries That Have Blocked YouTube

Several countries have imposed restrictions on YouTube, including:

• North Korea: Internet access in North Korea is severely limited. To add to that, YouTube and other platforms were banned in 2016.
• Iran: Iran banned YouTube alongside other video-sharing platforms, citing violations of social and moral codes of conduct.
• Pakistan: The country has imposed multiple bans on YouTube, citing blaspheming images of Muhammad, non-Islamic objectionable videos, and allowing a trailer for a popular anti-Islamic film.
• China: China imposed a partial ban on YouTube in March 2009 after videos emerged of security officials using excessive force on protestors in Tibet.
• Thailand: In Thailand, YouTube has been banned repeatedly for posting content deemed insulting to the Thai royal family.

How to Watch a Paid Video on YouTube with a VPN

Here is the procedure to access paid videos on YouTube with a VPN:

Step 1) Connect to a VPN of your choice. I recommend you use ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, or Private Internet Access VPN. For this illustration, I will use Express VPN.

Step 2) Open YouTube and sign in with your account. The account should have access to the paid content you seek to access.

Step 3) Search for the YouTube Paid Content and watch it.

How to Fix YouTube TV Proxy Detected Error?

YouTube TV Proxy detected error is one of the many errors you can encounter when using a VPN for YouTube. Essentially, this error means that the service has detected that you are connected through a VPN. There are many ways to solve this error:

Solution 1: Clear You’re Cookies

The first probable solution is to clear your cookies, end your YouTube viewing session, and restart the service.

Solution 2: Connect Through Another Server

If clearing your cookies does not work, another solution is to connect through another server. If you are using one of our recommended VPN providers, they surely offer hundreds, if not thousands, of servers to choose from.

Solution 3: Switch to Another VPN

If the solutions above do not work, it is time to change your VPN service. If you are not using the VPN services we have discussed here, it is time to change to one of them as they have proven repeatedly that they can unlock YouTube content without an issue.

FAQs

Conclusion

All VPNs in the above list offer the key to unlocking streaming services ensuring that viewers in regions with blocked YouTube can still enjoy their favorite content. With robust protocols like WireGuard, these VPNs also provide a balance of speed and security. However, I would like to recommend the following top 3 VPNs for YouTube:

• ExpressVPN: My top choice is Express VPN, which excels in speed, reliability, and unblocking ability. It is a perfect combo for HD YouTube streaming.
• NordVPN: It offers one of the largest VPN server networks and advanced security, making it ideal for accessing restricted YouTube content.
• Surfshark: This VPN provides exceptional value and works seamlessly across many devices, earning it a top 3 spot for my YouTube usage.