Best VPNs for YouTube TV (Tested and Reviewed 2024)
3 Revisions
YouTube TV is one of the premier live TV streaming services in the US. However, due to geographical restrictions, YouTube TV prevents access from outside of the US. If you try to access it from other countries, you’ll receive a message saying YouTube TV’s unavailable in this country.
But don’t worry. With a VPN, you can connect to a US server, unblocking YouTube TV to explore the full library, and enjoy your favorite local channel lineup when you’re out of the country.
However, when it comes to getting past the robust detection system of streaming services such as YouTube TV and Netflix, not all VPNs are created equal. To pick the best VPN for YouTube TV, we rigorously tested a variety of popular VPNs based on their security, unblocking abilities, streaming performance, features, and pricing.
4 Best YouTube TV VPNs
- NordVPN – Best overall VPN
- ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for smooth streaming
- Private Internet Access – Most extensive server network across 50 US states
- CyberGhost – Best cheap VPN with dedicated streaming server
1. NordVPN
Best overall VPN to unblock YouTube TV
66% off now + 3 months extra
Servers: 6,227 servers in 97 countries, including 1,970 servers in 16 US locations
Streaming: Unblocks YouTube TV, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC, Disney+, DAZN, and more
Simultaneous connections: 6 devices
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, tvOS, Linux
Price: $3.39 – $15.99/month
NordVPN is a top-tier VPN renowned for its ability to consistently and effortlessly unblock YouTube TV. Operating over 1,970 servers in 16 US locations, including key states like Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, and New York, it ensures seamless access to the full regional content on YouTube TV.
With obfuscated servers available in major cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, NordVPN could effectively bypass VPN detection and prevent ISP/bandwidth throttling for an uninterrupted streaming experience.
My personal streaming experience has been sailing with NordVPN. I tested 10 different servers in the US, revealing a super-fast speed of 600+Mbps on average, a small speed drop of less than 20%. They enabled me to unblock YouTube TV and stream live TV in HD and even 4K without buffering.
Apart from connecting to a US server, you can take advantage of Meshnet to link to another device remotely to access YouTube TV with your home IP. This convenient feature is suitable for users who are traveling abroad or who want to watch your local channel when traveling interstate.
2. ExpressVPN
Fastest VPN for smooth streaming
3 months extra FREE now!
Servers: 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including 20+ US server locations
Streaming: Unblocks YouTube TV, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, iPlayer, and more.
Simultaneous connections: 8 devices
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, tvOS, Linux
Price: $8.32 – $12.95/month
ExpressVPN is a popular VPN known for its unparalleled connection speeds, driven by its proprietary and featherlight Lightway protocol. Even when connecting from distant locations like Hong Kong to US servers, it delivers lightning-fast speed, retaining 90% of my base connection, and ensures very smooth browsing and streaming.
You can connect to high-speed and optimized servers from 24 U.S. locations to keep up with your favorite content on YouTube TV easily. You can also bookmark your most-used server.
I tested the Washington and New York servers and my location on YouTube TV was updated accordingly without triggering errors or alerts. It also works seamlessly with other streaming platforms like Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+, and more.
As a reliable VPN, ExpressVPN prioritizes user privacy and security. Registered in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction with strong privacy laws, it employs a transparent privacy policy, which keeps no activity or connection logs and is audited by independent security firms. Moreover, it uses advanced AES-256 encryption and trusted RAM-based servers that won’t store user data.
While the pricing of ExpressVPN, starting at $8.32 monthly, is higher than some competitors like NordVPN, Private Internet Access, and Surfshark, its subscription includes a variety of valuable features, such as password manager, tracker blocker, ad blocker, and parental control. There are also regular promotions where you can expect big savings.
3. Private Internet Access
Most extensive server network across 50 US states
Save big: 83% off now!
Servers: Servers available in 91 countries, including 51 servers in all 50 US states
Streaming: Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime, Crunchyroll, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more.
Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Consoles, Routers, Smart TV, and Linux
Price: $2.03 – $11.95/month
Private Internet Access is an ideal choice for users who want extensive server networks across the U.S. It provides a total of 51 servers in all 50 states with 10 Gbps connections and no bandwidth limits. We especially like the streaming-optimized servers, which are dedicated to accessing and streaming Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, HBO Max, and plenty of streaming services across the globe.
It’s also one of the most affordable VPNs on the market. Supporting unlimited simultaneous connections, up from the 10 connections previously, it’s great for streaming on multiple devices or sharing with your family, friends, and roommates.
We’re able to unblock YouTube TV by connecting to the PIA’s US servers from Hong Kong but the speed left much to be desired. Despite the US West streaming-optimized server delivered higher speed than ordinary servers, my download speed dropped from 900 Mbps to a sluggish 150 Mbps. That was a significant loss compared to the speed achieved with NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Nevertheless, the speed is reliable enough to enjoy live TV shows in HD and 4K.
If you’re facing slow connections on PIA servers, you may optimize the connection by tweaking the settings. For example, you can choose AES-128 encryption instead of 256-bit AES, change MTU to small packets, and enable multi-hop and obfuscation when using OpenVPN. This setup worked best for me. Or you can switch to Wireguard, a more modern and efficient protocol to see if it speeds your connections up.
4. CyberGhost
Best cheap VPN with dedicated streaming server
84% off + 4 months FREE
Servers: 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including 20+ US server locations
Streaming: Unblocks YouTube TV, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, iPlayer, and more.
Simultaneous connections: 8 devices
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, tvOS, Linux, and more
Price: $8.32 – $12.95/month
CyberGhost is an affordable yet high-quality option for unblocking websites and apps in different countries while safeguarding your online activities. With a vast network of 11,800 servers worldwide and over 2,000 servers across 12 U.S. states, Cyberghost empowers you to catch every thrilling game, even those blacked out in your area.
For avid streamers, Cyberghost provides streaming-optimized servers that exclusively handle streaming traffic to guarantee a smooth and consistent viewing experience. Instead of offering one generic streaming server, CyberGhost hosts a multitude of servers catered to different streaming platforms. You can conveniently mark the server optimized for YouTube TV for easy access.
CyberGhost’s monthly plan is priced at $12.99 with a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you opt for the 2-year plan, the cost is as low as $2.03 per month, making it the most budget-friendly option. Moreover, with a generous 45-day refund policy, you’ll have enough time to evaluate Cyberghost’s performance before committing to a subscription.
How to use a VPN with YouTube TV
The VPNs listed above are compatible with many types of devices. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use NordVPN, for instance, to unblock YouTube TV on PCs and mobile phones.
On PC
1) Download and install NordVPN, and launch the app.
2) Create an account or log in if you already have one.
3) Navigate to the VPN tab on the left. You can click Quick Connect to connect to the fastest server available.
To access YouTube TV, you need to connect to a US server. If you want to access regional content, connect to a specific state or city by clicking the ellipse icon next to the United States to expand the list or click it on the map.
Now you’re able to access YouTube TV as a local US user.
On iPhone
1) Download NordVPN from the official website or App Store.
2) Launch the app and sign into your account.
3) Click Quick Connect to connect to the fastest server.
Or scroll down to find the US servers that can help you unblock YouTube TV. Tap it and you’ll connect to the fastest servers in the US. If you hope to spoof your location to a certain state or city, click the ellipse icon to see more available regional servers.
On Android
1) Download NordVPN from Play Store, or directly download the .apk file from NordVPN’s official website.
2) Open the app.
3) Tap Quick Connect or select your preferred US server from the list.
How we test YouTube TV VPNs
To put together the best VPNs for YouTube TV, we conducted extensive testing of 10+ VPNs on different devices, including Windows (10&11), Android, iPhone, and MacOS from Hong Kong and Canada. We focused on each VPN’s ability to unblock YouTube TV and other streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc, and paid close attention to the streaming experience, stability, quality, and speed.
Additionally, security is a fundamental consideration, since the main purpose of VPNs is to encrypt your data traffic and secure your online activity. We took a deep dive into their company’s location, encryption, secure protocol, logging policies, essential security features, and benefits to find one that offers the maximum privacy.
FAQs
1. What is a VPN?
A VPN, standing for virtual private network, is a service that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through servers in chosen locations, masking your IP address, protecting your privacy and allowing you to access geo-blocked services.
2. Can I use a VPN to watch YouTube TV?
Absolutely! You can use a VPN to access YouTube TV from anywhere in the world. However, not all the VPNs perform equally. It’s essential to choose a reliable and privacy-conscious VPN for optimal performance.
3. What’s the best VPN for YouTube TV?
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are our top recommendations. They have robust capabilities to bypass geo-restrictions and boast a vast number of dedicated and high-speed servers across the US and worldwide. They excel in security features and ensure exceptional connection stability and speed. What’s more, both services provide a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it without any risks.
4. What should I do if YouTube TV detected my VPN and blocked it?
Streaming services like YouTube TV actively detect VPN usage. If you encounter this issue, here are some workarounds.
1) Switch to another server. The IP address of a certain server might be flagged by streaming websites, you could just try different servers to find the one that works.
2) Enable obfustication. Obfuscation is a specialized technology that removes all information related to a VPN from your data and makes it look like regular data packets. This will hide the fact you’re using a VPN and can help bypass firewalls and VPN blocks.
3) Get a dedicated IP address. When using a VPN, your IP address changes to that of the connected server, which could be assigned to multiple users connected to the same server. A dedicated IP, however, is assigned to you exclusively, so it’s less likely to be blocklisted. Many VPNs such as NordVPN and CyberGhost offer dedicated IP addresses for an extra cost, starting at $2.5/month.
To make sure YouTube TV updates your location correctly, sign out of your account first before you connect to a server in another location and sign in again.
5. Does VPN slow down streaming speed and quality?
The impact of using a VPN on streaming will depend on various factors. For example, your device, your base connection, the VPN server, and encryption. Using a VPN may lead to slightly slower speeds and occasional buffering, but it should not be noticeable. Premium VPNs should minimize these effects.
So that’s it – 4 best VPNs for YouTube TV according to our hands-on experience and testing. If you have any questions about these tools or encounter problems when using VPN, feel free to leave a comment below. We’re more than happy to assist.
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