Best VPN for YouTube & YouTube TV in 2022: Access Premium Content From Anywhere
Whether you’re using YouTube premium or the free service, you won't always have access to all content unless you use the best YouTube VPN. YouTube TV is only available in the U.S., but some countries might restrict access to YouTube itself, and creators may geo-restrict their content. Read on to find the best VPN for YouTube.
— Last Updated: 2022-02-28T15:04:41+00:00 Facts checked by Elisabeth Ivey
YouTube is a free-to-use video sharing service famous for its user-generated content. It’s the go-to place to watch music videos, comedy shows, hacks, step-by-step guides on how to do things and more. However, YouTube content isn’t available everywhere. For example, when you travel to China, you’ll need a VPN for YouTube to freely access the streaming service.
Beyond that, some YouTube creators block videos in specific territories. For example, a U.S.-based vlogger can choose to make their content available only in the U.S., preventing viewers in the U.K. from accessing it. In that case, you’ll need a YouTube VPN to keep up with the vlogger when you travel to the U.K.
Key Takeaways:
- ExpressVPN offers an unrivaled ability to unblock YouTube and unbeatable speeds for excellent streaming.
- NordVPN is also fast and it delivers buffering-free YouTube streaming. However, it can be inconsistent when connecting to distant servers via OpenVPN protocol.
- CyberGhost and Surfshark are budget-friendly VPNs that are adept at unblocking YouTube.
- Windscribe is the best free YouTube VPN but isn’t ideal for binge-watchers because of the 10GB monthly data limit.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the features you should look for when shopping around for the best YouTube VPN. Even better, we’ll reveal the five best YouTube VPNs to make it easier for you to find a reputable service. ExpressVPN is our top choice, but any of the five services we chose will work. Let’s dive in.
Yes, there are many YouTube VPNs that work great for the video streaming site.
It’s simple. Look for a VPN with fast speeds, excellent ability to unblock YouTube, strong security and compatibility with your devices. Then just download it and install it on your device.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for YouTube, thanks to its blazing-fast speeds, unparalleled ability to unblock YouTube and compatibility with nearly all devices.
Top VPNs for YouTube
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- : PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, regional payment systems, WebMoney
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- 2
- : Credit card, Google Pay, AmazonPay, ACH Transfer, UnionPay, Crypto Currencies, PayPal (via Paddle)
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- 3
- : PayPal, Credit card, bitcoin
- : 7
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- 4
- : PayPal, Credit card, Google Pay, Amazon Pay
- : Unlimited
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- 5
- : PayPal, Credit card, bitcoin, Paymentwall
- : Unlimited
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What Makes the Best VPN for YouTube & YouTube TV
Finding the best VPN for YouTube is straightforward if you know the features to look out for. Excellent speed performance, the ability to unblock YouTube and top-notch security are some of the attributes of a reliable VPN service for YouTube. We’ll delve into the details of these features, but first, here is a sneak peek into the best YouTube VPN:
- ExpressVPN — Fastest YouTube VPN with unmatched ability to unblock YouTube
- NordVPN — Security juggernaut best for accessing YouTube in blocked countries
- CyberGhost — A wallet-friendly VPN with dedicated YouTube streaming servers
- Surfshark — Affordable VPN for YouTube with unlimited simultaneous connections
- Windscribe – The best free VPN for YouTube, with 10 free server locations
YouTube VPN Criteria
The Virtual Private Network of choice needs to have excellent YouTube unblocking abilities. That means it should have VPN servers in the U.S. if you want to unblock YouTube TV or access songs available only in the U.S. Besides changing your IP address, the servers should be secure enough to make it impossible for YouTube geoblocking systems to detect your actual location.
In addition, the VPN service should have super-fast connection speeds. Remember: YouTube delivers the highest video resolution your connection can handle by default. Though a VPN slows down your internet connection, the impact should be insignificant so that you can enjoy high-quality videos. The VPN should also be able to hide your traffic from internet service providers, thus preventing speed throttling.
Beyond unblocking ability, speed and security, the VPN should offer native apps for the device you use. If you like to stream YouTube content on mobile, pick a VPN with mobile apps. If you’re an NBA, MLB or NFL fan and like to cheer on your team on the big screen, go for a VPN with smart TV compatibility.
The 5 Best YouTube VPN Services: Access YouTube Videos Anywhere
We examined various VPNs through the lens of the features mentioned above to narrow the field to five services. We’ll discuss the strengths and weaknesses (if any) of the best YouTube VPN services, starting with ExpressVPN — our top choice.
1. ExpressVPN
More details about ExpressVPN:
- Pricing: $6.67 per month for the yearly plan, plus three months free
- Provider website: expressvpn.com
Pros:
- Lightning-fast streaming
- Top-notch security
- Unlimited bandwidth & data
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Pricey
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for YouTube TV for several reasons, and its unmatched unblocking ability is one of them. Each of the servers we tested got us into YouTube TV on the first attempt. The good thing is that there are over 3,000 servers in 160 locations — including 14 locations in the U.S. — to choose from, giving you infinite options to unblock YouTube.
In addition, ExpressVPN is secure enough to hide your traffic from prying ISPs and YouTube geoblocking systems. It prevents ISP throttling and hides your actual location from prying eyes. More than that, the split tunneling tool enables you to route YouTube traffic via the VPN app while letting other apps access the internet directly.
Blazing-Fast Servers for Buffering-Free YouTube Streams
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN out there, and its speed consistency is unrivaled. Whether you’re connecting to a server in your hometown or one across continents, you’ll watch videos in 4K without interruptions. It also offers unlimited data and bandwidth, so you need not worry about getting cut off in the middle of an enthralling show.
ExpressVPN doesn’t come cheap. The two-year plan costs $6.67 per month, which is on the higher end of the pricing spectrum. However, when you look at the price vis-à-vis the features you get, it offers excellent value for the money. Plus, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee as an added security. Read our ExpressVPN review to learn more.
2. NordVPN
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $3.29 per month for the two-year plan
- Provider website: nordvpn.com
Pros:
- Excellent streaming speeds
- Solid security & privacy
- Great at unblocking YouTube
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Inconsistent performance when using OpenVPN
NordVPN is another reliable VPN that ticks every box for a YouTube VPN. Even though it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, it still delivers excellent speeds for lag-free YouTube streaming. The only reason it’s not in first place is because ExpressVPN is marginally faster. It also takes a bit longer to connect than ExpressVPN, though that’s only a small quibble.
The minor niggles aside, NordVPN packs quite a punch when it comes to unblocking YouTube — and just about any other streaming service. If you’re looking to bypass NBA or MLB blackouts on YouTube TV, you’ll be glad to know NordVPN has servers in 15 U.S. cities. Not to mention, it has servers in 59 other countries just in case you want to access blocked YouTube content.
Enjoy Tip-Top Security With NordVPN
NordVPN guarantees top-notch security and privacy, which is all-important if you plan to watch YouTube in countries like China or North Korea. Its security features — like double VPN and Onion over VPN — enable you to watch YouTube anonymously, so the surveillance systems can’t trace any activity back to you. The features slow down your internet speed a bit, but it’s a small price to pay to avoid punishment under the censorship laws.
NordVPN is cheaper than ExpressVPN on the extended plan, as you can read in our ExpressVPN vs NordVPN article. Its monthly price is on the same pricing echelon as ExpressVPN, but $3.29 per month on the two-year plan is wallet-friendly. You can give NordVPN a whirl risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our NordVPN review to learn more.
3. CyberGhost
More details about CyberGhost:
- Pricing: $2.15 per month for the three-year plan
- Provider website: cyberghostvpn.com
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Extensive server network
- Fast speeds
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Inconsistent performance
- Doesn’t work with BBC iPlayer, Hulu or Amazon Prime Video
CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs for YouTube, thanks to its fast speeds and excellent ability to unblock YouTube. It has over 7,500 servers, including more than 1,300 spread across 11 cities in the U.S. The U.S. server network enables you to bypass sporting blackouts on YouTube TV and unblock entertainment and news channels when you travel abroad.
As mentioned, CyberGhost is fast and should deliver a seamless YouTube stream. However, you have to put up with inconsistency, especially when connecting to distant servers. That minor flaw aside, CyberGhost offers unlimited bandwidth and data, letting you binge-watch shows or songs on YouTube without fear of getting cut off in the middle.
Make the Most of Dedicated Streaming Servers
Beyond the regular servers, CyberGhost comes packed with a list of streaming-optimized servers. In our latest testing, streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu blocked the streaming-specific server, but the servers unblocked Netflix and YouTube with ease and guarantee consistency not achievable with the standard servers.
As with other VPNs, its monthly plan is pricey, setting you back $12.99. However, its three-year plan costs $83.85 (plus three months free), which works out to $2.15 per month. Moreover, CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, the longest money-back guarantee in the market. Read our CyberGhost review to learn more.
4. Surfshark
More details about Surfshark:
- Pricing: $2.21 per month for the two-year plan
- Provider website: surfshark.com
Pros:
- Fast connection speeds
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Pocket-friendly
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Some VPN servers are slow
Surfshark is a great VPN service that only entered the fray in 2018. Despite being relatively new, the VPN provider has proved to be a force to reckon with on various fronts, and its ability to unblock streaming services makes it an excellent choice. It unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, so YouTube shouldn’t pose any challenge.
Another great feature is Surfshark’s excellent download speed. In our testing, most of its servers maintained the same download speeds as an unprotected connection, so you should enjoy high-resolution YouTube streams. Even better, Surfshark goes toe to toe with ExpressVPN in terms of consistency, meaning speed doesn’t dip with increasing VPN server distance.
Enjoy Unlimited Simultaneous Streams
Surfshark is the best VPN for multiple devices due to its unlimited simultaneous connections. You only need a single account to share YouTube access with your roommates. The story is the same for large families: With Surfshark, family members can enjoy their favorite YouTube content on their devices simultaneously. Read our guide to learn how to use Surfshark for the whole family.
Whether you’re buying a VPN service for the whole family, friends or roommates, you’re not going to pay a premium. While Surfshark isn’t as cheap as CyberGhost, it’s still pocket-friendly on extended plans. Its two-year plan costs $2.21 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee just in case you change your mind. Read our Surfshark review to learn more.
- : Unlimited GB bandwidth,Unlimited devices
- : Unlimited GB
- : Unlimited
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5. Windscribe
More details about Windscribe:
- Pricing: Free; build-a-plan option at $1 per server location
- Provider website: windscribe.com
Pros:
- Generous free plan
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 10 free server locations
- Solid security & privacy
Cons:
- Three-day money-back guarantee
Our list wouldn’t be complete without Windscribe — our best free VPN. Windscribe shines where the worst free VPNs stumble: great security and excellent ability to unblock streaming services. It works with major streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video, so it should easily unblock YouTube videos or YouTube TV.
While its unblocking ability is on par with some of our picks, its speed isn’t. Windscribe isn’t the fastest VPN around; it didn’t even make it onto our fastest VPN list. That shouldn’t worry you though, because during our testing, the VPN did deliver lag- and buffering-free YouTube streams.
Unblock YouTube Videos for Free with Windscribe
As the best free VPN, Windscribe bundles several freebies for users. First up, it offers free VPN servers in 10 countries that you can use to access YouTube on school WiFi or in blocked countries. Moreover, it has nine free servers in the U.S., giving you options to bypass NBA and MLB blackouts without paying a dime.
Windscribe is free, making it a great YouTube VPN for students or those on a tight budget. However, the free plan comes with a usage limit of 10GB per month, which might not be enough to binge-watch shows on YouTube. You can increase or remove the limits when you subscribe to a build-a-plan option for $1 per location. Read our Windscribe review to learn more.
- : Per “Pro” server location
- : 10 GB
- : Unlimited
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- : Unlimited GB
- : Unlimited
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Can I Access Other Streaming Services With a YouTube VPN?
As mentioned earlier, YouTube geoblocking is not as robust as major streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. For that reason, a VPN that unblocks YouTube might not necessarily get you into other streaming services. For example, while CyberGhost works just fine with YouTube, it doesn’t unblock Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.
However, the rest of our YouTube VPNs are streaming behemoths. They have cracked the code and found a way to circumvent most streaming platforms’ geo-restrictions. In other words, the other VPN providers can unblock any streaming service you throw at them.
Can You Use a VPN With YouTube TV?
Yes, you can use a VPN with YouTube TV — but depending on the device you use, the task can be simple or a little complicated. If you watch YouTube on desktop devices or smart TV (Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick or others), all you have to do is install the VPN app to bypass YouTube geoblocking.
However, if you plan to watch YouTube TV on your mobile device while on the move, you’ll need a VPN and GPS spoofing app to change the YouTube TV location. It’s not as straightforward as in other devices, and our YouTube TV location hack guide will simplify the whole process for you.
Final Thoughts
Unblocking YouTube with a VPN is easier than other streaming services. However, that doesn’t mean that any old VPN service is up to the task. You have to look at VPN options through the lens of the features we highlighted earlier to find one that can reliably unblock YouTube.
We did the legwork for you and narrowed the field to the five best VPNs for YouTube. If you still can’t decide which service suits your preferences, we recommend getting started with ExpressVPN. This is an all-around YouTube VPN that you can take for a spin risk-free, thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Which VPN do you use to access videos on YouTube? Have you unblocked YouTube TV outside the U.S.? Which VPN service did you use? We’d like to hear about it in the comment section. As always, thanks for reading.
