This article looks at the best VPNs for YouTube TV, and also how to unblock YouTube TV and watch your favorite streams from anywhere in the world.
In May of 2025, YouTube TV reached 8 million subscribers, making it the 4th largest TV provider in the United States. As a multi-channel streaming service, it gives its users access to over 100 high-quality programs. Unfortunately, YouTube TV is only available in the United States. If you try to access it from another country, you will usually get a message that YouTube TV is not available in your region, and only available in the US. But there is an easy fix. You can use one of the best VPNs for YouTube TV to access the service from anywhere on Earth.
Why you need a VPN for YouTube TV
People trying to use YouTube TV from outside the US are almost always blocked (unless using a VPN-powered workaround). Even if you are in the US, certain channels may be blacked out (unavailable) depending on your exact location. This happens because YouTube TV uses geo-blocking technology. YouTube TV is required to use this technology because of the licensing contracts that control where certain content can be shown.
Fortunately, a good VPN (virtual private network) service can get you around both problems. You’ll be able to watch YouTube TV from outside the US, and also unblock regional blackouts. VPN usage with services like YouTube TV is common, but it can be quite challenging to find the best VPN for unblocking YouTube TV. We’ve tested and compared dozens of VPNs to find the best VPNs for YouTube TV. After extensive research, the following four VPNs were clear winners.
Top VPNs for YouTube TV
- NordVPN — Best VPN for YouTube TV. A reliable VPN service with streaming optimized servers, large network of fast servers for streaming, reliable apps, plus great prices with the 77% off coupon.
- Surfshark — Budget-friendly and secure VPN for YouTube TV with unlimited simultaneous connections.Visit site >
- ExpressVPN — A premium VPN for YouTube TV with great support for streaming. Visit site >
- Proton VPN — A strong privacy choice for YouTube TV. Visit site >
How to use a VPN to stream YouTube TV [Quick Guide]
1. Subscribe to a premium VPN
Subscribe to one of the VPNs we recommend in this article.
2. Install and run your VPN app
Every VPN we recommend in this guide offers VPN apps or other support for all major devices and operating systems.
3. Choose a US server to connect to
YouTube TV will work better if you choose the YouTube TV server that is closest to your real-world location.
4. Sign up for a YouTube TV account
You will need to use gift cards or a US credit card (real or virtual) to buy a YouTube TV subscription. A subscription is required to actually view YouTube TV content. If you are outside the US, we provide tips for both options in our full guide below.
5. Stream YouTube TV with your VPN
How a VPN unblocks YouTube TV (and keeps you safe)
A VPN hides your real IP address and encrypts your traffic. If you connect to a VPN server in the United States, then connect to YouTube TV through the VPN, you appear to be located in the US. So this should be easy, right?
Not exactly. YouTube TV is ruthless about blocking VPNs, constantly trying to detect which IP addresses belong to VPN servers. Most of the time, the VPN servers get detected and blocked from that time on. In particular, free or cheap VPNs get detected and blocked quickly. Only a few VPN services have the resources to get you connected despite YouTube TV's efforts.
We have identified those successful services for you.
How we found the VPNs you need for streaming YouTube TV
We did a vast amount of testing to give you a list of VPNs that:
- Bypass YouTube’s geo-blocking algorithms
- Easily connect you to a massive network of high-speed US servers, supported by an even larger network for extensive global coverage
- Deliver high and consistent VPN speed for reliable streaming in HD or 4K, without buffering
- Protect their users with powerful encryption and advanced security tools
- Have an app for most modern devices, ranging from PCs and Androids to Amazon Fire Stick and even gaming consoles
- Are backed by a professional support team and offer 30-day money-back guarantees
Ready to learn more about the winning VPN providers? We'll start with our top pick, NordVPN.
NordVPN — The best VPN for YouTube TV
| Website | NordVPN.com |
| Based in | Panama |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $2.99/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Deal | 77% Off Coupon |
NordVPN is widely regarded as the top VPN for bypassing YouTube TV geographic restrictions. With over 3,000 servers in 20 locations across the US, you will always be able to find a working server for streaming YouTube TV. Among its many advanced features, NordVPN incorporates technologies that make its entire network optimized for streaming quality and reduced buffering. Its robust network of premium servers ensures no bandwidth issues, lagging, or buffering, and helps you avoid YouTube TV VPN detection.
NordVPN uses the NordLynx VPN protocol, which is the fastest protocol currently available. It is a more private version of WireGuard, a VPN a protocol known for its strong security and excellent server connections. We’ve done a lot of speed testing, and NordVPN with NordLynx is almost always the fastest VPN for any given location. Our best result came from a Seattle server, where we reached a download speed of 903 Mbps.
Above all, NordVPN values your privacy. By placing their headquarters in Panama, NordVPN is able to implement an audited no-logs VPN policy, with Panama having no mandatory data retention laws. Additionally, all NordVPN servers operate fully in RAM-only mode. The logic is that without any hard drives to save the data, users will always remain safe.
NordVPN has verified that its no-logs VPN policy is the real deal through external audits. A comprehensive one was done by PwC, which confirmed that the service adheres to its privacy policies. VerSprite, a reputable cybersecurity company, did extensive penetration testing. Additionally, there was also a security audit of NordVPN conducted by Cure53, further bolstering trust.
NordVPN Advanced Features
- Threat Protection — Blocks malicious threats and ads, and stops phishing attacks. The Pro version (available on Windows and macOS) can scans downloaded files and deletes ones compromised by malware, along with a growing list of additional features.
- DNS leak protection — Passes your DNS requests through the VPN tunnel so third parties cannot see them.
- Private DNS — Your DNS queries go to a private DNS server run by the VPN, instead of to the DNS server provided by your ISP.
- Dedicated IP address — A fixed IP address that is exclusively for your use is available for an added cost. (See our static IP VPN guide for more details.)
- Obfuscated servers — Makes your VPN traffic appear as HTTPS to hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This is useful if you need a VPN for UAE, China, or Russia.
- Double VPN servers — Encrypts traffic through two servers in two different locations. Offers extra protection at the cost of speed.
- Onion over VPN servers — Passes your encrypted VPN traffic through the Tor network for the safest browsing experience. Extremely slow and a bad choice for streaming YouTube TV.
- VPN proxy extension — A lightweight NordVPN extension for browsers.
- SmartPlay — Stream YouTube TV from a device that doesn’t have VPN support, such as a gaming console.
- Kill Switch — Depending on your preference a VPN kill switch will close your app or block all traffic if the connection drops.
Besides being the best VPN for YouTube TV, NordVPN gives you access to most popular streaming sites. You can use it as a reliable VPN for HBO Max or to easily watch Hulu from abroad. The NordVPN app is available across many devices and is very easy to use.
While unlikely, it’s possible to encounter some problems. In that case, you can turn to their 24/7 live chat support. Additionally, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide NordVPN isn't for you. With one subscription you will be able to connect 10 devices simultaneously.
| NordVPN plans | Basic | Plus | Complete | Prime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-month | $12.99/month | $12.09/month | $14.99/month | $17.99/month |
| 1-year | $4.99/month | $5.99/month | $6.99/month | $8.99/month |
| 2-year | $2.99/month | $4.39/month | $5.39/month | $7.39/month |
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There’s a lot more to learn about this impressive service, so you might want to read this NordVPN review.
Surfshark — Watch YouTube TV with a high-performance, low-cost VPN
| Website | Surfshark.com |
| Based in | The Netherlands |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $1.99/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Deal | 87% Off Coupon |
Since launching in 2018, Surfshark has managed to become one of the top VPN providers. It achieved this by providing premium service at an affordable price. Without a doubt, Surfshark is one of the best cheap VPNs for YouTube TV, coming in under $3 per month.
Surfshark is based in The Netherlands, which is a good privacy-friendly jurisdiction that does not have data retention laws. Both Surfshark and NordVPN also fall under the Nord Security parent company, following a merger in 2022.
Surfshark offers over 600+ US servers spread across 24 US cities. They are situated in large cities like New York, Portland, and LA. Every server in the Surfshark network supports WireGuard, so you can expect great speed, speedy server connections, and excellent encryption.
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for families or users with multiple gadgets. It is compatible with a wide range of streaming devices, such as Roku and Fire TV, and also provides a smart DNS solution for devices that don't support VPN apps, enabling you to unblock geo-restricted content easily.
While slower than NordVPN, our ExpressVPN vs Surfshark article showed that it easily lets you stream YouTube TV in 4K from abroad. We were most impressed with the results of a speed test done connected to the Seattle server, delivering 752 Mbps download speeds.
The fact that Surfshark is based in The Netherlands (a good jurisdiction for internet privacy) is great from a security and privacy perspective. Add in the fact that its servers operate in RAM-only mode, and can’t store any user data. Like NordVPN, Surfshark is an audited no-logs VPN and aims for complete transparency by maintaining a warrant canary, a statement that tracks requests they’ve received for disclosing data.
All of this places Surfshark among the best no-logs VPN providers we have tested.
Surfshark's Premium Tools
Bypasser (Split Tunneling) — Choose which apps and websites can bypass Surfshark. This makes it a great VPN for torrenting since you can easily achieve your max download speed.
Kill Switch — In case your VPN connection drops, Surfshark will protect your privacy by disconnecting you from the Internet.
Camouflage mode — Works like NordVPN's Obfuscated Servers.
CleanWeb — Blocks intrusive ads and stops malware and trackers in real time.
MultiHop servers — Gives you more protection by passing your traffic through two VPN servers. Right now Surfshark has 14 MultiHop servers.
Everlink — A patented system that instantly restores dropped connections.
Web Content Blocker — A new feature that lets you specify categories of web content (gambling or adult websites for example) that Surfshark will automatically block for you.
Aside from being affordable, a single subscription will let you use Surfshark on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. This feature is usually reserved for more expensive VPNs, so we were very pleasantly surprised.
Surfshark also has 24/7 live chat support. In case you are still skeptical, you can try it out without committing thanks to their 30-day money-back offer.
| Surfshark plans | Starter | One | One+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-month | $15.45/month | $17.95/month | $20.65/month |
| 1-year | $3.19/month | $2.99/month | $6.09/month |
| 2-year | $1.99/month | $2.49/month | $2.09/month |
Deal: Get 87% OFF Surfshark 2-year plans >
For more technical details, check our in-depth Surfshark review.
ExpressVPN — A reliable VPN for YouTube TV
| Website | ExpressVPN.com |
| Based in | British Virgin Islands |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $3.49/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Deal | 73% Off Coupon |
Lastly, we have a veteran VPN service that has become one of the most popular VPNs since its inception in 2009. Like NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN has a network of thousands of servers spread across more than 100 countries. Even better for this article, they have hundreds of servers spread across more than 60 locations in the United States.
ExpressVPN is a top VPN service for streaming platforms, offering good VPN speed that ensures high video quality and minimal buffering when accessing geo-restricted content. With ExpressVPN, you can easily unblock BBC iPlayer in addition to YouTube TV, making it a great choice for accessing UK-based and other international streaming platforms from abroad.
ExpressVPN is another audited no-logs service, and its servers run exclusively in RAM disk mode based on TrustedServer technology. This is possible because ExpressVPN operates from the British Virgin Islands, a country that values privacy and has no data retention laws. In short, its security is well above that of regular VPN services.
ExpressVPN uses Lightway protocol, which is the company’s response to the WireGuard. While they are pretty even in terms of security, Lightway is somewhat slower. However, it still beat out other large VPNs, as you can see in the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN comparison.
ExpressVPN Tools
- Device Groups — Allows you to connect each device on a different server at the same time.
- MediaStreamer — SmartDNS tool which unlocks streaming on devices that don't allow VPNs. While useful, MediaStreamer is also risky since it doesn't encrypt your traffic.
- Network Lock (Kill Switch)
- Split Tunneling
- Threat Manager — Blocks suspicious domains, trackers, and intrusive ads.
Although this is not the fastest VPN for watching YouTube TV, it has some advantages. For example, ExpressVPN is available on almost every modern platform you can think of. In fact, it is one of the best VPNs for Firestick. There are also lightweight extensions for all popular browsers. They will stop WebRTC leaks and securely connect you to the websites. With ExpressVPN you can unlock many other streaming sites, and people find that it's a great VPN for Hulu.
ExpressVPN is also welcoming to new users. This is in part due to the minimalist interface and professional 24/7 live chat customer support that is always a click away. Their 30-day money-back guarantee means that you can try it out without any risks.
| ExpressVPN plans | Basic | Advanced | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-month | $12.99/month | $12.09/month | $19.99/month |
| 1-year | $4.99/month | $5.99/month | $8.99/month |
| 2-year | $3.49/month | $4.49/month | $7.49/month |
Deal: Get 73% OFF ExpressVPN 2-year plans >
If you have more questions, our complete ExpressVPN review will satisfy your curiosity.
Proton VPN — Switzerland-based YouTube TV VPN with strong privacy protections
| Website | ProtonVPN.com |
| Based in | Switzerland |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $2.49/mo. |
| Support | Email + Chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Deal | 75% Off Coupon |
Rounding out our top picks, Proton VPN comes from the Swiss team behind Proton Mail. Launched in 2017, it boasts an enormous global fleet of over 16,800 servers across 127 countries, with over 400 servers in the US that you can use for YouTube TV access.
Proton VPN easily handles streaming, delivering solid speeds that keep your video crisp and buffer-free while bypassing geo-blocks. You'll be able to unlock YouTube TV alongside services like Netflix and Disney+, making it a good choice whether you are looking for US or international content.
As an audited no-logs VPN, Proton VPN runs on encrypted servers to protect your data from attackers. It helps that the company is based in Switzerland, another jurisiction with no mandatory data retention laws.
Proton VPN defaults to WireGuard for zippy, secure connections that outpace older protocols like OpenVPN, though it can't run with the true speed demon (see our NordVPN vs Proton VPN showdown).
Proton VPN features
Proton VPN may not have as many advanced features as NordVPN, but it definitely has the basics and more. These tools include:
- Secure Core servers — Routes traffic through hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries for extra protection.
- NetShield — Ad and malware blocker that scrubs trackers on the fly.
- Kill Switch
- Split Tunneling
- Always-on VPN — Auto-connects on untrusted networks.
Proton VPN's open-source apps work flawlessly on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Firestick, and even Linux, all with enough speed to stream your favorite YouTube TV content easily.
Need YouTube TV on a device for which Proton VPN doesn't have an app? In that case you can install the VPN on many different router models. Browser extensions add leak-proof browsing. Plus, Proton VPN supports torrenting on dedicated servers.
New to VPNs? Proton's intuitive dashboard and 24/7 email support simplify the learning curve, and its 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test-drive the service risk-free.
| Proton VPN plans | Proton VPN Plus | Proton Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| 1-month | $9.99/month | $12.99/month |
| 1-year | $3.99/month | $9.99/month |
| 2-year | $2.49/month | $7.99/month |
Deal: Get 75% OFF Proton VPN 2-year plans >
Want more information on this service? Check out our updated Proton VPN review.
How to watch YouTube TV with a VPN [Full Guide]
Let’s see how you can use these premium VPNs to access YouTube TV from abroad. This can be done with five simple steps.
Note: For best results, use a laptop or desktop computer to change your YouTube TV location settings and access the YouTube TV website. Desktop computers are especially useful for troubleshooting and adjusting playback or regional settings.
Tip: To trick YouTube TV and bypass geo-restrictions, connect to a VPN server in the desired region. This will spoof your YouTube TV location, allowing you to stream content as if you were in that area.
1. Subscribe to a VPN
We recommend you choose one of the VPNs recommended in this article, as we have extensively tested them.
2. Install and start your VPN
3. Connect to a server in the United States
You will get the best speeds if you choose the one that is closest to your real location.
4. Sign up for YouTube TV
5. Watch YouTube TV with your VPN
How to subscribe to YouTube TV
Since YouTube TV is exclusive to the US, it can be challenging to purchase a subscription if you do not live in the United States. Your account will get blocked if you use a debit or credit card not based in the US. Here are some alternative payment methods you can try.
1. PayPal
Unlike many similar streaming services, YouTube TV lets you pay with PayPal. Better yet, it doesn't check if you have an American account.
- Get a premium VPN
- Connect to the closest US server
- Sign up to YouTube TV Under the payment section, select PayPal as your payment method. Enter your account information and accept the terms to get a subscription.
- Stream YouTube TV
2. Google Play Gift Cards
YouTube TV also accepts gift cards. Follow these 7 steps to get your Android subscription.
- Subscribe and download your premium VPNs
- Connect to a server located in the US
- Make a new Google account and pick the US as your region
- Visit the Google Play Store and buy a gift card
- Download the YouTube TV app from the Play Store
- Sign up and put Google Play as your payment option
- Watch YouTube TV with your VPN
3. Digital Credit Card
Lastly, you can create a virtual US prepaid card completely free with a site like StatesCard.
- Run your premium VPN
- Connect to a US server
- Go to StatesCard and create a new account
- Send your money to StatesCard via credit card or PayPal
- Pick your subscription option and create a YouTube TV account
- Start watching YouTube TV with your VPN
What does YouTube TV offer?
YouTube TV offers over 100 channels. You can find the full list here. Keep in mind that some channels will be unavailable from a certain location.
Aside from the regular subscription, YouTube TV also offers extra channels you can purchase separately. This includes HBO, AMC Plus, Cinemax, NBA League Pass, Showtime, NFL Sunday Ticket, and many more. The price of these channels is usually between $5 and $10.
Conclusion
If you want access to YouTube TV from outside the United States, you are going to need to use a VPN capable of bypassing the YouTube TV defenses. Based on our research and testing, there are four VPNs that can get the job done for you. Our #1 pick is NordVPN, but Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN can also get the job done for you. They all offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can try any of them, risk free.
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