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Best VPNs for Comcast Xfinity: bypass bandwidth throttling in 2025


Comcast Xfinity is one of the biggest Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the United States, with 32.25 million customers in 2023. Unfortunately, "big" doesn't always equal "good." For example, Comcast customers have long been complaining about the ISP throttling internet speeds and demonstrating a general lack of respect for privacy. So, if you want to get around these problems, you will need to use a VPN.

However, with so many VPNs on the market, it can be difficult to find one that is right for you. To help you out, our team and I have researched the best VPNs for Comcast Xfinity. Whether you are looking for great speeds, value for money, or a tool that is ideal for beginners, this guide will enable you to find a VPN that suits your needs.

Best VPN for Xfinity – shortlist

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In this latest update, I corrected some outdated information, fact-checked current details, and added new information that could be relevant to Comcast Xfinity VPN users. Some clarifications were also added to provide as detailed an account of using a VPN with Xfinity as possible.

Why should you use a VPN with Comcast Xfinity?

Comcast Xfinity is an extremely popular ISP in the US. It allows users to build their bundle, from standard home internet and mobile plan deals to cable and streaming support. For example, some Xfinity plans include Netflix, Peacock, and Apple TV subscriptions. However, there are some problems with Comcast that users complain about that a VPN can help with:

  • Collecting (and selling) online activity and other user data. Comcast Xfinity has spent a lot of money lobbying for the right to collect user data and sell it to advertisers. This is a serious privacy and security risk, especially considering how common data leaks and breaches are in this day and age. One of the main benefits of using a VPN is that it hides your online activity from your ISP and government. It works by encrypting your traffic so your ISP can’t know what you're doing.
  • Streaming and torrenting limitations. Xfinity bundles that include cable and streaming services limit their content libraries to a specific location. Additionally, online activity and other user data selling make torrenting very risky. A VPN can not only help protect your privacy while torrenting but also unblock foreign content libraries to get the most out of your streaming service.
  • Speed throttling. Another problem you may have experienced if you are a Comcast user is having your speeds throttled, particularly if you are streaming or torrenting. Luckily, a VPN will help you get around this too! When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted, and this encryption can prevent your ISP from accurately identifying the type of traffic you're generating, including whether it's streaming video, downloading large files, or browsing the web.
  • Website blocking. ISPs can also censor or block specific sites you might want to access. Most of them do this by blocking sites at the IP or DNS level. Connecting through a VPN server, rather than directly to the blocked website, means you can bypass these blocks.

Best VPNs for Comcast Xfinity – detailed list

If you want to use Comcast Xfinity but are worried about having your speeds throttled or your online privacy compromised, you will need to use a fast and secure virtual private network. And there are loads of options to choose from. To make things easier for you, I have compiled a list of the best VPNs to use with Comcast Xfinity.

1. NordVPN – best VPN for Comcast Xfinity

nordvpn banner
Based in:Panama
Servers/countries:7200+ servers in 118 countries
Compatible with:Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Current deal:Get 72% OFF NordVPN

NordVPN is the best VPN for Comcast Xfinity. It is compatible with a variety of routers and streaming services, and its vast server network and privacy features make it reliable and adaptable. Multiple security features also ensure greater online safety when using Xfinity.

It offers lightning-fast speeds, largely thanks to NordLynx, its cutting-edge new VPN connection protocol. It also comes with 256-bit AES encryption, a customizable kill switch, protection against IP leaks, double VPN, and advanced privacy features for enhanced security. NordVPN operates under a no-logs policy that has been independently audited four times. This means that your online activity will remain completely private.

Another factor that makes NordVPN stand out as an excellent choice for Comcast is that it has special servers for torrenting and other P2P connections. This is ideal if you are concerned that Comcast Xfinity is throttling your torrenting speeds.

It also has an impressive 7200+ servers in 118 countries, which makes NordVPN perfectly suitable for streaming content from anywhere in the world. It is currently not blocked by any of the major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

NordVPN supports split tunneling, custom DNS, and router setup. Up to 10 simultaneous connections will let you enjoy all those NordVPN apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, tvOS, and Amazon Fire TV.

If you want to try it out, the service costs $3.39/month for a 2-year plan and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. For Android users, there’s a 7-day free trial option as well.

2. Surfshark – unlimited connections for Comcast users

Surfshark banner
Based in:The Netherlands
Servers/countries:3200+ servers in 100 countries
Compatible with:Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Current deal:Now up to 86% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE

Surfshark is another excellent option for Comcast users because it offers great speeds and security, and is even cheaper than NordVPN. So if you are looking for a very budget-friendly option, Surfshark is about the best you can find it even offers unlimited connections per subscription.

This VPN is extremely secure, offering 256-bit encryption and a kill switch, along with DNS and IPv6 leak protection. It has an audited no-logs policy as well.

Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs available. One of the main reasons it achieves such fast speeds is WireGuard, a cutting-edge new tunneling protocol. Along with other things, this makes it great for torrenting something Comcast Xfinity users are looking for.

Its huge network of 3200 servers in 100 countries makes it a great choice for streaming international content. Surfshark works well for unblocking geo-restricted streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

All in all, considering all Surfshark has to offer, it really is fantastic value for money. You can get a subscription from just $2.19/month (24-month one). And if this isn’t enough to convince you, all subscriptionsit comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our complete Surfshark VPN review to get the full picture, or check out Surfshark vs NordVPN for more insights.

3. IPVanish – secure and reliable VPN for Comcast Xfinity

IPVanish banner
Based in:United States
Servers/countries:2400+ servers in 100+ countries
Compatible with:Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS
Best deal:Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish

IPVanish is a great VPN for security-oriented Comcast Xfinity users who also want compatibility with streaming and torrenting. Additionally, IPVanish users can expect great speed retention and unlimited simultaneous connections, which is excellent for bigger households that all use the same Comcast network.

IPVanish’s security features include market-leading AES-256 data encryption and threat protection similar to NordVPN’s, which blocks ads, trackers, and basic malware. Multiple protocols ensure fast and stable connection – great for daily internet use and streaming. Privacy-wise, IPVanish is also very reliable, having an audited no-logs policy. This is particularly handy to avoid dubious Comcast privacy policies.

For those who opt for the Xfinity streaming bundle, IPVanish can offer the ability to unblock all major streaming services without slowing them down. Meanwhile, P2P support offers an opportunity to torrent safely and privately. With 2400+ servers in 100 countries, IPVanish falls a bit behind Surfshark and NordVPN, but still presents enough options to stream and torrent without restrictions.

IPVanish is fairly affordable, too, costing $2.19/month for a two-year plan. If you’re not sure if you want to commit, no worries, as all users get a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription plans except monthly ones. If you would like to learn more about this VPN’s pricing and features, our team prepared a detailed IPVanish review.

4. ExpressVPN – reliable provider for Comcast

ExpressVPN banner
Based in:British Virgin Islands
Servers/countries:Servers in 105 countries
Compatible with:Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Current deal:Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE

If you’re looking for a reliable VPN for Comcast Xfinity, then ExpressVPN is the VPN you should consider.

ExpressVPN offers three tunneling protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and their proprietary Lightway. Lightway is the best in speed and performance, regardless of your device. And it also uses AES 256-GCM cipher for unbreakable encryption. So, the duo of top-notch protocols and advanced encryption ensure you enjoy excellent performance without compromising your safety.

Everything you do online is known only to you because ExpressVPN doesn’t collect any logs of your activity, browsing history, personal data, or DNS queries. ExpressVPN’s strict no-log policy has been independently audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the Big Four accounting companies. Therefore, your online activities are private and secure.

In addition, this VPN offers a global server fleet distributed across 105 countries. With such a choice, you’ll have a more effortless experience using Comcast Xfinity, as you can easily switch between servers and find the fastest one to avoid throttling.

While ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than other VPN providers, for $4.99/month (2-year plan), your activities and identity are secure online, protected by an excellent security feature suite. To test this VPN's benefits, use its 30-day money-back guarantee on up to 8 simultaneous connections.

Check out our ExpressVPN review and find out more. See how it differs from the leader in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.

5. CyberGhost VPN – affordable VPN for Comcast

CyberGhost VPN banner
Based in:Romania
Servers/countries:Servers in 100 countries
Compatible with:Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Current deal:Get 83% OFF CyberGhost + 2 months FREE

CyberGhost VPN is one of the best options for Comcast Xfinity due to its specialized servers and a full-fledged feature set that helps to achieve faster speeds and avoids ISP throttling.

Its users receive the best security and speed ratio with a market-leading WireGuard protocol and a top-rated AES-265 cipher.

This VPN can help you access and stream all media content without slowing the speed and stopping your ISP from throttling the connection. Not to mention, CyberGhost has dedicated servers for streaming, gaming, and P2P file sharing. Plus, it unblocks Netflix and other streaming platforms faultlessly.

In 2022, Deloitte audited this VPN to prove that the company doesn’t log any online browsing data, history, or activities. So, a transparent privacy policy and features, like an automatic kill switch or Private Browser, make this VPN a great pick.

This VPN has servers in 100 countries. While the true number is not currently known, it used to be 11500+, which is remarkably high. And the best part is that this provider costs only $2.19/month for a 2-year plan, allowing 7 simultaneous connections per account. You can try CyberGhost with its extended 45-day money-back guarantee.

Best VPNs for Comcast Xfinity compared

Xfinity VPN providerRatingServersSimultaneous connectionsSecurity featuresPrivacy policyBased inSpeed retentionPrice
NordVPN
4.9
720010
  • Threat Protection
  • Audited no-logs
  • Strong data encryption
  • Kill switch
  • DNS leak protection
  • Meshnet
No logs, Independently auditedPanama (outside the Fourteen Eyes alliance)90%$3.39/month
Suefshark
4.7
3200Unlimited
  • Strong data encryption
  • Anti-malware CleanWeb
  • Antivirus (with One plan)
  • Kill switch
  • Alternative ID
No logs, Independently auditedThe Netherlands (in the Fourteen Eyes alliance)86%$2.19/month
IPVanish
4.5
2400Unlimited
  • Audited no-logs
  • AES-256 encryption
  • Threat Protection
  • Kill switch
  • Split tunneling
No logs, independently audited by LeviathanUnited States (in the Fourteen Eyes alliance)80%$2.19/month
ExpressVPN
4.3
Undisclosed8
  • AES-256 encryption
  • No-logs policy
  • DNS leak protection
  • Malware protection
No logs, Independently auditedBritish Virgin Islands (outside the Fourteen Eyes alliance)77%$4.99/month
CyberGhost
4.2
Undisclosed7
  • Secure encryption
  • No-logs policy
  • Ad blocker
  • Kill switch
No logs, Independently auditedRomania (outside the Fourteen Eyes alliance)86%$2.19/month

How we tested the best Xfinity VPNs

In order to help you decide which virtual private network to choose, we tested 41 VPNs. As we conducted our research and compiled our list of favorite VPNs, we took the following factors into account:

  • Security and privacy (25%). Comcast is notorious for collecting user data and monitoring their online activity. That is why security and privacy are the leading factors when choosing a VPN provider. Those VPNs that could provide protection against leaks, trackers, and malware, and had strong encryption and a no-logs policy were rated higher.
  • Speed (20%). Getting fast and reliable speeds is vital for VPN users, particularly if you are using it to watch content online.
  • Server locations and network size (15%). The more servers a VPN has, the better its speed, stability, and privacy. A larger number of locations also ensures better streaming and torrenting opportunities. So, I ranked higher those VPNs that had a fair number of servers and their locations.
  • Compatibility (15%). As Comcast is essentially an ISP, it’s important that a VPN covers any of your devices that could be linked to it. The greater the OS and device compatibility, the better for Xfinity a VPN provider is.
  • Streaming and torrenting support (10%). A VPN is usually used by those who want to access geo-restricted content. Comcast, however, does not provide opportunities to access foreign content libraries. Not to mention ISP speed throttling, which makes streaming and torrenting very frustrating. Hence, only those VPNs that are known for their P2P support and geo-unblocking made it to the list.
  • Pricing and subscription plans (10%). As with any review, I have taken the price into consideration to help you find a VPN that suits your needs and your budget. VPNs that offer money-back guarantees, free trials or versions, or simply affordable subscriptions were ranked higher.
  • Personal experience (5%). As I got to test these VPNs myself, I took my own user experience into account, mainly when it comes to app usability, customer support responsiveness, and other matters that regular customers might experience day-to-day.

Comcast and Xfinity – what are they?

Comcast is the largest internet service provider in the US. Xfinity is a separate brand owned and operated by Comcast. It bundles broadband internet, cable TV, and landline phone services. According to various reports, Comcast and Comcast Xfinity have been known to:

  • Throttle P2P connection speeds, which means they may slow down torrent downloads
  • Throttle streaming service traffic, which can slow down streams on platforms, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video
  • Collect user data and sell it on to advertisers
  • Block some websites

This won’t come as a shock to a lot of Comcast users, particularly considering that the ISP is one of the main opponents of net neutrality. In fact, it has heavily invested in the repeal of net neutrality in 2017, as well as the legalization of the sale of user data. In total, it has spent $15,000,000 on such lobbying efforts.

Although the net neutrality repeal has not impacted US customers yet, it could lead to a ban on certain internet traffic, services, and sites, based on how much you pay for your internet plan.

Setting up a VPN on Comcast Xfinity routers

Using a VPN on your router is a good idea because it means that your traffic will be protected across all your devices. It also means you can use a VPN on devices that aren’t normally compatible with VPNs, such as games consoles and streaming sticks.

Setting up a VPN on a router can be a bit difficult. For starters, not all routers support a VPN. However, Xfinity is special because it supports the use of a virtual private network. As long as your VPN is Xfinity-compatible (check with your chosen provider), you can set up a third-party VPN by either using a wireless gateway or specific VPN configurations.

With a wireless gateway, you’d need to use a bridge mode:

  1. Go to the Admin Tool
  2. Enter default username and password
  3. Go to Gateway and then At a Glance
  4. Enable Bridge Mode

For specific VPNs, you would need to follow its specific router installation instructions. For example, here’s how it works with NordVPN:

  1. Log into your router (same as with gateway instructions)
  2. Configure your router
  3. Look for a VPN client tab
  4. Follow the guidelines to proceed

If you were to run into any issues despite knowing that your VPN supports Xfinity, you can always contact your provider’s customer support for assistance during the entire process.

Can I use a free VPN with Comcast Xfinity?

While it may be possible to use a free VPN with Comcast Xfinity, it is definitely not advisable. Free VPN providers usually make their money by selling your data to third parties. In fact, if you are concerned about privacy, it is worth noting that free VPNs can care even less about your privacy than Comcast. They are also known for having slow speeds and are not great at unblocking restricted content. So even if you manage to get one to work, it probably won’t solve any of your issues with Comcast.

A slightly better alternative is a freemium VPN. This is a free version of a paid VPN, which comes with various limitations, including data caps. It also likely won’t be able to unblock various streaming services. All in all, it is not a viable solution. However, if you want to try it out, I recommend the Proton VPN free version, as it doesn’t have any data caps or speed limits and is fairly secure.

I definitely recommend paying a small fee to access a reliable VPN that will be able to unblock content, offer far more servers, and protect your online activity. For example, Surfshark and NordVPN both provide excellent value for money.

Our research team regularly tests 41 VPNs, determining which ones have the best streaming and router compatibility. This list includes only tested and most compatible VPNs that work with Xfinity and offer a full money-back guarantee, so you could test them out yourself.

VPN not working with Xfinity: what to do?

If your VPN is not working with Xfinity, there could be a number of reasons why:

  • Your third-party VPN is clashing with Xfinity’s own service. Xfinity offers its own VPN, so if that’s switched on, you might not be able to set up your own third-party service.
  • Your chosen VPN is not compatible with a Comcast router.
  • Your VPN needs to be updated or has outdated protocols. For example, WireGuard might work better or worse than OpenVPN.

Luckily, each of these potential causes have a solution:

  • Disable Xfinity’s Advanced Security on the Go feature
  • Try a different VPN setup or use just a VPN app on your device
  • Change your VPN provider to the one that supports Comcast Xfinity
  • Change VPN protocol to see if any other works better
  • Change server or restart your router/device/VPN

If none of these options work, I recommend contacting customer support.

Final thoughts on the best Xfinity VPN

There are many reasons to get a VPN for Comcast Xfinity, most notably Comcast’s less-than-friendly attitude toward user privacy. But not every VPN will do – you need the one that’s affordable, compatible with Xfinity and offers good privacy and security features. Hopefully, this article helped you find the one that can offer just that.

I personally would recommend NordVPN. It’s compatible with a wide variety of routers and platforms. It also offers exceptional security and privacy features, like independently audited no-logs policy and Threat Protection. Its server count and P2P support also make it a great choice for streaming and torrenting. So, if you want to take back some privacy with your online activity, NordVPN and others mentioned in this article are good options to pick.

FAQs

Comments

Paul
prefix 5 months ago
Is the Xfinity XFSETUP-00C8 Router VPN-compatible? I mean can the router be setup to connect to the VPN so all devices do not have to run the VPN SW on separate devices?
Thanx for any advice.
Cybernews Team
prefix 5 months ago
Hey Paul, thanks for the question. The Xfinity XFSETUP-00C8 router does not support VPN configurations directly. Most routers provided by ISPs, including this model, do not have built-in VPN client support, which means you cannot configure a VPN on the router itself to cover all connected devices. If you need this functionality, consider using a VPN-compatible router or setting up a separate VPN router behind the Xfinity router. Hope this helps!
Mike Como
prefix 2 years ago
I live in Florida during the winter months. My HOA makes me pay for xfinity tv for the whole year. Can I access my xfinity tv stream account from Canada using a VPN? How?
Cybernews Team
prefix 2 years ago
Hi! Yes, you can access your TV streaming account from Canada using a VPN. Before opening streaming services, connect to a VPN server in the US, or specifically in US Florida state. For example, NordVPN has servers in Miami, Surfshark has a few options - in Orlando, Miami, and Tampa. You'll be given an IP address in Florida and should be able to connect to your xfinity account.
Susie
prefix 2 years ago
I use Surfshark and am still getting emails as "warnings" from Comcast Xfinity due to accessing bittorrents and downloads. Any advice?
Cybernews Team
prefix 2 years ago
Hi Susie!

Here's what you can try doing:

1. Enable the kill switch. If your VPN connection suddenly drops while torrenting, your online activity will be exposed, and Comcast Xfinity might see all that you've been doing. The kill switch will kill your internet if the VPN connection is lost, and prevent your online data from being exposed.
2. You can also try using different tunneling protocols.
3. After downloading your files, disconnect from the internet and move your torrented files from the torrenting app. We recommend doing this, because if you disconnect from the VPN after you finish downloading, but choose to seed the files, there is a chance that your ISP will see that you're uploading these torrented files.
4. Be careful while torrenting even with a VPN. Sometimes copyright holders release fake files for torrenting in order to catch people who pirate their materials.

We hope this helps!
Rogers
prefix 3 years ago
can comcast see I use vpn and still sabotage my internet speed?(;
CyberNews Team
prefix 3 years ago
Hi there! In a way, your ISP can suspect you're using a VPN, as your data becomes unreadable. However, the ISP can't throttle your speed in this case.
sabriel
prefix 3 years ago
There are indeed some sites I want to access that are censored by Comcast xfinity but I just really didn’t realise how to go about it. I never actually knew that such thing as vpn existed and it’s so easy to use. Wow, I’m so glad I googled 😀 mind-blowing
Purpectiod
prefix 3 years ago
Is xfinity throttling with internet connection? I am no longer able to download files quickly but speedtest is showing regular speeds. Not sure if there’s anything I could do? Can I somehow check if it’s real or if there’s a problem with my device
CyberNews Team
prefix 3 years ago
It’s easy to find out by using a VPN. Run a speed test normally, as then try it with a VPN connection on. If this connection is significantly faster, your ISP is likely throttling your bandwidth.
WR
prefix 3 years ago
I don’t trust NordVPN since there are based in Panama. Should I be so skeptical?
CyberNews Team
prefix 3 years ago
Critical thinking never hurts, but there you’re skeptical for the wrong reasons. Panama is outside the 5 Eyes surveillance alliances reach, so if anything, this is great news for your privacy, not the opposite.
shis
prefix 3 years ago
remember that time comcast ‘accidentally’ leaked 200k cutomers (phone numbers)? i wouldn’t trust this company with my privacy… using a vpn on xfinity router makes sense
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