Best VPNs for IPTV in 2023
-
Anna Zhadan
Contributor
IPTV allows you to watch all sorts of great entertainment from a range of streaming sites and TV channels. But when you’re using IPTV, you may encounter geo-blocks that restrict you from watching content unavailable in your region.
The easy solution is to get a VPN, which will help you get around all geo-blocking and watch all the shows you want!
But there are many VPNs on the market – so how do you find the right one? Check out our guide on the best VPNs for IPTV in 2023.
Top 5 best VPNs for IPTV:
- NordVPN – best VPN for IPTV in 2023
- Surfshark – unlimited VPN connections for IPTV
- IPVanish – underrated IPTV VPN
- ExpressVPN – VPN for IPTV with loads of server choices
- CyberGhost – inexpensive VPN optimized for streaming
How to unblock IPTV with a VPN from anywhere:
- Sign up for a reliable VPN – we recommend NordVPN, now available at 63% OFF!
- Download and install the VPN app on your device
- Launch the app and connect to a new server
- Open the IPTV of your choice and watch whatever you want!
The Best VPNs for IPTV – our detailed list:
We scoured a busy market to find the best possible VPNs for IPTV. We narrowed down the numbers to a top 5 by looking out for select features such as the number of servers, router connectivity, efficiency at unblocking streaming sites, and more. Now let’s take a detailed look at the best IPTV VPNs.
- Baseline testing speed: 300 Mbps download/300 Mbps upload
1. NordVPN – best VPN for IPTV in 2023
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | 5500+ servers in 60 countries |
| Unblocks Netflix: | Yes |
| Current deal: | ️🔥Get NordVPN with 63% OFF + 3 months FREE!️🔥 |
All in all, we found NordVPN to be the overall best choice for IPTV.
NordVPN has a vast server list – 5500+ servers in 60 countries, with around 1970 of those located in 15 different US cities. This is great for unblocking content on IPTV, and with NordVPN, you’ll have no troubles accessing the big sites like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.
Its servers are fast too, and you need good speed to stream in 4K. When using the NordLynx tunneling protocol, we averaged speeds of around 249 Mbps.
There are apps for all major devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Amazon Firestick. If you’re using an IPTV box, you can connect that to a VPN by installing NordVPN on your router. This can be a tricky process, but NordVPN offers useful tutorials as well as 24/7 live chat should you need some help. Alternatively, you can just use the SmartDNS feature that unblocks streaming content without needing to connect to the VPN.
NordVPN is also extremely secure. With features like military-grade encryption and a kill switch, you can stay safe from online threats, hackers, and snooping ISPs.
You can get a subscription to NordVPN for only $3.29/month. You’re free to try out the service, too, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
You can learn more about this provider in our NordVPN review.
- Extensive server list
- Excellent at unblocking IPTV
- Great apps for most devices
- Guide for router installation
- Smart DNS
- Very helpful support team
- Doesn’t have a dedicated router app
2. Surfshark – unlimited VPN connections for IPTV
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Unblocks Netflix: | Yes |
| Current deal: | ️🔥Get 82% OFF Surfshark + 2 months FREE️🔥 |
We’re also big fans of Surfshark – another VPN that’s ideal for IPTV.
You can connect to more than 3200+ servers in 100 countries, with over 500 located around the US. Its servers are fast and reliable too, we got speeds of around 263 Mbps when using the WireGuard tunneling protocol, and you won’t have any issues unblocking any of your favorite streaming sites. We tried it out on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more, and plenty more.
Surfshark has intuitive apps for all your devices. Download it to Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire Stick. If you want to install it directly to your router, you can find specific guides on Surfshark’s website to help you through the process.
If you’re watching IPTV with a set-top box, you’ll find Smart DNS really useful. It’s the easiest way to unblock streaming sites if you're not worried about encryption. You get the best speeds with SmartDNS as you won’t be connecting to the VPN.
While most VPNs will restrict you to a few devices, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can let your family or housemates connect at the same time.
On top of all these great features, Surfshark is also very cheap. Its prices start at just $2.30/month which includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
You can learn more about this provider in our Surfshark review.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Servers have proven to unblock IPTV
- Fast connection with WireGuard
- Can set up on router with helpful guides
- 24/7 live chat
- Very affordable prices
- No telephone support line
3. IPVanish – underrated IPTV VPN
| Based in: | United States |
| Servers/countries: | 2000+ servers in 50 countries |
| Unblocks Netflix: | Yes |
| Current deal: | ️🔥Get 72% OFF IPVanish!️🔥 |
IPVanish has a few features that should get your attention.
The server list is huge, with around 2000 servers located in 50 countries, including 30 countries in Europe. And if unblocking streaming sites on your IPTV is all you want to do, we’re happy to report that IPVanish performs well with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube.
IPVanish is one of the few VPNs to offer unlimited simultaneous connections. That means you can connect it to all your devices and share it with colleagues, friends, and family.
This is useful because IPVanish has apps to download for plenty of devices, including Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux. You can also install it on your router (with guides available to help) and connect your IPTV box that way.
Its payment plans are flexible too. You can either buy only the VPN or pay a little extra and also get 500 GB of encrypted storage.
You can learn more about this provider in our IPVanish review.
- Good at unblocking streaming sites
- Good apps for many devices
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Flexible payment plans
- Speeds can be inconsistent
4. ExpressVPN – IPTV VPN with a massive server fleet
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers/countries: | 3000+ servers in 94 countries |
| Unblocks Netflix: | Yes |
| Best deal: | ️🔥Get ExpressVPN, now 49% OFF the 1-year plan!️🔥 |
ExpressVPN is a strong contender when it comes to top VPN picks for IPTV. It’s functional, is great for streaming, and has a massive server fleet.
With over 3000 servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN will help you find servers with optimal performance. Not to mention that its proprietary Lightway protocol can also deliver amazing speeds. During our tests, the protocol managed to retain 231 Mbps (or 77% of initial connection speeds) on average.
Having this in mind, you’ll be able to watch content without compromising much of your device speeds. You can also use ExpressVPN to bypass geo-blocks not only on IPTV but also Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other popular services.
Another benefit that helps ExpressVPN stand out is the Smart DNS feature. It allows you to get by geo-restrictions on devices that don’t support VPN connections.
This VPN has simple-to-navigate apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. If you need it on other devices, you can simply install the VPN on your router.
The benefits you get with ExpressVPN explain its somewhat higher pricing range. The prices start from $6.67/month, and you get to use a 30-day refund policy if you wish.
You can learn more about this provider in our ExpressVPN review.
- Great for unblocking IPTV and other streaming sites
- Great speed retention rates
- Massive server network
- Smart DNS
- On the pricier side
5. CyberGhost – affordable streaming-optimized VPN
| Based in: | Romania |
| Servers/countries: | 9700+ servers in 91 countries |
| Unblocks Netflix: | Yes |
| Best deal: | ️🔥Get CyberGhost VPN, now 83% OFF + 2 months FREE️🔥 |
CyberGhost is another powerful contender on the top IPTV VPN list. With streaming-optimized servers and great features, the streaming experience it will provide you with won’t disappoint.
If there’s anything CyberGhost doesn’t lack, it’s servers. With over 9700 of them in 91 countries, you’ll be able to unblock plenty of streaming services and libraries without much effort. Take IPTV, for instance. During our tests, its streaming-optimized servers unblocked the platform effortlessly.
Even the speeds were solid – the VPN retained 254 Mbps on average. That’s 84% of initial connection speeds retained!
Like ExpressVPN and other top VPN providers, CyberGhost could unlock much more than just IPTV. It also managed to access multiple libraries of Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.
CyberGhost is available on the most popular OS, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can use the one account you purchase with 7 devices.
This VPN is a much cheaper solution than plenty of other providers – starting from $2.19/month. Plus, it comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
You can learn more about this provider in our CyberGhost review.
- Unblocks IPTV and other services
- Stable and good speed retention rates
- Huge server fleet
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- No Smart DNS
How we selected these VPNs
VPNs are an important tool that can help you get the best out of your IPTV, but what exactly did we look for when compiling this shortlist? Here are the main features you need.
- Does it unblock various streaming platforms? One of the main reasons people use a VPN is to unblock the main streaming platforms, so it’s one of the first big features to check. All the VPNs on this list are proven to unblock a wide range of streaming sites.
- Does it have the apps for your devices? IPTV can be used on all sorts of devices, so to make sure you’ve fully covered all our recommended VPNs have apps for the major platforms.
- Speed. Streaming 4K content on IPTV requires speedy connections. These VPNs have fast servers and efficient tunneling protocols to keep your streams as smooth as possible.
- Customer support. Maybe you need some help setting up the VPN, or perhaps something isn’t working how it should. With good tech support in place, all your questions can be answered, so we’ve only recommended VPNs with reliable support options.
- Price. With so many VPNs to choose from, getting the right price is really important. Our recommended VPNs strike the right balance between quality of features and value for money.
- Security. From cybercrime to ISPs monitoring your usage, our top five VPNs have robust security features to keep you anonymous and protected from prying eyes and online threats.
How to choose the best VPN for IPTV
It’s important to look out for a few vital features when you’re picking a VPN to use with IPTV.
- To effectively unblock geo-restrictions on IPTV content, you’ll need a VPN that offers a wide array of reliable servers to connect to. This is how you’ll get around the restrictions that stop you from watching content from another region. Since many IPTV services are based in the US, look for a VPN that offers a number of servers in America.
- Reliability is key when picking a VPN. Only the best providers, like those we’ve selected in this article, are proven to consistently unblock streaming sites. IPTV providers are always working to block VPNs and only the top services, like NordVPN and the rest of the top five, consistently evade their efforts.
- Speed is important too – if you’re streaming IPTV and want to watch in the best 4K quality a slow connection will lead to buffering, which is the last thing you want when you’re engrossed in a show. Pick a VPN with consistently fast connections.
- Encryption and no-logs policy will ensure your activity is never tracked and will never be made available to your ISP or content owners. As IPTV can often include copyright-infringing content, it’s extra important to keep your viewing habits hidden.
- You might enjoy streaming IPTV on an array of different devices, like a laptop or smartphone, so a VPN with a wide range of apps is vital. All our recommended VPNs have apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more.
IPTV providers – what are they?
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a type of content streaming service. You can usually access IPTV to watch shows and movies on your devices via apps, websites, and dedicated IPTV boxes.
IPTV providers can be split into two categories – legal and unverified.
Legal IPTV providers include many of the big-name streaming sites you’ve no doubt used, such as:
- Netflix
- SlingTV
- Philo
- Youtube TV
- Hulu
- At&T TV
- Pluto TV
- Xumo TV
- Redbox
- Redbull TV
- Crackle
- Peacock TV
Legal IPTV providers can usually be downloaded from major app stores and will have been checked and verified by Google and Amazon. All the content available on these platforms will be licensed and legal to stream, however, there will be geo-restrictions. This means different regions will have different content libraries: for instance, if you’re in the UK, your Netflix content will differ from Netflix US.
Unverified IPTV options are often cheaper and provide more channels and content than their verified counterparts. However, you won’t find them on app stores. This is because they stream unlicensed content, so while you get a great deal, you need to be careful as your ISP could throttle your internet or even issue fines if the content owners step in.
Some unverified sites are completely legal, Amazon and Google just haven’t got round to verifying them yet.
Examples of unverified IPTV sites include:
- Yeah! IPTV
- Apollo Group TV
- SSTV IPTV
- Gemini Streamz IPTV
- Hypersonic TV
So, with both types of IPTV services, your potential problems are getting around geo-blocks and hiding the fact that you’re watching unlicensed content from your ISP. Thankfully there’s a quick solution to both these issues – get a VPN. Not only can a VPN hide your IP address so you can watch geo-restricted content, but it can also completely hide your activity – so neither your ISP nor content owners, like big movie studios, will be able to find out what you’ve been watching.
Why use VPN for IPTV?
There are many reasons for using a VPN with IPTV.
- Accessing a service that is unavailable in your area. With a VPN hiding your IP address, you can sign up to content providers that aren’t available in your location. For instance, you might want to watch a movie that’s only available on Netflix US while you’re in the UK, or maybe you want to catch up on BBC iPlayer when you’re away from home. A VPN will get you connected wherever you may be.
- Getting cheaper prices. Some IPTV services have different prices in different regions, so with a VPN setup, you can find a better deal and save some money.
- Hiding online activity. Since some IPTV services stream unlicensed content, using a VPN to hide your online presence is really important. ISPs are known to throttle the services of people found to be using unlicensed IPTV. In some cases, people have even been fined. To avoid any unwanted legal hassle, keep yourself anonymous with a VPN.
- Accessing websites. IPTV services that allow you to stream unlicensed content are also often outright blocked by ISPs. So without a VPN setup, you simply won’t be able to access these IPTV sites. Stop your ISP blocking IPTV services with a recommended VPN.
Can I use a free VPN for streaming IPTV?
Yes, you can use a free VPN when you’re streaming content on IPTV, but you won’t get a good service.
You could pick a VPN that doesn’t ask for a fee, but you’ll pay in other ways. The service will be poor, it will consistently fail at unblocking streaming sites, and you won’t get anywhere near the number of features you’ll get on a paid VPN. More negatives include ads all over the apps, your data potentially being sold to third parties, and even malware lurking away in the free VPN apps.
Another option is a freemium VPN, which is a free version of a paid VPN that comes with fewer features. A better prospect than completely free VPNs, but unfortunately, the scaled-down features and restrictions of use (data caps, limited servers) mean they aren’t really suitable for IPTV. That said, you could try Windscribe and also Atlas VPN.
Conclusion
If you’re a big fan of IPTV, then who could blame you? It’s a great way of watching excellent content from a range of providers. But to get the best out of your IPTV, you need a VPN.
Not only can a VPN unblock geo-restricted content that’s unavailable in your area, but it can also make sure your ISP doesn’t throttle your connection. After all, some IPTV might not be entirely legal, so the last thing you want is your ISP spying on your usage and putting limits on your service.
VPNs can unblock content, hide your IP address, and make sure no one can track your usage. Simply put, if you’re using IPTV, you need a VPN.
More VPN guides from CyberNews:
Best VPNs for Comcast Xfinity: top-notch security and privacy
Best VPNs for Verizon Fios: stop throttling and speed up your internet connection
Best VPNs for Spectrum: prevent bandwidth throttling
How to watch Sling TV outside US with a VPN: watch from anywhere without restrictions
How to watch SYFY outside the US: quick access to quality content with a VPN
Best VPNs that work with BlueStacks: find how to use a VPN with BlueStacks
FAQ
What is the best VPN for IPTV?
There are plenty of VPNs to choose from, but when you’re watching IPTV, we recommend top-tier services like NordVPN. This is a reliable service with the best features and excellent value for money.
Which VPN location is the best for IPTV?
Ideally, you should connect to a US server when using a VPN with IPTV. This is because most IPTV providers are based in the US. Luckily, all the best VPNs – like NordVPN and Surfshark – have plenty of US servers to connect to.
What internet speed do I need to stream IPTV?
To stream IPTV, you’ll need internet speeds of at least 3 Mbps (download) for 480p standard definition, 5mbps for 720p HD, and 25mbps for 1080p Full HD.
Can ISPs block IPTV?
Yes. Technically your ISP (AT&T for example) can block IPTV. If that is the case, one way to stop ISPs blocking IPTV is to use a VPN, like NordVPN, which will hide your activity, so even your ISP will have no idea you’re using IPTV.
Comments
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked