Best VPN for MLB.TV in 2024

MLB.TV is the home of Major League Baseball in the US, with the rights to show every single match. Unfortunately, MLB.TV imposes blackouts for local games, depending on where you are. For example, if you’re in New York, you won’t be able to watch the games of the New York Yankees. That is, unless you use a reliable VPN service.

Luckily, VPNs can help you avoid blackouts and watch any match you want, no matter where you are. Yet, note that not all of them are able to bypass geo-blocks.

To save you time, our team and I tested and found that NordVPN, Surfshark and IPVanish are the best VPNs to bypass MLB blackouts. Read on to find out why I chose these VPNs.

Top 3 best MLB.TV VPNs in 2024

1. NordVPN – the best VPN for MLB.TV in 2024
2. Surfshark – best MLB TV VPN for simultaneous connections
3. IPVanish – affordable MLB TV VPN provider

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How to watch blackout MLB games with a VPN

1. Sign up for a VPN that works with MLB.TV – I recommend NordVPN, now 74% OFF
2. Download and install the VPN app on your device
3. Connect to a server in a location where your game isn't blacked out (check MLB.TV's website for blackout restrictions in your region by entering your ZIP code)
4. Go to MLB.TV or open up the MLB.TV app and search for your game

Top 3 MLB.TV VPNs compared

The best VPNs for MLB TV – detailed reviews

I’ve reviewed 41 VPNs and tested the top ones to see if they can circumvent MLB.TV streaming restrictions. During my tests, NordVPN, Surfshark, and IPVanish stood out as the best VPNs for MLB.TV blackouts. NordVPN offers the best selection of US server locations and has the fastest speeds to help avoid any MLB blackouts. Meanwhile, Surfshark and IPVanish are some of the cheapest options and also offer unlimited simultaneous device connections to bypass MLB.TV blackouts on all devices you own.

1. NordVPN – best VPN for MLB.TV in 2024

Watch MLB.TV with NordVPN

NordVPN is the best VPN for MLB.TV to bypass blackouts, based on my testing. It has one of the most extensive US server networks, with 1970+ servers in 16 locations, including New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Moreover, it has dedicated servers that ensure smooth and uninterrupted streaming. When I tested NordVPN, I didn’t observe notable buffering or latency issues.

During in-house tests of different VPNs for this guide, NordVPN proved to be the fastest solution. All thanks to the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol. It’s a modified version of WireGuard, which is one of the fastest and most trusted protocols on the market today. During a NordVPN speed test, the provider retained around 90% of the original connection speed, which ensured a very smooth performance. I could stream MLB.TV in 4K without experiencing any buffering.

I also enjoyed the SmartPlay feature that is integrated into all NordVPN apps. With this feature, streaming is not only fast but also completely private. With SmartPlay enabled, NordVPN changes the DNS server, hides your IP address, and encrypts the connection.

In total, NordVPN boasts more than 6400 servers in 111 countries. So, you’ll have a large list of locations to choose from. Which is especially useful when it comes to streaming. Hence, NordVPN is my top choice for bypassing MLB TV restrictions, as well as all the other main streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and BBC iPlayer.

NordVPN users get access to 24/7 live chat customer support, which is handy if you face any issues. Its prices are very reasonable, with plans starting from just $3.09/month, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. A 7-day free trial is also available.

2. Surfshark – affordable and fast VPN for MLB.TV

Watch MLB.TV with Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the best VPNs to watch MLB.TV, as it comes with more than 600 servers in the US, spread across over 25 cities, including Chicago, Denver, and many more. This will help avoid MLB blackouts no matter where you are. In total, this VPN has 3200+ servers in 100 countries.

Not to be outdone by any of the VPN market leaders, Surfshark uses the cutting-edge tunneling protocol, WireGuard. According to our research on Surfshark, on average, it retains around 86% of original speeds. This is great for watching live MLB game matches.

One of the main reasons I’ve placed Surfshark in second place is because it supports unlimited simultaneous connections. That means everyone in my household could enjoy unrestricted MLB.TV on different devices at the same time. Everyone under the same account could also unblock pretty much all popular streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video.

I was also pleasantly surprised by CleanWeb – this nifty feature helped me avoid all ads, even while streaming on a smart TV. On the downside, Surfshark is budget-friendly only if you opt for long-term plans. Monthly subscription costs $15.45/month, which is more expensive than NordVPN ($12.99/month) and IPVanish ($12.99/month) monthly subscriptions.

Fortunately, if you opt for the 2-year plan, you can enjoy Surfshark without a huge investment. Pricing starts at just $1.99/month. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial you can use.

3. IPVanish – best lightweight VPN for MLB.TV

Watch MLB.TV with IPVanish

If you’re looking for a lightweight VPN to help you avoid MLB.TV blackouts, IPVanish is an excellent option. Due to over 1000 US servers across 20 locations, it works very well for accessing games on MLB.TV.

IPVanish does offer fast and reliable speeds, with an average retention rate of 80% of the original speed, as per our in-house IPVanish testing. While that makes it the slowest out of all three providers on this list, that’s still speedy enough to support buffer-free MLB.TV streaming.

Although IPVanish doesn't have dedicated servers for streaming, it can still unblock Netflix and YouTube TV. However, if you are looking for a versatile streaming VPN, IPVanish isn’t as comprehensive as NordVPN or Surfshark – when I tested this provider, it couldn’t ublock Hulu or Amazon Prime Video.

Worldwide, IPVanish has more than 2400 servers across 55 countries and comes with unlimited simultaneous connections (just like Surfshark), allowing you to watch MLB.TV on multiple devices. Another great perk that comes with IPVanish is the On Demand feature. When it’s enabled, the VPN activates automatically as soon as it detects internet connection.

If you have any issues, you can contact IPVanish customer support via email or live chat. IPVanish’s pricing plans start from $2.19/month, and you get a 30-day money-back guarantee. Just like with other two providers, you also get a 7-day free trial.

Other VPNs we tested

Our research showed that Astrill VPN, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN are worth mentioning and can be used to bypass MLB.TV blackouts.

• Astrill VPN is a decent service but falls short of the premium status it advertises, with high monthly fees, a limit of five devices per subscription, and a logging policy that records more data than most other VPNs.
• Proton VPN encrypted all web traffic and replaced our IP address, making us much less susceptible to hacking on public Wi-Fi networks.
• Similarly, ExpressVPN offers excellent MLB.TV streaming capabilities with its strict no-logging policy, advanced VPN technology, and RAM-only servers.

How we tested the best MLB TV VPNs

Together with our research team, I evaluated dozens of VPN services to find out which are the best at bypassing MLB.TV blackouts while maintaining excellent connection speeds. As you can imagine, I prioritized providers with modern tunneling protocols, numerous US servers, and affordable prices. Here’s the VPN testing process I and the research team adhered to while evaluating MLB.TV VPNs:

1. US servers. Servers in the United States is the most vital factor for bypassing state-level MLB blackouts because you need US IP addresses to access MLB.TV. As such, I only included VPNs that include an adequate number of servers in America and are also categorized by state or city. Naturally, I also checked if the VPNs can consistently unblock MLB.TV and get around its blackout restrictions.
2. Connection speeds. The next crucial metric is connection speeds because it determines whether the VPN will provide lag-free streams while watching baseball. I checked whether the VPNs offer modern tunneling protocols like WireGuard. After that, I tested connection speeds specifically while connected to US servers because that’s the most relevant location to MLB.TV users.
3. Compatibility. A worthwhile MLB.TV VPN must be compatible with your preferred sports-viewing device, whether a PC, a smartphone, a smart TV, or anything else. When testing each VPN app, I evaluated the setup process, user interface, and features across various operating systems.
4. Price. Judging whether each provider’s overall package is worth its subscription price was crucial. Besides that, I also assessed free trials and money-back guarantees to ensure customers can test these MLB.TV VPNs before committing to long-term subscriptions.

Expert comment

Šarūnas Karbauskas

Security advocate and senior tech writer

The key to successfully bypassing MLB blackouts with a VPN lies in accessing a diverse range of US servers across different states. MLB blackouts are typically enforced at the state level, so having VPN servers strategically located throughout the US ensures consistent access to MLB.TV regardless of your location within the country.

When choosing an efficient MLB.TV VPN, server diversity should be combined with modern tunneling protocols. NordVPN uses NordLynx – the fastest protocol on the market – and it can offer superior connection speeds, which are essential for streaming HD sports content without buffering or interruptions.

What are MLB blackouts?

MLB blackouts are instances where certain games aren't streamed on MLB.TV for users in the opposing or home team's region. For example, when the Atlanta Braves are playing, you won’t be able to see the game on MLB.TV if you’re also in Atlanta, regardless of whether local television is broadcasting it. Or, if Houston Astros are playing home and you’re also based in Houston, the match will be blacked out on MLB.TV, unless you use a VPN to change your virtual location or watch the game on the local channel that has the broadcasting rights.

MLB blackout restrictions occur primarily for two reasons. Firstly, it’s because broadcasting companies in the US and Canada have exclusive streaming rights to certain games. Secondly, MLB wants to encourage fans to attend the stadiums and watch the matches live.

Please note that the MLB TV rules indicate that your location may be determined using various methods, including checking your IP address and the addresses users put in when registering.

You can check which MLB blackout restrictions apply to your region on MLB.TV's website by entering your zip code.

Bypass MLB.TV blackouts with a VPN

MLB.TV blackouts impose restrictions because you can watch those games via local TV channels or live at the stadium. MLB.TV enforces these restrictions based on broadcasting contracts or other exclusions. This means that you may encounter blackouts when streaming certain games of your local home team. Moreover, MLB blackout restrictions can apply even when trying to watch a game from the away team's market.

Fortunately, there's a way to bypass these blackout games – all you need is a reliable VPN. By changing your location with a VPN, you can avoid blackouts and watch the games as if you were in an unrestricted market. This method provides a straightforward way to enjoy your favorite MLB games without worrying about location-based restrictions.

Can you get around MLB TV blackouts with a free VPN

Unfortunately, it’s very unlikely that a free VPN for MLB.TV will be of any use. Free VPNs almost always have a poor server infrastructure, meaning they will probably be detected by MLB.TV.

Besides, most free VPNs don’t provide adequate connection speeds for streaming, are often very unsafe, and they often make money by selling your data to third parties. Consequently, I don’t recommend using a free VPN for MLB.TV.

Alternatively, you could use a freemium VPN service, which is a free version of a reputable, paid VPN. It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that these are usually much more limited than the paid-for options. For one thing, they generally struggle to bypass region restrictions on major streaming services. For this reason, I don’t recommend using one to watch MLB.TV.

The best option is to take advantage of free trials and money-back guarantees that premium providers often offer.

Try NordVPN for MLB.TV

MLB.TV 2024 key schedule dates

Here you can find the key MLB schedule dates:

Conclusion

If you're struggling with MLB.TV blackouts, using a reputable VPN like NordVPN, Surfshark, or IPVanish can solve this issue effortlessly. These top VPN providers offer extensive server networks across the US, allowing you to connect to a location with game broadcasting rights. This makes your device appear to be located there, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action.

Moreover, these VPNs offer a multitude of benefits unblocking MLB TV, including access to global streaming services, secure torrenting, and enhanced gaming experiences. Additionally, Astrill VPN, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN are also viable options, each providing unique features and strong performance for bypassing MLB.TV blackouts.

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