Best VPNs for Plex with remote access in 2026
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Plex makes it easy to turn your personal media collection into a fully functional streaming platform. Once your server is set up, you can access your movies, shows, and music from virtually any device, whether you’re at home or on the go. You can even share your library with others, making it a flexible solution for managing and enjoying your content.
Still, location-based restrictions and network barriers can sometimes interfere with remote access or limit what you’re able to stream. That’s where the best VPNs for Plex can make a difference.
With the right VPN, you can bypass regional limitations, protect your connection, and ensure smooth streaming wherever you are. After evaluating leading services, the Cybernews research team and I identified the top VPN options that deliver reliable performance for Plex users.
5 best VPNs for Plex
- NordVPN – overall best VPN for Plex
- Surfshark – top-class Plex VPN for streaming
- PureVPN – excellent VPN to watch American Plex
- Proton VPN – great VPN for Plex with free option
- Norton VPN – solid Plex VPN choice
What to look for in the best Plex VPN?
If you’re not sure how to choose the best VPN for Plex, here’s what, in my honest opinion, one should provide:
- Large server fleet. Having the ability to choose from a variety of different servers across the globe can significantly improve your experience on Plex. For one, you can access exclusive content from any country and find servers with a fast and stable connection. So always seek VPNs with many servers in different countries.
- Great performance. Best Plex VPNs should also provide excellent streaming performance – easy access to geo-restricted content, a reliable connection, no buffering, and good resolution. Some of our best streaming VPNs definitely tick all the boxes.
- Useful features. Make sure to check whether your chosen VPN has a port forwarding feature, as it would allow you to access Plex remotely. Additionally, great VPNs should also include a reliable kill switch and split tunneling.
- Ability to remove ads. Since the free version of Plex is notorious for intrusive and annoying advertisements, VPNs with ad blockers can help you. They have built-in technology that blocks website trackers and ads so that you wouldn’t have to deal with pop-ups and banners during your streaming session.
Best VPNs for streaming Plex – detailed list
It might be hard to find the best VPNs for Plex without trying out different tools yourself. For this reason, I've examined numerous providers in terms of their unblocking capabilities and additional benefits for you – read all about the best ones below.
1. NordVPN – overall best VPN for watching and streaming Plex
| Servers/countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Unblocks American Plex: | ✅ Yes |
| Includes an ad blocker: | ✅ Yes |
| Current deal: | Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
Based on in-house research, NordVPN is the best VPN for Plex since it can help you unblock any country library, watch movies in excellent resolution, and enjoy an ad-free streaming experience.
Security and privacy. When it comes to data protection, NordVPN uses the advanced AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. In addition, as described in our NordVPN review, the provider has a strict and independently audited no-logs policy that ensures your information remains private.
Performance. I’ve connected to the server in the US – there was no buffering, and I’ve managed to get an excellent resolution that’s essential for a seamless streaming experience. In terms of speed, this VPN supports the NordLynx protocol, and the latest speed test showed that NordVPN can retain around 80% when connected to a US server.
Features. If you want to get remote access to Plex with a VPN, NordVPN has the Meshnet feature, which gives access to devices over encrypted private tunnels. It also has the Threat Protection Pro feature that blocks intrusive ads and split tunneling, which allows you to include/exclude apps from the VPN connection.
Streaming. During internal tests, this provider easily unblocked Plex when connected to an American server. Additionally, NordVPN works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and many other popular streaming services.
Price. The subscription starts from only $3.49/month for 10 simultaneous connections and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. There’s also a 3-day free trial that you can claim via Google Play.
2. Surfshark – top Plex VPN to watch content on multiple devices
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Unblocks American Plex: | ✅ Yes |
| Includes an ad blocker: | ✅ Yes |
| Current deal: | Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for Plex, especially for users on a tighter budget. Already offering low prices, Surfshark further reduces the price tag by providing an additional Surfshark promo code: OFFCN. You get unlimited simultaneous connections, thousands of servers across the globe, and a reliable connection – an excellent price-to-quality ratio.
Security and privacy. Your data is protected using AES-256 and ChaCha20 ciphers. On top of that, there’s an independently audited no-logs policy guaranteeing complete anonymity.
Performance. Our team has reviewed Surfshark and examined its performance with American servers. The results are great – no delays, great video quality, and a stable connection. However, it’s expected, as it supports the well-known WireGuard tunneling protocol. The average speed retention when connected to a US server was 81% during in-house tests.
Features. The most useful Surfshark features for Plex are split tunneling and CleanWeb. The former one allows you to reroute your traffic to specific apps/websites, while the latter one removes pop-ups, banners, and other ads when streaming.
Streaming. I’ve unblocked American Plex without any problems. Also, since this provider has an impressive list of servers in lots of countries, you can definitely access other countries’ libraries as well. What’s even better – it works with other major streaming platforms, too.
Price. You can get a subscription from $2.49/month for unlimited devices with a 30-day money-back guarantee included. There’s also a 7-day free trial you can claim.
3. PureVPN – all-round VPN for Plex streaming sessions
| Servers/countries: | 6,000+ servers in 65 countries |
| Unblocks American Plex: | ✅ Yes |
| Includes an ad blocker: | ❌ No |
| Current deal: | Now 83% OFF PureVPN + 3 FREE months |
PureVPN falls into the category of our best Plex VPNs as well. It has an impressive list of servers and advanced features that provide a great streaming experience.
Security and privacy. This provider not only doesn’t collect user-related information but also encodes it using next-gen encryption. As experts explained in our PureVPN review, the provider’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by a reliable auditor for compliance.
Performance. When I connected to one of the US servers, it took some time to load Plex – we recorded the speed retention at 62% on a US server. Nonetheless, PureVPN successfully unblocked the streaming site and caused no issues when watching movies and shows. For great performance and speed, PureVPN uses the well-known WireGuard.
Features. Split tunneling, port forwarding, and a kill switch – there’s everything you need for a pleasant and secure streaming experience. You can selectively protect your traffic when watching Plex, get remote access to it, and remain anonymous even if a VPN connection drops.
Streaming. There were absolutely no issues when I tried unblocking American Plex. In addition, this VPN works with other popular services and can help you watch Japanese Netflix, Hulu, and others.
Price. PureVPN costs from $2.15/month for 10 simultaneous connections. and each plan gives an extended 31-day money-back guarantee.
4. Proton VPN – excellent VPN for Plex with a free version
| Servers/countries: | 20,300+ servers in 148 countries |
| Unblocks American Plex: | ✅ Yes |
| Includes an ad blocker: | ✅ Yes |
| Current deal: | Get up to 70% OFF Proton VPN |
Proton VPN offers a strong mix of privacy, performance, and versatility, making it a suitable option for Plex users. With its free version and advanced features, it stands out in security-conscious markets.
Security and privacy. Proton VPN provides top-tier AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, ensuring robust data protection. Features like a no-logs policy, Secure Core double VPN, and DNS leak protection add extra layers of security. Independent audits and open-source apps boost transparency, making it a highly trusted choice.
Performance. Thanks to the WireGuard protocol and the VPN Accelerator, Proton VPN delivers solid speeds for most regions. It retained 78% of the original connection speeds on a US server during tests. Proton VPN’s stable connections and consistent performance ensure a smooth Plex experience, even with media-heavy tasks.
Features. As described in our Proton VPN review, the VPN offers split tunneling, a kill switch, and Tor over VPN for enhanced usability. The NetShield feature blocks ads and trackers, while Secure Core ensures additional protection for users concerned about privacy. Its server network spans 127 countries, with ample choices for Plex streaming.
Streaming. Proton VPN is reliable for Plex, bypassing geo-restrictions and enabling smooth access to servers worldwide. With occasional server switching, it supports stable streaming, including large files, on devices like Fire TV Stick and Kodi.
Price. Proton VPN offers a free plan with one connection and servers in 5 countries, suitable for light usage. Paid plans start at $2.99/month, providing access to advanced features and faster speeds. While affordable, competitors may offer better performance at similar prices.
5. Norton VPN – good Plex VPN with essential features
| Servers/countries: | Servers in 65 countries |
| Unblocks American Plex: | ✅ Yes |
| Includes an ad blocker: | ✅ Yes |
| Current deal: | Now up to 54% OFF Norton VPN |
Norton VPN can be a good choice for watching Plex. It’s capable of bypassing geo-restrictions and providing a solid video quality.
Security and privacy. AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy are the measures that this VPN takes to secure your private information. These are the standard procedures that are also used by other VPN providers on the market.
Performance. When testing Norton VPN, I didn’t encounter any problems with unblocking Plex. The resolution wasn’t impressive, but it was solid for watching your favorite shows. And since it doesn’t support WireGuard, I’d say these are good results. In fact, the speed retention was quite impressive at 79% when connected to a US-based server.
Features. As described in our Norton VPN review, this provider offers only the essentials, such as a kill switch. In terms of additional features, there’s an Ad Tracker Blocker that removes intrusive pop-ups, banners, or redirects when streaming Plex content.
Streaming. With this VPN, you can bypass Plex geo-restrictions easily. I’ve unblocked the American library, but it doesn’t work with many more streaming services – only HBO Max and BBC iPlayer.
Price. Norton VPN's subscriptions start from $3.33/month for a single device. For an additional price, you can get 10 simultaneous connections and try this VPN for free if you get it in a bundle with Norton antivirus.
6. IPVanish – stream Plex movies on unlimited devices
| Servers/countries: | 3,200+ servers in 113 countries |
| Unblocks American Plex: | ✅ Yes |
| Includes an ad blocker: | ❌ No |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
IPVanish is a good VPN for unblocking Plex. Since it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, you can watch your favorite movies on any of your devices and even at the same time.
Security and privacy. As experts revealed in our IPVanish review, this provider employs standard protection measures to keep your data safe. For that, it uses the AES-256 algorithm, known as the top-notch encryption, and operates under a strict no-logs policy.
Performance. I didn’t encounter problems unblocking Plex with American servers. However, I did experience some buffering – the speed retention was around 62%. This is surprising since IPVanish uses the famously fast and reliable WireGuard protocol.
Features. When it comes to extras, this provider is not so generous. There’s a kill switch and split tunneling. Yet, the latter one is only available on Android.
Streaming. During in-house tests, this VPN showed great success when bypassing Plex geo-restrictions. In addition, it works with other streaming sites, such as Disney+, YouTube TV, Netflix, and others.
Price. You can get a subscription from $2.19/month for unlimited simultaneous connections with a 30-day money-back guarantee included.
7. PrivateVPN – solid VPN choice for streaming
| Servers/countries: | 200+ servers in 63 countries |
| Unblocks American Plex: | ✅ Yes |
| Includes an ad blocker: | ❌ No |
| Current deal: | Now up to 85% OFF + 24 months free |
PrivateVPN can also be categorized as a solid VPN for Plex. It bypasses geo-restrictions without any problems and can help you unblock various global libraries from anywhere in the world.
Security and privacy. Just like other VPNs on the market, PrivateVPN uses standard protection measures. Your data is encrypted using the AES-256 cipher, and there’s a strict no-logs policy put in place.
Performance. When I connected to the servers located in the US, the streaming resolution was decent, but there was some buffering. The lower-than-average speed retention of 29% was to blame for that. It could be because this VPN supports the OpenVPN tunneling protocol instead of WireGuard.
Features. When reviewing PrivateVPN, we discovered that it covers the basics with its features. A kill switch protects against accidental data leaks and port forwarding can help you get remote access to Plex with a VPN. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer split tunneling or ad-blocking features.
Streaming. I’ve tried accessing the American Plex, and this VPN had no issues unblocking it. In addition, it works with other streaming services, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and more.
Price. Private VPN costs from $2.00/month for 10 simultaneous connections. Each plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can get a free 7-day trial.
Best VPN for Plex compared
| VPN | Rating | Unblocks Plex | Servers | Compatibility | Speed (US servers) | Price |
| NordVPN | ✅ Yes | 9,500+ servers in 149 locations | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | 80% | From $3.49/month | |
| Surfshark | ✅ Yes | 4,500+ servers in 100 locations | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
81%
| From $2.49/month | |
| PureVPN | ✅ Yes | 6,000+ servers in 65 locations | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
62%
| From $2.15/month | |
| Proton VPN | ✅ Yes | 20,300+ servers in 148 locations | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
78%
| From $2.99/month | |
| Norton VPN | ✅ Yes | Servers in 65 locations | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
798%
| From $3.33/month | |
| IPVanish | ✅ Yes | 3,200+ servers in 113 locations | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux | 62%
| From $2.19/month | |
| PrivateVPN | ✅ Yes | 200+ servers in 63 locations | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
29%
| From $2.00/month |
Why use a VPN for Plex?
If you’re still not sure whether using a VPN for Plex is a good idea or not, here are its key benefits:
- Access geo-restricted content on Plex. Each country library has access to exclusive Plex content that is only available in that region. While the platform has over 50,000 titles in total, some are only available in the US, while others – the UK, and so on. A VPN can help you change your virtual location and unblock all Plex libraries from anywhere in the world. Top-class VPN service providers can also give access to other popular streaming services and let you watch American Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and others.
- Block trackers and ads while watching Plex for free. The free version of this streaming service is unfortunately filled with ads that are not only annoying but can also be obtrusive to the content or even spread malware. Luckily, a VPN with an ad blocker can help you remove pop-ups and enjoy watching Plex without any interruptions or potential dangers.
- Hide your online activity from your ISP. It’s essential to also mention that your ISP and various websites can track your online behavior, such as movie preferences on Plex and general browsing habits. A VPN, in this case, encrypts your traffic and makes it untrackable to everyone. Meaning that when connected to a secure VPN server, you can effectively stop ISP tracking.
- Enjoy your regular Plex shows while abroad. Normally, if you’ve started watching a TV series at home, you wouldn’t be able to continue watching when on holiday in a different country. Traveling VPNs are excellent in this scenario since you can easily access your regular Plex content when on a business trip or holiday.
How to use a VPN with Plex
Using a VPN for Plex is quite a simple process. However, if you’ve never used one before, I’ve prepared detailed instructions for you:
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Choose the best VPN for Plex, like NordVPN, which is now 75% OFF
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Download and install the app on your device
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Register an account or log in
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Connect to the US server and clear the cache
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Open the official Plex website and watch your shows
Note: We also have a comprehensive article with a how-to guide showing how to clear cookies and cache on all devices and browsers. You can use it if you’re not sure how to do it by yourself.
Conclusion
Since exclusive movies and shows on Plex are geo-restricted, you may discover that you cannot enjoy the platform to its full potential. Unless, of course, you employ a trusted VPN that can spoof your location and provide access to an IP address from any desired location.
Of course, you should pick a VPN with plenty of global servers for ultimate success. My top recommendation is NordVPN because it has 9,500+ servers in 149 countries – plenty of options to choose from. Of course, if you need unlimited simultaneous connections, Surfshark is the next best VPN for Plex.
FAQ
What's the best VPN for Plex?
NordVPN is the best VPN for Plex. It has a large server fleet that you can use to easily unblock over 50,000 different titles on Plex from anywhere in the world. In addition, this VPN includes the Threat Protection Pro feature that blocks intrusive ads when using the free version of this streaming platform.
Can I access the Plex server remotely with a VPN?
Yes, you can get remote access to Plex with a VPN that has a port forwarding feature. For example, NordVPN offers its own take on this feature known as Meshnet. Other Plex VPNs on my list can also be useful in this case.
Does NordVPN work with Plex?
Yes, NordVPN works great with Plex. I’ve tested its servers in the US and unblocked American Plex without any issues. The streaming experience was pleasant – there was no buffering, and the VPN even removed intrusive ads.
How secure is Plex remote?
If you use port forwarding to access Plex remotely with a VPN, it’s not perfectly secure since you open up the port to be accessed by anyone. However, if you only use the Plex Remote Access feature instead of a VPN, the company claims it’s completely safe.
