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How to watch YouTube without commercials in 2025


Over the years, people have discovered various ways to block YouTube ads. However, while some of these methods used to work in the past, YouTube has enforced extreme measures to stop them. As a result, some of the old workarounds no longer work.

Upgrading to YouTube Premium is a foolproof way to stop ads on the platform, but it’s costly. That said, there are countries where YouTube doesn’t display ads, so using a VPN to connect to these countries is a great way to get ad-free YouTube.

In this article, I’ll guide you through different methods to watch YouTube without ads on a budget.

Watch YouTube without ads with a VPN

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  1. Sign up for a VPN with a large server fleet. I recommend NordVPN, which has servers in 118 countries
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your device
  3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server where YouTube doesn’t display ads
  4. Visit youtube.com and enjoy it without any ads

Best VPNs to block YouTube ads

Using a VPN to watch YouTube lets you avoid ads and online threats. Here are my top VPNs for YouTube, offering ad-free viewing, great speeds, and security.

1. NordVPN – best VPN for ad-free YouTube overall

NordVPN banner new
Pricing:From $3.39/month
Servers/countries:7200+ servers in 118 countries
Streaming services:Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more
Current deal:Get 72% OFF NordVPN

NordVPN is the best VPN for YouTube, thanks to its vast network of servers worldwide. I easily found a server in regions where YouTube ads aren’t available, such as Andorra, Armenia, Bhutan, Monaco, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Uzbekistan, allowing me to watch videos without interruptions.

With secure AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, your connection stays protected. NordVPN also stands out as the fastest VPN on the market, maintaining around 90% of the initial connection speed. The experience was so smooth that I often forgot it was even running in the background.

Moreover, NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature blocks ads, preventing pop-ups and trackers on YouTube. It also works seamlessly with other platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, making it a top choice for streaming.

2. Surfshark – VPN to block YouTube ads on unlimited devices

Surfshark banner
Pricing:From $2.19/month
Servers/countries:3200+ servers in 100 countries
Streaming services:Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more
Current deal:Now up to 86% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE

Surfshark is an affordable VPN for YouTube. Although it has fewer server locations than NordVPN, I still found a server in countries where YouTube doesn’t display ads, such as Andorra, Armenia, Cuba, Monaco, and Mongolia.

The VPN also offers robust AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption to protect your browsing. While not as fast as NordVPN, Surfshark still retains about 86% of the initial speed, offering solid performance.

Surfshark’s CleanWeb ad blocker is a powerful tool for blocking YouTube ads. Additionally, Surfshark works with streaming service platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, making it a great value choice for everyday use.

3. Proton VPN – VPN for bypassing YouTube commercials with a large server fleet

ProtonVPN banner
Pricing:From $3.59/month
Servers/countries:9900+ servers in 117 countries
Streaming services:Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, HBO Max, Disney+
Current deal:Get up to 64% OFF Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a powerful VPN that bypasses YouTube ads. Its outstanding server fleet includes multiple countries where YouTube doesn’t display ads, such as Afghanistan, Angola, Monaco, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Plus, Proton VPN offers excellent security with AES-256 encryption and a privacy-friendly jurisdiction – it’s based in Switzerland. In terms of speed, Proton VPN holds up well, maintaining around 85% of the original connection speed.

Proton VPN offers a Netshield ad blocker, which is a solid ad blocker that can block YouTube ads and trackers. Plus, it works with major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max, making it a versatile VPN for both ad-free YouTube and streaming.

5 best ways to watch YouTube without ads

Watching YouTube without ads can be tricky, but I’ve tested numerous methods and found the best solutions. Below, I’ve put together a table that shows how easy, reliable, and affordable each workaround is.

MethodReliabilityPriceSetup difficulty
Using a VPNReliableCheapEasy
Getting YouTube PremiumHighly reliableExpensive (can be cheaper with a VPN)Easy
Using an ad blockerInconsistentCheapModerate
Using the Brave browserReliableFreeEasy
Using modded YouTube appsReliableFreeModerate

1. Watch YouTube without ads with a VPN

In some countries, YouTube doesn’t show commercials, and you can take advantage of this by connecting to those locations using a VPN for an ad-free experience.

Although there are around 44 countries where YouTube ads aren't displayed, many are small or have strict internet restrictions, meaning most VPN providers don’t have servers there. However, top VPNs offer servers in some ad-free countries, including Andorra, Armenia, Bhutan, Monaco, Mongolia, Myanmar, and Uzbekistan.

Keep in mind that the content you see in these countries may slightly differ. Here's how to watch YouTube without ads using a VPN:

1. Sign up for a VPN service. I chose NordVPN, because it offers most locations in which YouTube doesn’t show ads

2. Download and install the VPN application on your device

3. Connect to a server where YouTube doesn’t have ads. I chose Monaco

nordvpn monaco

4. Open YouTube and enjoy it ad-free

2. Get Youtube Premium subscription cheaper

Getting YouTube Premium is one of the most seamless options for enjoying YouTube ad-free. However, YouTube Premium subscription is quite expensive. Fortunately, there are several ways to get it for less.

First, start by exploring YouTube's pricing options. YouTube offers multiple subscription options, so shop around to find the best deal. Here are some examples:

  • Individual monthly plan: $13.99/month
  • Annual plan: $139.99/year (about $11.66/month)
  • YouTube Premium via Apple App Store: $18.99/month
  • Student discount: $7.99/month
  • Family plan: $22.99/month ($3.83/month per person when split)
youtube premium plans
YouTube Premium subscription options

It’s important to note that YouTube Premium prices vary by country. For example, while the individual plan costs $13.99/month in the US, it’s only about $6.37/month (PLN 25.99/month) in Poland.

Here’s how you can get YouTube Premium cheaper using a VPN:

1. Sign up for a VPN. I recommend NordVPN, now 72% OFF

2. Download and install the app

3. Connect to a server where YouTube Premium is cheaper, such as Ukraine, Turkey, or Poland

4. Open youtube.com/premium in a private browsing window

youtube premium poland

5. Select the preferred plan and log in to your Google Account

6. Complete the transaction and enjoy YouTube with no commercials

3. Watch YouTube without ads with an ad blocker

An ad blocker offers an effective way to eliminate ads on YouTube. While YouTube has implemented advanced systems to detect and restrict ad blockers, there are still some that work. Here’s how you can block YouTube ads using an ad blocker:

1. Select an effective ad blocker. I recommend Surfshark CleanWeb ad blocker

2. Download and install the application or browser extension

surfshark extension

3. Enable the ad blocker

4. Open YouTube and enjoy it ad-free

4. Watch YouTube ad-free using the Brave browser

Brave browser is an excellent browser that blocks all types of ads, including YouTube ads. Here’s how you can use it to enjoy YouTube without any ads:

1. Download and install the Brave browser on your device

brave browser download

2. Open the browser and go to youtube.com

3. Watch YouTube without any commercials

5. Use modded YouTube apps

For Android users, there are several modified YouTube apps that offer background playback and remove ads. Popular options include YouTube ReVanced, NewPipe, FreeTube, and SkyTube. Here's how you can use them:

1. Download the modified app from the Google Play Store, or download the apk from the app’s official website

revanced download

2. Install the application on your Android device

3. Enjoy watching videos without commercials

VPN is not blocking YouTube ads: quick fixes

If your VPN isn't blocking ads on YouTube, here are a few things you can try to fix it:

  • Connect to an ad-free country. Make sure you're connected to a server in a country where YouTube doesn't display ads.
  • Check for IP and DNS leaks. Use tools like dnsleaktest.com to confirm your real IP is not being exposed.
  • Use incognito mode. Try using your browser's incognito mode, as your browser or the YouTube app may retain information about your true location.
  • Reconnect to a different server. Switch to a different server in a country where YouTube doesn't show ads.

Final thoughts

Watching YouTube with ads can often be frustrating, especially as they’ve gotten longer over the years. However, there are many ways to bypass YouTube ads and watch your content without any interruption.

You can use a VPN to connect to countries where ads are not available, install an ad blocker, switch to the Brave browser, or even subscribe to YouTube Premium for cheaper using a VPN.

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