YouTube is the biggest video streaming platform around with everything from user-created content to films and TV shows you can buy or rent. But why would you need to use a VPN to watch YouTube?
It’s a good question, but anyone who’s ever seen the frustrating ‘This video is not available in your country. Sorry about that’ error message will know that some YouTube videos are restricted to being viewed in certain regions. This could be because the uploader set these restrictions or because of licensing rules which specify which countries a video can be watched in.
Some countries – China, for example – block YouTube entirely, along with the rest of the Google-verse, and a VPN gets around both problems and allows you to watch any YouTube video in any country.
And here our top five picks for VPN services that work with YouTube and unblock videos.
ExpressVPN
- 3000+ servers across 94 countries
- 5 simultaneous connections
- Mobile & Amazon Fire TV apps, plus browser extensions available
ExpressVPN is our premium pick here. It may not be the cheapest, but it offers a brilliant all-round service from the 24/7 tech support to above-average speeds.
While you’re probably less concerned with security if you’re after a VPN for YouTube, you won’t only use it to stream videos. When you do need security and privacy ExpressVPN has you covered thanks to its TrustedServer technology. Without going into the technical details here, it means they’re a lot harder to hack, which in turn means your identity and activity is kept private.
ExpressVPN has thousands of servers around the world, so it doesn’t matter which YouTube region you need to unblock, there’s a location to suit.
At the moment you can get 49% off ExpressVPN and 15 months for the price of 12.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
Surfshark
IPVanish
- 1400+ servers
- Fire TV and Android TV apps
- SugarSync included with subscription
Most VPN providers rent their servers and operate them remotely, but IPVanish owns and operates most of its network of 1400+ servers covering 75+ locations.
This has several benefits including faster speeds and better security. And soon, IPVanish will start using the new WireGuard protocol which will see speeds improve even further.
Although some rivals have more servers, IPVanish’s network is comprehensive enough to find the YouTube location you need.
Apps are available for lots of devices, including many of those you’ll be watching YouTube on including Amazon Fire TV Stick, iOS, Android, Windows and macOS.
As of 1 May, IPVanish offers a 30-day money-back guarantee which is a lot more generous than the previous 7-day one.
Currently you can get 73% off IPVanish and subscriptions also include 250GB of cloud storage from SugarSync.
Read our full IPVanish reviewCyberGhost
- 3700+ servers
- Subscription can be used on 7 devices
- Good speeds for streaming
One of the longest-running and most well-known VPN services, CyberGhost is both affordable and reliable.
It has one of the largest networks around with well over 3000 servers covering 58 countries. It’s ideal for unblocking YouTube and other streaming services, partly because it has Fire TV and Android TV apps in addition to the usual suspects.
As with all VPNs, you pay less if you subscribe for longer and you can use a single subscription on up to seven devices at the same time.
Right now you can get 82% off CyberGhost and two months free.
Read our full CyberGhost reviewAuthor: Jim Martin, Executive Editor
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.