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Expand your Roku library with these top VPN choices.
Last Updated: December 9, 2024
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Roku streaming devices provide an all-in-one way to access streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, and thousands of live TV channels. Unfortunately, streaming services use geo-restrictions to determine who can access certain content. So unless you have a VPN, the content you can access on your Roku device is limited to your region.
You can unlock all of Roku’s streaming capabilities with a good VPN. However, the process is not straightforward for several reasons: Most VPNs can’t unblock streaming services, some don’t offer good enough speeds for streaming, and others aren’t convenient for Roku since the device doesn’t natively support VPN installation. This means you must choose your VPN carefully, considering its streaming abilities and compatibility with Roku.
With so many services claiming to be the absolute best Roku VPN, finding the ones that live up to their marketing can be difficult. That’s why we closely reviewed dozens of them. Through trial and error, speed data, and rigorous testing, the best VPNs for Roku have come out at the top of our list.
We’ll also examine why you might want a Roku VPN, what you should consider when choosing one in your region, and how to use a VPN on your Roku device.
Roku OS doesn’t support native VPN apps. That said, you can still use a VPN to fully unlock the streaming abilities of your Roku device through a few different methods:
For detailed guides on each method, skip to the section on how to set up a VPN on Roku.
Below is a quick overview of our top VPNs for Roku.
To select the best Roku VPNs, we tested dozens of providers to understand their streaming and unblocking capabilities, connection speeds, ease of router installation, smart DNS, and overall performance. Below is our shortlist of the top 7 best Roku VPNs.
ExpressVPN tops our list of the best VPNs for Roku. Its ultra-fast connections, reliable unblocking, and router compatibility mean it ticks every box when it comes to streaming on Roku, and our testing confirmed that it delivers the goods on both desktop and mobile.
When you’re not streaming, ExpressVPN is a safe and private service. Its independently verified zero-log privacy policy and unbreakable AES-256 encryption make it a great choice.
ExpressVPN is our go-to VPN for streaming because it provides the best-performing connections. Its servers gave us access to all the popular streaming platforms we tried, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, ITV, and Hotstar. You can easily access multiple libraries for each of these services. For example, we used it in our testing to access Netflix US, UK, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France, Australia, and Brazil, among others.
The provider comes with a tremendous, brilliant DNS service known as MediaStreamer. The service lets users unblock all US-based streaming services without relying on the VPN, leading to increased speeds and buffer-less streaming. However, it won’t secure your connection or change your location.
ExpressVPN lives up to its name by offering some of the best speeds in the VPN industry. The VPN uses a high-speed infrastructure with many servers equipped to handle 10 Gbps throughput, and it maximizes these connections with the help of its proprietary tunneling protocol, Lightway. Its network of servers spans 94 countries worldwide.
While creating this best VPN for Roku guide, we tested ExpressVPN’s connection speeds and noted only a minor drop of 6% when connected to nearby servers. Distant servers understandably had a more significant impact on the speeds, but most clocked in a minor difference of about 9%. You can use ExpressVPN to stream in 4K without issues, provided your regular connection can handle it.
ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and certain routers. It also has Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browser extensions, although these work in conjunction with desktop apps. Its kill switch is particularly effective, as we couldn’t identify any leaks no matter how much we tried.
The router app makes it stand out as one of the best VPNs for Roku. All you have to do is install ExpressVPN on your router, and then you can unblock any major Roku streaming library worldwide. For example, you can set your Roku device and other streaming devices to use a US server and connect to it from your Roku device in the UK.
In addition to the router app, the service has Aircove, the company’s proprietary router. The router comes pre-installed with ExpressVPN, so you only need to connect your account.
ExpressVPN is priced higher than the market average, but its secure, high-performance connections are worth every penny. The VPN’s yearly plan offers a considerable discount, allowing you to use the VPN for $6.67 a month, but you can also choose a monthly or 6-month plan.
If you need assistance setting up the VPN or with Roku streaming, you can contact the customer support team via the 24/7 live chat. Its knowledge base has loads of troubleshooting guides you can use to sort out any issues. And if you are not completely satisfied, you can invoke the VPN’s no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost is another great Roku VPN and one of the best VPN services. It’s based in the privacy-friendly country of Romania and is known for its advanced security features and huge server network geared towards streaming.
CyberGhost provides specialized streaming servers that unblock 30+ streaming services worldwide. These include multiple Netflix libraries, Disney Plus, ESPN+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, ITV, 9Now, DAZN, and Crunchyroll. The best thing about CyberGhost and streaming is that the VPN has servers dedicated to each streaming service it unblocks, so you won’t have to use trial and error.
Besides the special servers, CyberGhost VPN enhances streaming by providing a smart DNS service that can unblock significant streaming services. The service is even more advanced than most VPNs, allowing users to unblock streaming services in multiple countries, including the US, UK, Netherlands, Japan, and Germany.
CyberGhost VPN has a server network of 9,300+ servers spread across 100 countries. The number makes it one of the largest server networks in the industry, and only one or two other VPNs can match its distribution. Some of its servers offer a theoretical speed of up to 10 Gbps.
To get an overview of the performance of standard connections, we tested the VPN using nearby servers and got a minimal drop of 9%. Distant servers gave us about 85% of our regular speeds, which was also quite impressive. Due to the vast number of servers, CyberGhost connections are pretty stable.
CyberGhost VPN has a trustworthy kill switch, and the service is compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Fire OS, and Android TV. You can also use the VPN on any router that supports OpenVPN connections.
CyberGhost provides a guide on how to set up a VPN connection on routers manually, but an alternative solution is to purchase a pre-configured router from FlashRouters.
CyberGhost’s monthly pricing is on par with ExpressVPN at $12.99, but the VPN offers one of the most affordable long-term plans at $2.19 a month with a 2-year subscription. There’s also a 6-month plan that costs $6.99 a month, and you can secure up to 7 devices simultaneously on any of these.
CyberGhost provides 24/7 support in case of any issues. The live chat option is no longer available, but it has many technical guides and documentation you can use to sort out any issues and find a quick solution.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is the best VPN for Roku in the United States. The VPN provides excellent security and privacy through a court-proven zero-log privacy policy and many advanced security features. It is also terrific at streaming and offers many functionalities that make it great for Roku.
PIA makes Roku streaming easy with optimized servers. These servers are available in the US, UK, Japan, Italy, Denmark, and Australia and can unblock multiple streaming services. In our tests, we had no trouble accessing Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Paramount Plus, iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, ITV, Peacock, and 9Now.
PIA also provides an innovative DNS service that you can use to unblock streaming services in the US, UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Japan. It’s easy to set up depending on the country you want to unblock, but your Internet Service Provider might be blocking the default port, so you might have to play around with that as well.
Before it stopped reporting numbers, PIA had the most significant number of servers in the VPN industry, with 35,000+ servers spread across 84 countries. We’re not sure if that changed with the actual number’s disappearance, but our testing showed no differences, so there’s a good chance it was a marketing move.
We experienced a minimal drop of 10% in our base speeds during our tests. The drop increased to 18% when we connected to servers in faraway countries, but it’s more than enough to stream without buffering. However, it’s worth noting that PIA uses geo-located connections, so some speeds may not correspond with your estimate based on the distance.
PIA has native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Fire OS, and Android TV. The VPN can also be installed on DD-WRT, and Tomato flashed routers, although it would be easier to buy a pre-configured one. But even if a VPN router isn’t an option, you can still use the PIA Smart DNS to unblock content on Roku.
PIA offers one of the most affordable plans at $2.03 a month for the 3-year plan. The monthly plan costs $11.95, but the yearly plan is cheap at just $3.33 a month.
If you experience issues setting up or using PIA on Roku, contact customer service via PIA’s 24/7 live chat system or visit the knowledge base. If your problems persist, you can also request a refund, as the VPN offers a 30-day guarantee. We did, as part of our testing, and we got our money back in just a few days.
NordVPN is one of the best VPN providers, and it’s known for its advanced security features and colossal server network. The service is based in Panama and operates under an audited zero-log privacy policy. You can enhance the highly secure VPN connection with exceptional capabilities such as Tor over VPN, double VPN, and even securely sharing files with others.
This is easily one of the best VPNs for streaming, thanks to its ability to unblock streaming services using any of its servers. This is made possible by the VPN’s integration of its smart DNS service, SmartPlay, on all its servers. Most connections are optimized to access US streaming so that you can connect to Netflix US regardless of server. If you wish to access a different version, say Netflix UK, connect to a server in a specific country.
SmartPlay is also available as a stand-alone service. To unblock content on Roku, you can set up the service to stream on your router without turning on the VPN. Although it won’t encrypt your traffic, competent DNS will help you bypass geo-blocks where it’s available.
Netflix (multiple libraries), HBO Max, Hulu, 9Now, ESPN+, ITV, iPlayer, Peacock, and Paramount Plus are some streaming channels you can access with either NordVPN or SmartPlay.
With 5,700+ servers across 60 countries, the provider doesn’t take pole position regarding server coverage. However, it still has many servers, ensuring you won’t experience significant crowding on individual connections.
In addition, the VPN offers the NordLynx protocol, an advanced, custom-made version of WireGuard. This protocol is very light and superfast, so it ensures excellent speeds. It impressed us during our tests, as we saw a minimal speed drop of about 8% when connected to servers near us. You only need a nearby server to access most streaming platforms, which can significantly enhance your streaming speeds.
But if you don’t have a strong internet connection, you can still use the VPN’s competent DNS to unblock new titles on Roku without the additional slowdown of encryption.
NordVPN has Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Fire TV apps. This is quite a portfolio, so you can install the VPN on most devices and enjoy round-the-clock security thanks to its kill switch. Although it doesn’t provide security and privacy like a VPN connection, the innovative DNS service can also help you stream on devices like Roku and Smart TVs.
To use it on Roku, you can get a pre-flashed router from FlashRouters or flash the router yourself. NordVPN provides guides for installing the VPN on 15+ types of routers, and the instructions are available in multiple languages.
NordVPN offers a reasonably priced 2-year plan for $3.19 a month and a yearly plan for $4.99 a month. The monthly plan costs $12.99, which is par with CyberGhost VPN. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee and support up to 6 connections at a time.
The VPN makes it easy to deal with any issues, providing 24/7 live chat support. You can also get assistance through email and a content-rich knowledge base that offers many setup and troubleshooting guides.
Surfshark has only been around since the late 2010s, but it’s already one of the most popular VPNs. The service offers excellent security and privacy, good connections, and additional features for privacy enthusiasts. One of Surfshark’s main strengths is its streaming capabilities, which make it one of the best VPNs for Roku.
Like NordVPN, Surfshark unblocks streaming content throughout its entire network, which means you can connect to a server near you and access almost all US-based streaming sites without issues. Our tests also successfully unblocked streaming services from other countries, such as iPlayer, ITV, 9Now, ZDF, Hotstar, Mitele, and DAZN.
You can access Surfshark’s competent DNS at no additional cost. This is great because you don’t need a VPN router to unblock Roku. Change your router’s DNS addresses, update your network IP address on the Surfshark dashboard, and you are ready! The only downside is that no other locations aside from the US are available.
Surfshark VPN provides some of the most reliable connection speeds you’ll get with a VPN server, which has contributed significantly to the VPN’s popularity. This is thanks to its high-quality infrastructure, with servers with at least 1 Gbps ports. This means that the physical connection can handle a lot of traffic, and the VPN even has some that go up to 2 x 10Gbps per server.
Even though its server number is a bit on the low side, at 3200+ connections in 100 countries, the server coverage is one of the best on our list. When testing its connection speeds, we were impressed to note only a 5-7% speed drop when connected to nearby locations. You won’t see the difference if your baseline connection can handle 4K streaming.
Surfshark is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. The VPN also supports manual installation on routers and provides detailed setup instructions for popular router firmware, such as DD-WRT, OpenWrt, ASUSWRT, Tomato, GL.iNet, and others.
If you don’t want to deal with VPN Routers, you can still set up the VPN’s innovative DNS service in 2 minutes and unlock new content on Roku.
Surfshark is one of the most affordable top VPN services, with the two-year plan costing as little as $2.49 a month. The one-year plan is also relatively cheap at $3.99 a month, although the monthly one jumps to $12.95. All users are protected with a 30-day refund period, and you can reach out to the support team 24/7 in case of any issues.
IPVanish is another solid Roku VPN. The VPN owns and operates its entire server network, which makes it one of only a few VPN services to do so. Owning your servers gives you greater control over the hardware, which means you can make your network safer, faster, and easily optimized for streaming.
During our tests, IPVanish unblocked most streaming giants, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Peacock, Hulu, Paramount Plus, and BBC iPlayer. Although it doesn’t designate specific streaming servers, most US connections were successful at unblocking streaming sites. In case of streaming issues, you can consider Las Vegas, New York, Boston, and Virginia servers. It allows unlimited devices, so it’s an excellent option for streaming on multiple devices.
Aside from great security and privacy, IPVanish offers excellent speeds and reliable connections. The VPN app is super-light on device resources and provides the WireGuard protocol by default to ensure outstanding performance.
During our tests, we noted an average drop of only 9% when connected to nearby servers and servers in the same country. Distant servers also performed exceptionally well, averaging an 18-20% speed drop. These are solid speeds so you can stream easily with a decent baseline connection.
The service has Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Fire TV apps. The VPN also supports manual router installation and provides guides for setting it up on DD-WRT, Tomato, ASUSWRT, and ASUSWRT-Merlin.
IPVanish offers several pricing options, ranging from 1 month to 2 years. The 2-year plan provides the most value, with a 72% monthly discount of $3.33. The yearly plan saves 66% and costs $3.99 a month, while the monthly plan costs $11.99. If you opt for the annual or two-year plan, you will be protected with a 30-day guarantee. You can also reach out to the support team 24/7 via live chat.
PrivateVPN is a solid security and privacy-oriented VPN based in Sweden. The VPN operates under a strict zero-log policy and gives you access to industry-standard encryption. Besides security, PrivateVPN is also a fantastic streaming VPN and one of the best VPNs for Roku.
In our research and testing, the provider unblocked several streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Paramount Plus, DAZN, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and HBO Max. With Netflix, we can access several libraries, including those in the US, the UK, and Germany.
Although Private VPN doesn’t have specific servers for streaming platforms, like some of our top-ranking services, it does optimize all its servers for streaming online.
Despite the service’s relatively small server network of around 200 servers, overall server coverage is excellent in 63 countries. The network size doesn’t necessarily translate to slow speeds. We averaged a minimal 10-15% speed loss during our tests when connected to nearby servers. As expected, distant servers provided an enormous difference, averaging a 25% speed loss.
You can use WireGuard to enhance your speeds or even play around with IKEv2 and the much older PPTP. Given the latter’s security problems, we wouldn’t be comfortable using it.
Private VPN offers client apps for various devices and operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Fire TV. Users can also install the VPN on a VPN-capable router.
The company’s help center provides guides and troubleshooting tips for connecting the VPN on various router operating systems, including ASUS RT models, Synology, DD-WRT, Tomato, Linksys, QNAP, and pfSense.
PrivateVPN is one of the most pocket-friendly VPNs on this list. It costs as little as $2 a month. The monthly plan costs $9.90, and there’s also a 3-month plan that costs $6.00 a month. All the plans come with a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you need help setting up or using their apps, you can contact the team via the VPN’s 24/7 live chat and email support. There’s also a comprehensive support section with a knowledge base, tutorials, and FAQs.
A Roku device provides a fantastic streaming experience, but using a VPN with good server coverage is essential if you want to make the most out of your subscriptions.
Due to digital rights management, streaming platforms curate different regional libraries. This means some titles may not be accessible in your country, even though you have a subscription.
Netflix is the most notorious platform here as the streaming service has many content licensed from various parties. According to Finder.com, the US version of Netflix has the most titles, with 5,732 movies and TV shows.
In contrast, Indonesian users can access only 3,854 movies and TV shows, and most of Europe averages only 70% of the entire Netflix catalog. You can connect to a regional server if you wish to access US-only titles.
Most streaming companies operate in specific regions, leaving most countries out. For example, Peacock TV, Paramount Plus, and HBO Max are only available in the US. To access them outside the region, you can use a streaming VPN to connect to a server in the US. This will give you a US IP address and make the streaming service think you are within its region of operation.
Note that you must use a solution capable of unblocking the streaming service you’d like to access. Streaming platforms constantly ban IPs, so using a trustworthy VPN that continually rotates IPs is essential to tune in to your favorite streaming sites without issues.
Traveling exposes you to a lot of public and unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Cybercriminals often use airport and public transportation Wi-Fi to prey on unsuspecting victims. With a virtual private network, you can encrypt your traffic and ensure nobody can spy on you even if they eavesdrop on your connection.
Legislation against cyberattacks is still being implemented worldwide, with many developing and even developed countries lacking proper laws. VPNs allow you to be proactive about the security of your devices no matter where you go.
Even though you can’t install a VPN directly on Roku, there are multiple ways you can get your VPN to work on the streaming device and unblock the titles or streaming sites you like.
Sharing a hotspot from your phone is the quickest way to share your VPN connection with your Roku. But mobile hotspots consume mobile data and can be slower than Wi-Fi, so although this option is convenient, it’s not ideal in the long term. Even so, here are the quick steps:
A more straightforward method to use your VPN on Roku is to share your VPN connection from your PC or Mac. This method only requires a few steps, and you won’t have to buy new hardware, as most modern computers can share a hotspot.
Follow the steps below to share your VPN connection with your Roku via a Windows computer:
1. Install a VPN on your Windows computer. Then, open Settings.
2. Go to Network and Internet.
3. Open Mobile hotspot.
4. Select Wi-Fi and then enable Mobile hotspot.
5. Go to Settings > Network and Internet > Change adapter options.
6. Right-click on the VPN’s Adapter and select Properties.
7. Select the Sharing tab and check the box that reads Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.
8. Select the drop-down under Home networking connection and choose your internet connection. Mine is LAN named Local Area Connection 10; yours might be wireless, so choose accordingly.
Find and connect to the shared Wi-Fi on your Roku, which may be called Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter. Connect your VPN on your Windows computer and then use your Roku.
Follow these steps to share your VPN connection with your Roku via your Mac:
Using smart DNS is a fairly straightforward way to unblock content on Roku. Smart DNS replaces a user’s DNS resolution server with one located in a different region. This helps unblock geo-restricted content, as streaming services think you are in a different location.
However, there are several shortcomings. First and foremost, smart DNS is usually difficult to customize on a regular basis—it’s more of a set-and-forget solution. So if you intended to change VPN servers frequently to access content in multiple regions, smart DNS is not a convenient option. Furthermore, most VPNs only offer smart DNS in a few high-demand locations, like the US and the UK. Smart DNS also doesn’t mask your IP address or encrypt your traffic, although this translates into faster speeds compared to VPN connections.
The steps to set up smart DNS on your Roku will depend on your specific VPN, so it’ll serve you best to search your VPN’s support documentation to find the exact steps. You can also contact your VPN’s live chat support and ask for help, which they’ll happily provide.
Let me start by saying I don’t recommend this method. Using a VPN on your router is arguably the most complicated way to share a VPN connection with your Roku. But using a VPN via your router ensures that all devices connecting to your router’s Wi-Fi network are protected by the router’s VPN. That includes other internet-connected devices, such as cameras and smart home devices, which have become particularly vulnerable to cyber threats in recent years.
But as I mentioned, I don’t recommend this method. Installing a VPN on your router isn’t a simple process. And like with smart DNS, it’s not easy to change your VPN settings if you use your VPN through your router—that is, unless you go with ExpressVPN, which has an advanced router app that functions similarly to its other apps. Finally, although most modern routers support VPN installation, not all routers can install VPN software.
If your goal is to access more content on your Roku, installing a VPN on your router is unnecessary—just use an easier method above. But if you’re considering getting a VPN on your router because of the other benefits, you’ll want to check your router specs and refer to the support documentation from your VPN provider, as the installation process varies. Asking live chat support is another great way to get important information quickly.
Choosing the best VPN for Roku requires some testing and trial and error to determine which is most reliable and suitable for your specific needs. That’s why we tested dozens of services to determine which ones are worth your time.
Of all the options, ExpressVPN stands out as the best Roku VPN. It offers the best speeds, has a router app, and, during our tests, unblocked all major streaming channels without any issues.
While it's possible to use a free VPN with Roku by setting it up on your router, free VPNs often come with limitations such as slower speeds, limited server options, and weaker security. For a smooth streaming experience and better privacy, it's recommended to use a reputable paid VPN.
Using a VPN may cause a slight reduction in internet speed because your data is being routed through an external server. However, many top-tier VPNs offer optimized servers specifically for streaming, ensuring minimal impact on speed and preventing buffering during your Roku streaming sessions.
A VPN allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that might not be available in your region. By connecting your Roku device to a VPN, you can stream content from services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ in other countries, giving you more variety and options.
Roku devices can be used anywhere, which is a big part of their popularity. That said, your physical location severely restricts what you can access.
If you set your account to a different country to access geo-restricted channels and apps, you'll also need a Roku VPN to connect to a server in that country.
Roku doesn't support VPN installation, but a workaround can help you set up a virtual private network for Roku within minutes.
Install a VPN on your router and connect Roku to that Wi-Fi network. There are guides available online to help you set up a VPN router step by step, but you can also buy a pre-flashed router. The same can be accomplished by setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot on your PC or Mac.
Several VPNs work with Roku, but ExpressVPN is the absolute best because of its reliable, ultra-fast connection. The VPN provides a router app you can use to change servers and access content in different regions. It also comes with a Smart DNS service to set up on any router and access geo-restricted content.
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