Netflix on the ads planNetflix says ads plans and live events don't support VPNs; our scores don't split by planNot enough data
BBC iPlayer outside the UK4 VPNs score 100% in our research (Oct 2026); the BBC's terms bar VPNsWorks with some VPNs
YouTube TV while you travelYouTube TV says a VPN stops playback and asks for a home check-in every 3 monthsNot enough data
Hulu outside the US6 VPNs score 88% or more in our research (Oct 2026); Hulu's terms bar hiding your locationWorks with some VPNs
Know what works
for your setup.
Straight answers on which VPNs work with streaming services and TV devices. Every verdict says where it holds and when it was true.
Answers for the services and devices you already use
- Netflix
- BBC iPlayer
Apple TV
Android TV
Premier League
Answers for every screen.
Each answer names the service, the country and the device it applies to, so you know whether it fits your setup.
The top of our general ranking. The score combines how well each VPN works in practice in our research, device compatibility, features, and price and refunds. Device facts as of 6 Oct 2026.
First in our ranking
1
8.9/10Our general score
- Fire TV (Vega OS) appAppstore only, no sideloading
- Apple TV apptvOS 17 or later
- Smart DNS for other TVsMediaStreamer cannot change location
30-day money-back (new users)
2
8.7/10Our general score
- Fire TV (Vega OS) appSome features still missing
- Apple TV apptvOS 17 or later
- Smart DNS for other TVsSmartPlay; needs your IPv4 allowlisted
30-day money-back (first purchases)
3
8.4/10Our general score
- Fire TV (Vega OS) appCore VPN only, WireGuard only
- Apple TV apptvOS 17 or later
- Smart DNS for other TVsDiscontinued on 2 February 2026
30-day money-back (website purchases)
The full ranking is on our VPN providers page.
How we write verdicts
Rankings come from published criteria, never from commissions.
Verdict first
The answer opens the page: works, works with conditions, doesn't work, or not clear yet.
A clear scope
Every answer names the service, the country and the device it covers.
Always dated
Each fact carries the date it was true, and we revisit it on a schedule.
Questions, answered.
Is it legal to use a VPN for streaming?
The sources we read show no law against personal VPN use in the US, the UK or Canada, though none of them says outright that it is legal. Streaming services are a separate matter: their terms often forbid using a VPN to change your location, and they can block access when they detect one. Each guide says what the service's own terms allow.
Can I watch my subscriptions when I travel?
Inside the EU, the portability regulation (2017/1128) lets you use paid online services from your home country during a temporary stay in another member state. Outside the EU, it depends on each service and its terms; the UK left the scheme at the end of 2020.
Why does a streaming app say I'm using a VPN when I'm not?
Services flag IP addresses they associate with VPNs or shared networks, and some home and satellite connections get caught by mistake. Our fix guides list the error messages per service and what to try first.
How do you make money?
Some links to VPN providers earn us a commission if you buy. It never changes a verdict or a position: rankings follow the criteria printed on each page, such as app support on your device.