Best VPN for Germany in 2025, and some to avoid

Thinking about visiting Germany? Maybe you’re already living there and want a way to keep your browsing habits private? As seasoned experts in the VPN landscape, we understand the difficulties you may face in Germany – from stringent P2P file-sharing and copyright laws to ambiguous fair-use policies. We’re here to provide the support and guidance you need by identifying the best VPNs for Germany.

To make sure we only recommend the best of the best, our team put together a rigorous testing process that evaluates Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) on security, speed, streaming ability, and more. This ensures that, whichever you choose, you’ll be getting your money’s worth and will be able to browse with total peace of mind.

First, though, let’s discuss what a VPN actually does. These services work by encrypting all of a device’s traffic. This first step prevents public wi-fi hackers, internet service providers, and government agencies from snooping on traffic. Next, the VPN masks the user’s actual IP address, hiding their online identity from website owners and allowing you to access region-locked apps like Netflix abroad.

Below, you’ll find a quick guide to our top Germany VPNs. Want to learn more? No problem, we’ll be covering each in more depth very shortly.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Germany:

1. NordVPN: Our #1 VPN for Germany. Veteran provider with over ten years of experience and plenty of German servers. One of the best at accessing stubborn streaming apps abroad. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Germany.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Germany. Highly versatile, with the ability to access lots of German content. Fast speeds and plenty of powerful security features. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. IPVanish: An easy to use, zero-logs VPN that works with tons of services including Netflix Germany. Security-conscious, with 24/7 support and no connection limit.
4. ExpressVPN: Another fantastic VPN for people in Germany. Boasts impressive speeds, a good range of privacy features, and first-class streaming ability.
5. ProtonVPN: No-logs VPN with lots of customizable features. Operates secure servers in over 110 countries and works flawlessly with most German streaming platforms.
6. CyberGhost: Streaming-optimized servers make watching German TV as easy as possible. Quick, security-focused VPN with a huge network and 24/7 live chat.
7. PureVPN: A reliable, affordable service that can handle day-to-day tasks without breaking a sweat. High-speed servers in 65 countries, including Germany. Includes effective always-on obfuscation.

How we selected the top VPNs for Germany

Although many VPNs work in Germany, not all offer a comparable service. To be recognized as one of the best VPNs for Germany, providers need to perform well in the following areas:

• Speed: No matter what you plan to do online, slow servers will make it difficult. Our team performed multiple speed tests throughout the day using each VPNs’ German servers to see how quick and consistent they were.
• Server availability: We scored VPNs on their number of German server locations, how many other countries they supported, and the overall size of their networks.
• Security and privacy: We evaluated each VPN against 16 different metrics to find out which were best equipped to keep users safe online while connected to servers in Germany.
• Ease of use: It shouldn’t be hard to get a German IP address, though it can feel that way with some providers. To find VPNs that were easy to use, we evaluated them against 10 different criteria.
• Streaming: If you’re keen to access German content libraries, then you’ll want a VPN that is well-suited to streaming. We found out which VPNs provided the best experience by scoring them on nine different criteria.

We have an in-depth explanation of our testing process later in the article. We’ll also discuss the results of each test and what they mean for the choices you might make. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers who impressed us.

The best VPNs for Germany: Our hands-on review

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Would you prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN, our #1 choice for Germany.

Best VPN Providers for Germany

Here’s our list of the top VPNs for Germany:

1. NordVPN

Feb 2025

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for Germany. This service has been around for over a decade and has an excellent reputation, working with virtually every streaming platform we tested including Netflix Germany, iPlayer, and ARD. There are hundreds of German servers to choose from, and up to 10 devices can be connected at the same time. While this VPN is very easy to use, staff are on-hand 24/7 via live chat.

Ideally, your VPN should have as small an impact on your speeds as possible. To measure NordVPN’s performance, we tested its German servers three times: in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. Here are the results:

NordVPN was extremely fast in all three tests, with an average speed of 216.23 Mbps overall. Given that our base connection speed was 250 Mbps, this was an excellent result.

Having tested numerous similar products, we can safely say that NordVPN is one of the most security-conscious providers around. It boasts an audited no-logs policy, 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, leak protection, and rotating IP address feature. Further, its latest updates brought even more functionality, with automatic ad and tracker-blocking, plus a custom protocol for beating country-wide censorship.

There are apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Alternatively, you can follow manual installation instructions to get it running on your router.

BEST VPN FOR GERMANY :NordVPN is our first choice for Germany. Outstanding privacy features, blazing fast speeds, and a ten-device limit. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark might have a low price, but don’t be fooled: this VPN boasts numerous security features and clearly puts your privacy above all else. There’s 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (on all platforms), protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, automatic ad-blocking and malware-scanning, and even the option to scramble your traffic. Most importantly, though, Surfshark keeps no logs, so details of your activities can’t be revealed, even if requested.

Of course, strong security isn’t all Surfshark has to offer. This service provides high speeds — as you can see from the chart below.

Download speeds while connected to the provider’s German servers were impressive. Surfshark averaged 212.90 Mbps overall, which is more than fast enough for gaming, streaming, or torrenting.

Using Surfshark, you can easily access some of the most stubborn services abroad. This means that even if you’re looking to use Netflix USA or BBC iPlayer while abroad in Germany, you’re unlikely to have any problems. If you do need help, though, you can reach customer support 24/7 via live chat.

Surfshark has Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Linux apps. It can be manually installed on supported routers.

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is inexpensive, secure, and adept at circumventing geo-restrictions from the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. It has no connection limit. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is one of the few VPN providers that owns and operates the majority of its servers around the world rather than leasing them. This means your data passes through fewer hands, and thanks to this VPN’s proven no-logs policy, no data is stored on its way through. There are lots of servers in Germany, 24/7 customer support, and absolutely no limit on the number of devices you can connect.

Now, this doesn’t mean much if the VPN can’t keep up with your requirements. To see how reliable IPVanish’s speeds are, we tested its servers in Germany multiple times. Here are our findings:

IPVanish’s servers were more than capable of supporting bandwidth-heavy activities. Its average download speed was 215.36 Mbps, making it the second-fastest provider that we tested. We were blown away by its consistency too: there was less than 2 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. In my professional opinion, this makes IPVanish one of the most reliable options available.

If streaming is a priority for you, IPVanish has you covered. Our thorough testing revealed that it works with German TV platforms like ARD, ProSieben, and ZDF, as well as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Hulu.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. It’s also possible to follow manual setup instructions and get this VPN running on Linux systems or routers. Users opting for the slightly more expensive Advanced plan also get a sandboxed secure browser and a generous 1TB of cloud storage.

SECURE ALL DEVICES:IPVanish works with any number of connected devices. Great for families and multiple connections. Apps for most platforms. 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a veteran provider with more than a decade in the industry. It operates thousands of servers spread across 100+ countries including Germany and boasts truly exceptional unblocking ability. We were able to securely access platforms like Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and ProSieben while connected, and users will appreciate that you almost never have to try multiple servers to make it happen.

To find out what sort of speeds users might expect, we carried out several speed tests while connected to ExpressVPN’s German servers. Note that these tests were performed at varous times of day to account for peak usage in the evenings.

As you can see from the above, speeds were consistently above 200 Mbps. Its average was 204.93 Mbps, placing ExpressVPN around the middle of the pack in terms of performance. Still, given the high level of competition, it’s a great result and more than fast enough to stream or make video calls.

From a user’s standpoint, ExpressVPN is very simple. However, behind the scenes, it’s actually quite advanced. It secures your connection with unbreakable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and (as of the latest updates) automatic tracker-blocking. Obfuscation kicks in automatically as needed and this provider has had its apps, infrastructure, and no-logs policy independently-audited to provide maximum peace of mind.

Slick, easy-to-use apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux (command-line). Unlike most other VPNs, ExpressVPN actually has its own router firmware, making it as easy as possible to secure your entire home network.

BROWSE SECURELY IN GERMANY:ExpressVPN is a privacy-focused provider that also unblocks most major streaming services with ease. Great connection speeds and powerful security features. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has a large presence in Germany, but users can also access servers in more than 110 other countries. In all, the provider has more than 8,000 servers in its network — which is far more than most. When you’re using this service day-to-day, you’ll notice that it works with most major streaming platforms, and even stubborn sites like ProSieben, DMAX, or ZDF are no issue. There’s a 10-connection limit and 24/7 live chat just in case anything goes wrong.

We tested ProtonVPN’s download speeds while connected to its servers in Germany. Check out the chart below for our findings:

This was actually one of the fastest providers that we tested, with an average download speed of 215.34 Mbps. That’s just a hair slower than IPVanish, putting ProtonVPN in third place overall. As such, you shouldn’t notice any performance issues while torrenting in Germany, gaming, or making video calls.

Experienced users will find a lot to like in the settings menu. For instance, there’s a VPN accelerator feature designed to push your speeds as high as possible. You can also set up split tunneling and port forwarding (though some features are only available on Windows). By default, ProtonVPN blocks ads and trackers, uses industry-approved encryption, and prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks. There’s also a kill switch, multiple anonymous payment options, and a no-logs policy backed up by an external auditing company.

ProtonVPN has apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It supports a wide range of routers, too, just in case you’d like to protect your entire home network.

HIGH-SPEED GERMAN SERVERS:ProtonVPN is a fast and reliable service that doesn’t keep any logs. Suitable for any everyday task and packed with advanced functionality. As well as 24/7 customer support, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ProtonVPN review.

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6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has hundreds of servers spread across three German cities and a network spanning 100+ countries. It even offers specially-configured servers designed to access platforms like ZDF, Prime Video  DE, and Netflix Germany while traveling. Subscribers can connect up to seven devices at a time and have access to around-the-clock support via live chat.

So how does this VPN fare in terms of performance? To find out, our experts ran multiple speed tests on CyberGhost’s German servers throughout the day:

Overall, the provider achieved an average download speed of 179.27 Mbps. Although this wasn’t as fast as the majority of providers in this article, it’s still more than adequate for a range of online tasks — whether that’s streaming in UHD or gaming. Speeds were reasonably consistent too, with just 12 Mbps of difference across all three tests.

Let’s talk about security. CyberGhost uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is currently considered uncrackable. It also offers automatic ad and tracker-blocking, a kill switch, leak protection, and rudimentary obfuscation, as well as a verified no-logs policy. Advanced users can set up smart rules that allow the VPN to connect on its own in certain circumstances or activate split tunneling to let certain apps bypass the VPN.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, and Android. CyberGhost’s website provides manual setup instructions for most router firmware too.

Easy-to-use apps:CyberGhost is easy to use. Great online privacy and security. It is a reliable option for users in Germany and unblocks most popular streaming sites. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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7 . PureVPN

PureVPN is an ideal choice for anyone living or traveling in Germany. It has servers in this country (and more than 60 others) and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, meaning you can browse safely across all of your devices.

Unlike some other providers, PureVPN isn’t detected by streaming platforms like Netflix, ARD, Zattoo, or Disney+. In other words, users can stay up to date on their favorite shows, even while on vacation abroad. Support staff are on-hand around the clock over live chat just in case you need them.

We set out to measure PureVPN’s performance and consistency by running speed tests in the morning, afternoon, and evening. You’ll find our results in the chart below:

The provider averaged 163.96 Mbps overall, which is a solid result. If you have a fast base connection speed (ours was 250 Mbps), you’ll have no problem streaming without interruption or making video calls. On the plus side, there was very little variation in speed, regardless of the time of day we tested.

There’s no need to worry about security either. PureVPN includes DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, WireGuard support, and an independently verified no logs policy. It even works in countries like China, which have extraordinarily strict online censorship. If you chose the Plus or Max plans, you’ll also be able to block trackers automatically (though we’d have liked to see ad-blocking functionality included as well).

PureVPN has its own apps for Android, iOS, Linux, MacOS, and Windows. There are also detailed setup guides explaining how to install this VPN directly on your router.

QUICK AND SECURE:PureVPN has everything you'll need to enhance your digital privacy while in Germany. It delivers some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen and includes a 31-day money-back guarantee on all plans, so there’s no harm in trying it out.

Read our full review of PureVPN.

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How to use a VPN in Germany

Never used a VPN before? Don’t worry; it’s simple to set up, and we’ll walk you through the process below.

Here’s how to use a VPN for Germany:

1. Sign up for one of the VPNs recommended above. NordVPN is our top choice.
2. Download and install the VPN app, making sure to get the right version for your device.
3. Open the app, sign in, and select a server location. For example, if you want to access US streaming sites, use a US server.
4. Hit the Connect button. Your data is now protected!
5. If you still can’t access content outside Germany, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, then reload the web page. Alternatively, try a different server.

And that’s it! You can now access region-locked content and hide your online activity from your internet service provider. The VPN should remain connected in the background until you turn it off.

Our VPN testing methodology for Germany

Comparitech strives to publish the most accurate and comprehensive VPN reviews and recommendations on the web. To do that, we evaluate dozens of VPNs based on real-world experience, expert analysis, and a battery of tests. When it comes to VPNs for Germany, we specifically looked at:

Speed

Whatever you’re planning on using a VPN for, it’s always wise to choose one that’s fast. While the best providers have a negligible effect on your base connection speed, the worst can slow it to a crawl.

To find out which providers were fastest, we carried out several speed tests while connected to each VPN’s servers in Germany. Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app, which was installed on a virtual machine.

The virtual machine was rate-limited to 250 Mbps, which is the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US. This helps us replicate the average users’ real-world experience. We then converted all of this data into a score out of 10 for a clearer picture of who had the most consistent speeds in Germany.

As you can see from the chart above, NordVPN was the fastest provider overall. It was closely followed by IPVanish and ProtonVPN. All three are excellent choices if a fast connection is important to you.

Server availability

First, we scored providers on how many server locations they had in Germany and (where this data was available) how many servers they had. Next, we looked into how many countries their networks covered in total. These scores were combined for ease of comparison.

CyberGhost and NordVPN scored highest, with an excellent choice of servers in Germany and around the world. ProtonVPN is also a great choice, thanks to its rapidly expanding network.

Security and privacy

When it comes to security and privacy, we always expect a VPN to offer 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection from DNS leaks. However, that’s just a baseline — for a provider to score well in this category, we expect outstanding offerings in each of the criteria laid out below:

We scored providers on each of these criteria, and then combined these scores to give a score out of 10 for comparison.

As you can see from the chart above, NordVPN and Surfshark are the providers most capable of providing users with a secure and private connection. ProtonVPN is a great alternative thanks to its alternative routing, verified no-logs policy, and the longstanding privacy-first reputation of its parent company.

Streaming

We’ve run thousands of real-world tests this year alone to find out which VPNs best unblock region-locked streaming services. For this article, we also scored providers on the metrics shown in the table below.

Each of these metrics was given a score, which we combined to create an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to directly compare providers.

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all achieved equally impressive scores. All three providers offer seamless access to all popular platforms as well as extras, such as a smart DNS service.

Ease of use

The last thing we want to do is recommend software that people struggle to use. To gauge how easy a particular provider is to get on with, we evaluate them against the metrics in the table below.

Each of these metrics was given a score, which we combined to create an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.

NordVPN was the easiest-to-use service overall, with well-designed apps and a streamlined sign-up process. IPVanish and ExpressVPN also scored highly, the former because of its reliability and lack of connection limits, and the latter for its hands-off approach to obfuscation.

VPNs to avoid in Germany

We would recommend avoiding any German VPNs in Germany for the simple fact that the national government has direct jurisdiction over them. Aside from that, there are a few well-known services that are best left alone:

HideMyAss

UK-based HideMyAss has logged identifying information in the past that led to the arrest of at least one of its internet users. We don’t recommend VPN providers that log such information to people who value their online privacy.

Hide.me (free)

Hide.me ranks highly in Google results when searching for “Germany VPN”, but its free version limits speed to 3Mbit/s and caps data at 2GB. It doesn’t support OpenVPN, and free users are limited to three VPN server locations.

Note the paid version isn’t so bad. Check out our Hide.me review.

ZenVPN

ZenVPN doesn’t store logs of the web pages you visit, but it does log your IP address and other information about you and your device. Additionally, the paid version is limited to 5GB of bandwidth per day – if you’re paying for a service, you deserve to be able to browse securely as much as you like.

Using a free VPN in Germany

“Can I use a free VPN in Germany?” is one of the most common questions we get asked, and we understand that free VPNs are tempting, especially if you’re on a tight budget. However, these services come with a host of issues. For one, a free VPN service will typically be slower and less reliable than a paid option.

What’s more, some providers of free services don’t take customer security and privacy as seriously as they claim to. After all, they need to make money somehow, which is often done by exploiting users. Some free VPNs lack basic security features such as encryption and a kill switch, while others inject tracking cookies into users’ devices, track user activity, and sell profiles to third parties.

Overall, a paid option is worth a few bucks a month.

VPN for Germany FAQ