There are a couple of streaming-specific benefits to using a VPN. They help prevent your internet service provider from throttling streaming services, allowing you to get the download speeds you pay for. It’s even possible to spoof your location and gain access to streaming services that aren’t normally accessible in your current location. As you might expect, that’s useful for anyone traveling abroad or missing home while on vacation.
The problem is that most versions of Google Chromecast don’t include any VPN apps by default and lack any way to add them. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to use NordVPN—far from it—only that we have to get a little bit creative. Below, we’ll lay out three ways to combine NordVPN with your Chromecast, but first, let’s discuss why we recommend this service.
What makes NordVPN a good choice with Chromecast?
NordVPN is an affordable, highly versatile service with plenty to offer. Its network spans almost 120 countries, and its 7,000+ servers deliver some of the quickest speeds our team has seen. As if that wasn’t enough, it works reliably with virtually every streaming service we’ve tried. If you’re looking for a VPN with robust security features, an automatic ad-blocker, and 24/7 customer support, we’d strongly recommend trying NordVPN. It’s our highest-rated VPN for Chromecast.
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Method one: Install the NordVPN app
If you’ve purchased your Chromecast in the last few years, congratulations: it will be extremely easy to get your VPN up and running. That’s because more recent models (specifically named Chromecast with Google TV) offer access to the Google Play store.
All you have to do is search the store for “NordVPN” (without the quotation marks), then hit the Install button. When you’re ready, open the app, enter your login details, and connect to a server in your preferred location. That’s all there is to it!
Let’s say you’re using an older Chromecast that can’t access the Play Store. In that case, your best bet is to install NordVPN on a second device (your PC, for instance). With a few minutes of tinkering, you can share your new encrypted connection by creating a virtual router. This sounds tricky, but it’s easier than you might think.
We’ve written separate guides for creating a virtual router on Windows and MacOS. These are beginner-friendly and will guide you through step-by-step instructions for sharing your VPN-protected connection. When you’re done, connect the Chromecast to your shared network instead of your usual home network, and you’ll be good to go.
Related: How to use Chromecast with a VPN
Method three: Install NordVPN on your home router
If neither of the options above is suitable, you can always just install NordVPN directly on your router. This method is a bit more complicated, but it has several advantages. For instance, once you’ve set up the router VPN, you’ll never have to configure any of your other devices – just connect to the network as you usually would, and you’ll get all of the benefits of the VPN.
There are a couple of shortcomings to be aware of beforehand, though. First, changing server location is a little more complicated since it requires tweaking settings in your router’s control panel. Second, you won’t get any of the VPN’s benefits if you take your Chromecast on vacation or to a friend’s house. Since then, you’d be on another network entirely.
Every router is different, so the setup process will vary based on which brand and model you have. Luckily, NordVPN has created step-by-step configuration instructions for over a dozen popular router brands. If you run into any problems, don’t panic; staff are available 24 hours per day over live chat. Just click the speech bubble icon in the bottom-right of the page to start talking.
Chromecast and VPNs: Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I consider using a VPN alongside my Chromecast?
Using a VPN while streaming on Chromecast offers multiple benefits. You’ll be able to watch a greater range of content (since the VPN can help you use apps only available in certain countries) and won’t have to worry about anyone keeping tabs on your activities. Many ISPs like to limit the speeds of users who stream often. Because a VPN hides the signs that you’re streaming, you won’t be impacted by automated throttling systems.
Are any free VPNs suitable for streaming?
Generally, we advise against using free VPNs. The vast majority tend to have low monthly bandwidth limits that make them a poor choice for long-term usage or data-intensive tasks like streaming. Not only that, but they frequently lack support for less-common devices like Android TV and are generally less reliable when it comes to accessing stubborn streaming apps.
To make matters worse, our research shows that free VPNs have a bad habit of collecting more data and requesting more control over your device than they really need. We’ve even seen providers that just lie about the kind of logs they keep. It’s much safer to stick with reputable, privacy-first VPNs instead of just choosing a service because it’s free.
Will I get into trouble for using a VPN on my Chromecast?
It’s extremely unlikely. First off, VPNs are completely legal in most parts of the world, provided you aren’t using them to commit crimes. Secondly, millions of people rely on these tools every day. Any organization that decides to ban VPN users would lose access to a huge portion of their customers, so it’s just not going to happen.
On that note, credible reports of streaming services banning a user just for being connected to a VPN are exceedingly rare. They’ll sometimes blacklist the VPN’s servers but never punish the individual user. The worst that’ll happen is you’ll be told to turn the VPN off before you can watch anything.
