Best VPNs for Spotify to stream everywhere in 2024

Music streaming platform Spotify is one of the most popular apps in the world, offering a library of content that’s almost unrivaled in its scale. However, despite a global brand name and an extremely tight-knit community, Spotify isn’t accessible or fully available in every country. Plus, some schools and workplaces block the app to increase productivity. But don’t worry, you can enjoy the full Spotify experience from anywhere, you just need to change your IP address with one of the best VPNs for Spotify listed below.

Short for Virtual Private Networks, VPNs mask your true location by encrypting all the traffic flowing to and from your device and tunneling it via an intermediary server in a location of your choice. This means if you choose a location in which Spotify is available, such as the US, you’ll be able to access the app from anywhere in the world and bypass any regional restrictions on content. As a bonus, VPNs keep your online activities private and prevent nosy ISPs or government agencies from figuring out what you’re doing on the web.

Below, we’ll explain how to use a VPN to unblock Spotify from anywhere, plus we’ll list the best VPNs for the job. We’ll go into more detail about each of them later, but in case you don’t have time to read the whole post, here’s a quick summary.

The best VPNs for Spotify:

1. NordVPN: Our first choice VPN for Spotify! A veteran provider that works well with Spotify. Excellent speeds for streaming and strong privacy and security. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Spotify.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN provider for Spotify and Spotify Premium. A reliable service known for its extensive security features. Has fast speeds, excellent unblocking, and allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. IPVanish: Favored by Kodi users. Super-fast servers in the US work with Spotify and other platforms. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections with a single account.
4. ExpressVPN: Thousands of superfast servers dotted around the globe that can unblock and stream Spotify in good quality without interruptions. 24/7 live customer support.
5. CyberGhost: Ideal VPN for beginners. Easy-to-use apps that are simple to install. Over 10,000 servers in 100+ countries. Tests revealed impressive streaming and download speed.
6. PrivateVPN: Fast speeds and servers in 60+ countries. Works well with Spotify, Netflix, and other major platforms. 24/7 support and the option to pay in Bitcoin.
7. Private Internet Access: More than fast enough for streaming Spotify music and HD video. Connect unlimited devices at once. No-logs VPN with servers in 80+ countries.
8. PureVPN: A reliable, low-cost VPN that is fast enough to stream Spotify without issues. Comes with 256-bit AES encryption.
9. ProtonVPN: Incredibly secure and can access Spotify even on restricted networks. Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections.

How to use Spotify abroad with a VPN

Don’t worry if you’ve never used a VPN before they’re simpler than you might think. Just follow the steps below, and you’ll be streaming Spotify unrestricted in no time.

Here’s how to use Spotify from anywhere with a VPN:

1. Pick a VPN provider. We recommend NordVPN because it is fast, secure, and works with every TV and music streaming service we have tested it with.
2. Download and install the VPN app making sure to get the correct version for the devices you’ll be streaming Spotify on. All of the VPNs listed allow at least five simultaneous connections.
3. Open the VPN app, log in, and select a server in a country where Spotify works, such as the US, UK, or Canada.
4. Once the connection is established, open Spotify and use it like you normally would to stream all your favorite music!

How we found the top Spotify VPNs

Finding the right VPN out of the hundreds on the market can be a time-consuming and expensive business. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best VPN services that work with Spotify flawlessly based on the following criteria:

• Speed and stability of service
• Extensive server network across the world, including plenty in locations where Spotify is unblocked
• Strong encryption parameters so your location remains hidden
• Apps for Android and iOS
• Provision for multiple simultaneous connections
• Ease of use

This is just an overview, but you can read more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section below.

Best VPNs for Spotify: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Spotify.

The best VPNs for Spotify

Before recommending any VPN, we at Comparitech put them through a rigorous testing process to ensure they’re up to your requirements. The following reviews are the results of our first-hand experiences. Let’s take a closer look at the ones that impressed us.

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

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024 Unblocks SpotifyTested Nov 2024

NordVPN is our top choice for Spotify. The provider offers a bunch of customizable options and servers designed to cater to specific aspects of your browsing experience. Users have over 6,000 servers to pick from spread across 100+ countries and can choose one based on their activity, such as torrenting, anti-DDoS, video streaming, or ultra-secure privacy.

We don’t think authorities will be scrambling to uncover your personal details as long as you’re using a VPN to access Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, and other popular services – but it’s still prudent to remain protected. NordVPN encrypts traffic via AES 256-bit encryption and 2,048-bit DH keys. DNS leak protection is enabled.

NordVPN is a logless VPN service with zero retention of user data. This superb privacy policy has thwarted several attempts by government agencies to identify Nord users. When approached by the authorities, Nord had no information on its servers that could assist with the investigation.

Apps for both Android and iOS are available, as well as a desktop client for Windows, Linux, and MacOS. A single subscription grants access to 10 simultaneously connected devices.

BEST VPN FOR SPOTIFY:NordVPN is our top choice. Unblocks Spotify and most other major platforms and popular streaming services. Connects up to 10 devices simultaneously. Great on privacy and security. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

Read our full review of NordVPN here, or check out our video review.

2. Surfshark

unblocks spotifyTested Nov 2024

Surfshark has a network of 3,200+ servers spanning over 100 countries. As such, it’s already a good choice for accessing Spotify and Spotify Premium while on vacation. That’s not all, though; this service also works with major platforms like Netflix US and Amazon Prime Video. One of its standout features is that, unlike most other VPNs, Surfshark has no connection limit.

WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leak protection are enabled by default, as is AES 256-bit encryption. Security-conscious users can activate a kill switch and split tunneling feature, as well as an automatic ad-blocker and malware scanner. Surfshark has a no-logs policy, so once connected, you’re effectively untraceable. There is the option to pay in cryptocurrency if you’d like, though. Should you run into any trouble, customer support is on hand over live chat 24/7.

Surfshark offers apps for MacOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS devices. It also works with select wireless routers but must be manually installed.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a great value service that has no issues accessing Spotify and Netflix abroad. Better yet, it includes advanced features that all but guarantee a private internet connection. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here, or check out our video review.

3. IPVanish

Unblocks SpotifyTested Nov 2024

IPVanish is an incredibly fast VPN that costs little and ships with rigid encryption standards. You will experience no lag during Spotify music playback and a seamless experience when streaming on other platforms.

IPVanish doesn’t store any data logs at all. The provider can be referred to as a completely logless VPN. It’s almost impossible for your activity to be traced back to you because even network administrators at the company have no information about what you’re doing on the web.

An internet kill switch is included, which halts all internet traffic in the event that the VPN connection drops. As for encryption standards, IPVanish uses AES-256 encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. The latter feature means that even if your account is compromised, all past web sessions will remain encrypted and out of reach from nosy hackers.

There’s an option to choose between 2,000 servers spread across over 75 locations worldwide. IPVanish allows unlimited devices, which is very generous and makes it highly affordable if you were to split the cost among friends.

Apps for both Android and iOS, as well as desktop software for Windows and MacOS, are available. Many users find it an excellent option for Kodi because it allows them to download the Android APK directly to their device. The interface is also remote control friendly for Kodi devices that lack a keyboard and mouse.

SECURE ALL OF YOUR DEVICES:IPVanish is great for families and multiple connections. Easy to use with Spotify. Preferred by users who need high standards of online security. Can’t unblock as many video streaming services as some of its rivals. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish here or check out our video review below.

4. ExpressVPN

Unblocks SpotifyTested Nov 2024

ExpressVPN seamlessly combines military-grade encryption protocols with a fast, efficient product. The app is easy to set up and comes with a minimalist, functional design that works without any glitches.

There’s a wide selection of servers to choose from. Over 3,000 servers are spread across 100+ countries. When you log in, the app will also suggest a ‘smart location,’ which is a server that ExpressVPN feels is best suited for you based on where you’re connecting from.

Encryption standards are among the best in the business keeping your online activities secure from prying eyes. The company leverages OpenVPN with AES-256 encryption as default. 4,096-bit DHE-RSA keys are identified by a SHA-512 hashing algorithm.

Privacy enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the provider retains the bare minimum of data. Some of the details it records are the servers that users connect to and the dates they log on. Individual IP addresses are not recorded. For additional security, the provider also includes a ‘network lock’ that temporarily blocks internet access if the connection unexpectedly drops.

A single subscription grants access to five devices at the same time. Apps for both Android and iOS are available, as well as desktop clients for Linux, Windows, and MacOS.

LISTEN ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN is a trustworthy, secure service with high speeds and powerful privacy features. Great at unblocking any TV and music streaming service. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our review of ExpressVPN.

5. CyberGhost

Unblocks SpotifyTested Nov 2024

CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly option suitable for users who want a no-frills yet powerful service. The provider delivers on the core standards of speed and encryption protocols. It’s a Romanian-registered firm which means there aren’t any mandatory data retention laws to comply with. There’s also an internal policy of not storing any data, so privacy concerns are allayed.

CyberGhost’s choice of encryption standards is top-tier. It uses 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, along with 2,048-bit RSA keys and SHA256 authentication. An internet kill switch is included.

CyberGhost operates an extensive server network of around 10,000 servers spread across locations in 100+ countries. So, finding a server to access Spotify and bypass regional restrictions should be pretty straightforward.

The premium version grants seven simultaneous connections on a single plan. The company supports both Android and iOS, and there’s native software for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

EASY TO USE:CyberGhost is great for beginners. Great privacy, zero logs, and DNS leak protection. Unblocks Spotify, Spotify Premium, and most popular video streaming sites. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

6. PrivateVPN

Unblocks SpotifyTested Nov 2024

PrivateVPN has a network that’s only made up of approximately 200 servers, but these can be found in over 60 countries globally. The fast, unthrottled connections of PrivateVPN are highly suitable for streaming both music and video, and this VPN lets you access Netflix.

This is arguably one of the easiest VPNs to use, thanks to the streamlined interface of PrivateVPN’s desktop and mobile apps. Live chat and email support are available to help (email response times are far quicker than most VPNs we’ve tested), as is free remote help and installation. As for security, you can expect 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. This is a no-logs service that even lets you pay anonymously in Bitcoin.

You can use PrivateVPN with Spotify by downloading an app for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, or Android TV. To use this VPN with Linux or your wireless router, you’ll need to configure this manually.

FAST SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is a fast and reliable VPN service. Use it to access Spotify, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and others. Beginner-friendly VPN with very strong security. Encrypts data and protects privacy with a no-logs policy. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. Private Internet Access

Unblocks SpotifyTested Nov 2024  

Private Internet Access will help you unblock Spotify and use it from any location. It has a server network covering some 90 countries at the time of writing. This makes it very easy to access not only Spotify but also the likes of Netflix and BBC iPlayer. This VPN offers multiple protocol options, including WireGuard. This option is particularly speed-friendly, making it ideal for music and video streaming.

You don’t need to worry about your data or online activities being exposed when you connect to a Private Internet Access server. It uses 256-bit AES encryption and also offers features such as DNS leak protection and a kill switch. It’s also worth knowing that there’s a true no-logs policy in that not even connection logs are kept. PIA also provides you with an unlimited connection allowance.

PIA has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. You’ll also have the option of browser extensions (available for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera). Last but not least, it’s possible to manually set PIA up with a router.

NO LOGS VPN:Private Internet Access successfully unblocks Spotify and has servers in 84 countries globally. Consistent connection and download speed and strong privacy protection with its no-logs policy. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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8. PureVPN

Unblocks SpotifyTested Nov 2024

PureVPN is one of the most reliable video and music streaming VPNs we have ever encountered. Best of all, it is super cheap. 

It has servers in over 65 countries and works to access Spotify, Apple Music, or any other music streaming platform. The servers also work to access international streaming platforms like HBO Max and other leading streaming providers, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and UK TV services like BBC iPlayer.

The PureVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firestick, and they offer everything you need to gain online privacy. This includes AES encryption, a no-logs policy, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. 

Its WireGuard protocol provides average global download speeds of  400 Mbps, which makes it extremely reliable for streaming HD content, gaming, and quickly downloading torrents. 

Customer support response times are slow, but, in our experience, you won’t need to contact them because the VPN is easy to install and use. You can test it risk-free using its 31-day money-back guarantee.

LOW COST:PureVPN lets you stream Spotify on any restricted network. Works to access regional exclusive albums. Low cost of $1.96 per month. The VPN is very secure and reliable despite being cheap. Comes with a no-logs policy, AES encryption, a killswitch, and DNS leak protection.

Read our full review of PureVPN.

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9. ProtonVPN

Unblocks SpotifyTested Nov 2024

ProtonVPN, based in privacy-conscious Switzerland and created by the same team behind Proton Mail, has built a sterling reputation for its strong commitment to user privacy. It features an independently audited no-logs policy, ensuring complete confidentiality for its users.

The VPN includes a robust suite of features: AES encryption, a kill switch, multiple protocol choices, obfuscation, split tunneling, multi-hop connections, self-owned bare metal servers (Secure Core), and Tor over VPN. These capabilities make ProtonVPN exceptionally reliable for avoiding ISP snooping and government surveillance, safeguarding against hackers on public WiFi, circumventing streaming restrictions, allowing for unmonitored Spotify streaming at work, and overcoming regional music limitations.

ProtonVPN also excels in performance, boosted by its implementation of the WireGuard protocol, which has proven effective in our tests for accessing HBO Max, various Netflix regions, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. It is particularly advantageous for P2P file sharing, with specialized torrenting servers and port forwarding, enhancing security against potential threats.

Despite its higher price on longer subscription plans, ProtonVPN offers competitive rates for shorter-term needs, making it a cost-effective option for vacationers needing to access their favorite streaming services. Customer support is readily available via live chat, and users can take advantage of the VPN’s money-back guarantee to test the service without risk.

ADVANCED AND SECURE:ProtonVPN is a highly advanced and fast VPN. It is perfect for streaming privately abroad or at work. It has apps for all platforms with reliable privacy features, including a kill switch, obfuscation, multi-hop, and AES encryption.

Check out our full ProtonVPN review.

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Using a free VPN to unblock Spotify

We understand how tempting it is to opt for a free VPN, especially if you’ve already paid for a Spotify Premium account because there’s no additional upfront payment.

But free VPNs are vastly inferior to paid options. For smooth, uninterrupted audio playback, you’ll need a VPN that doesn’t impose things like bandwidth throttling or data caps. These are common with free options, which also tend to have too many users for their limited number of servers.

Remember that free VPNs aren’t truly free. They monetize by making you the product: inundating you with advertisements and, in some cases, inserting tracking cookies in your browser to mine browsing data and sell it to third-party sites.

So for those reasons, we recommend avoiding the risk and staying away from free VPNs altogether. However, if you’re set on trying to unblock Spotify for free, here are some tips on doing so safely.

How to access Spotify from anywhere for free (safely):

• Find a quality VPN with a free trial, these can last anywhere between a day and a week so might be just what you need for a short term.
• Choose a reputable VPN that has a free basic level – such as Atlas VPN. This comes with limited server locations and data caps but is a reputable, secure, no-logs provider that’s worth a try before you commit to a paid plan.
• Make the most of the money-back guarantees on the best VPNs for Spotify listed above. These last 30 – 45 days. Unlike free trials, you do need to make a payment upfront, but you have the reassurance that you can claim a full refund if you’re not happy with the service. Check out our article explaining how to claim a refund from NordVPN to see how simple the process is.

Finding the best VPNs for Spotify: our methodology

Every VPN is different, and while this means that there’s a service for every situation, it also makes it tricky for newcomers to decide which one to use. That’s where we come in: we’ve carefully considered the most important things a VPN should offer for accessing Spotify and Spotify Premium from anywhere. Below are some of the criteria we used to find the best providers:

• Server locations: Spotify isn’t available everywhere, so the VPN you choose needs to have servers in locations where it is unrestricted, such as the US. Also, since nearby servers usually provide the best performance, we look for VPNs with an extensive server network that covers lots of countries.
• Speed: We have to ensure that your VPN is fast enough for anything you throw at it, whether that’s listening to music, live streaming TV, torrenting, or download speed. We’ve speed-tested dozens of VPNs and will only ever recommend the best performers.
• Unblocking capabilities: Spotify might not be the only service from back home you’d like to access, which is why we look for VPNs that excel at beating regional blocking across a range of sites and platforms. We test VPNs against platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max to see which can reliably access the most content.
• Security and privacy: At a minimum, we look for DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and 256-bit encryption. Naturally, we prefer providers that go even further to protect your traffic from snoopers, and we won’t recommend any that fall short.
• Price: Just because a VPN provides all these features, it shouldn’t cost the earth. All of the services we recommend are fairly priced, and we’ll always inform you about any deals, free trials, or money-back guarantees to reduce the amount you pay to the absolute minimum.
• User-friendliness: Staying safe online shouldn’t require massive tech experience. Our top VPNs all have novice-friendly apps for a wide range of devices. Further, they all have knowledgeable customer service on hand in case you need it.

This is just an overview of our testing process. If you want to know more, you can check out our in-depth post outlining Comparitech’s testing methodology.

Countries where Spotify is available

Currently, Spotify is available in the following countries:

This might seem like a large list, but there are several countries with high levels of GDP/capita where it’s still not present such as India, China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Russia, and others.

One of the reasons why Spotify isn’t available across the globe is because of music licensing rights. The company bids for rights from original copyright holders such as record labels and content producers. It also has rivals trying to do the same, which means there will invariably be some countries where Spotify won’t be able to operate.

Whenever you log in to Spotify, the app will try to determine your location via the IP address you use. If it’s from a country that’s not supported, then it’ll use a technique called geo-blocking to restrict access. The only way to overcome this problem is to change your IP address via a VPN.

Spotify also incorporates a separate library depending on what part of the world you log in from. This is similar to how Netflix operates – users in Latin America will be able to access a different library of content as compared to their North American counterparts.

When you log in to the Spotify app or website, your authentication details are saved for 14 days. It doesn’t matter if you travel abroad and access it from a separate country – you’ll still be able to access streaming music for that period. Afterward, you’ll have to log in again – at this point, Spotify will check whether you’re present in the same country as listed in your profile. If you’re not, a VPN can do the trick.

If you don’t try to mask your location, Spotify might ping you with the following error message:

“Your country does not match the one set in your profile.”

Spotify history and controversies

Spotify was first built in Stockholm, Sweden, by engineers Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon in 2005. It came about after Daniel slept over at Martin’s house on a bare mattress with just his laptop in tow. For the first year or so, the two of them slugged it out in an apartment, hacking away furiously at the product. Public beta didn’t come until spring 2007.

The company did start hitting its stride early, though. It was able to raise a $21.6 million series A round just a little over a year after the public beta launch. It went on to raise two more rounds, in 2009 and 2010 – snaring in rockstar investors such as Sean Parker to help the company grow.

A gargantuan $100 million series D round came in 2011, the same year that Spotify finally launched in the US. Mark Zuckerberg described himself as a fan of the company, famously proclaiming that “Spotify’s so good”.

In 2015, Spotify declared that it had paid out over $3 billion to artists to date and had 75 million active users. It’s doubled the active user figure in just two years.

But despite all these lofty standards, the company hasn’t exactly shied away from controversy. Artists on the platform earn less than one US cent per stream. Taylor Swift famously pulled all of her music in 2014 after complaining that streaming services like Spotify don’t reward artists enough and that music is a form of art that should be considered valuable.

In 2017 Spotify was also accused of creating fake artists. This is not to suggest that the music was composed by an AI platform, but more likely by artists paid and contracted by Spotify itself.

The move attracted a fair bit of controversy but isn’t far removed from a similar strategy at entertainment behemoth Netflix whose original entertainment division is now starting to become a massive force in its own right.

Spotify denied the assertions vigorously, although it could significantly reduce the amount of money it pays music right holders – which totaled $2.48 billion in 2016.

Accessing Spotify with a VPN: FAQs