How to watch YouTube TV from abroad with a VPN in 2024

Navigating the maze of geographical restrictions on streaming platforms like YouTube TV can be daunting. Have you ever been overseas, away from the US, and encountered this disappointing message:

“Sorry, but YouTube TV is not available in your area just yet.”

or

“YouTube TV VPN proxy detected”

This isn’t just a mild inconvenience; it’s a barrier between you and your favorite shows. It’s like buying a ticket but being turned away at the door. But here’s the silver lining: After comprehensive research and rigorous testing, we’ve found the key – A VPN or Virtual Private Network.

By utilizing a VPN server, you can access your favorite YouTube TV shows on that beach vacation and arm yourself with a shield of encryption. Think of it as a private tunnel: bypassing prying eyes and accessing a world of content. A VPN also ensures your safety against fraud risks during online banking while you are out of the country. Imagine military-grade encryption working tirelessly so that no Wi-Fi provider, ISP, or even government bodies can track your digital footprints.

Discover as we explore the best VPN providers for watching YouTube TV without any fuss. Or, if you’re pressed for time, check out our handpicked list of the best VPNs ready for seamless YouTube streaming:

1. NordVPN: Our top YouTube TV VPN. Boasts lightning-fast speeds and streaming-optimized servers. Exceptional at accessing geo-restricted content and a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Youtube TV.
2. Surfshark: A fast and secure provider with no connection or bandwidth limits. Works great with YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, and similar services.
3. IPVanish: Allows any number of simultaneous connections on a single account. Superb speeds for streaming a wide variety of media. Lowest monthly price without a long-term commitment.
4. ExpressVPN: A large network capable of HD speeds. Secure and private connections. Servers in 105 countries. Secure apps for all platforms.
5. CyberGhost: Easy to install and use. Perfect for beginners. Plenty of fast servers in the United States and in 100 other countries.
6. PureVPN: A speedy, easy-to-use VPN that works flawlessly with YouTube TV. Doesn’t compromise where privacy is concerned, either.
7. ProtonVPN: Security-first service with a large network, a proven no-logging policy, and 24/7 customer support. Has no problems with YouTube TV or streaming apps that stump other VPNs.
8. PrivateVPN: Fast servers and can provide reliable access to most streaming services. 200 servers in 63 countries.

How to use YouTube TV abroad with a VPN

Using a VPN is easy, even if you’ve never used one before. Follow the simple steps below, and YouTube TV will think you are in the US and allow you to stream media from anywhere in the world.

Heres how to watch YouTube TV with a VPN:

1. Start by signing up with a suitable VPN service provider (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN software. Most services offer apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android, so make sure to get the right version for your device.
3. Log in to the VPN app and connect to one of your VPN’s American servers.
4. If you haven’t already done so, create a YouTube TV account. Note that this will require a payment method linked to a US address. The base subscription payment is $72.99 per month at the time of writing.
5. Try loading a video or stream on YouTube TV. It should start playing almost immediately, but if not, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies before refreshing the page, or try a different server.

Note: If you’d like to watch a specific show live, we recommend performing the steps above before it actually airs. This gives you time to contact customer support if you need additional help, without missing the start of your favorite shows.

Best YouTube TV VPNs: Our hands-on review

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

How to choose the right VPN for YouTube TV

With so many different VPN services available, it can be difficult to choose the right one. To find the best VPNs for YouTube TV, we measured them against the following criteria:

• Speed: We test the speeds of each provider’s US servers
• Streaming ability: We score providers on their compatibility with services such as YouTube TV as well as the number of US server locations they have
• Security and privacy: We use 16 different criteria for calculating security and privacy scores
• Ease of use: We use 10 different criteria for evaluating how easy each VPN service is to use
• Value for money: We use eight different criteria for gauging whether providers offer good value for money

You can see the details of this testing process — and the results — later in this article but first, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

Best VPNs for YouTube TV

The following reviews are based on our extensive real-world testing. 

Here is our list of the top VPN providers for YouTube TV. 

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024 Unblocks YouTubeTested Dec 2024

NordVPN boasts a network of more than 6,200 servers worldwide, with clusters all over the US. Its specialized servers cater to users who want to share files and access Tor or games without fear of DDoS attacks, making it a robust general-purpose VPN.

However, it’s also excellent for streaming content. NordVPN works with platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, and, of course, YouTube TV from anywhere in the world.

To find out how fast it was, we carried out speed tests while connected to its US servers.

NordVPN was exceptionally quick in all three tests, with an average download speed of 335 Mbps. This was more than 100 Mbps greater than the combined average speed of the other providers. In practice, NordVPN is easily fast enough to stream YouTube TV in 4K and is also a great choice for gaming and torrenting.

The service uses 256-bit encryption and includes various additional security options. It has an application-specific kill switch, a dual-VPN feature, an automatic ad blocker, a malware scanner, and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. This VPN has a strict no-logs policy, so you can rest assured that your activities will always remain private.

NordVPN has Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux-supported apps. However, it has to be manually configured on wireless routers.

BEST VPN FOR YOUTUBE TV:NordVPN is our top choice for YouTube TV. A superb all-rounder with powerful security features and fast servers for streaming. Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Unblocks YouTubeTested Dec 2024

Surfshark has around 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, including dozens of US cities, to stream YouTube TV. Surfshark VPN also works with services like Netflix US, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video abroad. Plus, with no connection limit, you’re free to browse and stream safely across all your devices.

We tested the provider’s speeds while connected to its servers in the US. We carried out three speed tests in all, the results of which you can see below.

Like NordVPN, Surfshark was notably fast, with an average speed of 327 Mbps. It was more than 100 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other providers. This makes it a great option for streaming YouTube TV in the highest resolution available.

Surfshark protects your digital privacy using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, traffic scrambling, IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leak protection. As Surfshark doesn’t log any information that could identify you, you’ll be untraceable online. If you’d prefer even greater anonymity, you can sign up using a throwaway email address and pay via cryptocurrency. 24/7 support is available over live chat in case of any problems.

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

 

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is an inexpensive yet powerful service that works great with YouTube TV. Strong on security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. IPVanish

Unblocks YouTubeTested Dec 2024

IPVanish has long been a favorite for streaming thanks to its expansive server network and strong multi-platform support. It currently has a smaller network of servers than some of the competition but with over 2,400 servers across 60+ countries, including 500+ in the US.

We tested the provider’s speeds while connected to its US servers. We carried out three tests overall. You can see the results below.

IPVanish performed reasonably well overall, with an average speed of 199 Mbps. This was just under the combined average speed of the other providers, which was 215.4 Mbps.

Provided you have a decent base connection speed, IPVanish is fast enough to watch high-definition live streams without interruptions.

The service can reliably unblock YouTube services and a whole host of other streaming platforms — including stubborn providers such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Further, this service permits unlimited simultaneous device connections.

On the security front, there’s 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (in both the mobile and desktop versions), and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. IPVanish also includes several features that most other VPNs don’t. You can block local traffic, for instance, or obfuscate OpenVPN traffic.

As IPVanish doesn’t log any information that could identify you—and allows you to switch through IP addresses automatically regularly—it makes users very difficult to track online. Support is available over live chat, 24/7, in case of any issues.

IPVanish has lightweight Windows, MacOS, Amazon Fire, Android, and iOS apps. Linux devices and select wireless routers are supported but must be configured manually.

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish is great for families since it allows any number of connections. Unblocks YouTube and provides strong security. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

Unblocks YouTubeTested Dec 2024

ExpressVPN has servers in 15+ different US cities (and more than 3,000 globally), which means that you can use it to access YouTube TV and watch various city—or state-specific local channels.

The platform works seamlessly with a large number of streaming platforms beyond YouTube TV. It can also help VPN-incompatible devices access geo-restricted content.

To find out whether the provider was fast enough for streaming, we carried out several speed tests over the course of a day.

ExpressVPN performed consistently, pegging an average speed of 153 Mbps. This was 69 Mbps slower than the combined average speed of the other providers. Nevertheless, it’s still fast enough to watch high-definition streams without any noticeable buffering (provided you have a fast base connection speed).

256-bit encryption is enabled by default, and ExpressVPN keeps your activities private using DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch (desktop apps only), and perfect forward secrecy. No personally identifiable information is logged, so if you pay with Bitcoin and use a throwaway email address when signing up, you’ll be effectively untraceable. If you have any problems, customer support is available via 24/7 live chat.

This service offers apps for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Manual installation is required for supported network routers, but ExpressVPN’s custom firmware makes this process quick and easy.

STRONG ON SECURITY:ExpressVPN is a privacy-focused provider that excels at streaming. Provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

Unblocks YouTubeTested Dec 2024

CyberGhost works slightly differently from most VPNs in that you can choose a server for a specific task (such as securely accessing streaming sites or browsing anonymously) and have a suitable server assigned to you.

It offers over 10,000 high-speed servers worldwide, with over 1,100 US-based servers. With the ability to connect up to seven devices at once, CyberGhost makes it easy to access whatever you want, wherever you want, regardless of your current location or device type.

We tested the provider’s speeds three times over the course of a day. We connected to CyberGhost’s US servers and carried out the tests on a virtual machine.

The provider averaged 200.67 Mbps overall, which was 26 Mbps slower than the combined average speed of the other providers we tested. It’s more than fast enough to stream YouTube TV content in 4K, though only if you have a decent connection speed to start with.

This service keeps your traffic secure using 256-bit encryption, DNS, IPv6, port forwarding, and WebRTC leak protection. Every version of the software includes a kill switch, an ad blocker, and an anti-malware scanner. You can also get a dedicated IP address with CyberGhost, but an additional charge may apply.

CyberGhost does not log any personally identifiable information and accepts Bitcoin for maximum anonymity. This VPN comes with user-friendly Android, Windows, MacOS, and iOS apps. Manual installation is required for selected internet routers.

VALUE & PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is fast and affordable. It has a simple setup with strong privacy credentials. Streams HD video reliably from all streaming platforms. Has a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

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6. PureVPN

unblocks YouTubeTested Dec 2024

PureVPN not only works with YouTube TV, it also allows you to securely stream content from platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime video, and Hulu.

This service boasts always-on obfuscation, doesn’t limit your bandwidth, and permits up to 10 simultaneous connections. In other words, it’s a great option for anyone planning on going abroad. Equally important, PureVPN offers around-the-clock customer support just in case of any problems.

We tested the speed of PureVPN’s US servers to gauge its suitability for streaming YouTube TV. We carried out three tests over the course of a day.

The provider was consistent, though not the fastest. It averaged 185.67 Mbps overall, which was around 30 Mbps slower than the combined average speed of the other providers that we tested. If you’ve got a good base connection speed, then you’ll have no problem watching YouTube TV video in 4K. If not, try one of the faster providers in this list.

We’re big fans of any VPN that simplifies security, and this one qualifies. By default, it prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks, uses effectively uncrackable encryption, and prevents you from browsing unprotected after an unexpected disconnection. PureVPN has undergone several independent audits, confirming beyond all doubt that it doesn’t keep logs. There is a tracker-blocking feature, too, but this is only included with Plus or Max plans. That’s a shame since many competing services include this as standard.

PureVPN has its own Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps. Alternatively, it can be manually installed on a wide range of routers.

VERSATILE AND SECURE:PureVPN provides plenty of American servers, a high level of security, and 24/7 support via live chat. It works great with YouTube TV and many other streaming platforms. New customers can take advantage of a 31-day money-back guarantee.

For more info, take a look at our full PureVPN review.

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7. ProtonVPN

unblocks youtubeTested Dec 2024

ProtonVPN is best known for its free offering, but if you’re looking to stream YouTube TV (or anything, for that matter), you’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan. These grant access to the full server network (spanning 112 countries), increase the connection limit to 10, and remove the speed cap.

To judge how suitable ProtonVPN was for streaming YouTube TV, we carried out a series of speed tests while connected to its US servers.

The provider averaged 186.33 Mbps over the day of testing, which was just over 30 Mbps slower than the combined average speed of the other providers. Nevertheless, it’s a decent enough result — particularly if, like us, you have a good base connection speed. If not, look to one of the other providers in this list.

In addition to YouTube TV, ProtonVPN works with numerous other streaming platforms. If you struggle to find a working server for a particular service, you can ask the company’s support team, which is available day or night.

If you’re the type of person who likes to customize their setup, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied. For instance, there’s port forwarding and split tunneling functionality (on Windows, at least), WireGuard support, and a VPN accelerator that boosts your speeds even higher. Not bad, considering the apps already block ads and prevent data leaks. On that note, ProtonVPN refuses to keep any logs. It also allows you to sign up anonymously by paying in cryptocurrency or cash.

ProtonVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. It also provides manual setup instructions for all of the most popular router firmware.

WATCH YOUTUBE TV ANYWHERE:ProtonVPN is a fantastic option for anyone looking to stream YouTube TV. It’s highly-secure and very customizable. What’s more, all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no harm in trying it out.

Read our complete ProtonVPN review.

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8. PrivateVPN

Unblocks YouTubeTested Dec 2024

PrivateVPN is ideal for live streaming, thanks to its fast speeds. It has around 200 server locations globally, and 11 of these are in the US (in nine different states). This service has no problems streaming HD content on platforms like YouTube TV, Netflix, and Hulu, even from abroad.

With ten simultaneous connections allowed, PrivateVPN lets you protect all of your most commonly used devices with a single account.

We tested PrivateVPN’s speeds using a virtual machine connected to the provider’s US servers.

PrivateVPN consistently achieved speeds above 100 Mbps. Overall, it averaged 120 Mbps, which was more than 97 Mbps slower than the combined average speed of the other providers. If you have a fast base connection speed, PrivateVPN will allow you to stream YouTube TV without buffering. Anyone with a download speed less than 100 Mbps might prefer to opt for one of our other recommended providers.

This VPN has a strict no-logs policy and accepts Bitcoin, meaning you can register anonymously as long as you use a disposable email address. It uses 256-bit encryption by default, includes a kill switch that stops traffic when your internet connection is lost, and protects against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks.

Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, and with your permission, the staff can even remotely install the software for you.

This service includes dedicated Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS apps. PrivateVPN also works on Linux-based systems and routers but requires manual configuration first.

GOOD STREAMING SPEED:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable. Good for general-purpose use and HD Streaming. Could do with having more servers and lacks 24/7 support. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

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Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for watching YouTube TV from abroad

Our testing process involves evaluating each VPN provider on a number of fronts. This ensures that we only recommend providers that are solid performers across the board. Specifically, we tested the following:

Speed

We regularly carry out speed tests to find the fastest overall VPN provider. However, in the case of YouTube TV, we were only interested in how fast each provider’s US servers were.

To this end, we carried out three speed tests over the course of day while connected to a US server. Speeds were measured using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. We used a virtual machine for stability.

As you can see from the above chart, NordVPN and Surfshark were, by far, the fastest providers. IPVanish and CyberGhost were the next-best options, with average speeds around the 200 Mbps mark.

Streaming ability

If you want to access YouTube TV in the US, you’ll need to connect to servers in the US. To gauge how many servers each provider has in the US, we looked at the number of server locations. This acts as a good barometer in lieu of the actual number of servers (some providers are reluctant to reveal specific server numbers).

Having scored providers on their US server locations, we then scored them on the number of streaming platforms they were compatible with. As well as YouTube TV, we tested them with big-name services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more.

We then averaged these two scores to give us our overall streaming ability score. You can see how the providers compare in the chart below.

ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN are particularly good at accessing a wide range of streaming platforms, including YouTube. Furthermore, they have numerous US server locations and plenty of availability.

Security and privacy

It’s important to remember that a VPN is first and foremost a security tool. To find out which providers are best able to keep you safe online, we evaluate them according to the criteria outlined in the table below.

We then assign a score to each of these criteria so that we’re left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.

NordVPN and Surfshark provide secure connections with highly effective obfuscation and audited no-logs policies. ProtonVPN is a great alternative.

Ease of use

If you’re eager to access YouTube TV, then it’s likely you want to spend as little time as possible using VPN software. To find which services provide a hassle-free experience, we evaluate them according to the criteria outlined in the table below.

Each of these ten criteria is given a score, which we combine to create an overall score out of ten. We can then use this to meaningfully compare providers.

As you can see from the above, NordVPN provides the easiest-to-use service overall. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are good alternatives, with a smooth sign-up process and well-designed interfaces.

Value for money

We all like getting a good deal, though this can be difficult to judge when it comes to VPNs. While it’s tempting to focus on the monthly cost alone, there are other factors to take into consideration. You can see the criteria we used for testing in the table below.

Scores for each metric are combined to produce a total score out of ten, which we can use to conveniently compare providers.

Surfshark is the best-value provider, closely followed by IPVanish. Both providers allow unlimited simultaneous device connections and have low-cost subscriptions. Good alternatives to these two providers are NordVPN and CyberGhost.

Unblocking YouTube TV with a free VPN

Free VPNs often claim to provide the same level of service as their premium rivals, but this is far from reality. These VPNs usually have much larger user bases yet fewer servers to spread the load. As a result, you can expect extremely slow browsing speeds and digital videos that stutter, have low resolution, and frequently pause to buffer. Furthermore, as YouTube is one of the largest TV streaming services in the world, it’s unlikely that a free VPN will be able to bypass its geo-restriction measures in the first place.

Maintaining an international server network is expensive, so how can free VPNs afford to operate? The truth is that they’ve found various ways to profit from their users, whether it’s by placing ads on the sites you visit or using tracking cookies to amass a detailed dossier of your online activities. VPNs are designed to increase your online privacy, but by selling your data to unknown third parties without your knowledge, free services can actually reduce it instead.

To stay as safe as possible, we recommend avoiding the freebies and using a reputable VPN with a clear, user-first privacy policy.

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