How to watch Zee5 online from anywhere with a VPN

ZEE5 is an Indian over-the-top streaming service with 90+ live TV channels and 1.25 lac+ hours of viewing across multiple languages. As one of India’s largest and fastest-growing platforms, it’s a popular choice for people wanting binge-worthy TV series and the latest movies. ZEE5 is available almost everywhere (190+ countries!), but due to content licensing issues, you won’t be able to watch premium channels while traveling abroad unless you pay for a whole new subscription. But, there’s another option: we’ll explain how to access premium ZEE5 content from anywhere with the help of a VPN.

Virtual Private Network (VPN), are a legal and widely used tool for accessing geo-blocked content. VPNs not only hide your real IP address and location by sending all of your internet traffic through a server somewhere else in the world, but they also provide a layer of security. This means that you can spoof ZEE5 and other major streaming services into thinking that you’re still in your home country while also ensuring that your data is encrypted – allowing you to use online banking and public wifi safely during your trip.

In this guide, we recommend the top providers for watching ZEE5 online from anywhere – scroll down for detailed reviews. But first, here’s a quick summary of the best VPNs to watch ZEE5:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for ZEE5. Easily unblocks this platform’s premium content abroad. One of the best for online privacy and customer support. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Zee5.
2. Surfshark: Best budget option. Strong on security, with exceptionally high speed and no simultaneous device limit. True no-logs policy.
3. IPVanish: Unlimited simultaneous connections. Good, consistent speeds for streaming ZEE5. Also works with Netflix US. Zero-logs policy and 24/7 support.
4. ExpressVPN: Reliable VPN service that excels at beating geographic restrictions. Works with ZEE5 and most other streaming sites.
5. CyberGhost: Easy to use, with a network spanning 100+ countries and some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen. Has servers optimized for video streaming.
6. Hotspot Shield: A great choice for streaming premium content on ZEE5. Quick, reliable, and novice-friendly, with the ability to protect 10 devices at a time.
7. PrivateVPN: Access all of your usual streaming sites abroad. Boasts outstanding privacy, a high connection limit, and powerful encryption.

How to watch ZEE5 from anywhere with a VPN

New to VPNs and not sure how to get started? Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be streaming movies in no time:

Here’s how to watch ZEE5 online from abroad using a VPN:

1. Start by choosing a reputable VPN provider (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Next, download the VPN and login.
3. Connect to a server in the country in which you purchased your ZEE5 subscription. For instance, if you signed up in India, you’ll need to use an Indian server to gain an Indian IP address, if you signed up in the US, connect to a US server.
4. Sign into your ZEE5 account. You should be able to access all of your favorite content as normal.
5. Still blocked? Try clearing your browser’s cookies, connecting to another server, or getting in touch with your VPN’s customer support.

Testing criteria for ZEE5 VPNs

There are hundreds of premium VPNs out there, so to make sure we only recommend the best, we looked for those with all of the key features below:

• Strong server network: Lots of server locations around the world are a must, so you can watch premium ZEE5 content and other internationally restricted streaming platforms.
• Excellent accessibility: Must be able to access a wide range of geo-restricted content and unblock popular streaming platforms such as ZEE5, Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more. A VPN should also allow you to bypass restrictions on gaming and social media sites.
• Fast for streaming: Fast enough speeds for uninterrupted streaming of your favorite Indian TV shows is essential, so you never have to worry about a poor viewing experience while watching an episode of Gods of Dharmapuri.
• Security & privacy: VPNs must use high-end encryption to secure your data and offer advanced features to keep your online habits private. Our security and privacy criteria include which VPN protocols they support and whether they have a no-logs policy to ensure that what you do with the VPN is never recorded.
• Value for money: We only picked VPNs that offer good value for money, with money-back guarantees of at least 30 days and plenty of good features for the price you pay. Live chat and/or email support is also important.

You can read more about this testing process and see the results of our tests in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

Our recommended VPNs for ZEE5: A comparison

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 ZEE5.

Best VPNs to watch ZEE5 online

Let’s take a closer look at each of our top picks.

Here are our in-depth reviews of the best VPNs for ZEE5:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2025 works with Zee5Tested Mar 2025

NordVPN is our first choice for accessing ZEE5 abroad. It has around 7,200 servers in 118+ countries and works with the likes of Disney+ Hotstar, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix. Better still, this is one of the quickest VPNs on the market, averaging 207.48 Mbps in our team’s latest testing.

As you can see, NordVPN performed exceptionally well in the morning, noon, and evening, with average download speeds not dipping below 204 Mbps. This means that no matter your time zone, you’ll be able to watch ZEE5 content without interruptions.

This VPN secures your online activities with AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IP leaks. It also provides obfuscated servers that work in countries with strict online restrictions, a Threat Protection tab that explains a few simple steps to enhance your privacy, and an independently verified no-logs policy. There’s also a feature called Meshnet that can securely connect your devices to one another, even if they’re on entirely different networks.

When you’re traveling abroad, you’re likely to be reliant on public wifi networks, whether that’s at the airport, a cafe, or your hotel. Thanks to NordVPN’s automatic wifi protection, you can rest easy knowing your connection is always secure. It also has a split tunneling feature that allows you to connect to a VPN while using other apps with a regular internet connection.

Another stand-out feature for streamers is its range of specialty servers, which allows you to connect to the Tor network in a single click or establish a connection to two VPN servers for additional security and privacy.

NordVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. You can also manually install it on routers, which will allow you to access ZEE5 on a gaming console or older Smart TV. Users can secure up to 10 devices at a time, and support is available around the clock via live chat.

BEST VPN FOR ZEE5:NordVPN is our top recommendation for watching ZEE5 online. Fast, reliable, and versatile, with a proven no-logs policy and 24/7 live chat. Try NordVPN risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

---

2. Surfshark

works with Zee5Tested Mar 2025

Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for streaming ZEE5 overseas. Not only is it one of the fastest we’ve seen, but it works with just about any region-locked platform you can think of, from Amazon Prime Video to Hotstar. Unlike most of its rivals, it allows you to connect any number of devices simultaneously. In the unlikely event that you run into any problems, you can reach support staff 24/7 using the live chat service.

It also boasts 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries around the world, offering ZEE5 users reliable and fast connection speeds. This was demonstrated in our recent round of speed tests.

Surfshark proved to be the second-fastest provider on this list, with average download speeds of 200.36 Mbps. It also showed exceptional consistency with less than 2 Mbps of variation across the three tests.

This VPN is packed with security tools as well. Some of these (such as 256-bit encryption, kill switch, and leak protection) you’ll probably have heard of. Others are less common, though. For instance, Surfshark can change your IP address periodically, block ads and trackers automatically, and beat country-wide censorship. As if that wasn’t enough, it keeps no logs and has been audited to prove it.

It also has static IP addresses available if you’re carrying out a task that requires an unchanging IP address. You’ll have to pay a small extra fee every month for a dedicated IP address.

ZEE5 users will also appreciate its alternative ID generator, which allows you to generate an alternative persona complete with name, address, and date of birth. This feature is also good for torrenting.

Surfshark has its own Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS apps. Manual setup is necessary if you’d like to use Surfshark with your wireless router. It operates completely diskless servers that run in RAM, which means that if it pulls the plug, all data is instantly wiped.

BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark is our favorite low-cost VPN for watching ZEE5. Secure all of your devices at the same time and benefit from fast speeds. Comes with 24/7 support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

---

3. IPVanish

works with Zee5Tested Mar 2025

IPVanish has no trouble accessing services like Netflix, ZEE5, or Disney+ from abroad and lets users connect as many devices as they like. It’s fast become one of the best providers on the market and is a popular choice for users who want a VPN for streaming. In total, it has 2,400+ servers in around 140 locations around the world.

It’s rocketed up our speed rankings, delivering averages of around 185.5 Mbps in our recent speed tests. This is largely thanks to its excellent WireGuard implementation, which has ensured it’s one of the fastest VPNs in the world.

This comfortably placed it in third place on our list of providers when comparing download speeds – music to the ears of ZEE5 users wishing to binge their favorite TV series while traveling abroad. It performed particularly well in the evening, with an average speed of 198.43 Mbps.

This provider offers a comprehensive protection package, using leak protection, a kill switch, and uncrackable encryption to keep your activities private. You can also block access from other devices on the network, obfuscate OpenVPN traffic, and choose which port to connect over. IPVanish is a zero-logs provider, meaning even it doesn’t know what you get up to online.

Traveling to a country that’s strict in terms of using a VPN? Fear not, as its traffic scrambling feature (on OpenVPN connections) ensures you can still access your favorite streaming platforms – unless you’re in China. Plus, its new Advanced plan protects against malware, trackers, and cookies and comes loaded with 1TB of cloud storage and access to a secure browser, all for around $1 more a month than the standard plan.

IPVanish offers apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. You’ll have to follow manual setup instructions to get it running on Linux and routers. All IPVanish apps are equipped to auto-connect VPN at startup, encrypting your device from the moment it powers on.

It’s also worth noting that 24/7 live chat and email support are available should you need assistance.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish is ideal for sharing with family as it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Good speeds and unlimited bandwidth. Works with ZEE5 and Netflix. Secure with encryption and zero-logs policy. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read our full IPVanish review.

---

4. ExpressVPN

works with Zee5Tested Mar 2025

ExpressVPN has an expansive network, with servers in 105+ countries, including India. This, coupled with its higher-than-average speeds, make it ideal for any data-intensive online activities, whether it’s browsing ZEE5 or torrenting.

There is an eight-connection limit, but ExpressVPN actually has its own router firmware, which makes it as easy as possible to stream ZEE5 on gaming consoles or other devices that don’t have full VPN support.

In our recent speed tests, ExpressVPN performed pretty well. With an average download speed of 132.66 Mbps, it was the fifth fastest provider. It was also consistently speedy across the day, so you can comfortably watch ZEE5 lag-free morning, noon, or night.

This provider boasts powerful encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IP leaks, plus automatic obfuscation that kicks in when you try using the service from a country with strict online restrictions.

ExpressVPN refuses to log any personally identifiable data and has undergone several independent audits for your peace of mind. Plus, the Advanced Protection tab allows you to choose whether to block ads and trackers and has options for blocking access to malicious sites.

Its proprietary Lightway protocol is ideally suited to streaming in HD or playing online games and torrenting. ZEE5 users who also watch Netflix will enjoy the fact that ExpressVPN can access around 20 different Netflix regions (one of the only providers to do so). You can unblock other popular streaming services with ease as well, such as Disney+ Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video.

ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, plus custom firmware for routers. Support staff are on hand around the clock to help with any issues. If you do experience slow speeds, try using one of the other various protocol options.

GREAT UNBLOCKING ABILITY:ExpressVPN has a network covering 105+ countries including India. Works well with ZEE5 as well as Netflix. High-speed connections with unlimited bandwidth. Doesn’t keep identifying logs of users. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

---

5. CyberGhost

works with Zee5Tested Mar 2025

CyberGhost offers access to more than 11,500 servers in 100+ countries (the biggest server network on this list), some of which are specifically optimized for streaming. In other words, you shouldn’t have any trouble watching your favorite content on ZEE5 as you travel.

It’s a decent all-rounder and often recommended to beginners, with apps for all popular platforms that are easy to use. Despite this, you’ll still have access to a pretty decent feature set, with everything you need to gain online privacy.

Having tested its speeds for ourselves, we can safely say that CyberGhost stands head and shoulders above most of its rivals.

As you can see, in our latest speed tests, CyberGhost performed exceptionally well, with an average speed of 154.41 Mbps. While this places it behind NordVPN, Surfshark, and IPVanish, it’s still way faster than most VPNs on the market. Peaking at 155.88 Mbps, it’s great for users who prioritize speed.

It keeps your online activity secure using powerful encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch to prevent you from leaking data to your ISP should the VPN connection drop out. There’s also a highly customizable smart rules feature in case you’d like to tailor your setup perfectly.

CyberGhost follows a strict no-logs policy and regularly publishes transparency reports so that everyone can see how it responds to requests for information. Also, the VPN has recently introduced WireGuard connections, which improve speeds for streaming in HD.

CyberGhost has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. It can also be manually configured to work with routers. Users also get unlimited bandwidth and access to a 24/7 live chat service. However, while some VPNs allow an unlimited number of simultaneous connections per account, CyberGhost only permits up to seven.

HUGE SERVER NETWORK:CyberGhost has more servers than any other VPN listed (11,500+ in 100+ countries). Doesn’t throttle bandwidth and allows seven simultaneous connections. Monthly plans include a 14-day money-back guarantee, which rises to 45 days on longer plans.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

---

6. Hotspot Shield

works with Zee5Tested Mar 2025

Hotspot Shield is a safe choice for streaming because it doesn’t throttle your connection, allowing you to stream without interruption. It also has a network of over 1,800+ servers in 80+ countries (35+ cities) – more than most VPNs on the market.

Despite a competitive server network, its download speeds aren’t as good as other providers on this list. It recorded average speeds of 52.09 Mbps across the day in our recent tests, over 155 Mbps slower than NordVPN. However, it’s still a solid option for streaming, and ZEE5 users shouldn’t experience any lag.

It has all of the essential security benefits you’d expect from a quality VPN, such as 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, and protection from DNS leaks. There are a few less common security features, too, like automatic Wi-Fi protection and its custom Hydra protocol, which excels at beating regional restrictions.

This makes it robust in terms of security and means you can use it to gain online privacy, whether at home or abroad, as well as when using public Wi-Fi.

Aside from ZEE5, you can use Hotspot Shield to unblock Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. You can also secure up to 10 devices at a time, and the provider works in China. However, its website is blocked in China, so make sure you download the software and any installation guides before you enter the country.

Hotspot Shield has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. If you want to use Hotspot Shield with your router, you’ll need to set it up manually. This VPN provides live chat and email support, which you can reach 24 hours a day.

HIGHLY VERSATILE:Hotspot Shield provides servers in 80+ countries and won’t throttle your connection. Stream Amazon Prime, Hulu, and ZEE5 when you go on vacation. Comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

---

7. PrivateVPN

works with Zee5Tested Mar 2025

PrivateVPN may have a smaller network, but it makes up for it with reliable connections, steady speeds, and almost unparalleled streaming ability. For example, users can access notoriously tricky platforms like ZEE5, Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, and Disney+ from anywhere in the world.

This is one of the easiest VPNs to use, thanks to the presence of beginner-friendly apps and fast and friendly support (via live chat and email).

In our recent speed tests, it was the worst-performing provider on this list, with average download speeds of 51.46 Mbps. However, it delivered consistent speeds throughout the day and still provided enough juice to stream ZEE5 without any issues.

PrivateVPN is based in Sweden, which is good in terms of privacy because the country lacks mandatory data retention directives that apply to VPNs. Thanks to its strict no-logs policy and privacy-first infrastructure, you don’t need to worry about third parties gaining access to your browsing habits.

Security tools include powerful encryption, a customizable kill switch, stealth mode, and leak protection. It also allows port forwarding, which is great for torrenting. The port number – displayed in the dashboard when connected – can be used in your torrent client to download and upload files more efficiently.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. You can manually configure PrivateVPN to work with Linux and select wifi routers. Plus, PrivateVPN can secure up to 10 devices simultaneously.

STREAMING-FRIENDLY:PrivateVPN is fast and works reliably with streaming services including ZEE5, Netflix, and Disney+. Beginner-friendly apps and fast and friendly live chat and email support. No-logs policy for online anonymity. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

---

---

Testing methodology: How we found the best VPNs for watching ZEE5 online

There are several factors to consider when choosing a VPN. This includes its server locations, connection speed, and strength of security. Here’s a quick outline of what we looked for when researching the best VPNs for ZEE5:

Fast speeds

Your internet speed is particularly important when it comes to streaming. We’ve personally run hundreds of speed tests to find the fastest VPNs. As we average multiple results, inconsistent speeds are punished.

Scoring an unrivaled 10 out of 10, our top-pick provider, NordVPN, is the best choice for fast speeds, ensuring you can watch your favorite shows on ZEE5 without lag. Surfshark and IPVanish also performed well, scoring 9.6 and 8.6 respectively.

Global streaming ability

ZEE5 is available in many countries but only lets you watch premium content in the country you signed up in. As such, we looked for VPNs that offer servers not only in India but in dozens of countries around the world. This should include countries such as the US, UK, and Australia. We also scored providers on the number of servers they had overall, as this is indicative of their availability.

We checked whether providers had obfuscation for bypass network blocks and then tested candidate providers against ZEE5 and many other streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ Hotstar. Most of the providers in this list have great unblocking ability and offer fast speeds for an uninterrupted streaming experience.

However, not only do you need a VPN that unblocks popular streaming services, but you will also want a provider that offers features to improve your online viewing. You can see the criteria we considered in the table above, which included whether providers have a Smart DNS service, built-in ad-blocker, and streaming-optimized servers.

We combined the scores for each provider’s network with the scores for their relative streaming ability to generate an overall score out of 10.

NordVPN achieved a score of 9.7, closely followed by Surfshark and ExpressVPN on 9.2. When it comes to streaming ZEE5 abroad, you can’t go wrong with these top three providers – no matter where you’re located in the world.

Privacy & security

If our years of experience testing VPNs have taught us anything, it’s that your security is paramount. That’s why we require providers to offer uncrackable encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy to even be considered, as you can see from the table below.

Using these findings, we were able to score the VPNs in this list on overall privacy and security, so you can sleep easy knowing your data is protected online.

NordVPN and Surfshark scored an impressive 9.5 to take the top spot, but all of the providers scored highly for this category. This proves their credentials as reliable, secure VPNs.

Ease of use

Not all VPN services are beginner-friendly. We strongly prefer those with easy-to-use apps, multi-platform support, high connection limits, 24/7 live chat, or any other feature that makes them welcoming to novices.

Having considered all of the findings in this table, we gave each provider the following scores based on usability.

NordVPN scored 9.6, followed by IPVanish at 9.4 and ExpressVPN at 9.3, making them most suitable for VPN newbies or users who favor simplicity. The lowest score went to PrivateVPN (8.6), but they’re still way more beginner-friendly than most VPNs on the market.

Value for money

We’re of the opinion that everyone deserves to browse the web privately. That’s why we look for deals, discounts, and money-back guarantees so you can try our top providers out for as little as possible. Further, we’ll often try to claim money-back guarantees for ourselves to make sure it’s really as straightforward as it seems.

NordVPN (9.5), our best VPN for ZEE5, ticks all of the right boxes for this category, with regular special offers, a free trial, and student discounts. However, as you can see from the chart below, Surfshark (9.7) and IPVanish (9.6) actually scored the best, making them the ultimate go-to choices for users on a budget.

No matter which VPN you choose, you can get more bang for your buck by using our VPN discount coupons in this article to save on the price of a subscription.

Still want more information about the criteria we use? We consider much more than what’s mentioned here when making our decision on what to include. Read our full VPN testing methodology post.

How to watch ZEE5 online FAQs