How to watch YouTube videos blocked in your country with a VPN

Some YouTube content is geo-restricted, meaning you can only watch it if you’re in the right region. The good news is that you can bypass YouTube regional blocks by using a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts all of your web traffic and sends it through a secondary server in a location of your choosing. Then, your real IP address is replaced with one from that location. For example, if you’re traveling in the UK and connect to a US VPN server, it will appear to YouTube that you’re located in the US, giving you access to otherwise blocked content. The encryption aspect means that no snoopers, such as network administrators, internet service providers, or hackers, can see what you’re doing online.

In this article, we’ll explain how to choose the right VPN for the job, list some of the best providers, and explain how to use them to access YouTube from anywhere. Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here’s a quick summary.

Best VPNs to change YouTube country and access blocked content:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for YouTube and other streaming sites. Superfast VPN with a large network and excellent unblocking abilities. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for YouTube.
2. Surfshark: Best budget option for bypassing YouTube region blocks. A reliable VPN with no connection limit and servers in 100+ countries.
3. IPVanish: Fast enough for watching YouTube without buffering and in HD. Apps are secure, and privacy is paramount.
4. ExpressVPN: Fast, reliable, and secure. Easily bypasses restrictions on YouTube and other sites. 24/7 live customer support.
5. PureVPN: Fast WireGuard protocol and apps for all platforms. 31-day money-back guarantee to try the VPN.
6. CyberGhost: An ever-expanding VPN that’s fast and very easy to use. Huge network of global servers in 100+ countries.
7. ProtonVPN: Works with popular streaming services from around the world. Strong AES encryption and a kill switch.
8. PrivateVPN: Unblocks tons of streaming sites, including YouTube, and keeps no logs. Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections.

How to watch a YouTube video not available in your country

Below is a step-by-step guide to bypassing YouTube region blocks with a VPN. It’s quick and easy to do, even if you’ve never used a VPN before.

Here’s how to watch blocked YouTube videos in your country:

1. Select a suitable VPN provider and subscribe. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the correct VPN client or app for your device. Desktop clients are available on the VPN provider’s website, and iOS and Android apps can be downloaded from their respective app stores.
3. Connect to a server in the appropriate country. For example, if you’re trying to unblock US content, connect to a US server to gain a US IP address.
4. Navigate to the video you want to watch and enjoy!
5. If you run into issues, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies and reloading the page. If you’re still unable to watch, check with your VPN’s customer support team, as there may be specific servers you need to use for unblocking YouTube.

How we selected the top YouTube VPNs

When you’re choosing a YouTube VPN, you need to consider various factors, such as whether it’s suitable for streaming and the quality of its connections. Before making any recommendations, we tested each provider in the following key areas:

• Speed: If your VPN is too slow, YouTube videos won’t stream smoothly. We found the fastest services by carrying out multiple speed tests using their US servers.
• Streaming capabilities: In addition to YouTube, we tested whether each VPN worked with other popular platforms, such as Netflix. We then checked whether they were able to bypass country-imposed VPN blocks, and whether they offered a smart DNS service. Finally, we looked at how many countries they supported.
• Value for money: A good VPN costs money. To make sure you get a good deal, we evaluated each provider’s true worth using eight different value-for-money metrics.
• Security and privacy: VPNs should be able to keep you safe online — whether that’s while watching YouTube videos or simply browsing. With this in mind, we rejected any VPNs that performed poorly against our 16 different security and privacy criteria.
• Ease of use: Not everyone has used VPN software before. We looked for the most user-friendly providers by evaluating them against 10 individual ease-of-use metrics.

This is just an overview, but you can read more about how we test, score and rank the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section below. For now, let’s take a look at the ones that made the cut. 

A comparison of our recommended VPNs

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 YouTube.

Best VPNs to bypass YouTube region blocks

At Comparitech, we aim to provide the most accurate and helpful VPN reviews possible. In order to do that, our team personally uses each VPN, putting them through a variety of real-world performance and security tests. The following reviews are based on those first-hand experiences. 

Here is our list of the best VPNs to watch YouTube videos blocked in your country:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2025 unblocks youtubeTested Mar 2025

NordVPN is our top pick for a YouTube VPN. This provider operates a very large network of more than 7,400 servers in 118+ countries and is one of the few VPNs that work in China.

NordVPN outperformed all other VPNs in our speed tests. With an average speed of 205 Mbps, it was more than 73 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other providers that we tested.

As a rough guide, 200 Mbps means you could stream YouTube videos in UHD on up to eight devices simultaneously.

In addition to YouTube, NordVPN can help you securely access many geo-restricted sites, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

This true no-logs provider protects your information with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. Extras include automatic wi-fi protection and servers optimized for double VPN and P2P.

You can use NordVPN on up to 10 devices at a time, and apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Some routers are configurable as well.

BEST VPN FOR YOUTUBE:NordVPN is our first pick. It easily unblocks YouTube, enables secure access to a ton of sites, and comes with lots of security extras. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included making this a risk-free option.

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

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2. Surfshark

unblocks youtubeTested Mar 2025

Surfshark is budget-friendly yet one of the best streaming VPNs we’ve found. It works with YouTube, multiple Netflix regions, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

Surfshark operates a network of over 3,200 servers in more than 100 countries and even works in China.

Speed-wise, the provider achieved an overall average of 197.30 Mbps in our tests. You can see the individual results in the chart below.

This is more than fast enough for streaming YouTube in 4K. Surfshark is also suitable for gaming, torrenting, and VoIP calls.

This VPN packs the standard security features of its top competitors, along with extras, including automatic wi-fi protection and split tunneling. No logs are maintained.

A big perk of a Surfshark subscription is the ability to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. There are apps for Android, iOS, Linux, MacOS, and Windows, and you can configure the VPN to some routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark can provide access to YouTube and lots of other platforms. It’s fast and reliable and keeps no logs. This VPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth Surfshark review here, or check out our video review instead.

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3. IPVanish

unblocks youtubeTested Mar 2025

IPVanish has a loyal following of users utilizing its network of over 2,400 servers. This provider works with multiple sites, including YouTube, as well as Netflix, and several others.

IPVanish is particularly popular with torrenters and Kodi users. It provides an Android APK that you can download directly to your device.

In our tests for this article, we found that the provider achieved an average download speed of 181 Mbps.

This is extremely quick and helps IPVanish cement its reputation as one of the fastest VPNs available.

Security features include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against leaks.

IPVanish maintains no traffic or connection logs, and offers unlimited device connections under one plan. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android, and you can configure the VPN with Linux and certain routers.

FAST AND SECURE:IPVanish allows unlimited connections and will let you stream as much YouTube as you like. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

See our full review of IPVanish here, or watch our video review instead.

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4. ExpressVPN

unblocks youtubeTested Mar 2025

ExpressVPN has great speeds and a network of more than 3,000 servers spanning 100+ countries. It imposes no data caps or bandwidth limits, meaning you can stream as much as you like.

The provider’s speeds are decent, and certainly fast enough for streaming YouTube in the highest resolution available. Check out the results of our speed tests in the chart below.

Overall, ExpressVPN achieved an average download speed of 98.60 Mbps.

ExpressVPN will effectively spoof your location and enable you to secure access to difficult-to-crack sites like Netflix in the US and UK, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.

ExpressVPN packs all the security features you need, including strong encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch (dubbed a “network lock”). It doesn’t keep logs of any information that could be used to identify you.

Apps are available for Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. ExpressVPN is compatible with select routers and even has its own custom router firmware. Up to eight devices can be connected at one time.

GREAT FOR STREAMING:ExpressVPN is a good choice for bypassing YouTube region blocks. It’s fast, secure, and reliable and comes with excellent customer support. ExpressVPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. PureVPN

unblocks youtubeTested Mar 2025

PureVPN is an attractive option for streaming YouTube videos that are unavailable where you live, especially if you’re on a budget. It also allows you to unblock YouTube at work or on campus without being tracked, and it has a five-year subscription plan.

Servers are available in over 65 countries, meaning PureVPN works to get a new IP address worldwide, which is crucial for watching YouTube content restricted in your region.

The VPN is fast thanks to its WireGuard protocol, which, in our tests, delivered download speeds that varied between 116.21 Mbps and 135.36 Mbps.

The provider’s overall average speed was 127 Mbps, which is quick enough for any online activity.

PureVPN isn’t just limited to YouTube; it also works with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, and British TV services like ITVX and BBC iPlayer. This makes it versatile for accessing streaming platforms.

In terms of security, PureVPN includes AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak prevention. This ensures your privacy when accessing YouTube videos that are restricted by the government. The VPN also has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited.

While customer support is very slow, the good news is that considering the low cost it does have real live chat agents rather than a bot. You can try the VPN risk-free by making use of its 31-day money-back guarantee. The best cheap VPN for YouTube streaming.

LOW COST:PureVPN is a low-cost VPN that works to get an IP address in over 65 countries. Fast speeds for streaming on YouTube, Netflix US, or any other service that interests you. Robust privacy allows you to access YouTube at work or on campus if it is blocked. Fast WireGuard protocol and apps for all platforms. 31-day money-back guarantee to try the VPN.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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6. CyberGhost

unblocks youtubeTested Mar 2025

CyberGhost’s server network is ever-growing, with more than 10,000 servers in 100+ countries. Within CyberGhost’s app, select servers are labeled with the streaming services they are optimized for, including YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Speeds are plenty fast enough for streaming, and there are no limits on data or bandwidth. In our tests, the provider averaged speeds of 129.90 Mbps — you can see the individual test results below.

CyberGhost is another no-logs provider that has your back when it comes to security. Its 256-bit encryption is coupled with perfect forward secrecy, and a kill switch and leak protection are built in.

Desktop clients are available for Windows and MacOS, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. CyberGhost is configurable with Linux and some routers. Plans come with a seven-device limit and a 45-day money-back guarantee.

STRONG ALL-ROUNDER:CyberGhost apps are easy to get started with and give you access to a huge network of fast and reliable servers. This provider offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth review of CyberGhost.

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7. ProtonVPN

unblocks youtubeTested Mar 2025

ProtonVPN is highly popular with advanced users who are looking for a VPN with useful features. It stands out as an exceptional option for YouTube, thanks to its large network of servers that can help you bypass local blocks to access restricted videos.

Developed in Switzerland by the Proton Mail team, the VPN is built around highly secure privacy practices, including an independently verified strict no-logs policy. It is particularly beneficial for YouTube TV users who prioritize privacy and is perfect for bypassing censored videos in restrictive countries. We’re big fans of the built-in ad blocker, perfect for those who want to watch YouTube without ads.

The VPN’s applications have advanced features such as AES encryption, split tunneling, and Tor over VPN. It also has fast WireGuard connections for uninterrupted streaming on YouTube TV. The provider achieved an impressive top speed of 153.42 Mbps in our tests.

Across the three tests shown above, ProtonVPN averaged 130 Mbps. This comfortably exceeds the speeds needed for streaming in 4K. 

The monthly plans are affordable, making ProtonVPN ideal for short-term users who need a VPN on vacation or for work. However, the longer plans aren’t as cheap as our other options.

The inclusion of obfuscation and multi-hop connections ensures added protection when streaming in countries with strong censorship. The provider is excellent for torrenting thanks to its split tunneling and port forwarding features.

If you want to test the VPN to see whether you need all its features, you can make use of its money-back guarantee.

ADVANCED AND SECURE:ProtonVPN is an impressive, high-quality VPN with many security features. It is excellent for bypassing YouTube blocks. A 1-month subscription costs just $9.99, which is great for vacations. Works with popular streaming services from around the world. Strong AES encryption and a kill switch. Easy to use on all devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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8. PrivateVPN

unblocks youtubeTested Mar 2025

PrivateVPN is another provider with excellent versatility and robust security. This small VPN consistently performs well in streaming tests, securely accessing YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and more.

Although it only has around 200 servers, these are strategically placed in 63+ countries, so you get a good choice of locations. PrivateVPN also works in China.

This privacy-focused provider keeps no records of user data, so your online activity can’t be exposed. Security features include strong encryption, a kill switch (Windows only), and protection against leaks.

PrivateVPN was the slowest provider in this list, with an average download speed of 53.8 Mbps.

Nevertheless, it’s still easily fast enough to stream YouTube in 4K—the minimum speed requirement is 20 Mbps, in case you’re wondering.

PrivateVPN offers apps for most major operating systems: Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. It’s compatible with Linux and select routers via manual configuration.

BYPASS RESTRICTIONS:PrivateVPN is a small yet robust VPN with many of the most important features you get with a larger provider. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Delve into our full review of PrivateVPN.

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YouTube VPN testing methodology

With hundreds of consumer-facing VPNs available on the market, it can be extremely hard to tell which service is worth your time (and money). Many unscrupulous VPNs lie about the level of protection they provide or make false claims about their speeds and features. This can make the experience of getting a VPN confusing and frustrating.

At Comparitech, we use a carefully thought-out testing process to fully evaluate each provider before making any recommendations. To find the best VPNs for YouTube, we focused on the following areas:

Speed

We carried out multiple speed tests to find the VPNs that provided the performance needed to stream in HD  and 4K on YouTube and other popular streaming platforms. For the tests, we connected to each provider’s servers in the US and measured the resulting download speeds using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app.

Measurements were take in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. We rate-limited our own base connection speed to 250 Mbps. We did this to approximate the experience of the average user in the US (where the median speed is 242.38 Mbps).

If you aren’t in the US and have a much slower (or faster) connection speed, you can still using the chart below, as the scores have been calculated relative to the other providers based on their overall test results.

NordVPN scored highest, suggesting that it was the fastest provider overall. Surfshark also performed notably well, with a score of 9.5. Both providers are good options if you want to stream YouTube in the highest resolution available.

Streaming capabilities

We started by scoring providers on the number of servers they had in the US, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere in the world — as this reflects potential for unblock a range of international services. We then scored providers on how many streaming platforms they worked with, as few people solely use YouTube for streaming. Finally, we scored providers on whether they had a smart DNS feature for streaming YouTube on VPN-incompatible devices, and whether they were able to disguise VPN traffic to navigate blocks in countries such as China.

These scores were summed, averaged and then converted to an overall score out of 10 for ease of comparison.

As you can see from the chart above, NordVPN scored a near perfect 9.9, making it the best choice for global streaming. ExpressVPN and Surfshark also scored particularly highly.

Security and privacy

For a VPN to protect your digital footprint and prevent online tracking and surveillance, it must have robust security features. You can see how providers performed against our security and privacy metrics in the table below.

Each of these metrics was given a score, which we then combined to generate an overall score out of 10. This allows us to more easily compare providers — as the chart below demonstrates.

NordVPN and Surfshark took joint first place this time, with a score of 9.5 each. ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN are also good calls if you care about protecting your connection while online.

Value for money

Subscription-based VPNs vary in quality and price. To find those that were worth what they cost, we looked beyond the base price to take a holistic view of each service. You can see how the providers stacked up against our value-for-money metrics in the table below.

As before, each metric was given a score, which we combined to create an overall score out of 10 for each VPN.

Surfshark’s score of 9.7 was the highest overall, though IPVanish — at 9.6 — was very close behind. Both providers allow unlimited device connections and have fairly priced subscriptions.

Ease of use

To help you stream YouTube with the minimum of fuss, we looked for the most user-friendly providers. We did this by scoring them against the ease-of-use metrics shown in the table below.

Each metric was assigned a score, which we combined to generate the overall scores out of 10.

Using the chart above, you can see that NordVPN scored highest — with an impressive 9.6. IPVanish wasn’t far behind with a score of 9.4. ExpressVPN secured third place with a score of 9.3. All three providers are great options for those who are new to VPN software.

Using a free VPN to bypass YouTube region blocks

A free VPN isn’t a good idea for most use cases, and definitely not for this one. These services aren’t suitable for streaming as they regularly suffer from slow, laggy connections that may drop at any time. This means you’ll have an extremely poor streaming experience if you even get to stream anything at all.

Another issue is the low data and bandwidth limits imposed by free VPN services. You’ll only be able to watch a snippet of content before you reach your cap, and then you’ll have to wait until the next day or even next month before you can stream more.

Free VPNs come with other problems, too, including their shady business tactics. While many create a revenue stream by serving you a ton of ads, others will collect your information, including browsing data, for sale to advertisers. Security is a concern, too, as most free VPNs don’t use nearly the same level of encryption as their paid counterparts do.

We recommend skipping these altogether and opting for a reliable VPN provider that delivers on all fronts. However, if you’re dead set on only using a free VPN for YouTube here are some tips on doing so safely.

How to bypass YouTube blocks with a VPN for free:

• Opt for a quality VPN that offers a free trial. These range from 1 – 7 days, so can work to access something specific or cover you for a weekend away.
• Make the most of the money-back guarantees of the providers we’ve listed here. They all have them, and they last up to 45 days, so they should be enough to cover you for a vacation or short work trip. You will have to pay upfront, but if you’re not 100% happy with the service, you can claim a full refund. Check out our step-by-step guide to claiming a full refund from NordVPN to see how simple it is.

Using a VPN with YouTube: FAQs