6 Best VPNs to watch ARTE TV online from anywhere

ARTE is a joint collaboration between France and Germany. While it’s free to stream ARTE TV online, and some of the content is available for international audiences, the premium segments are reserved for French and German users. So if you’re traveling abroad and want to access your home services, you will need a VPN to give you a French or German IP address in order to access ARTE.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt your internet connection by routing it via a server in a remote location of your choice. If you pick a server in France or Germany, your IP address will be local to that country, allowing you to access geo-blocked content. Plus, the encryption aspect means any potential snoopers or hackers are kept at arm’s length, unable to monitor your digital footprint.

In this article, we’ll list the top VPNs for the job, as well as how to use them. But in case you don’t have time to read the whole article, here’s a quick summary of the best VPNs for watching ARTE TV online:

1. NordVPN: Our top VPN for ARTE. Well-protected connections secured by solid encryption mean accessing ARTE TV online is a breeze. Great speeds for streaming, gaming, downloading, and more. Offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Great budget VPN option for watching ARTE TV online. An unlimited number of simultaneous connections and fast speeds. A great option if you want to share a plan with friends and family.
3. ExpressVPN: This service utilizes military-grade encryption protocols and makes use of fast speeds, superior leak protection, split tunneling, and other strong features to keep you safe while you watch ARTE.
4. CyberGhost: One of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested and optimized for beginner users. Easy-to-use apps will get you online in a matter of minutes. Servers in 90+ countries, including France and Germany, for accessing ARTE.
5. IPVanish: Firm location-evading features, including encryption protocols and privacy settings. Is able to flip your IP address for a new one at preset intervals.
6. PrivateVPN: Blazing fast speeds and superior encryption. Well-regarded for its ability to unblock geo-restricted content such as ARTE.

How to watch ARTE TV online from anywhere

The best part of streaming content on ARTE is you don’t need to sign up with a local address or payment method. Here’s how to get started:

1. Register for one of the VPN providers mentioned below (our recommendation is NordVPN).
2. Once the payment formalities are out of the way, proceed to download and install the app directly from the provider’s site or an app marketplace.
3. Select a server in Germany for a German IP address or France for a French IP address. If you’re unsure, check with customer support first.
4. Connect to the VPN and wait for the notification that the encrypted tunnel is set up. Once that’s done, navigate to ARTE’s website.
5. Congratulations! You should now be able to stream all the content you want. If it doesn’t work immediately, just clear your browser cookies, restart your device, and try again.

Best VPNs for ARTE TV – 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 ARTE TV.

Best VPNs to watch ARTE TV online

There are lots of VPNs to choose from, but not all are up to the task of unblocking ARTE. Our recommendations are based on the following factors:

• Speed and stability of service, along with reliable uptime
• Ability to stream HD video with minimal buffering
• Plenty of server options in Germany and France
• Support for all the major platforms
• Superior encryption parameters so your location is guarded
• Allows for simultaneous connections

With those criteria in mind, here’s our list of the best VPNs for ARTE TV:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2023 unblocks ARTETested Mar 2023

NordVPN is our number-one choice VPN for accessing ARTE from anywhere. It deploys effectively uncrackable encryption protocols and boosts this security offering with a rigid no-logs policy. This means your data stays within the encrypted tunnel, and it’s next to impossible for any entity to eavesdrop on your online behavior.

This provider’s server network is one of the largest on this list — with over 5,400 servers in 60+ countries, including hundreds in Germany and France, you’re covered for a speedy connection to stream ARTE. It’s also proven to work with many additional streaming services such as US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more.

Users are granted an option to pick a server for a specific purpose, such as HD streaming, double encryption, Tor over VPN, and more. You can also check each server’s existing load and connect to a different one if you think it’s crowded. NordVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, an internet kill switch, and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection to secure user traffic. Payments via Bitcoin are permitted.

Apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS are available. One account allows for six simultaneous connections and customer support is present 24/7.

BEST VPN FOR ARTE:NordVPN is our top pick for ARTE. It’s quick, privacy-conscious, and appeals to power users because of its customizability. Best of all, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free!

Read our full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

unblocks ARTETested Mar 2023

Surfshark does its job very well. Its registration in the British Virgin Islands shields it from any mandatory data logs, and it follows that up with a ‘no-logs’ policy. This service delivers fast speeds and top-tier encryption. It proved to reliably access both US Netflix and BBC iPlayer during our extensive user tests. And, with lots of server options in Germany and France, unblocking ARTE TV won’t pose a challenge.

What’s more, Surfshark provides unlimited data and bandwidth and supports torrenting too. This service employs 256-bit AES encryption, perfect forward secrecy, an internet kill switch, and DNS leak protection to protect all user traffic.

Apps are included for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. One account allows for an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, making it an excellent choice to split with friends and family. Customer support is available 24/7.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is fast and afordable. Able to reliably unblock lots of streaming services, plus it allows an unlimited number of connections at one time. It ships with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

unblocks ARTETested Mar 2023

ExpressVPN offers a network of over 3,000 servers in 90+ countries around the globe, with lots of options in both France and Germany. Other than ARTE, you can use ExpressVPN to access Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, Adult Swim, and more.

256-bit AES encryption (often referred to as ‘military-grade’) is enabled by default. Additional security measures include DNS and IPv6 leak protection, an internet kill switch, perfect forward secrecy, and split tunneling. What’s more, it doesn’t store any logs that could potentially identify a user.

There’s support for all the major platforms, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Firmware for some wifi routers is available too. Five devices can connect at the same time with one account. Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat so you can expect quick answers to all problems.

GOOD ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is a solid choice for watching ARTE TV online due to its fast speeds, military-grade encryption, and unparalleled unblocking capabilities. What’s more, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

unblocks ARTETested Mar 2023

CyberGhost is designed for beginner users, but that doesn’t mean it compromises on any of the facets of a modern-day provider: scoring points on both privacy and speed. CyberGhost offers access to more than 9,000 servers in 90+ countries, including over 1,300 in France and Germany. Other than ARTE TV, it’s proven to work with Netflix, Hulu, and ITV Hub.

CyberGhost is really easy to set up and use; reliable customer support lends an additional helping hand if you run into any problems. Speeds are very fast, and HD video streaming is effortless. This service doesn’t track or store any user logs, thereby keeping your connection private at all times. Additional security features include an adblocker, anti-malware defense, and anti-tracking capabilities.

One account grants simultaneous access for seven devices. Apps are included for all mainstream platforms, such as Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Customer support is available 24/7.

WELL-DESIGNED:CyberGhost is fast, easy to set up, and an excellent option for streaming. All plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

5. IPVanish

unblocks ARTETested Mar 2023

IPVanish deploys rigid encryption to secure your connection, but that doesn’t come at the cost of speed, which is consistent and enables HD streaming. Currently, this provider gives you an option of more than 2,000 servers spread across 60+ countries. Germany and France host over 60 servers, so there are plenty of ways to watch ARTE TV online, as well as other streaming sites, such as Netflix US.

IPVanish doesn’t store any data that could identify users. It personally owns and operates all the servers in its network, thereby giving it much more control over user traffic than other providers. The industry standard is to rent space in server farms or outsource management to a third party.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS, and there’s desktop software for Windows and MacOS. A single account allows any number of simultaneous connections, and customer support is accessible 24/7.

GOOD FOR STREAMING:IPVanish is speedy, secure, and able to protect all of your devices at once. Try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

unblocks ARTETested Mar 2023

PrivateVPN provides a secure, encrypted connection as it’s optimized for both speed and location-evading tech.

While its server network is relatively small compared to the other providers on this list, the roughly 200 servers it does operate won’t disappoint. Options in Germany and France mean it’s easy to unblock ARTE. Plus, this provider can easily thwart restrictions on other streaming sites like Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more.

All traffic is secured with 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN platform. Additional security measures include perfect forward secrecy, an internet kill switch (for Windows), and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks.

Apps are available for Android, Linux, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. A single subscription allows for ten devices to connect simultaneously.

MULTI-TALENTED:PrivateVPN has an excellent reputation for unblocking and streaming. Allows 10 devices at once. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Finding the best VPNs to watch ARTE TV: our methodology

At Comparitech, our reviewers test VPNs using a carefully thought-out scientific methodology. This allows us to pinpoint the very best VPNs for gaining privacy and freedom online.

Below, we have included all the criteria that our experts use to pick the VPNs recommended for ARTE:

• Servers in France and Germany –  We only recommend VPNs with French servers and/or German servers capable of unblocking ARTE TV
• A global server network – We look for VPNs that also have a wide choice of servers to let you unblock websites and bypass restrictions no matter where you go.
• Apps for all platforms – The best VPNs have apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire devices, Smart TVs, routers, and more! We always check to ensure we pick VPNs that can be used on as many devices as possible.
• Robust military-grade encryption – Strong encryption protects your data against interception and ensures that what you do online remains safe against cyber criminals.
• A no-logs policy – This is the best VPN policy available and ensures that no logs are kept, and all of your online habits remain completely private.
• Torrenting permitted – We choose VPNs that have servers for torrenting and that allow P2P throughout their network.
• Advanced VPN privacy features – We recommend VPNs that have a kill switch, leak protection, obfuscation, and other advanced features (check the summaries and our VPN reviews for details).
• Fast connection speeds – To stream ARTE TV, you need a fast connection. Our recommendations have fast servers optimized for streaming.

Should I use a free VPN to watch ARTE TV online?

Free VPNs are available by the bucketload across the web, but that doesn’t make them a suitable choice to stream HD video. Such providers don’t invest in robust encryption or location evading-tech so it’s possible that ARTE’s filters will be able to detect that you’re trying to access the site from outside Germany or France and prevent you from streaming your favorite content.

What’s more, it’s likely that you’ll only be given the choice of a few server locations, and there’s no guarantee that France or Germany will be included in the list. Even if you manage to obtain a German or French IP address, you’ll likely be subjected to bandwidth throttling, data caps, and non-existent customer service.

We understand why such services can be tempting, but the resulting headaches can be detrimental to your peace of mind. Free VPNs have been known to track user data and sell it to third-party advertisers. Some ship with pre-installed malware, while others subject you to incessant pop-up advertisements just to make a quick buck or two.

If you’re trying to watch ARTE TV online from outside France or Germany, we recommend that you utilize a paid service that’s known for its ability to circumvent geo-restrictions and offers helpful customer support if you run into any issues.

ARTE VPN FAQs