Update: As of 2021, CBS All Access has rebranded under the new name, Paramount Plus (Paramount+).
Paramount Plus (formerly CBS All Access) is a popular streaming service in select countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. It is still rolling out to other regions. To use Paramount Plus in restricted countries, you must connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
VPNs encrypt your data and enable you to route it through your chosen server. This greatly increases your online security, but there are other benefits too. Because you’re assigned a temporary IP address from your chosen server, you can trick websites into believing you’re in a different location. For example, by connecting to an American server, you can securely access most US-based streaming platforms, including Paramount Plus.
We get into plenty of detail on each of the providers we recommend in this post, but in case you only have time for a summary, here is our list of the best VPNs for watching Paramount Plus:
- NordVPN: Our #1 pick for Paramount Plus. Large server representation in the US. Great streaming speeds and takes privacy seriously. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- CyberGhost: A budget provider with servers that are fast enough for HD streaming. Apps are easy to use and secure.
- ExpressVPN: Operates hundreds of fast servers throughout the US that can easily access Paramount Plus from almost anywhere. Solid privacy and security.
- IPVanish: Preferred by Kodi users for their remote-control-friendly apps. Fast and secure.
- PrivateVPN: New and upcoming provider with excellent streaming abilities. Fewer servers than others, but it makes up for it with speed.
- Atlas VPN: Fast and reliable, this service makes streaming Paramount Plus from abroad easy.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?
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There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
The best VPNs for Paramount Plus – at a glance
We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Paramount Plus .
No value | NordVPN | CyberGhost | ExpressVPN | IPVanish | PrivateVPN | AtlasVPN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Website | NordVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | ExpressVPN.com | IPVanish.com | PrivateVPN.com | atlasvpn.com | Ranking for Paramount+ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | US Servers | 15 cities / 1970+ servers | 15 cities | 20 cities / 1106 servers | 12 cities | 12 cities | 7 cities | Streaming services | Paramount+ Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu Disney+ YouTube | Paramount+ Netflix Amazon Prime Disney+ YouTube | Paramount+ Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu Disney+ YouTube | Paramount+ Netflix Amazon Prime Disney+ YouTube | Paramount+ Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu Disney+ | Paramount+ Netflix Amazon Prime HBO Max | Avg Speed (US) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 50 Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 50 Mbps | 100+ Mbps | Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Routers | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Routers | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV |
Best deal (per month) | $3.29 SAVE up to 63% + 3 months FREE | $2.11 SAVE 84% on the 2 year plan + 3 months FREE | $6.67 SAVE: 49% on the annual plan | $3.33 SAVE 72% on the 2 year plan | $2.00 SAVE 85% on the three year plan | $1.82 SAVE 85% on a 2 year plan |
Not every VPN is created equally, however. Some are faster than others, some offer more security features, and some are entirely unsuitable for streaming live, high-definition video. To find the best VPNs for Paramount Plus, we looked for services that met the following criteria:
- Has numerous American VPN servers
- Offers high speeds and consistent connections
- Works with popular streaming platforms including Paramount Plus
- Uses a wide range of security features, including strong encryption
- Maintains minimal logs, or ideally, keeps no logs whatsoever
Based on these criteria we have put together our list of the best VPNs for watching Paramount Plus abroad:
1. NordVPN
Jun 2023
Unblocks Paramount PlusTested Jun 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
With nearly 2,000 US servers, NordVPN offers more choice than most similar VPN services. Each of these servers is optimized for high-definition streaming and offers lightning-fast speeds, and as this VPN also works with platforms like Netflix, NBC, and Hulu, your choices are almost limitless. Six simultaneous connections are permitted, so you can protect all of your devices with a single account.
NordVPN offers anti-malware and ad-blocking features, as well as a highly versatile kill switch. It features 256-bit AES encryption, DNS protection, and keeps no logs, making it a strong choice for privacy-focused users. Additionally, advanced users have the ability to use two VPNs at once, or connect to Tor over VPN.
This provider has apps for iOS, Android, Linux, MacOS, and Windows. NordVPN also works with some routers, although it must be manually configured.
Pros:
- Over 1,800 servers in the US
- The fastest VPNs we’ve tested, making it perfect for HD streaming
- Solid privacy and security
- Personal data is protected as it has a strict no-logs policy
- 24/7 live chat support available
Cons:
- No true server selection in the app, only server location can be chosen
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR PARAMOUNT PLUS:NordVPN is our #1 pick. Works reliably with Paramount+ and most popular streaming sites. Connects up to 6 devices simultaneously. Strong security and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. CyberGhost
Unblocks Paramount PlusTested Jun 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost works differently to most VPN services; while you can manually choose a server, you can also pick one that’s suited to a particular task. These tasks include safely browsing the internet, torrenting anonymously, and unblocking streaming services such as Paramount Plus, NBC, and SKY GO.
Despite its novice-friendly interface, CyberGhost includes several security features for more advanced users. For instance, there are options to force HTTPS, block ads and malware, or cut traffic when the connection to the VPN is dropped. This provider uses 256-bit encryption, keeps no activity logs, and protects against DNS, IPv6, and port forwarding leaks.
Android, iOS, Windows, Linux and MacOS apps are available. CyberGhost can be manually installed on a selection of supported routers.
Pros:
- Over 1,200 servers in the US to get around most geo-restrictions
- No issues with US Netflix, Paramount Plus, and more
- Beginners find their apps easy to set up and use.
- Steady speeds and unlimited bandwidth
- Strong on security
Cons:
- Doesn’t work reliably in China or UAE
- Few advanced configuration options
Our score:
BEST BUDGET OPTION:CyberGhost is affodable and easy to use. Great for beginners. Good on privacy, offering a secure network. Streams HD video reliably. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
3. ExpressVPN
Unblocks Paramount PlusTested Jun 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN has servers in over a dozen US cities. This makes it easy to watch regional coverage from all over the country. Plus, thanks to its high speeds, you can experience flawless HD live streams. Additionally, ExpressVPN provides secure access to a host of popular streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu.
This service keeps your online activity secure using 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and DNS leak protection. You can use the Tor-accessible version of the site and pay in bitcoin should you wish to remain anonymous. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any logs and includes a kill switch that drops your internet connection in case the VPN connection is lost.
ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Manual installation is required for various wireless routers.
Pros:
- Servers in a dozen US cities can unblock geo-restricted content from almost anywhere
- Server speeds are great for HD streaming and fast downloads
- High-end security features with good privacy protection
- Works with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video
Cons:
- Limited advanced configuration may disappoint power-users.
- Slightly higher cost than some of its rivals
Our score:
STREAM PARAMOUNT PLUS ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN boasts high speeds and the ability to access plenty of major geo-restricted streaming services. Top privacy features and keeps no logs. It even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN.
4. IPVanish
Unblocks Paramount PlusTested Jun 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish has risen to popularity thanks to its high speeds and ease of use. It has more than 1,200 US servers, and its speeds are fast enough to stream live, HD content without any buffering. IPVanish is capable of unblocking several popular platforms including Paramount Plus, NBC, and CW TV, making it a strong choice for fans of US programming.
With 256-bit encryption and a no-logs policy, IPVanish keeps your online activities private. Users can avail themselves of the kill switch, IP switching, traffic obfuscation, and local blocking features, to increase their security even further. Unlimited simultaneous connections are allowed at once, so one IPVanish account can lock down all of your home’s devices.
There are IPVanish apps for Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Windows, and MacOS. Manual configuration is required for Linux devices and supported network routers.
Pros:
- With around 1,200+ US servers it can unblock just about any streaming site in HD speeds
- All the security and privacy features you need for most situations
- Works well with Sky Go and other popular services
- Standout favorite among Fire TV Stick and Kodi remote control users
Cons:
- Headquartered in the US which is a Five Eyes member
- Doesn’t accept payment in Bitcoin/cryptocurrency
Our score:
LARGE NETWORK:IPVanish is great for families that need multiple simultaneous connections. Good at unblocking most geo-restricted content. Recommended for its high standard of privacy. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full IPVanish review.
5. PrivateVPN
Unblocks Paramount PlusTested Jun 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Despite having a smaller server network than some of its rivals, PrivateVPN is fast enough for online streaming HD video with no problems. It also has servers in a dozen US cities including New York and Los Angeles. You can even use it to securely access sites like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
PrivateVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption coupled with DNS and IPv6 leak protection to keep your traffic private at all times. There’s also a kill switch to help protect users with inconsistent internet connections. This service doesn’t log any details of your activities. Live chat and email support is available and the staff are capable of remotely troubleshooting any issues, with your permission.
This VPN offers dedicated apps for MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. Linux systems and routers must be configured manually.
Pros:
- Perfect for streaming safely
- Can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Strong security and privacy features and decent speeds
Cons:
- Fewer servers to choose from than other providers higher on this list
- Live chat support isn’t available 24 hours a day
Our score:
GREAT SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is easy to use. Allows up to 6 devices on the same account. Offers a smooth streaming experience. Fast connections but could do with having more servers to chose from. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
6. Atlas VPN
Unblocks Paramount PlusTested Jun 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.atlasvpn.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Atlas VPN provides access to more than 750 servers in 31 countries, making it an ideal VPN provider for watching region-locked content abroad. In fact, as well as Paramount Plus, Hotspot Shield can help you securely access Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more. With unlimited simultaneous connections allowed, you and your family can stream on whichever devices they prefer.
This service employs the IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols. It secures your traffic with DNS and IPv6 leak protection, 256-bit encryption, and a kill switch. Atlas VPN doesn’t log any identifiable information nor your online activity while you use the VPN.
Atlas VPN provides apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.
Pros:
- Fast enough for streaming live HD video
- Powerful security features
- Excels at unblocking region-locked content
Cons:
- Poor customer service
- Doesn’t work in China
- No split tunneling
Our score:
PERFECT FOR STREAMING:Atlas VPN lets you watch Paramount Plus in the highest possible quality. What’s more, it offers advanced security features, high-speed connections, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Atlas VPN review.
How to watch Paramount Plus abroad
Even if you’ve never heard of a VPN, they’re very simple to set up and use. Follow the steps below to watch Paramount Plus online from anywhere.
Here’s how to stream Paramount Plus from anywhere:
- Sign up with a VPN that unblocks Paramount Plus. We recommend NordVPN however, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are two suitable alternatives.
- Download and install the VPN app or browser extension for your device.
- Open the VPN app or browser extension and connect to a server in the US. This will provide you with an American IP address for watching Paramount Plus abroad.
- Go to Paramount Plus and sign in to your account.
- You should now be able to play videos on Paramount Plus from outside of America. If you’re still encountering restrictions, try clearing your browser’s cookies.
Can I use a free VPN to watch Paramount Plus?
While hundreds of free VPN providers are available, we strongly advise against their use. First, free VPNs often provide a substandard experience because they have fewer servers and more users than premium services. Second, streaming sites have been cracking down on VPN usage in recent years, so there’s a good chance that a free VPN wouldn’t work, even assuming you had a decent download speed.
It’s easy to forget that free VPNs are businesses. Despite their rhetoric about protecting privacy, they exist to make money. As there are no upfront fees, free VPNs use several different ways to profit from you. Their money-making methods range from putting ads onto the sites you visit, to selling details of your activities to third parties without your knowledge.
There are good reasons to be skeptical: in recent years, we’ve seen free VPN providers knowingly install malware, lie about their encryption protocols, and even turn their users’ computers into part of a botnet. In order to keep yourself and your personal information safe, we recommend using a reliable VPN with a history of protecting its users’ privacy.
Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for Paramount Plus
Traveling abroad can be frustrating and finding you can no longer access your Paramount Plus account. Worse still, trying to sift through the hundreds of VPNs on the market is an overwhelming challenge! Fortunately, we’ve found the best VPNs for Paramount Plus to save you some time. We used the following methodology:
- Servers in the US: Paramount Plus first launched in the US and offers the most content of any country version. Therefore, we looked for VPNs that offer plenty of servers in the US so you can get a US IP address and unblock it. Indeed, all of them have servers across dozens of countries.
- Speed: Streaming requires high-speed connections which many VPNs simply fail to offer. Our speed tests have helped us find the fastest VPNs, all of which include unlimited bandwidth. As such, you can stream Paramount Plus in high definition without lag or buffering.
- Unblocking: While a VPN may successfully unblock Paramount+, you may find it struggles with other websites and services. No VPN is perfect but the best VPNs for Paramount Plus offer the strongest and most consistent unblocking — perfect if you’re traveling abroad.
- Security: One of the main benefits of using a VPN is that your data is encrypted and protected from hackers and snoopers alike. Unfortunately, some VPNs don’t do this properly and may lack other essential security features. However, the VPNs in this post tick every box.
- Privacy: Having assessed over 140 VPN logging policies, we’ve been able to determine which best protect your privacy. This is particularly important because some may log and sell your data or share it with your government. A VPN with a strict no-logs policy is therefore a must.
- Ease of use: Keeping in mind that this may be the first time you’re using a VPN, we’ve only selected those with beginner-friendly apps. As such, connecting to a server couldn’t be simpler. What’s more, all of the VPNs found here provide live chat and email support.
- Value for money: A fast and secure VPN that works with Paramount Plus need not break the bank, particularly if you take advantage of our VPN discount coupons. Every VPN in this post even includes a money-back guarantee of at least 30 days so you can try risk-free.
If you’d like to know more about how we test VPNs, take a look at our post that covers our full VPN testing methodology.
VPN for Paramount Plus: FAQs
Can I watch Paramount Plus outside the US?
Paramount Plus is only available in select countries including the US and Canada (it won't be coming to moat of Europe until 2022). To watch Paramount Plus outside the US in a country in which it's not available, you'll need to connect to a VPN.
If you were to use an American server, it’d change your IP address, which is what platforms like Paramount Plus use to tell which country you’re in. For all intents and purposes, this would make you indistinguishable from someone who really was in the US. As a result, you’d be able to watch Paramount Plus (and most other region-locked American services) from abroad.
Why is my VPN not working with Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus is a particularly stubborn service, and blocks many VPNs outright. However, you could still see errors even if your VPN is working perfectly. For instance, if you’re using an ad-blocker, videos won’t play until you turn it off. Confusingly, it appears that all kinds of privacy addons can cause this same error message. As such, if you use Ghostery, Privacy Badger, or any similar tracker-blocking browser extensions, you’ll likely have to disable these before streaming. Some VPNs even offer ad and tracker-blocking features of their own, so make sure to turn these off too.
Still having problems? The quickest fix is usually to try a different server, but if you’ve tested a few already, we’d recommend getting in touch with your VPN’s support team. They’ll be able to tell you whether there are specific servers to use. If none work, unfortunately, there aren’t many other options except for trying another VPN entirely.
What does it mean when Paramount Plus says due to licensing restrictions video is not available outside your country?
Paramount Plus provides a vast library of movies and television shows that are available in the US. However, some content may only be available within the United States due to licensing restrictions. This means that if you are located outside of the US (in a different country), you cannot watch certain videos or shows on Paramount Plus.
Outside the United States, Paramount+ is currently available in Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Latin America, Middle East, Nordics, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Is it legal to use a VPN with Paramount Plus?
It’s not actually against the law in most countries to access geo-restricted content from abroad. This means that the worst that can happen is you’ll have your account banned. However, this is extremely unlikely, since using a VPN isn’t expressly prohibited by CBS’ own terms of service.
Interestingly, these acknowledge that the location detection features that CBS use are not infallible, and as such, you may not be able to access services that you should. We can assume then, that as long as you’re in the US, there’s no issue with you using a VPN to get around this issue.
Disclaimer: While we’ve thoroughly researched this topic, nothing we’ve said should be taken as legal advice. If there’s any doubt, we encourage you to study your country’s digital copyright laws before streaming while connected to a VPN.
What can I watch on Paramount Plus?
There's a ton of content on Paramount+ and more (including original programming) arriving all the time. Below is a small selection of what you can expect to find in the Paramount Plus library:
- 1883
- Star Trek: Discovery
- Picard
- iCarly
- Criminal Minds
- Mayor of Kingstown
- The Stand
- The Twilight Zone
- Frasier
- Evil
What happened to CBS All Access?
CBS All Access (launched in 2014) became Paramount Plus in March 2021. This followed the merger of CBS and Viacom which took place in 2019. Don't worry, you can still find all of your favorite CBS TV shows on Paramount Plus. Paramount+ has since expanded internationally and will be coming to countries in Europe in 2022.
Can I use a VPN to watch NFL games on Paramount Plus?
Yes, you can use a VPN to watch NFL games on Paramount Plus. A VPN will allow you to connect to a server in another country, which will then give you access to services in your home country like Paramount Plus and CBS. However, not all VPN providers unblock Paramount Plus, so we'd recommend using the providers on our list.
Is Paramount Plus available in the Philippines?
No, Paramount Plus is not available in the Philippines. However, you can access it by using a VPN and connecting to a US based server. This will allow you to bypass geographical restrictions in the Philippines and access Paramount Plus as if you were in America.
Will Paramount Plus block my account for watching with a VPN?
Paramount Plus (and indeed most streaming services) won’t block your account for watching with a VPN. However, it may block the specific IP address you’re using if it suspects it belongs to a VPN service. After all, its content restrictions are due to copyright. It’s only trying to ensure it respects existing licensing agreements. If Paramount Plus does block your VPN IP address, you only need to switch to a different server and clear your cookies before accessing it again.
Does Paramount Plus offer a free trial?
Paramount Plus offers a free 7-day trial of its service to new subscribers. After this time, it'll automatically renew to its regular monthly pricing. If you're unsure if the service is for you, set a reminder to help you to remember to cancel.
Sadly, ExpressVPN does not work for CBS Access. It did at first, but for the last week or so it hasn’t worked using Amazon Fire or Roku. I have been going back and forth with Customer service, and this was there last response, “I totally understand your wish to be able to stream CBS on your TV. I was able to double check the streaming service you would like to access with MediaStreamer. However, it seems that CBS is not currently listed under the list of accessible streaming services with MediaStreamer. I apologize for this inconvenience, I will have this query submitted as a feature request on our end to have it prioritized for future unblocking of streaming services with the MediaStreamer DNS service. “. So, for a week they had me running around trying different things only to finally be told it doesn’t work on their Media Streamer service – Gee thanks. It does work fine on a PC. I just wanted to clarify your review is all. Now to start my own review of other VPN services.
Hi Dave, thanks for reaching out. Just to clarify – you’re using Media Streamer, not the VPN itself? I’ve been assured that ExpressVPN should still work with CBS All Access, so you might have more luck with the actual app, rather than Media Streamer. Hope this helps, Ian
We use both the VPN and with our Samsung TV that has Roku and Fire TV we have to use Media Streamer. CBS Access worked up until a week ago. I contacted support and we have been going back and forth doing different things. Last night they told me that it wasn’t supported. So why did we spend all this time on something that wasn’t supported? Support is what I am most disappointed with and had very high expectations from all the reviews and research I did. UPDATE – Being the life long geek that I am – I don’t let issues stop me. I found that there is an app for Fire TV and have installed it and had it working for 1 day so far. My only beef with it is that unlike the Media Streamer, since it engages the VPN, it does not stream smooth. It continually stops to fill the buffer back up. Roku – I installed a virtual router on one of my PC’s and shared the VPN connection – more buffering issues, but it works. Why wasn’t I told about these by support and have to figure it out for myself? I have expressed my disappointment, but not sharing my solutions with them. I will continue looking at alternatives though as, overall, the product isn’t meeting my expectations.
I live in Costa Rica and have wifi. I have no cable services in US for tv. I can pay for CBS All Access with an American account and address. Will I be able to watch Super Bowl LIII if I download a VPN on my tablet here in Costa Rica?