Best VPNs for US expats to watch American TV abroad in 2026

Are you a US expat struggling to watch TV from back home? It can be tricky since the vast majority of streaming services are region-locked, meaning you can’t normally use them while traveling outside of the US. Here’s the good news: it’s extremely easy to regain access and stream US TV channels abroad. All you have to do is get a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and connect to one of its American servers.

In addition to helping you watch American TV shows, VPNs are a great way to enhance your online privacy. That’s because they encrypt your internet traffic, stopping it from being read. Your data is then sent through a server somewhere else in the world, hiding your real IP address and location.

I’ll cover each of my top VPNs for US expats in more details shortly. For now, though, here’s a brief rundown of what makes each so special.

Best VPNs for US expats watching TV abroad:

1. NordVPN My first choice VPN for US expats. Blazing-fast speeds, an excellent security record, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for US expats.
2. Surfshark The best budget VPN for expats. Offers very fast speeds, unlimited connections, and first-class streaming abilities. No logs policy.
3. Total VPN A reliable, secure VPN that boasts incredible streaming ability as well as a ton of US servers. Offers 24/7 support and doesn’t keep any logs.
4. ProtonVPN This zero-logs VPN with a huge presence in the United States. Works with most major streaming apps and boasts first-class privacy tools.
5. ExpressVPN Secure service that works with US Netflix and most other US TV networks. RAM-only servers in 105 countries and always-on obfuscation.
6. IPVanish No-logs service allowing any number of simultaneous connections. Boasts a great set of security features and works with most US streaming apps.
7. CyberGhost A low-cost provider that tells you which servers are best for unblocking US streaming sites. Fast speeds and powerful security features.
8. PureVPN Affordable, privacy-conscious, and perfect for watching US TV abroad. Boasts a robust security offering and works anywhere in the world.
9. PrivateVPN Good for US expats wanting to stream. Strong on security and privacy with effective obfuscation and helpful customer support.

Best VPNs for US expats: My hands-on review

I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – my #1 choice for US expats to watch American TV abroad.

Criteria for finding the best VPNs for watching American TV abroad

You have hundreds of VPNs to choose from but some are better at accessing US streaming platforms than others. To find the very best VPNs for watching US TV abroad, I looked for services that excelled in the five main areas below:

• Speed: I tested each VPN multiple times over the course of a day, using their fastest US server and a 500 Mbps connection to standardize results.
• Streaming ability: Next, I tested providers against a series of difficult to unblock streaming sites. I also examined how many US locations each of them offered since the closer your server is, the better your speeds will normally be.
• Value for money: Services were evaluated on their lowest monthly price, availability of student discounts, connection limit, and sale frequency, as well as many other criteria.
• Security and privacy: There’s no point in using a VPN that can’t keep you safe. I scored providers based on more than a dozen privacy-related criteria including which protocols they support and what kind of logs they keep.
• Ease of use: Last but not least, I rewarded VPNs that go the extra mile on usability. Specifically, I’m looking for quality of life features like 24/7 support, streaming-optimized servers, ad-blocking and unlimited connections.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out the methodology section at the bottom of the page.

How to watch American TV abroad

Streaming American TV abroad is easier than you might think. Just follow the steps below and you’ll be watching in no time.

Here’s how to watch US TV abroad:

1. Sign up to your chosen VPN provider. I recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the relevant app for your device from the VPN provider’s website or an official app store.
3. Install the app and log in using your new credentials.
4. Connect to a server in the US. This will give you an American IP address, allowing you to use US-only sites from abroad. The exact server location doesn’t matter unless you want to unblock sites restricted to a specific US region (or in case you’re trying to access adult content).
5. Navigate to the stream you’d like to watch and enjoy!
6. If you run into any issues, try clearing your cookies and cache, connecting to a different server, or contacting your VPN’s customer support team for extra assistance.

The best VPNs for US expats

Here is my list of the best VPNs for expats to watch US TV from abroad:

1. NordVPN

Feb 2026

NordVPN is my top choice for US expats. It has a network of around 8,000 servers spread across 120 countries, with roughly half of these in the US alone. Better still, you’ll be able to watch all kinds of content including the US Netflix library, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV. This VPN can protect up to 10 devices at the same time and offers 24-hour customer support over live chat.

So just how fast are NordVPNs American servers, really? To find out, I tested them at three different times of day (morning, noon, and afternoon). NordVPN achieved an average speed of 403.8 Mbps, making it one of the fastest providers in this list. Needless to say, you’re not going to have any problems streaming so long as your base connection speeds are halfway decent. Here are the full test results:

If you’re concerned about privacy, NordVPN would be a fantastic choice. by default, it uses unbreakable ChaCha20 encryption, a customizable kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks to shield your activity from snoopers. NordVPN has been repeatedly audited to show it doesn’t keep logs. That’s not all though: it also offers ad and tracker-blocking plus a custom NordWhisper protocol designed to beat the world’s strictest online censorship. You could take advantage of the split tunneling feature, multi-hop connections, or Tor over VPN servers.

Apps are available for iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and MacOS, with manual configuration required for routers. You can also get a dedicated IP address from the US for a small additional monthly fee (this is required for some online games and makes it easier to set up your own Plex server).

BEST VPN FOR US EXPATS:NordVPN is my #1 choice. An exceptionally fast and secure VPN that works well with US streaming content. Solid security and privacy features. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for US expats hoping to watch TV from back home. There are roughly 4,500 servers spread across 100 countries, with 600 of these in American cities. I’ve had great results using this service to access streaming platforms like Netflix US, Peacock, and Paramount+ while traveling outside of the United States. What’s more, Surfshark offers 24/7 support and unlimited connections.

Now, none of this means anything if Surfshark can’t keep up. I performed speed tests on its quickest-available US servers at various points throughout the day, resulting in an average speed of 378.47 Mbps. That’s fantastic, and well above what’s needed for any day to day task like streaming or torrenting. Take a look at my findings:

Even though it’s a budget-friendly provider, Surfshark delivers on security. Your activities are hidden from snoopers with a combination of unreakable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak prevention, a no-logging policy, and a kill switch that ensures you never accidentally browse unprotected. It can also swap your IP address every few minutes for additional privacy and even works in countries like China where the internet is heavily censored.

Looking for even more control over your anonymity? Surfshark boasts a unique persona-generator which allows you to sign up for sites without providing any real personal info. This VPN can also block ads, trackers, shady sites, and multiple types of adult content; this not only makes you safer but also helps the internet be a little bit less annoying, which is always a win.

Subscriptions begin at $2.19 per month, and there are apps for Windows, iOS, Android, MacOS, and Linux devices. You’ll have to follow manual setup instructions for routers though.

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is the best budget VPN for watching American TV abroad. It’s fast, highly secure, and able to protect every device you own at the same time. Plus, all subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN is a natural choice for any American expat who wants to stream TV from the US. It has more than 1,800 servers in 80+ countries, with two dozen US locations. Not only that, it’s capable of accessing platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, Hulu, and Peacock, with no problems at all. There’s a five connection limit, which is a little lower than average but should be enough for most users, as well as 24/7 customer support (via the ticket system on its website).

If you’re hoping to watch live broadcasts or 4K content, you’ll need a VPN that can keep up. After a full day of testing, Total VPN’s American servers delivered an average speed of 323.9 Mbps. For context, that’s quick enough to download a 1GB file in under 25 seconds, so you shouldn’t experience any stuttering, buffering, or lag while watching US TV, even if you’re on the other side of the world. See for yourself:

Total VPN has a robust security toolkit, ensuring you can stream your favorite American TV shows without compromising on privacy. It uses 256-bit AES encryption (currently considered uncrackable by industry experts), prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks automatically, and includes a kill switch (on every platform except Windows) that will ensure you never browse the web unprotected. Most importantly, this provider follows a strict no-logs policy. Finally, it offers a special Hydra protocol that was designed to help you evade anti-VPN filters on public wifi networks.

Total VPN provides apps for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices. At the time of writing, Linux devices and routers are not supported.

WATCH US TV ABROAD:Total VPN works with a wide range of US streaming apps, boasts strong security features, and has a strict no-logs policy. Better still, it offers a 14-day money-back guarantee on short-term plans and a 30-day guarantee on anything longer than a year.

Want to know more? Check out our complete Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is another provider that’s great for expats or anyone traveling abroad. For starters, it has roughly 15,000 servers in 120 countries, with 18+ locations in the US alone. Not only that, this provider excels at unblocking stubborn streaming platforms; I was able to stream Max, Hulu, YouTube TV, and a wide range of international services with no issues. Users can secure 10 devices at the same time, torrent on any server, and speak directly with support staff using ProtonVPN’s 24/7 live chat service.

To find out how fast ProtonVPN was, I measured the performance of its servers in the United States in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon. This resulted in an average speed of 249.58 Mbps, making it a solid choice for data-intensive activities like watching live TV, making video calls, or playing fast-paced online games.

This VPN was created by the team behind Proton Mail so you can trust that it takes your privacy seriously. It uses 256-bit ChaCha20 encryption by default, backed up by a kill switch and leak protection. ProtonVPN also blocks ads and trackers, permits split tunneling, and has a Stealth protocol capable of beating most digital restrictions (though it doesn’t work in China). It has a proven no-logs policy and multi-hop servers in case you’re in need of even greater anonymity.

ProtonVPN has its own apps for MacOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. Its website provides manual setup guides for most routers too.

PRIVACY FIRST:ProtonVPN is a secure and highly-customizable VPN. Has lots of US servers and reliably unblocks major American streaming services from abroad. Strong on security too. Paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is an industry titan with a phenomenal reputation. With servers in more than 100 countries (and all 50 US states), it’s easy to get a speedy, low-latency connection which translates to a better viewing experience. I was able to access Netflix USA, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video, and many more platforms with no issues. Users can get help at any time via ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat service and the Basic plan comes with a 10 simultaneous connection allowance.

I ran speed tests on ExpressVPN’s American servers, keeping a close eye on both raw performance and consistency. This VPN delivered an average speed of 193.7 Mbps, meaning it’s more than capable of handling bandwidth-hungry tasks like watching TV or downloading large files. Here are its results at different times of day:

Let’s talk about security. Most of ExpressVPN’s security tools are enabled by default, such as its quantum-resistant encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and kill switch. This VPN also automatically obfuscates your traffic, allowing you to sidestep advanced censorship and browse safely in countries like China or the UAE.

You can also take advantage of split tunneling functionality and a tool that blocks ads, trackers, and adult content, though these have to be enabled manually. Most importantly, ExpressVPN has proven it doesn’t keep logs via several independent audits. It even accepts cryptocurrency so you can sign up and pay anonymously.

ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. There’s even custom firmware for routers and a Smart DNS tool that’ll let you watch US TV on devices like games consoles, which don’t support full VPN apps.

EASY STREAMING:ExpressVPN has robust security and the ability to stream major streaming services including US Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime. Great privacy features and keeps no logs. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish is based in the United States and offers decent speeds for connections to the USA from anywhere in the world. It can access US TV channel web services, and it’s great for Kodi. This VPN service can also access Netflix USA, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and others from overseas.

IPVanish has over 1,000 servers in the USA, spread across 20 cities. You can opt for a city and let IPVanish choose a server for you, or select a particular server within the city. For example, Atlanta has 160 servers to choose from.

If you like playing online games abroad, IPVanish could be your best choice. It has servers located very close to all of the major game servers in the USA, which means less latency. For example, IPVanish has 12 servers in Seattle, very close to Steam’s West Coast base, and 59 servers in Ashburn, just a couple of miles from Steam’s East Coast HQ.

We tested IPVanish’s US servers several times over the course of a day using a virtual machine with an average download speed of 502.06 Mbps. You can see the results below.

The provider exceeded 230 Mbps in all three tests and had an average speed of 242.9 Mbps. This makes it a good choice for everything from gaming to video calls.

IPVanish operates a dynamic IP address system. When you connect to a server, you get allocated a new IP address to represent you for the duration of the session. While connected, you are the only person using that address. When you disconnect, that address goes back into the pool, and someone else will use it. You almost never get allocated the same address twice.

The VPN service gives users the option of using the WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2 protocols. Opting for OpenVPN allows you to leverage the Scramble function, which will obfuscate traffic that needs to bypass VPN blocks. For general use, however, WireGuard is faster.

Multi-hop connections are available, with users able to specify entry and exit locations. There’s also a kill switch; automatic public wi-fi protection; an ad, tracker and malware blocker; and split tunneling.

Leak protection is enabled by default, and the provider has an independently audited no-logs policy.

IPVanish makes apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. The VPN can run on Amazon Fire devices, but you must manually set those up. The same goes for many home routers.

You get unlimited simultaneous connections with all IPVanish subscriptions. The cheapest plan costs the equivalent of $2.19 a month. However, for an extra $1.10 a month you get 1TB of cloud storage and access to a secure sandboxed browser. This essentially makes the VPN free, because 1 TB of cloud storage usually costs $3.29 (or more).

I love the Unlimited plan because of the cloud-based browser. This lets you browse the web via a live video feed of a session that happens on an IPVanish server. This means that local networks and ISPs have no way to monitor what you do online. The remote browser is also handy for bypassing blocks on a work computer that won’t let you install a VPN due to company policies.

I used the remote browser to get an IP address in the US, but it also works to get an IP address in 10 different countries, and everything you do in the browser will remain confidential, meaning you can watch YouTube or play a game at work without being found out. It also works to bypass censorship in countries with many blocks.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Recommended for their high standard of privacy and solid unblocking ability.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost offers excellent streaming speeds and a slick service. The software can circumvent access blocks on most US TV channels’ websites as well as those from the big-name platforms like Netflix USA and Amazon Prime Video.

We particularly like that CyberGhost has a whole selection of servers that list which particular platforms they work best with. There are 21 servers specifically for US-based services.

In terms of its regular servers, CyberGhost’s network is more than 10,000 strong. It has over 2,000 servers in the USA, which are located in 11 cities.

We carried out speed tests while connected to one of the provider’s US servers. You can see the results below. Note that our base connection speed during testing averaged at 502.06 Mbps.

Although our connection speed without a VPN was a little slower than with the previous providers, CyberGhost still managed to achieve an impressive set of results. Overall, its average speed was 266 Mbps — which was faster than the combined average of the other providers.

The security measures included in the VPN service are excellent, and the company offers free extras to its customers, such as an immunizer against ransomware attacks.

CyberGhost employs strong session establishment encryption by giving its RSA cipher a 4096-bit key. Data exchanges are protected by AES encryption with a 256-bit key.

Users can choose between the WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 connection protocols. There’s an optional kill switch; ad, tracker and malware blocker; and leak protection.

Other features include public wi-fi protection, split tunneling; and the option to automatically connect when certain apps are launched.

CyberGhost’s account management procedures are designed to provide total anonymity. The company doesn’t collect payment itself, and you are only identified on the CyberGhost computers by an account number. All the company knows about you is your account’s expiration date.

When you want to subscribe for another period, you load up your account with more credit at the payment processing company. If you want even more privacy, you can opt to pay with Bitcoin, which means you can’t be traced through your bank account.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac OS X, macOS, iOS, and Android. You can set up the VPN manually on Linux and some routers and set-top boxes. You are allowed to connect to the service seven times concurrently. This is a stylish piece of software, and the company is so confident that you will enjoy using it that they offer a 45-day money-back guarantee.

VALUE & PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost has a simple but effective set-up. Great privacy, fast speeds, zero logs and DNS leak protection. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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8. PureVPN

PureVPN is a formidable option if you want a low-cost VPN that works to watch US TV platforms from abroad. The VPN starts at just $1.96 per month and, for that price, you get WireGuard connections and US servers that work to access Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, and nearly every other service we tested it with.

To make life easier, PureVPN maintains a list of servers optimized for particular streaming platforms. Connecting to one of these servers automatically launches the website of the associated platform.

PureVPN has servers in over 71 countries overall, which means you can also use it to access popular international services. This makes it a fantastic all-rounder for watching Canadian TV, British TV, or anything else that takes your fancy from around the globe.

It also allows torrenting, and you can get port forwarding if you need it, albeit at a small extra cost each month. Reassuringly, the provider has a no-logging policy that has been independently verified four times

To find out how fast the service was, we tested its speeds while connected to a US server. You can see the results of our tests below.

PureVPN’s average download speed was 167.2 Mbps, which is a decent enough result — albeit a little slower than the combined average speed of the other providers that we tested. If you have a decent base connection speed (ours was 502.06 Mbps), then you’ll be able to enjoy US TV interruption-free.

PureVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firestick, and they offer everything you need to gain online privacy at home, work, or elsewhere. The provider also has a Linux app with a GUI or with a command-line interface.

The PureVPN dashboard is relatively easy to navigate, though it’s not particularly compact compared to some.

Features include a kill switch, tracker blocker (note that there’s no ad or malware blocker), and a choice of the OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols. Split tunneling is on a per-app basis and there’s optional dark web monitoring.

Unusually, PureVPN has always-on obfuscation. This enables users to connect in restrictive countries like China without having to take any additional steps to disguise their traffic. Leak protection is built-in, which seems a more sensible approach than making it optional.

The only slight drawback is that the live chat support is slow to respond. However, this is a pretty small drawback considering this VPN’s cost and its effectiveness for getting an IP address on either the West or East Coast of America. You can try the VPN yourself using its risk-free 31-day money-back guarantee.

LOW COST:PureVPN lets you watch Netflix, ABC, ESPN, Hulu, HBO Max, and many other platforms abroad. Starts at just $1.96 per month. The VPN is secure and reliable despite being low-cost. Apps provide a no-logs policy, AES encryption, a killswitch, and DNS leak protection. 24/7 live chat support. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a good option for streaming video from US sites to overseas locations. The company offers an effective stealth mode and can circumvent regional restrictions on most US TV websites. It can also access Netflix USA and the Netflix libraries for the UK, Canada, Japan, Spain, Brazil, Italy, and France.

The provider has a relatively modest 200 servers in 63 countries overall. This includes the US, where it has servers in 12 US cities.

To find out how fast these servers were, we carried out several speed tests while connected.

PrivateVPN averaged 80.9 Mbps overall. While this is still fast enough for watching US TV without interruption, you might like to opt for one of the faster providers in this list if you have a slow connection speed (for reference, ours was 502.06 Mbps).

Apps are easy to use, and we like that there are two options for viewing the dashboard: simple and advanced. The simple view makes it obvious to new users how to get connected.

For those with more VPN experience, the Advanced View provides connection details that users can manipulate. As well as switching between protocols, users can change the level of encryption used on their data. Dropping it will increase connection speeds.

The app’s kill switch is enabled by default, as is leak protection. An optional Application Guard allows users to specify particular apps that should be closed down if the VPN is disconnected.

Although PrivateVPN is based in Sweden, all of its support staff speaks excellent English, so you won’t need to worry about language skills when you need to contact them for help. PrivateVPN’s Help Desk is one of its strong points, and it is available online during Swedish business hours. If you aren’t tech-savvy, the support technician can take control of your computer and fix the problem for you.

A second strong point of PrivateVPN is its commitment to privacy. The company was founded by torrenting enthusiasts, and they are still campaigning against European laws that try to trace users or block downloading activities. The service keeps no logs at all, and all payments are processed by a third party. You are only identified on the PrivateVPN system by an account number.

PrivateVPN allows each customer 10 simultaneous connections, which is more than enough for most people. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. You can also install the VPN on Amazon Fire devices, Linux, and manually on some set-top boxes and routers.

PRIVATE CONNECTIONS:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Works with US Netflix and allows up to 10 devices on the same account. Small network of servers but strong unblocking ability. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

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Using a free VPN to stream US content abroad

When streaming online content, having a reliable VPN service can make a huge difference in your overall experience. While free VPNs may seem convenient and cost-effective, they often come with limitations that can hinder your streaming experience. For example, free VPNs may have data limits that restrict how much content you can stream, fewer server locations that limit your access to certain regions, and slower speeds that result in buffering and lagging.

Also, free VPNs may not be able to consistently unblock popular streaming platforms like US content, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to access specific shows or movies. To avoid interruptions during streaming and gain access to a broad range of US content, opting for a well-known paid VPN service that provides fast speeds, an extensive server network, and dedicated streaming features is advisable.

These types of VPNs are designed to enhance your streaming experience by providing reliable connections, unrestricted access to content, and advanced security features to keep your data safe. So, if you want to get the most out of your streaming experience, it’s worth investing in a high-quality VPN service.

Watching US sports from abroad

If you’re wondering whether you’ll be able to use a VPN to keep up with US sports fixtures then the short answer is ‘yes’. By connecting to a VPN server in the US, you’ll be able to watch your favourite sports as if you were streaming them from back home. This includes everything from Major League Baseball and NCAA College Football, through to official NFL and NHL streams. Better yet, the choice of servers within the US means you can evade blackouts from providers such as ESPN.

How to watch US TV abroad FAQ