How to watch Discovery Plus from anywhere (with a VPN)

Like most other major streaming platforms, Discovery Plus is geo-restricted. This service is available in almost 50 countries, each of which has its own content library. If you try to access Discovery+ in Japan, China, or any other unsupported location, you’ll simply see an error that reads “Due to rights restrictions, the content you are requesting is not available in your current region”. But don’t worry, in this article we’ll explain how to watch Discovery Plus from anywhere, using a VPN.

Discovery+ determines your location by looking at your IP address. When you’re connected to a VPN, though, only your server’s IP address is visible. In short, you’ll appear to be in the same country as your chosen server. Picking an American server, for instance, will allow you to unblock Discovery+, Hulu, and YouTube TV abroad. Better still, VPNs encrypt your traffic, keeping your online activities hidden from snoopers like your ISP, boss, or government.

We’ll provide a more detailed review of each VPN a little later, but in case you;re in a rush, we’ll start with a brief overview:

Best VPNs for streaming Discovery Plus:

1. NordVPN: Our first choice Discovery Plus VPN. An extremely fast provider that prides itself on its strong security features. Works with Discovery Channel, BBC iPlayer, and more. Doesn’t keep logs and offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Discovery Plus.
2. Surfshark: Budget-friendly VPN for streaming Discovery+ on a budget. Offers excellent unblocking ability and some of the fastest speeds around. Also allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. Total VPN: This easy to use service works well with most streaming platforms including Discovery Plus. Minimal setup needed and very strong security.
4. IPVanish: A zero-logs service that punches well above its weight when it comes to security. Fast enough for uninterrupted streaming. Further, has no connection or bandwidth limits.
5. ExpressVPN: A well-respected provider with quick, reliable servers and a strong privacy focus. Stream Discovery Plus and Netflix from anywhere.
6. CyberGhost: This speedy service unblocks a huge range of streaming platforms and comes with pre-configured security features. Over 10,000 servers to choose from in 100+ countries.
7. PrivateVPN: This VPN provides exceptionally fast speeds and can unblock many of the most popular streaming platforms, not just Discovery+. Strict no-logs policy.

How to watch Discovery Plus abroad using a VPN

It’s really quite easy to unblock geo-restricted services using a VPN. Just follow the steps below to watch Discovery Plus from anywhere.

Here’s how to watch Discovery Plus online from anywhere:

1. Begin by signing up for one of the VPNs below (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Create a Discovery+ account if you don’t already have one.
3. Download and install the VPN app onto whichever device you want to use to watch Discovery+. Most providers allow at least five simultaneous connections (although this varies).
4. Connect to a VPN your home country. Alternatively, if you’d like to see what’s on offer elsewhere, choose a server in any other country where Discovery+ is available, such as the US.
5. Finally, log in and try watching something. The video should start right away, without any errors. If not, clear your cookies and reload the page. For further assistance, we’d advise getting in touch with your VPN’s support team directly.

How we found the top VPNs for Discovery Plus

Deciding which VPN to use can be difficult, especially since there are so many different services on the market. To separate the best from the rest, our team created a testing process designed to reward well-rounded providers and penalize those that favor one area over others. To score highly, providers had to excel in all of the five key areas below:

• Speed: Streaming requires a stable, high-speed connection. We tested each VPN’s performance at three times of day using a 250 Mbps connection since that’s the household average speed in the United States.
• Streaming ability: Naturally, our goal is to unblock Discovery Plus. Still, that’s unlikely to be the only streaming service you use. For that reason, we test providers against platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu as well.
• Security and privacy: We’ll never recommend VPNs that can’t keep you safe. At the bare minimum, we expect unbreakable encryption, a no-logs policy, leak protection, and a kill switch though extra features are always very welcome.
• Ease of use: The more straightforward your VPN is, the better. We tend to prefer services with quality of life features like 24/7 support, unlimited connections, and servers designed for specific tasks.
• Value for money: Finally, we consider how much each service costs. This involves making sure it’s fairly priced and checking whether it offers student discounts or reduced rates for long-term subscribers. We require VPNs to have a money-back guarantee since this lets you try them all risk-free.

This is just an overview, but you can read more about our VPN testing process in the methodology section below. For now, let’s take a look at the ones that impressed us.

Best VPNs for watching Discovery Plus from abroad

At Comparitech, we’re committed to bringing you the most accurate and helpful VPN recommendations possible. The following reviews are based on our first-hand experiences and rigorous real-world testing.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for accessing Discovery Plus from anywhere:

1. NordVPN

Jan 2026 Unblocks Discovery+Tested Jan 2026

NordVPN is our number one VPN recommendation for streaming Discovery+ abroad. It has more than 8,000 servers in 120+ countries (including the US, the UK, and India) and works flawlessly with every streaming service we tried including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and Peacock. There’s a generous 10 simultaneous connection limit and 24/7 customer support over live chat.

Not only is this one of the most versatile VPNs around, it’s also one of the most secure. NordVPN protects you from DNS and IPv6 leaks, uses unbreakable AES-256 encryption, and offers an app-specific kill switch. There’s also a built-in ad and tracker-blocker and a custom protocol called NordWhisper that can help you browse safely in places with extreme censorship like China. NordVPN is a zero-logs providerand has proven this with multiple independent audits.

NordVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and MacOS. If you’d rather protect every device on your network, you can manually configure it to work with your network router.

BEST VPN FOR DISCOVERY+:NordVPN is our #1 choice. It puts your privacy first while providing fast speeds and the ability to stream Discovery Plus abroad. Best of all, this zero-log VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Still not sure? Check out our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Unblocks Discovery+Tested Jan 2026

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for Discovery Plus. It offers access to 4,500 servers in 100+ countries and can reliably unblock stubborn streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Better still, it’s a very fast VPN with an affordable price point and no limit on the number of devices you can connect, making it fantastic value for families. Customer support is available 24/7 over live chat.

This service keeps your activities hidden from snoopers with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (which stops sending data if your connection drops), automatic tracker-blocking, and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. Better still, Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs at all, and as such, can’t reveal details of your activities under any circumstances. It’s even capable of swapping your IP address every few minutes, beating the world’s strictest digital censorship, and preventing your kids from seeing various different kinds of adult content.

Surfshark provides apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux systems. It’s also possible to manually configure this VPN on supported routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is the best low-cost option for Discovery+. Not only is it speedy and secure, but it also allows you to protect all of your devices at once. It works well with services like Netflix too. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Take a look at our in-depth Surfshark review.

3. Total VPN

Unblocks Discovery+Tested Jan 2026

Total VPN is another fantastic option for anyone hoping to stream Discovery Plus from abroad. Users can choose from more than 1,800 servers spread across 80 countries and connect up to five of their devices at the same time. With very high speeds and the ability to access a ton of popular streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Total VPN is inexpensive too, and offers 24/7 assistance via live chat or a ticket system.

This VPN takes your security seriously and best of all, most of its privacy features are enabled by default. These include 256-bit AES encryption (which is currently considered uncrackable), a kill switch that stops sending data when your connection drops out, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Naturally, Total VPN follows a no-logs policy too, which is great news for any privacy-conscious users. It even boasts its own protocol called Hydra that’s designed to hide the fact you’re using a VPN at all.

Apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. Unfortunately this VPN doesn’t support Linux or router installation at this time.

QUICK AND EASY TO USE:Total VPN is a hassle-free service that makes it easy to stay safe online. It doesn’t keep any logs of your online activities, works with a wide range of streaming platforms, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans.

Read our full review of Total VPN.

4. IPVanish

Unblocks Discovery+Tested Jan 2026

IPVanish is a speedy, lightweight VPN that works well with Discovery+. Of course, with over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, this is far from the only service it allows you to unblock. In fact, it even works with notoriously stubborn services like Disney+, Netflix, and Max. Further, there’s no connection limit, so you can secure all of your devices at once. Customer support staff are on-hand 24 hours per day via live chat.

IPVanish does a great job of keeping you safe. All of your activities are shielded from snoopers using uncrackable AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. You can scramble your traffic (on OpenVPN connections) too, which could help you get around particularly tricky geographic restrictions. Newfeatures include ad and tracker-blocking, multi-hop servers, and a tool that tells you whether a link is safe to open or not. Finally, IPVanish has a fully-audited zero-logs policy, meaning it can’t reveal your activities under any circumstances.

IPVanish offers Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android apps. Manual configuration is required to make this service work with Linux systems and supported routers. There’s also an Advanced subscription plan, available for around a dollar more each month that includes 1 TB of cloud storage and a remotely-accessible browser.

STAY SECURE ANYWHERE:IPVanish easily unblocks Discovery+ and as it has no connection limit, you can secure any number of devices at once. With high speeds, a true no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, this service is well worth your time.

Why not check out the complete IPVanish review?

5. ExpressVPN

Unblocks Discovery+Tested Jan 2026

ExpressVPN has a few characteristics that make it perfect for streaming. First, its network of RAM-only servers spans 105 countries, meaning there’ll always be one nearby. Secondly, it has no problems bypassing the toughest restrictions in the world, whether that’s letting you unblock Discovery+ abroad or evading censorship in places like China. The Basic plan permits 10 simultaneous connections, with more expensive plans allowing up to 14. If you need help, support staff are available 24 hours per day via live chat.

Unlike most other services, ExpressVPN obfuscates your connection automatically as needed, so no additional setup is needed to use in countries with strict digital censorship. Its custom Lightway protocol uses quantum-resistant encryption, plus there’s a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy that’s been audited multiple times. You can even block ads and trackers automatically or let traffic from certain websites pass through unencrypted.

ExpressVPN now has a tiered pricing system, meaning it’s available at a significantly lower price than ever before, with higher connection limits to boot. This service has its own iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps. What’s more, it has a custom firmware that simplifies the process of installing this VPN on your router.

HIGHLY VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is ideal for traveling. It’s fast, security-focused, and just as well-suited to torrenting as it is to streaming. What’s more, all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in the full ExpressVPN review.

6. CyberGhost

Unblocks Discovery+Tested Jan 2026

CyberGhost has one of the largest networks around, with a network spanning more than 100 countries. It’s remarkably easy to access geo-blocked services like Discovery+ abroad since this VPN actually tells you which servers are best for a given streaming platform. With high speeds, a seven-device limit, and 24/7 customer support over live chat, CyberGhost is a fantastic choice for novice users.

This service clearly takes user privacy seriously. It’s packed with security features like 256-bit encryption, automatic ad-blocking, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an always-on kill switch. These features all come pre-configured too, so there’s no setup required. CyberGhost doesn’t log any information that could be traced back to you. Further, it offers 24/7 support over live chat and email.

CyberGhost has apps for iOS, MacOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. Its website also has guides explaining how to get this VPN running on your router.

GREAT FOR STREAMING:CyberGhost offers one-click unblocking for popular streaming services and speeds that are fast enough for you to watch in the highest possible quality. Also, this beginner-friendly VPN is strong on security and provides a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our comprehensive review of CyberGhost.

7. PrivateVPN

Unblocks Discovery+Tested Jan 2026

PrivateVPN has around 200 servers in 63 countries, which might not seem like a lot. However, what it lacks in scale, it makes up for in speed and unblocking ability. This makes PrivateVPN a fantastic option for anyone who wants to use platforms like Discovery+, Sling TV, or fuboTV while on vacation. Users can protect up to 10 of their devices at any one time. PrivateVPN’s support team can be reached over live chat most (but not all) hours of the day.

You’re in the right place if you’re looking for comprehensive security. PrivateVPN offers 256-bit AES encryption, an app-specific kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. That’s not all: it has a no-logs policy and a stealth mode that lets you get around even the strictest online censorship.

PrivateVPN apps are available for MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS devices. Also, if preferred, it can be manually installed on Linux systems and select home routers.

ZERO LOGS:PrivateVPN is extremely quick, making it ideal for data-heavy tasks like streaming and torrenting. Equally important, though, it makes sure to keep your activities and actual location hidden at all times. Further, PrivateVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full PrivateVPN review.

Our methodology: Finding the best VPNs for Discovery Plus

Even if you find a VPN that works properly with Discovery+, there’s no guarantee it’ll hold up in other areas. For instance, its speeds might be too low for smooth streaming, or it may not work with many other streaming services. To ensure we only recommend the best VPNs around, we created a testing process that focuses on the five main areas laid out below:

Speed

Streaming is a data-intensive task, so you’ll need a VPN that doesn’t slow down your speeds too much. To see which provider had the highest overall speed and consistency, our experts tested each VPN’s American servers in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon while using 250 Mbps connection (since that’s roughly the average household broadband speed in the US). These speeds were then normalized, providing a final score out of 10 for each service tested.

NordVPN was the fastest service we tested, averaging 200.86 Mbps, and earning a perfect 10 points in this category. Surfshark came in a close second, with Total VPN taking third place. Of course every provider in this list is quick enough for streaming; these were just the fastest overall.

Streaming ability

Next up, we wanted to make sure that you could access not just Discovery Plus, but every streaming service you pay for. This involved testing them against a wealth of popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, noting any that caused problems or any that required us to try multiple servers before finally gaining access.

Once again, NordVPN came out on top, working perfectly with every service we tested. Surfshark came in second and CyberGhost earned third, whereas PrivateVPN had the lowest score overall. It still worked pretty reliably with most platforms, but struggled here and there.

Security and privacy

Your security is our top priority which is why we’ll never recommend services that lack essential privacy features like unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. All in all, we consider more than a dozen relevant criteria before assigning scores by deducting points for every area where improvements could be made.

Surfshark and NordVPN tied for first place, each scoring 9.5 points out of a possible 10. These services have audited no-logs policies in place and offer a great deal of customization while working anywhere in the world. Still, we’d rather Surfshark wasn’t based in a Nine Eyes country and would prefer if NordVPN’s authentication was a little stronger.

Ease of use

Next up, we wanted to reward providers that take usability seriously. We’re big fans of anything that makes the service easier to use on a day to day basis. This might include streaming-optimized servers, a total lack of connection limits, or access to 24/7 customer support.

Our top scorer was NordVPN, with 9.6 points. Surfshark and CyberGhost each earned 9.1 points, meaning they tied for second place, with Total VPN coming in third. We particularly liked that these services boast exceptional unblocking abilities and can protect virtually every device you own (or all of them, in Surfshark’s case).

Value for money

Our finally challenge was to identify the VPNs that represent the best value for money. This involved checking that they actually justify their pricing, looking into how steep their long-term discounts are, and whether they offer reduced rates for students.

Total VPN came out on top here, earning 8.3 points out of a possible 10. Not only is it an affordable, inexpensive way to secure up to five devices, but it comes bundled with its own antivirus software. Surfshark came in second with 8.1 points, impressing us by allowing unlimited connections and being able to beat the world’s strictest digital censorship at such as reasonable price.

Looking to learn more about how we decide which VPNs are the best? We have a detailed post breaking down our full VPN testing process.

Discovery Plus VPN not working? Try these steps

Are you unable to watch anything on Discovery+ even though your VPN is connected? Don’t worry: there’s almost always a simple solution to this problem. Simply follow the steps below and you’ll be streaming Discovery Plus in no time.

1. Start by verifying that you’ve actually turned the VPN on and that your chosen server is in a country where Discovery+ is available.
2. Try a few different servers in the same location. Sometimes, providers only have a few that are optimized for accessing stubborn streaming apps.
3. Next, clear your browser’s cookies and cache. This will remove any outdated location data that could be causing problems, forcing Discovery+ to try and reacquire your location info.
4. If your VPN has a Stealth mode, it’s time to activate it. You may also want to try swapping to a different connection protocol. It’s a good idea to disable any built-in ad and tracker-blocking features too since these sometimes cause issues with video players.
5. Still having trouble? In that case, we’d suggest speaking with your VPN’s support team. If there’s a solution, they’ll help you find it and if not, they can at least confirm that the problem isn’t on your end. Luckily, all of the VPNs mentioned above are confirmed to work with Discovery+, so you have plenty of options.

Watching Discovery Plus online: FAQs