Best VPNs for NBC so you can watch it abroad (outside US)

NBC is shackled to the US, which can cause immense frustration if you’re overseas. To help you out, we’ve researched and tested the top VPNs to find those that are most suitable for unblocking NBC from abroad.

Choosing an American server while using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) will give you a US IP address. This unlocks the gates to NBC as well as US Netflix, NBC Sports, and HBO — regardless of where you’re connecting from. Without a VPN, attempting to view NBC’s content outside the US will result in error messages such as: “Live stream unavailable in your area” or “This content is not available in your location.”

In this article, we’ll outline the best VPNs to help you access NBC from anywhere and tell you how to use them. We’ll start with our top recommendations and get into more detail later in the article.

Best VPNs for watching NBC abroad:

1. NordVPN: This is our top choice VPN for NBC. Has a multitude of high-speed servers for reliable connections and decent speeds. Accesses NBC and more, plus it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for NBC.
2. Surfshark: Our favorite budget choice VPN that’s great for NBC and similar platforms. Provides excellent speeds, a no-logs policy, a wide range of security features, and unlimited device connections.
3. IPVanish: Look no further if you are a Kodi user. Reliable connections for streaming. Unblocks most platforms. No device limit.
4. ExpressVPN: Servers throughout the US that are great for streaming. Securely access NBC from anywhere, along with most other popular streaming services.
5. CyberGhost: Great-value provider with plenty of fast servers and over 2,000 in the US. Easy-to-use apps are good for VPN novices.
6. PureVPN: Fast servers, easy-to-use apps, and impressive security. Works with NBC and many other American streaming services.
7. ProtonVPN: A privacy-first VPN that’s perfect for streaming NBC abroad. Massive server network, robust security and a proven no-logs policy.
8. Private Internet Access: Servers in over 91 countries and great security credentials. Unlimited device connections and dedicated streaming servers.
9. PrivateVPN: Newest provider on this list, with a growing network of servers. Good streaming speeds.

How to watch NBC online abroad (without cable)

Setting up a VPN so you can stream NBC online from anywhere is a simple process. Follow the proven steps below, and you’ll be streaming NBC from abroad in a matter of minutes.

From our experience, here’s how to watch NBC online from anywhere with a VPN:

1. Sign up for the VPN you’d like to use. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the VPN software, making sure to get the right version for your device’s operating system.
3. Connect to one of your VPN’s American servers, this will give you the US IP address you need to bypass NBC’s geographic restrictions.
4. Visit the NBC website to watch on-demand content, or log into one of your streaming services (outlined later in the article) to watch live programming.
5. Try playing a video. Any error messages should disappear, and the content should load almost immediately. If not, try clearing your cookies and reloading the page.
6. If you’re still having problems, contact your VPN’s customer service team for more assistance.

Our criteria for the top VPNs for NBC

Choosing the right VPN for accessing and streaming high-resolution content from NBC isn’t easy. Many people are rightly suspicious of the claims made by VPN companies, which is why we go out of our way to test every aspect of their services. For NBC VPNs, we concentrated on the following five areas:

• Speed: We conducted multiple speed tests while connected to each provider’s US servers. This helped us determine which were best-suited to streaming NBC in Full HD.
• Network suitability: As NBC is only available in the US, we looked for VPNs with a broad spread of US servers. We also assessed their ability to access a range of US-based streaming platforms.
• Security and privacy: If you’re using the internet abroad, it’s a good idea to protect your connection from would-be interlopers with a good quality VPN. We’ve only recommended providers that did well against our 16 security and privacy metrics.
• Ease of use: If you’d rather be streaming NBC than fiddling with VPN software, then you’ll be glad to know that each provider’s relative ease-of-use was gauged using 10 different metrics.
• Value for money: We make an effort to find VPNs that can justify their subscription fees. We judge their relative worth by evaluating them against eight value-for-money metrics.

This is just a summary of our selection criteria for the best VPNs for NBC. Delve into more details about our testing methods and see the results of those tests in our methodology section below. First, let’s examine the unique characteristics of each recommended VPN in more detail. 

The best NBC VPNs: at a glance

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for NBC.

The best VPNs for watching NBC

Here is our list of the best VPNs for watching NBC from abroad:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025

NordVPN is our top VPN for watching NBC from anywhere outside the US. It’s a popular choice for streaming thanks to its extensive server network and high speeds. It has more than 7,400 servers available, approximately 1,970 of which are in the US.

In our tests for this article, NordVPN consistently achieved speeds above 200 Mbps — and was the only provider to do so. In fact, it was more than 68 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other tested providers and showed less than 3 Mbps of variation across the three tests.

All of NordVPN’s servers are optimized for high-resolution streaming, and it can securely access many popular services, including NBC, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO.

This VPN doesn’t log any of your information and comes with an application-specific kill switch to keep you safe should your connection drop. It has DNS leak protection, anti-malware, and ad-blocking features built in. Plus, its 256-bit military-grade encryption is considered effectively uncrackable. Up to 10 connections are permitted per account, so you can protect all of your devices at once, and a knowledgeable customer service team is available 24/7, should you require them.

This VPN offers Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows apps. Selected routers and Linux-based systems like the Raspberry Pi are also supported, with manual installation required.

BEST VPN FOR NBC:NordVPN is our top choice. It boasts blazing speeds and is a great all-rounder that performs well with NBC while abroad. Strong security features and allows up to 10 devices to be used simultaneously from one account. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free deal.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a budget VPN that doesn’t compromise on service. It has a network of more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. This includes the US, where it has more than 600 servers available.

Surfshark is fast enough for lag and buffering-free live streaming. It performed consistently well across all three of our tests, achieving an overall average of 196.21 Mbps. 

The provider works with some of the most popular streaming platforms around, including Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and of course, NBC.

While many rival VPNs allow up to 10 connections at most, Surfshark has no connection limit. This means that you can protect every device you and your family own with just one account.

This service protects your privacy with cutting-edge security features. For instance, there’s IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption, and a kill switch (in all versions of the app). Users can also let certain apps bypass the VPN entirely or beat country-wide internet restrictions using the NoBorders feature.

While you can pay in three different cryptocurrencies, this is optional as Surfshark doesn’t log any data that could identify you. This service is very user-friendly, but 24/7 support is available via live chat, just in case.

Surfshark apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. This service can also be manually configured for use with your network router.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark allows you to protect all of your devices at once, plus it boasts strong security features and excellent streaming potential. As such, you’re free to stream NBC wherever you are without worrying about your privacy. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also included.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish has a proprietary network of more than 2,400 servers globally. More than half of these are in North America, making IPVanish an excellent option for those who want to unblock and enjoy NBC and other US-based content. We successfully used it with Netflix US as well as CW TV, Peacock TV, HBO, and PBS.

Speed is a fundamental component when it comes to streaming, and IPVanish doesn’t disappoint. It delivers fast download speeds that allow users to watch NBC content without lag or noticeable buffering. In the tests for this article, the provider averaged 182.02 Mbps.

In addition to its streaming capabilities, IPVanish ensures that user security and privacy are paramount. It upholds a strict no-logs policy, assuring users that their online activities remain confidential. For enhanced protection, IPVanish offers several additional security features, including LAN traffic blocking, a kill switch, OpenVPN obfuscation, and periodic IP address switching. The new Advanced Tier also comes with access to a secure browser and a whopping 1 TB of cloud storage included.

One of the most commendable features of IPVanish is its provision for unlimited VPN connections. This capability makes it an ideal service for securing all the most commonly used devices in your family, ensuring everyone can enjoy their favorite shows on NBC and platforms like Peacock TV safely and privately.

IPVanish offers native applications for a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Amazon Firestick, and Fire TV. Manual installation is necessary for Linux platforms and select routers, but detailed guides are provided to ease the process. By encapsulating quality, server location variety, and robust VPN connections, IPVanish proves to be a strong contender among the best VPNs for NBC.

NO DEVICE LIMIT:IPVanish has a large network of servers and handles multiple internet connections well. Easy to use and preferred by users who need high standards of privacy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a secure and reliable VPN provider with servers in 24 US locations. It’s capable of securely accessing a vast range of popular streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and, of course, NBC.

Speed-wise, the provider is able to stream HD content without any lag, stuttering, or buffering. It was consistently quick in our tests, with an average speed of 124.76 Mbps.

This service uses 256-bit encryption with perfect forward secrecy and provides leak protection to ensure your browsing history remains secure.

If your connection to the VPN is lost, ExpressVPN’s kill switch will activate, preventing you from browsing without protection. As this service keeps no logs, accepts bitcoin payments, and has a second, Tor-accessible site, it’s ideal for those who put privacy first.

ExpressVPN has apps for macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. Some wireless routers are also supported for manual configuration.

STREAM NBC ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN is fast and reliable. It works with NBC and many major streaming services while abroad, including Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. Great security and privacy features and keeps no logs. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly provider that makes staying safe online as simple as possible. It has a whopping 10,000+ servers overall, which includes more than 2,000 in the US.

While you can choose from any of its regular servers, there’s also the option of selecting one suited to a specific task, like torrenting safely, unblocking specific sites, or staying anonymous online.

Once connected, you’ll be able to stream in 4K on multiple devices without issue. The provider averaged 141.66 Mbps in our tests for this article, making it suitable for all of your online tasks. 

This service is easy for novices to use, though it also comes with several options for advanced users. These include a kill switch, an ad-blocker, split tunneling, and anti-malware features.

With 256-bit encryption, no logs of your activities, and protection against port forwarding, IPv6, and DNS leaks, CyberGhost keeps your browsing habits private at all times.

This provider has dedicated apps for macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. Manual configuration is needed for Linux-based systems and supported network routers.

VAST SERVER NETWORK:CyberGhost has over 2,000 US servers. It’s beginner-friendly, easy to use, and performs well. Good for streaming NBC as well as other popular streaming sites. huge but can struggle with other services. Comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PureVPN

PureVPN has a network spanning 65 countries and offers plenty of reliable US servers. Obfuscation is activated by default, making it a good option for use in restrictive countries such as China.

While connected to its US servers, we’ve had good results accessing NBC, Netflix US, and Hulu, to name but a few popular services.

We also saw good results in our speed tests. The provider averaged 130.22 Mbps overall, which is suitable for streaming NBC in Full HD on five devices simultaneously.

The VPN’s apps are very user-friendly, but it operates a live chat support service just in case. Each subscription allows you to connect up to 10 devices at the same time.

How do you know that PureVPN can really keep your online activities hidden? For starters, it has been audited multiple times to prove that it doesn’t keep any logs. Further, it only supports secure protocols and encryption methods, and includes plenty of safeguards such as leak protection and a kill switch.

PureVPN has its own Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Linux apps. If you need to secure lots of devices, you can manually install it on your router instead.

GREAT FOR NOVICES:PureVPN is simple enough for complete beginners to use and works flawlessly with NBC. Delivers impressive speeds, apps for all major platforms, and the ability to browse securely anywhere.

Read our full PureVPN review.

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7. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has more than 400 US servers spread across 17 cities. Overall, its network contains more than 12,000 servers in 117 countries. Unlike with most VPNs, users can choose between individual servers rather than just picking a location.

While we were connected to one of its US servers, ProtonVPN delivered speeds averaging 136.63 Mbps. This makes it suitable for streaming as well as torrenting, gaming, and video calling.

ProtonVPN works with NBC, Peacock, and Paramount+ among many other services — plus the automatic ad-blocker ensures that you waste as little time as possible while doing so.

This VPN offers 24/7 customer support over live chat and allows you to protect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

There aren’t many providers that can compete with ProtonVPN on security. Its encryption is unbreakable, its no-logs policy has been independently verified, and its Secure Core servers offer a level of security that’s virtually unheard of (though they are slightly slower than general-purpose servers). This VPN supports split tunneling and port forwarding, plus it includes all of the necessary safeguards, such as a kill switch, leak protection, and tracker-blocking. There’s even the option to pay in Bitcoin or cash for another layer of anonymity.

ProtonVPN supports Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. Its website provides detailed set instructions for anyone hoping to install this service on their router.

POWERFUL SECURITY:ProtonVPN is a great choice for anyone who needs more control over their security setup. It is exceedingly versatile, fast, and privacy-conscious, plus every paid plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ProtonVPN review.

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8. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access and NBC are an ideal match for each other. The provider has servers in all 50 US states as well as dedicated streaming servers for the US. Overall, it has servers in 91 countries, so there are plenty of non-US options.

While connected, we had no issues accessing geo-restricted content from Netflix US, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, or NBC.

The provider’s top speed when tested was 92.01 Mbps. Overall, it averaged 87.24 Mbps. While this is a fair bit slower than the above providers, it’s still more than fast enough for streaming NBC in FHD on three devices at the same time.

If you do find yourself in need of a speed boost, PIA is one of the few providers that lets you reduce the level of encryption used on your traffic.

This provider doesn’t keep logs and offers high levels of security and privacy, with features like DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch. Each plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and there’s no limit to the number of devices you can connect simultaneously.

Private Internet Access offers apps for all popular platforms, such as Windows, iOS, Android, Linux and macOS, as well as detailed manual setup instructions for routers.

WIREGUARD SUPPORT:Private Internet Access offers robust security, customizable encryption, and supports unlimited device connections. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has a smaller network than the previously mentioned VPNs. Nevertheless, it has servers in 11 US cities — all of which are suitable for streaming NBC. While connected, we were also able to access Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

In our tests, PrivateVPN averaged a download speed of 64.30 Mbps. While this seems slow compared to the other providers in this list, it’s still faster than the majority of available VPNs.

As with PIA, users have the option of reducing the level of encryption if they want to improve their connection speeds.

This service keeps no logs and protects your traffic with 256-bit encryption. There’s protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, as well as an optional kill switch. PrivateVPN offers 24/7 live customer support, and its staff can remotely connect to your device to help fix any issues.

PrivateVPN allows port forwarding, which makes it a great choice for torrenting. It also has a highly effective stealth mode that works in China and other restrictive countries.

PrivateVPN offers dedicated Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS apps. With up to ten connections allowed at once, you can watch from whichever device you prefer. The service can be manually installed on Linux systems and a selection of wireless routers.

GREAT FOR SPEED:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable. Good for unblocking NBC and using as a general streaming VPN. Low-cost subscriptions. Could do with having more servers and 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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Our NBC VPN testing methodology

A quick search online reveals that there are a multitude of VPN services to pick from. Unfortunately, many VPNs provide inferior services with slow servers and poor privacy and security protections. This makes it tricky to choose a service that performs to standard.

At Comparitech, we make it our mission to test as many market-leading VPN services as possible using a scientific VPN testing methodology. Our process allows us to distinguish between VPNs to recommend providers suitable for specific purposes and take the guesswork out of the choice for you.

Below, we take a look at the five key areas we used for testing NBC VPNs.

Speed

There’s little point in being able to access NBC if your chosen VPN is too slow to stream it properly. We found suitably quick providers by carrying out multiple speed tests while connected to their US servers.

Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. We rate-limited our base connection speed to 250 Mbps since this is roughly the average US home broadband speed. To account for some people having a connection speed that is much slower (or faster) than 250 Mbps, we converted the test results to normalized scores out of 10.

As you can see from the chart above, NordVPN scored highest. It was the only provider with an average speed that exceeded 200 Mbps. It’s the obvious choice if you plan on streaming NBC in 4K on multiple devices. Surfshark, with a score of 9.6, is a great alternative.

Network suitability

We scored providers on the number of servers they had in their networks and the number of server locations they had in the US. This gives us an idea of server availability for streaming NBC.

We also scored them on their overall unblocking ability. This involved trying them out with NBC-supporting platforms like SlingTV, as well as with notoriously stubborn services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

These scores were weighted and combined to generate an overall score out of 10 for each provider. You can see how they compare in the chart below.

This time, ExpressVPN’s score of 8.8 was the highest. The provider has servers in 24 US locations and excels at accessing popular US-based streaming services. Surfshark, NordVPN, and IPVanish also performed notably well.

Security and privacy

Many VPNs provide only minimal features, which makes them limited in functionality. By contrast, our recommended VPNs for NBC come with a wide range of features. These include obfuscation, a kill switch, split tunneling, malware protection, ad blocking, and Smart DNS. If there’s a particular feature that’s important to you, use the table below to find the provider that offers it.

Each of the above metrics was assigned a score based on its relative importance. These scores were combined to generate an overall score out of 10 for each VPN. This makes a direct comparison far easier.

NordVPN and Surfshark both scored an impressive 9.5. They use strong encryption to protect connections and use RAM-only servers for privacy. Furthermore, both providers have undergone multiple third-party audits to validate their no-logs claims. But as you can see, no provider on our list scored less than 8.6 because we only recommend VPNs that take your security seriously.

Ease of use

As well as user-friendly apps, we look for VPNs with responsive email and live chat support. You can see the other ease-of-use metrics that we use for evaluation in the table below.

Again, each metric was given a score. These were combined to generate the overall scores out of 10 used for comparison.

NordVPN and PIA each scored 9.6. Both providers have task-specific servers available and well-designed apps. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are good alternatives for users who want a gentle introduction to VPN software.

Value for money

All of the VPNs we recommend are good value for their relative price points. All of them come with money-back guarantees, so you can try them without risking anything financially. You can see which providers offer the most incentives in the table below.

As before, each metric was scored. These scores were combined to create overall scores out of 10 for each VPN.

Surfshark’s score of 9.7 was highest. It offers great value for money with its two-year subscription plans. Best of all, it has no device connection limit. IPVanish, NordVPN, and CyberGhost are also good options if you want to be certain that you’re getting a good deal.

Using a free VPN to watch NBC

Free VPNs can be an appealing prospect, but we recommend avoiding them for several reasons. First and foremost, free VPNs often lack the network infrastructure required to deal with high numbers of users. This means you’re more likely to experience random disconnections or stuttering, low-resolution video, especially around peak times.

You might ask yourself how free VPNs can afford to stay in business. Because they can’t charge you directly, they’ve had to find other ways to generate income. These methods range from injecting ads into the sites you visit, tracking your activities after disconnection, and selling the details to third parties without your knowledge.

In some cases, free VPNs actually make your system less secure. Some install malware, some don’t encrypt your data at all, and we’ve even seen free VPNs sell their users’ bandwidth to be used with botnets. To keep your data safe, we recommend using a reputable VPN service with a track record of protecting users’ privacy.

How to watch NBC live without cable

You might have noticed that while your VPN allows you to watch on-demand content, the NBC live stream is still unavailable in your area. This is because NBC requires users to sign in with their US cable provider’s details before granting access to live-streamed content. Is there a way to bypass this?

The answer is yes and no. A cable subscription is mandatory on the NBC website for live streams, so you can’t watch the stream there. However, there are several streaming services that include NBC and cost less than a regular cable subscription. Many of these services offer free trial periods too, so if you only want to watch NBC live occasionally, you don’t have to pay a cent.

1. Sling TV – $25 per month; offers a seven-day trial.
2. Hulu – $39.99 per month; offers a seven-day trial.
3. YouTube TV – $40 per month; offers a seven-day trial. On-demand only in certain areas.
4. Fubo TV – $19.99 for the first month, $44.99 thereafter; offers a seven-day trial.

It should be noted that while DIRECTV is commonly recommended, its channel list says that “To get a local or regional sports network, your billing address must match a local market, and your device must be in that location.” This effectively rules it out as an option for viewers overseas.

Using a VPN to watch NBC: FAQs