- Shudder is only normally accessible in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.
- Using a VPN, you can spoof your location and continue streaming horror movies from anywhere in the world.
- We’ve tested more than 50 popular VPNs to find out which are the best for unblocking Shudder abroad.
- NordVPN is our top VPN for Shudder. With high speeds, strong security, and exceptional streaming ability, it’s perfect for watching Shudder abroad.
It’s easy to forget but when you go traveling abroad, you lose access to most of the streaming services you’d use back home (or at the very least, you’ll notice that the available content changes). Shudder, for instance, only works in English-speaking countries. Don’t worry though: there’s an easy way to continue streaming Shudder abroad and protect yourself at the same time; just connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
These services work by sending your internet traffic through a server in another country, hiding your true location and helping you regain access to your favorite platforms no matter where you go. VPNs also encrypt your data, preventing it from being read or automatically throttled by service providers, hotspot owners, and the government.
In this article, we’re going to explain how to watch Shudder anywhere. If you don’t have time to read the whole article, here’s a quick summary of the best VPNs for Shudder:
Here’s our top VPNs to watch Shudder from anywhere:
- NordVPN: Our top choice VPN for streaming Shudder online. Works with a huge range of platforms and delivers impressive speeds. Strong on security, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Shudder. - Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Shudder. Fast servers and the ability to stream on every device you own. Strong focus on security and privacy.
- IPVanish: Zero logs VPN boasting high speeds and no connection limit. Great set of privacy tools and first-class streaming ability, plus 24/7 live chat.
- ExpressVPN: Novice-friendly service that works anywhere in the world. Perfect for unblocking Shudder and other platforms abroad. Very strong on security.
- CyberGhost: A great VPN for anyone who likes to stream. Boasts a large network and customizable security, as well as fast speeds and a no-logs policy.
- ProtonVPN: A speedy, no-logs provider that works with Shudder, Netflix, and many similar services. Offers a newly-reworked design and one of the largest networks around.
- PureVPN: Makes it as easy as possible to stream your favorite horror movies securely. Impressive speeds and novice-friendly apps for all platforms.
- PrivateVPN: Fast servers for Shudder, Netflix, and more. Use on up to 10 devices. Security features include encryption and a kill switch. User-friendly apps.
Many VPNs claim to protect your privacy and offer a fast, reliable connection but most (especially free VPNs) limit your connection speed or leak information.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs for security and speed and this list only includes VPNs which are fast, reliable and are highly rated for privacy and security. Plus we only recommend VPNs which offer a full-money back guarantee allowing you to try them risk free.
How to watch Shudder from anywhere with a VPN
Even if you’ve never done it before, it’s quick and easy to install a VPN to watch Shudder online from anywhere. Just follow the step-by-step guide below, and you can be watching your favorite horror films in minutes.
Here’s how to watch Shudder online from anywhere using a VPN:
- First, sign up with a reputable VPN provider. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
- Next, download and install the appropriate VPN app for your streaming device.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a server in a country in which Shudder is available. For example, connect to a server in the US to get a US IP address.
- Select one of Shudder’s horror or thriller films. You may need to clear your browser’s cache and cookies in order for any changes to take effect.
- The content should now be unblocked! If not, try connecting to another server or get in touch with your new VPN’s customer support service.
GET A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL OF NORDVPN
NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30 day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for Shudder with no restrictions for a month - perfect if you'd like a chance to test it out for yourself.
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.
Best VPNs for watching Shudder compared
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 watching Shudder online from anywhere.
No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | Proton VPN | PureVPN | PrivateVPN |
Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | IPVanish.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | ProtonVPN.com | PureVPN.com | PrivateVPN.com | Ranking for Shudder | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Streaming services | Shudder Netflix Amazon Prime Video YouTube TV Sling TV Hulu | Shudder Netflix Amazon Prime Video YouTube TV Sling TV Hulu | Shudder Netflix Amazon Prime Video | Shudder Netflix Amazon Prime Video YouTube TV Sling TV Hulu | Shudder Netflix Amazon Prime Video YouTube TV | Shudder Netflix Amazon Prime Video | Shudder Netflix Amazon Prime Video | Shudder Netflix Amazon Prime Video | Server countries | 118 | 100 | 118 | 105 | 100 | 117 | 66 | 63 | Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 74 Mbps | Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 8 | 7 | Free: 1, VPN Plus: 10 | 10 | 10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $3.39 Up to 76% off 2 year plans + free eSIM data | $2.19 86% OFF + 3 months free | $6.49 Best MONTHLY deal | $4.99 SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! | $3.59 SAVE 64% on a 2-year plan | $1.99 85% off the 5-yr standard plan | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
Criteria for the best Shudder VPNs
There are plenty of VPN providers on the market. Unfortunately, they don’t all provide the same level of service, and they won’t all help you access Shudder. So, to take the guesswork out of it for you, we’ve searched high and low for the best Shudder VPN, only selecting those that meet the following criteria:
- Operates servers in countries where Shudder is available
- Can unblock stubborn streaming services (and Shudder itself, naturally)
- Provides quick and reliable connections
- Refuses to keep logs of your activities
- Uses unbreakable encryption with suitable safeguards
- Offers apps for all major operating systems and devices
- Lets you speak directly to staff is something goes wrong
- Ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously
You can find out more about our complete testing methodology further in this article. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made our list.
Best VPNs to watch Shudder online from anywhere
Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Shudder:
1. NordVPN
Jun 2025
unblocks shudderTested Jun 2025
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 9.5 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.6 / 10 |
Functionality: | 9.3 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
US speed testing: | 10.0 / 10 |
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is the best option for watching Shudder online. It has more than 7,000 servers spread across 100+ countries, with a large portion of those in the US. As well as Shudder, this provider can reliably access services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. It even works in countries with strict online censorship! There are all kinds of specialty servers, plus 24/7 live chat, and a generous 10-connection limit, so it’s versatile as well as functional.

This provider is known for its exceptional performance and usually places near the top of our industry-wide speed rankings. However, it’s vital that we retest regularly as even minor network optimizations can have a large impact on speed. Below, you can see just how quick NordVPN was at different times of day:
As you can see, it delivered consistently high speeds across the board, actually securing the fastest average speed of any provider in our list (203.76 Mbps). There was around 9 Mbps of variance, which should be completely unnoticeable. Whether you’re hoping to watch movies, play games, or torrent, NordVPN can handle it.
Security and privacy are other areas in which NordVPN excels. It has a zero-logs policy with no traffic or session logs of any kind. You can also expect 256-bit AES encryption as well as DNS and IPv6 leak protection, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and a kill switch. Additionally, it offers a Meshnet feature for securely transfering files between your devices and several ways to sidestep censorship.
NordVPN is available on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Routers require manual configuration.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want the best-performing VPN for watching Shudder with consistently high speeds
- You’re looking for a VPN that works reliably with all major streaming platforms
- You need a VPN that performs well under censorship, ensuring access to Shudder in restricted countries
- You want a VPN with advanced features like Meshnet and Smart DNS
- You value rock-solid privacy with an independently verified no-logs policy
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re looking for unlimited device connections under one plan
BEST VPN FOR SHUDDER:NordVPN is our top pick for watching Shudder abroad. 7,000+ servers and easily unblocks Shudder. Use it on up to 10 devices. 24/7 live chat support and excellent security with a strict no-logs policy. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
unblocks shudderTested Jun 2025
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 9.3 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 8.9 / 10 |
Functionality: | 9.7 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
US speed testing: | 9.4 / 10 |
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for streaming Shudder abroad. There are more than 3,200 servers to choose from spread across over 100 countries, and we’ve had great results using this service with platforms like Shudder, Hulu, and Netflix. Best of all, it’s one of the only providers that lets you protect any number of devices. Customer support is available 24/7 over live chat and beating country-wide censorship is as simple as toggling on the NoBorders feature.

It’d be a mistake to write this service off because of its low price. Our previous experience with this provider has shown that Surfshark is actually one of the quickest providers on the market. Still, we want to provide the most up-to-date data, which is why we ran another set of tests to see how quick it was at the time of writing:
Surfshark managed to provide an average speed of 194.33 Mbps, with just 7 Mbps of difference between its best and worst results. Needless to say, that’s fast enough for any day-to-day task. You’ll be able to stream Shudder at the best-possible quality, regardless of when you watch, even if you’re doing other things at the same time.
If it’s your first time using a VPN, you’ll appreciate Surfshark thanks to its beginner-friendly apps and browser extensions. This is a no-logs VPN based in the British Virgin Islands, where there are no mandatory data retention laws. It uses 256-bit AES encryption to safeguard your data. That’s not all: there’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, built-in tracker-blocking, and a feature that swaps your IP address every few minutes for maximum anonymity.
You can download Surfshark apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Also included are browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. However, routers require manual configuration.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to watch Shudder on all your devices at once
- You’re looking for a fast, budget-friendly VPN that maintains 190+ Mbps speeds
- You want to unblock Shudder abroad using Smart DNS on devices without VPN support
- You value anonymity features like rotating IPs and strong obfuscation
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re concerned about jurisdiction (Based in the Netherlands, a Nine Eyes country)
BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark is the best budget VPN for Shudder. Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Perfect for streaming securely, with 24/7 live chat support and user-friendly apps. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. IPVanish
unblocks shudderTested Jun 2025
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8.4 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.4 / 10 |
Functionality: | 6.1 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.9 / 10 |
Streaming: | 8.8 / 10 |
US speed testing: | 8.8 / 10 |
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish has made some dramatic improvements lately, expanding its network to cover more than 100 countries and increasing the number of streaming services it works with. It’s now capable of accessing platforms like Shudder, Disney+, and Netflix without breaking a sweat. What’s more, this VPN lets you connect every device you own at the same time. It’s very newcomer-friendly but if you need help, support staff are available 24 hours per day over live chat.

When it comes to speed, IPVanish has a lot to brag about. It’s one of the only providers that uses 25 Gbps servers, for instance, and it reliably outperforms its better known rivals. We decided to test its American servers on a 250 Mbps connection (the average household broadband speed in the US) to see just what it was capable of. Let’s take a look:
The first thing you’ll notice is that IPVanish’s results only varied by 6 Mbps, making it the most reliable VPN we saw. Its average speed (186.09 Mbps) was exceptional too, and should allow you to watch 4K video, make video calls, and play fast-paced online games without any problems provided your base connection is reasonably quick.
IPVanish offers a high level of security with 256-bit encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, a kill switch, and automatic ad and tracker-blocking. Most importantly, it has an independently-verified no-logs policy. The latest versions of the app also include a couple of new features such as a tool that checks whether links are safe to click and support for multi-hop connections.
IPVanish apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. Manual setup is required for Linux and routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to stream Shudder on every device in your household with no connection limit
- You’re looking for a VPN optimized for streaming on Amazon Fire TV and Kodi
- You need reliably fast speeds (186+ Mbps) with low variance across the day
- You’re a VPN beginner and need user-friendly apps
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You prefer to pay anonymously (Crypto payment options are not supported)
- You’re uncomfortable with a VPN headquartered in the US
UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:IPVanish stands out for allowing you to connect all your devices on one account. It has good speeds and works well with Shudder. Come with a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.
Read our full IPVanish review.
4. ExpressVPN
unblocks shudderTested Jun 2025
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8.4 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.3 / 10 |
Functionality: | 8.7 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.2 / 10 |
Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
US speed testing: | 5.4 / 10 |
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is a beginner-friendly service with servers in over 100 countries, including everywhere that Shudder is available. We’ve also had great results using this VPN with platforms like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix, meaning you’ll always have plenty of things to watch. Users can protect up to eight devices simultaneously and there’s 24/7 support via live chat just in case.

So just how fast is ExpressVPN? To find out, we ran multiple speed tests on its American servers over the course of a typical day. This gives us a better understanding of its performance but also helps us see how much variation in speed you can expect during busier times like evenings and weekends. Take a look:
Straight off the bat we can see that ExpressVPN is extremely consistent, with around 5 Mbps of fluctuation. Its average speed was 135.95 Mbps, which is far higher than you’ll need to stream 4K video. We also had great results using this service for other data-intensive tasks like torrenting, participating in online meetings, and gaming. In short, it’s a reliable option for anyone who likes to multi-task.
Let’s talk about security. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and doesn’t keep any identifying logs (which we know for sure thanks to its extensive audit history). This provider uses unbreakable encryption, backed up by DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and tracker-blocking functionality. It even activates obfuscation automatically if it realizes you’re in a country where VPN usage is heavily-restricted.
ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also download browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Custom firmware is offered for use with wireless routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You need a VPN that has native apps for Smart TVs and routers
- You value consistent streaming speeds with minimal variation
- You want automatic obfuscation for use in VPN-restricted countries
- You’re new to VPNs and want an easy, intuitive user experience
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re looking for a low-cost solution (This is one of the more expensive VPNs)
- You prefer to tweak or customize VPN features
STRONG ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN offers speed and security. Unlimited bandwidth for seamless streaming. Also lets you access Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Provides 24/7 live chat support and user-friendly apps. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
5. CyberGhost
unblocks shudderTested Jun 2025
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.1 / 10 |
Functionality: | 8.3 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.9 / 10 |
Streaming: | 7.8 / 10 |
US speed testing: | 6.1 / 10 |
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is another great VPN for accessing Shudder abroad. Its network spans around 100 countries and its server list is broken up, letting you see at a glance which are best for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Users can connect up to seven of their devices at the same time and while this service is very newcomer-friendly, it offers 24/7 assistance via live chat.

So far, this VPN sounds quite promising. Of course, nothing else matters if CyberGhost isn’t quick enough to actually help you stream. Our team ran several speed tests on its US servers to find out what kind of performance you can expect. Let’s see how fast this VPN was in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon:
CyberGhost had an average speed of 146.29 Mbps and roughly 8 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. That’s great, and significantly quicker than most other providers on the market. We didn’t notice any issues when performing data-intensive tasks and were able to stream 4K video seamlessly.
This provider ensures your online activities are kept private using 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Not only that, it follows a strict no-logs policy and has been audited to prove it. If you’d like a little more control over your connection, you can send data over a random port (which helps beat some forms of VPN-detection) or allow the VPN to connect on its own in certain circumstances.
CyberGhost apps are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. You can also download browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Use with wifi routers requires manual setup.
Buy this VPN if:
- You’re looking for a VPN with a longer 45-day money-back guarantee
- You prefer seeing servers labeled by task (streaming, torrenting, gaming)
- You want a VPN with verified no-logs policies and random port selection
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re in China or another high-censorship country
- You’re a power user needing advanced configuration options
SPEED AND SECURITY:CyberGhost has fast servers for streaming Shudder abroad. Can also be used with Netflix US. Lets you connect up to 7 devices. Includes 24/7 support and beginner-friendly apps. No-logs VPN with encryption. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
6. ProtonVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 7.3 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 8.8 / 10 |
Functionality: | 6.0 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.3 / 10 |
Streaming: | 6.7 / 10 |
US speed testing: | 5.8 / 10 |
Website: www.ProtonVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ProtonVPN is a no-logs provider with exceptional pedigree, having been created by the team behind privacy-first email service ProtonMail. Its network is colossal, with 12,000+ servers in over 115 countries. Not only that, it’s one of the most reliable options for streaming, handily unblocking stubborn platforms like Shudder, Prime Video, and Disney+ abroad. There’s a 10-simultaneous connection limit and access to customer support via a 24/7 live chat service.

This provider uses 10 Gbps servers and offers a unique accelerator feature designed to push your speeds to the limit, so we went into this round of testing with high expectations. The chart below shows how quick ProtonVPN’s US servers were at multiple times of day:
With an average speed of 141.84 Mbps and just 8 Mbps of fluctation throughout our testing, ProtonVPN did very well here. In fact, whether you’re looking to stream movies in the best-possible quality, download large files, or broadcast live gameplay, it’s up to the task. Just be aware that free users can’t choose their location, so you’ll have to upgrade to unblock Shudder consistently.
This provider stands out from the crowd thanks to its comprehensive security package. As you might expect, it has unbreakable encryption but that’s only the beginning. There’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, a verified no-logging policy, and Secure Core servers that send your traffic through multiple countries to maximize your privacy. Still not convinced? What if we told you it supports port forwarding, split tunneling, and several anonymous payment methods?
ProtonVPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It can also be manually installed on most home routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a privacy-first VPN created by the team behind ProtonMail
- You need features like port forwarding and split tunneling
- You prefer a VPN with a clean, modern interface and live chat support
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You rely heavily on Smart DNS or device apps for streaming
- You need streaming servers labeled specifically for Shudder or other platforms
PRIVACY FIRST:ProtonVPN is perfect for anyone who needs more control over their connection. Can securely access a wide range of streaming apps including Shudder and delivers impressive speeds. Paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ProtonVPN review for more info.
7. PureVPN
Unblocks ShudderTested Jun 2025
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 7 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.1 / 10 |
Functionality: | 8.8 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.7 / 10 |
Streaming: | 7.3 / 10 |
US speed testing: | 1.0 / 10 |
Website: www.PureVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS
PureVPN works flawlessly with most major streaming services including Shudder. It operates more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries including the US, the UK, Ireland, Canada, and Australia (though not New Zealand, unfortunately). You can secure 10 devices with a single subscription and if anything goes wrong, support staff are on-hand 24 hours per day over live chat.

If we had to find a complaint, it’d be that this VPN struggles to provide the same raw speeds as providers higher in this list. However, historically, it has been quick enough for day-to-day tasks. To see what level of impact it has on your speeds, we measured its performance throughout the day using a 250 Mbps test server. You’ll find the results below:
PureVPN delivered an average speed of 63.82 Mbps. That’s enough to stream four UHD videos at the same time or download a 1 GB file in about two minutes. Its results varied by around 7 Mbps which isn’t much, but we’d prefer this was lower since it means your speeds fluctuate by about 10 percent. For most people, this isn’t an issue but if you have a slower base connection, you may want to consider a different VPN.
There’s no messing around with this provider. From the moment you connect, your data is secured using uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. There’s also a no-logs policy which has been verified four times by independent experts; not bad considering most VPNs haven’t had a single audit! Best of all, it recently introduced tracker-blocking to all plans (whereas before it was only available with a Plus or Max subscription).
PureVPN has its own Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps. It supports most routers too, though you’ll have to follow the manual configuration instructions on PureVPN’s website.
Buy this VPN if:
- You value simplicity and want apps that work out of the box
- You want a great deal (it’s one of the cheapest long-term plans)
- You’re looking for strong privacy credentials
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You prefer advanced functionality like split tunneling or Smart DNS
- You’re a power user looking for port forwarding or manual routing tools
STREAM ANYTHING, ANYWHERE:PureVPN is a remarkably good choice for Shudder thanks to its exceptional unblocking ability and reasonably quick speeds. Simple yet robust set of security tools. Boasts a 31-day money-back guarantee with every subscription.
Check out our complete review of PureVPN.
8. PrivateVPN
unblocks shudderTested Jun 2025
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 6.3 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 8.6 / 10 |
Functionality: | 5.3 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.6 / 10 |
Streaming: | 7.8 / 10 |
US speed testing: | 1.0 / 10 |
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN takes a different approach to most other providers. Instead of amassing the largest network possible, it owns, operates, and acts as an ISP to around 200 servers (spread across 60+ countries), giving it full control over your traffic. What’s more, it works in countries like China and Russia, and is capable of unblocking even the trickiest region-locked apps. Users can connect up to 10 devices at once and there’s live chat-based support during European business hours.

Speed matters when it comes to streaming. If your connection is too slow, you’ll run into problems like stuttering, buffering, and perhaps even videos that refuse to load. Our experts tested PrivateVPN’s US servers at three different times to make sure it was capable of playing 4K video without any issues. Let’s see how it did:
This provider delivered an average speed of 57.87 Mbps. This might not sound like much but it’s almost four times what’s required for UHD streaming, and well above what you’ll need for most everyday tasks. There’s room for improvement but overall we were satisfied — just be aware that if your base speeds are already quite slow, this might not be the best option.
PrivateVPN prides itself on its security. To begin with, it offers 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a customizable kill switch. There’s also a Stealth VPN mode (switch to the Advanced view if you can’t see it), which will let you browse safely in high-censorship countries like China and the UAE. Finally, this service supports both split tunneling and port forwarding as standard, making it one of the only major VPNs to do so.
PrivateVPN offers apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. You’ll have to follow manual instructions for setup with Linux and routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You’re okay with a smaller network with direct control over servers
- You want a lightweight, user-friendly VPN with strong encryption
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You need consistently fast speeds (avg speed was the lowest in testing)
- You prefer a large server network for broader location choice
HIGH SPEED SERVERS:PrivateVPN is quick enough for almost any task including streaming Shudder. Also works with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Connect up to 10 devices. Very user-friendly and secure, with encryption and a strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
VPNs for Shudder: Methodology
With so many VPNs on the market, it’s something of a challenge to find the best VPNs for Shudder. To ensure we only recommend the very best providers, we performed hands-on testing, seeing how each service performed in the five key areas below:
Speed
Streaming is a fairly data-intensive task, so you’ll need a provider with high-speed servers in one of the locations Shudder is available (such as the US or the UK). However, due to the inherent randomness of the internet, it can be tricky to reliably tell which are the fastest VPNs at a given moment in time.
That’s why we have a tried and tested process for measuring VPN speeds. We tested each provider’s US servers three times (morning, noon, and afternoon) using a connection designed to mimic the average American’s household broadband. Next, the three results are averaged and normalized, giving us an overall speed rating, as shown below:
NordVPN was faster than any other service we tried, earning it a perfect 10 points in this category. Surfshark and IPVanish were fairly close behind and both scored highly as well. It’s worth noting that every VPN in this list is quick enough for streaming; it’s just that some have more of an impact on your base speeds than others.
Functionality
Next, we wanted to get an overall view of how versatile each of our contenders was. To achieve this, we first checked how many countries they had servers in and how many simultaneous connections were permitted. Then, we looked into whether they offered a Smart DNS service, as this would let you watch Shudder on devices that don’t support full VPN apps, such as Smart TVs and games consoles. Here are our findings:
Surfshark came in first place, closely followed by NordVPN. Each of these providers offers an expansive network covering at least 100 countries and they both have their own Smart DNS service (included with the VPN at no added cost). That said, Surfshark took the top spot here thanks to its total lack of connection limits.
Security and privacy
It doesn’t matter what your VPN is capable of; if it can’t keep your browsing habits private, it’s not worth bothering with. To make sure we only recommend services that actually enhance your online privacy, we look for VPNs offering unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a no-logs policy — and that’s the bare minimum we’ll accept. Ideally, they’d also offer obfuscation, multi-hop servers, automatic wifi protection, and everything else in the table below:
Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | Proton VPN | PureVPN | PrivateVPN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Activity logs | No activity logs | No activity logs | No activity logs | No activity logs | No activity logs | No activity logs | No activity logs | No activity logs |
IP logs | No IP logs | No IP logs | No IP logs | No IP logs | No IP logs | No IP logs | No IP logs | No IP logs |
Encryption | AES-128 or higher | AES-128 or higher | AES-128 or higher | AES-128 or higher | AES-128 or higher | AES-128 or higher | AES-128 or higher | AES-128 or higher |
Authentication | SHA-384 | SHA-512 | SHA-256 | SHA-512 | SHA-256 | SHA-512 | SHA-256 | SHA-256 |
Keys | 4096-bit | 4096-bit | 4096-bit | 4096-bit | 4096-bit | 2048-bit | 4096-bit | 2048-bit |
Perfect Forward Secrecy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DNS leak protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
IPv6 leak protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Private DNS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Torrenting allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Kill switch | All platforms | Mobile app-level | All platforms | Mobile app-level | All platforms | All platforms | Some platforms | Some platforms |
HQ outside 9 eyes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Obfuscation | Stealth | Stealth | Stealth | Automatic | Stealth | Stealth | Automatic | Stealth |
Supported protocols | Own protocol | Secure protocols only | Secure protocols only | Own protocol | Secure protocols only | Secure protocols only | Secure protocols only | Secure protocols only |
Anonymous payment options | Multiple | Multiple | None | Multiple | Multiple | One | One | One |
Additional security features | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
That’s quite a lot of jargon but don’t panic! The following chart shows each VPN’s overall security and privacy score side by side, allowing you to more easily compare them. The higher the score, the more robust its security offering.
NordVPN and Surfshark were our two top performers here, both scoring 9.5 points. Their proven zero-logs policies, industry-approved protocols, uncrackable encryption, and anti-censorship features propelled them to first place. That said, we would rather Surfshark was based outside of a Nine Eyes country, and NordVPN’s authentication could be slightly more robust.
Ease of use
We try to prioritise services that go out of their way to remain accessible to new users while satisfying those looking for finer control over their connection. This involves looking for features or characteristics that reduce the barrier to entry. For instance, there may be task-specific servers, the VPN might allow any number of simultaneous connections, or users could be able to speak directly with support staff. The table below shows everything that factors into our scoring:
Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | Proton VPN | PureVPN | PrivateVPN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps for all major platforms | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Novice-friendly design | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ease of signup (reviewer to score) | 5 (easy) | 4 | 5 (easy) | 5 (easy) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Router support | Standard | Standard | Standard | App | Standard | Standard | App | Standard |
Unblocking consistency | Great | Great | Great | Generally works | Great | Great | Great | Generally works |
Task specific servers | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Network | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries |
Ease of cancellation | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy |
Interface | Well-organised | A little cluttered | Well-organised | Well-organised | A little cluttered | Takes some getting used to | A little cluttered | Well-organised |
Feature parity | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | All features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions |
Once again, NordVPN took the top spot with a score of 9.6 points. We were impressed by how much advanced functionality it offers, and really appreciated that this was presented in a way that was simple enough for novices to understand. IPVanish came in second (for its unlimited connections) while ExpressVPN took third place (thanks to its automatic obfuscation and excellent streaming ability).
Streaming
Your main goal might be to stream Shudder but that’s unlikely to be the only platform you use. That’s why our experts also check to see which VPNs work with major streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. We also record whether we were able to access the app with the first server we picked, or if we had to try a few to find one that worked. Let’s take a look at our full criteria:
Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | Proton VPN | PureVPN | PrivateVPN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of locations in relevant country | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations |
Regional speed test results | 300-500 Mbps | 500+ Mbps | 300-500 Mbps | 300-500 Mbps | 100-299 Mbps | 100-299 Mbps | 100-299 Mbps | <100 Mbps |
Includes ad-blocker? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Works in high-censorship countries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Offers a smart DNS service | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Streaming device apps | 2+ apps | 2+ apps | 2+ apps | 2+ apps | 2+ apps | 1 app | 2+ apps | 2+ apps |
Can Unblock Tier 1 Streaming | Reliably | Reliably | Reliably | Reliably | Reliably | Unreliably | Unreliably | Reliably |
Can Unblock Tier 2 Streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Can Unblock Tier 3 Streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Three providers scored 9.2 points in this category, meaning we have a tie between NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. These services worked with every streaming platform we tried on the first attempt, making them exceptionally well-suited for watching your favorite TV shows and movies during a vacation abroad.
Want to know more about how we analyze VPNs? Our VPN testing methodology explains even more about our process and how we’ve come to our conclusions.
Read more streaming articles here:
Shudder VPN FAQs
Can I use a free VPN to watch Shudder?
That’s a good question, particularly because something that’s free is often going to be an attractive option. Most free VPNs won’t allow you to watch Shudder abroad. Besides, there are several reasons why we don’t recommend them.
Generally speaking, free VPNs offer inferior performance compared to paid VPNs. There are often too many users and too few servers available, as well as restrictive data and bandwidth limits.
Just as important as the quality of the streaming is security. Quite simply, free VPNs are not as safe as quality paid VPNs. One of the big reasons for this is that free VPNs need to make money one way or another. Unfortunately for you, this often means keeping logs of your activity and selling the data to third parties. Simply, free VPNs aren’t worth the risk.
What can I watch on Shudder?
You can watch hundreds of horror, thriller, and supernatural films and TV series on Shudder.
Note that some of the titles are restricted to a specific region such as the USA, so you may have to change your VPN location to see them. Otherwise, you may come across the following message:
“This video is trapped in the Fifth Dimension! There are lots more videos to choose from, though.”
This happened when we tried to watch Halloween from a UK server.
Some of the titles available on Shudder include:
- Psycho
- Halloween
- The Evil Dead
- Vertigo
- The Blair Witch Project
- American Psycho
- The Birds
- Hellraiser
- Cabin Fever
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Is it illegal to use a VPN to watch Shudder?
No, it’s not illegal to use a VPN to watch Shudder. In fact, it’s not illegal to use a VPN with almost any streaming service. VPNs are only illegal in a handful of countries, such as China. However, it may go against Shudder’s terms and conditions, which would give it the right to restrict your account.
For what it’s worth, we went through its Terms of Use and didn’t find any reference to VPNs or accessing its content from abroad. So, you’re unlikely to have an issue.
Note: Comparitech does not provide legal advice, and nothing in this article should be considered as such. Always do your own research.
Are there any other ways I can watch Shudder?
The primary way to watch Shudder is via the Shudder app. This is available for many popular operating systems including Android, Mac, iOS, Apple TV, Amazon Firestick / Fire TV, Roku, Xbox, and Samsung Smart TV.
It’s also possible to get Shudder via AMC Plus (AMC+). What’s particularly interesting about this option is that it costs just $8.99 a month (Shudder is priced at $5.99 a month in comparison). Although more expensive, AMC+ provides you with access to AMC Networks content in addition to Shudder.
Some popular TV shows available on AMC+ include:
- Tales of the Walking Dead
- Mayfair Witches
- Dark Winds
- Mad Men
- Interview with a Vampire
- Gangs of London
- A Discovery of Witches
- Portlandia
- Riviera
- Being Human