Like most Swedish streaming services, SVT Play is region-locked. If you try and use it while traveling abroad, it’ll limit the amount of content that’s available and show an error (“Visar endast program som går att se utanför Sverige” or, roughly translated, “Only shows programs that can be seen outside Sweden“). Below, we’ll explain how to stream your favorite content from anywhere using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
These tools encrypt your traffic, hiding your activities from snoopers but they’re also great for watching your usual content during a trip abroad. The problem is that not every VPN works with SVT Play. Don’t worry, though: our team of experts has hunted high and low to find the best providers for the job. Here’s a quick overview, but you can always scroll down for a more detailed review of each.
The best VPNs to watch SVT Play outside of Sweden:
- NordVPN: Our top pick for SVT Play. Boasts over 100 Swedish servers and ultra-fast speeds, plus top-notch security. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for SVT Play. - Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Swedish content. Exceptionally quick, with a strict no-logs policy and no connection limit.
- ExpressVPN: Works effortlessly with SVT and many other Swedish channels. User-friendly apps, 24/7 support, and high-speed servers in 94 countries.
- CyberGhost: Secures your online activity and has no issues with SVT or Netflix. Unlimited bandwidth and blazing-fast speeds.
- IPVanish: Zero-logs service with robust encryption and strong streaming ability. Protect every device you own simultaneously and watch Swedish TV abroad.
- PrivateVPN: Excels at beating geographical restrictions. Impressive performance, a high connection limit, and a strong focus on privacy.
- Hotspot Shield: Ideal for streaming SVT Play. Offers a wide range of security tools and around-the-clock support. Connect any number of devices.
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How to use a VPN to watch SVT Play outside Sweden
It’s easier than you might think to access Sveriges Television abroad. Just follow the steps below and you’ll be streaming your favorite shows in no time:
Here’s how to watch SVT Play abroad:
- First, choose a suitable provider (we recommend NordVPN).
- Download and install the VPN app onto your streaming device. It’s fine if there are a few since most VPNs permit at least five simultaneous connections.
- Log in and select a server in Sweden. This will get you a Swedish IP address, which stops the sites you visit from realizing that you’re actually somewhere else.
- Connect, then head over to the SVT Play website and start streaming. In our experience, most lingering issues can be resolved by clearing your cookies and reloading the page. Failing this, contact your VPN’s support team for more help.
Best VPNs to stream SVT Play outside Sweden
There are hundreds of VPNs available and some are better-suited to watching SVT than others. To ensure we only recommend the best, our team decided to eliminate any candidates that didn’t meet the strict criteria set out below:
- Has servers in Sweden and many other countries
- Works with SVT Play and similar platforms
- Is fast enough for uninterrupted live streaming
- Uses uncrackable encryption and other powerful security tools
- Has apps for all major operating systems
- Provides live chat-based customer support
Here is our list of the best VPNs to watch SVT Play outside Sweden:
1. NordVPN
Apr 2024
works with SVT playTested Apr 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our first choice. It has high-speed servers in roughly 60 countries including Sweden, and works with a wide variety of platforms, from SVT Play to Netflix. Users will appreciate its unrestricted bandwidth and the ability to connect six devices at a time. If you need help, you can reach out to support staff, day or night, using the live chat system.
This service follows a strict no-logs policy, and has actually had this fact verified by independent auditors. Its apps include a kill switch, leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption, and an automatic connection feature that’ll activate whenever you use unsecured networks. Better still, NordVPN’s website and most of its resources (including blog posts and FAQs) are available in Swedish.
NordVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and Android TV. You’ll have to manually install it on routers.
Pros:
- Perfect for watching Swedish content abroad
- Rapid speeds
- Plenty of advanced features
- 24/7 live chat support
- Works almost anywhere in the world
Cons:
- Collects mobile device identifiers
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR SVT PLAY:NordVPN is the best option for streaming SVT abroad. Super-secure and reliable, with a proven no-logs policy. Try it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
works with SVT playTested Apr 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is the best low-cost option for watching SVT Play. Despite this, it offers more than many premium VPNs, providing a seamless streaming experience, unlimited bandwidth, 100 server locations, and the ability to secure every device you own. Support staff are on-hand 24/7 over live chat, and whenever we’ve gotten in touch, we’ve always gotten a response in under a minute.
This VPN enhances your online security using AES-256 encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a proven no-log policy. It also includes a feature that’ll change your IP address at regular intervals, and a stealth mode capable of beating the world’s strictest online censorship.
Apps are available for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Android TV. What’s more, you can manually configure Surfshark to work with most routers.
Pros:
- Works with most Swedish TV channels
- Huge network
- Strong security features
- Connect an unlimited number of devices
- Browse safely, regardless of your real location
Cons:
- Some advanced features can’t be used with a Surfshark One plan
Our score:
CHEAPEST VPN FOR SVT PLAY:Surfshark is our top budget VPN. Lets you securely stream a ton of online content and doesn’t compromise on privacy. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
works with SVT playTested Apr 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN provides access to fast and reliable Swedish servers, plus its network covers an additional 93 countries. This service has improved its cloaking ability recently and now works with just about every streaming platform we’ve tried. Best of all, there’s no need to worry about slow speeds since it delivered impressive performance in our latest round of testing.
One of the great things about ExpressVPN is that it simplifies online privacy. Connections are secured using AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection by default, plus trackers and malicious sites are blocked automatically. This VPN even turns on obfuscation as and when it’s needed, without any input required frm the user. ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy and has proven this with several third-party audits.
ExpressVPN offers apps for iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android TV. There’s even custom firmware for routers.
Pros:
- Servers in 94 countries
- Robust no-log policy
- Many excellent privacy features
- Easy to use and highly secure
Cons:
- Longer plans have a higher connection limit
Our score:
VERSATILE AND SECURE:ExpressVPN is a fast service with real versatility. Works with a huge range of live TV and on-demand services, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
works with SVT playTested Apr 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost has one of the largest networks around, with a presence in 90 countries and roughly 100 high-speed servers in Sweden alone. Some of these are even optimized for accessing geo-restricted streaming platforms abroad! What’s more, this VPN offers 24/7 support over live chat, so you’re covered in the unlikely event that you run into any problems.
Thanks to this VPN’s strong encryption standards, kill switch, and leak protection, your activities remain private at all times. Additionally, there’s a smart rules feature that lets you specific exactly when the VPN should connect, and which apps it should launch when it does. CyberGhost doesn’t keep any logs and publishes annual transparency reports, something very of its rivals can claim.
Apps are available for iOS, Android, Linux, Mac, and Windows. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on your router.
Pros:
- Can reliably access SVT and many other Swedish services
- No-logs policy
- Outstanding security features
- Newcomer-friendly VPN
Cons:
- Doesn’t work in China or UAE
Our score:
GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:CyberGhost is extremely easy to use, very fast, and able to access SVT Play from anywhere. Strong privacy features and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. IPVanish
works with SVT playTested Apr 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish boasts lightweight apps, rapid speeds, and (unlike most other VPN services), a total lack of connection limits. It has dramatically improved its streaming capabilities recently too, so you’ll be able to watch SVT Play, Netflix, and more, no matter where you are in the world. Need help? No problem: support staff are available 24/7 over live chat and email.
This service doesn’t compromise when it comes to online privacy, either. It keeps you safe using 256-bit encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a true no-logs policy. There are even a couple of more advanced tools, like the option to obfuscate your OpenVPN traffic or block local connections entirely.
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. However, you’ll have to manually configure it for use with Linux systems and routers.
Pros:
- Works with SVT Play and many other online services
- Faster than most other VPNs
- No-logs policy
- Unlimited connections
Cons:
- Doesn’t accept Bitcoin
- Cloaking feature doesn’t work with WireGuard connections
Our score:
SECURE APPS FOR ALL PLATFORMS:IPVanish is a quick and reliable option for live streaming SVT Play. Versatile, easy to use, and security-conscious. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full IPVanish review.
6. PrivateVPN
works with SVT playTested Apr 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is actually based in Sweden and has taken steps to ensure users get the highest level of privacy possible. It owns its entire network outright and even acts as its own ISP, so you’re effectively guaranteed a secure streaming experience. On that note, this VPN works with most popular platforms including SVT Play, Disney+, and Hulu. Up to 10 devices can be secured with a single account.
In addition to having a watertight no-logs policy, this VPN provides AES encryption, a kill switch, obfuscation, and reliable DNS leak protection. It also provides a SOCKS5 proxy and port forwarding, which makes it an excellent choice for torrenting. Live chat support is available for around 20 hours each day, and best of all, the agents speak Swedish so there’s no need to rely on Google Translate.
You can install PrvateVPN on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Linux systems and routers are supported too but require manual setup.
Pros:
- Superfast connections
- Allows torrenting
- Plenty of advanced privacy features
- An excellent choice for streaming
Cons:
- Only has two Swedish servers
- Live chat goes offline for a few hours each day
Our score:
SECURE AND FAST:PrivateVPN has servers in 63 countries, including Sweden. Live chat support with Swedish agents. Reliable apps with many advanced privacy and security features, including DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and obfuscation. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
7. Hotspot Shield
works with SVT playTested Apr 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Hotspotshield.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.
Hotspot Shield has around 80 server locations, including Sweden, and is more than fast enough for watching live TV abroad. You’ll be able to use Swedish TV platforms like TV4 Play and SVT Play with no issues, and up to 10 simultaneous connections are permitted. If you need help, just reach out to staff; they’re on-hand 24/7 via live chat.
This VPN stores no usage logs. However, it does keep some connection logs which is not ideal with it being based in the US. That said, it still has everything you need to stop websites tracking you, like powerful encryption, a kill switch, and leak prevention tools. There’s also automatic wifi protection and split tunneling functionality for anyone who wants a little more control over their connection.
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Manual configuration is required for routers.
Pros:
- Servers in 80 countries, including Sweden
- Works with many international streaming services
- Provides 24/7 live chat and email support
Cons:
- Based in the US
- Some connections logs
Our score:
EXCELLENT SPEEDS:Hotspot Shield is perfect for streaming, thanks to its fast, proprietary VPN protocol. Servers in 80 countries, including Sweden. Has 24/7 live chat support and uncrackable encryption. Comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Hotspot Shield review.
Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for SVT Play
Every VPN is different, and not all of them are able to access SVT Play outside of Sweden. To ensure we only recommended the best services for the job, our team of experts created a strict set of must-have features that our top VPNs needed. Here are a few areas we focused on:
- Swedish servers: Naturally, we need VPNs with a presence in Sweden. Ideally, there’d be multiple locations within the country, and servers in plenty of other places as well since this increases the amount of content you can watch.
- Performance: Slow connections cause problems like lag and random disconnection. As such, contenders had to have performed well in our latest speed tests, and had to provide unlimited bandwidth so that you can stream as much as you like.
- Security and privacy: To keep you safe online, our top picks had to include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. We strongly prefer services that go even further, though.
- Versatility: It’s not enough to just work with SVT Play. We also check to see if they’re suitable for gaming, torrenting, and accessing international streaming platforms like Netflix.
- User-friendliness: Anything that makes a service easier to use is greatly-appreciated. This might be having apps for all major platforms, providing 24/7 live chat, or just offering a clean, jargon-free interface.
- Value for money: If there’s a better, cheaper VPN available, we’ll let you know. Additionally, we hunt down deals, discounts, and money-back guarantees so that you don’t have to break the bank just to browse the web securely.
Want to learn more? Read all about our full VPN testing process.
SVT Play VPN FAQs
Can I watch SVT Play using a free VPN?
Unfortunately, free VPNs aren’t a good choice for streaming. They almost always have low monthly bandwidth caps and a very limited set of servers unless you’re willing to pay up. We’ve even seen some free providers mislead their users about the kind of logs they keep, which is a huge problem for any privacy-conscious customer.
Instead, we strongly recommend sticking to reputable paid providers. These live and die by their reputations and have the funding and expertise needed to protect your rights in the face of governmental threats, copyright trolls, and legal pressure. Most include a money-back guarantee too, so there’s no risk in trying them out.
Can I use a VPN to stream SVT Play within Sweden?
SVT Play’s full catalog is available in Sweden but if your VPN is connected to a server in another country, the service will think you’re abroad and significantly reduce the amount of content you can watch.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution: just pick a VPN server in Sweden. You should then be able to use the service as normal. Best of all, this same process lets you regain access to SVT Play even while traveling abroad.
What can I watch on SVT Play?
SVT Play provides access to news, series, dramas, documentaries, lifestyle and reality, comedies, children’s programming, movies, sports, and much more. You can use the platform to watch both live and on-demand content from a variety of SVT channels including SVT 1, SVT 2, SVT Barn, Kunskaps Kanalen, and SVT 24.
Some of the content on SVT Play is available outside of Sweden without a VPN. However, many of its most popular shows are restricted abroad for licensing reasons. As a result, you will need a VPN. Below, we have included a list of popular shows you can watch on SVT with a VPN:
- Mannan under trappan
- Coachen
- I hatets mitt
- Springfloden
- Grantchester
- Jordskott
- Sanditon
- i anneli
- Leif & Billy
- Bonusfamiljen
- Fejk