Best VPN for Germany in 2025, and some to avoid

Thinking about visiting Germany? Maybe you’re already living there and want a way to keep your browsing habits private? As seasoned experts in the VPN landscape, we understand the difficulties you may face in Germany – from stringent P2P file-sharing and copyright laws to ambiguous fair-use policies. We’re here to provide the support and guidance you need by identifying the best VPNs for Germany.

To make sure we only recommend the best of the best, our team put together a rigorous testing process that evaluates Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) on security, speed, streaming ability, and more. This ensures that, whichever you choose, you’ll be getting your money’s worth and will be able to browse with total peace of mind.

First, though, let’s discuss what a VPN actually does. These services work by encrypting all of a device’s traffic. This first step prevents public wi-fi hackers, internet service providers, and government agencies from snooping on traffic. Next, the VPN masks the user’s actual IP address, hiding their online identity from website owners and allowing you to access region-locked apps like Netflix abroad.

Below, you’ll find a quick guide to our top Germany VPNs. Want to learn more? No problem, we’ll be covering each in more depth very shortly.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Germany:

1. NordVPN: Our #1 VPN for Germany. Veteran provider with over ten years of experience and plenty of German servers. One of the best at accessing stubborn streaming apps abroad. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Germany.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Germany. Highly versatile, with the ability to access lots of German content. Fast speeds and plenty of powerful security features. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. Total VPN: An easy-to-use VPN boasting some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen. Can access a wide range of geo-blocked platforms and keeps no logs.
4. ProtonVPN: No-logs VPN with lots of customizable features. Operates secure servers in over 120 countries and works flawlessly with most German streaming platforms.
5. ExpressVPN: Another fantastic VPN for people in Germany. Boasts impressive speeds, a good range of privacy features, and first-class streaming ability.
6. IPVanish: An easy-to-use, zero-logs VPN that works with tons of services, including Netflix Germany. Security-conscious, with 24/7 support and no connection limit.
7. CyberGhost: Streaming-optimized servers make watching German TV as easy as possible. Quick, security-focused VPN with a huge network and 24/7 live chat.
8. PureVPN: A reliable, affordable service that can handle day-to-day tasks without breaking a sweat. High-speed servers in 65 countries, including Germany. Includes effective always-on obfuscation.

How we selected the top VPNs for Germany

Although many VPNs work in Germany, not all offer a comparable service. To be recognized as one of the best VPNs for Germany, providers need to perform well in the following areas:

• Speed: No matter what you plan to do online, slow servers will make it difficult. Our team performed multiple speed tests throughout the day using each VPNs’ German servers to see how quick and consistent they were. Note that we used a 250 Mbps connection, so anyone with similar speeds should see similar results.
• Server availability: We scored VPNs on their number of German server locations, how many other countries they supported, and the overall size of their networks.
• Security and privacy: We evaluated each VPN against 16 different metrics to find out which were best equipped to keep users safe online while connected to servers in Germany.
• Ease of use: It shouldn’t be hard to get a German IP address, though it can feel that way with some providers. To find VPNs that were easy to use, we evaluated them against 10 different criteria.
• Streaming: If you’re keen to access German content libraries, then you’ll want a VPN that is well-suited to streaming. We found out which VPNs provided the best experience by scoring them on nine different criteria.

We have an in-depth explanation of our testing process later in the article. We’ll also discuss the results of each test and what they mean for the choices you might make. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers who impressed us.

The best VPNs for Germany: Compared

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Would you prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN, our #1 choice for Germany.

Best VPN Providers for Germany

Here’s our list of the top VPNs for Germany:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2025

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for Germany. There are over 200 servers spread across Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg, with 8,000 more in a further 120 countries. This service works with virtually every streaming platform we tested including Netflix Germany, ProSieben, and ARD. Users can connect up to 10 devices at the same time and while the apps are very newcomer-friendly, there’s also 24/7 customer support over live chat.

So just how fast is this service? To find out, our team tested NordVPN’s German servers three times (morning, noon, and afternoon) using a 250 Mbps connection. NordVPN delivered an average speed of 216.23 Mbps, which is an excellent result and more than enough for any to day task including streaming, gaming, torrenting, or video calling friends back home. Here’s a closer look at our results:

Having tested numerous similar products, we can safely say that NordVPN is one of the most security-conscious providers around. It boasts an audited no-logs policy, 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, leak protection, and rotating IP address feature. Further, its latest updates brought even more functionality, with automatic ad and tracker-blocking, plus a custom protocol for beating country-wide censorship.

There are apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Alternatively, you can follow manual installation instructions to get it running on your router.

BEST VPN FOR GERMANY :NordVPN is our first choice for Germany. Outstanding privacy features, blazing fast speeds, and a ten-device limit. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for Germany. Not only does it offer access to 4,500 secure servers in 100 countries, there are quite a few in Germany. Additionally, this low-cost VPN is capable of unblocking major streaming platforms like ARD and ZDF, plus international services like Amazon Prime Video or Netflix. What’s more, Surfshark doesn’t impose any connection or bandwidth limits, meaning it’s perfect for sharing with family. Live chat-based customer support is available 24 hours per day, just in case you run into any problems.

Despite being one of the cheaper options on the market, Surfshark offers top-tier performance. After testing it at three different times of day, we recorded an average speed of 212.9 Mbps. For context, that’s enough to download a 1 GB file in under 40 seconds. Whether you need a VPN for secure browsing, streaming, or torrenting, Surfshark is well worth considering. Let’s take a look at its speed test results:

Surfshark might have a low price, but don’t be fooled: this VPN boasts numerous security features and clearly puts your privacy above all else. There’s 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (on all platforms), protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, automatic ad-blocking and malware-scanning, and even the option to scramble your traffic. Most importantly, though, Surfshark keeps no logs, so details of your activities can’t be revealed, even if requested. This service also recently introduced a new content filtering tool designed to block several kinds of child-unfriendly content (such as gambling, profanity, or nudity).

Surfshark has Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux apps. It can be manually installed on supported routers.

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is inexpensive, secure, and adept at circumventing geo-restrictions from the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. It has no connection limit. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN has quite a large network (around 1,800 servers in over 80 countries, including Germany). This, coupled with its exceptional unblocking ability, makes it a natural choice for anyone hoping to access geo-blocked platforms like ZDF or BBC iPlayer from Germany. Users can protect up to five devices at the same time, and customer support is available 24/7 via live chat so you can get answers as quickly as possible. There’s also a ticket system in place for more complex queries.

Everyone uses the internet in different ways, so it’s important we only recommend services that are fast enough to handle anything. Our experts performed three speed tests on Total VPN’s German servers using a 250 Mbps connection. This way, we can see not just how quick it is, but also how much its speeds vary over the course of a typical day. Let’s take a look at the results:

With an average speed of 209.62 Mbps, Total VPN was among the fastest services in this list, just barely slower than Surfshark. So what does this mean for you? Simply, you’ll be able to stream 4K video, download large files, make video calls, or play online games without the slightest interruption. There was roughly 16 Mbps of variance over three tests, but with speeds like this, it shouldn’t even be noticeable.

There’s no need to worry about your activities being intercepted with this provider. Total VPN uses uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch (on all platforms except Windows), and automatic DNS and IPv6 leak protection to ensure your browsing habits remain private at all times. There’s also a no-logging policy, a specialized Hydra protocol for bypass VPN-detection systems, and split tunneling support in case you’d like to let some websites pass through unencrypted.

Total VPN offers apps for Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS devices.

SECURE GERMAN SERVERS:Total VPN has a large network and a strong presence in Germany. Delivers a high degree of security, offers first-class streaming ability, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee with long-term subscriptions.

Check out our complete Total VPN review for more details.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has a larger nework than most of its rivals, operating over 8,000 servers in 120 countries including Germany. You can choose between either Berlin or Frankfurt and as a bonus, this VPN works with the vast majority of streaming sites. Our team was able to access stubborn sites like ProSieben, DMAX, and ZDF without any issues at all. Up to 10 devices can be connected at once, and in the unlikely event you have any problems, customer support is available via 24/7 live chat.

The real question is whether ProtonVPN is fast enough to handle anything you throw at it. To find out, our experts performed three speed tests over the course of a typical day. This service achieved an average speed of 198.01 Mbps on a 250 Mbps connection, placing it firmly amongst the quickest providers on the market. In other words, you shouldn’t have any issues when watching German TV, making calls, or torrenting in Germany. Here are our full test results:

Experienced users will find a lot to like in the settings menu. For instance, there’s a VPN accelerator feature designed to push your speeds as high as possible. You can also set up split tunneling and port forwarding (though some features are only available on Windows). By default, ProtonVPN blocks ads and trackers, uses industry-approved encryption, and prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks. There’s also a kill switch, multiple anonymous payment options, and a no-logs policy backed up by an external auditing company.

ProtonVPN has apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It supports a wide range of routers, too, just in case you’d like to protect your entire home network.

HIGH-SPEED GERMAN SERVERS:ProtonVPN is a fast and reliable service that doesn’t keep any logs. Suitable for any everyday task and packed with advanced functionality. As well as 24/7 customer support, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a veteran provider with more than a decade in the industry. It operates thousands of servers spread across 100+ countries, including Germany, and boasts truly exceptional unblocking ability. We were able to securely access platforms like Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and ProSieben while connected, and users will appreciate that you almost never have to try multiple servers to make it happen. ExpressVPN provides 24/7 assistance via live chat and thanks to a recent pricing rework, Basic plans now allow 10 simultaneous connections with higher-tier plans permitting up to 14.

Our next challenge was finding out how fast and reliable this service is. To find out, our experts carried out several speed tests using ExpressVPN’s servers in Germany. Note that these tests were performed at various times of day to account for peak usage in the evenings. ExpressVPN managed to deliver an average speed of 182.29 Mbps, which is competitive, despite not being the fastest result we’ve seen. In short, you should be able to stream, game, or torrent without any noticeable slowdown.

ExpressVPN might have a simple design but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. This provider uses unbreakable AES-256 encryption to hide your activities, backed up by a kill switch and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. It’s also possible to block ads, trackers, and malicious websites plus ExpressVPN will automatically obfuscate your traffic any time you visit a country with extreme online censorship. This VPN doesn’t keep any logs of your activities and has had its apps, infrastructure, and privacy policy independently audited for your peace of mind.

The latest update from ExpressVPN introduces three pricing tiers: Basic ($3.49), Advanced ($4.49), and Pro ($7.49). This makes it easier to find a plan that fits your cost range and privacy needs.

Slick, easy-to-use apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux (command-line). Unlike most other VPNs, ExpressVPN actually has its own router firmware, making it as easy as possible to secure your entire home network.

BROWSE SECURELY IN GERMANY:ExpressVPN is a privacy-focused provider that also unblocks most major streaming services with ease. Great connection speeds and powerful security features. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish is another fantastic option for anyone planning a trip to Germany. This VPN owns and operates more than 3,200 servers in over 100 locations including Frankfurt. It’s great at bypassing regional restrictions too, working flawlessly with German TV platforms like Netflix DE, ProSieben, and ARD, plus BBC iPlayer. If you run into any problems, simply get help using IPVanish’s 24/7 live chat service. There’s no connection limit either, making this VPN perfect for users who plan on sharing their subscription with family.

Of course, none of this matters if IPVanish is too slow to use regularly. We performed three tests (one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the evening) using this VPN’s German servers and a 250 Mbps base connection. IPVanish achieved an average download speed of 202.7 Mbps, which is an exceptional result. Even data-intensive tasks like torrenting or live streaming won’t pose much of a problem here.

IPVanish goes above and beyond to keep you safe. Not only does it own its network, reducing the chance of third-party interference, it also follows a professionally-audited zero-logs policy. Its apps keep you safe using unbreakable AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, plus automatic wifi protection and a combined ad and tracker-blocker. The latest version of the apps even include support for multi-hop servers and a tool that verifies whether links are safe to open or not.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It’s also possible to follow manual setup instructions and get this VPN running on Linux systems or routers. Users opting for the slightly more expensive Advanced plan also get a sandboxed secure browser and a generous 1TB of cloud storage.

SECURE ALL DEVICES:IPVanish works with any number of connected devices. Great for families and multiple connections. Apps for most platforms. 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost boasts a network of more than 11,500 servers spanning 100+ countries, with three locations in Germany alone. Unlike most other providers, this one tells you exactly which servers are best for unblocking German streaming sites like ZDF, Netflix DE, and ARD abroad. Better still, users are able to protect seven devices at the same time and get one on one assistance using CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat system.

Our experts performed three tests (one in the morning, one at midday, and one in the afternoon) to see just how quick CyberGhost’s German servers really are. We recorded an average download speed of 175.61 Mbps, which is decent, though there’s clearly still room for improvement. There was only around 12 Mbps of difference between its best and worst results so at least this VPN is consistent.

Let’s talk about security. CyberGhost uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is currently considered uncrackable. It also offers automatic ad and tracker-blocking, a kill switch, leak protection, and rudimentary obfuscation, as well as a verified no-logs policy. There’s also split tunneling functionality which lets you decide which apps can bypass the VPN’s encryption (for instance so you can access geo-blocked content from two regions simultaneously). Finally, CyberGhost offers a smart rules tool that tells the VPN to connect on its own and open specific apps in certain circumstances.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, and Android. CyberGhost’s website provides manual setup instructions for most router firmware, too.

Easy-to-use apps:CyberGhost is easy to use. Great online privacy and security. It is a reliable option for users in Germany and unblocks most popular streaming sites. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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8. PureVPN

PureVPN is a strong choice for anyone living or traveling in Germany. Its network covers 60+ countries in total, so there’ll always be a reliable server within a reasonable distance. This VPN also does a great job of streaming and works flawlessly with platforms like Netflix, ARD, Zattoo, and Disney+. Each account lets you secure 10 devices at the same time. It’s unlikely you’ll run into problems but if you do, support staff are on-hand 24 hours per day via live chat.

To find out whether PureVPN is actually fast enough to provide a decent streaming experience, we personally checked the speed of its German servers at three times of day. These tests were run on a 250 Mbps base connection. With an average speed of 163.96 Mbps, PureVPN is more than capable of helping you watch live broadcasts, play fast-paced online games, or torrent anonymously. Here’s a breakdown of its speeds at various points throughout the day:

This provider comes packed with powerful security features too. To begin with, it uses 256-bit AES and ChaCha20 encryption, supports several industry-approved protocols including WireGuard, and includes all of the safeguards you’ll need, from a kill switch to DNS and IPv6 leak protection. There’s even a built-in tracker-blocker and an independently-verified no-logs policy. As if this wasn’t enough, PureVPN works in high-censorship countries and offers an even wider range of security tools with its more expensive subscriptions.

PureVPN has its own apps for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. There are also detailed setup guides explaining how to install this VPN directly on your router.

QUICK AND SECURE:PureVPN has everything you'll need to enhance your digital privacy while in Germany. It delivers some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen and includes a 31-day money-back guarantee on all plans, so there’s no harm in trying it out.

Read our full review of PureVPN.

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How to use a VPN in Germany

Never used a VPN before? Don’t worry; it’s simple to set up, and we’ll walk you through the process below.

Here’s how to use a VPN for Germany:

1. Sign up for one of the VPNs recommended above. NordVPN is our top choice.
2. Download and install the VPN app, making sure to get the right version for your device.
3. Open the app, sign in, and select a server location. For example, if you want to access US streaming sites, use a US server.
4. Hit the Connect button. Your data is now protected!
5. If you still can’t access content outside Germany, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, then reload the web page. Alternatively, try a different server.

And that’s it! You can now access region-locked content and hide your online activity from your internet service provider. The VPN should remain connected in the background until you turn it off.

Why do you need a VPN in Germany?

Germany actually has quite an open and transparent internet, with minimal web-filtering or data-retention, but we still recommend using a VPN during your stay. 

People often say that if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. That sounds like common sense, but if you think about it for a second, you’ll realize that most people have certain things they’d rather others not know.

VPNs make it easy to keep your browsing habits private since they encrypt your data, meaning it can’t be read by anyone. This includes your Internet Service Provider, so if they use automated throttling systems to reduce your speeds, you could actually see a performance increase in some cases with the VPN active.

When you’re visiting another country, you’re much more reliant on public wifi. Thanks to your VPN’s encryption, you can use public hotspots without worrying about whether the network is properly secured, since your online activities can’t be seen by the hotspot owner or anyone else monitoring the network.

Of course, there are other benefits too. Normally, international visitors to Germany won’t be able to access streaming platforms from back home during their stay. With a VPN, though, spoofing your location and regaining access to your usual content takes less than a minute. This can also help if your bank, local authority website, or workplace won’t let you log in with a foreign IP address.

Finally, a VPN can actually improve your browsing experience in a few ways you might not have anticipated. Several major VPNs now include ad and tracker-blocking functionality that directly addresses two of the internet’s biggest annoyances. You can also use them to get cheaper hotel prices or get different apps on your Smart TV.

What is the state of internet freedom in Germany?

Germany is known for its fair, open internet, and actually doesn’t censor most people’s online activities. In fact, it’s one of the most free countries in this regard, according to Freedom House’s 2025 Freedom on the Net report (though there’s no denying that its score has declined a few points since the year prior).

Let’s start with the basics. Internet access is widespread and relatively inexpensive, with lots of different providers to choose from. This may be why Germany has one of the world’s highest rates of internet penetration, with around 94 percent of citizens having access.

Most websites are accessible in Germany, though you may have to verify your age before being able to view betting sites, adult content, or anything else that’s inappropriate for minors. The German government regularly issues takedown requests for hate speech and other illegal content. Now, Germany’s freedom score declined slightly this year because of the authorities’ heavy-handed crackdown on people criticizing Israel’s government online. There’s also been more self-censorship as a result of increased far-right agitation, violence, and racially-inspired hatred.

So what can you do to protect yourself while using the internet in Germany? Your best bet is to use a VPN at all times, refrain from posting anything that could be traced back to you (so avoid talking about politics on social media), and make sure that you never post anything that could give away your location.

VPNs to avoid in Germany

We would recommend avoiding any German VPNs in Germany for the simple fact that the national government has direct jurisdiction over them. Aside from that, there are a few well-known services that are best left alone:

HideMyAss

UK-based HideMyAss has logged identifying information in the past that led to the arrest of at least one of its internet users. We don’t recommend VPN providers that log such information to people who value their online privacy.

Hide.me (free)

Hide.me ranks highly in Google results when searching for “Germany VPN”, but its free version limits speed to 3Mbit/s and caps data at 2GB. It doesn’t support OpenVPN, and free users are limited to three VPN server locations.

Note the paid version isn’t so bad. Check out our Hide.me review.

ZenVPN

ZenVPN doesn’t store logs of the web pages you visit, but it does log your IP address and other information about you and your device. Additionally, the paid version is limited to 5GB of bandwidth per day – if you’re paying for a service, you deserve to be able to browse securely as much as you like.

Using a free VPN in Germany

“Can I use a free VPN in Germany?” is one of the most common questions we get asked, and we understand that free VPNs are tempting, especially if you’re on a tight budget. However, these services come with a host of issues. For one, a free VPN service will typically be slower and less reliable than a paid option.

What’s more, some providers of free services don’t take customer security and privacy as seriously as they claim to. After all, they need to make money somehow, which is often done by exploiting users. Some free VPNs lack basic security features such as encryption and a kill switch, while others inject tracking cookies into users’ devices, track user activity, and sell profiles to third parties.

Overall, a paid option is worth a few bucks a month.

VPN for Germany FAQ