Best VPNs for US expats to watch American TV abroad in 2026

Are you a US expat struggling to watch TV from back home? It can be tricky since the vast majority of streaming services are region-locked, meaning you can’t normally use them while traveling outside of the US. Here’s the good news: it’s extremely easy to regain access and stream US TV channels abroad. All you have to do is get a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and connect to one of its American servers.

In addition to helping you watch American TV shows, VPNs are a great way to enhance your online privacy. That’s because they encrypt your internet traffic, stopping it from being read. Your data is then sent through a server somewhere else in the world, hiding your real IP address and location.

I’ll cover each of my top VPNs for US expats in more details shortly. For now, though, here’s a brief rundown of what makes each so special.

Best VPNs for US expats watching TV abroad:

1. NordVPN My first choice VPN for US expats. Blazing-fast speeds, an excellent security record, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for US expats.
2. Surfshark The best budget VPN for expats. Offers very fast speeds, unlimited connections, and first-class streaming abilities. No logs policy.
3. Total VPN A reliable, secure VPN that boasts incredible streaming ability as well as a ton of US servers. Offers 24/7 support and doesn’t keep any logs.
4. ProtonVPN This zero-logs VPN with a huge presence in the United States. Works with most major streaming apps and boasts first-class privacy tools.
5. ExpressVPN Secure service that works with US Netflix and most other US TV networks. RAM-only servers in 105 countries and always-on obfuscation.
6. IPVanish No-logs service allowing any number of simultaneous connections. Boasts a great set of security features and works with most US streaming apps.
7. CyberGhost A low-cost provider that tells you which servers are best for unblocking US streaming sites. Fast speeds and powerful security features.
8. PureVPN Affordable, privacy-conscious, and perfect for watching US TV abroad. Boasts a robust security offering and works anywhere in the world.
9. PrivateVPN Good for US expats wanting to stream. Strong on security and privacy with effective obfuscation and helpful customer support.

Best VPNs for US expats: My hands-on review

I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – my #1 choice for US expats to watch American TV abroad.

Criteria for finding the best VPNs for watching American TV abroad

You have hundreds of VPNs to choose from but some are better at accessing US streaming platforms than others. To find the very best VPNs for watching US TV abroad, I looked for services that excelled in the five main areas below:

• Speed: I tested each VPN multiple times over the course of a day, using their fastest US server and a 500 Mbps connection to standardize results.
• Streaming ability: Next, I tested providers against a series of difficult to unblock streaming sites. I also examined how many US locations each of them offered since the closer your server is, the better your speeds will normally be.
• Value for money: Services were evaluated on their lowest monthly price, availability of student discounts, connection limit, and sale frequency, as well as many other criteria.
• Security and privacy: There’s no point in using a VPN that can’t keep you safe. I scored providers based on more than a dozen privacy-related criteria including which protocols they support and what kind of logs they keep.
• Ease of use: Last but not least, I rewarded VPNs that go the extra mile on usability. Specifically, I’m looking for quality of life features like 24/7 support, streaming-optimized servers, ad-blocking and unlimited connections.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out the methodology section at the bottom of the page.

How to watch American TV abroad

Streaming American TV abroad is easier than you might think. Just follow the steps below and you’ll be watching in no time.

Here’s how to watch US TV abroad:

1. Sign up to your chosen VPN provider. I recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the relevant app for your device from the VPN provider’s website or an official app store.
3. Install the app and log in using your new credentials.
4. Connect to a server in the US. This will give you an American IP address, allowing you to use US-only sites from abroad. The exact server location doesn’t matter unless you want to unblock sites restricted to a specific US region (or in case you’re trying to access adult content).
5. Navigate to the stream you’d like to watch and enjoy!
6. If you run into any issues, try clearing your cookies and cache, connecting to a different server, or contacting your VPN’s customer support team for extra assistance.

The best VPNs for US expats

Here is my list of the best VPNs for expats to watch US TV from abroad:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2026

NordVPN is my top choice for US expats. It has a network of around 8,000 servers spread across 120 countries, with roughly half of these in the US alone. Better still, you’ll be able to watch all kinds of content including the US Netflix library, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV. This VPN can protect up to 10 devices at the same time and offers 24-hour customer support over live chat.

So just how fast are NordVPNs American servers, really? To find out, I tested them at three different times of day (morning, noon, and afternoon). NordVPN achieved an average speed of 403.8 Mbps, making it one of the fastest providers in this list. Needless to say, you’re not going to have any problems streaming so long as your base connection speeds are halfway decent. Here are the full test results:

If you’re concerned about privacy, NordVPN would be a fantastic choice. by default, it uses unbreakable ChaCha20 encryption, a customizable kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks to shield your activity from snoopers. NordVPN has been repeatedly audited to show it doesn’t keep logs. That’s not all though: it also offers ad and tracker-blocking plus a custom NordWhisper protocol designed to beat the world’s strictest online censorship. You could take advantage of the split tunneling feature, multi-hop connections, or Tor over VPN servers.

Apps are available for iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and MacOS, with manual configuration required for routers. You can also get a dedicated IP address from the US for a small additional monthly fee (this is required for some online games and makes it easier to set up your own Plex server).

BEST VPN FOR US EXPATS:NordVPN is my #1 choice. An exceptionally fast and secure VPN that works well with US streaming content. Solid security and privacy features. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for US expats hoping to watch TV from back home. There are roughly 4,500 servers spread across 100 countries, with 600 of these in American cities. I’ve had great results using this service to access streaming platforms like Netflix US, Peacock, and Paramount+ while traveling outside of the United States. What’s more, Surfshark offers 24/7 support and unlimited connections.

Now, none of this means anything if Surfshark can’t keep up. I performed speed tests on its quickest-available US servers at various points throughout the day, resulting in an average speed of 378.47 Mbps. That’s fantastic, and well above what’s needed for any day to day task like streaming or torrenting. Take a look at my findings:

Even though it’s a budget-friendly provider, Surfshark delivers on security. Your activities are hidden from snoopers with a combination of unreakable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak prevention, a no-logging policy, and a kill switch that ensures you never accidentally browse unprotected. It can also swap your IP address every few minutes for additional privacy and even works in countries like China where the internet is heavily censored.

Looking for even more control over your anonymity? Surfshark boasts a unique persona-generator which allows you to sign up for sites without providing any real personal info. This VPN can also block ads, trackers, shady sites, and multiple types of adult content; this not only makes you safer but also helps the internet be a little bit less annoying, which is always a win.

Subscriptions begin at $2.19 per month, and there are apps for Windows, iOS, Android, MacOS, and Linux devices. You’ll have to follow manual setup instructions for routers though.

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is the best budget VPN for watching American TV abroad. It’s fast, highly secure, and able to protect every device you own at the same time. Plus, all subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN is a natural choice for any American expat who wants to stream TV from the US. It has more than 1,800 servers in 80+ countries, with two dozen US locations. Not only that, it’s capable of accessing platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, Hulu, and Peacock, with no problems at all. There’s a five connection limit, which is a little lower than average but should be enough for most users, as well as 24/7 customer support (via the ticket system on its website).

If you’re hoping to watch live broadcasts or 4K content, you’ll need a VPN that can keep up. After a full day of testing, Total VPN’s American servers delivered an average speed of 323.9 Mbps. For context, that’s quick enough to download a 1GB file in under 25 seconds, so you shouldn’t experience any stuttering, buffering, or lag while watching US TV, even if you’re on the other side of the world. See for yourself:

Total VPN has a robust security toolkit, ensuring you can stream your favorite American TV shows without compromising on privacy. It uses 256-bit AES encryption (currently considered uncrackable by industry experts), prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks automatically, and includes a kill switch (on every platform except Windows) that will ensure you never browse the web unprotected. Most importantly, this provider follows a strict no-logs policy. Finally, it offers a special Hydra protocol that was designed to help you evade anti-VPN filters on public wifi networks.

Total VPN provides apps for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices. At the time of writing, Linux devices and routers are not supported.

WATCH US TV ABROAD:Total VPN works with a wide range of US streaming apps, boasts strong security features, and has a strict no-logs policy. Better still, it offers a 14-day money-back guarantee on short-term plans and a 30-day guarantee on anything longer than a year.

Want to know more? Check out our complete Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is another provider that’s great for expats or anyone traveling abroad. For starters, it has roughly 15,000 servers in 120 countries, with 18+ locations in the US alone. Not only that, this provider excels at unblocking stubborn streaming platforms; I was able to stream Max, Hulu, YouTube TV, and a wide range of international services with no issues. Users can secure 10 devices at the same time, torrent on any server, and speak directly with support staff using ProtonVPN’s 24/7 live chat service.

To find out how fast ProtonVPN was, I measured the performance of its servers in the United States in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon. This resulted in an average speed of 249.58 Mbps, making it a solid choice for data-intensive activities like watching live TV, making video calls, or playing fast-paced online games.

This VPN was created by the team behind Proton Mail so you can trust that it takes your privacy seriously. It uses 256-bit ChaCha20 encryption by default, backed up by a kill switch and leak protection. ProtonVPN also blocks ads and trackers, permits split tunneling, and has a Stealth protocol capable of beating most digital restrictions (though it doesn’t work in China). It has a proven no-logs policy and multi-hop servers in case you’re in need of even greater anonymity.

ProtonVPN has its own apps for MacOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. Its website provides manual setup guides for most routers too.

PRIVACY FIRST:ProtonVPN is a secure and highly-customizable VPN. Has lots of US servers and reliably unblocks major American streaming services from abroad. Strong on security too. Paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is an industry titan with a phenomenal reputation. With servers in more than 100 countries (and all 50 US states), it’s easy to get a speedy, low-latency connection which translates to a better viewing experience. I was able to access Netflix USA, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video, and many more platforms with no issues. Users can get help at any time via ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat service and the Basic plan comes with a 10 simultaneous connection allowance.

I ran speed tests on ExpressVPN’s American servers, keeping a close eye on both raw performance and consistency. This VPN delivered an average speed of 193.7 Mbps, meaning it’s more than capable of handling bandwidth-hungry tasks like watching TV or downloading large files. Here are its results at different times of day:

Let’s talk about security. Most of ExpressVPN’s security tools are enabled by default, such as its quantum-resistant encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and kill switch. This VPN also automatically obfuscates your traffic, allowing you to sidestep advanced censorship and browse safely in countries like China or the UAE.

You can also take advantage of split tunneling functionality and a tool that blocks ads, trackers, and adult content, though these have to be enabled manually. Most importantly, ExpressVPN has proven it doesn’t keep logs via several independent audits. It even accepts cryptocurrency so you can sign up and pay anonymously.

ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. There’s even custom firmware for routers and a Smart DNS tool that’ll let you watch US TV on devices like games consoles, which don’t support full VPN apps.

EASY STREAMING:ExpressVPN has robust security and the ability to stream major streaming services including US Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime. Great privacy features and keeps no logs. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish is a reliable provider with more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. It’s a strong choice for any US expat hoping to stream TV abroad, working flawlessly with major platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, to name a few. One of my favorite things about this service is that it allows you to protect all of your devices simultaneously. There’s also 24/7 customer support in case you run into any issues, though the apps are very newcomer-friendly.

So how does this provider do in terms of speed? To find out, I tested its US servers at three different times of day, resulting in an average speed of 242.92 Mbps, making it one of the quicker providers in this list. There wasn’t much fluctuation during peak times either, with just 13 Mbps of difference between IPVanish’s fastest and slowest speeds. Let’s take a look at the full test results:

When it comes to security, IPVanish doesn’t disappoint. It protects your traffic from snoopers using uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and leak prevention tools, and best of all, this VPN has a fully-audited no-logs policy. There are plenty of protocols to choose from as well as split tunneling support, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and a tool that can tell you if a given link is safe to open or not. It recently introduced multi-hop servers which encrypt your data twice. You can also scramble OpenVPN traffic but this isn’t enough to beat China’s Great Firewall.

IPVanish now offers an Advanced plan that costs an extra $1.10 per month. In exchange, you’ll get the VPN itself, a terabyte of cloud storage space, and a remotely-accessible sandboxed browser. You’d normally pay more than a dollar for the cloud storage alone so this represents excellent value.

The cloud-based browser essentially shows you a live video feed of what happens on a remote IPVanish server, preventing local ISPs from seeing what you get up to online. It’s also handy for systems where you lack the permissions to install new software. You can get an IP address from 10 countries — just be aware that this browser is relatively slow and may cause CAPTCHAs to pop up occasionally.

IPVanish makes apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. You can manually install it on most Linux distros, routers, and Amazon Fire systems.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish has a huge US presence, making it ideal for watching American TV abroad. Offers strong security tools and the ability to secure all of your devices at once. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost takes the stress out of streaming US TV abroad. That’s because it actually tells you which of its 10,000+ servers are best for accessing platforms like Hulu, Peacock, Netflix, Prime Video, and Paramount+. There are also some optimized for torrenting, gaming, and maximizing your privacy, so this service is extremely versatile. There’s a seven simultaneous connection limit and 24/7 support, though in my experience, CyberGhost is one of the most user-friendly VPNs around.

This VPN has servers in roughly a dozen US cities. I decided to test the quickest of these three times (in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon) to get a better understanding of its speeds. CyberGhost achieved an average speed of 266 Mbps, which is exceptionally quick — I’d just prefer if it was more consistent since 106 Mbps of fluctuation means your speeds could vary by nearly 50 percent based on time of day alone. Take a look:

My next challenge was to dive into CyberGhost’s security offering and see how safe its users  really are. Thanks to this VPN’s powerful encryption, its kill switch, and its DNS and IPv6 leak protection, there’s no need to worry about your traffic being intercepted. You can also block ads and trackers, allow certain apps or websites to pass through unencrypted, or create smart rules so that CyberGhost can connect on its own when certain conditions are met. CyberGhost follows a strict no-logs policy and refers to customers internally via account numbers for extra anonymity.

CyberGhost has its own apps for MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android systems. You can also follow manual installation guides to get it running on routers.

VALUE & PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is affordable and ideal for streaming. Good blend of security and speed, with highly customizable settings. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee on annual plans and a 14-day guarantee for monthly subscribers.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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8. PureVPN

PureVPN has everything you’ll need to watch American TV from abroad. It operates more than 6,000 servers in 60+ countries, with nearly a third of these in North America. Better still, in the Shortcuts tab, you’ll find servers designed for unblocking platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AMC+, and Disney+ US. This torrenting-friendly provider offers 24/7 customer support over live chat and allows you to connect up to 10 devices at the same time.

To be sure that PureVPN is fast enough to handle day to day tasks like live streaming, I checked the performance of its American servers at three times of day (morning, noon, and afternoon). This service delivered an average speed of 167.2 Mbps, which is well above what you’ll need for watching TV. So long as your connection is reasonably quick, you’re unlikely to notice any performance issues.

PureVPN isn’t about to let anyone see what you get up to online. In fact, its encryption is considered uncrackable and it makes doubly sure your data is hidden using a kill switch, leak protection, and an independently-audited no-logs policy. This service also offers automatic tracker and ad-blocking, as well as split tunneling support, and always-on obfuscation that’ll let you browse safely in places like China. Port forwarding is available too, but costs a little extra each month.

PureVPN has graphical apps for Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS devices. You can also manually configure this VPN for use with most home routers.

LOW COST:PureVPN lets you watch Netflix, ABC, ESPN, Hulu, HBO Max, and many other platforms abroad. Boasts a low price and extremely powerful security features, as well as 24/7 live chat-based support. All plans come with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has a smaller network than other providers in this list but it’s still well worth considering. It owns, hosts, and manages all 200 of its servers (spanning 60+ countries) in-house, which means no third party ever has access to your data. It’s able to access stubborn platforms like Prime Video, Sling TV, and Hulu, plus it works with multiple Netflix libraries. This VPN provides customer support over live chat, and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections.

This VPN has two different interfaces, one for beginners and one for more experienced users. That said, I’d suggest sticking to the Advanced view if possible, simply because some features (such as port forwarding and the VPN’s stealth mode) aren’t available in the Simple view. Besides, it’s not that much more complicated.

Next up, it was time to test PrivateVPN’s performance. Now, this has never been the fastest service on the market, but it’s usually quick enough for most activities. This time, PrivateVPN delivered an average speed of 80.9 Mbps with roughly 37 Mbps of difference between its best and worst results. Here are my findings:

PrivateVPN lives up to its name, offering adjustable 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption which experts agree is currently unbreakable. Your privacy is further enhanced with DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a customizable kill switch, and a strict zero-logs policy. That said, I’d prefer if PrivateVN would verify its no-logs claims with an independent audit like some of its rivals have. Users can let specific apps through the VPN’s encryption or bypass country-wide censorship using the Stealth VPN tool.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. You can also manually install the VPN on Amazon Fire devices, Linux systems, and most routers.

PRIVATE CONNECTIONS:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Works with US Netflix and allows up to 10 devices on the same account. Small network of servers but strong unblocking ability. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

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Using a free VPN to stream US content abroad

When streaming online content, having a reliable VPN service can make a huge difference in your overall experience. While free VPNs may seem convenient and cost-effective, they often come with limitations that can hinder your streaming experience. For example, free VPNs may have data limits that restrict how much content you can stream, fewer server locations that limit your access to certain regions, and slower speeds that result in buffering and lagging.

Also, free VPNs may not be able to consistently unblock popular streaming platforms like US content, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to access specific shows or movies. To avoid interruptions during streaming and gain access to a broad range of US content, opting for a well-known paid VPN service that provides fast speeds, an extensive server network, and dedicated streaming features is advisable.

These types of VPNs are designed to enhance your streaming experience by providing reliable connections, unrestricted access to content, and advanced security features to keep your data safe. So, if you want to get the most out of your streaming experience, it’s worth investing in a high-quality VPN service.

Watching US sports from abroad

If you’re wondering whether you’ll be able to use a VPN to keep up with US sports fixtures then the short answer is ‘yes’. By connecting to a VPN server in the US, you’ll be able to watch your favourite sports as if you were streaming them from back home. This includes everything from Major League Baseball and NCAA College Football, through to official NFL and NHL streams. Better yet, the choice of servers within the US means you can evade blackouts from providers such as ESPN.

How to watch US TV abroad FAQ