How to watch YouTube TV from abroad with a VPN in 2025

It’s easy to forget that most streaming services aren’t actually available worldwide. For instance, if you try to watch YouTube TV while traveling outside of the US, you’ll be met with an error saying “Sorry, but YouTube TV is not available in your area just yet“. This isn’t just a mild inconvenience, it’s a barrier between you and your favorite shows. It’s like buying a ticket but being turned away at the door! The good news is that there’s a simple solution: connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN for short).

VPNs work by encrypting your internet traffic and sending this through a server in another country. This has two main advantages: your online activities are hidden from snoopers and you can appear to be browsing the web from anywhere. That’s especially helpful for travelers since it allows you to use public wifi hotspots without worrying about your browsing habits, passwords, or credit card details being intercepted.

Our team of experts has performed extensive hands-on testing to find out which VPNs are best for YouTube TV. We’ll cover each in more detail later, but for now, here’s a short description of our top picks:

1. NordVPN The best YouTube TV VPN. Boasts lightning-fast speeds and thousands of reliable US servers. Exceptional at accessing geo-restricted content and comes with a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for YouTube TV.
2. Surfshark Best low-cost option. A fast and secure provider with no connection limits. Works great with YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, and similar services.
3. Total VPN A speedy, easy-to-use VPN that works flawlessly with YouTube TV. Doesn’t compromise where privacy is concerned, either.
4. ProtonVPN Security-first service with a large network, a proven no-logging policy, and 24/7 customer support. Has no problems with YouTube TV or streaming apps that stump other VPNs.
5. ExpressVPN Boasts high speeds and first-class streaming ability. Huge network, powerful privacy features, and the ability to watch YouTube TV anywhere.
6. IPVanish Allows any number of simultaneous connections. Delivers superb speeds and works with most popular streaming sites. Proven no-logs policy.
7. CyberGhost A simple, straightforward VPN that’s perfect for beginners. Streaming-optimized servers make it as easy as possible to unblock YouTube TV abroad.
8. PrivateVPN Quick, easy to use, and strong on security. Works with virtually any streaming app, including YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Disney+.

How to use YouTube TV internationally with a VPN

If you’ve never used a VPN before, don’t worry. Just follow the steps below to regain access to YouTube TV from anywhere in the world.

Here’s how to watch YouTube TV internationally with a VPN:

1. Start by signing up with a suitable VPN provider (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN software. Most services offer apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android, so make sure to get the right version for your device.
3. Log in to the VPN app and connect to one of your VPN’s American servers.

   

4. If you haven’t already done so, create a YouTube TV account. Note that this will require a payment method linked to a US address. The base subscription payment is $82.99 per month at the time of writing.
5. Try loading a video or stream on YouTube TV. It should start playing almost immediately, but if not, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies before refreshing the page, or try a different server.
6. Still having problems? We’d recommend reaching out to your VPN’s support team for one on one assistance, especially if you see an error saying “YouTube TV VPN proxy detected”.

Note: If you’d like to watch a specific show live, we recommend performing the steps above before it actually airs. This gives you time to contact customer support if you need additional help without missing the start of your favorite shows.

Best YouTube TV VPNs: Our hands-on review

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

How to choose the right YouTube TV VPN

With so many different VPN services available, it can be difficult to choose the right one. After all, some are too slow for 4K streaming while others can’t even access YouTube TV in the first place. To find the best VPNs for YouTube TV, we measured them against the following criteria:

• Speed: We tested the speeds of each provider’s US servers multiple times over the course of a day. These tests were run on a high-speed connection so we could get the best-possible results for each provider.
• Streaming ability: We scored providers on their compatibility with streaming services such as YouTube TV. Our team also considered how many US server locations they had, and whether they offered streaming-optimized servers.
• Security and privacy: We’ll only ever recommend VPNs with strong privacy credentials. At the very least, we expect to see unbreakable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy, though we score providers on more than a dozen relevant criteria.
• Ease of use: The more straightforward your VPN is, the better. We prefer services with 24/7 customer support, high speeds, and unlimited connections, but any feature that makes day to day usage simpler will earn points.
• Value for money: Our team considers whether each VPN is fairly priced based on its functionality. Then, we look for any added extras and hunt down ways to pass less (for instance by taking advantage of a student discount or signing up for a longer period upfront).

You can see the details of this testing process — and the results — later in this article, but first, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

Best VPNs for YouTube TV

Let’s take a closer look at each of our recommended services. The following reviews are based on our extensive real-world testing.

Here is our list of the top VPN providers for YouTube TV. 

1. NordVPN

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NordVPN is our first choice VPN for watching YouTube TV, and for good reason. It has almost 3,000 servers in the US alone (and 6,000 in 120+ countries globally). Further, it’s capable of unblocking virtually any streaming platform including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus. There are even specialty servers in case you’re interested in torrenting or browsing the dark web safely. Up to 10 devices can be secured at once and there’s 24/7 assistance over live chat.

Now, is this VPN quick enough for uninterrupted streaming? To find out, we tested its US servers three times throughout the day. Let’s see those results:

NordVPN was exceptionally quick in all three tests, with an average download speed of 336.29 Mbps. This was more than 130 Mbps greater than the combined average speed of the other providers. In practice, NordVPN is easily fast enough to stream YouTube TV in 4K and is also a great choice for gaming and torrenting.

The service uses 256-bit encryption and includes various additional security options. There’s an app-specific kill switch, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, malware protection, and IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak-prevention. NordVPN follows a true zero-logs policy (which we know thanks to its audit history), uses unbreakable encryption, and its NordWhisper protocol can even help you stream safely in places like China.

NordVPN has Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux-supported apps. However, it has to be manually configured on wireless routers.

BEST VPN FOR YOUTUBE TV:NordVPN is our top choice for YouTube TV. A superb all-rounder with powerful security features and fast servers for streaming. Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Unblocks YouTubeTested Nov 2025

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for YouTube TV. It recently grew its network to 4,500 servers in 100+ countries and unlike most other providers, Surfshark uses 100 Gbps servers for the best possible performance. We were able to access platforms like Netflix and Peacock from abroad, but staff are ready to help via 24/7 live chat. This VPN has no connection limit either — users can secure every device they own.

Our team performed three speed tests on Surfshark’s American servers (one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon). Let’s take a closer look at those results:

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Like NordVPN, Surfshark was quicker than most of its rivals, with an average speed of 326.28 Mbps. It was more than 120 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other providers. As such, you’ll be able to stream 4K video, play games, or torrent without any noticeable performance issues.

Surfshark protects your digital privacy using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, traffic scrambling, IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leak protection. As Surfshark doesn’t log any information that could identify you, it can’t reveal details of your activities under any circumstances. If you’d prefer even greater anonymity, you can sign up using a throwaway email address and pay via cryptocurrency. 24/7 support is available over live chat in case of any problems.

Surfshark offers apps for Linux, MacOS, Android, Windows, and iOS. It can be manually installed on supported wireless routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is an inexpensive yet powerful service that works great with YouTube TV. Strong on security. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. Total VPN

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Total VPN is a reputable provider with more than 1,800 speedy and reliable servers scattered across 80+ countries (including less common locations like China and Russia). It’s a great option for anyone hoping to stream YouTube TV, and also works with platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Netflix. You can connect up to five devices at the same time and speak with support staff using the 24/7 live chat service on Total VPN’s website.

This service doesn’t limit your bandwidth and pegs decent connection speeds. While connected to its US servers, we measured speeds averaging 205.67 Mbps. In practice, this is fast enough to stream 4K video on eight devices simultaneously. 

Total VPN boasts a strong set of security features including effectively uncrackable encryption, a kill switch that stops sending data when your VPN connection drops, and automatic DNS and IPv6 leak protection. There’s also a strict no-logs policy in place, meaning your browsing habits can’t be revealed after the fact.

Total VPN also has a range of protocol options. It uses the lightweight WireGuard by default, though users can choose the Hydra protocol if they want their traffic obfuscated. Unfortunately though, this service won’t work in countries with strict digital censorship.

Total VPN has apps available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. At the time of writing, this service doesn’t support Linux systems or routers.

FAST AND SECURE:Total VPN provides plenty of American servers, a high level of security, and servers in 85+ countries. It works great with YouTube TV and many other streaming platforms. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans and a 14-day guarantee if you sign up one month at a time.

For more info, take a look at our full TotalVPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

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ProtonVPN might be best known for its free plan but there are real benefits to upgrading. For starters, paid users can access a wide range of streaming platforms including YouTube TV. You’ll also gain access to the full server network (15,000+ servers in more than 120 countries), a higher connection limit (10 devices), unlimited speeds, and 24/7 customer support via live chat.

To judge how suitable ProtonVPN was for streaming, we conducted a series of speed tests while connected to its US servers. These tests were performed at different times of day to get a better understanding of this VPN’s reliability and performance during busier periods. Let’s see the full results:

The provider averaged 193.00 Mbps over the day of testing, which was 29.8 Mbps slower than the combined average speed of the other providers. Nevertheless, it’s a decent enough result — particularly if, like us, you have a good base connection speed. If not, look to one of the other providers on this list.

ProtonVPN keeps you safe using a kill switch, unbreakable AES-256 encryption, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. However, there are several more advanced tools as well, such as port forwarding and split tunneling functionality, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and a stealth mode. ProtonVPN has been professionally audited to prove it doesn’t keep logs. You can even choose to pay in Bitcoin or cash if you’d like another layer of anonymity.

ProtonVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. It also provides manual setup instructions for all of the most popular router firmware.

WATCH YOUTUBE TV ANYWHERE:ProtonVPN is a fantastic option for anyone looking to stream YouTube TV. It’s highly secure and very customizable. What’s more, all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no harm in trying it out.

Read our complete ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

Unblocks YouTubeTested Nov 2025

ExpressVPN has a reputation for versatility, offering access to servers in 100+ countries and every single US state. It’s great at bypassing regional restrictions, working flawlessly in places like China and providing secure access to YouTube TV, Netflix, and Prime Video from anywhere. This service recently increased its connection limit to 10 and lowered its prices too, so it’s great value. 24/7 support is available via live chat, just in case anything doesn’t work as expected.

Our team ran multiple speed tests on ExpressVPN’s servers in the US to see just how quick this provider is. You’ll find our results in the table below:

ExpressVPN performed consistently, pegging an average speed of 178.34 Mbps. This was 46.57 Mbps slower than the combined average speed of the other providers. Nevertheless, it’s still fast enough to watch high-definition streams without any noticeable buffering (provided you have a fast base connection speed).

As of the latest update, ExpressVPN uses quantum computer-proof encryption by default on the Lightway protocol and 256-bit AES on all others. It keeps your activities private using DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch (desktop apps only), and perfect forward secrecy. It’s even possible to block ads, trackers, malware, and adult content using the Advanced Protection menu. No personally identifiable information is logged, so if you pay with Bitcoin and use a throwaway email address when signing up, you’ll be effectively untraceable.

This service offers apps for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Manual installation is required for supported network routers, but ExpressVPN’s custom firmware makes this process quick and easy. It even has a Smart DNS service called MediaStreamer to help you watch YouTube TV on smart TVs or games consoles.

STRONG ON SECURITY:ExpressVPN is a privacy-focused provider that excels at streaming. Fast speeds, industry-leading security and privacy protocols, knowledgeable 24/7 customer support, and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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6. IPVanish

Unblocks YouTubeTested Nov 2025

IPVanish is a versatile, beginner-friendly VPN that’s gone from strength to strength in recent years. Its network now comprises some 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, with more than 1,000 in the US alone. We’ve had great results using this VPN with platforms like YouTube TV, fubo TV, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Better still, this is one of the only providers that can secure all of your devices at the same time. If you need help, there’s 24/7 assistance over live chat.

We tested the provider’s speeds while connected to its US servers, carrying out three tests overall. You can see the results below.

IPVanish performed reasonably well, with an average speed of 192.33 Mbps. The first two test results exceeded 200 Mbps, though the third was a more modest 169.00 Mbps. In practice, you can simply switch servers if you come across one that is slower than expected. Provided you have a decent base connection speed, IPVanish is fast enough to watch high-definition live streams without interruptions.

So, how does IPVanish perform where security is concerned? For starters, it uses 256-bit AES encryption which is currently considered unbreakable. This is backed up by DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a Threat Protection feature that blocks ads, trackers, and shady sites. You can also scramble your OpenVPN traffic or allow the VPN connect automtaically when you use an unsecured network. Most importantly, IPVanish refuses to log any personally identifiable information.

IPVanish has lightweight Windows, MacOS, Amazon Fire, Android, and iOS apps. Linux devices and select wireless routers are supported but must be configured manually.

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish is great for families since it allows any number of connections. Unblocks YouTube and provides strong security. Its long-term plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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7. CyberGhost

Unblocks YouTubeTested Nov 2025

CyberGhost works slightly differently from most VPNs in that you can choose a server for a specific task (such as securely accessing streaming sites or browsing anonymously) and have a suitable server assigned to you. In fact, some are even specifically designed to help you access YouTube TV! Of course, with the ability to connect up to seven devices at once, CyberGhost makes it easy to access whatever you want, wherever you want, regardless of your current location or device type.

We tested the provider’s speeds three times over the course of a day. We connected to CyberGhost’s US servers and carried out the tests on a virtual machine.

The provider averaged 200.67 Mbps overall, which was 21.03 Mbps slower than the combined average speed of the other providers we tested. That said, having tested numerous similar products, we can confirm that this is more than fast enough to stream YouTube TV content in 4K, though only if you have a decent connection speed to start with.

This service keeps your traffic secure using 256-bit encryption, DNS, IPv6, port forwarding, and WebRTC leak protection. Every version of the software includes a kill switch, an ad blocker, and an anti-malware scanner. You can also get a dedicated IP address with CyberGhost, but there’s an additional monthly charge. We’re big fans of its smart rules feature; if you use this VPN for the same tasks every day, you’ll appreciate how much time it saves and how seamless it is.

CyberGhost does not log any personally identifiable information and accepts Bitcoin for maximum anonymity. This VPN comes with user-friendly Android, Windows, MacOS, and iOS apps. Manual installation is required for selected internet routers.

VALUE & PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is fast and affordable. It has a simple setup with strong privacy credentials. Streams HD video reliably from all streaming platforms. Has a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

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8. PrivateVPN

Unblocks YouTubeTested Nov 2025

PrivateVPN is proof that network size isn’t everything. It owns, operates, and manages roughly 200 servers in 60+ countries (with roughly a dozen in the United States), yet works flawlessly with most major streaming platforms. As such, it’s a great choice for watching YouTube TV, Netflix, and Hulu, even from abroad. With ten simultaneous connections allowed, PrivateVPN lets you protect all of your most commonly used devices with a single account.

We tested PrivateVPN’s American servers to see how quick they were when used alongside a high-speed connection:

The provider consistently achieved speeds above 100 Mbps. As such, it’s more than capable of streaming live broadcasts or 4K video without any issues. That said, PrivateVPN was quite a bit slower than the other services in this list. This won’t be an issue if you have a high-speed internet connection but if your broadband is fairly slow, you may want to consider one of the VPNs above instead.

This VPN has a strict no-logs policy and accepts Bitcoin, meaning you can register anonymously as long as you use a disposable email address. It uses 256-bit encryption, includes a kill switch that stops traffic when your internet connection is lost and protects against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks. There’s a Stealth mode too, just in case you visit a country with extreme censorship or run into particularly strict VPN-detection systems.

Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, and with your permission, the staff can even remotely install the software for you.

This service includes dedicated Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS apps. PrivateVPN also works on Linux-based systems and routers but requires manual configuration first.

GOOD FOR STREAMING:PrivateVPN works with most streaming services. Has effective obfuscation, strong customer support, and allows port forwarding. Low-cost subscriptions, though could do with having more servers. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

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Why is my VPN not working with YouTube TV?

Having trouble streaming YouTube TV abroad, even with a VPN connected? There are several reasons why this might be the case but thankfully, resolving this issue should be fairly quick and painless. Just follow the steps below to troubleshoot YouTube TV errors and get back to watching your favorite shows:

1. First, make sure your VPN is actually connected, and that you’re actually using an American server. This should resolve the YouTube TV error that says “It looks like you’re outside of the United States. YouTube TV is only available in the US“.
2. If possible, try streaming YouTube TV on a PC. Mobile devices sometimes cross reference the location your IP address points to with GPS data, causing problems if the locations don’t match up.
3. Check that you’re using the most up-to-date version of the YouTube TV app. Outdated versions may refuse to play anything, so it pays to stay current.
4. Try restarting your device. We’ve heard of issues where YouTube TV suddenly refuses to play content on some devices, though restarting seems to fix this.
5. Clear your browser’s cache or the YouTube TV app’s saved data. Sometimes, old data causes problems and this will allow you to start over fresh.
6. Finally, if you’re getting an error saying “VPN/Proxy Detected”, try turning on your VPN’s stealth mode, switching servers, or trying a different protocol. If problems persist, contact your VPN’s support team for more assistance.

Unblocking YouTube TV outside the US with a free VPN

Free VPNs often claim to provide the same level of service as their premium rivals, but this is far from reality. These VPNs usually have much larger user bases yet fewer servers to spread the load. As a result, you can expect extremely slow browsing speeds and videos that stutter and frequently pause to buffer. Furthermore, as YouTube is one of the largest TV streaming services in the world, it’s unlikely that a free VPN will be able to bypass its geo-restriction measures in the first place.

Maintaining an international server network is expensive, so how can free VPNs afford to operate? The truth is that they’ve found various ways to profit from their users, whether it’s by placing ads on the sites you visit or using tracking cookies to amass a detailed dossier of your online activities. VPNs are designed to increase your online privacy, but by selling your data to unknown third parties without your knowledge, free services can actually reduce it instead.

To stay as safe as possible, we recommend avoiding the freebies and using a reputable VPN with a clear, user-first privacy policy.

YouTube TV outside the US FAQs