Best VPNs to watch TV Now abroad

Due to licensing reasons, you’ll struggle to watch TV Now abroad (outside of Germany). This can be frustrating for travelers who want to keep up with their favorite shows while on vacation. Luckily, it’s easy enough to bypass these restrictions; you just need to use a quality VPN for TV Now.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) route your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel. This stops online tracking and gives you privacy by preventing your ISP, local network administrators, and government snoops from knowing what you do online. But VPNs can also spoof your location. By connecting to a server in Germany, you’ll gain a temporary German IP address and will be able to stream TV Now abroad in Austria, Switzerland, USA, or anywhere else in the world.

Not all VPNs work to stream TV Now and other German services, but this guide recommends and reviews suitable VPNs and explains how to use them. Short of time? Don’t worry! We’ll start with a quick summary.

The best VPNs for TV Now:

  1. NordVPN: Our first choice VPN for accessing TV Now abroad. 200+ servers in Germany. Works with TV Now, Netflix, and more. Security includes encryption and a no-logs policy. Easy-to-use apps and 24/7 support. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
  2. Surfshark: The best way to stream TV Now abroad on a budget. Has speedy servers, powerful security features, and absolutely no connection limit.
  3. ExpressVPN: Unblocks TV Now with fast and reliable servers in Germany. User-friendly apps, 24/7 live chat support, and a high level of security with encryption.
  4. CyberGhost: 1,500+ servers in Germany for watching TV Now. Connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. Protects your privacy with encryption and a no-logs policy.
  5. IPVanish: Works with TV Now. Dozens of servers in Germany. Allows any number of simultaneous connections. Kill switch feature and novice-friendly apps.
  6. PrivateVPN: Fast speeds for streaming TV Now. Also unblocks Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. User-friendly apps for beginners and a secure no-logs policy.
  7. Hotspot Shield: A reliable service that provides fast speeds. Servers in 80+ countries, including Germany for TV Now. Works with Netflix. Easy to use. No usage logs.

WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN FOR TV NOW RISK FREE?

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There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you, and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

The best VPNs for TV Now: at a glance

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

No valueNordVPNSurfsharkExpressVPNCyberGhostIPVanishPrivateVPN
WebsiteNordVPN.comSurfshark.comExpressVPN.comCyberghost.comIPVanish.comPrivateVPN.com
Ranking for TV Now123456
Popular Sites Unblocked95%88%86%85%70%85%
Avg Speed (Europe)100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps20 Mbps
Simultaneous Connections10Unlimited87Unlimited10
Devices SupportedWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, LinuxWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TVWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, RoutersWindows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV
Best deal (per month)$3.09
Up to 69% off + 3 months FREE
$2.29
Save 85% on a 2 year Starter plan
$6.67
SAVE: 49% + 3 months free
$2.03
SAVE 84% on the 2 year plan
$2.75
SAVE 78% on the 2 yr plan
$2.00
Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free

Choosing the best VPNs to watch TV Now abroad

While many VPN services have servers in Germany, not all are suitable for TV Now.  VPNs vary in all sorts of ways, including speed and security. This means you must pick carefully to avoid getting an inferior service. To save you some time, we’ve narrowed down the options to 7 VPNs that all meet the following criteria:

  • Servers in Germany capable of unblocking TV Now abroad
  • Fast and consistent speeds for uninterrupted streaming
  • Offers live chat customer support
  • Provides user-friendly apps for desktop and mobile
  • Protects your privacy with a no-logs policy

For transparency, we will provide additional information about how we test and recommend VPNs later in this guide.

Best VPNs to watch TV Now abroad

Here’s our list of the best VPNs to watch TV Now outside Germany:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN Mar 2024 unblocks tv nowTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our top recommendation for watching TV Now outside Germany. It has 240+ servers in Germany (in both Berlin and Frankfurt) and over 6,000 worldwide. This includes servers optimized for torrenting and for using the internet in countries with strict online censorship.

As well as servers that work with TV Now, NordVPN works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, German TV stations, and Amazon Prime Video. It is faster than most of its rivals and allows you to stream without interruptions, even at high resolutions.

Subscribers get up to 6 simultaneous connections with a single account, which is enough for most power users. Plus, the apps are available for all popular platforms, and browser extensions are included for Chrome and Firefox. There’s also 24/7 customer support via live chat.

Its security features are equally impressive. There’s 256-bit AES encryption, DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, a kill switch, obfuscation, and Double VPN. Furthermore, NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, where there are no mandatory data retention laws. You can test it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Nearly 240+ servers in Germany for unblocking TV Now
  • Excellent at unblocking streaming services such as Netflix
  • Strong security with encryption and DNS leak protection
  • True no logs policy
  • 24/7 customer support via live chat
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

  • Sometimes takes a while to connect

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST VPN FOR TV NOW:NordVPN is our #1 choice. It has hundreds of German servers capable of unblocking TV Now. Fantastic security features and a no-logs policy. Best of all, it offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark unblocks france tvTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Surfshark.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Surfshark has around 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, Germany included. It provides consistently high speeds and works with all kinds of stubborn geo-blocked services, making it a solid choice for streaming. What’s more, unlike most other services on the market, Surfshark lets you connect any number of devices at once.

This VPN keeps your activities hidden using 256-bit encryption, protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch. It also has automatic ad-blocking and malware-scanning, plus a true no-logs policy. If you’d like to sign up anonymously, there’s the option to pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple. Plus, support is available around the clock via email and live chat.

Surfshark has apps for Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS devices. Select routers are supported but must be configured manually. Finally, this service was recently found to be the fastest VPN available on the market, thanks to its WireGuard implementation. And, like NordVPN, you can test it risk-free for 30-days.

Pros:

  • Fast enough for streaming live TV without any issues
  • Excellent unblocking ability
  • Offers plenty of security features
  • Keeps no logs whatsoever
  • No connection limit

Cons:

  • Some servers are faster than others

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is fast, cost-effective, and capable of handling just about anything. It’s more than a match for TV Now, and boasts some of the strongest security features around. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN unblocks tv nowTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest and most reliable servers for watching TV Now outside Germany. In total, this popular VPN  has over 3,000 servers in 100+ countries, a number of which are spread across 3 German cities. Streaming TV Now with ExpressVPN is seamless with no buffering or lag. Better still, ExpressVPN also performs well with notoriously hard-to-get sites like Netflix, DMAX, Zattoo, and Amazon Prime Video.

This service offers a wide range of user-friendly apps and browser extensions, meaning you can use ExpressVPN on whichever device you prefer. Connecting to a fast server in Germany only takes a few seconds though 24/7 live chat support is available if you have any issues. It’s also worth knowing that ExpressVPN allows you to connect up to eight devices simultaneously.

Aside from providing excellent performance, this British Virgin Islands-based VPN service offers a high level of security. Your data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption, and the apps include DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, obfuscation, and split-tunneling to choose what traffic is and isn’t routed through the VPN. Last but not least, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any of your connection or activity logs.

ExpressVPN apps are available for the following: Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Linux, and routers. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome and Firefox.

Pros:

  • Fast servers in Germany for streaming TV Now
  • Servers in over 100 countries
  • Also works with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
  • Offers good privacy thanks to encryption and no activity logging
  • 24/7 customer support via email and live chat

Cons:

  • Quite expensive compared to other popular VPNs
  • Streaming servers aren’t labeled

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

EVERYDAY VPN:ExpressVPN works with most streaming platforms including TV Now, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer. It offers fast and consistent connections, 24/7 live chat support, and a high level of encryption. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost unblocks tv nowTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost has more Germany-based servers than most VPNs on the market. It has over 1,500 servers in Germany across the cities of Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Frankfurt. Connections are fast and reliable, allowing for consistent, high-quality streaming with platforms like TV Now, 7TV, Netflix US, or BBC iPlayer. CyberGhost is a good option for families because it lets you connect up to 7 devices simultaneously.

Connecting to a server is quick and easy with CyberGhost, and you also have the option to choose a specific server depending on how many users are currently connected. Should you have any problems, 24/7 live chat and email support are available. CyberGhost improves your online security with its 256-bit AES encryption, ad-blocker, malware scanner, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and automatic kill switch. This Romania-based VPN service operates a strict no-logs policy, serving to protect your privacy.

CyberGhost offers apps for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Android TV, Linux, and Amazon Fire Stick/Fire TV. Browser extensions can also be downloaded for Chrome and Firefox. Supported routers require manual installation.

Pros:

  • More than 1,500 servers in Germany
  • Consistent speeds for browsing and streaming
  • Protects your privacy with its strict no-logs policy
  • Works with TV Now, Netflix, and more
  • Customer support available 24/7 via live chat

Cons:

  • Fewer advanced features than some competitors
  • Doesn’t work in China

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

STREAM TV NOW ANYWHERE:CyberGhost easily unblocks TV Now thanks to having over 1,500 servers in Germany. It offers good speeds for streaming and strong security at a very low price. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish unblocks tv nowTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.IPVanish.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

IPVanish has dozens of servers in Germany and around 2,000 in 60+ countries. It allows the whole family to unblock TV Now with its unlimited simultaneous connections allowance. This also makes it exceptionally good value for money. You can take advantage of the fast speeds to stream the likes of TV Now, Zattoo, Disney+, and even Netflix US flawlessly.

The user-friendly apps for desktop and mobile make IPVanish accessible for beginners. While you can search for a specific server by city and latency, there’s also the quick and easy option of connecting to the best available server. IPVanish includes 24/7 live chat customer support should you have any questions. 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection all serve to protect your privacy, as does its strict no-logs policy.

You can download IPVanish apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. Linux and routers require manual setup.

Pros:

  • Fast server speeds for streaming TV Now abroad
  • Connect all of your devices at once
  • Security features include encryption and a kill switch
  • Apps are easy to use for beginners

Cons:

  • Doesn’t work with some streaming services
  • Based in the US

Our score:

4 out of 5

NO CONNECTIONS LIMIT:IPVanish unblocks TV Now and is great for families as it allows any number of simultaneous connections. Offers good speeds for browsing and streaming and includes 24/7 support. No-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN unblocks tv nowTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.PrivateVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

PrivateVPN is a smaller VPN service with fast speeds for browsing and streaming. It works with most streaming platforms, including TV Now, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer. Apart from servers in Frankfurt and Nuremberg, Germany, PrivateVPN has around 200 servers in 60+ other countries, making it ideal for accessing restricted content worldwide. You can use this Swedish VPN to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

This VPN caters to both novice and experienced users; its desktop and mobile apps feature simple and advanced settings menus. The live chat support should be able to help with almost any issue. If you’re looking for a VPN that secures your data, PrivateVPN is worth considering. It offers 256-bit AES encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android operating systems. Manual installation is required in the case of Linux and routers.

Pros:

  • High-speed servers for streaming TV Now content
  • Also works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video
  • Secures your data with encryption and a no-logs policy
  • Friendly customer support

Cons:

  • Fewer servers in each country than some competitors
  • Live chat isn’t 24/7

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

HIGH SPEED SERVERS:PrivateVPN has fast servers in Germany and in dozens of countries worldwide. Unblocks TV Now and most popular streaming services, including Netflix. Very user-friendly apps for desktop and mobile. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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7. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield unblocks TV nowTested Mar 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 is a US-based provider that is an excellent choice for accessing foreign streams. The service is lightning fast thanks to its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, and it has servers in over 80 countries – including Germany.

During our tests, we found Hotspot Shield to work for streaming TV Now, DMAX, ZDF, and other popular German platforms. It also provides solid connections for streaming Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and the UK’s BBC iPlayer to name a few. This makes it an extremely solid option for anybody looking for streaming options.

Apps are available for all platforms, and the VPN provides a kill switch in each of those apps. Plus, this VPN permits torrenting, which makes it a great all-rounder. For those who want robust security, the option is there to toggle from Catapult Hydra to the popular OpenVPN protocol.

Finally, this VPN keeps no usage logs. However, this VPN is based in the US and does store some connection logs, which may put certain users off depending on their personal threat model. Overall, it’s a solid all-rounder that you can test risk-free for 45 days.

Pros:

  • Servers in Germany work to stream TV Now
  • Fast, reliable speeds for streaming
  • User-friendly apps

Cons:

  • Based in the USA
  • Keeps some connection logs

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

OUTSTANDING SPEEDS:Hotspot Shield has servers in 80+ countries. No usage logs. Fast speeds for HD streaming. Works to access many popular services, including Netflix. Reliable apps for all platforms. Allows torrenting. Easy to use. 45-day money-back guarantee

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

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How to watch TV Now abroad with a VPN

If you want to be able to watch TV Now outside Germany, it is very easy. Just follow the instructions below!

Here’s how to watch TV Now from anywhere:

  1. Sign up with one of the VPNs listed – we particularly recommend NordVPN.
  2. Download the appropriate VPN software for your device.
  3. Open the VPN app or browser extension and connect to a server in Germany.
  4. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies for the changes to take effect.
  5. Go to TV Now and open the content, which should now be unblocked!

The above steps should work without issues. If you’re still having problems unblocking TV Now abroad, make sure you try numerous servers (it may be that certain IP addresses are blocked). Alternatively, contact customer support to find out which German server is best for streaming.

Finding the best VPNs for Now TV: our methodology

There are dozens of competing VPNs on the market, but they are not all created equal. Many VPNs have poor apps, slow servers, and vulnerabilities that make them unsuitable for gaining privacy online.

At Comparitech, we understand how easy it is to be hoodwinked by inferior VPNs that make grand promises. That is why we use a scientific VPN testing methodology to compare each service properly.

Below, you can see some of the important criteria we use to test VPNs. For more information, simply follow the link above to read our full methodology breakdown.

  1. Leak tests. We check each VPN’s apps for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. This allows us to recommend the service confidently for the purposes of concealing your browsing habits from ISPs, local network administrators, and government snoops.
  2. Encryption implementation. We look under the hood to find out how encryption is implemented and whether Perfect Forward Secrecy is implemented. This is important because plenty of unscrupulous VPNs lie about the level of protection they provide, which could leave you vulnerable.
  3. Server locations and speeds. We check a VPN’s server network to ensure it represents good value for money and can unblock all the popular services you desire. To this end, we check that the VPN is fast enough for HD streaming, torrenting, and gaming. And we ensure it works with Netflix, TV Now, and other popular services.
  4. Advanced features. We look under the hood to find out what additional features the VPN has. We look for things like a kill-switch, obfuscation, multi-hop connections, a smart DNS service, HTTPS and SOCKS5 proxies, Tor over VPN, and other specialist features that might make the VPN of interest to consumers.

Watching TV Now with a VPN: FAQs

Can I use a free VPN to watch TV Now abroad?

Although it may be possible to find a free VPN with a server in Germany, it is highly unlikely to work to stream TV Now.

This is because streaming platforms actively block VPNs, and free VPNs don’t have the means to stay ahead of those blocks. Thus, most free VPNs struggle to access region-locked services such as Netflix, DAZN and HBO Go.

In addition, the performance of free VPNs leaves much to be desired. Due to a lack of servers and an overwhelmingly large number of users, free VPNs suffer from highly levels of congestion. The result is poor streaming quality and high levels of buffering.

What’s more, free VPNs are a risky choice. Many log the activities of their users, and sell this information to third parties. This leads to free VPNs bombarding you with adverts.

The important thing to remember is that free VPNs have to make money somehow, and they often do this by turning you into the product. Plus, few free VPNs use strong encryption to secure your data or have a kill switch feature to prevent leaks.

Finally, free VPNs have been found to lie about the level of protection they provide, and even to hide spyware in their apps. This makes using those VPNs a huge risk to your privacy and online security.

What can I watch on TV Now?

TV Now is a video-on-demand (VOD) platform from German broadcaster RTL. Through TV Now, you can watch live streams and on-demand content from the following RTL channels:

  • RTL
  • Vox
  • RTL II
  • Nitro
  • N-TV
  • RTLplus
  • Super RTL
  • Toggo Plus
  • Now!
  • RTL Crime
  • RTL Passion
  • RTL Living
  • Geo Television

Aside from live TV, TV Now offers a wide range of German and international TV series and movies. Here are some examples of what you can find:

  • The Kardashians
  • Love Island
  • Princess Charming
  • Berlin- Tag & Nacht
  • The Good Doctor
  • Ru Paul’s Drag Race
  • The Killing
  • Grey’s Anatomy
  • Deutschland sucht den Superstar
  • Tannbach
  • Top Gear
  • Alarm für Cobra
  • Schitts Creek
  • Die Geissens
  • The Handmaid’s Tale

Can I watch TV Now for free with a VPN?

As soon as you connect to a VPN server in Germany, you can access the TV Now website to begin streaming live TV and on-demand content.

The good news is that much of that content is available for free, which means you can watch many shows without paying.

That said, it is worth noting that some shows are now exclusively available on the premium service. This includes many TV Now originals.

Thus, depending on what you want to watch, you may need to take out a subscription. Subscriptions to TV Now start at €4.99 per month.

Is it illegal to watch RTL+ content outside Germany with a VPN?

No, it is not illegal to watch RTL+ content outside Germany with a VPN. However, using a VPN to access TV Now may violate the terms and conditions of the streaming service provider. Read the terms and conditions carefully before using a VPN to access geo-restricted content. Some countries may block or restrict access to certain VPN services to protect their citizens from privacy intrusions. It is also possible that TV Now may actively block VPN connections, so using a reliable and reputable provider is essential for accessing geo-restricted content.