The Best VPNs for IPTV 2024 (2024)

Cord cutters love IPTV because it allows for both live television and on-demand. However, you’ll need a virtual private network (VPN) to keep your data safe while accessing all that content. We suggest NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN as the best VPNs for IPTV, but we’ll also provide honorable mentions if none suit your needs.

Streaming from the internet requires powerful VPNs with certain attributes. Depending on your and your family's needs, one is sure to be a perfect fit.

The best VPNs for IPTV

You should definitely be using a VPN when accessing IPTV. NordVPN offers built-in security features without extra cost, Surfshark can cover unlimited devices for the whole family, and ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol was built with speed in mind.

• NordVPN: Best for security
• Surfshark: Best for unlimited devices
• ExpressVPN: Best for speed

Top 3 VPN services for IPTV compared

NordVPN: Best for security

Who it’s best for

If you’re looking for a variety of VPN protocols, additional security tools, and unique features, you’ll love NordVPN. Features like Threat Protection help stop trackers and ads from following you around the web and block malware-containing websites while obfuscated servers can hide your VPN use for additional privacy.

What we liked

NordVPN offers several features that enhance the security of your internet connection. In addition to VPN standard features like no logging and a kill switch, NordVPN includes other goodies like SmartDNS, double VPN, and split tunneling.

SmartDNS allows you to stream geo-blocked content on your computer, phone, or even smart TV by switching your DNS servers. Double VPN will double the encryption on your VPN connection for extra security. Split tunneling lets you designate which apps go through the VPN and which don’t, so you can still access local content.

We love extras like Meshnet, which allows you to connect devices to appear to be in a single location. If you’re watching IPTV but don’t want to appear to be outside your home, Meshnet can keep you hidden.

The protection features don’t stop there. NordVPN customers have a VPN with multi-factor authentication (MFA) to keep account protected from hackers and guaranteed security without DNS leaks. This leads to one very safe VPN that will keep your data private anywhere you are on the web.

What we didn’t like

NordVPN used to support Netflix but quietly removed the service. You can still watch Netflix with NordVPN but won't be assisted if you ever run into trouble.

Additionally, NordVPN’s features don’t come cheap. Longer-term subscriptions definitely reduce the cost, but they’re due upfront. If you want to use NordVPN, it’s definitely going to cost you.

NordVPN specs

Surfshark: Best for unlimited devices

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants to connect many devices on a single subscription should use Surfshark. It offers compatibility for a variety of platforms, browsers, and devices, which means you can protect everything. Other VPNs cap simultaneous connections, but Surfshark is still unlimited.

What we liked

We like everything Surfshark offers. Not only does it allow for unlimited device connections, but it also offers higher-tier plans that include other protection features, like antivirus and identity theft protection.

Because it has many compatibility options, you can install it on your PC, Macbook, FireTV, or even watch IPTV from a specific browser. Surfshark has options.

If you have multiple IPTV set-top boxes around your living space, you can connect them all separately to Surfshark (remember, unlimited connections) or under one connection by installing it on your router. By connecting separately, you give everyone in your home the ability to watch what they want when they want with complete security.

What we didn’t like

Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, which is an Eyes alliance country. This means that the government can request usage records from any company doing business within its borders.

Surfshark doesn’t keep logs, but outside parties can still see you’re signed up for a VPN subscription. This might get dicey if you’re in a country that bans VPNs.

Also, Surfshark used to be one of the less expensive VPN options, but its prices have slowly increased to meet competitors. We understand it’s offering a lot more now, but we’re sure there’s still room for a competitively-priced VPN somewhere.

Surfshark specs

ExpressVPN: Best for speed

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants a VPN with proprietary protocols to increase speed and security should consider ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN built its Lightway protocol to be optimized for speed without sacrificing the safety of a VPN connection. It also has a long list of protocols available to optimize your experience no matter what.

What we liked

Lightway was built to give you faster, safer internet connections. Because of this, ExpressVPN is great for streaming, data transfers, and day-to-day internet business.

Whether you’re watching an on-demand movie from your IPTV provider or accessing your banking information from public Wi-Fi, you can feel good about ExpressVPN's security.

We also love ExpressVPN's streaming and gaming support. The VPN service covers so many platforms, devices, and operating systems that you’re sure to find exactly what you need.

At first, we thought ExpressVPN was just a security beast with fast servers, then we dug in and saw all of the extras it supports and became instant fans.

What we didn’t like

All of that power and support isn’t cheap. ExpressVPN is one of the pricier options on the market. We love all the in-house solutions ExpressVPN provides, but the price tag may be out of range for some tighter budgets.

Since it rarely goes on sale, if you want to use ExpressVPN, you’ll likely need to pay full price.

ExpressVPN specs

Honorable mentions

If you aren’t a fan of our above recommendations, you should check out these honorable mentions. Each of the VPNs on our page is verified to work with IPTV and offer great speeds, services, and features.

• CyberGhost: It’s not just good for IPTV, but it works with a multitude of streaming services and devices. Servers in over 100 countries mean you can get your content no matter where you are in the world. AES 256-bit encryption means you’ll be safe while watching.

  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

• PIA: If you’re watching unverified IPTV channels, you could be opening yourself up to viruses and malware. PIA not only protects you with a VPN but also blocks malware and trackers from invading your system. Plus, it’s fast and budget-friendly.

  Get PIA | Read Our PIA Review

• PureVPN: PureVPN has an extensive server network of over 6,000 servers along with smart server selection. It also provides up to 10 simultaneous connections.

  Get PureVPN | Read Our PureVPN Review

What is IPTV?

IPTV is Internet Protocol Television. Broadcast television is sent out over waves and broadcast onto our TVs through receivers (think the old bunny ear antennas that used to be on TVs). On the other hand, IPTV is received from the internet and can be sent as live TV or on-demand programming. It’s a little different from streaming due to the live TV component.

This means you can watch TV via your internet connection without needing a receiver to pick up the broadcast. Since the data is hosted on servers, you can also watch whatever title you want as long as it’s contained in the service’s library.

How we tested the best VPNs for IPTV

We looked at the VPNs we’ve tested and recommended the ones that work best with IPTV. We also wanted to ensure our options were safe, fast, and reliable. Finally, we chose VPNs that offered streaming support and could be easily downloaded on a multitude of devices and operating systems.

Features we looked for:

• Streaming-optimized servers
• Obfuscated servers
• Streaming support
• Torrenting support
• No logs
• Money-back guarantees
• High server count
• Multiple VPN protocols
• Increased security

Best VPNs for IPTV FAQs

Bottom line: The best VPNs for IPTV

The best VPN services for IPTV are fast, secure, and can bypass VPN blockers. NordVPN offers the most extensive security features, from obfuscated servers to ad and tracker blocking. Surfshark is best for large households with its allowance for unlimited device connections. And ExpressVPN helps you have a speedy streaming experience.

All our suggestions, including our honorable mentions, will easily give you access to your IPTV service. If you’re serious about cord-cutting, you’ll need to include extra protection to encrypt your personal data.

3 best VPNs for IPTV 2024