Since 2012, Roku has been one of the main players in the streaming game. The devices are wonderfully simple to use, very affordable and are compatible across almost all smart TVs. And if you want to use your Roku stick to stream content that isn’t available in your location, all you need to do is sign up for one of the best Roku VPNs
However, connecting the best VPN on your Roku device isn't completely straightforward. That's because, even though it supports a huge range of apps and channels, you can’t install a VPN app on a Roku stick. But this doesn’t mean you can’t use a VPN with your Roku device - you just need to use a virtual router or set up a router VPN.
Picking a VPN for Roku that best suits your needs can be a bit of a minefield, as there are tons of providers to choose from. But there's no need to worry because we're here to help. Here, we've rounded up the top VPNs for Roku on the market today. Let’s get started.
The top 3 Roku VPNs today:
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Roku VPN – a note on using virtual routers
One of the biggest downsides to using a VPN with your Roku stick is that your VPN connection has to originate from your router. This is because Roku devices don't support VPNs. However, a nifty trick to get around this is to set up a virtual router.
ExpressVPN has some really helpful instructions that explain how to do this. And while this doesn't give the same household protection as installing a VPN on your router, it's far quicker and simpler to get set up – it takes about 10 minutes, and once you're up and running it's as easy as connecting to a mobile hotspot on your smartphone.
Our list of the 5 best Roku VPN services today:
If you want to use a VPN to unblock region-restricted streaming services, ExpressVPN is the only provider that delivers the full package.
Worried about installing your Roku VPN on your router yourself? Don't be. ExpressVPN's dedicated router app makes it far easier to get set up than the competition. It also lets you change location quickly, meaning it's less hassle to access different regional Netflix libraries.
If that doesn’t work for you, setting up a virtual router is super simple with ExpressVPN's comprehensive guide. What's more, it has recently released its first-ever router with a built-in VPN, Aircove, to make things even easier.
With a solid track record in unblocking streaming sites as one of the best Netflix VPNs, you'll be able to access the aforementioned streaming service, as well as Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and Disney+, so you can catch overseas exclusives without leaving your living room.
Although the latest speed tests in our ExpressVPN review weren’t quite as fast as those available on Surfshark and NordVPN, its connections are still good enough for 4K streaming. Plus, if you ever run into any issues with the app, the 24/7 customer support has always been reliable and prompt whenever we’ve tested it.
A subscription comes with up to eight simultaneous connections, so you can also install apps on your PC, Mac, smartphone, or just about any other device. This means you can enhance your online security and access blocked content. Plus, you'll be covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind about the service. All in all, it's clearly the top option when it comes to choosing a Roku VPN.
You're likely to have come across NordVPN if you've been checking out Roku VPN services. In our NordVPN review, we were extremely impressed with everything it has to offer. Inf fact, Nord is our #1 pick for the best all-round VPN provider.
For starters, you'll get over 7,100 servers dotted around the world. And in our testing, Nord's supremely capable of unblocking just about every streaming site we tried. Plus, its one of the fastest VPNs on the market with excellent speeds reaching peaks of 950Mbps with its WireGuard-based NordLynx, you won't be waiting around for your movies to load.
Its commitment to being one of the best streaming VPN services is clear with its SmartPlay technology, a Smart DNS service that the provider uses to bypass the geo-restrictions of streaming platforms. Enabled in all apps by default, it means that there’s nothing to set up, update, or activate – all you need to do is connect to the right VPN server.
If you don't want to set NordVPN up on a router yourself (the lack of a dedicated app does make it trickier than ExpressVPN), the provider is partnered with a company called FlashRouters. They'll sell you a configured router that's ready to go, cutting out the hassle – you just need to sign up for your desired NordVPN plan.
When it comes to usability, it's a very close match for ExpressVPN, but the fact there's no dedicated router app does mean there will be an extra cost on your part – of either time or money. But if you're happy with that (or can settle for a virtual router), Nord won't let you down as a Roku VPN – and you can always contact its excellent 24/7 customer support if you experience any issues.
If you're after one of the best cheap VPNs that offers fast speeds and streaming performance that can compete with its pricier competitors, Surfshark is the best-value option – read our full Surfshark review for more.
No matter where you are in the world, you'll be able to access your favorite shows and unblock virtually any streaming platforms on the market, including different versions of Netflix and Amazon Prime, as well as BBC iPlayer, ESPN, and tons more services.
Surfshark also topped our list of the best fast VPN this time around, with staggering peak speeds of 950Mbps when connected to its WireGuard protocol. Connection speeds were below average with OpenVPN, though.
Another huge bonus for Surfshark is the fact that it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. That means you won't have to worry about using your VPN on only a few of your most important devices. Instead, you can install it on just about as many devices as you want – whether it's your cell phone, router, PC, Mac, or anything else.
When it comes to using Surfshark as a Roku VPN, provided you have a PC handy, it's a simple process of setting it up as a virtual router and sharing your VPN connection.
Elsewhere, Surfshark lacks a couple of the high-end security features of the class leaders, but still plenty to keep you safe. In short, it's an excellent streaming companion that's simple and super cheap to get up and running as a VPN for Roku.
Proton VPN has just been added to our list of the best Roku VPNs, thanks to its recent performance enhancements. For one thing, Proton has recently doubled its number of servers, bringing it up to a seriously impressive 141 locations across 117 countries. This puts it ahead of ExpressVPN and NordVPN. So you’ll have loads of choice if you want to use it to unblock content from around the world.
Proton doesn’t have a dedicated router app, so it’s not quite as easy to work with a Roku stick as Express. But it’s got some genuinely helpful guides that walk you through how to get its VPN running on your router. And when we followed the instructions, it was pretty straightforward.
Proton VPN offers excellent unblocking capabilities for all the major streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. And while it used to offer fairly unimpressive speeds, in our most recent full Proton VPN review, we found it’s now one of the fastest providers. It peaked at over 950 Mbps in our latest testing, putting it on par with Nord and Surfshark.
If you want a VPN that offers strong security, you won’t go far wrong with Proton. It has a tried and tested kill switch, as well as DNS and IPv6 leak protection, open-source apps, NetShield, and Secure Core servers.
Although we’ve put Proton down as one of the best free VPNs around, it won’t unblock region-restricted content. So it’s not a good choice for a Roku VPN. But then again, you’d be hard-pushed to find a free provider that can consistently access region-restricted content.
The main downside to Proton VPN is the cost. It’s one of the priciest options around. But its offering is a lot more competitive than it used to be. And if you care about security as well as accessing geo-blocked content, it won’t let you down. Test it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and see for yourself.
Despite not quite matching the likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN with its security features, Hide.me's decent unblocking power and reliable speeds make it a great option as a VPN for Roku.
We tried it out on all the major streaming platforms and we were really impressed with how it manages to successfully bypass geo-restrictions test after test. It unlocked several Netflix libraries, Disney Plus, UK platforms BBC iPlayer, All4, and ITV Hub, as well as Aussie services 9Now and 10Play. However, it did struggle to unblock Amazon Prime Video in our latest round of testing, so it’s not the best option if you want to watch different versions of Amazon.
While it supports a wide array of apps for all the major devices and operating systems around, the provider has joined forces with Vilfo to offer a router with Hide.me built in. This means that no installation process is required at all. Better still, if you don't want to change hardware, you can follow one of its setup guides and manually install Hide.me on another WRT compatible router.
It’s pretty affordable if you decide to commit to its longer plan. And you can use it on up to 10 devices at the same time. It also comes with a free VPN plan of 10GB/month. But you’ll still need to upgrade to enjoy all its streaming support.
We couldn’t get Hide.Me’s speedup technology BOLT to give us 950 Mbps speeds this time around. Our regular WireGuard speeds were patchy, ranging from 580Mbps to an excellent 817Mbps. So when it’s fast, it’s really fast. But the speeds aren’t consistent. Still, it’s a decent option and really easy to use with a Roku stick. So it’s well worth considering if you want a straightforward solution.
Best Roku VPN FAQ
Why do I need to use a VPN for Roku?
Just about every streaming service in the world restricts what viewers can watch due to their location – or in the case of BBC iPlayer and Peacock, totally blocks those who live in certain countries.
Combining Roku with VPN means you can virtually change your location and watch whatever you want, wherever you are. Our top recommendation is ExpressVPN, thanks to its super simple router set up, excellent speeds, and rock-solid security.
Do I need a Roku VPN on my router?
The short answer is yes – unless you set up a virtual router on your PC.
That might sounds complex, but if you're using Windows 10 it's very simple and following a guide like ExpressVPN's should only take you ten minutes.
In essence, by doing this you can share your VPN connection from your PC to your Roku, and by changing your PC's location with a VPN, your Roku will do the same.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
