Best VPNs for Geo-Blocking (to Bypass Country Restrictions)

Geoblocking of content is an annoying problem that almost everyone has experienced at some point. It happens when some online content is limited to specific locations or countries. Websites and other web platforms do this by reading the IP address of everyone that tries to access their service. IP addresses carry certain information, including location. Therefore, IP addresses from locations that are not supported are blocked.

However, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to bypass geo-blocks. This article discusses the best VPNs you can use to bypass these restrictions.

📍 Real-World Geo-Blocking Scenarios

Geo-blocking affects various online activities. Here are common scenarios where users encounter restrictions:

• Streaming Services: Access to platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu is often restricted based on geographic location. For instance, Netflix offers different libraries in each country, and some content may not be available outside specific regions.
• Sports Broadcasting: Live sports events may be unavailable due to regional broadcasting rights. For example, accessing ESPN or DAZN streams might be restricted outside the U.S. or Canada.
• Online Banking: Some banks restrict access to their services from foreign IP addresses to prevent fraud, making it challenging for travelers to manage finances.
• Government Censorship: Countries like China and Iran impose strict internet censorship, blocking access to platforms like Google, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Travel Booking: Airline and hotel prices can vary based on your location. Some users attempt to find better deals by changing their virtual location.

🏅Best VPN Services for Bypassing Geo-Blocks

The best VPNs that bypass geo-blocking are expected to have excellent unblocking abilities, fast internet connections, top-notch privacy, and security. There are many services to choose from in the VPN market, but our top recommendations include:

ExpressVPN is a top pick and our first because of its efficiency. It can bypass geo-blocking on many streaming platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and more. ExpressVPN can bypass country restrictions you may encounter and gives you access to your favorite content, regardless of your location.

The company’s headquarters is in the British Virgin Islands, which has great internet laws. It has thousands of servers available in over a hundred countries. This wide server network provides multiple choices at your disposal.

ExpressVPN’s servers are perfect for streaming and torrenting platforms because they are lightning-fast and don’t have speed or bandwidth limits. This means that ExpressVPN would be a great choice to access streaming services such as Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and other platforms you may like to use.

ExpressVPN uses a kill switch to prevent any form of IP leak. This protects the users of this geo-blocking VPN from having their identities known by the authorities, advertisers, or even hackers. Also, your online activity is never sold or shared with anyone.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN is equipped with the best encryption protocol. So, you can access platforms that are normally blocked while connected to public or unknown wifi and not worry about compromising your privacy.

ExpressVPN is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. You can have multipe concurrent connections with only one subscription, and you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN is another great VPN for geo-blocking because of its key features, such as high-speed connection, stringent privacy policies, no-log policy, multiple device connectivity, a large number of servers in different locations, and more.

This expansive server network is one major reason NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for restricted countries to bypass geo-blocking. Also, it has a no-log policy. This means that your activities online are not recorded or monitored in any way, and you’re also protected with high levels of encryption. NordVPN lets you surf the web, torrent, and visit streaming sites restricted in your current location, hassle-free.

Your activities online, details of your communication, and connection will remain private at all times. NordVPN is also known for its lightning-fast internet connection, ideal for streaming services such as Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and even gaming sites. Also, there is no speed or bandwidth limit, so you are assured of an uninterrupted internet experience.

NordVPN ensures that you don’t have to deal with the usual geo-restrictions. Instead, all you need to do is connect to a server in a location that unblocks the website or platform you want to access, and you’re good to go.

The VPN is compatible with a lot of devices and is quite easy to set up. In addition, NordVPN allows you to have 10 simultaneous connections, and it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark is another great lightweight VPN with reliable unblocking abilities. It ranks among the best VPNs for restricted countries because of its effectiveness & top-notch security protocols.

Surfshark is the #1 budget-friendly VPN option, and it offers the most affordable premium plan in comparison to the other VPNs on our list. It is a top choice to bypass country restrictions, including China’s Great Firewall.

The company’s headquarters is in the Netherlands, and it also operates over thousands of servers worldwide. If you’re looking to avoid geo-restrictions, it’s important to select a VPN with servers all over the world. Doing this, you will have no trouble accessing sites that are normally restricted in your country, and you will be able to browse through the most in-demand torrent and streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, BBC iplayer, etc.

A Surfshark subscription is a great value for money as you’ll be able to access a long list of sites and services. You are also sure of superfast performance. Surfshark’s servers ensure that you don’t have to deal with unnecessary and frustrating buffering and lagging. Surfshark also maintains a no-log policy which means your data traffic transmitted while connected to any VPN servers is not saved.

This VPN also provides top-notch security, so you don’t need to worry about being caught using a VPN or exposed to online threats. Surfshark comes with several security features, including AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, an adblocker, and more.

Another great feature is Surfshark’s compatibility. It is compatible with all operating platforms, and you can also protect an unlimited number of devices with just one account. 

ProtonVPN is another reliable VPN provider you could consider. The mid-tier service can unblock most content on the internet easily, regardless of your location. It also offers several VPN features that improve your browsing experience. One thing that makes ProtonVPN unique is that it offers a completely free version, which can bypass geo-restrictions. 

ProtonVPN servers are optimized to bypass geo-restrictions, and they can let you connect to a platform without anyone detecting that you’re using a VPN connection. Additionally, ProtonVPN offers unlimited bandwidth and speed. So, you can say goodbye to a slow and restricted Internet.

Furthermore,  ProtonVPN is secure like the other VPNs on our list. It uses the AES 256-bit encryption model, Secure Core, a kill switch, perfect forward secrecy, split tunneling, data leak protection, and many other features. In addition, ProtonVPN maintains a no-log policy. 

ProtonVPN is available for all devices, which makes it easier to bypass geo-restrictions. You can also have ten simultaneous connections with one account. In terms of unblocking content, the free version is not quite as effective as the paid version since you’re limited to fewer server locations with a free plan.

CyberGhost is an excellent choice for VPN for beginners because it is user-friendly and low-cost. Also, it is secure, private, and effective at bypassing country restrictions.

It is a Romanian-based VPN service with a broad server network. This provides you with more than enough options to bypass geo-restrictions and censorship to access sites that are normally blocked while providing extra security and privacy.

CyberGhost also provides lightning-fast internet speeds ideal for streaming in HD quality, gaming, and P2P sharing. Furthermore, you can use CyberGhost to explore tons of torrenting and streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO, BBC iPlayer, and more. Additionally, CyberGhost offers unlimited speed and bandwidth.

In terms of security, CyberGhost VPN protects your information on whatever site you visit with its AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, an ad blocker, and a couple of other security features. This VPN also helps you maintain privacy and anonymity as it maintains a strict no-log policy.

You can install CyberGhost on any Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS device. It allows for up to 7 simultaneous connections and also has a 45-day money-back policy.

✅ Tips for Choosing The Best VPN Service for Geo-Blocks

Here are a few tips that will help you decide the best VPN service to subscribe to:

Multiple Servers

Before you finally choose the VPN you want to use, ensure they have multiple servers. The more servers they have, the better. You can connect to more content faster with more servers making more geo-restricted sites available at your fingertips. If you want to access geo-specific content, just ensure you choose a VPN with a server in the location you want to unblock.

Fast Speeds

A VPN provider with good speed means you’ll hardly experience buffering. You’ll enjoy fast connections to access videos and torrents that are geo-restricted without experiencing lag.

User-Friendly Interface

You need to make sure that your VPN of interest is compatible with your device. The best VPN options should have apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, DD-WRT routers, and Tomato routers.

🛠️ How To Set Up a VPN to Bypass Geo-Restrictions

Below are simple steps on how to set up a  VPN for geo-blocking: 

Related: Best VPNs for ChatGPT

🚀 VPN Performance Comparison for Streaming

When selecting a VPN to bypass geo-blocks, speed and reliability are crucial. Here’s a comparison of top VPNs based on recent performance tests:

VPN Provider	Average Download Speed	Streaming Reliability	Supported Platforms
ExpressVPN	97 Mbps	Excellent	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
NordVPN	95 Mbps	Excellent	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
Surfshark	93 Mbps	Very Good	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
ProtonVPN	91 Mbps	Very Good	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
CyberGhost	89 Mbps	Very Good	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux

Note: Speeds are average and may vary based on server location and user proximity.

🛡️ VPN Detection and Evasion Techniques

Streaming platforms and governments employ advanced techniques to detect and block VPN traffic. To counteract this, top VPNs utilize various obfuscation methods:

• Obfuscated Servers: These servers disguise VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, making it harder to detect.
• Smart DNS: This feature allows users to bypass geo-blocks without encrypting traffic, offering faster streaming speeds.
• Stealth Mode: Some VPNs offer stealth protocols that mask VPN usage, useful in countries with strict censorship.

For instance, NordVPN provides obfuscated servers to bypass deep packet inspection, while ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol ensures fast and secure connections.

📱 Device and Platform Compatibility

Ensuring your VPN works across all your devices is essential. Here’s how top VPNs fare:

• ExpressVPN: Offers apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. Supports smart TVs and gaming consoles via MediaStreamer.
• NordVPN: Compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. Provides manual setup guides for smart TVs and consoles.
• Surfshark: Supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. Offers unlimited device connections.
• ProtonVPN: Supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Offers easy-to-use native apps and CLI for Linux users. Manual setup available for routers. While it doesn’t support Smart TVs natively, you can configure it via router.
• CyberGhost: Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. Provides dedicated apps for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.

🌐 Best VPNs by Region

Different regions have unique challenges regarding internet access. Here’s a regional breakdown:

Region	Recommended VPN	Reason
China	NordVPN	Obfuscated servers bypass Great Firewall
Middle East	ExpressVPN	Strong privacy features and fast, stable servers
Australia	Surfshark	Unlimited devices, fast local connections
Europe	ProtonVPN	Excellent privacy, strong EU jurisdiction, fast servers across Europe
Africa	CyberGhost	Widely distributed servers in and around the continent

⚖️ Legal and Ethical Considerations

While using a VPN is legal in many countries, bypassing geo-restrictions can violate terms of service:

• Streaming Services: Accessing content not available in your region may breach user agreements, potentially leading to account suspension.
• Government Regulations: Some countries, like China and Iran, have laws against VPN usage. It’s essential to research local laws before using a VPN.
• Ethical Implications: Consider the ethical aspects of accessing content not intended for your region, especially if it undermines content creators’ rights.

🔄 VPN Alternatives: Smart DNS and Proxies

While VPNs are comprehensive tools for privacy and access, alternatives exist:

• Smart DNS: Re-routes DNS queries to make it appear you’re in a different location. Offers faster speeds but lacks encryption.
• Proxies: Act as intermediaries between your device and the internet. Suitable for bypassing simple geo-blocks but often lack security features.

For users primarily interested in streaming without the need for encryption, Smart DNS services can be a viable option. However, for comprehensive privacy and security, VPNs remain the superior choice.

Conclusion: Using a VPN to Bypass Country Restrictions

Geo-blocking may be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to limit your digital freedom. Whether you’re trying to stream your favorite shows while traveling, access content restricted in your country, or simply protect your online privacy—a reliable VPN is your passport to an open internet.

The VPNs featured in this guide—ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, ProtonVPN, and CyberGhost—aren’t just tools for bypassing restrictions. They’re comprehensive privacy solutions that empower you to surf, stream, and explore with confidence.

VPNs are a fast and secure way of accessing restricted content. We have listed the best VPNs that can bypass geo-restrictions in the article. They are safe, affordable, reliable, and easy to use. Now, you can stream your videos, play games from platforms such as Steam, Geforce NOW or Gameloop, and enjoy exclusive geo-blocked content.

➡️ Ready to break free from digital borders?
Choose the VPN that fits your needs and take back control of your internet experience today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Best VPNs for Geo-Blocking