The best way to bypass these geoblocks is by using a VPN. We ran the tests to see which VPN is the fastest and most reliable at unblocking Twitch. Here are our top 5 best VPNs for Twitch: In a rush to catch your favorite livestream? Download NordVPN by following the link below.
How to Unblock Twitch with a VPN
Twitch is banned completely in China and Russia. If you live in any of those countries, you won’t be able to use Twitch with your regular IP. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the platform. Here’s what you can do:
Top 5 Best Twitch VPNs
If you can’t access Twitch, or you just want a way to protect your privacy, you came to the right place. Below, you’ll find the best streaming VPN for Twitch, which we rounded up based on:
Speed: It’s not enough to just unblock Twitch. A good VPN needs to maintain high connection speeds, so both streamers and regular Twitch users enjoy their time on the site. Privacy: IP leaks, DDoS attacks, and other online crimes can be very detrimental to Twitch users. A good VPN service mitigates a lot of those risks. Extensive server network: A good VPN for Twitch will feature tons of servers all across the globe to help people access the content they want to see. Extra features: Things like a kill switch, unlimited simultaneous connections, and split-tunneling make streaming VPN especially good when watching on Twitch.
1. NordVPN: The fastest VPN for Twitch
Key features:
Over 5,100 servers in 60 countries 256-bit AES encryption Up to 6 simultaneous device connections Zero-logs VPN Split-tunneling offers greater flexibility and control over your data Unblocks Netflix, Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, and more
NordVPN is our go-to pick for any kind of streaming because of its consistently fast speed, robust security protocols, and 24/7 customer service. Of all the VPNs we tested, NordVPN gave the best performance without sacrificing our safety and security. Plus, even with over 5,100 servers in 60 countries, Nord offers its VPN at a reasonable price. Twitch users and streamers will benefit from the split-tunneling feature, which means you can connect and choose which apps will use a VPN connection and which ones won’t. For instance, you can use Twitch with a VPN-provided IP address while still using your non-VPN regular connection for gaming. NordVPN isn’t the cheapest streaming VPN out there (between 3 and 4 dollars a month), but we do think it’s worth your money. The VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can check out the service for a month without committing long-term. Learn more about NordVPN using the button below or read our full review of the service.
2. CyberGhost: The most affordable VPN for Twitch
Key features:
Over 6,800 servers in 90 countries 256-bit AES encryption Unlimited simultaneous device connections Zero-logs VPN Dedicated streaming and gaming servers IP addresses are routinely reviewed and replaced to avoid blocks Automatically finds the fastest VPN server in your chosen country Unblocks Netflix, Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, and more
CyberGhost is fast, has a strict no-logs policy, and offers dedicated streaming and gaming servers. Despite an impressive 6,800 servers in over 90 countries, CyberGhost remains one of the cheapest options on the market at around $2.15 a month. It also has another edge over NordVPN: CyberGhost lets you connect an unlimited number of devices at any one time. That means you can unblock Netflix on your iPad while using a VPN on your laptop to watch a Twitch stream. CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee for anyone who wants to try out their service without making a long-term commitment just yet. Follow the link before for more information on CyberGhost, or read our full review.
3. Surfshark: The best anti-hacking VPN for Twitch
Key features:
Over 3,200 servers in 65 countries 256-bit AES encryption Unlimited simultaneous device connections Zero-logs VPN Can alert you if your email or password is in danger of being compromised Unblocks Netflix, Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, and more
Surfshark is very similar to CyberGhost. It has decent connection speeds, a no-logs policy, and a great track record of protecting its users. It does have fewer servers than our top two VPNs: only 3,200 servers across 65 countries. But don’t get us wrong — that’s still a huge amount of servers. So, if you’re looking for an alternative to NordVPN and CyberGhost, Surfshark is a good option. Where Surfshark helps Twitch users and streamers, however, is their Surfshark Alert feature. Surfshark Alert lets you know when your email address appears in leaked online databases or if your password has been breached. You can even keep track of your credit card information and get monthly security reports. For Twitch streamers who have been hacked or doxxed before, Surfshark is the best streaming VPN, as it bundles the IP-hiding capabilities of its VPN with these extra security features. Surfshark is about the same price as CyberGhost (about two dollars a month), making it a great budget option. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee. For more information on Surfshark, click on the button below or check out our full review.
4. Private Internet Access: A safe but advanced VPN for Twitch
Key features:
Thousands of servers in over 80 countries 256-bit AES encryption Up to 10 simultaneous device connections Zero-logs VPN Unblocks Netflix, Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, and more
The only downside of PIA is how complex it is. With advanced functionalities and not the smoothest UI, PIA is a good choice if you have experience with VPNs, but not if you’re a beginner. PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try out this streaming VPN before you commit long-term. Follow the link below for more information on PIA, or read our full PIA review here.
5. IP Vanish: A fast VPN for Twitch that logs internet traffic data
Key features:
Over 2,000 servers in 75+ countries 256-bit AES encryption Unlimited simultaneous device connections Logs internet traffic logs
IPVanish is a decent streaming VPN if you want to stay fairly anonymous from other users, but it’s not a zero-logs VPN. It keeps logs of user activities, so with a single subpoena or data breach, your anonymity could mean nothing. That said, IPVanish is still a decent option if you only need it to watch Twitch streams. It keeps your IP hidden from others and is very fast, which is very important for both streamers and viewers alike. So while it’s not the most private streaming VPN, it still gets the job done. With its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try out IPVanish and see how well it works for you. Click the button below for more information on PIA, or read our full IPVanish review here.
Twitch for Streamers: Why Should Twitch Streamers Use a Streaming VPN?
A streaming VPN secures your online activities and helps you stay anonymous on the web while you catch your favorite movies, game streams, or podcasts. But for Twitch streamers, it has a few extra perks.
Anonymity and privacy
Whether you made it big on Twitch or are just starting out on the platform, you want to keep your identity private. Your real name might come out at some point if you become famous, but your other private details can and should remain hidden. Of course, a VPN won’t be enough for that. You need to take other measures as well, like being careful with your login credentials, using strong passwords, using a good password manager, and maintaining skepticism when receiving links from unknown sources.
DDoS attacks, doxxing, and swatting
DDoS attacks against sites are pretty common. Hackers send artificial requests to the server of the site until it gets overwhelmed and shuts down. Usually, DDoS attacks target the IP address of a site. But if an ill-intentioned cybercriminal knows your IP address, they can technically send a DDoS attack your way, as well. A VPN protects you from that by hiding your IP address. Doxxing is more intrusive and damaging. Doxxing is when someone’s private information, like their full name or address, gets released to the public. It happened recently to streamers like Dream and xQc. A VPN won’t completely protect your data. Hackers can still use things like an Alexa device in the background to expose your personal information. But a streaming VPN is one of the tools you need. Similarly, a streaming VPN can’t completely prevent swatting either. Swatting is when someone maliciously reports a crime or potential security threat to send the police (and SWAT team) to a person’s house. It’s a traumatizing experience, and like harassment and discrimination, it often affects members of the LGBTQ+ community on Twitch. Again, a streaming VPN won’t completely prevent swatting. Ill-intentioned people can find other ways to harm streamers besides knowing their IP. But protecting your IP is an important step towards protecting yourself, too.
Twitch Subscribers: Why Should Twitch Viewers Use a Streaming VPN?
Twitch viewers aren’t exposed to the same risks as streamers, although not as often. But a VPN can still be a helpful tool for security and, sometimes, a requirement if you want to access restricted streams.
Protect your anonymity and privacy on Twitch
Twitch viewers are less likely to be the target of DDoS attacks, doxxing, or swatting — but it still happens. If you click the wrong link in a Twitch chat, your IP address and other personal information can be made public or used against you. A VPN helps you avoid that. Safe online browsing habits are more important than a VPN, yes. You should be careful not to click links you can’t trust. But it never hurts to add an extra layer of protection between you and cybercriminals.
View restricted Twitch streams
Some streams aren’t available worldwide. For example, some Korean streams won’t be available to US users to protect copyrighted content. If you try to watch a stream and it hits you with “This premium content is not available in your region,” don’t worry. You can still follow the streamer and enjoy their content. You’ll just need to use a VPN. Here’s how to go about it: While researching this article, we tried to run into this error on purpose. But it doesn’t seem to be around anymore. The channels that used to have this issue now just mute sections of their content for audiences outside South Korea. Still, if it ever comes up, you know how you can fix it.
Bypass unfair Twitch bans
When Twitch bans a user from accessing a stream, they’re banning their IP address and account. Unfortunately, that can result in you getting banned for no reason. For example, if one of your roommates was banned, you might be banned, as well, since you have the same IP address. In cases like that, you can use a VPN to change your IP and bypass the unfair ban. Here’s how to do it: However, we feel obliged to make this clear: for legitimate bans, just take it in stride and move on. If you broke the terms of service and got banned, or if a streamer banned you from their chat, it’s clear that they don’t want you there. In cases like these, we don’t support the use of a VPN to change your IP.
Using a VPN with Twitch: Everything Else You Need to Know
There are other factors to consider when it comes to picking the best streaming VPN for Twitch, such as whether or not you might be banned or if the VPN will cause your stream to lag. We discuss these below.
Will using a VPN impact streaming speeds on Twitch?
If you get a fast VPN, and your internet connection is decent, a VPN will not impact Twitch performance. Moreover, good VPNs like NordVPN offer split-tunneling. This way, you can secure your activity on Twitch and keep things like competitive games running on your normal connection. You can’t sacrifice reaction times when you’re a streamer, and you won’t have to with the right VPN. However, if you’re connecting to a faraway country in order to bypass a location-based restriction, then you might experience a slowing down of your connection. This is normal and can’t be avoided. Your best option is to pick a VPN that offers premium speeds and, if possible, dedicated streaming servers.
Can you get banned on Twitch for using a VPN?
First off, using a VPN is not against Twitch’s terms of service. However, some users report getting “shadow banned” when they connect to Twitch using a VPN. Others said that some of the IP addresses offered by their VPN of choice were already banned on Twitch. While there’s nothing wrong with using a VPN, it’s possible that some IP addresses have already been used to violate Twitch’s other Terms of Service. If this is the case, you’ll need to use trial and error to find a VPN server that works with Twitch. A better option is to get a dedicated IP address. This is an IP address that only you can use, so unless you violate Twitch’s user agreement, then you shouldn’t run into any problems. You’ll still be able to protect your actual IP address, too.
Should you use a free VPN with Twitch?
A free VPN can be attractive when you’re looking for a Twitch VPN. But trust us, these VPN services are free for a reason: they’re not worth paying for. For starters, most free VPNs are really slow. So they’re not a reliable choice for viewers who want no buffering. And they’re definitely a bad choice for streamers that want to put out top-notch content. The few free VPNs that actually offer good speeds will limit how much data you can access. They can’t support unlimited browsing and streaming since they’re offering the service for free. For instance, PrivadoVPN only offers 10GB of data every 30 days. Moreover, free VPN services usually play loose with your data, and they don’t offer that much safety. So we don’t recommend using a free VPN with Twitch. But we understand a paid VPN is not in everyone’s budget. So if you’re going to use a free VPN, at least pick the best one for Twitch.
Get a VPN for Twitch Today
A virtual private network is a smart investment if you’re using Twitch. Both streamers and their viewers can benefit from a VPN’s enhanced protection, anonymity, and large VPN server network. But a safer Twitch is not the only thing you can use a VPN for. Here are some other things you can unlock with your new VPN:
Access Crunchyroll from Anywhere Watch Peacock TV Anywhere in the World Watch Hulu Worldwide The Best Free VPNs for Omegle The 5 Best Free VPNs for Fortnite The 5 Best VPNs For Overwatch The 5 Best VPNs For Warzone
