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Best VPN? need newer input

Hello,

As I am retiring, I will no longer have a free VPN through work. I like the security of using one and have read here that there are benefits for watching some of my paid streaming services in Europe through one. I searched the forum but the most recent posts about this were 5 years old. I tend to think that technology advances quickly and I might need newer input. So..what VPN do you use and how do you like it.

Thanks so much,
Kaye

Posted by
241 posts

The reason you need a VPN to stream US networks in Europe is that those networks
can only be viewed by devices using a US-based IP address. It's a somewhat
arbitrary rule, not a technology issue.

If you use a VPN at home, then a paid service may be worthwhile. NordVPN is one,
but there are lots of them.

If you are only going to use a VPN in Europe for streaming, then a free service such
as Windscribe may be sufficient, as you won't consume all that much data per month.

Posted by
591 posts

I’ve only used one VPN and for only two years. I chose it after reading many technical reviews and filtering out likes and dislikes. Things have no doubt changed since then. There were many United States sites that I could not visit while traveling internationally which I am able to use after installing ExpressVPN. The sights were things like utilities to view and pay bills, some companies would not allow purchases, some sights wouldn’t load, etc. I am not endorsing this VPN but rather stating that it has worked very well for my needs. I use it 24/7 on devices when away from my home network.

Please note that I have encountered a couple of sights that denied access when the vpn was operational. In those instances I disengaged the vpn, accessed the site’s home page, then restarted the vpn. The sites then functioned flawlessly.

Posted by
5687 posts

If your purpose for using a VPN is for travel, you can always set up a VPN on your home network. It's pretty easy for a tech-savvy person (probably beyond the capabilities of someone who isn't tech-savvy). All you really need is a spare WiFi router, even an old one; set up the VPN, plug it into your home network. If you're in Europe and connect to your home VPN from there, you'll get your home IP address. So no service is going to deny you access.

The downside is: you have to pay someone to set it up, unless you have a tech-savvy friend. But at least you won't have to pay a monthly fee. Yes, I completely understand it's much easier for the average person just to sign up for a paid VPN service - just tossing this option out there.

Posted by
5239 posts

I've used a few different VPN's, mostly paid aps which are generally better in terms of server availability however none of them have been able to circumvent the media streaming apps that I use such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and BBC iPlayer. I can use Netflix without the VPN but I'm directed to the content that's available in the country I'm in which is no big deal.

Posted by
862 posts

I am in Spain at the moment and have been using Express VPN to access my Netflix account. Seems to be working fine. The VPN is on both my iPad and iPhone.

I mainly installed the VPN to give myself some privacy protection when using public wifi. Don't ask me how the VPN helps; my nephew who works in IT recommended I install a VPN so I did.

Posted by
53 posts

I use a VPN provider/app, and set it to point to servers outside the US. While I do not stream videos on my phone or tablet (makes little sense to me to do so on a small screen) the VPN pays for itself by eliminating virtually all ads from websites.

One travel related website mentioned here on occasion is rife with ads and pop-ups. With the VPN, and opening that particular website, ads disappear.

Posted by
14811 posts

I use the paid version of Hotspot Shield. They now have streaming links for the USA and the UK. I can watch all my US based streaming services outside the US, and get BBC iPlayer outside the UK.

It's also good to use if doing financial transactions away from home.

I've been with Hotspot Shield for a few years. At first they had issues. Now it seems they are doing a good job. Few technical hitches.

Posted by
3948 posts

hulkk531, my daughter lives in Dubai and does use a VPN to bypass restrictions. We use FB Messenger for communication and she usually can’t access video or voice calls without having her VPN on. So yes, it works for her - I don’t know who/what she uses, though. And it’s true I could not access Messenger, WhatsApp, or FaceTime voice or video calls without it in March (messaging worked though). I read that Zoom and Google Meet will work.

Posted by
155 posts

I've used Express VPN for years and I love it. We travel to Europe frequently and I've not had issues with multiple devices. The one exception to that is when I had an older laptop (Chromebook). When I purchased a newer Chromebook, the connection issue resolved. I'm a fan of VPNs and highly recommend using one.

Posted by
17639 posts

I spend a few months a year in Europe. My Netflix works fine with out the VPN, sure, its the local content which is about 90% the same as the US content. The 10% that is different means that when I am in Europe I get to see some things that I do get to see in the US. Sometimes that has been convenient. So its a trade off both ways.

Posted by
891 posts

We have two separate VPNs for backup purposes. I have found at times that one works better than another in a certain area for whatever reason; router, server etc? We use Hotspot Shield Premium and VyprVpn, both work very well.

Posted by
2274 posts

I'm not one of those sold on the idea of needing VPN, particularly if it's for only accessing streaming services ... geez, you're on holidays, unplug yourself from your daily "at home" drudgery

Posted by
5 posts

Look into Proton VPN - Good speed and options, fast, support streaming (like Netflix)

Posted by
620 posts

The reason you need a VPN to stream US networks in Europe is that those networks
can only be viewed by devices using a US-based IP address. It's a somewhat
arbitrary rule, not a technology issue.

It's a licensing issue. Streaming services are licensing their content from the rights holders, and that content is licensed to a particular service in a particular or multiple jurisdictions. A US streaming service that is not available outside the US is most likely because the service is not licensing content rights outside the US. Netflix's content in the US is going to be somewhat different than say the UK, depending on what is being licensed to who and where. In the US, to get British/European content I enjoy I have Britbox and Acorn, but in the UK those British shows I want are all on Netflix.

When using a VPN, you're working around licensing, and because of licensing streaming services' terms usually bar the use of VPNs to access their content. Netflix does block known VPN servers.