Can You Really Stream In HD With A VPN?

When using a VPN your Internet speeds will inevitably slow down because as you activate your VPN, it will send your data through encrypted tunnels before reaching the internet. This process does take slightly longer to complete, which is why you may notice a difference in your download and upload speeds while using a VPN.

We’re here to disprove that, as depending on your VPN, you can actually watch whatever you want and in HD quality. Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

The Short Answer

Can you really stream in HD when using a VPN? Yes, you can.

Streaming in HD while using a VPN, to keep your identity and personal information private and secure, is absolutely possible, however this all depends on your provider and the quality of service they uphold.

A high-quality VPN service should allow you to stream all your favorite shows or movies in excellent high definition without any problems. The best VPN services strive to ensure that the slightly slower speeds that come with using a VPN are completely unnoticeable to its users.

The VPN Slowdown

Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot we control when it comes down to the way VPN services slow down your overall connection speed. However there are a few external factors that we can impact and change to increase that speed, as some variables will affect how fast your data transfers are.

Consumers often forget to consider what their current Internet Service Provider (ISP) connection speed is and it’s important to remember that if you originally have slow internet in your area, then using a VPN might not be the cause of your streaming issues. If slow speeds in your area is the true root of the problem, then there’s the possibility that downloading a VPN is only going aggravate this.

With that in mind, if your ISP is throttling the bandwidth intentionally, then a VPN may in fact speed up your connection. By connecting through your VPN and a server that might not have the same limitations, instead of using your local ISP servers which are throttled back, your speeds could soar and then you’ll have no struggle when it comes to watching your favorite shows and movies in HD.

Another important factor to consider is the load of the server because the busier a server is, the more the speed drops. When larger numbers of people access a single server, it will respond slower to commands and data transfers. Some VPN providers will allow users to see how full each of their servers are and offer a list of options for you to choose a different connection. There are also services available that will instantly find and connect to the best server available to you, taking out all the fuss.

Streaming in HD

One of the most common applications of a VPN is for streaming shows and movies from platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. If these VPNs weren’t going to create or allow for an enjoyable streaming experience then it’s unlikely that they would have taken off as well as they have.

The VPN business is also highly competitive in nature with thousands of options available, so to stand out from the crowd premium providers must impress their users with features the smaller VPNs simply cannot achieve.

To stay ahead of the game, these services have improved their speeds so that users are able to stream their favorite tv shows and movies in HD quality. The last thing these VPNs want is to be discouraging you from using their service, so they are committed to making your experience easy and enjoyable.

Other Useful Features of VPNs

VPNs are capable of incredible things and they have designed some wonderful features for your convenience. VPNs are more advantageous than you think, here are just some of their other uses.

• Watch more content:
  A VPN can technically help you change your IP address to another country to watch Netflix, Hulu, or another streaming company’s content there. But this is against most platforms’ terms of service. The geo-blocks are in place to protect the streaming services’ licensing agreements. So it could also be considered copyright infringement, which my team and I don’t condone.
• Anonymity and protection:
  If you like streaming shows from less popular sites, then it’s a smart move to use a VPN while you’re doing so. As these websites have a higher chance of containing malicious content that could affect your computer and potentially give access to hackers and cybercriminals, its vital that you use a VPN so that your sensitive and personal information is kept safe from prying eyes.
• Great for traveling:
  If you’re always on the road, a VPN can be a great way to connect to the internet, as it will allow you to use it like you would at home. No matter where you are in the world, a VPN will allow you to access all of your regular sites, from news apps to social media accounts. This means you’ll never miss out on important developments back home and be able to keep in touch with friends and family.

Best VPNs For HD Streaming

When choosing a VPN for streaming media, you need to make sure that the service won’t be restricting your bandwidth or speeds as this will further slow your connection. The following VPNs are the best services for streaming in high definition.

1ExpressVPN

• Over 2,000 servers in more than 60 countries worldwide
• The fastest speeds on the market
• 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN is hard to beat when it comes to their incredibly fast speeds as users are unable to notice the difference in internet connection when using their service.

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming providers all work fantastically with ExpressVPN and even if you come across a small issue, their 24/7 customer support is always there to help you out.

Give their 30-day money-back guarantee a test run, and you’ll see for yourself how easy and enjoyable streaming in HD is with this VPN.

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Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

2CyberGhost VPN

• Added security of malware and advertising blockers
• More than 3,000 servers available
• Works with most platforms and devices

CyberGhost VPN is a VPN for the masses and it’s perfect for big families or a group of friends as it allows you to connect up to seven devices simultaneously. It also has applications for many different platforms such as Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and Linux, so no matter what you use this VPN has got you covered.

The speeds offered by CyberGhost are slightly slower than that of ExpressVPN, yet we still barely notice the difference when it comes to streaming in HD and haven’t experienced any buffering caused by the service. You can also take CyberGhost for a trial run with their 45-day money-back guarantee.

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Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Conclusion

In the end, it turns out that when you invest in a good quality VPN you’ll be able to stream in HD without any hassle. By opting for a premium service, you won’t need to worry about the VPN slowing down your internet speeds any longer.

All of the options mentioned above will provide you with a fantastic service and by using the money-back guarantee offers, you can truly discover the VPN provider that is right for you.

In our opinion, we believe CyberGhost is the best money for value service out there, but if you’re chasing a flawless VPN that will never let you down, you won’t be able to walk past ExpressVPN.

Whatever you decide to choose, we hope you enjoy watching your favorite shows in HD without having to worry about the possibility of a cyber attack from now on.