How to Watch ARD & Mediathek Live With a VPN in 2024
Reading time: 13 min
Updated on October 11, 2024
Due to broadcasting restrictions, it isn’t possible to watch your favorite shows on ARD outside of Germany.
While a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can technically allow you to watch ARD from anywhere, this could be considered copyright infringement and is a breach of broadcast restrictions. My colleagues and I do not condone using a VPN to break the law.
If you’re in Germany, I recommend getting ExpressVPN to watch ARD risk-free. It offers superfast streaming speeds and top-notch security. You can try it risk-free as all plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I canceled my plan over live chat and got a full refund three days later. 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.
Quick Guide: 3 Steps to Watch ARD With a VPN
- Get a VPN. ExpressVPN is lightning-fast, so you can sit back and watch football with no interruptions to your stream. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, and if you find it’s not for you,it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a local server. Choose one location in any city in Germany.
- Start watching ARD. Just go to ARDmediathek.de and start streaming.
Important! While you can theoretically use a VPN to watch ARD outside your country, this may breach streaming services Terms and Conditions or go against your country’s laws. My team and I don’t condone using a VPN to break the law.
The Best VPNs to Watch ARD in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Fastest Speeds So You Can Watch ARD Without Lags
Key Features:
- 3,000 servers in 105 countries with 4 in Germany that work with ARD
- Super-fast speeds to get the best streaming quality while watching ARD and Mediathek
- Connect up to 8 devices at the same time to stream ARD
- 24/7 live chat and email customer support with a comprehensive knowledge base for troubleshooting so you can get back to your programs on ARD
- 30-day money-back guarantee so it’s risk-free to try
The best quality of ExpressVPN is its blazing-fast speeds. Our team in Germany tried it on several devices and always experienced bufferless streaming, even during peak usage periods. To further test ExpressVPN, I switched to its Lightway Protocol, which is less resource-intensive, and achieved speeds of 104 Mbps. At such high speeds, the team could watch ARD Mediathek without any interruptions for hours. I love a viewing experience that’s uninterrupted by pixelation and lags.
ExpressVPN has easy payment options when you sign up for the service. Not only will it take my credit cards, but it allows me to pay for my service through PayPal or even Bitcoin if I fancy cryptocurrency. Since it’s flexible in taking payment methods, I can pay the way I want.
The only minor con of this VPN is the fact that it costs more than other VPNs. To combat this, you can get a discount for 82 off of a one-year subscription and save a good bit of money in the process.
Best of all is ExpressVPN’s money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can try it out for yourself completely risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, you can always get a full refund. I tried it myself to see if they would try to troubleshoot with me. But they gave me a refund, no questions asked. The money was back in my account 5 days later. It was so easy.
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.
ExpressVPN is compatible with with: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, routers, Kindle, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Smart TVs.
ExpressVPN works with: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, YouTube TV, ESPN, and more.
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2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers So You Can Stream ARD In The Highest Quality
Key Features:
- 11,670 servers across the globe with optimized servers in Germany to watch ARD
- Fast speeds with reliable connections to watch ARD and Mediathek in HD
- 7 simultaneous device connections so everyone at home can watch ARD
- Chat support and knowledge base for general issues, so you can get back to watching Mediathek
- 45-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no risk to try it.
With CyberGhost’s optimized servers, the team could watch ARD with the best quality a VPN could offer. Each show I watched was smooth and in HD quality. All you have to do is click “For streaming,” scroll down to Germany, and pick the server optimized for ARD. Whether on CyberGhost’s optimized or normal servers, my colleagues in Germany could stream ARD and Mediathek every time.
When it comes to the number of devices you can connect at one time, CyberGhost allows 7. That included my laptop, iPhone, tablet, Playstation 5, and a connection for everyone else in the house. I thoroughly tested CyberGhost on all of my devices, including router, desktop pc, and smart TV. I was able to play games, browse the web, and stream without delays or long loading times.
CyberGhost’s Smart Rules are a great feature of the app. You can configure it to launch on startup. Another option I like is CyberGhost can be configured to launch an app when a VPN connection is made. I connect and it automatically starts my browser.
CyberGhost is secure, with military-grade AES-256 bit encryption. That means when you are connected, your data is broken into indecipherable pieces and can’t be understood. It can only be put back together with CyberGhost’s cypher key. What’s more, they have a kill switch and leak protection in case you are suddenly disconnected from the internet, so your business is only known to you. With their no-logs policy, what you do on the internet is kept private.
The only small problem with CyberGhost is that the desktop app is inefficient when it comes to picking a server. The favorites start in the center of the expandable menu with the server menu on the left. Choosing from the server menu puts the list of servers in the center. A menu that expanded to the right would be easier to work with. But the program is easy to set up. It’s also easy to configure, which makes it good for beginners.
You can try out CyberGhost for yourself. It has a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. It was easy for me to get a refund through its customer support. I just chatted with someone and they refunded my money. The cash was back in my account in 3 days.
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.
CyberGhost is compatible with: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, routers, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Smart TVs.
CyberGhost works with: Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, YouTube TV, ESPN, and more.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Reliable Servers to Watch ARD in Ultra HD
Key Features:
- 35,000 servers worldwide with 2 reliable servers to stream ARD
- Fast speeds for uninterrupted viewing when you’re watching ARD
- unlimited simultaneous device connections so the whole family can view ARD
- Chat support with the option to switch to email support if you have to wait to get you connected to Mediathek again
- 30-day money-back guarantee, so you’re not risking anything by trying it
I found Private Internet Access (PIA) features 35,000 servers in 91 countries, and it has two in Germany. With so many servers, the connection is high-quality and you can stream in Ultra-HD. Not only can you watch ARD, you can stay protected while streaming content with a reliable VPN such as PIA.
PIA offers a feature called split tunneling. This allows you to direct traffic from websites around the VPN tunnel that doesn’t work well with VPNs. So you don’t have to disconnect from the VPN to go to these websites. Its traffic is not affected by the VPN and every other site’s is. When I tested PIA, I used it on a number of different devices for gaming, surfing, and streaming. It kept the traffic I wanted on the VPN and the rest was not affected.
PIA is good for gaming too, if you need those high speeds. I played Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and the response time was fast. When you’re looking for security and a network that reacts, this is a great option.
With its prices, Private Internet Access is extremely affordable on any budget. You can use this VPN, watch ARD and ARD Mediathek, and stay secure and protected on the web. It’s a deal for the speed and ease of use.
PIA has a minor con. We know PIA holds its customer’s privacy of utmost importance, but its location is a potential disadvantage. Still, it does have a no-logs policy, and you have the choice of how much encryption you want. The app features data leak and disconnect protection as well.
Private Internet Access is an excellent VPN for the money to safely watch ARD and Mediathek with additional premium features included. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can try it without risk and get your money back if you aren’t satisfied. I got in touch with support over chat, asked for my money back, and it was back in my account in 3 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
PIA is compatible with: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, routers, Kindle, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Smart TVs.
PIA works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, YouTube TV, and more.
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
Key Features:
- Short and long-term subscriptions available
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 6,300+ global servers in 111 countries
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Protect up to 10 devices at once
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly.
I was particularly impressed with the high performance of every server I tested. Just because a VPN has thousands of servers doesn’t mean they all work. Servers can still struggle to work — and some can even fail to connect completely. However, NordVPN’s servers work with Netflix for smooth, buffer-free streaming.
I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it mostly worked with Netflix, it sometimes had issues and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.
NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
- AES 256-bit encryption
- kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly
- built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker
- fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server.
With plans that cost as little as $2.99 per month, it's easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days.
NordVPN works with: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, SkyTV, HBO Max, SHOWTIME, DAZN, ESPN, YouTube TV, and more
NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Key Features:
- Short and long-term plans available
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 3,200+ global servers in 100 countries
- No bandwidth restrictions
- Connect unlimited devices at once
Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out.
I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality.
When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
- AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users
- Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default
- diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)
- kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)
- IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account.
While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet.
You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $1.99. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!).
Surfshark works with: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, Hotstar, HBO Max, DAZN, and more
Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
How to Choose the Best VPN for ARD
If you’re new to VPNs, the technical terminology can feel overwhelming and make it difficult to choose the best one for your needs. To make watching ARD easier, I personally tested all three VPNs mentioned on this page, focusing on the key features that matter the most :
- Features super-fast speeds. The encryption process naturally causes you to lose some bandwidth, but these premium VPN services have top-notch technology to alleviate this.
- An authentic, proven money-back guarantee so you can try the VPN risk-free to decide for yourself
- Hides your IP address for anonymity online
- AES-256 bit encryption so no one can monitor you
- Make it possible to download torrents anonymously
FAQs on Watching ARD & Mediathek With a VPN
What devices can I use to stream ARD?
You can watch ARD on almost any device, and stay secure while streaming as the top VPNs for ARD have broad platform support, too. You can stream ARD on devices like:
Mobile devices: Android, iOS, Amazon Kindle Fire
PCs: Windows and MacOS
Smart TVs: Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Apple TV
Gaming Consoles: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
I’ve found that ExpressVPN works with most of these devices and has native apps for many of them. You can use it on a router for the rest.
What else can I do with a VPN?
They provide the ability to torrent anonymously and safely, as well as encrypt your internet traffic when you’re on a connection away from your home network. VPNs offer a measure of safety and security for your internet activities.
What sports and shows can I watch on ARD?
ARD’s main channel is Das Erste which has news, dramas, comedies, children’s programming, and the Bundesliga Soccer League. You can securely stream this content with a top-quality VPN.
Some of the on-demand shows you can watch are:
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If the specific show you want isn’t listed, here is a list of channels:
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Do I need to set up an account to watch ARD?
Surprisingly, ARD does not require an account to be able to access content on the site. Most streaming services require an account with personal data or payment information attached, which is why you need a VPN to stream anything to protect that data.
Can I use a free VPN to watch ARD?
Free VPNs aren’t the best way to watch ARD. They typically have low bandwidth allowances, so you can’t watch very much until you’ve used up your allotment of data for the month. I tested numerous free VPNs and found they aren’t typically as fast as premium VPNs, and they may not have servers in Germany because they don’t usually have as many servers. You’re better off with a quality VPN that will provide outstanding service and do what you need.
Watch ARD With a VPN Today
ARD has some of the best shows in Germany. If you want to protect your devices with a VPN and stream without interruption, you need one of the top VPNs to enjoy ARD.
I recommend you get ExpressVPN to watch your favorite German content. It has top security and speeds, so you can watch HD streams while protecting your data. You can try ExpressVPN with ARD risk-free, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested this over live chat, and got my money-back easily within 3 days.
Summary: These Are the Best VPNs to Watch ARD & Mediathek in 2024
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.
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