Published on: April 7, 2025 Updated 2 times since publishing
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : ExpressVPN is my No.1 pick for Plex. It works with Plex 100% of the time and all popular streaming apps Plex supports, like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. It also has the best streaming speeds on the market and a port forwarding feature on its router app for Remote Access. It backs all first-time purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The best VPNs for Plex can access all of its content from any location. In addition to Plex itself, the VPNs I recommend work with many different libraries of popular streaming services, like Netflix and Disney+, and they offer excellent speeds for streaming in HD and live-streaming on Plex.
My top pick for Plex is definitely ExpressVPN. In addition to excellent streaming support and best speeds, ExpressVPN has configurable port forwarding on its router app that can access your media content via Plex’s Remote Access from anywhere. The rest of my picks are great alternatives, too. Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Plex
Editor’s Note: The VPNs I recommend all maintain strict no-logs policies. This means they don’t keep records of your online activity (like how and when you access Plex). You alone are responsible for how you use a VPN, so please keep yourself well informed about any applicable laws and regulations. Neither I nor anyone else at SafetyDetectives condones using VPNs for copyright infringement.
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Plex in 2026
Basic 12-Months plan: $3.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for Plex in 2026. Its server network spans 105 countries, allowing it to access all content Plex offers — including the various streaming apps integrated with Plex, like Netflix. Plus, ExpressVPN has a smart DNS service that lets it stream Plex on devices without native VPN support, like some smart TVs or gaming consoles. This is why it’s the best VPN for streaming on the market.
The VPN has port forwarding on its dedicated router app, which means you can customize it to work with Prex’s Remote Access feature (this means the VPN won’t always have to be on your home network to safely stream your favorite content).
You also get the best streaming speeds on the market for securely streaming on Plex in HD. This is all thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol. It’s less resource-intensive than most other speed-oriented VPN protocols, so it nets you better speeds and puts a lesser strain on your laptop or phone battery — so you can stream for longer without having to plug your device in.
ExpressVPN Keys includes a secure password manager, which you can use to safely store your login credentials for Plex and all the streaming apps you use with it. I also like its auto-fill feature, so you won’t waste time logging in when using a streaming app through Plex.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for Plex. It works reliably with Plex and popular compatible streaming apps, and it has great speeds for streaming. It’s also one of the only top VPNs that supports port forwarding that works with Plex’s Remote Access feature.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great Customization for Streaming Plex Without Buffering
6-month plan: $7.50 / month
1-month plan: $11.95 / month
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers lots of customization for streaming Plex buffer-free. If you’re connected to a slow network, like a public Wi-Fi, or on an older (and slower!) device, you can boost your streaming speeds by switching to 128-bit AES encryption (instead of the standard 256-bit AES).
PIA reliably works with 30+ streaming services, including many popular ones that Plex supports, such as Netflix or Prime Video. Still, I think ExpressVPN is better for securely connecting to other streaming apps, because it works with 100+ platforms.
PIA also has a port forwarding feature available in every country with a server (except the US) that can be configured to set up Remote Access. However, its port forwarding assigns you a randomly generated port number every time you connect, so you’ll have to manually update the port number in Plex’s settings.
PIA makes it easy to find a fast server across its 50-country server network for streaming on Plex. The server list in the apps displays every server’s ping next to its location, and it even color-codes them (green for low ping, orange for high ping), so you can quickly pick the best one for your location.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access (PIA) has good customization for safely watching Plex content without buffering. It also has excellent streaming support for Plex-compatible apps like Netflix, as well as port forwarding that can work with the platform’s Remote Access feature. Plus, its color-coded displays help you easily find a good server for streaming Plex.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editor's Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Optimized Servers for Streaming on Plex
6-month plan: $6.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
CyberGhost VPN has specialized streaming servers for a wide variety of apps on Plex. These servers can access 50+ different streaming sites and their libraries, like Netflix, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime. The streaming servers are also optimized to provide good streaming speeds.
Its entire server network in 100 countries is great for securely watching all kinds of content on Plex, too, including live streaming. However, CyberGhost lacks port forwarding, so you can’t set it up for remote access, like ExpressVPN.
I’m a big fan of its Smart Rules tool, which lets you automate connections for securely streaming on Plex. For example, you can set it up to automatically open the Plex app or your browser once you connect to a server. Alternatively, you can have it automatically connect you to an optimized streaming server when you launch the Plex app.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN has dedicated streaming servers for many streaming apps on Plex, like Netflix and Amazon Prime. It doesn’t have port forwarding for remote access, but it has a convenient tool that lets you automate all of your connections to Plex, so it can access the app and site without any manual clicking on your side.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editor's Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — Very Good VPN for Securely Streaming Plex From Anywhere
Plus 24-month plan: $3.59 / month
Complete 24-month plan: $3.99 / month
Prime 24-month plan: $6.99 / month
NordVPN can remotely access your Plex Media without a complex port forwarding setup. This is thanks to its Meshnet feature that allows you to create a private, encrypted network between all of your devices. Then, you can connect to that network from any device, whether it’s a laptop or phone, and let the VPN safely access Plex as if you were on the same local network.
NordVPN has servers in 149 countries, allowing it to securely access Plex content worldwide. It also works with popular streaming services accessible through Plex, such as Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or Max. If NordVPN doesn’t work with your streaming app, though, you can check out ExpressVPN, which accesses 100+ streaming apps.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN has Meshnet, a unique feature that lets the VPN access your Plex Media Server safely and remotely, without having to use port forwarding. It has a very large server network that accesses different Plex content and good streaming support for top apps like Netflix.
5. Surfshark — Great for Anonymous Streaming on Plex
One 24-month plan: $2.49 / month
One+ 24-month plan: $4.19 / month
Surfshark is a great pick for privately accessing Plex, thanks to its Alternative ID feature. It lets you create a new online persona with a fake name, address, and email, so you don’t have to share real details with Plex — and still get all the perks that come with having a free account! If you’re worried about missing any important email from Plex because of the front email address, they’re all forwarded to your real inbox.
Surfshark has pretty good streaming support for platforms compatible with Plex. It works with 50+ streaming services, including several Netflix, Max, and Amazon Prime libraries. I like how it supports streaming on its entire server network, spanning 100 countries.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark has Alternative ID, a feature which generates a fake identity you can use to make an account on Plex — it also forwards emails from the fake address to your real one so you don’t miss important updates. It has good streaming support with popular apps, too.
Read the full Surfshark review
Bonus. Proton VPN — Fast VPN for Plex Remote Access
12-month plan: $3.49 / month
1-month plan: $4.99 / month
Proton VPN is a fast VPN that can remotely access your Plex Media library thanks to a customizable port forwarding feature. It allows port forwarding on servers in almost all 148 countries it covers, and it marks all of these servers clearly so you can easily pick them out in the app.
If you have to connect to a very distant server, Proton VPN will boost your speeds with its VPN Accelerator, which is very useful for streaming. The VPN also accesses 90+ streaming libraries, including several Netflix, Max, and Amazon Prime libraries accessible via Plex.
Quick Comparison Table
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
In order to find the best VPNs for Plex out there, I followed the tried-and-true SafetyDetectives VPN testing methodology. I simulated real-life scenarios that someone streaming on Plex was likely to encounter on a daily basis. I tested numerous VPNs for key points, such as streaming support, speeds, and security. Here are the main criteria I used to rank the VPNs:
- I checked whether the VPNs support Plex’s Remote Access. Most of the VPNs I recommend have port forwarding (or another feature) that can be customized to set up Remote Access on Plex.
- I checked the VPNs’ streaming support. The VPNs on this list all work reliably with Plex and with numerous libraries on many popular streaming platforms compatible with Plex.
- I compared every VPN’s speeds. The VPNs on this list all have good speeds for streaming on Plex smoothly. The fastest among them was ExpressVPN, with excellent speeds on local, nearby, and distant servers.
- I picked VPNs with strong security. I only recommend VPNs with industry-standard security features, including 256-bit AES encryption (used by militaries and banks worldwide), a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. Moreover, these VPNs never compromised my real IP address in IP leak tests.
- I considered device compatibility. These VPNs have user-friendly apps for all popular operating systems and a smart DNS feature for devices without native VPN support, such as gaming consoles or some models of smart TVs.
- I estimated each VPN’s value. The VPNs I discuss here all have various extra features like split-tunneling (which can slightly increase your streaming speeds on Plex), allow multiple devices to be connected simultaneously under a single subscription, and back purchases with a money-back guarantee.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- IPVanish. IPVanish has good speeds and security, but it accesses fewer streaming apps compared to the VPNs I recommend for Plex. Also, it doesn’t support port forwarding for remote access.
- PrivateVPN. PrivateVPN is very beginner-friendly, and it has excellent streaming support for Plex and other streaming apps accessible through the platform. However, it doesn’t have a smart DNS feature like the VPNs I chose for my list.
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear works with a decent number of streaming apps, but its streaming speeds aren’t as good as the VPNs on the list, especially on distant servers (and its server network is smaller, too).
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best VPN for streaming on Plex?
My top choice is ExpressVPN for sure. It works with Plex 100% of the time, and also with 100+ streaming platforms worldwide, including ones compatible with Plex. It has the best speeds for smooth, lag-free streaming, and it even has MediaStreamer, a versatile smart DNS tool that covers various devices without native VPN support.
Will my streaming be slower if I use a VPN with Plex?
All VPNs slow down your connection speeds to some degree because of the encryption process that keeps your traffic secure and the physical distance between you and the server. However, you can use a high-quality VPN for Plex, such as ExpressVPN, which is the fastest VPN currently out there. It maintains excellent speeds on nearby and distant servers.
Can I use a free VPN to stream on Plex?
You might be able to, but I don’t recommend it. Free VPNs aren’t usually compatible with Plex, and they often have bad streaming support for the platforms you’d use with Plex. Moreover, many of them have slow streaming speeds, or they don’t support streaming at all.
You’re much better off with a top-tier paid VPN, as the VPNs I discuss here all work with Plex reliably, have good streaming speeds, and better streaming support than the average free VPN.
Can I use a VPN to stream Plex on my smart TV?
Generally speaking, yes. Most of the VPNs on my list have apps for some smart TV models, so connecting to a server and starting your stream is really simple.
Many smart TVs don’t support VPNs, usually because they have a proprietary operating system. The VPNs I recommend here all have a smart DNS tool that’s easy to set up and that works with many popular streaming platforms compatible with Plex.
However, keep in mind that a smart DNS feature isn’t as secure as a standard VPN connection, so you should only use it for streaming Plex on devices without native VPN support.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
