How to watch online streaming platforms with VPNs

Are you unable to watch your favorite content on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu even after paying for the subscription? Or do you want to watch thrilling sports matches and live coverage from all over the world?

In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to work around the restrictions with the help of VPNs so that you can enjoy your favorite shows and sports to their fullest. Excited? Let’s begin!

Why Should You Consider a VPN for Your Streaming Needs?

There are unlimited benefits of using a VPN for your streaming needs. Here are a few of them.

1. Access Geo-Restricted Services

The geo-blocked feature is extremely common among all the top streaming services because of the difference in licensing agreements. Due to this, certain TV shows, sporting events, and movies won’t be available for you to watch in your region. However, with the help of a VPN, you can now overcome these restrictions by making it look like you’re accessing the videos from an approved region.

2. Watch Exclusive Titles on Netflix

It is also worth noting that the libraries of content on streaming platforms differ from region to region on Netflix and Amazon Prime. For example, if you’re based in the US, you won’t be able to watch Friends on your Netflix account.

Luckily, with the help of a VPN, you can make the most of your subscription by watching region-exclusive content from anywhere in the world.

3. Catch Every Moment of Live Sports

If you’re into sports, you might struggle when it comes to tuning into certain live streams. However, when you have the right VPN, you can catch every moment of the match, tournament, or race.

4. Access Geo-Restricted Services

There are plenty of streaming platforms out there that lets the users tune into live TV but trying to access these platforms outside the specified region is futile. However, a VPN lets the users watch live TV no matter where they are located and what device they are using.

How Do I Watch Online Streaming Platforms with VPNs?

It is incredibly easy to watch online streaming platforms with the help of VPNs. While the majority of the VPNs are paid services, there’s a free trial too so that the users can test them off first. Here’s how you can do it.

1. Download any VPN service that is compatible with your device.
2. Sign up for the service and log in using your credentials.
3. Start the app and select any server in the location you need.
4. Once you’re connected to the VPN, you can gain access to any online streaming platform you want.

How Does a VPN Work?

If you wonder what is a VPN and how does it work, just bear in mind that a VPN works as a private tunnel between you and the streaming platform you’re trying to access. That’s why it becomes a pretty effective way of working around geographical restrictions and evading censorship. The advantage of using a streaming VPN is that the tunnel can appear to be at locations that it isn’t. For example, you might be physically present in the UK but seem to be connecting from the US.

Do VPNs Reduce the Chance of Buffering When Streaming?

Streaming content online can consume a lot of bandwidth. As a result, your Internet Service Provider might slow down your connection speed to offset the network congestion. This situation is called bandwidth throttling which can result in frequent buffering while streaming.

However, when you use a VPN that features a high level of encryption, you’ll successfully keep your internet activity hidden from your Internet Service Provider. Therefore, you’ll less likely face bandwidth throttling during streaming and avoid continuous buffering issues.

Do VPNs Decrease the Internet Speed?

Even though a high-quality VPN reduces the chances of network throttling and buffering during streaming, it might decrease your overall internet speed too. That’s because the VPNs send the online traffic to a remote server through an encrypted tunnel and as a result, can cause the internet speed to slow down.

However, when you use a reliable and fast VPN, you’ll have the option to choose from a wide range of server locations that will not be overburdened with online traffic. So, this means that the distance your data travels won't cause any detectable delay in connectivity.

13 Sep 2023
SG Expats