5 Best VPNs for Roku — Easy to Install and Use in 2024

Roku doesn’t natively support VPNs, so the best way to use one with it is to install it on your router. However, finding a VPN that offers solid router compatibility and delivers fast streaming speeds can be very time-consuming. Plus, not all VPNs can safely access international content from anywhere.

My team and I have tested 40+ VPNs and shortlisted the best ones for Roku. These VPNs can be easily installed on routers, offer very fast speeds, and reliably work with almost all popular streaming platforms. Plus, they provide strong security features to keep your online data secure, which can help you avoid targeted advertising and recommendations on streaming platforms.

Among all the VPNs we tested, ExpressVPN is our top pick. It offered the fastest speeds during our tests, making it ideal for streaming on Roku in HD from anywhere. Plus, it works reliably with a variety of platforms thanks to its regularly maintained and extensive global server network. You can also test ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Try ExpressVPN for Roku >>

Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Roku 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: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Best VPNs for Roku — Full Analysis (Updated in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — The Fastest VPN We Tested for Bufferless Roku Streaming

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested November 2024

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds among all the VPNs we tested, so it’s possible to stream in HD or UHD from anywhere. This is mainly due to its proprietary protocol Lightway, which is optimized to use fewer lines of code; this avoids putting too much of a load on your device and battery. During testing, our speeds only dropped by a tiny 5%, which was barely noticeable — we could stream Netflix in UHD with no lag or buffering.

Our team never experienced any quality drops, and episodes loaded in less than a second

It offers a native router firmware that’s very easy to install. This saves a lot of precious time that you would have otherwise spent trying to manually configure a VPN on your router. We had the VPN up and running on an Asus router with Roku connected in under 10 minutes. It also offers the Aircove and Aircove Go routers, which both come with ExpressVPN pre-installed.

ExpressVPN doesn’t sacrifice your security for fast speeds, though. It offers robust IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection, so you’ll be able to stream either by yourself or screen-share with friends without risking your privacy. We tested several of ExpressVPN’s servers, and we didn’t find leaks on any of them.

The only downside I found with ExpressVPN is its relatively higher price, starting at $4.99/month. However, it regularly offers discounts throughout the year, making it more affordable. I was able to get 82% off plus 3 free months of extra usage with its long-term plan. In addition, you can try it completely risk-free for 30 days since it’s backed by a solid money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. This feature allows you to choose which apps use the VPN connection, which is a great way to free up bandwidth for streaming without interrupting your other activities. We used this to stream on Roku through the VPN and protect our data while we ordered lunch for the office on our regular connection.
• MediaStreamer. ExpressVPN’s smart DNS feature allows you to stream in HD on devices that don’t support native VPN apps, like Roku. However, it doesn’t secure your data by encrypting it like installing a VPN on your router does.
• Automatic obfuscation. It offers automatic obfuscation on all servers, which can help you securely stream with Roku, even on restrictive networks that block streaming apps or VPNs. This is really useful to have if you regularly travel with a Roku Streaming Stick.

2. CyberGhost — Optimized Streaming Servers to Safely Watch Your Favorite Content on Roku

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost offers dedicated servers for seamless Roku streaming in HD from anywhere. These servers are optimized to work with popular platforms like Netflix, Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. During our CyberGhost tests, we were able to safely access multiple Netflix libraries without any issues. Plus, every server that we tested took less than 3 seconds to connect.

You'll have to set up a PC hotspot to use these with your Roku device

It’s also compatible with a wide range of routers, but it doesn’t offer custom firmware like ExpressVPN. However, you can easily set it up manually on your router, and it only took us 20 minutes to complete the entire process. CyberGhost even offers a step-by-step guide on how to set it up based on your specific router model.

In addition, it has very fast speeds. Our nearby speeds only dropped by 7%, and we were able to stream Peaky Blinders without any buffering. We only had to wait for 3 to 5 seconds for each episode to load initially, and we didn’t face any interruptions afterward.

One issue I found with CyberGhost is that it only offers a 14-day money-back period with its short-term plan. However, this wasn’t a big issue since it more than makes up for this with its long-term plans. All of these come with an extended 45-day money-back guarantee to test all its features for free.

Useful Features

• Smart rules. This set of features allows you to automate CyberGhost’s connections. For example, you can set it up to automatically launch when you power on your PC, which means you’ve got one less thing to worry about when setting up a VPN hotspot to connect your Roku device to.
• Dedicated IP addresses. For a small additional fee, you can get a dedicated IP address that is unique to you. Streaming services often flag IPs as VPN-related if there are a lot of users with the same address, so this can help you avoid interruptions from the dreaded proxy errors.

3. Private Internet Access — Lots of Customization to Balance Speed And Security for Roku

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) stands out with its highly customizable settings that allow you to optimize your speeds, making it possible to stream in HD from anywhere. You can change your encryption settings from AES 256-bit to 128-bit, which is considerably faster. Alternatively, you can also choose the WireGuard protocol, which provided better speed results in our PIA tests.

You can also adjust your Transport type, port, and MTU settings

During our tests, we had a 13% drop on nearby servers using the WireGuard protocol. Even though this sounds like a lot, we had no buffering or quality drops while streaming, and we only noticed a slight difference from our baseline, as episodes took a few seconds longer to load.

Although I love its extensive customization options, they can sometimes be overwhelming for VPN beginners. However, it comes pre-configured with balanced settings, so you don't necessarily need to adjust anything for good-quality streaming on your Roku.

All of PIA’s subscription plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can effectively test it for free.

Useful Features

• Streaming servers. PIA also offers specialty servers for streaming, but unlike CyberGhost, these aren’t dedicated to certain platforms. However, they still perform well with a variety of content.
• Advanced kill switch. In addition to a traditional automatic kill switch, you can also enable its advanced mode, which stops you from going online without the VPN active. If you’re like me and forget to turn your VPN on to protect your Roku streaming traffic, you’ll find this feature really useful.

4. NordVPN — NordLynx Protocol Offers Improved Security Over WireGuard for Roku

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol offers all the speed benefits of WireGuardwhile fixing some security flaws, so you can use Roku to stream safely in HD from anywhere. Our speeds only dropped by 11%, and we didn’t face any interruptions while streaming HD content.

Plus, we never once saw the Netflix proxy error with NordVPN

While it doesn’t have the automatic obfuscation of ExpressVPN, NordVPN’s Obfuscated servers can help you stream securely on restrictive networks. These servers worked with streaming services just as well as the regular ones, and we had no problem using them to stream on hotel WiFi networks with strict content firewalls.

Although NordVPN offers manual support for routers, it can take as long as 30 minutes to set up. However, after we configured it on our router, we did not experience any connection issues while streaming on Roku.

You can give NordVPN a try for free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• SmartPlay technology. NordVPN goes one step further with its smart DNS feature as it’s also built into the app. Not only can you use it on smart TVs and other streaming devices, but it also makes NordVPN more reliable with streaming services on devices that do support full VPN apps.

5. Surfshark — Unlimited Connections to Stream on All Your Devices, Including Roku

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer More

Try Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

Surfshark allows you to connect all your streaming devices, including Roku, at the same time. During our tests, we connected 4 smartphones, 2 Windows laptops, and 2 Roku TVs, and we streamed on all of them. We did not experience any notable buffering issues while streaming with Surfshark.

Find it by going into the settings menu and scrolling down

Most importantly, our speeds never dropped by more than 12%, no matter how many devices we connected. While we ran speed tests using a third-party tool, we also used Surfshark's built-in speed test, which we found really handy as it tested several servers at once.

We did encounter an occasional issue where Surfshark’s servers would take longer to connect. However, this isn’t a major issue and can be solved simply by changing your server.

Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to test all its features for free.

Useful Features

• CleanWeb. In addition to blocking malware, trackers, and ads, it can also help to protect you against phishing attacks. A popular phishing attack method is to send a fake Netflix or Amazon email asking you to input your payment details, but CleanWeb can block the malicious domain behind the links to keep you safe.

Quick Comparison Table: Roku VPN Features

Here's a comprehensive comparison of the top VPNs for Roku, highlighting key features that matter most for seamless streaming. We specifically considered each VPN’s cost, speed, and whether it offers any router support so you can protect your Roku device. Here’s a quick summary of each of our recommended VPNs:

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: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Roku

To test and select the best VPNs for Roku, we only considered VPNs that offer router support. After this, we tested all the VPNs for their speed and how reliably they can access HD content from anywhere. We also considered how easy it is to set up and use each VPN.

Check out our methodology page to learn more about our VPN testing processes. It details how our international team of testers assesses and ranks each VPN consistently to keep you up-to-date with the latest information. Feel free to use our testing criteria to create a checklist when researching.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

3 Ways To Set Up a VPN For Roku

Since Roku does not offer native support for VPNs, you will need some other way to use your VPN to Roku. However, that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to set up a Roku VPN. There are a few different methods depending on your home network setup and your needs.

Install a VPN on Your Router

Installing a VPN on your router is the most comprehensive solution for using these tools with Roku. This method ensures that all devices connected to your home network, including your Roku TV and other Roku smart home products, benefit from the VPN's protection.

It does require some technical know-how, but we’ve got a complete step-by-step guide to help you install a VPN on your router.

Share Your VPN Connection via Wi-Fi (Hotspot)

You can also use a VPN on Roku by connecting to a secure server on another device and sharing that connection with your Roku TV or Streaming Stick. Windows, Mac, or mobiles all let you share your WiFi connection via the Mobile Hotspot feature. All you need to do is follow the on-screen instructions and connect your Roku device to the one running your VPN.

While this method is easier than router installation, it requires your computer to be connected to a VPN whenever you want to use the VPN with your Roku.

Use AirPlay or Screen Mirroring

Another method for using a VPN on Roku devices is screen casting. You can share the screen using AirPlay (for Apple devices) or screen mirroring (for Android and Windows devices) to cast content from your VPN-protected device to your Roku.

This method doesn't require any complex setup on your Roku or network, and it lets you use your VPN’s full feature suite. However, it may not provide the same picture quality as direct streaming through Roku.

FAQs on VPNs for Roku

Is using a VPN for Roku legal?

Yes, it is perfectly legal to use a VPN on Roku, as these internet privacy tools are legal in most countries. However, you will need to make sure that your VPN offers router compatibility and fast streaming speeds so that it can used with Roku.

It is also important to note that VPNs are illegal or heavily restricted in some parts of the world, like China, Russia, and the UAE. Always check the legal status of VPNs in your country and ensure that you adhere to any regulations when using them with Roku.

Can I use smart DNS with Roku?

Yes, you can use smart DNS with Roku devices. It's generally easier to set up than a full VPN and doesn't impact streaming speeds as much, but it doesn't offer the same level of privacy and security as it doesn’t encrypt your data. Some VPNs also offer smart DNS services, so you could use both to safely access streaming services more reliably.

Does NordVPN work with Roku?

Yes, NordVPN works pretty reliably with Roku. You will need to set it up manually on your router as it does not offer any custom firmware like ExpressVPN. For a more in-depth guide, take a look at our guide to using NordVPN with Roku.

How can I change my Roku location without using a VPN?

You can change your Roku location by changing its settings. However, do keep in mind that changing your Roku location settings requires you to add a valid payment method from your new region. If you’re looking to protect your privacy and prevent snoops from seeing your precise location, using a VPN is a more reliable and convenient option.

Can I use a free VPN with my Roku TV?

Yes, you can, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Free VPNs rarely offer router support. In addition, almost all free VPNs have data and speed restrictions, which is not ideal for streaming on Roku. To avoid all these issues, you can try using a paid VPN that’s backed by a money-back guarantee.

Get the Best VPN for Roku

The best Roku VPN should offer router support and fast speeds for uninterrupted HD streaming. However, most VPNs struggle to deliver both, which means you’ll struggle to access your favorite content in HD from anywhere.

ExpressVPN stands out as the top choice for Roku. It offers a native router app/firmware that saves you from the hassle of manually configuring a VPN on your router. Plus, it has the best speeds and an extensive server network that can safely access almost all popular Roku channels. You can also test ExpressVPN completely risk-free as it’s backed by a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for Roku…

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: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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