How to Watch ZDF Germany Online With a VPN in 2025

ZDF is a fantastic platform for watching German TV, but it’s exclusive to Germany. On top of that, like every streaming platform, ZDF collects a ton of data about how you use it, which includes what you watch, when, and what devices you’re using.

Fortunately, a premium VPN lets you privately watch ZDF from anywhere with no lag. A VPN encrypts your data, so ZDF and its advertisers can’t use it. Plus, your internet provider won’t be able to see that you’re streaming, so you’ll maintain the best possible speeds for HD streaming.

After testing over 40 VPNs, we found that ExpressVPN is the best option for ZDF streaming thanks to its fast speeds that provide a buffer-free experience. You can test ExpressVPN risk-free as it has a reliable 30-day refund period. 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.

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Best VPNs to Watch ZDF Online in HD in 2025

1. ExpressVPN — Ultra-Fast Speeds for Watching ZDF in HD

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Tested February 2025

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www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN has extremely fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth, so you can binge-watch ZDF. We tested the Frankfurt and Nuremberg servers and got an average of 40 Mbps. That’s only a 10% drop from our normal connection (most VPNs slow you down by 20% or more), so we watched London Boulevard and Suburra without lag. Considering you only need 5Mbps for HD streaming, this VPN is great for watching ZDF without buffering from anywhere.

The large server network provides good coverage in Germany for watching ZDF. We tested the ExpressVPN servers in Frankfurt and Nuremberg and they all worked with every ZDF show or movie we tried. You won’t have any problems tuning into the channel with such reliable servers.

We found ExpressVPN’s native apps for Windows, Android devices, and Fire TV straightforward to install. We spent roughly 3 minutes installing each app on our devices, and we could get straight to streaming ZDF after installing them. Even if you’re new to VPNs, I can guarantee you won’t need any guidance to install and use any of these apps.

My only complaint is that ExpressVPN has pricey subscription plans, starting at $4.99/month. However, I got a 61% discount when I signed up for its long-term plan, which even gave me a few months for free.

You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, and you have up to 30 days to request a refund. I tested if ExpressVPN keeps its word via the 24/7 live chat feature. The agent I got in contact with asked a few basic questions before approving my request. I saw the money in my account after 5 business days.

2. CyberGhost — Special Streaming Servers For Watching ZDF

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost has special streaming servers made for watching ZDF. Its support team told us that the ZDF dedicated server is regularly maintained to make sure it works with the platform. On top of that, there are plenty of regular servers in Germany as well. We tested over 15 German servers, and no matter whether we used the dedicated server or the regular ones, each worked with ZDF on the first try.

Once you connect to a server in Germany, streaming ZDF in HD will be fun

The VPN’s fast speeds impressed us. We could watch ZDF without any buffering, even when streaming in the platform's highest quality. We used CyberGhost’s German servers across Frankfurt, and the speed remained sufficient for streaming in UHD despite registering a 16% drop. Our connection remained around 32 Mbps, and the Frankfurt server let us watch Westwall without any problems.

We found CyberGhost's apps to have a user-friendly interface that made it a breeze to find the best servers for streaming ZDF. We easily connected to a server and instantly started watching our favorite comedies. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to use this VPN. Even if it’s your first time using one, I can assure you won’t have any challenges using CyberGhost’s apps, regardless of the device you have. You’ll be able to start streaming securely from anywhere in just a few clicks.

The only thing I didn’t like about CyberGhost is its short-term subscription plan. I expected it to be cheaper and decided to take the long-term one as it was a better deal. To me, this plan was heaven-sent as it was just $2.19/month. If you’re on a tight budget, I recommend you consider this plan when signing up.

You can take CyberGhost for a test drive risk-free with a 45-day money-back guarantee. If it’s not for you, it’s easy to cancel your subscription via the live chat feature. I claimed a refund via the live chat option. The agent I got in contact with only asked a few questions and processed my request after confirming I wanted out. I received all my money back after 72 hours.

3. Private Internet Access — A Ton of Servers in Germany to Watch ZDF

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

Private Internet Access has a massive server network, including a ton of servers in Germany. That means you can always find a server for watching ZDF in lag-free HD from anywhere. During our PIA tests, all the German servers we tried worked with the platform for both live and on-demand content. We didn’t experience any downtime or loss of connection.

The VPN allows unlimited simultaneous connections at once. That makes it ideal for a large household. For example, we streamed ZDF news on a laptop while other colleagues watched their favorite German comedies on their tablets. We didn’t experience any buffering problems the entire time.

The fast speeds allow you to watch ZDF in HD when connected to any German server. We took PIA for a test drive by connecting to over 20 servers, and we were happy that the speed dropped only slightly. On average, the servers delivered 32 Mbps on a 40 Mbps normal connection. That was more than enough for watching our favorite thrillers with zero lag.

What I didn’t like was its somewhat advanced interface. It has many customization options that may confuse first-time users. But this shouldn’t be a problem as it comes pre-configured and is a great option for advanced users. You won’t need any extra configuration to stream ZDF privately from anywhere.

PIA subscriptions aren’t too pricey, and you can save more by choosing its longest plan. For just $2.19/month, this plan offers a great value way to secure your privacy while you’re streaming ZDF.

If you wish to test PIA risk-free with its 30-day money guarantee, I recommend signing up for the long-term plan. If you're not completely satisfied with it, you can easily claim a refund within that period. I tested this guarantee after 26 days using the live chat option to see if PIA lives up to its word. The agent asked a few questions and tried to offer a better deal but processed my request right away after confirming I wanted out. I saw the money in my account after 3 days.

FAQ on Watching ZDF With a VPN

Can I watch ZDF outside Germany?

ZDF is exclusive to Germany, and it checks your connection data to determine your location. However, a premium VPN makes it possible to stream ZDF privately from anywhere, safe in the knowledge that the platform can’t snoop on your connection.

If ZDF can’t determine your location, zdf.de will display the error message, “Aus rechtlichen Gründen kann dieser Beitrag nur in Deutschland gezeigt werden.” This means that you won’t be able to watch it.

Is the ZDF library free?

ZDF’s media library is completely free, which raises some concerns over whether it makes money from selling your data to advertisers. You can securely watch ZDF from anywhere and keep your data private with one of our recommended VPNs.

Can I watch ZDF in the USA, Poland, and Turkey?

You can stream ZDF securely and in HD from anywhere with one of our tried-and-tested VPNs. Plus, these tools will help you to watch ZDF on restrictive networks, like those at work or school, so you can enjoy your downtime with your favorite German TV shows.

Start Watching ZDF in HD Now

Watching ZDF in HD from anywhere isn’t a pain if you get a top-tier VPN. It will help you get past internet issues like speed throttling by encrypting your connection so your ISP can’t see that you’re streaming. Importantly, this also secures your traffic against plenty of other cyber threats like hacking or phishing.

All the VPNs in my list are up to the task, but my top pick is ExpressVPN. With its lightning speeds for streaming in HD to ultra HD, you can trust it to watch ZDF in the best quality. You can also take ExpressVPN for a test drive since it offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. If not completely happy, you can easily request a full refund. Customer support is available 24/7 to help with that.

To summarize, the best VPNs for watching ZDF in HD from anywhere are…

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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