7 Best VPNs For Twitch in 2023

Twitch launched in 2011 and, in just over ten years, managed to become one of the leading video game live streaming services worldwide. In 2023, it recorded over 140 million unique visits, with around 30 million daily active users. But, these stats aside, many people around the world still have trouble accessing this platform.

Twitch is not available in a number of countries, including China, Russia, and Slovakia, among others. Even if you live in a country where Twitch is available, you might suffer from connection issues or bandwidth throttling that could limit your experience. Of course, there’s also the aspect of online security.

The best solution for anyone looking to stream Twitch content from anywhere around the world is to use a VPN. It can help you unblock Twitch, avoid IP bans, and ensure online security and privacy. That said, not all VPNs are equally capable, so you need to pick a service that can actually deliver on these points.

Overview Of 7 Best VPNs For Twitch Streaming

1. NordVPN

After extensively comparing the top VPNs for streaming, there’s no dilemma that NordVPN is the best VPN for Twitch streaming. Its massive server network offers more than 5,600 servers in 59 countries worldwide. This ensures a smooth and fast streaming experience for anyone streaming Twitch content. 

With NordVPN’s top-quality privacy and security features, you can rest assured that none of your data falls into the wrong hands. For an even better premium experience, you can purchase a dedicated IP address in the US and several European countries.

This service employs military-grade encryption, has a zero-logs policy, and secures your connections with a kill switch. Additionally, you can use NordVPN’s split tunneling to access streaming sites through the VPN’s servers while keeping the rest of your connection on your real IP.

Apart from its large server network, NordVPN also offers an outstanding in-house protocol called NordLynx. NordVPN supports a wide array of platforms and devices, allowing you to connect up to six devices simultaneously. 

NordVPN’s customer support service is arguably the best around, and the FAQ section features tons of helpful content. It also offers the standard 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind at any point during the first month. 

2. Surfshark

Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Every server supports at least one 1 Gbps port, and the service is constantly adding new 10 Gbps ports. Additionally, its entire server network supports the WireGuard protocol. These characteristics enable it to be one of the fastest and best-performing VPNs in the current industry. Plus, every server has private DNS. 

Surfshark’s apps come with plenty of advanced features. From NoBorders Mode and Camouflage Mode to the Bypasser and CleanWeb features, you can explore a lot of sophisticated tools. In addition, this VPN provider allows you to have unlimited simultaneous connections on one plan.

This VPN doesn’t fall short on the privacy and data protection side either. It doesn’t collect any data logs and has been audited by independent organizations in the past. The connections are guarded by 256-bit encryption, which makes it nearly impossible for anyone to steal your private information.

3. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN offers 750 servers in 44 countries. While it might not be the best VPN in this regard, Atlas VPN’s servers are great nonetheless. All of its servers support the WireGuard protocol, come with private DNS, and are P2P friendly. A handful of its servers are also optimized for streaming, delivering a first-rate performance on most major streaming services.

This is a very well-rounded service with a number of great features. It supports split tunneling, has a network kill switch, and has 256-bit data encryption. Among its more advanced features, you’ll find tools like MultiHop+ and SafeSwap. While they might not be particularly useful for Twitch streaming, they are handy for other online purposes.

This service allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices on one subscription plan. Atlas VPN is the most reputable premium VPN service offering a free plan. This free subscription plan comes in a limited capacity with only a handful of servers but it is a good way to try out the service before paying any money.

4. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN covers more than 200 server locations in 63 countries. It supports industry-standard protocols like OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, and IKEv2. Additionally, the 99.98% uptime makes PrivateVPN a no-brainer for streaming. This uptime guarantees a smooth streaming experience uninterrupted by connection drops. 

True to its name, PrivateVPN has a strict no-logs policy. Its apps include a kill switch feature to protect you from leaking any sensitive private data. PrivateVPN also supports a Stealth VPN feature that allows you to bypass blocks in countries with heavy censorship, such as Russia and China. Besides being a solid choice for streaming services, PrivateVPN is P2P friendly and supports port forwarding.

PrivateVPN is a very flexible service, with its apps being able to support a simple and advanced view. The former is particularly user-friendly, making PrivateVPN perhaps the best VPN for beginners and Twitch streamers that want a straightforward VPN. Like most top-quality servers on our list, PrivateVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has several thousand VPN servers in 94 countries globally. Its servers are optimized for high-speed connections and support the service’s Lightway protocol. It has private DNS on all servers and supports split tunneling on several apps.

The service is based in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction that doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws. Moreover, ExpressVPN also has a zero-logs policy, and its RAM-based servers are wiped with every reboot.

One of ExpressVPN’s biggest strengths is its ability to access streaming services. Whether you want to unblock Twitch, Netflix, Disney+, or any other streaming platform, ExpressVPN can do it reliably and without any issues. Its five-star apps are available across all platforms, with browser extension support for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. 

ExpressVPN is undoubtedly one of the most impressive VPNs around. The reason that it isn’t higher on our list is that it comes with a few disadvantages that might be deal-breakers for some users. More precisely, ExpressVPN’s subscription plans are fairly expensive, and the service allows you to connect only five devices simultaneously. 

6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has one of the most comprehensive networks in the business, covering more than 90 countries with over 7,000 servers. The service is entirely transparent about which servers are physically located in a listed country and which are virtual. What’s more, it also puts forward clear information on what server can unblock what streaming site.

CyberGhost supports up to seven simultaneous connections on one plan and allows you to connect to the Internet using the WireGuard protocol. It includes a kill switch, DNS and IP leak protection, as well as 256-bit encryption. The apps are very user-friendly, and the long-term subscription plans provide excellent value for your money.

Furthermore, from a purely subscription comparison, CyberGhost has one advantage over all other VPNs on our list. Namely, this superb VPN offers a very generous 45-day money-back guarantee on all of its long-term plans. This makes it the perfect choice if you’re looking for a long-term VPN solution and want to maximize the risk-free aspect of the subscription.

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access has tens of thousands of servers in 84 countries around the world. It supports servers in each of the 50 US states. PIA’s servers work with the WireGuard protocol and deliver connections up to 10 Gbps. This blazing network is suitable for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and all other data-intensive online activities. 

PIA is one of the safest providers around and has a trusted reputation that goes back over a decade. The service offers 100% open-source apps, allowing any user to inspect its code. PIA has also been audited in 2023 and proved that it doesn’t store any user activity logs. It has a MACE feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites. Moreover, all servers are RAM-based.

This service is a terrific pick for advanced users who want to have the option of customizing many aspects of their VPN experience. It has multi-hop capabilities, customizable encryption settings, advanced split tunneling, and a secure kill switch.

Why is it Recommended to Use VPNs with Twitch?

With the VPN services we’ve discussed above, it’s also essential to understand why you should use a Twitch VPN in the first place. With that in mind, here’s why using a VPN for Twitch is a good idea:

• Access Twitch from Anywhere – Twitch licensing issues, local laws, and authoritarian governments are just some of the reasons why Twitch is not available in certain countries. No matter what the reason for Twitch’s unavailability in your region might be, signing up with one of our recommended VPN providers will help you enjoy live streaming from anywhere.
• Avoid Bandwidth Throttling – your ISP might start intentionally throttling your bandwidth if they determine that you’re spending too much data on streaming platforms. With a VPN, you can avoid being affected by the underhanded ISP throttling practice and enjoy the connection speeds you’re paying for.
• Deal with IP Leaks – IP leaks can be very dangerous and can pose a serious online security risk. Luckily, using a VPN with leak protection capabilities ensures that no one will be able to see your IP address.
• Protect Against DDoSing – the best VPNs for Twitch also come with DDoS protection. This can be particularly valuable for Twitch streamers who produce content for the platform and want to stay safe from any spiteful Twitch users.
• Escape Network Blocks – even if Twitch is available in your country, it might be blocked on specific networks you regularly use. For example, your workplace or educational institution might have filters to prevent people from using Twitch. A reliable VPN can easily bypass this and help you access Twitch.

How to Start Streaming on Twitch Using a VPN? 

If you want to start streaming on Twitch with a VPN, you can do so in just five simple steps.

This simple five-step approach will help you access Twitch and other streaming sites without a fault. Keep in mind you should ideally always connect to nearby servers, as this will help you obtain the fastest and most stable connection speeds.

Additionally, if you’re experiencing any connection issues, switching servers and clearing your browser cache and cookies can help resolve the problem. If you’re using the Twitch app-based streaming service, reloading the app can also help.

On Which Devices I Can Use VPNs for Twitch?

You can use VPNs for Twitch on a long list of devices, as this mainly depends on the particular VPN’s app support. For example, the best VPNs for Twitch have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and TVs, among many other devices. Some VPN services also provide browser extension support.

In this regard, you’re not limited in the way you want to access Twitch or any of the other streaming platforms out there. When it comes to Twitch’s side of the business, you can access Twitch from any device as well. It has apps for all major OS platforms, covering even TVs and consoles.

Twitch VPN FAQs

Is it Legal to Use VPNs on Twitch?

Yes, it is completely legal to use a VPN to stream or watch Twitch content. That said, the legality of using a VPN also depends on your location. If you live in an authoritarian country like Russia, China, or Turkey, using a VPN might count as breaking the law. So, you should also know your country’s stance on VPNs.

Additionally, although using a VPN  for Twitch is legal, it doesn’t excuse engaging in illegal activities. For example, you shouldn’t try to pirate copyrighted content, hack other users, DDoS or SWAT anyone, or engage in any other action that might get you in trouble with authorities. 

Can a VPN Unblock My Twitch Account?

The answer to this is both yes and no, depending on what kind of ban you get. More precisely, Twitch can issue username bans and IP bans. If you receive the latter, you can use a VPN service to unblock Twitch. However, if you receive a username ban, switching IP addresses or devices doesn’t help.

In that case, you will have to create a new Twitch account, connect to a VPN service, and access Twitch again. Additionally, if the ban isn’t due to a severe rule break, you can contact Twitch customer support to appeal the ban. 

Can I Use Double VPN for Twitch? 

Of course, you can use two VPNs or a VPN with a double server feature for Twitch if you want extra privacy and protection. However, keep in mind that this will further slow down your connection due to the extra encryption layer. With that in mind, running your network through a single VPN server is more than enough.

Is it Necessary to Use VPN While Streaming on Twitch?

While it’s not necessary to use a VPN while streaming Twitch content, it’s certainly a smart idea to do so. You will hide your real IP address from your ISP and snoopers and stream Twitch content in complete privacy. Sometimes, you might even unlock better performance, if your ISP has been throttling your bandwidth.

Can I Use Free VPN for Streaming?

You can use a free VPN for streaming, but we generally don’t recommend using such services. Free VPNs are not a good choice, both for functionality and security reasons. When it comes to the latter, more important aspect, many free VPNs are outright dangerous to use, often exploiting their users.

From a practical standpoint, free VPNs significantly lack features compared to premium services. Free services can’t go around geo-restrictions, often offer slow connection speeds, few servers, and limited bandwidth.

Why is my Twitch VPN not working?

If your Twitch VPN isn’t working, try switching to a different VPN server or tailoring a few settings in the app. If this doesn’t get it to work, you will need to switch to a different VPN provider. As Twitch regularly blacklists IP addresses, a VPN with fewer servers might end up getting blocked altogether.

This is why you need a VPN with a huge selection of servers. If some servers get blacklisted, you can easily switch to one of the other server locations and maintain interrupted access to Twitch streams.

Does a VPN Reduce Streaming Quality?

It’s true that a VPN will slightly lower your connection speed, but this doesn’t mean that the quality of your streams will be diminished. A quality VPN for Twitch is more likely to improve your overall streaming experience. This is because it can help you avoid bandwidth throttling and reduce the chance of buffering.

Do Any Twitch VPNs Offer a Money-Back Guarantee?

Yes, all of our top seven recommended VPNs for Twitch offer a money-back guarantee deal to new customers. Most often, this comes in the form of a 30-day money-back offer, so you can test out the service for a full month without paying. This way, you can enjoy a risk-free service without having to use a free VPN.

Do Streamers Use VPN Services?

Many streamers utilize VPNs to boost their network performance and protect their online privacy. The latter is particularly important for larger streamers that have a more substantial following. In such cases, a VPN is a useful tool for protecting against Swatting and DDoSing attempts.

Conclusion

Twitch is an all-around platform for gaming and music broadcasts, creative content, live vlogs, and much more. No matter if you want to access Twitch in a restricted part of the world, avoid an IP ban, or ensure fast and stable streaming connections, a VPN is the best way to go about it. Many streamers use VPNs for one or more of these reasons.

To enjoy it without any restrictions and limitations, you need to pick a reliable VPN service that can consistently deliver stable and fast speeds. Of course, there aren’t many VPNs that are worth your time and subscription money.

That said, the seven best Twitch VPN services we’ve recommended are all able to deliver this. Still, if you’re looking to unblock Twitch and enjoy fast speeds with robust protection, NordVPN is the best VPN for Twitch.