Plex is one of the most popular media streaming platforms available. You can use the Plex media server for free or purchase a premium subscription for extra benefits. With Plex, you can stream live TV from over 130 channels, access popular movies and TV shows, and even upload your own media collection so that you can access everything in one place.
Read on to learn how a VPN for Plex will enable you to bypass geo-blocks and determine which providers are the best for use on the streaming server. Show more
Below are our top choices for the best Plex VPNs. Each VPN provider meets our strict assessment criteria, which include advanced security features, great unblocking capabilities, decent-sized server networks, and good customer support. Read on to learn which VPNs have made the list.
| Max Speed: | 115000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 6 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 12 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Ultra-fast connection
No-logs policy
5400 servers in 54 countries
Limited payment options
No Split Tunneling on desktop
Only 6 simultaneous connection
Top of our list is NordVPN because it offers an all-around excellent service. You have access to servers across 59 countries worldwide and can unblock various websites, including content on Plex.
Before we dive into this mini rundown of NordVPN, it is worth mentioning that the provider does not permit port forwarding on its network. This is because it views it as a security threat, and therefore means that you can’t use this VPN to remotely access the Plex media server.
Fortunately, NordVPN makes up for the lack of remote access to Plex in other areas, hence why it tops our list. This VPN has incredible unblocking capabilities and can get past many geo-restrictions and VPN firewalls, including on services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
As well as Nord’s ability to bypass restrictions on Plex and other platforms, you’ll ensure an extremely secure network connection. This is because Nord employs military-grade encryption and secure tunneling protocols, including OpenVPN and NordLynx, which is the provider’s proprietary protocol.
There are other great security tools in place, such as a kill switch and private DNS servers so that DNS requests go through the provider’s network and not your ISP. As well as this, Nord keeps no logs, ensuring that your activity on Plex is never recorded or stored anywhere.
The VPN client is well-designed and extremely easy to use. You can connect to a server with the tap of a button and establish a connection within seconds. It’s worth mentioning that speeds on Nord’s servers are very fast, which bodes well when streaming content on Plex.
If you purchase a NordVPN subscription, you’ll enjoy 6 simultaneous device connections and support for the most popular apps, including a desktop PC like Windows and macOS, perfect for setting up your Plex server on. You can even configure the VPN to your router to give automatic protection to all devices on your home network.
Try out NordVPN and take advantage of the excellent customer support on offer, which includes a 24/7 live chat. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee across all plans so that you can back out if you change your mind.
| Max Speed: | 373000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 10 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | Not available |
| Information sharing: | 5 Eyes Member |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows |
Tons of servers
Dedicated IP option
One of the largest providers in US!
Old interface
Autogenerated locale languages
No free trial
One of the best VPN providers for Plex is PIA. With this VPN, you can set up a remote connection to your Plex server using an internal port.
PIA makes our list since it allows users to create ports so that they can remotely access the Plex server. You can create a secure tunnel so that you have VPN route options and are able to watch content on Plex when you’re not at home.
One of the best things about PIA is that it offers a lot of VPN configuration. You can choose your encryption settings, whether you want AES-128 or AES-256 encryption, and what RSA keys you want to use. As well as this, you can alter your VPN protocols, opting for ultra-secure OpenVPN or PPTP for a faster speed.
VPN traffic will always remain private since PIA operates a strict no-logging policy. Even though the provider is based in the US, its privacy policy rules ensure that no data is monitored, stored, or shared on the network.
While your traffic will be secure with PIA, the VPN does have a few issues in terms of unblocking content, which could make it an issue for Plex users. PIA can unblock US Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ but runs into a few issues on other streaming services. However, this is fairly normal since there is a constant battle between streaming platforms and VPNs.
You can use PIA on a host of devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. There is a comprehensive support section on the website full of set-up guides and instructions on how to set up port forwarding, which is useful for Plex users.
With an ever-growing server network, PIA offers low server loads and many IP address options. The VPN also offers a SOCKS5 proxy, which is good for users who want fast streaming speeds while using Plex. This also bodes well for fans of torrenting, who might want to quickly download films and TV shows to put on their Plex media player.
PIA has various subscription plans to meet all users’ needs and, like many other providers, comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for all first-time customers. We highly recommend this provider if you want speed and security and access to a large server network that frequently experiences changes.
| Max Speed: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Shared |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | Unlimited |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 13 |
| Information sharing: | 5 Eyes Member |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, FireOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
Awesome customer support
Netflix approved
Unlimited devices
No free trial unless you buy 24 months
Limited payment options
5-eyes member
IPVanish is a good option if you want reliable streaming performance on Plex, as well as more privacy and security on the web.
IPVanish has more than 40,000 IP address options from 75 countries, meaning you can change your geo-location and access a lot of content from around the world. IPVanish works well with many streaming sites and can unblock restricted TV channels on Plex.
With IPVanish, you can not only unblock a lot of content on the web, but you can enjoy more privacy. Your traffic will be hidden from prying eyes with military-grade encryption, and you’ll have a choice of tunneling protocols, including OpenVPN, for a secure VPN connection. Like many of the best VPNs, IPVanish also operates a zero-logs policy and doesn’t monitor your internet traffic.
IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous connections, ensuring that you can protect every single operating system you own. IPVanish offers support for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS and can even be connected to your Amazon Firestick (not that you’ll need one if you use Plex!)
There is unlimited bandwidth with IPVanish, which is perfect for users who consume a lot of content on Plex. Combined with the advanced encryption that the provider offers, you’ll enjoy super-fast speeds as your ISP won’t be able to see how much data you’re consuming.
Customer support is first rate with IPVanish, and some of the best we have seen on offer. There is a live chat on the website, a help section full of information on how you can use the VPN, an email address, and even a US telephone number that customers can call.
IPVanish offers many different subscription plans, and the cheapest costs just $2.62 per month. You can opt to add encrypted storage to your purchase, which may bode well for Plex users who have a lot of media content on their devices and want to protect these.
| Max Speed: | 58000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 12 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows |
Tons of payment options
24-hour live chat suppot
30-day money back guarantee
More expensive than competitors
Only 5 simultaneous connections
No servers in Russia
ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPNs in the world and is a great VPN for Plex. It can unblock content on almost all media streaming sites and works in restricted regions, including China.
ExpressVPN is another excellent service if you want to encrypt all of your VPN traffic, hiding your Plex activity whilst simultaneously unblocking restricted TV channels on the platform. Although ExpressVPN is another provider that doesn’t allow port forwarding making remote access to the Plex server impossible, it excels in many other areas.
Firstly, there is an abundance of security features, including the Network Lock, which is the provider’s kill switch. There is also AES-256 bit encryption, excellent protocols including Lightway, and private DNS on all servers.
ExpressVPN operates a no-logging policy and is based in the British Virgin Islands, meaning that it doesn’t need to store or share user data as it doesn’t operate under data retention laws. Simply put, all of your data will be safe when using ExpressVPN, and no one will know what you watch on Plex.
While there are only 5 simultaneous connections with an ExpressVPN subscription, there is support for many operating systems. You can use the VPN on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux and even configure the VPN to your router. ExpressVPN also has a router VPN client, ensuring that you can protect all devices on your network.
All of ExpressVPN’s apps are really easy-to-use, which makes up for their basic user interface. However, they are great for VPN novices and allow you to easily choose and connect to a server, changing your IP address and subsequently bypassing geo-blocks.
There is excellent customer support on hand to fix any problem you may have with the VPN service. As well as a ticketed email system, there is a live chat and a support section on the provider’s site. The support section features informative posts and advice on how to make the most out of the service.
Although ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive services we have included on this Plex VPN list, it offers a 30-day refund policy. You can try out the service for yourself with no strings attached and see just how well it works with Plex.
| Max Speed: | 10000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dynamic |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 10 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | Not available |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Boxee Box, Chromecast, FreeBSD, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Roku, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
Most server locations in the business
Supports almost all devices
30 day money back guarantee
Few payment methods
Very expensive monthly plan
No bitcoin payment option
PureVPN is a great VPN for Plex since it allows remote access to a Plex server thanks to its support for port forwarding and static IP address offerings.
With PureVPN, you can add port numbers to your router to enable port forwarding and be able to access your Plex server remotely. There is even a PureVPN app for routers, which makes it easier for subscribers to control the VPN router settings.
The provider offers a lot of information on its website on how you can set up a remote connection to your Plex server with a VPN, which is extremely useful as many providers don’t have posts about this topic. However, to enjoy port forwarding, you’ll have to purchase the tool as an add-on.
With PureVPN, you can easily unblock content on Plex since the provider operates in a whopping 140 countries. The service works well in restricted countries and is constantly expanding its server network to meet user demands. You can even request a server location on the provider’s homepage, which indicates Pure’s commitment to its users.
Your data will be safe with PureVPN since the provider employs advanced encryption and tunneling protocols. PureVPN is also DNS and IPv6 leakproof to ensure that DNS requests and your real IP address aren’t revealed.
There are 10 simultaneous connections available on each subscription, which is more than enough to secure all devices in your household. PureVPN has support for all major operating systems, which means you can easily encrypt the device where your Plex server is.
There are no bandwidth limits, meaning you can stream as much as you want on Plex. PureVPN also offers split tunneling, which means you can encrypt your data solely on the Plex platform and route all your other traffic via your regular network.
Try out PureVPN today and get access to customer service round the clock and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Although Plex offers access to many TV channels and films, you’ll find that you’re limited by what you can watch, depending on your location. Due to copyright laws, a lot of content is only available inc certain countries. By using a Plex VPN, you can change your server location and IP address and get past geo-restrictions on the media server.
As well as enabling users to watch more content, a streaming VPN for Plex hides your activity on the platform from third parties like Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In doing so, your internet activity is private and can’t be shared with third parties. As well as this, Your ISP won’t be able to throttle your bandwidth while you’re streaming content.
You can even use a VPN if you want remote access to your Plex server. With Plex, all of your media will be stored on one device, but if you want to access this content outside of the house, there are ways to securely do so with VPNs that offer port forwarding.
If you want to use a VPN for Plex, we don’t recommend using a free VPN. First of all, free VPNs, even great ones such as ProtonVPN’s free service, often come with limitations. These can include bandwidth limits, meaning you can’t stream, or a lack of unblocking capabilities or server location access.
You can also forget about remote access to the Plex server since many free VPNs won’t support port forwarding. This is a major problem if you want to be able to access Plex on your device outside of your house.
Moreover, many free VPN services that can bypass geo-blocks, like Hola VPN, are not secure and may share your browsing data. Moreover, Hola is a community-powered proxy service, meaning your IP address may be used by other users for malicious purposes.
If you want a VPN for plex, then it’s worth paying for a VPN service; otherwise, you may run into a few issues along the way. Moreover, you’ll enjoy excellent security and privacy with a paid-for VPN service.
Many people use Plex since you can set up remote access to the server from outside of your house. To make sure this is activated, go to the settings section in Plex and enable remote access, ensuring that you keep a record of the port that Plex uses.
After you’ve done this, you need to make sure you’re using a VPN that allows port forwarding. Choose a provider like PureVPN or PIA, and ensure that an internal port is open in the VPN’s NAT firewall.
It’s also a good idea to set up a dedicated VPN IP address so that you can always access the server with the same IP. You can do this by changing your network settings on your computer, changing the details in the Internet Protocol Version 4 area, and manually entering the port and IP address.
First of all, Plex is a legal platform, and using VPNs is also legal. Using a VPN on Plex isn’t illegal, but it may break the terms of services on certain TV channels. This is because some content may be restricted to certain countries and not permitted for distribution in others.
Moreover, it would be best if you didn’t use a VPN for torrenting copyrighted material and then uploading this onto your Plex server. Be cautious when using a VPN, as certain activities may be deemed illegal and get you into trouble online.
A DNS proxy is a great alternative to a VPN if you want to unblock content on Plex. However, unlike a VPN, your web traffic will not be encrypted if you use a DNS proxy. All a DNS proxy does is enable you to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock content online.
How does a DNS proxy do this? It tunnels your DNS requests through the server, preventing websites from seeing your geo-location. This is how it allows people to bypass restrictions that are based on the region, city, or country you’re living in.
ExpressVPN has a MediaStreamer DNS service that can be connected to SmartTV systems. If you’re happy to sacrifice encryption and more privacy online, then a DNS proxy server is a great option for Plex.
Yes, you can watch Netflix on Plex, but you’ll need to use Plex’s plug-in. In doing so, you’ll be able to access your account and watch content directly from the media streaming platform. For this reason, Plex is a great service since it acts as a hub where you can connect all of your favorite TV channels, streaming platforms, and downloaded content.
If you use a VPN for Plex, then you’ll be able to change your location by connecting to another server and access blocked content on Netflix as well.
Yes, Plex is a free service. However, you can upgrade to the Premium version, which costs a little less than $5 per month. Upgrading to the Premium plan will give you more access to TV channels and content that isn't available on the regular free version.
Yes, Plex works behind a VPN and can give you access to foreign content on the media platform.
It's easy to enable Plex with a VPN. You need to:
I’m Madeleine, and I'm a writer that specializes in cybersecurity, tech products, and all things related to the internet.
I have a keen interest in VPNs and believe that everyone deserves internet freedom and security. I wr...
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