ZDF, short for Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, is a German television broadcaster based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. It’s renowned for its original and exclusive TV shows, including the ever-popular Wetten, dass..? which ran for over 40 years.
What makes ZDF unique from other broadcasting services is that it’s a public service financed by television licensing fees. Households in Germany must pay €17.50 per month for ZDF, with very few exceptions.
But, where do you start? In this helpful guide, we explain the benefits of using a VPN to watch ZDF and outline the best VPNs for ZDF on the web. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know. Show more
Here you will find out the list of the very best VPNs for ZDF. Each provider has been tried and tested on the platform and is guaranteed to give you a german IP address to unblock ZDF. Check them out below:
| 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
If having 5,000 VPN server locations wasn’t impressive enough, NordVPN is a fantastic option for those looking to access content in Germany. Thanks to over 200 servers in the country, watching ZDF is absolutely no problem at all. Getting a German IP address takes just seconds, and once you’re connected, you’re free to browse and stream freely. Having such a wide choice of servers is just the beginning, and there are many reasons why NordVPN made the best VPNs for ZDF shortlist.
NordVPN passed our speed tests with flying colors, giving users impressive connection stability. You can watch ZDF or stream other TV channels without worrying about the VPN connection dropping or being slowed down during busy periods. There are absolutely no limits with NordVPN, and you’re free to use all of the bandwidth you need.
Your personal security or privacy is another thing that you needn’t worry about with NordVPN. It’s up there with the very best VPNs when it comes to private internet access. The 256-bit encryption is complemented by private DNS, dedicated IP addresses, and a network kill switch designed to protect you even if the VPN drops out. Combining such high levels of security with impressive server performance and coverage is something not all VPNs are capable of, but NordVPN has perfected it.
The NordVPN app works on most operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and IOS. This means that every device can be protected, and one subscription allows for up to 5 simultaneous connections. Surprisingly, NordVPN is one of the most affordable providers, with a monthly subscription costing $11.95 and including a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| 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 all about speed, producing some of the best connection speeds of any other VPN on the market. It’s a fantastic option for ZDF and works great with Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and other streaming services. This is supported by unlimited bandwidth, meaning that you’re free to stream and download all you like. There are plenty of worldwide server locations to choose from, and ExpressVPN has locations in 2 German cities, Frankfurt and Nuremberg. It’s always great to have options, especially when trying to bypass geo-restrictions.
Each of these servers is packed with premium security features, including 256-bit encryption and a no-logs policy. A no-logs policy means that ExpressVPN doesn’t hold any of your browsing data, IP addresses, or locations. This means that users can benefit from completely private internet access with no snooping eyes. In addition, a dedicated IP address is also given to each user, something not available with most VPN providers.
ExpressVPN supports up to 5 simultaneous connections so that the entire household can stream ZDF at the same time. It’s also compatible with the most popular computer and mobile devices, so you shouldn’t encounter any problems when getting started. A 1-month subscription to ExpressVPN costs $12.95, but an annual plan brings this down to just $8.32 per month, and both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Max Speed: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 7 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 4 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Servers in unusual countries
Great support options
Great blog and guide universe
Limited payment options
Poor press area for affiliates
Few Netflix libraries
CyberGhost has over 7,000 VPN servers and locations worldwide, making it the most impressive of all VPNs on this list for coverage. There are over 800 servers in Germany alone, covering Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Frankfurt, so CyberGhost truly is a fantastic option for those looking to unblock ZDF. You might think that with so many servers available, surely the network must slow down from time to time? The answer to this is no. CyberGhost can handle anything, from watching ZDF to streaming sports or gaming. You will never experience any throttling.
Another reason why CyberGhost is named as the best VPN for ZDF is its outstanding security on the server network. This VPN has everything, from DNS leak protection, military-strength encryption, and a network kill switch, to a strict no-logs policy to protect user privacy. Hacking and phishing is a problem of the past when connected to a CyberGhost server, so you never have to worry about encountering any issues.
CyberGhost allows up to 5 simultaneous device connections. This is made even better by the fact that there are apps available on almost every device and operating system. You can protect the entire family and grant them access to ZDF outside Germany for one monthly price. Each user can also benefit from the enhanced privacy that the CyberGhost servers provide.
A subscription to CyberGhost costs $12.99 per month, but there are also discounts on 6-month and annual plans. Most VPNs only have a 30-day money-back guarantee period, but CyberGhost allows you 45 days to make your mind up. If you’re not 100% satisfied, all you have to do is log on to live chat to initiate the refund.
| 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
Despite having a lower VPN server number than some of the competition, IPVanish has great coverage in Germany. This is one of the main reasons why IPVanish landed on the best VPNs for ZDF list, but it’s not all. This impressive VPN provider is one of the best when it comes to its safety features. It has 256-bit AES encryption, several different VPN protocols, dedicated IP addresses, and a network kill switch, all provided as standard. This means that you don’t need to worry about any data leaks or compromises to your personal privacy or security. There is also a team of experts available on live chat if you need any help, making IPVanish one of the leading providers for service too.
Unlimited bandwidth is provided, and there are no speed caps, so you can watch ZDF or stream anything else for as long as you like. This is another of the many reasons why we recommend it for streaming. IPVanish also supports up to 5 simultaneous connections and works across many different devices, making it fantastic value for money. There are also browser extensions to make connecting even easier.
This VPN is one of the cheapest options of all, despite having all of the fantastic features of others on this list. A monthly plan is $3.91 on month one, then $9.99 going forward. The annual plan has a similar structure, priced at $28.79 for the first year and $89.99 thereafter. Although there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, it only applies to the annual plan.
First and foremost, a streaming VPN is needed for ZDF if you don’t have a German IP address. This is because the service has geo-restrictions, making it inaccessible to those outside of Germany. Using a VPN is the only way to bypass these restrictions and gain access to the platform safely. Even if you’re in Germany and don’t need to unblock the content, we still recommend using a VPN for the other benefits.
VPNs are a great way to enhance your existing internet connection, with most products providing faster speeds than your Internet Service Provider alone. If you’re regularly using ZDF or other streaming sites like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, a VPN can make the entire experience much better. Speed and performance aside, security is the main reason that you should consider always using a VPN.
Security and privacy features will vary depending on the provider and typically include military-grade encryption, a network kill switch, a no-logs policy, and private DNS. Much of this is not provided with your ISP, and so it adds an essential extra layer of security to your browsing and streaming experience.
If you’re based outside of Germany, then you can use a VPN to watch ZDF – here’s how:
Our expert team looks at specific criteria when reviewing a VPN for ZDF. Here are some of the specifics:
Free VPNs will not provide you with a choice of servers, meaning that you’re unlikely to get an IP address in Germany, and without this, you will not be able to access ZDF. Even if you can get a server in Germany, a free VPN cannot handle HD streaming over a long time. Not only will your bandwidth be limited, but your speeds will be capped too, and many of the VPN features highlighted in this guide will not be included. To enjoy streaming services and content properly, we recommend that you use a premium VPN like the ones outlined in our list.
No, it is not illegal to use a VPN for ZDF. However, it may be against the ZDF terms of use to use a VPN or access content from anywhere other than Germany. To avoid any IP bans or complete account restrictions, we recommend utilizing the security tools to remain undetected as you stream, such as a network kill switch. This will end your internet connection if the VPN connection fails for any reason. By doing this, ZDF will have no way of knowing that you’re connecting through a virtual network.
The number of simultaneous connections available depends entirely on the VPN service. Allowance is usually somewhere between 5-7, but some VPNs offer unlimited, such as Surfshark. This significantly improves the value of a VPN subscription, as you will only need one to cover all of your devices in the household for one monthly price.
Every single VPN on our list has been thoroughly assessed, and we know that their money-back guarantee is genuine and completely hassle-free. Think of it as a risk-free period to try the VPN service for yourself, with the flexibility of being able to change your mind. If you decide a VPN isn't for you within the guaranteed period, reach out to customer service to get the refund initiated. There are no questions asked or fuss made.
Yes. Although we have highlighted these VPNs for ZDF, they also work on several different streaming services and for general day-to-day browsing. So whether you want to watch ZDF or a TV series on Netflix, you will be protected. It's also fantastic for parents who can install the VPN on their children's devices for added security. These are all perfect VPNs for many different purposes.
Hi there! I'm Monique, and I am a writer at VPNSurfers. I live in New York, but I'm originally from Delware. I love traveling, but the US will always be home to me.
I have more than 5 years of experience using VPNs, and I ha...
Read more about the author