As a VPN expert, here are the VPNs I recommend for streaming the NFL

Based on my years of experience testing various VPN products, here are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for streaming NFL games.

Streaming capabilities

Not all VPNs are created equal when it comes to how well they do at unblocking geo-restricted streaming content. To be fair, streaming isn’t a priority for every VPN. Some VPNs put a heavy emphasis on streaming because they know that many of their customers sign up to stream content from different regions. Others may be more focused on privacy or otherwise lack the resources to provide reliable streaming performance. Either way, you’ll want a VPN with a solid track record when it comes to streaming if you want consistent and reliable access to services that stream NFL games.

Server locations

If you’re in the US and have an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription, you’ll need a VPN that has servers in different regions of the US. This is because NFL Sunday Ticket only gives you access to out-of-market NFL games. So if you want to watch your local game, you’ll need to connect to a server outside of your current region. Otherwise, if you subscribe to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, or DirecTV, you can connect to servers in other locations to access regional broadcasts. The more server locations you have at your disposal (especially in the US), the more options you have for streaming NFL games.

Speed

Using a VPN will slow down your internet speeds a bit, but if you have a fast VPN (100 Mbps or higher), you probably won’t notice the difference as long as your basic internet speeds are fast to begin with. If your VPN slows down your speeds too much, your NFL streaming experience may be choppy. A fast VPN will ensure that your stream remains uninterrupted and you don’t miss a second of the action. For optimal speed performance, I recommend using WireGuard or your VPN provider’s proprietary protocol.

Privacy

Privacy is an important factor for any VPN, whether you’re a casual user or have critical online privacy needs. Look for a VPN with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch — at the very least. This will help increase your privacy and ensure that your online activity remains private.

Price

The price of a VPN service will be a major factor for most people. Some VPNs cost $100 or more per year, but you can get premium VPN services that are great for streaming NFL games for as little as $40 per year.