Streaming and VPNs are a match made in heaven.
You can be subscribed to every streaming platform in existence and still find yourself without anything to watch. It's at this point of desperation that VPNs enter the picture to save the day. With a VPN by your side, you can significantly increase your content options, and the process of accessing these extra shows and movies is actually really straightforward.
You just need to know how.
What is a VPN?
VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.
The act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country, thereby providing access to all the content that is normally locked to that location.
Do you need a VPN?
VPNs are primarily designed to provide protection for your sensitive information, which is obviously super important. These tools can also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location, which is fast becoming the main reason that people subscribe to VPNs.
By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country, you can watch all your favourite content from that location. For example, you could watch all the films and shows on ITVX that are not usually accessible outside of the UK. There is so much content out there that can be accessed with the help of a VPN.
Everyone is in need of something that can bypass geo-restrictions to access all of this blocked entertainment, and that something is a VPN. These services are keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love.
How do you unblock and watch ITVX with a VPN?
The process of unblocking ITVX from abroad is actually really easy with a streaming-friendly VPN.
All you need to do is sign up to a top VPN, download the app for your favourite operating system, and then connect to a secure server in the UK. This quick and easy action makes ITVX think you're in the UK when you're actually abroad, so you can watch all that great content that is normally blocked.
Should you use free VPNs?
The good news is that free versions and free trials of VPNs can be easily found. The bad news is that these free options often come with frustrating limitations that get in the way of everyday activities like streaming.
You can't stream content from around the world if you are using a service with restrictions like limited data usage. These plans will work if you're just an occasional user, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading anything, you are going to end up looking elsewhere. Free trials tend to offer everything you get with a paid plan, but obviously, they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.
The best free VPN out there is probably ProtonVPN, but even this impressive free version has trouble unblocking streaming sites like Netflix and ITVX. The fact is if you want to gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you will need to pay up.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?
There are plenty of VPNs out there that can access ITVX from anywhere in the world, but which is the best for you? To help you make this difficult decision, we have shortlisted a selection of streaming-friendly services that should suit just about everyone. You'll find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and more right here.
These are the best VPNs for ITVX in 2024.
NordVPN
Best For Security
- Monthly: £10.39/month
- One-year plan: £3.99/month
- Two-year plan: £3.19/month
Read our full review of NordVPN.
NordVPN has a reputation for being amongst the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs out there. NordVPN has fast servers that are also not on any blacklists. You should be able to stream Hulu or Netlfix shows in several European countries without any issues.
NordVPN says it offers over 5,000 servers worldwide. It lets you connect six devices at the same time, and it claims to keep no logs of your activities. INordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, with a wide range of advanced security features that combine to protect your data and identity.
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Simplicity
- Monthly: £10.89/month
- Six-month plan: £6.19/month
- Two-year plan: £1.92/month
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
Cyberghost VPN has a really simple interface with easy-to-understand terminology explaining all of its features. It keeps things easy and focuses on strong security features. It’s very fast to set up and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices.
CyberGhost might be easy to use but that doesn't mean it's not on par with other options on this list. Users have access to 3,600 servers in over 60 locations around the world, with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. This makes for reliable streaming, but some users have said connections can be slower than with other VPN offerings.
Private Internet Access
Best For Server Network
- Monthly: £10.99/month
- Six-month plan: £5.39/month
- Two-year plan: £1.69/month
Private Internet Access (PIA) installs quickly and comes with loads of impressive features for all types of users, no matter if you're a beginner or an advanced user who likes fiddling around with settings.
You get your standard secure VPN account, encrypted WiFi, P2P, IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, plus a whole lot more. PIA isn't a particularly sexy app, but what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for with a long list of features. It also has a solid backbone, with thousands of servers in countries all around the world.
It's also relatively speedy. We noticed our "naked" download and upload speeds dropped by only about a half or two-thirds (common for most VPNs). It may not be the fastest VPN around, but it's definitely not the slowest, either.
PIA has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and an extension for Chrome.
PureVPN
Best For Customisation
- Monthly: £8.37/month
- One-year plan: £2.86/month
- Two-year plan: £1.75/month
PureVPN is different to other virtual private network services, due to its customisable nature.
Your connection is based on what 'mode' you select. Some of the options include streaming, 'internet freedom', privacy, file-sharing, and dedicated IP modes.
Some Android users might actually find this a bit limiting, but all your activity is kept private no matter what mode you're in, and that's the most important thing. The dedicated IP mode helps deal with some of the speed issues VPNs frequently face, too.
PureVPN also has many of the other features you expect to get from a VPN, such as the ability to change your location, and in-built protections against malware, viruses, and ads.
Surfshark
Best For Multiple Devices
- Monthly: £9.90/month
- One-year plan: £3.05/month
- Two-year plan: £1.76/month
Surfshark is probably the best VPN for anyone who relies on a lot of tech, as you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan. This also makes it something to seriously consider if there is a lot of people in your house looking to stream at the same time.
Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive features including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with an easy to use and stylish interface making it a strong choice for total beginners.
Surfshark is not the cheapest provider, but if you're willing to commit to a longer contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply.
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