Streaming Services That Have Weak VPN Detection

The streaming service with the strongest VPN detection is Amazon Prime, so if you're looking to stream Prime content on a VPN, you might as well forget it. The same applies to DirecTV Stream and a handful of other live TV streaming services. But as for the rest, like Netflix, Max, Hulu, and even Philo and Sling, a VPN will work just fine. These services don't necessarily encourage VPN use, but they have weak detection. And they let it fly under the radar enough times so that it's easy to switch regions and access your account when you're out of the country. Below, we list the things you should know about streaming via VPN, round up the services with the weakest VPN detection, and lastly, answer the most common questions on this topic.

Summary:

  • It's generally easier to stream on-demand than live content via a VPN. Services like YouTube TV and DirecTV are quick to block.
  • Even other streaming services, like Paramount+, are hit-or-miss. Make sure you clear cache and cookies before giving it another try.
  • This goes without saying, but when it comes to cutting through geo-restrictions, paid VPN services will work better than free VPN services.

Nothing beats the price: $28 is really cheap, one of the cheapest ways out there to get Live TV. And the fact that you get unlimited DVR -if you care about that kind of stuff- on top of that is kind of crazy. Just as a comparison, Youtube TV offers unlimited DVR but it costs three times as much.

Price: $28/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, iPhone, LG Smart TV, Roku, Samsung TV

Get Fubo TV if you're currently paying more than its monthly price for your cable and if you like watching live TV channels. However, if you don't watch a lot of live TV there are much cheaper options out there for on-demand movies.

Price: $84.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, Roku, Xfinity Flex, Xumo

In 2020, Hulu updated their interface to a much neater version, allowing for one of the easiest and most intuitive Live navigation systems around.

Price: $82.99/month

Free Trial: 3 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, iPhone, LG TV, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

Disney+

Disney Plus is a streaming on-demand service owned by the Walt Disney Company available in 59 countries at the time of writing. Pricing starts at $9.99 a month in the US, while plans differ from region to region.

Price: $9.99/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer, iOS, PlayStation, Roku, Xbox

Peacock

Peacock is a streaming service owned by NBC, with options to choose two plans: $7.99/month ($80/year) for ad-supported, or $13.99/month ($140/ year) for ad-free. It used to offer a free plan, but that went away amid the Great Streaming Price Hikes the previous year. Still, with both premium plans, you'll get access to the full catalog of 2,000 movies and shows, including every episode of original NBC favorites like Brooklyn 99, The Office, and Parks and Recreation. You'll also get next-day and early access to all the new episodes of live NBC shows like Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. You can stream Peacock on Apple devices like the iPhone and Apple TV, Google devices like Android phones and Chromecast, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles. But there is still no app available for Roku or Amazon platforms.

Price: $7.99/month

Device availability: Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer, iOS, LG TV, PlayStation, Roku, Visio TV, Xbox

Hulu is an on-demand service that is currently only available in US territories. You can get access to Hulu's on-demand content library for $9.99 a month with commercials, and $18.99 without. There's also an option to bundle it with Disney+ for $10.99 a month with ads.

Price: $9.99/month

Free Trial: 30 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, LG TV, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

Starz is a cable TV network in the US with an on-demand streaming service of the same name. Currently, Starz on-demand has a monthly price of $10.99 ($3/month for the first 3 months). Starz is available as an add-on channel to Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Roku platform. For a similar subscription price, you can also access Starz as an add-on via a variety of online streaming services including YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV, among others. Alternatively, the Starz on-demand app is available for Android, iOS and most other mobile devices.

Price: $10.99 $3

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

Frndly TV

Frndly TV is a streaming platform focused on family-friendly live TV channels, with an attractive price starting at $8.99. There are three plans: Basic, Classic, and Premium, which cost $8.99, $10.99, and $12.99, respectively. The Basic plan only allows for SD streaming, but the other plans allow for HD. The basic plan doesn't allow for DVR recordings, but the other plans allow for 3 months and 9 months, respectively. Lastly, the basic plan allows for only one simultaneous stream, but the Classic plan allows for two, and the Premium plan allows for four.

Price: $8.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Vizio

Netflix is an ad-free streaming platform that operates on a monthly, or annual, subscription. There are three pricing plans – Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium – and the one you choose will determine the number of devices that you can simultaneously use to watch Netflix, in case you want to share the account with someone else. There are three plans, though pricing differs from region to region. First up is the Standard with ads plan, which allows you to watch on one device at a time. Upgrading to the Standard plan allows you to watch shows and movies, and download them for offline viewing, on up to 2 different devices at a time. The top-tier Premium plan lets you watch and download on up to 4 different devices, and comes with the options to watch videos in HD and Ultra HD. Once subscribed, you can watch movies and TV shows directly on your browser via Netflix.com. You also have the option of downloading the app on pretty much any mobile device, including iOS, Android, or Windows. The app also works on computers using Windows XP or later and Macs with OS X Tiger or later.

Price: $7.99/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Changhong, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, Haier, Hisense, iOS, LG TV, Nvidia SHIELD, Panasonic, Philips, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung, Samsung TV, Sharp, Skyworth, Sony, TiVo, Vestel, Vizio, Wii, Xbox

Mubi is a movie-streaming service featuring a curated selection of 30 movies on a daily rotation, as well as a large library of movies from previous rotations. The subscription costs $14.99 per month or $119.88 for an annual subscription. If you just want to browse the database before paying up front, you can sign up for a free account for access. Mubi has a Now Showing section, with the newest entries to the library on a given day (the library is updated daily), and a Library section featuring a back-catalog of other highlights and previously “showing” movies. You may see a section called 'Live' for live broadcasts once in a while. Aside from the options to stream via web browser, Mubi also has mobile apps for Android and iOS, media streaming devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku), and you can subscribe to Mubi as a Prime Video channel. While Mubi is not available on the Xbox One, you can access the service on a PlayStation 4 console.

Price: $14.99/month

Free Trial: 30 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV

Formerly HBO Max, Max is a subscription-based on-demand platform that is only available in the US. New subscribers can choose from three monthly tiers ranging from $9.99 (with ads) to $16.99 (no ads) to $20.99 (no ads, plus more concurrent streams, downloads, and 4K streaming). An annual subscription option is also available. When you subscribe, you'll get HBO’s world-class exclusives, such as The Wire and Game of Thrones but Max also functions as a bundle: you'll get content from Discovery, DC, Criterion Collection, Looney Tunes, Studio Ghibli, Turner Classic Movies, and Crunchyroll. And as of September 2023, you will also get a live stream of CNN. It's not a direct 24/7 simulcast of the channel, but many segments of it are broadcast live. Most mobile devices that can stream video support Max, although there is yet no app for Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices.

Price: $9.99/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

Shudder is an on-demand streaming service dedicated to niche horror movies. In the US, a monthly subscription currently runs at $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year. In 2020, Shudder extended its operations to Australia and New Zealand, where pricing differs. You can also sign up for Shudder via your Amazon Prime account. Shudder can be accessed via a full range of services including Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, Xbox One and is compatible across Apple and PC computers, and Android and iOS phones and tablets.

Price: $8.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, iOS, Roku, Xbox

Criterion Channel is a curated movie-streaming service that offers ad-free and on-demand access to films from The Criterion Collection in HD. It is currently only available in the US and Canada. The subscription costs $10.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Like Netflix, the Criterion Channel also offers a physical rental service. The number of movies you can rent each month, for a flat monthly rate, depends on how quickly you can return them. You don't need to subscribe to The Criterion Channel to buy or rent physical media on DVD and Blu-ray, but subscribers may get discounts. With the introduction of Criterion24/7, Criterion Channel also entered the Live TV world, offering a great alternative to channels like Turner Classic Movies.

Price: $10.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

Sundance costs $6.99 per month, with an annual subscription that goes for $59.99. In addition to watching Sundance Now on the web, you can stream from the service’s apps for mobile, (Android and iOS) and media streaming (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku). Sundance Now does not offer any apps on game consoles, such as the Xbox One or PlayStation 4.

Price: $6.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, iOS, Roku

Pluto TV

Pluto TV is a modern take on traditional cable: it has hundreds of channels streaming live, a huge library of on-demand content, and it’s supported by ads. But the key difference from the competition? It’s totally free.

Price: free for 33 channels available

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Roku, Virgin Media, Vizio SmartCast, webOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

CuriosityStream is an American streaming service that focuses on documentary movies and shows and is available in more than 175 countries. In the US, pricing starts at $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year for the basic plan, with an upgrade to the 4K Monthly plan available for $9.99 per month or $69.99 per year. CuriosityStream can be accessed via web browser as well as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, and has a mobile app that is compatible across Apple and PC computers, and Android and iOS phones and tablets.

Price: $4.99/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

Britbox is a streaming service born out of an alliance between two British broadcasters: BBC and iTV. If you like British humour, British detective shows, or anything British TV, it's the place for you. You won't be the only one, by October 2020, the platform had 1.5 million subscribers, a number that's growing.

Price: $8.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV

Xumo Play

With people overwhelmed by the onslaught of mammoth streaming services, companies like Xumo are having a moment. A free, ad-supported hub for both live and on-demand content, Xumo is gaining ground in the streaming landscape.

Price: free for 13 channels available

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Google TV Streamer, iOS, Panasonic, Roku, Samsung TV, Visio TV, webOS, Xfinity Flex

MGM+ (formerly Epix On Demand) is a streaming platform from the Epix television network that offers on-demand content from the channel. It’s offered to subscribers of the Epix television channel at no extra cost. Otherwise, the cost varies depending on your TV provider, though it averages at about $6.99/month whether you subscribe directly or via a third partner. You can subscribe to MGM+ via supported providers including Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DISH, DIRECTV, Spectrum, and Verizon FIOS. It can also be used as an add-on with Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.

Price: $6.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku

Discovery+ is a streaming service from the famous mass media company that has an ad-supported plan for $5.99 a month and an ad-free plan for $9.99. This includes content from Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, Food Network, HGTV, ID, A&E, History, Lifetime, OWN, Travel, Science Network, and The Dodo. But beware, you cannot stream these channels live with a Discovery+, you can only watch their TV shows in playback.

Price: $5.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Google TV Streamer, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

While programming depends on your geographical location, Acorn TV in the US focuses on TV shows from dozens of international networks in countries of the Commonwealth, from British channels like the BBC and ITV as well as Oceanic shows from Australia and New Zealand. Aside from British shows, there’s also a solid selection of content from other major European networks from France, Italy and Ireland.

Price: $7.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku

What is a VPN? Why do I need it to stream?

A VPN hides your current IP address and replaces it with a different one based on your chosen region. Some cord-cutters use it to access geo-restricted content, like when you want to watch an out-of-market game, for example, or a film that's exclusively available on Netflix Australia.

What are the best VPNs to use for streaming?

When it comes to cutting through geo-restricted content, paid services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and SurfShark work best, not just because they're already tried and tested, but because they have thousands of servers across the globe. You can check this link for more VPN recs.

What should I do if a streaming service detects my VPN?

If you're already subscribed to one of the VPNs above and find that it still won't work, you can try clearing your caches and cookies and restarting the service. Some people also change routers or use a hotspot to avoid detection.

The streaming services on this page were chosen by our editors. If you choose to subscribe to a streaming service we recommend as a result of our research, analysis, and curation, our work is sometimes (but not always) supported by an affiliate commission from the streaming service when you make a purchase.