The Best VPNs for Roku: Detailed Analysis
Since Roku doesn’t support native VPN apps, the best VPNs for Roku offer versatile setup options.
You can use the table below to see how each of our recommended VPNs compare for Roku VPN installation methods:
VPN Service | Dedicated Router App | Manual Router Installation | Virtual Router (Desktop) | AirPlay (iOS) | Screen Mirroring (Android) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ExpressVPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
NordVPN | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
PrivadoVPN Free | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, ExpressVPN is easy to set up on Roku as it works with all five installation methods. The free VPNs are more difficult to set up on Roku as they can’t be installed on routers.
You can find out more about each Roku VPN, including which setup methods they work with, in the following section:
1. ExpressVPN: Best VPN for Roku Overall
Works with every channel on Roku, with fast speeds & the best router app.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Dedicated router app for easy Roku setup | More expensive than competitors |
Unblocks 18 Netflix libraries, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more | |
Works with AirPlay & screen mirroring | |
Fast download speeds with no buffering | |
Servers in 106 countries for global streaming | |
Helpful 24/7 customer support |
This overall score is based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Roku VPN testing methodology.
Router Compatibility: 9.8/10
Streaming: 9.9/10
Speed: 9.7/10
Server Locations: 9.9/10
Ease of Use: 9.9/10
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Roku. Its dedicated router app, easy-to-use mobile apps, and fast connection speeds make it a great choice for all four Roku VPN setup methods.
It’s also the best VPN for streaming, unblocking every Roku channel in 4K quality with no buffering.
Here are the ExpressVPN servers that work best for streaming on Roku:
- For unblocking US Streaming Services: New Jersey 1
- For unblocking UK Streaming Services: London
Quick & Simple Setup on Roku
With its dedicated router app, ExpressVPN is the easiest VPN to set up on Roku. You just need to purchase an ExpressVPN subscription, upload its firmware to your router, and connect your Roku device to your router’s network.
You can also use ExpressVPN’s iOS app to share geo-blocked content via AirPlay to LG Smart TVs and Roku devices, while its Android app works well for screen mirroring to these platforms.
In fact, ExpressVPN is our leading VPN for iPhone and our best Android VPN, too.
As shown in the table above, ExpressVPN is the only VPN that works with every Roku setup method. You can refer to our flowchart to see which method best suits your needs.
Works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, & More on Roku
ExpressVPN unblocked the vast majority of streaming services on our Roku streaming stick.
By connecting to ExpressVPN’s New Jersey server, we were able to consistently unblock the Hulu, Max, and DAZN channels from outside the US.
We also accessed 18 different Netflix libraries on our Roku stick by using ExpressVPN’s device grouping feature.
With an average download speed of 97Mbps, our Roku maintained its 4K video quality without any buffering while connected to a local US ExpressVPN server.
2. NordVPN: Best Alternative VPN for Roku
Unblocks the majority of streaming services with excellent speeds & easy-to-use apps.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Available pre-flashed on a router for easy Roku setup | No dedicated router app |
Works with BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, the Roku Channel & more | Renews at a much higher subscription price |
Unblocks US Netflix and 16 other libraries | |
Compatible with AirPlay & screen mirroring | |
Fast connection speeds with no buffering | |
Servers in 111 countries for international streaming |
This overall score is based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Roku VPN testing methodology.
Router Compatibility: 8.7/10
Streaming: 9.8/10
Speed: 9.7/10
Server Locations: 9.9/10
Ease of Use: 9.5/10
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Roku due to its fast download speeds allowing for 4K streaming without any buffering.
Its apps are also easy-to-use and work to unblock the most popular streaming services, including US Netflix, Max, and BBC iPlayer.
Here are the NordVPN servers that work best for streaming on Roku:
- For unblocking US Streaming Services: United States #8660
- For unblocking UK Streaming Services: United Kingdom #2010
4K Streaming on All Roku Channels
NordVPN reliably unblocks every channel on Roku, including Peacock, Hulu, NBC news, and Netflix.
Using its NordLynx protocol, our video quality never dropped below 4K on our Roku and we experienced no buffering.
Even when connecting to a distant UK server to unblock BBC iPlayer, we recorded an impressive average download speed loss of just 90Mbps.
Easy Setup but No Custom Router App
NordVPN is one of the easiest VPNs to set up on Roku due to its well-designed and intuitive apps.
We were able to create a virtual router without any issues and NordVPN’s mobile apps didn’t affect AirPlay or screen mirroring to the Roku.
However, unlike ExpressVPN, NordVPN does not come with a dedicated router app. You can buy a pre-flashed router equipped with the FlashRouters app instead, but it’s expensive.
3. PrivadoVPN Free: Best Free VPN for Roku
Accesses every Roku channel in 4K quality with no subscription fee.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Free to use with no payment details required | Restrictive 10GB data cap |
Exceptional download speeds | Free version can’t be installed on routers |
Works with Hulu, US Netflix, Max & Disney+ | Only permits one simultaneous connection |
Compatible with AirPlay & screen mirroring | Streaming servers have to be enabled by the user |
All-physical server network in 11 countries | Monthly data has to be manually refreshed |
This overall score is based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Roku VPN testing methodology.
Router Compatibility: 0.0/10
Streaming: 8.8/10
Speed: 9.3/10
Server Locations: 5.5/10
Ease of Use: 7.7/10
PrivadoVPN Free is the best free VPN for Roku thanks to its fast connection speeds and strong streaming performance.
As a free VPN it does come with some restrictions though, including a data cap and limited device compatibility.
Here are the PrivadoVPN Free servers that work best for streaming on Roku:
- For unblocking US Streaming Services: Los Angeles
- For unblocking UK Streaming Services: London
Great for Streaming US Content
Privado VPN Free is an excellent choice for Roku, particularly for those based outside of the US.
Using Privado VPN Free, we were able to unblock US Netflix, Max, and Disney+ on our Roku streaming stick.
We also recorded an average download speed loss of just 4% while connected to a nearby Privado server. This is more than fast enough for 4K and HD streaming.
10GB Data Cap & Paywalled Router Setup
PrivadoVPN Free has a 10GB monthly data cap which limits you to around one hour of 4K streaming or four hours of HD streaming.
You also have to manually renew the data each month by logging into your account on PrivadoVPN’s website. This is frustrating and unnecessary, especially as most free VPNs automatically renew your data for you.
It’s also difficult to set up PrivadoVPN on your Roku. Its free version can’t be installed on routers and we don’t recommend creating a virtual router due to its data cap.
As a result, you can only use it on Roku via AirPlay on iOS or screen mirroring on Android. We found both setup methods straightforward thanks to Privado VPN’s beginner-friendly mobile apps.