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Best VPN for Plex in 2025

Watch Plex with The Best VPN

Plex is growing in popularity and is one of the best media management and streaming solutions. Sadly, just like any excellent streaming service, Plex’s content is not distributed equally worldwide. Due to licensing issues, most shows and movies are geo-restricted and unavailable in certain regions.

But with the best Plex VPN, you can kiss the streaming struggles goodbye. A top-tier provider will help you avoid any geo-blocks imposed by the streaming media service. Additionally, a VPN will provide an additional layer of online security when streaming or simply browsing. To get the most out of Plex, choose one of the top providers from our list.

Best VPN for Plex: shortlist

How to use VPN with Plex in 2025

Subscribe to the best Plex VPN

Benefits of using a Plex VPN

While Plex works great right out of the box, you’ll find yourself in dire need of a VPN. Today, the internet is a go-to place for entertainment, but it also comes with security, privacy, and freedom concerns. Luckily, a trustworthy provider can easily help you with those issues.

First and foremost, a VPN can help you break through geo-locks by hiding your IP address. That way, you can enjoy Plex and heaps of other streaming platforms from anywhere. Not to mention, there will be a bunch of other content that you might want to browse, thanks to a VPN that can bypass any restrictions.

Restricted Content Without VPN

Additionally, a trustworthy provider will stop your ISP (Internet Service Provider) from limiting your bandwidth. They might do that when playing video games, torrenting, or streaming. But with a VPN, you can enjoy fantastic download speeds and buffer-free videos whenever.

Lastly, if you’re concerned about your online privacy and security – a VPN service has you covered. Avoid any cyber threats, like malware, viruses, and trackers that you might encounter on the web. Moreover, a good provider will guarantee that no snooper, government, or ISP can see what you do while skimming through the World Wide Web.

Best VPNs for Plex: overview

  1. NordVPN – the best VPN for Plex
  2. Surfshark VPN – VPN with no device limit
  3. PrivateVPN – streaming-oriented Plex VPN
  4. IPVanish – VPN with excellent security features

The Top 5 VPNs have earned their rightful places on the list for several reasons. Firstly, IP and DNS leak prevention, a robust kill switch, and NASA-grade encryption will ensure your security. Additionally, we picked providers that don't keep any logs, so you know your browsing sessions are kept a secret.

Apart from that, all VPNs have multiple simultaneous connections, immense server fleets, and provide phenomenal speeds. More so, they are compatible with all major devices and operating systems for your convenience.

Thus, let’s analyze and find out which Plex VPN is the best in 2025.

1. NordVPN – the best VPN for Plex

9.8
review-badge__icon Top VPN provider
Number of servers
Number of servers:
7100
Number of countries covered
Number of countries covered:
118
Support
Support:
24/7, email
Download speed
Download speed:
452 Mbps
  • Unparalleled speeds
  • Unbeatable in terms of security and privacy
  • SmartPlay to access the geo-blocked content
  • No router app

NordVPN is the ultimate Plex VPN service out there. It offers 7100+ servers in 118+ locations, so finding the best servers for streaming will be a breeze. Additionally, your household members can enjoy Plex on 6 devices simultaneously, so you won’t have to fight over the big screen anymore.

The provider doesn’t disappoint when it comes to performance either. You can bet your hat that all content will be in 4K thanks to ultra-fast, proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol. Furthermore, suppose you want to enjoy other streaming platforms. In that case, the provider will open up location-blocked services like Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and many more.

Moreover, NordVPN is compatible with most major devices, so you can stream your Plex content on a phone, tablet, or computer. Add SmartPlay DNS into the mix, and you can enjoy movies and shows on game consoles and Smart TVs that don’t usually support VPNs.

Regarding privacy and security, hardly anyone can match NordVPN. The provider is based in Panama, a country with no data retention laws. Additionally, NordVPN doesn’t collect any logs and has been audited twice by a third party. All of your data will be under military-grade encryption and protected by a robust kill switch as well as IP and DNS leak prevention.

If you want to try the industry-leading VPN, take NordVPN for a spin with a 7-day free trial. Grab a long-term subscription for $3.39/month when a week passes, protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Or, if you want to find other deals, be sure to check out NordVPN’s coupon page.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark VPN – VPN with no device limit

9.5
review-badge__icon Top VPN provider
Number of servers
Number of servers:
3200
Number of countries covered
Number of countries covered:
100
Support
Support:
24/7, FAQ
Download speed
Download speed:
405 Mbps
  • Infinite connections
  • Smart DNS feature
  • Excellent overall performance
  • Unaudited no-logs policy

Surfshark VPN will tear apart any geo-restrictions imposed by Plex or any other streaming service. Additionally, thanks to the WireGuard tunneling protocol and 3200+ servers in 100+ countries, get ready for the highest video quality.

Just like any wonderful VPN service, Surfshark ensures that you can watch Plex content on almost any device. Couple that with the SmartDNS feature, and you might even enjoy stuff on your smart fridge. Feel like sharing your VPN subscription and Plex library? Then you can easily do that with unlimited simultaneous connections.

Surfshark will ferociously safeguard you against any danger on the internet. CleanWeb will ensure that no tracker, malware, or annoying ad disrupts your pleasant browsing experience. Furthermore, Camouflage Mode will do a tremendous job at keeping you undercover, even from your ISP. Lastly, the Bypasser tool (split tunneling) allows you to control your connectivity by choosing what applications or websites to route via VPN and vice versa.

You can instantly reel in a Surfshark subscription for only $2.19/month with a 30-day cash-return guarantee. Otherwise, you can look for more suitable deals in the Surfshark’s discounts section. And if you have commitment issues, take Surfshark for a ride with a 7-day free trial.

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

3. PrivateVPN – streaming-oriented Plex VPN

Number of servers
Number of servers:
200
Number of countries covered
Number of countries covered:
63
Support
Support:
24/7
Download speed
Download speed:
38 Mbps
  • Highly affordable
  • Port forwarding feature
  • Superior against geo-blocks
  • Lacks WireGuard

PrivateVPN is another great Plex VPN choice. It’s a high-speed VPN that offers a great many security aspects and many other nifty features.

PrivateVPN is a solid pick to consider if streaming Plex is your game. It’s compatible with all major devices, such as Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, etc. Additionally, you can set up a VPN on your router, meaning you’ll be able to watch geo-blocked content on all household devices. And speaking of streaming, you’ll have access to the most popular streaming platforms, like Hulu, Netflix US, and many more.

Furthermore, the provider offers 200+ servers in 63+ countries. And while it’s not the most extensive fleet on the list, they are all High Quality Network (HQN) servers wholly owned by the provider. That ensures impressive speeds and top-notch security.

Lastly, PureVPN’s port forwarding is one of the best features for Plex VPN. It allows external devices access to private networks. Thus, you can turn on Remote Access, use port forwarding, and browse both your personal and Plex’s libraries while being away.

PrivateVPN is one of the cheapest long-term subscriptions ($2.00/month) protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, you can try it out with a 7-day free trial or look for some coupons on the PrivateVPN deals page.

For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.

4. IPVanish – VPN with excellent security features

Number of servers
Number of servers:
2200
Number of countries covered
Number of countries covered:
51
Support
Support:
24/7, email
Download speed
Download speed:
270 Mbps
  • Unlimited connections
  • VIPRE antivirus
  • No virtual servers
  • No anonymous payment options

IPVanish is another industry leader that will improve your Plex experience. It’s one of the few providers that offers infinite connections and 2200+ bare-metal servers in 51+ locations. Furthermore, IPVanish owns all of its hardware, so wrongdoers will have a hard time obtaining your data.

Talking about safety, if you take IPVanish for the long run, you can grab award-winning VIPRE antivirus software. It will shield you from any trackers, rootkits, or exploits. More so, IPVanish has been independently audited, so you know your internet adventures are private. And if that doesn’t convince you of how solid the provider is, it comes with uncrackable encryption, a solid kill switch, and leak protection.

Moving on to a more entertaining bit, you’ll have no problems bypassing geo-blocks on most major devices like iOS, Android TV, and so on. And if you want to torrent, the WireGuard tunneling protocol will ensure fast and stable connectivity. At the same time, the SOCKS5 proxy will fortify your privacy when using P2P services.

IPVanish’s subscriptions come with a month-long money-return guarantee, starting at $2.19/month. Or, if you’re lucky, you can find an even better deal on your IPVanish coupon section.

For a deeper investigation of IPVanish, read our IPVanish review.

How we picked the best VPN for Plex

While there are thousands of providers out there, not all of them can fulfill the basic functionality of a typical VPN. Therefore, when choosing a Plex VPN, pay attention to these essential criteria:

  • Quantity and quality of hardware. Increase your chances of accessing geo-blocked content with a provider that offers an extensive server fleet. Additionally, make sure that the hardware is self-owned and bare-metal to maximize your safety.
  • Guaranteed privacy. A VPN should ensure that all of your browsing sessions are kept a secret. Thus, check if your provider is based outside Fourteen Eyes jurisdiction and doesn’t collect logs. Kudos if they have been audited by a third party.
  • Superb connectivity. Your provider should prevent any annoying buffers and lags. Therefore, get a VPN with WireGuard or NordLynx tunneling protocols.
  • Solid security. Nobody should crash your internet surfing party. Hence, a VPN will be your bodyguard against snoopers, pesky ads, nerve-wracking malware, and annoying trackers.
  • Quality-price ratio. An industry-leading VPN shouldn't make you go bankrupt. You can find excellent long-term subscriptions for less than $4.00/month.
  • Compatibility. Why get a VPN if it only works on Linux? Make sure that your subscription works with major devices and platforms. Also, check if the provider offers dedicated apps for them.
  • Customer support. If something goes awry, you need a provider to be there for you 24/7. Even better if they can respond quickly through live chat.

How to set up Plex over VPN

If you simply want to protect your devices and stream region-locked content globally, setting up and using a VPN for Plex is super easy. You have to:

  • Get the best Plex VPN subscription. Our #1 choice is NordVPN, now 72% off!
  • Download and install the VPN app. It would be best if you did it on the same device where the Plex client is installed
  • Open up the VPN app and select a wanted location. For example, if you want to watch NBC, pick a US server
  • Open Plex and start streaming your favorite location-restricted content!

Avoid Plex’s geo-restrictions with NordVPN

Plex remote access with a VPN

Want to access your Plex library when on vacation or share it with your friends or family? Luckily, Plex Remote Access comes into play. It will enable your Plex Media Server entry from outside your local network.

If you’re not using a VPN (which we do not recommend), you can simply turn on Remote Access by going to the Plex web app, choosing settings, clicking on servers, and switching on Remote Access.

If you use a VPN, it might get a bit more complicated. The best way to get direct access to Plex’s servers is to get a VPN with port forwarding. With the correct port open, you can access Plex through the encrypted VPN tunnel from anywhere. To do so, you have to:

  1. Get a VPN with a port forwarding feature. One of our top VPNs has this feature.
  2. Give your Plex server a static IP address. This will let you set up port forwarding properly and ensure that everything works on your VPN router after a reboot.
  3. Make a note of Plex settings. Click on Remote Access there and remember the port that Plex uses for remote access along with your static IP address. In most cases, this will be port 32400.
  4. Enable port forwarding in your router. The setup process here will depend on your networking device.
  5. Configure your VPN, allow unrestricted access to Plex and enjoy your content anywhere!

Plex not working with a VPN: solution

Let’s be honest: while the top-drawer Plex VPNs will work flawlessly, for the most part, there might be a time when you run into some issues. Thus, it’s essential to know how to resolve them.

Don’t worry, though. You won’t have to dig through multiple web pages to find solutions. Below you’ll discover tried and tested fixes that resolve the most common Plex VPN problems:

  • Hop to a different server. If you get an endless buffering screen when you try to stream something on Plex, try another server in your desired location. There shouldn’t be any problems finding different servers with the top streaming VPN.
  • Check for updates. Your VPN subscription might not work correctly if it’s not up to date. Therefore, go to your provider’s setting and see if you have the newest version of the app.
  • Delete your browser cookies and cache. While you surf the web, you leave little trace of information. Therefore, the streaming service can track you and block the content you want to see. Deal with it by getting rid of all cookies on your device or surf through another browser.
  • Check for IP leaks. Double-check if your kill switch is on and your VPN is not leaking your actual IP address.
  • Ensure your firewall is not blocking your connection. If you’re using a Windows device, the Windows firewall may block the connection to Plex. Thus, go to system settings and whitelist the Plex app.
  • Restart your device. As one of the last resorts, you can turn your device off and on, as that will refresh your VPN and Plex connections.
  • Chat with customer service. None of the above work? Let the professionals deal with it. Simply guide them through the problem you are having, and they should be able to pinpoint the cause of the issue.
  • Change your provider. If all else fails, it’s time to move on and subscribe to a rock-solid service. If you can’t decide which one to choose, we suggest NordVPN, as it is the top Plex VPN.

Is Plex Pass worth it?

Without the Plex Pass, you’ll get quite a few ads, and you won’t be able to watch live TV through your Plex server. More so, mobile app capabilities will be minimal, and you’ll have to pay $5.00 for each new device you connect.

But is Plex Pass worth your money? Well, if you're an avid streamer and thinking of using Plex as your primary media player center, then – yes. The premium version removes any annoying ads, downloads content that you can watch later offline, and, apart from many other great features, Plex Pass connects everyone in the family to the same Plex server. And with a trustworthy VPN like NordVPN, you’ll get an ungodly amount of new content that you can stream.

What to watch on Plex?

Besides uploading and enjoying your own beloved media, there are a bunch of free movies, shows, and TV channels to choose from on Plex. Of course, most of them might be geo-blocked due to legal issues and copyright. But with one of the Top 5 Plex VPNs and Plex Pass, you’ll have no problems breaking through any blocks of firewalls. Thus, here are the most popular channels and TV shows you can choose from:

Channels Shows and Movies
NBC Dumb and Dumber TO
PBS Kids Inside Out
FOX 3rd Rock from The Sun
CBS He Love Me, He Loves Me Not
CW Django

Stream Plex without limitations with NordVPN

Best free VPN for Plex

To put it plainly, there is no best free VPN for Plex. While you can find a few trustworthy free VPNs, most of them are riddled with limitations. For example, data caps, very few servers, and slower speeds.

Additionally, some shady charge-free VPNs do more harm than good. Such as collecting your data and selling it, wrecking your device with malware, and having ancient, outdated security features. Apart from that, they can’t bypass geo-restrictions, which is one of the main reasons for getting a VPN.

But there is a way to get a solid premium Plex VPN without paying a dime. To do so, you need to opt for a provider with a free trial version and a month-long money-back guarantee. Otherwise, you can get yourself a reliable freemium VPN like Proton VPN, which comes with a few limitations but will keep you totally safe.

Bottom line

While Plex is a top-notch media management solution, it comes with annoying geo-blocks that ruin the fun for streamers. Moreover, the web is full of online dangers, and leaving your devices unprotected might compromise your overall safety. But, the best VPN service can lift any digital problems off your shoulders and unleash the true Plex potential.

That’s why we suggest grabbing a NordVPN subscription. It will keep you secure, let you bypass annoying geographical restrictions, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Additionally, it won’t slow you down, so you can watch Plex trouble-free.

What is your go-to Plex VPN choice? Let us know by leaving a comment!


You may also like to read:
Best VPN for Multiple Devices
Best VPN for Streaming
Best VPN for Router
How to get a US IP Address
How to change your location with a VPN
How to unblock websites from anywhere


FAQ

Should I use a VPN when using Plex?

Yes, you absolutely should use a VPN for Plex. It will unlock geo-restricted content, so you can enjoy loads of new content. Additionally, it will keep you and your data secure while browsing, gaming, or torrenting. The best VPN that can do all of those things simultaneously is NordVPN.

Can I use a free Plex VPN?

No, we don’t suggest using a free VPN for Plex or anything in general. Charge-free providers are known for collecting data, throttling your bandwidth, and compromising your devices. If you want to use a VPN for free, it’s better to opt for a VPN with a free trial and 30-day money-back protection. Our top VPNs, NordVPN, offer exceptional services that will work great with Plex.

Do Plex Plug-ins work with VPN?

While they used to, Plex has decided to slowly remove third-party plug-ins from the platform. Still, we highly recommend using a Plex VPN to protect yourself and your devices.

Does Plex work with NordVPN?

Yes, NordVPN works perfectly with Plex. It will help you pierce through geographical blocks and give you access to more shows and movies than you can imagine. Additionally, it will protect 6 devices simultaneously, so you can browse confidently.

3 comments
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  1. Monty Carlo
    Monty Carlo February 15, 2019 at 3PM

    AirVPN would be better for us. One can manually forward ports and connect to any wifi network without exposing his/her sensitive data, and there is no monitoring, logging or throttling of user activities on the part of the organization.



  2. Beck
    Beck February 10, 2019 at 9PM

    I recently started using Plex and I was worried NordVPN would not allow me to go around the geo-blocking. I was silly to think that haha, NordVPN can do anything! I love their service.


      1. switch12
        switch12 February 13, 2019 at 2PM

        CyberGhost is also an awesome VPN, and works great with Plex. The fact that you can alter between streaming, browsing, and torrenting-optimized modes is just incredible. I believe it’s even better than NordVPN, even if it’s more expensive.



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