Twitch.tv (usually just called Twitch) is a video streaming platform that offers live video game streams, esports competitions, and music broadcasts. This platform is now a part of Amazon and you can access it from various locations all over the world. However, some countries like China and Russia block access to Twitch streams entirely. It would be interesting to see the reasons behind the blocks. If you are in a country that blocks Twitch, there are some good reasons to use a Virtual Private Network. Whether you are broadcasting or watching videos, there are some good reasons to use a VPN for the platform. Before we give you the reasons, have a look at our list of the best VPNs to Unblock Twitch.
Rank | VPN Service | Rating | Server Locations | Visit |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9.8 | 160 | ||
2 | 9.4 | 87 | ||
3 | 9.2 | 95 |
At the time of this post, Twitch.tv had an Alexa ranking (a traffic rating website) of 34 and a US ranking of 14. That means it is the 34th most popular site in the entire world and the 14th most popular site in the US, based on web traffic. In other words, video games and esports are huge. However, some governments block users from accessing the site at all. The way to get around that is by using a VPN.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Unblock Twitch?
The short answer to this is maybe. However, you should always be wary of free VPN services. They usually do not have the best motives in mind when they offer you service. If you decide to use this method, you will run into unreliable service, poor access to server locations, slow speeds, long wait times, and more. Additionally, it may expose your sell your browsing habits to 3rd parties. While you may be able to use a free VPN for Twitch, we do not recommend taking that course of action.
What VPN Features Should I Look For?
There are several things to look for when you are choosing a VPN to unblock Twitch. If you have done any research on providers, you already know that there are many options to choose from. That said, you will want to make sure your provider has the following.
- A large server selection – Gives you a large variety of options to choose from.
- Fast servers – This is a big one if you are watching live streams. That is because slow servers may cause buffering. Though that may not be a huge deal, it is definitely annoying.
- Good encryption options – You want to pick a service that has several encryption options. Most importantly though, the OpenVPN UDP protocol.
- Great customer support – Should you have any issues, this one is important. You want to use your service as much as you can without worrying if something is configured incorrectly.
All of the factors we just mentioned are important if you want to have a good experience. Though we spoke of the best VPN options above, we’ll go into a bit more depth about them.
1. ExpressVPN
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One of the great things you can do with ExpressVPN is unblock content if you are outside the country. Whether you are from the UK or just enjoy the great programming from the British Broadcasting Corporation, you already know it is only available in the UK. When you connect to ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer service, you will be able to access your favorite BBC content, from the US or other countries around the world. You also gain a speed advantage over connecting to a VPN server.
2. NordVPN
As the world gets smaller, some sports become more visible in other countries. Whether you enjoy watching the English Premier League, American football, or others, you may have an issue doing that unless you connect to a VPN server from NordVPN. For example, if you want to watch an EPL match and have an active subscription, you’ll simply connect to a UK server and you should be able to enjoy them. You can say the same for other countries as well since NordVPN has thousands of VPN servers to choose from.
3. Private Internet Access
The United States has some excellent streaming services such as Hulu, HBO Now, the US versions of Netflix and Amazon, and more. If you have a fondness for US TV shows and movies, like to travel abroad, or even just want to check out one of the great shows, you can’t go wrong by connecting to a VPN server from Private Internet Access. When you do, you can quickly gain access to all of those services and more by simply selecting a server in the US.