Best VPN for Roku | Stream Geo-Restricted Channels Using VPN

In this buying guide, You will learn about the importance of VPN for Roku and I have listed the best VPN for Roku. I will also help in choosing the best one among them and have given the VPN for Roku setup guides in steps.

This is unbiased article and all the VPNs listed here are personally used and tested by me. The VPNs listed are all reliable and works well with Roku. 

OVERVIEW

Roku is one of the best streaming options in terms of both content quality and quantity. It offers a variety of media streaming set-top boxes and sticks along with its Smart TV.

With the Roku streaming player lineup, you can watch Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and many other streaming channels directly on your TV. You can also download the official apps of ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and PBS to watch their content.

But almost every media streaming service provider puts some geo-restrictions and limits the content for people according to their location. For instance, If you live outside the US, then you can't access Hulu, Netflix US, Amazon US, and US TV channels.

But don't worry as there is a straightforward solution to rid of all geo-restrictions on Roku. Yes, I'm talking about VPN(Virtual Private Network). Today, we will discuss in detail how a VPN helps you watch your favorite content and set it up for our Roku TV. So let's start without any delay.

NEED OF VPN FOR ROKU

All online streaming platforms put geo-restrictions and block you from accessing International content. These geo-filters work by examining the IP address of users as it gives information about a person's country and state.

This blocking strategy restricts you from watching your favorite content just because of your location. But don't worry as a VPN simply solves this problem by hiding your real IP address and giving you a fake one of your country.

It does it by routing your data traffic through an intermediate server located in a different country. This way, it helps us to access all content available on Roku without any problem.

BENEFITS OF USING VPN FOR ROKU TV

A good quality VPN lifts not only geographical barriers but also offers many attractive advantages to its users. Some benefits provided by generally every good VPN are as follows:-

Ensures Security

Your connection with the websites is generally not encrypted, which means a hacker can sniff into the network and steal your personal information. But when you visit a website while connected to a VPN, the VPN encrypts your connection on both ends(your device and website's server).

This secure encryption provided by VPN makes it impossible for hackers to break into your system. In addition to this, the VPN also hides your IP address, ensuring complete data security for you.

Data Security is not important for Roku as it can't be hacked. But still, other devices of your house are prone to hacking attacks, and this tool solves that problem.

Ensures Privacy

A VPN hides your IP address and protects your search history, watches history, and connection logs from your ISP(Internet Service Provider). So your Wifi service provider would never know what you were streaming on your Roku.

Moreover, a good quality VPN itself doesn't store any logs of your device to ensure your complete privacy while surfing on the Internet.

Access to the Geo-Restricted Content

Without a VPN, you will get limited to the content available in your country. But with a VPN, you can access Netflix, Amazon, and BBC's libraries of different countries.

Moreover, you can also access streaming platforms like Hulu, which are exclusive to particular countries. With such accessibility, you can watch a lot of international content without any problem.

High Speed

ISPs throttle the Internet connection of their users if they use excessive data on high-data usage platforms, for example, Netflix. A VPN solves this problem by hiding your original search history and watch history from your ISPs and showing a fake one to them.

This way, your internet speed while using VPN never gets throttled. Therefore with a VPN, you can watch your favorite shows on Roku without facing any buffering.

5 BEST VPN FOR ROKU

If you are planning to buy a VPN for Roku, but not sure which one will be best for you, then check out the list which I have given below.

You can use any one of them for streaming Roku. But I like to warn you not to use free VPN for Roku as they offer a very slow internet speed that is not suitable for streaming purposes.

Moreover, they pose a serious threat to the privacy and security of their users. So, try to select a paid VPN from the list I am going to mention.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN offers lightning-fast internet speed making it the best option for streaming purposes. No matter which app or channel you are using on your Roku for streaming, ExpressVPN will always offer you fast-internet speed and exemption from Geo-restrictions.

It has more than 3000 servers in the 90+ countries that can unblock any app, whether it's Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, or Hulu.

Its encryption technology is one of the strongest ones, and it is impossible to crack it down. It also follows a strict no-log policy, so your data will stay secure and private with this VPN.

You can connect to three devices simultaneously with this VPN, and if you are using a router, then you can connect all devices to the VPN server. It also comes with an effective 24×7 customer care, and you can reach them anytime to solve your problem.

The only downside of ExpressVPN is that it is a little bit costlier than it's alternatives. However, it's features are still more than its price, and if you can afford it, it will be the best VPN for your Roku TV.

2. NordVPN

This VPN is a perfect combination of price and features. It has more than 5600 servers in 60+ countries of the world, which is the second-largest server network. You can unblock all apps and channels on Roku TV with the help of this VPN.

And with its fast internet speed, you can watch HD and 4K videos without any buffering. It also offers dedicated IP addresses that are useful for Roku users. It is because a dedicated IP address can bypass the Netflix screening process easily.

It provides military-grade encryption to secure your data from hackers. Plus, it follows a strict log policy never to store your personal information.

With a single account of NordVPN, you can connect six devices simultaneously, which is enough for your whole family. In addition to this, if you face any problem using NordVPN, you can access its 24×7 customer care, which will solve your problem in a snap.

3. SurfShark

It is a new player in the VPN market, but its features and reasonable price forced me to list it in the best 5 list. It has over 1700 servers in more than 60 countries in the world. With this VPN, you can watch Roku videos in 720p without any buffering.

Almost all servers of this VPN are compatible with Netflix, BBC, and Hulu. Moreover, it gives unlimited bandwidth to its users and never throttles their connection.

It also comes with military-grade encryption and a strict no-log policy to ensure your complete privacy and security. The best part of this VPN is that you can connect it to unlimited devices by buying a single subscription.

This offer makes this VPN way more reasonable than other options. It also offers an efficient and responsive 24×7 customer care staff to help you with all problems regarding VPN.

4. IPVanish

IPVanish VPN has more than 1300 servers in 75+ countries worldwide, with about 40000 shared IP addresses. It is a reasonable VPN with good internet speed. You can easily stream HD videos on Roku with this VPN.

You may face buffering sometimes, but most of the time, it works fine with Roku. It provides the most secure encryption technology to save you from hackers. It also follows a strict no-log policy to ensure your anonymity.

And if you ever get stuck in some problem, it also offers a 24×7 customer care service to solve your problems. 

5. PureVPN

PureVPN is a VPN service providing company whose headquarters are in HongKong. It offers more than 2000 servers in 140+ countries of the world. It also uses some virtual servers to provide the best services to its users.

It gives an average internet speed, which will be enough for you to stream videos on Roku. However, you may have to face buffering sometimes. It provides secure encryption and no-log policy to keep you both secure and anonymous.

It is a very reasonable VPN with 24×7 customer care services to solve your problems within minutes.

VPN SETUP GUIDES 

You can not install a VPN directly in your Roku; therefore, you will have to try other ways to set a VPN for your Roku TV. I am mentioning three ways of doing so, and you can select any one of them which better suits you.

How to setup VPN on Roku using wifi Router

If you have a Wifi router, then this method can best suit you. Your Wifi router's firmware should support VPN connections; otherwise, this method will not work.

You can check it by the following steps:-

If the remote VPN connection option is not available, then it means that your router firmware is not compatible with setting up a VPN. Therefore, you will have to install a VPN supported firmware in your router so that you can connect your router to a VPN server.

You can install Tomato or DD-WRT firmware in your router, as both are open-source, free, and VPN-supported. This process of installing new router firmware is known as 'flashing'. But, perform this process with a little caution as a single mistake while flashing can permanently damage your router. 

Now, after having correct firmware installed in your VPN, contact your VPN's customer care and ask them how to set up a VPN in a router. They will guide you in the best possible manner for performing this task.

In case your router doesn't support Tomato and DD-WRT, or you don't want to take a chance with flashing, then you can buy a pre-configured router. The best option for a pre-configured router is ExpressVPN, which has its custom firmware pre-loaded with all configurations.

Therefore, setting up an ExpressVPN router will be a piece of cake for you. In addition to this, ExpressVPN is best for streaming purposes, making it a perfect choice for Roku users.

How to setup VPN on Roku via Mac

If you want to create a Wifi connection from your Mac so that your Roku can use this Wifi connection for connecting to the VPN server, then follow these steps. But first of all, connect your Mac to an Ethernet cable for internet connection. You cannot perform these steps while connecting your Mac to a Wifi.

1. Set up a VPN on your Mac

If your VPN service provider offers a client app that supports internet sharing, you can ask their customers to care about how to share a VPN connection.

But if your VPN app doesn't support app sharing, you will have to set up a VPN manually.

• You can do it by clicking on the apple logo and then select system preferences.
• In the system preferences window, click on the network icon.
• Click on the (+) sign to add a new service. Now a window will popup in which you will have to enter the following details.
• Interface: VPN
• VPN Type: L2TP 
• Service Name: Roku TV(You can name it anything)
• Now click on the create button, and your VPN is set up now.

2. Configure Your VPN

For configuration, remember your id and password which you used while signing up for the VPN service. In addition to this, you will also need the VPN server address. You can quickly get that from the VPNs website or app. Then fill the following details.

• Configuration: Default
• Server Address: Address of your desired VPN server
• Account Name: Username
• Encryption: Automatic

Now, return to the system preferences and click on sharing, then click on the internet sharing option available at the left panel. Then enter your PPTP VPN connection name in "Share your connection from" box and select "To Wifi" option in "To computers using" box.

Click on Wifi Options and enter the following details:

• Network Name: [choose a network name also known as an SSID]
• Channel: [leave as default]
• Security: WPA2 Personal
• Password: [choose a password]
• Verify: [re-enter your password]

Once you are done click on, OK button. You will see a prompt asking you to enable Internet sharing, click on the start button, and you will see a green light appearing with the text "Internet Sharing: On."

Now you can connect your Roku to this Wifi network, which you have created.

How to setup Roku VPN with Windows PC

To set up a virtual router in your window's pc, you need to find out whether your PC supports hotspot sharing. For checking this, follow these steps.

• Search for the command prompt and run it as administrator.
• Now, in the command prompt window type" netsh WLAN show drivers" and hit Enter.
• Then, look for the line stating Hosted Network Support, and if it says yes, then you can turn your pc into a virtual router. If it says no, then this method will not work for you.

Now you need to configure your window's virtual router. You can do it by following these steps.

• Run command prompt and type "netsh WLAN set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=<MY-NETWORK> key=<MY-PASSWORD>" where you need to replace <MY-NETWORK> with a name of your choice and <MY-PASSWORD> with a password of your choice. Hit enter.
  A text will appear stating that you successfully created the virtual router. Now, type "netsh WLAN start hostednetwork" to turn it on. Hit enter.
• Some text will appear now stating that the hosted network has started.
• Press Window key + R to run the run prompt now, and type ncpa.cpl, and press enter.
• Now, a list of connections will appear. All you need to do is search for the connection you have just created and remember the name of this connection.
• On the same window search for the connection that says TAP-Windows Adapter. Right-click it and select Properties.
• Now, go to the "sharing" tab and check the box to "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection".
• Under Home Network Connection, select the network you created by clicking on the dropdown and press OK.
• Now open your VPN and connect to the server of your choice and select OpenVPN as your protocol.
• You can host Wifi from your PC now.

This method is straightforward and comfortable. If you connect to a VPN, then Wifi will automatically turn on, and if you disconnect from the VPN, the connection will also drop.

If you have doubts regarding any method mentioned above, then you can comment below.

Roku VPN FAQs

1. Can you change your IP address on Roku?

It is a very short process when your Roku is connected  to a VPN. All you need to do is to go to settings and click on the Wifi option. Then click on the Network Name. Now you can see your Roku's IP address. Now, edit the IP address and click on OK. That's it your IP address will be changed.

2. Can I Use My Roku Anywhere?

No, unfortunately, you cannot use Roku outside the US normally. But if you are using a VPN, then you don't need to worry about the location, and you can access Roku from anywhere in the world.

3. Can you Watch Live TV on a Roku?

You can watch live TV on a Roku TV if you are a subscriber to the channels who broadcast live TV.

4. How Do I Change My Region on Roku?

Only when you have a VPN installed in your Roku, you will able to change your region on Roku. Open your VPN and select the server of your desire and click OK. Your server location will be changed.

WRAPPING UP

Roku is a fantastic option for cord-cutters. It offers all popular channels and tons of content to its users. This watching experience can be enhanced by using a VPN for Roku. It opens access to new streaming apps and increases the content base of existing apps.

And it's also completely legal to use a VPN for Roku. Therefore, there is no reason left for not using a VPN, and you should use it if you love watching International content. I personally recommend ExpressVPN for Roku. As mentioned before, it has excellent features and gives you access to all web streaming services and reliable too.

I hope this article would have helped you in setting up a VPN for your Roku. This was all about how to use a VPN for Roku. If you liked the article, then, share it with your friends who have Roku. Also, if you have any doubts feel free to ask them in the comment section. Cheers!!