As a VPN expert, these are the VPNs I recommend for NFL streaming

Based on my years of testing various VPN products, these are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for streaming NFL games.

Streaming capabilities

Not all VPNs are equal when it comes to how adept they are at unblocking geo-restricted streaming content. To be honest, streaming isn’t a high priority for every VPN. Some VPNs have a strong focus on streaming because they know that many of their customers sign up to stream content from different regions. Others may focus more on privacy or otherwise lack the resources to deliver reliable streaming performance. Either way, you’ll need a VPN with a strong track record when it comes to streaming if you want consistent and reliable access to services that stream NFL games.

Server locations

If you’re in the US and have a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket, you’ll want a VPN with servers in different US regions. This is because the NFL Sunday Ticket only gives you access to off-market NFL matchups. So if you want to watch your local matchup, you’ll need to connect to a server outside your current region. Otherwise, if you subscribe to a live TV streaming service such as YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, or DirecTV, you can connect to servers in other locations to access regional broadcasts. The more server locations you have at your disposal (especially in the US), the more options you have for streaming NFL games.

Speed

Using a VPN will slow down your internet speed somewhat, but if you have a fast VPN (100 Mbps or more), you probably won’t even notice a difference as long as your basic internet speed is fast. If your VPN slows down your speeds too much, your NFL streaming experience may be choppy. A fast VPN ensures that the stream remains uninterrupted and you don’t miss a second of the action. For optimal speed performance, I recommend using the WireGuard protocol or your VPN provider’s proprietary protocol.

Privacy

Privacy is an important consideration for any VPN, whether you are a casual user or have critical online privacy needs. At the very least, look for a VPN with AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. This increases your privacy and ensures that your online activities remain private.

Price

The price of the VPN service will be an important consideration for most people. Some VPNs cost $100 or more per year, but you can get premium VPN services that are great for streaming NFL games for as little as $40 per year.