Why You Should Use A VPN When Streaming

For a long time VPNs were a tool used primarily just used for online anonymity - as the world becomes more digital and online, a lot of third parties and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have become accustomed to tracking and using consumer online data. This is more concerning when you realize that they do this without consent or notice and usually sell this to third parties as they sell it on. Companies use this consumer data for annoying targeted advertising firstly, but it can sometimes go on to more nefarious means. This was the primary reason why people began to use VPNs.

Now, a VPN can have benefits that are far-reaching and incredibly useful. A big one right now is for online streaming - especially after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, which saw people more than ever rely on online streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and even free options that, using a VPN, can you give you a host of great video content. At this point, streaming platforms have become a regular part of a consumer’s life, whether it is Spotify for music or Netflix for movies and TV Shows. 

In the United States, the number of digital content consumers is rising year on year and the growing consumption has led to video streaming platforms building an industry worth over $35 billion, according to Statista. The average digital media user in the United States spends around 485 minutes a day using digital content - this is only expected to increase in the future. 

Recent surveys have found that almost 50% of VPN users have the online tool purely for online streaming, prioritizing the benefits it allows in this avenue as opposed to anything to do with privacy.  However, it is becoming clear that a lot of VPN users do not fully understand or appreciate the benefits a VPN has when it comes to streaming, so we have collated the best reasons as to why you should use a VPN platform or VPN router if you stream content online. 

Get Privacy When You Stream - Obviously

In today’s world of remote working and vagabonding across the globe, there’s a high likelihood that you will be using public networks - whether you find that on the train, waiting at an airport, or sitting in a coffee shop. While most have some form of password protection, the security is generally very bad and hackers or cybercriminals can get access pretty easily. Whilst you may use it for streaming and think that this is useless data for a cybercriminal, you could unknowingly process a payment or enter financial information when paying these monthly subscriptions. By using a VPN while you stream on the go, however, you cover your security and anonymity and leave no holes for hackers to gain access to your financial information.

Get Faster Streaming Speeds

Gaining access to a whole world of fantastic content is fantastic, but if you have terrible internet speeds, you will end up getting that infamously annoying buffering and not be able to enjoy the content you want to watch. If your bandwidth is constantly a struggle, whether you are using other devices or not. Without knowing it, you may be a victim of network throttling by your ISP.

Network throttling is a process when your ISP puts the brakes on your internet speed to make sure that everyone in your local region is not at a detriment due to your bandwidth consumption. Network throttling doesn’t always slow down your streaming, but if you begin to get buffering then you may want to take action. By using a VPN, you can hide your activity and stop your pesky ISP from cutting down your internet speed and limiting your ability to watch your favorite TV shows. 

Get Access To Global Sporting Events

If you’re a sports fan and enjoy all the games that go on around the glove, you will come to find that you could be getting charged exorbitant amounts to watch your favorite games. A good example can be found in the F1, which will cost you a sizeable sum to watch in the United States. You will need to pay for a subscription to ESPN, and then you can watch the latest race. However, if you are based in Austria, you will get free access to a national broadcast without any financial commitments. A VPN can create this function, allowing you to tune in to free broadcasts over the globe without having to move an inch. 

Watch Restricted And Hidden Content From Anywhere

Despite some of the biggest and best streaming platforms being available all over the globe, consumers and viewers will find that they all have different content libraries depending on where they are in the world. Netflix in Japan is different from Netflix in the United States - if you are an American who is a big fan of Anime, this could be a huge problem. Thankfully, a VPN can allow you to redirect your IP address to Japan and allow you to get access to all the Japanese TV content you wish, without having to move country or pay more. The same theory applies to geo-restricted streaming platforms like the BBC iPlayer, which has some fantastic exclusive content that is only available to UK residents. However, a VPN can allow anyone to pose as a UK watcher and watch all the iPlayer content they wish.