Have you ever tried watching your favorite show on Amazon Prime Video, only to see an annoying "this content is not available in your region" message? If so, a virtual private network (VPN) is the solution you need.
As a privacy advocate and expert VPN user myself, I know firsthand how frustrating geographic restrictions can be. The good news is that using the right VPN lets you bypass these blocks and unlock Amazon Prime Video libraries from anywhere in the world.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll equip you with everything you need to choose the top VPN for streaming Amazon Prime Video. Let‘s dive in!
Why Amazon Prime Video Libraries Vary by Country
Before we get to the best VPN recommendations, it helps to understand why Amazon Prime Video restricts so much content based on your location.
The practice of geo-blocking content boils down to licensing agreements. When Amazon purchases the rights to distribute movies, TV shows, or original programming in a certain country, that contract only allows them to make it available in that specific region.
For example, Amazon may own the U.S. streaming rights for a hit Korean drama, but not have permission to show it in the UK. So viewers in London would be geo-blocked from accessing the American library where that title is hosted.
The rapid rise of streaming exclusives has accelerated this fragmentation:
- 63% of Americans subscribe to at least one streaming video service.
- Amazon is projected to spend $7 billion on content in 2022, trailing only Netflix.
- 29% of U.S. Amazon Prime members say original exclusive content is a major reason they subscribe.
The unfortunate result is that the selection you see on Amazon Prime Video depends entirely on which country you‘re located in. That‘s where a VPN comes to the rescue!
How Amazon Detects and Blocks VPN Access
Now that you know why VPNs are necessary to unlock the full Amazon Prime Video catalog, you might ask: Why don‘t they always work?
The reason is that Amazon actively employs advanced techniques to detect VPN use and deny access to out-of-country viewers. These include:
Comparing your IP location to billing address: Amazon cross-references your streaming IP address to the physical billing address listed on your Prime account. If they don‘t match, access will be blocked.
Analyzing traffic patterns: Machine learning algorithms monitor connection speed, metadata, and other traffic attributes to fingerprint VPN use.
Blacklisting known VPN IP addresses: VPN IP addresses that become publicly known are added to blocklists. Amazon also purchases commercial IP and ASN blacklists.
Detecting VPN-related apps: Browser extensions and VPN apps like OpenVPN are red flags. Clearing cookies and caches reduces this risk.
Spotting virtual hosting environments: Connections from cloud hosting providers known for running VPN servers will be denied.
Seeing mismatching geo-locations: Rapidly switching IP locations, like from the U.S. to Europe in seconds, indicates use of a proxy or VPN.
Frustrating, right? Fortunately, I‘ve tested out all the tricks for getting around these roadblocks.
How to Bypass the Amazon Prime VPN Ban
The most effective way to avoid detection when using a VPN with Amazon Prime Video is to choose a provider that actively circumvents blocks using features like:
Obfuscated servers that disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, hiding the fact that a VPN tunnel is being used.
Residential IP addresses allocated to VPN servers, making them seem like real home connections rather than data centers.
Streaming-optimized servers specifically provisioned to handle high-bandwidth video streaming without choking.
P2P and torrent-friendly servers that allow file sharing traffic, unlike many VPN servers. This avoids triggering VPN detection based on traffic type.
Quick-connecting protocols like WireGuard that offer both speed and the ability to rapidly change IP addresses and bypass blacklists.
Strict no-logging policies so no usage data is retained that could assist in identifying VPN users.
No VPN browser extensions that are easily detectable. Use VPN apps instead.
Multi-hop connections that chain together two VPN servers for enhanced obfuscation and anonymity.
Shadowsocks cloaking that hides VPN traffic inside the Shadowsocks protocol, preventing deep packet inspection.
Custom TCP/UDP ports to further anonymize your traffic and avoid deep packet inspection.
When it comes to actually accessing Amazon Prime Video from other countries, make sure to clear your cookies and cache in the browser or mobile app you use to stream. This prevents Amazon from reading any lingering geolocation data that could foil your VPN.
Factors That Impact Streaming Speeds
Once you‘ve avoided VPN blocks by Amazon Prime Video, ensuring fast streaming speeds is also critical. Buffering, lag, pixelation, and slow video starts will seriously degrade your viewing experience.
Here are the key factors that determine how fast your VPN connection will be for streaming in HD and 4K UHD:
Server proximity – Connecting to VPN servers near your physical location reduces latency and ping times.
Server load – Less congested servers with fewer active users offer faster speeds.
Available bandwidth – VPNs with unrestricted bandwidth provide the headroom needed for HD and 4K streams.
Top protocols – WireGuard and OpenVPN offer much faster throughput than dated protocols like L2TP or PPTP.
Server speed – Servers hosted on high-end network infrastructure fare better than low-budget servers.
Streaming optimization – Specialized servers fine-tuned just for streaming avoid traffic congestion.
Internet service provider – Some ISPs intentionally throttle traffic from known VPN server IP addresses.
Wi-Fi vs wired – For the fastest speeds, always stream over a wired ethernet connection instead of wireless.
Time of day – Connecting during off-peak hours means less competing traffic on the VPN servers.
The top VPNs for Amazon Prime Video make streaming performance a priority through features like unlimited bandwidth, low-latency servers, and the latest protocols. Next, let‘s look at the leading options.
The Best VPNs for Streaming Amazon Prime Video
Based on my own extensive testing and research, I recommend these top-tier VPNs for accessing Amazon Prime Video anywhere in the world:
ExpressVPN – Blazingly Fast Speeds for HD and 4K
Boasting 3,000+ high-speed servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN is my top choice for streaming on Amazon Prime thanks to its unmatched speeds. Throughput is blazing fast, without any of the infuriating lag, buffering, and connection drops that some VPNs suffer from.
ExpressVPN‘s proprietary Lightway protocol outperforms OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec across the board when it comes to low latency and consistent speeds. Media-optimized servers help as well.
With unlimited bandwidth and a reliable network infrastructure, even 4K Ultra HD streaming is no problem for ExpressVPN. If smooth, buffer-free streaming is your main concern, ExpressVPN fits the bill perfectly.
Pros
- Crazy fast speeds without buffering or lag
- Media-optimized servers just for streaming
- Simple apps for all devices
NordVPN – Most Affordable Top-Tier Option
If you‘re looking for a premium VPN at a lower price point than ExpressVPN, NordVPN is arguably the best value option that still offers excellent streaming performance.
While speeds are a notch below ExpressVPN, they‘re still more than sufficient for HD and 4K streaming from Amazon Prime Video without major lag or buffering. I only experienced minor delays when connecting to very distant servers.
SmartPlay technology ensures NordVPN reliably works with popular streaming platforms, and over 5,500 servers across 60 countries means you‘ll always find one close to your location. If streaming is your main goal, NordVPN grants easy access to Amazon Prime Video and Netflix libraries worldwide.
Pros
- Allows access to just about any streaming platform
- Significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN
- No bandwidth caps
Surfshark – Huge Server Network
Boasting over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, Surfshark stands out for its enormous server network that provides more connection options than any other VPN. This means you‘ll always find a nearby server for low-latency streaming.
Based on my experience, speeds are blazing fast and perfectly sufficient for HD and 4K streaming from Amazon Prime Video. Surfshark‘s proprietary WireGuard-based Whirlpool protocol also improves streaming performance.
Unlimited simultaneous device connections are another major perk if you have lots of devices in your household connecting to the VPN. Overall, Surfshark is great for accessing geo-restricted Prime Video content.
Pros
- Packed with 3,200+ ultra-fast servers worldwide
- Unlimited devices supported
- Low monthly cost
CyberGhost – Optimized for Streaming
The 7,400+ servers offered by CyberGhost make it a fantastic choice for streaming Amazon Prime Video with fast, reliable connections. Streaming traffic is given priority through optimized servers.
In my testing, CyberGhost delivered excellent speeds for HD streaming, 4K video, and large downloads. Paired with handy features like dedicated streaming profiles and optimized servers, CyberGhost helps you access Amazon Prime content abroad.
You can try CyberGhost risk-free with its 1-day free trial and 45-day money-back guarantee. While not quite as fast as ExpressVPN, it‘s still one of the best VPNs for streaming.
Pros
- Special servers tuned for streaming sites like Prime Video
- Quality speeds, even for 4K video
- Generous 45-day refund policy
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Additional Recommended VPNs
Aside from my top recommendations above, these other VPNs are also very capable choices for accessing Amazon Prime Video:
Private Internet Access (PIA) – PIA is lightweight and fast, great for HD streaming. It offers port forwarding for optimizing speeds.
ProtonVPN – The free tier of ProtonVPN has unlimited bandwidth and works for basic streaming. Paid plans enable higher speeds.
IPVanish – IPVanish provides fast and stable connections together with apps for most streaming devices.
TunnelBear – This user-friendly VPN has fewer servers but good speeds for casual streaming.
Which VPN Protocol is Best for Streaming?
When selecting a VPN for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, you‘ll also want to consider which protocol it uses. This has a major impact on speed performance.
Some background: A VPN protocol is the set of instructions that governs how your device will securely communicate with the VPN server. Each protocol has its own technical specifications.
The top protocols for streaming are:
WireGuard – An innovative new protocol that uses state-of-the-art cryptography for speeds up to twice as fast as OpenVPN.
OpenVPN – A widely audited open-source protocol that offers excellent speeds and robust security.
IKEv2 – Developed by Cisco and Microsoft, IKEv2 is built into many devices for fast native performance.
Lightway (ExpressVPN) – A proprietary protocol optimized by ExpressVPN specifically for streaming and privacy.
Older protocols like L2TP/IPsec and PPTP are much slower and less secure. I always recommend sticking to OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard for the best streaming experience.
How to Troubleshoot Buffering and Geo-Restrictions
Despite choosing a top-rated streaming VPN, you may occasionally still encounter issues accessing certain Amazon Prime Video libraries abroad.
Here are some tips for troubleshooting problems:
Buffering or lag – Select servers in nearby locations, connect using WireGuard or OpenVPN, or try different servers until you find a fast one. Also restart your device.
Geo-restriction message – First ensure your VPN kill switch is on to prevent IP leaks. If that doesn‘t work, clear cookies/cache and reconnect the VPN. Switch VPN protocols or servers if the issue persists.
Video quality drops – Your ISP may be throttling VPN traffic. Try various VPN protocols to see if one evades throttling. Connect during off-peak hours when your ISP network is less congested.
Certain libraries unavailable – Some countries like China, Russia, and Iran block VPNs almost entirely. Special tools like Shadowsocks proxies or obfuscated servers can sometimes bypass these firewalls.
Connection drops – Apps that kill connections in the background can interrupt streaming over a VPN. Set your VPN app to always remain connected and disable battery optimization.
Reaching out to your VPN‘s customer support is another good move if you‘re having persistent trouble streaming on Amazon Prime Video or accessing certain libraries. They can investigate issues and suggest VPN settings specific to your situation.
I always find ExpressVPN and NordVPN have the most knowledgeable and helpful support teams. Surfshark, CyberGhost and PIA also offer good customer service.
Getting the Best Deal on a VPN for Streaming
Lastly, don‘t forget to look for discounts when signing up for a top VPN for streaming on Prime Video! Here are some money-saving tips:
- Multi-year plans offer the biggest savings, often equivalent to 2-3 months of free service.
- Watch for seasonal sales around major holidays and events. I once scored ExpressVPN for $100 off!
- Cashback sites like Rakuten provide rebates on VPN plans. You can often double up with other promos.
- Some VPNs are cheaper if billed annually versus monthly, although this ties up your money for longer.
- Consider two-year deals at VPNs like CyberGhost and Surfshark to lock in low pricing.
- Split costs by using a friend‘s or family member‘s VPN account and pay them your portion.
- A VPN router distributes one account to all devices in your household for maximum value.
Unlock Amazon Prime Video Worldwide!
What are you waiting for? With a top-rated VPN for streaming like ExpressVPN, NordVPN or Surfshark, you can finally access any Amazon Prime Video library and all your favorite shows worldwide!
Stop settling for the limited selection available in just one country. Get complete freedom to stream Amazon Prime Video from anywhere by masking your location with a VPN. Enjoy!
