How To Get American Netflix In Ireland

Netflix US is available to watch in Ireland. However, because it’s restricted, you’ll need a good VPN to bypass the streaming website’s geoblocks. Our top recommendations are NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. Each provider is fully capable of reliably working around restrictions without introducing any sort of lag to your internet connection.

 

I’d like to kick things off with a basic overview of how to get American Netflix in Ireland. After that’s done, we’ll then move on to talking about everything relevant to the subject. And now, here are all the steps you must take to stream Netflix USA while in Ireland:

1. Get A VPN

For starters, you must procure a VPN. While there are hundreds of choices out there, you should opt for either NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN. By picking them, you’ll be getting excellent value for money. Moreover, it's very unlikely that they’ll leave you disappointed.

2. Install It

The next thing you’ll need to do is install your VPN. It won’t matter what kind of device you are using as this step should be easy to perform on any contemporary operating system.

3. Connect To A US Server

Connect your device to a US server. Remember to avoid pairing with distant locations. Only go for servers that are nearby because they make a lesser impact on your internet speeds.

4. Open Netflix USA And Start Watching

Open Netflix’s application or website then begin watching Netflix US with no restrictions. When doing this, remember to never disconnect from your VPN as you shall immediately get blocked.

How To Watch US Netflix In Ireland

 

There are two ways to access Netflix US in Ireland. Apart from a VPN, you may also make use of proxies. However, before doing this, you must know that proxies are vastly inferior to VPNs because they only work locally on your browser, and therefore, aren’t as reliable or secure.

Virtual private networks have much higher rates of dependability. The servers of a high-ranking VPN can consistently circumvent Netflix’s restrictions without encumbering internet speeds without breaking a sweat. If anything, that makes them better for any kind of web user.

Bypassing Netflix USA’s restrictions with a VPN can be done by anyone. Go follow these basic steps and you’ll find yourself watching without limitations in practically no time:

Step 1: Get A VPN To Watch American Netflix In Ireland

Avoid opting for the cheapest VPN that you can get your hands on. Instead, pick a highly-rated provider such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. By doing so, you’re sure not to have any regrets after making a purchase. To understand why, let us talk more about each VPN.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN screenshot

NordVPN is our top recommendation because it has a large server network in the United States that can make short work of Netflix’s geo-restrictions. More importantly for many, that server network has exceptional speed capabilities, making NordVPN the fastest VPN available.

Despite being once hacked, many claim that NordVPN’s security is superb. It supports all major VPN protocols, including a modified version of WireGuard. The provider also has lots of one-off features that’ll level up your level of protection when being used.

Sadly to say, NordVPN only allows for up to six simultaneous connections. This puts it behind a lot of its major competitors in the VPN industry. On the bright side, the provider’s apps are great on all platforms. In addition to that, it has good 24/7 chat, email, and ticket support.

Below is a table that summarises NordVPN’s prices:

  NordVPN
Subscription Lengths 1 Month (€9.56/Month)
  1 Year (€3.93/Month)
  2 Years (€3.30/Month)
Highest Price Per Month €9.56
Lowest Price Per Month €3.30
One Year Price €39.6
Special Offer 68% off for a 2-year plan 58% off for a 1-year plan

 

2. Surfshark

Surfshark screenshot

Surfshark bypasses Netflix just as well as NordVPN. Also, its servers have comparable speed capabilities. What makes the service different though is the fact that it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections. This makes it great for anyone with a large household.

The security of Surfshark is impeccable. Not once during the provider’s existence has it ever been breached. It has also never disclosed private user information to third parties that make requests. A large reason why is because its entire network is 100% RAM-based, making it not capable of tracking, collecting, and keeping logs.

Surfshark is available on every major operating system. Its apps look great and are easy to use. The provider’s customer service is also rated as one of the best in the VPN industry. Moreover, its prices are fair and well within the reach of average consumers such as yourself.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of Surfshark’s pricing schemes:

  Surfshark
Subscription Lengths 1 Month (€10.68/Month)
  6 Months (€5.35/Month)
  2 Years (€2.05/Month)
Highest Price Per Month €10.68
Lowest Price Per Month €2.05
One Year Price €66.36
Special Offer 81% discount for a 2-year subscription / 50% discount for a 6-month subscription

 

3. ExpressVPN

Expressvpn-screenshot-new

ExpressVPN is a major player in the VPN industry for good reason. It reliably unblocks Netflix USA anywhere in the world. The provider also has commendable speed capabilities. Also, it boasts a rather large server network that’s RAM-based, and therefore, completely secure.

Besides having a RAM-based network, ExpressVPN also maintains support for nearly all major VPN protocols. However, the provider lacks exclusive security features that would give it an edge over competitors. Apart from that, it also doesn’t have a built-in ad malware blocker.

With one ExpressVPN subscription, you may connect up to five devices simultaneously. As you probably might’ve guessed, the provider’s apps all have wonderfully crafted interfaces that are incredibly easy to use. To make things better, its customer service is a breeze to deal with.

The table below shows all of ExpressVPN’s present rates:

  ExpressVPN
Subscription Lengths 1 Month (€10.98/Month)
  6 Months (€8.47/Month)
  1 Year (€5.65/Month)
Highest Price Per Month €10.98
Lowest Price Per Month €5.65
One Year Price €67.8
Special Offer 50% off for a 1-year subscription

 

Step 2: Install The VPN On Your Device

 

Every virtual private network has applications, which must be installed on your device.

Contrary to what some would like to believe, VPN installation isn’t difficult. It can be done by all sorts of people without the help of others. With that being said, some may still need help doing installation. As such, it’s best to get a provider that has highly rated customer support.

For Windows, Mac, Android, iPad, iPhone, Firestick, Chromecast with Google TV, etc.

You may download your VPN’s macOS, Windows, and Linux applications from its website. After you’re done, installation can be done either manually or automatically. Only select automatic installation if you want to specify the file location of your VPN service provider’s app.

The app stores of Android, iOS and a few streaming devices often play host to your provider’s applications. Installing from these app stores is extremely convenient since installation goes forward automatically downloading. That’s right, you won’t need to initiate any prompts.

Every commonly-used operating system on the market has a dedicated NorVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN app. Hence, users of any platform won’t be left out by choosing any of the three.

For Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, etc.

Any VPN that’s worth its salt has at least one browser extension.

We believe that VPN browser extensions are inferior to apps. That’s because they only work on the browser level, making them not as secure. More importantly, they also frequently don’t have important features that their app counterparts readily maintain. With that aside, it should also be noted that VPN extensions serve as great alternatives when apps are unavailable.

The Firefox and Chrome extensions of our recommended providers can be downloaded from the web stores of each browser. Like app store installation, VPN extension installation is completely automatic, and thus, very quick and easy to do.

 

For Xbox, Playstation, Wii, Apple TV, Smart TV, etc.

Many popular devices such as gaming consoles lack VPN apps. Fortunately, there’s still a way to use your provider with them. The only thing you’ll be needing is a configured router.

All high-ranking VPNs maintain router support. That means these providers can be installed on compatible routers. Unfortunately, installing VPNs on routers is easier said than done because the process can get very technical.

Thankfully, all our top VPNs sell pre-configured routers that shall provide you with a hassle-free experience that’s completely out of the box.

Step 3: Connect To A US Server

 

Open your VPN’s application then pair your device to a US server. Don’t choose just any server though. Pick the location that’s closest to you because it’s likely to be the fastest option. When using it, the chances that you’ll suffer from buffering, lag, and quality drops shall decrease.

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all operate a large network of servers in the US. For that reason, certainly, you’ll not find yourself out of connectivity options when using any of the three VPNs. If anything, this is great as having many choices is always better than having few.

NordVPN US Servers

nordvpn server selection

NordVPN has almost two thousand lightning-fast servers in the US. The majority of them have no trouble bypassing Netflix. My personal experience with them has generally been awesome. Only once have they failed to work around Netflix’s geo-restrictions.

Unfortunately, not all of NordVPN’s servers are RAM-based. That means the provider’s network isn’t fully secure as it could still be utilised to gather logs. Nevertheless, you should also know that NordVPN has never been recorded disclosing the private information of its subscribers.

 

Surfshark US Servers

Surfshark desktop

Surfshark maintains five hundred servers in the US. All of which can bypass Netflix without any issues. Furthermore, most of these locations affect bandwidth very minimally. In fact, when connected to them, not once did my internet speeds drop to a significant degree.

As mentioned earlier, the entire global server network of Surfshark is RAM-based. Due to that, it is very secure. When paired to it, you’ll not have to worry about your privacy being breached.

 

ExpressVPN US Servers

ExpressVPN hasn’t disclosed exactly how many servers it operates in the US. With that said, it is known that the provider lets you connect to over twenty American cities. Therefore, we can safely say that ExpressVPN maintains a massive server network in the United States alone.

Like Surfshark, ExpressVPN’s entire network is RAM-based. Hence, you can be sure when using that service that your digital privacy shall remain intact.

 

Step 4: Open Netflix and Enjoy Its US Library

After pairing with a US server, it’s time to open Netflix and start watching. To know if you have successfully bypassed the streaming platform, check its homepage. There, you should see a banner displaying the #1 title in the United States today. In addition to that, verification is also possible through searching for an exclusive title such as Spotlight.

Sometimes, even the highest-ranking VPNs lose at their game of cat-and-mouse with Netflix. If ever that happens while you’re trying to watch, an error message will appear. You won’t get to your desired piece of content. Luckily, several workarounds may possibly allow you to continue accessing Netflix USA freely.

1. Change User Profile

Try resetting Netflix by switching to another user profile. Often, this method circumvents Netflix’s blocks successfully. However, one downside is that it requires you to use two user profiles, meaning you’ll have to ask permission from the people you share your account with.

2. Sign Out Then Sign Back In

A good alternative to the first method we discussed is to sign out then back in. Doing this also resets Netflix, causing its blocks to get eliminated. The only hassle is that you may potentially have to manually enter your login credentials again, which could be a major hassle to do.

3. Transfer To Another US Server

The last and most reliable workaround is to transfer to another US server. It works 90% of the time and is very easy to do. Moreover, it doesn't require you to change anything on Netflix. As such, we cannot recommend any other method besides it.

 

FAQs

Is Netflix Different In The US and In Ireland

Yes. Netflix US and Netflix Ireland share many similarities but also have lots of differences. In general, the former has more Hollywood blockbusters. Meanwhile, the latter is home to lots of local and British content that’s often unavailable elsewhere.

Why Can't You Access Netflix's US Library In Ireland

Netflix USA can’t readily be accessed in Ireland due to licensing restrictions.

To put it simply, Netflix purchases the rights for a show or movie by the country. When it hasn’t acquired the rights for a particular piece of content for a given place, the streaming platform can’t legally show it. Hence, whatever isn’t available in Netflix Ireland that’s available in the United States is not available because Netflix hasn’t bought the rights for Ireland yet.

How Does A VPN Let You Access Netflix's US Library?

Netflix uses the country code of your IP address to determine where you’re at. With that info, it imposes the necessary restrictions on your account.

VPNs fool Netflix into thinking you’re someplace else by changing your IP address. Needless to say, not all virtual private networks are created equal. Some have no trouble fooling Netflix whilst others struggle or even completely fail when doing it.

Is It Illegal To Watch American Netflix In Ireland?

No. Ireland has liberal internet laws that don’t restrict the use of VPNs. Hence, there's nothing stopping you from freely watching American Netflix in the country. If anything, this is great as there are countries like Russia that have very strict VPN restrictions.

How To Choose A VPN To Access American Netflix In Ireland?

Selecting the right VPN for watching Netflix US in Ireland is easier said than done. After all, it‘s difficult for average consumers to settle on the right provider with so many options available.

That said, when looking for a VPN, always consider these factors:

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all have superb unblocking capabilities, large networks, and fast servers. More importantly, they’ve each got fair rates. Hence, you should have no reason not to go for them. With either one, you’ll surely not end up disappointed.

 

Summing It Up

I’d like to have a quick recap of how to unblock Netflix US in Ireland. As stated, getting this done isn’t hard by any means. Even kids and the oldest members of your family can learn how to do it quickly. The only thing needed is for these four steps to be followed:

  1. Get a VPN (preferably NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN)
  2. Install your VPN
  3. Connect to a US server
  4. Start your Netflix and enjoy the US library

Remember not to get dismayed when Netflix blocks you. Simply turn to one of the workarounds that we discussed earlier to continue watching freely with a VPN.

{Please also see our other articles on how to get American Netflix in the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe. You may also want to watch Netflix in China, Canadian Netflix, Japanese Netflix, or UK Netflix in the US.}

PureVPN vs ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN and PureVPN are two of the best VPN services right now. They are highly-ranked and known for being capable of providing the best digital protection. Be that as it may, the wide consensus among online security experts is that ExpressVPN is much superior.

 

Comparison

Here’s a table showing all the features each VPN has to offer:

  PureVPN ExpressVPN
Logging Policy No Logging No Logging
Jurisdiction Hong Kong The British Virgin Islands
Encryption AES-256 AES-256 SHA-512 Hash Authentication 4096-bit RSA Key Exchange
Protocols OpenVPN UDP OpenVPN TCP IPSec/IKEv2 IPSec/L2TP PPTP SSTP OpenVPN UDP OpenVPN TCP IPSec/IKEv2 IPSec/L2TP Lightway Protocol (Beta)
Ad and malware blockers Yes No
Kill switch Yes Yes (Except iOS)
Leak Tests No Leaks Found No Leaks Found
Speed Tests Fast Fast
Torrenting & P2P Yes (Optimized P2P Servers) Yes (On all servers)
Streaming Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Firestick Roku (Via Router) Kodi Apple TV (Via Router) Android TV Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Firestick Roku (Via Router) Kodi Apple TV (Via DNS or Router) Android TV Kodi Apple TV (Via Router) Android TV
Gaming Windows Android iOS Xbox One (Via Router) PS4 (Via Router) Nintendo Switch (Via Router) Windows Android iOS Xbox One (Via DNS or Router) PS4 (Via Router) Nintendo Switch (Via DNS or Router)
Compatibility Windows macOS Android iOS Linux Chrome Firefox Tor Selected Routers Windows macOS Android iOS Linux Chromebook Chrome Firefox Tor Selected Routers
Simultaneous Connections 10 5
Servers 6500+ 3000+
China Yes Yes
Split Tunneling Yes Yes
Additional Features Secure Wi-Fi Dedicated IP (Add-On Feature) Port Forwarding (Add-On Feature) DDoS Protection (Add-On Feature) No Additional Features
Prices $10.95/Month $5.82/Month (1-Year) $3.33/Month (2-Years) Special Offer: $0.99 for a 7-day trial plus 47% off for a 1-year subscription $12.95/Month $9.99/Month (6 Months) $8.32/Month (1-Year) Special Offer: 50% off for a 1-year subscription
Our Rating 4.6 4.8
Website www.purevpn.com www.expressvpn.com

While the two are alike in many respects, they’ve got many unique things going for them. It’s essential to take a closer look at them to know which one is best for you.

 

Privacy & Security

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands. In comparison, PureVPN operates from Hong Kong. Both of these locations are VPN-friendly since they don’t fall under the jurisdictions of any of the world’s surveillance alliances such as the Five, Nine, or Fourteen Eyes Alliance.

Encryption Comparison

The two VPNs proudly state they utilize military-grade AES-256 encryption.

However, only ExpressVPN makes use of SHA-512 hash authentication and an RSA-4096 key exchange. At present, what PureVPN uses as equivalents hasn’t been disclosed.

VPN Protocols

Like most top-tier services, ExpressVPN and PureVPN support OpenVPN (UDP & TCP) along with IPSec (LT2P and IKEv2). What sets the two apart is the former’s exclusive support for Lightway, which is proprietary, and the former’s for SSTP as well as PPTP.

Leak Protection

Both VPNs claim to provide comprehensive protection from leaks. To know whether their claims are true, I conducted a few tests using IPLeak.net.

Here’s how ExpressVPN and its server in Singapore did:

IP Leak Test – ExpressVPN Singapore

And this is how PureVPN along with its Tokyo server fared:

IP Leak Test – PureVPN Tokyo

Unsurprisingly, neither service failed to meet my expectations. The two completely masked my real IP address without hitches. Because of that, I can confidently recommend them to any individual that wishes to remain completely under the radar.

Server Security

PureVPN has a firm no-logging policy that prevents it from storing private user information on its servers. The same can also be said for ExpressVPN, which even has itself regularly subjected to audits by independent third-parties.

One awesome thing about ExpressVPN is that its entire server network is RAM-based. That means it’s incapable of storing any bit of private data on all of its servers. Hence, it is beyond safe to use for regular and special consumers that need nothing but the best online security.

In Conclusion

ExpressVPN and PureVPN will both keep you 100% safeguarded. However, the winner of this round of our match between the two is ExpressVPN. The reason why is because it has better encryption and a RAM-based network that makes it incapable of compromising your data.

 

Speed Test

Reports consistently state that PureVPN and ExpressVPN barely make an impact on internet connection speeds. This shouldn’t be surprising given that both have unlimited bandwidth, meaning they don’t limit how much data you can traffic through their servers.

To see which one was faster, I did a couple of speed tests. Below is a screenshot showing how ExpressVPN’s Singaporean server performed:

Speed Test – ExpressVPN Singapore

Now, this is how PureVPN and its Japanese server changed things:

Speed Test – PureVPN Tokyo

As you can see, there’s a large difference between the two VPNs. That said, both didn’t slow my internet to the point wherein it was not usable. Needless to say, since it performed better than its competitor, the winner for this round of our ExpressVPN vs PureVPN battle is ExpressVPN.

 

Torrenting & P2P

ExpressVPN allows for torrenting on its network. It even has a P2P network that allows you to download safely on any server. On top of that, the service is widely compatible with almost mainstream torrenting clients such as BitTorrent, Deluge, qBittorrent, and uTorrent.

The developers of PureVPN haven’t established a 100% P2P network yet. However, they’ve set up many optimized servers. As a result, you may still use the VPN provider to securely download all torrent content that you want on your desktop or mobile device.

Below shows how ExpressVPN’s Hong Kong server did when I tested it for torrenting leaks:

Torrenting Leak Test – ExpressVPN Hong Kong

In comparison, this is the result after I tested PureVPN’s server in Japan:

Torrenting Leak Test – PureVPN Tokyo

The results of both my tests were as expected. Both services don’t leak when they’re used for torrenting. Using either, you’re certain to have an easy and safe downloading experience.

Still, I’d have to say that ExpressVPN is better for this round of our PureVPN vs Expressvpn match. How come? Because its entire network is P2P enabled, meaning that you’ll get to download securely while being connected to any of its 3000+ servers.

 

Streaming

All decent VPN providers must bypass the geoblocks major streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video. Luckily, many people have reported that ExpressVPN and PureVPN are more than capable of getting this task done.

Netflix

No other streaming platform matches Netflix when it comes to popularity. Because of that, it was essential for me to see if each of the two VPNs could work alongside it. Here’s a screenshot showing how ExpressVPN’s server in the US did when I tried to watch Spotlight:

Netflix US – ExpressVPN

This is how PureVPN’s server in New York fared after I attempted to watch the same title:

Netflix US – PureVPN

Both VPNs were able to quickly grant me access to the title I wanted to watch. Also, they didn’t slow down my internet enough to cause buffering or issues with quality. Thus, I’m forced to end this round of our PureVPN vs ExpressVPN match with a tie.

Winner: Tie

 

Gaming

ExpressVPN and PureVPN claim to be excellent VPN solutions for gamers. I had to know if this is true so I played a few matches on Call of Duty Mobile while being connected to each service.

All of my matches using both services went very smoothly. Not once did I experience any sort of lagging or drops in frames. In addition, getting into the game and finding opponents was a quick and easy process. To be honest, I even forgot that I was using a VPN service.

I’m again going to end this round of our ExpressVPN vs PureVPN battle with a tie. Why? The two services did as well as each other and gave me an identical experience.

Winner: Tie

 

Compatibility

VPN providers must be compatible with as many operating systems and browsers as possible. If not, they’ll not get to safeguard their users on all of their devices. Luckily, the developers of ExpressVPN and PureVPN fully understand this.

Refer to the table below to see what each service works on:

PureVPN ExpressVPN

Windows

macOS

Android

iOS

Linux

Chrome

Firefox

Tor

Selected Routers

Windows

macOS

Android

iOS

Linux

Chromebook

Chrome

Firefox

Tor

Selected routers

As seen above, both services function with a wide range of operating systems. Moreover, they also have extensions for Chrome and Firefox. In addition, it’s possible to use them with the Tor browser and install them on a wide range of compatible routers.

Since ExpressVPN has a Chromebook OS application and PureVPN doesn’t, it’s the obvious winner of this round of our match between the two.

 

Simultaneous Connections

All-encompassing compatibility is practically useless if a VPN provider doesn’t allow for many simultaneous connections. Furthermore, services that don’t let you use many devices at the same time with one subscription do not offer much value for money.

ExpressVPN allows for a maximum of 5 simultaneous connections under a single account while its rival allows for 10. Hence, it is the loser of this round of our ExpressVPN vs PureVPN match.

 

Servers

A VPN service that has a large network is superior to one that doesn’t. Why so? It’s less prone to becoming overloaded. Besides that, it also provides its subscribers with more connectivity options. Finally, it’s better at maintaining your anonymity and bypassing geo-restrictions.

PureVPN and ExpressVPN both have decently-sized networks. The former operates 6500+ servers around the globe whereas the latter operates 3000+. With that said, the win for this round clearly goes to PureVPN since it’s network is double the size of its competitor’s.

 

China

China’s draconian internet censorship measures are some of the most difficult in the world to bypass. Hundreds of VPNs attempt to do it yet only a handful achieve success. Also, even fewer can actually get the job done with the reliability any VPN subscriber would need.

Being the top-tier service that it is, ExpressVPN is known for being able to consistently bypass the Great Firewall of China with ease. All of our testers in the country have found success whenever they use it. In fact, some have never even experienced downtime.

PureVPN works just as well as ExpressVPN in China. Its large server network allows its users to access the version of the internet of almost any country or territory with ease. However, all our testers have reported they’ve experienced occasional periods of downtime.

 

Interface & Usability

ExpressVPN has simple apps on all platforms that deliver a superb user experience. Navigating them, selecting a server, and tweaking the settings are all incredibly easy. And yes, this remains completely true even for individuals who aren’t well-versed with technology.

ExpressVPN Interface

At first glance, the applications of PureVPN seem great. They’re aesthetically-pleasing and look easy to work around. However, once used, you’ll quickly discover that they lack refinement and are somewhat clunky. Because of that, using them requires some patience.

PureVPN-Interface

PureVPN Interface

Since it has better apps, the winner of this round is ExpressVPN. Don’t get me wrong though as the applications of PureVPN are by no means bad. I’m sure that with a couple of updates, the issues setting them back shall be addressed and they’ll finally reach their full potential.

 

Additional Features

PureVPN has a feature called Secure Wi-Fi, which makes sure you remain safe whenever you pair to public hotspots. Besides that, it also has three paid add-on offerings. Port forwarding along with DDoS protection adds another layer of protection to your VPN experience. Also, dedicated IP lets you establish a personal IP address to remain under the radar.

Sad to say, ExpressVPN doesn’t have any exclusive features. The reason why is because it chooses to focus on the key things it already has that make a VPN great.

 

Customer Support

Excellent customer support is something every VPN must have. Without it, subscribers won’t be able to properly get help to address any problems they might encounter. Moreover, they also won’t get to get any of their questions regarding the service they have answered.

Below is a table showing what the two offer in regards to customer support:

  PureVPN ExpressVPN
Live Chat Yes Yes
Email Support Yes Yes
Phone Support No No
Ticket Support Yes Yes
Video Tutorials No Yes
Online Knowledge Base Yes Yes
Average Response Time 1 Hour 45 Minutes

While both services have 24/7 live chat support, email support, ticked supper, and a wide online knowledgebase, only ExpressVPN has video tutorials. Furthermore, it has faster average response times than its competitor. Hence, it’s the winner of this round.

 

Prices

Pricing is arguably the most important thing to consider when choosing a VPN. Hence, a service that’s great but not priced competitively is not advisable to get. Fortunately, the prices of ExpressVPN and PureVPN are within the reach of average consumers,

Refer to the table below to know the pricing schemes of both services:

  PureVPN ExpressVPN
Subscription Lengths $10.95/Month $12.95/Month
  1 Year ($5.82/Month) 6 Months ($9.99/Month)
  2 Years ($3.33/Month) 1-Year ($8.32/Month)
Highest Price Per Month $10.95 $12.95
Lowest Price Per Month $3.33 $8.32
One Year Price $69.95 $99.84
Money-Back Guarantee 31 Days 30 Days
Special Offer $0.99 for a trial plus 47% off for a 1-year subscription 50% off for a 1 year subscription

As you can see, the prices of PureVPN are superior to its competitor’s. Besides being cheaper, it also has a cheap trial period and a longer money-back guarantee policy. Due to that, it’s the winner in this round.

 

Verdict

Is PureVPN better than ExpressVPN?

Nope. Despite everything going for it, PureVPN is inferior to ExpressVPN. It has worse security, applications, and compatibility. Moreover, the service is available on fewer platforms, meaning that it’s not capable of keeping users of certain platforms safe unless installed on a router.

TunnelBear vs VyprVPN

VyprVPN is a great choice for a VPN—it is reliable yet inexpensive. Even though TunnelBear has a free subscription, VyprVPN still proves it is a better pick. It has strong encryption and VPN protocols, can provide you with a fast connection, and is outside of a Five Eyes country.

 

Comparison

Here is an overview of TunnelBear vs VyprVPN’s features and offers:

  TunnelBear VyprVPN
Logging Policy No logging No logging
Jurisdiction Canada (Five Eyes Member) Switzerland
Encryption AES 256 AES-256 SHA-256 Hash Authentication
Protocols OpenVPN IPSec/IKEv2 OpenVPN UDP OpenVPN TCP IPSec/IKEv2 IPSec/L2TP PPTP WireGuard Chameleon
Ad and malware blockers Yes Yes
Kill switch Yes (macOS, Windows, Android) Yes (Windows and macOS)
Leak Tests No leaks found No leaks found
Speed Test Average to Fast Fast
Torrenting & P2P Yes Yes (Optimized P2P servers)
Streaming Netflix Hulu Amazon Prime HBO Max Kodi Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Firestick Roku (Via Router) Kodi Apple TV (Via Router) Android TV
Gaming Windows macOS Linux (limited) Android iOS Windows Android iOS Xbox One (Via DNS or Router) PS4 (Via DNS or Router) Nintendo Switch (Via DNS or Router)
Compatibility Windows macOS Linux (limited) Android iOS Chrome Firefox Opera Windows macOS Android iOS Tor Selected Routers
Simultaneous Connections 5 5
Servers 3000+ 700+
China Sometimes Yes
Split Tunneling Yes Yes
Additional Features GhostBear (Obfuscated Server) VyprVPN DNS VyprVPN Cloud
Prices Free (limited usage) $9.99/month $4.21/month (1 year) $3.33/month (3 years) $6.47/Month (2 Months) $2.50/Month (18 Months + 6 Free) $1.67/Month (36 Months + 12 Free)
Our Rating 4.0 4.3
Website tunnelbear.com vyprvpn.com

 

Now that we have our breakdown, it’s time to see which of these two VPN services wins per category:

Privacy and Security

TunnelBear is based in Canada - a country that's a member of the Five Eyes, an intelligence-sharing agreement between the US, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Canada. VyprVPN is located in Switzerland, a country outside of the Five, Nine, and Fourteen Eyes. Both of these VPN providers assure VPN users that they still follow a strict no-log policy.

Both of these VPN services offer a kill switch and ad and malware blockers.

Encryption

Both VyprVPN and TunnelBear use AES-256 for their encryption, but only the former has SHA-256 Hash Authentication, which is more secure than other usual hash authentication.

VPN Protocols

The two VPN providers have VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2. VyprVPN, however, takes the lead in this area because it uses WireGuard. It also uses Chameleon, a protocol that can enable VPNs to bypass highly restrictive environments put up by governments and companies without slowing down your connection.

Leak Protection

I have to make sure either of these two VPN services protects me from any leaks. I’ve tried to put each of them through an IP leak test.

Here was my IP address without using a VPN:

This was the IP address displayed when I tried TunnelBear:

After that, I tried VyperVPN’s Singapore server as well:

They did not leak my real IP address, which goes to say they protect my network identity.

Server Security

For those who would want to try out VPNs, a service with a RAM server is a better choice. This type of server offers more security than those who don’t as it does not store any of your data once you disconnect.

Sadly, neither of them offers this kind of server.

In conclusion

Based on these areas, VyprVPN is a better choice than TunnelBear for security and privacy. It has additional encryption and protocols that provide another layer of security than its rival VPN provider. It’s also a plus that it is based in a jurisdiction outside of the Five Eyes.

 

Speed Test

VyprVPN has been boasting of its speed, no matter what device or activity you use it in. TunnelBear is also decent when it comes to speed. To prove their claims, I conducted a speed test.

Here is my original speed without using any VPNs:

Here is what VyprVPN did when I connected to some of its servers:

Singapore:

US:

Meanwhile, here are the results TunnelBear gave me:

Singapore:

US:

Although their performances were not far from each other, VyprVPN has a bit of an edge since it has better ping and download speed. The winner of this round is VyprVPN.

 

Torrenting and P2P

Both VyperVPN and TunnelBear enable file sharing. The former has optimized servers for P2P, while the other also allows torrenting on its servers. Still, they (TunnelBear) suggest preferred server locations like Romania, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, US, Canada, and the UK.

TunnelBear also reminds that you should do torrenting while using the desktop application and not the browser extension to ensure protection for your entire device.

I’ve tested out both parties for any leaks. To start, here were my IP and torrent addresses:

These were my results for VyprVPN vs TunnelBear:

TunnelBear:

VyprVPN:

They both hid my IP and torrent addresses, but of course, VyprVPN has the lead because it has optimized servers for torrenting.

 

Streaming

When it comes to streaming platforms and devices, TunnelBear is compatible with Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Kodi, and HBO Max. VyprVPN, on the other hand, works on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Kodi, and Android TV. It also works on Roku and Apple TV via a router.

Netflix

Since I like to watch movies and series on Netflix in my spare time, I prefer a VPN service that is fast enough to give me a quality streaming experience. I’ve tried watching Spotlight while using VyprVPN and TunnelBear’s respective US servers and compared my experience.

This was TunnelBear’s performance:

This one is VyprVPN’s performance:

They both gave me an HD quality video and there were no lags while I was watching. If you just want to unlock foreign libraries of Netflix, either VyprVPN or TunnelBear will do the trick. But based on the number of compatible streaming devices, VyprVPN is a better choice over TunnelBear. So for this round, VyprVPN wins.

 

Gaming

VyprVPN and TunnelBear have a lot in common in terms of operating systems and browsers for gaming. The difference is you can connect your consoles like Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PS4 via a DNS or Router. VyprVPN also claims to be the “fastest gaming VPN.”

With the speed offers and gaming compatibility that VyprVPN has, I can easily conclude that it is the better choice over TunnelBear.

 

Compatibility

Both VyprVPN and TunnelBear are compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS. TunnelBear has browser extensions while VyprVPN does not. However, they are aiming to release a beta version so they can provide this feature.

While VyprVPN lacks browser extensions, it is compatible with selected routers, a feature that TunnelBear is yet to offer.

Here’s a breakdown of TunnelBear and VyprVPN’s compatibility:

TunnelBear VyprVPN

Windows

macOS

Linux (limited)

Android

iOS

Chrome

Firefox

Opera

Windows

macOS

Android

iOS

Tor

Selected Routers

Since they have different edges over the other, I’ll call this round a tie.

Winner: Tie

Simultaneous Connections

If you want to use different devices simultaneously, it’s better to use a VPN provider that enables you to do so. For VyperVPN and TunnelBear, there are not many simultaneous connections that you can do because both of them only allow five connections at a time.

I’ll say this round is a tie.

Winner: Tie

Servers

TunnelBear has about 3000 servers in 41 countries. But according to this service, it adds and eliminates servers, depending on the volume of its users. Meanwhile, VyprVPN has over 700 VPN servers in more than 70 locations.

Now, there’s a significant difference between the number of servers between these VPN providers. But if you look at it, VyprVPN has more server locations than TunnelBear. Still, I think I’ll go with a VPN service with a greater number of servers. I’ll give this round to TunnelBear.

 

China

China is one of the countries with highly censored Internet access. Only a few VPN providers can go around the firewall. TunnelBear mentions that it works the country, but it suggests that you install the app on your device before heading to China. Turning on GhostBear will help you hide your VPN activity. Still, it cannot guarantee reliability at all times.

VyprVPN, on the other hand, claims that you can establish a connection in China. They recommend using the servers located in Vietnam, United Kingdom, Austin, Canada, Taiwan, Sydney, South Korea, Singapore, Seattle, San Francisco, France, Germany, Netherlands, Macao, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Italy, and Japan.

These locations can give you a better experience.

Since VyprVPN gave a more concrete answer when it comes to bypassing China’s firewall, I’ll go with this VPN provider.

 

Interface and Usability

VyprVPN has a small and simple display yet, it gives you your needed information, especially its servers. It shows the latency per server—the lower the latency, the better connection you will have. It’s a way of suggesting what server you should choose depending on your location.

This is what the VyprVPN interface looks like on macOS:

For TunnelBear, it complies with its bear theme. It has a bear that tunnels from country to country on the map. It has a small interface, like VyprVPN, but I find it more difficult to navigate. It does not expand so I am unable to view the whole map.

I find VyprVPN’s interface more functional, so this round goes to it.

 

Additional Features

TunnelBear has an obfuscated server called GhostBear. It makes your VPN traffic look like a usual online activity.

Meanwhile, VyprVPN has VyprVPN Cloud, which is a server deployment solution that makes a user secure when you enter a cloud server. You can use it on VirtualBox, DigitalOcean, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also has VyprVPN, which adds protection from DNS leaks.

For the add-on features, I’ll go with VyprVPN.

 

Customer Support

I find the live chat support feature helpful more than anything since it makes me converse my concern more accurately. Unfortunately, TunnelBear does not offer this kind of support. Both of them have ticket support, support email, and an online knowledge base.

For a complete detail of customer support, I’ve provided a table:

  TunnelBear VyprVPN
Live Chat No Yes
Email Support Yes Yes
Phone Support No No
Ticket Support Yes Yes
Video Tutorials No Yes
Online Knowledge Base Yes Yes
Average Response Time 42 minutes 1 minute

VyprVPN is accommodating and responds fast via live chat. TunnelBear, on the other hand, takes a little longer because you can only contact it via support email. It does, however, send a ticket and list of articles that may answer your question without waiting for a “support bear.”

Because it has live chat support and responds in a jiffy, I’ll go with VyprVPN for this category.

 

Prices

Check out the prices VyprVPN vs TunnelBear:

  TunnelBear VyprVPN
Subscription Lengths 1 month (Free 500MB/month) No free tier
  1 month ($9.99/month)  
    Two months ($6.47/month)
  One year ($4.99/month) One year and six months ($2.50/month)
  Three years ($3.33/month) Three years ($1.67/month)
Highest Price Per Month $9.99 $6.47
Lowest Price Per Month $3.33 $1.67
One Year Price $59.88 N/A
Money-Back Guarantee Case-by-case basis 30 days
Special Offer Save 50% for a one-year plan Save 50% for a two-month plan plus one month free
  Save 67% for a three-year plan Save 81% for 18 months plan plus six months free
    Save 87% for 36 months plan plus 12 months free

TunnelBear has a free subscription, but it’s obvious that VyprVPN has better deals when you opt for a paid subscription. Comparing the lowest price per month, VyprVPN tops TunnelBear.

For a better value for money, I choose VyprVPN.

 

Verdict

Is TunnelBear better than VyprVPN?

Unfortunately, no. Between these two VPN providers, VyprVPN is the overall winner. It is cheaper, yet it is faster, provides more protection and security, and can bypass the Great Wall of China. It also boasts of its fast connection when it comes to gaming. The only catch is that it has few servers and it does not offer browser extensions.