7 Best VPNs to Watch YouTube Premium from Anywhere (2024)

Benjamin Walsh
Last Updated by Benjamin Walsh on March 23, 2024

YouTube Premium is only available in select countries. Also, the subscription price varies from country to country — up to a 13$ difference monthly. Fortunately, a VPN lets you sign up for YouTube Premium at the same price as your home country and easily access it, even while overseas.

I tested various VPNs to see which ones can effectively unblock YouTube Premium. After extensive testing, I picked out the 5 best choices for streaming YouTube Premium lag-free.

All the suggested VPNs get the job done properly, but ExpressVPN is the best choice. It offers superfast speeds and servers in 105 countries, so it’s easy to find servers where YouTube Premium is available. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can fully test it and get a refund if you’re unsatisfied.

Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Watch YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Quick Guide: Best VPNs for YouTube Premium in 2024

  1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for YouTube Premium thanks to its large server network and blazing-fast speeds. Try ExpressVPN with YouTube Premium risk-free.
  2. CyberGhost — Offers streaming-optimized servers for YouTube Premium, but its monthly plans don’t offer the best value for money.
  3. Private Internet Access — Massive network of 35,000+ servers for watching YouTube Premium, but doesn’t offer the fastest speeds.
  4. NordVPN — Nordlynx protocol boosts your streaming speeds, but the desktop app is a bit clunky.
  5. Surfshark — Fast streaming speeds but supports limited payment methods.
  6. PrivateVPN — Successfully unblocks YouTube Premium but has a smaller server network than the rest.
  7. IPVanish — Lets you watch YouTube Premium on unlimited devices but isn’t the best at unblocking other platforms.

Watch YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Why You Need a VPN to Access YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is accessible in slightly more than 90 countries globally, implying that it’s not available in many regions. Therefore, if you’re traveling abroad, you might miss out on fantastic benefits such as ad-free videos, offline viewing, YouTube Music Premium, and YouTube Originals content.

Screenshot of YouTube Premium's unavailable in your country error

You’ll get an error message if you try to subscribe to YouTube Premium from a country where it isn’t available

There’s also the fact that pricing for YouTube Premium varies from country to country. A subscription in Turkey, for instance, costs around $1.60/month, while the same subscription in Canada is roughly $9/month.

Thankfully, a high-end VPN helps you circumvent most of these issues. With a VPN, you can renew your YouTube Premium subscription at the same price it is back home, even while traveling to another country.

I suggest you get ExpressVPN for YouTube Premium as it offers lightning-fast connection speeds, servers in 105 countries, and industry-standard security. Also, ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you have a long time to test it and can easily get a refund if you aren’t satisfied.

Stream YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

The Best VPNs for YouTube Premium (Tested in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Servers Across 105 Countries and Superfast Speeds to Access and Watch YouTube Premium in UHD

Key Features:

  • A network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries for easy access to YouTube Premium
  • Lightning-fast connection speeds guarantee lag-free HD streaming
  • Watch YouTube Premium on up to 8 devices at once
  • Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, routers, and more
  • Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN is my top choice for watching YouTube Premium. It offers a vast network of 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, including most countries where YouTube Premium is available. Even if you’re traveling overseas, you can use ExpressVPN to connect to your home location and stream YouTube Premium as you usually do. Plus, it can even access YouTube Premium from China, which almost no other VPN can do.

Screenshot of The Mandela Project playing on YouTube Premium while ExpressVPN is connected to a server in the USA
ExpressVPN lets you stream YouTube Originals like The Mandela Project

I tested servers in various locations where YouTube Premium is available. During my tests, I was impressed by the fast connection speeds on ExpressVPN’s servers. Even on long-distance servers, my speeds only dropped roughly 10% compared to baseline values, which is negligible.

Thanks to ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, you’ll enjoy fast connection speeds while maintaining top-grade security. In my experience, the connection was always fast enough to stream YouTube Premium in 4K UHD without lag.

Screenshot of ExpressVPN's speed test results while connected to servers in locations where YouTube Premium is available
I got excellent speeds for streaming on ExpressVPN’s servers

You can also use ExpressVPN to access various other streaming services. These include the following:

Netflix (US & more) Disney+ HBO Max Amazon Prime Video Hulu
Peacock Discovery+ Paramount+ BBC iPlayer Showtime
Crunchyroll Sling TV fuboTV YouTube TV …and more!

It’s easy to stream on multiple devices with ExpressVPN, as it allows up to 8 connections at once. I also like that it works on smart TVs, Android TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Windows, macOS, and several other platforms.

Its MediaStreamer feature lets you stream YouTube Premium on devices that don’t support the native VPN app. Unfortunately, MediaStreamer limits you to US and UK IPs, meaning you can only access streaming services within those regions.

In terms of customer support, ExpressVPN is far superior to most other options. You can easily connect to an agent in minutes via the 24/7 live chat. Also, the agents are quite knowledgeable and will quickly help you fix any issues you face trying to access YouTube Premium.

ExpressVPN’s monthly plan is a little expensive compared to other options. Thankfully, it also offers 6-month and yearly plans. The 1-year + 3 months plan offers the best possible value and lets you subscribe for just $6.67/month, thanks to a 49% discount.

Best of all, you can try ExpressVPN to stream YouTube Premium completely risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can test it yourself and get a refund if you’re unsatisfied. I easily claimed a refund via live chat, which was approved in a few minutes. I had the money back in my account within the same week.

ExpressVPN works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV devices, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.

Watch YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.

2. CyberGhost — Offers Streaming-Optimized Servers That Guarantee Lag-Free Streaming on YouTube Premium

Key Features:

  • A vast network of 11,800+ servers across 100 countries
  • Offers 4 streaming-optimized servers for YouTube
  • Stream YouTube Premium on up to 7 devices at once
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Android, routers, Roku, and more
  • 24/7 live chat is responsive and helpful
  • 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers reliably unblock YouTube Premium and enable lag-free streaming. Plus, its server network has over 11,800 servers in 100 countries, meaning it covers most countries where YouTube Premium is available. I asked several colleagues to test its servers, and they could easily access YouTube Premium in their home locations using them.

Screenshot of CyberGhost's streaming-optimized servers for YouTube
CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized YouTube servers guarantee lag-free streaming on YouTube Premium

After extensive testing, I was pleased with CyberGhost’s fast connection speeds. Its streaming-optimized servers deliver excellent speeds for uninterrupted HD and UHD streaming. However, the connection was noticeably slower on long-distance servers (up to 30%), but the average drop compared to my baseline was roughly 17%. So, while it’s more than capable of lag-free streaming on YouTube Premium, you should stick to servers close to you for the best performance.

Alongside YouTube Premium, CyberGhost lets you access multiple other streaming platforms:

Netflix HBO Max Disney+ Hulu Amazon Prime Video
YouTube TV Discovery+ BBC iPlayer Canal+ …and more!

You can use CyberGhost to stream on various platforms, including Android, smart TVs, Amazon Fire Stick, Windows, macOS, and more. I also appreciate that CyberGhost allows up to 7 simultaneous connections, meaning you can easily stream YouTube Premium on all your devices without disconnections.

There’s even a Smart DNS feature, which lets you unblock geo-restricted content on devices without native VPN support, like gaming consoles. However, it’s not as effective as ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature as it fails to unblock services like Hulu and HBO Max, though it successfully unblocks YouTube. Also, it doesn’t provide the encryption a VPN does, so your devices aren’t as safe online as they are with a VPN.

CyberGhost offers multiple plans, with the 2-year + 4 months subscription costing as low as $2.03/month, thanks to a 84% discount. Plus, it has an impressive 45-day-long money-back guarantee, so you can try CyberGhost completely free to stream YouTube Premium. When I asked live chat support for a refund, it was approved in minutes, and the money was refunded within 5 days.

CyberGhost works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.

Watch YouTube Premium with CyberGhost

Editors' Note: CyberGhost VPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 84%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — 35,000+ Servers in 91 Countries for Reliable Access to YouTube Premium

Key Features:

  • A huge network of 35,000+ servers to watch YouTube Premium anywhere
  • Streaming servers in 7 YouTube Premium locations for lag-free streaming
  • Supports up to unlimited connections at once
  • Stream on Windows, macOS, Android TVs, and more
  • 24/7 live chat support and an online knowledgebase
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Private Internet Access’ huge server network makes it excellent for YouTube Premium. It has 35,000+ servers in 91 countries, meaning it’s in most YouTube Premium countries.

Plus, having so many servers means it’s less likely for YouTube to detect and block all PIA IP addresses, making this a reliable VPN for watching YouTube Premium. I asked a colleague in the UK to see if they could use PIA’s UK servers to access YouTube Premium, and they could do so without issues.

Screenshot showing the YouTube Originals library on YouTube Premium while PIA is connected to a UK server
PIA effectively unblocks YouTube Premium

PIA offers regular and streaming-optimized servers, but I noticed similar performance between servers in the same location. Nonetheless, speeds on nearby servers remained fast, with an average drop of 22% compared to baseline values. So, while it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access’ speeds are plenty for smooth UHD streaming on YouTube Premium.

Of course, you aren’t just limited to YouTube Premium, as PIA also unblocks the following:

Netflix YouTube TV HBO Max Showtime
Discovery+ Disney+ UKTV …and more!

You can use Private Internet Access on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, macOS, and more. It also supports unlimited simultaneous connections, which will let you stream YouTube Premium on all your devices. Plus, you can even use it on Apple TV, Roku, and other platforms that don’t natively support its app by using the Smart DNS feature. However, Smart DNS compromises on security as it doesn’t encrypt your connection like a VPN.

Private Internet Access offers monthly, 6-month, and multi-year plans, which are reasonably priced. You can subscribe to it for as little as $2.03 a month, thanks to a 83% discount on the 2-year + 4 months plan.

There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try PIA completely risk-free. When I asked for a refund via live chat, the agent didn’t ask any questions, and I had my money back in 4 days.

PIA works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.

Watch YouTube Premium with PIA

Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.

2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!

4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans

Key Features:

  • Short and long-term subscriptions available
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 6,300+ global servers in 110 countries
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • Protect up to 10 devices at once

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly.

I was particularly impressed with the high performance of every server I tested. Just because a VPN has thousands of servers doesn’t mean they all work. Servers can still struggle to work — and some can even fail to connect completely. However, NordVPN’s servers work with Netflix for smooth, buffer-free streaming.

I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it mostly worked with Netflix, it sometimes had issues and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.

NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:

  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly
  • built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker
  • fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN

In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server.

NordVPN's threat protection keeps you fully protected at all times

NordVPN protects you from online threats 24/7

With plans that cost as little as $3.09 per month, it's easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days.

NordVPN works with: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, SkyTV, HBO Max, SHOWTIME, DAZN, ESPN, YouTube TV, and more

NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV

Get NordVPN today

5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds

Key Features:

  • Short and long-term plans available
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 3,200+ global servers in 100 countries
  • No bandwidth restrictions
  • Connect unlimited devices at once

Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out.

I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality.

When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:

  • AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users
  • Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default
  • diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)
  • kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)
  • IP and DNS leak protection

Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account.

While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet.

You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.29. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!).

Surfshark works with: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, Hotstar, HBO Max, DAZN, and more

Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers

Get Surfshark today

6. PrivateVPN — Affordable Option for Streaming YouTube Premium in HD

Key Features:

  • 200+ HQN servers for smooth streaming on YouTube Premium
  • Watch YouTube Premium on up to 10 devices at once
  • Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android TVs, routers, and more
  • Offers support via email and 24/7 live chat
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

PrivateVPN’s 10Gbps HQN servers provide fast speeds so you can enjoy HD streams on YouTube Premium. Although its network of 200+ servers in 63 countries is small, I like that it still covers many countries with YouTube Premium. I even asked a colleague in Turkey to use it with YouTube Premium, and they easily streamed Ken Jeong Cracks Christmas from the Originals library.

Screenshot showing Ken Jeong Cracks Christmas streaming on YouTube Premium while PrivateVPN is connected to a Turkish server

PrivateVPN lets you stream your favorite YouTube Originals content

I like that PrivateVPN effectively unblocks various other streaming services as well. My team and I tested it on various streaming services and could unblock the following:

Netflix RTE fuboTV YouTube TV ITV Hub
BBC iPlayer Hotstar Paramount+ …and more!

While running speed tests, I found that PrivateVPN isn’t as fast as top choices like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, but it’s still impressive considering its affordable price. Test results showed an average drop of 30% compared to baseline speeds, which is a bigger drop than usual. Despite this, I could enjoy buffer-free streams on YouTube Premium, which is why I consider PrivateVPN’s performance excellent for the price.

You can use PrivateVPN to stream on up to 10 devices at once. Also, it offers intuitive native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. However, it doesn’t natively support other platforms like Roku and non-Android smart TVs. You can circumvent this by directly installing it on your router, though.

PrivateVPN has multiple plans, including monthly, 3-month, and 3-year offerings. Its 3-year is the best value at $2.00 a month, thanks to the 85 discount. Plus, you can try PrivateVPN risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund is simple but has to be done via email. When I tested the policy, my money was returned 5 working days after my refund was approved.

PrivateVPN works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Blackberry, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Android TVs, routers, and more.

Watch YouTube Premium with PrivateVPN

7. IPVanish — Generous Connection Allowance to Watch YouTube Premium on All Your Devices

Key Features:

  • 2,400+ servers in 55 countries
  • Allows unlimited simultaneous connections to stream on all your devices
  • Supports major platforms like Windows, macOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and some routers
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

IPVanish lets you connect unlimited devices at once, so you can seamlessly enjoy YouTube Premium across all your devices. Plus, its network includes 2,400+ servers in 55 countries, thus making it easy to find an uncrowded server where YouTube Premium is available. My colleague in Singapore used IPVanish’s Singapore server to access YouTube Music Premium and listen to their favorite playlists.

Screenshot showing YouTube Music Premium's main menu while IPVanish is connected to a server in Singapore

You can use IPVanish to listen to your favorite songs on YouTube Music Premium

While IPVanish can’t unblock as many streaming platforms as ExpressVPN, my team and I tested its capabilities and found that we could access the following:

Netflix Discovery+ Paramount+ ESPN
YouTube TV Sling TV

IPVanish delivered decent results in speed tests. At most, I saw a drop of 35% compared to my baseline connection speeds, which is more than the other VPNs on this list. Despite this, the speeds were always fast enough to enjoy UHD streaming on YouTube Premium without lag.

IPVanish has native apps for Amazon Fire TV, Windows, macOS, and Android. Also, you can configure it on your router, which lets you watch YouTube Premium on your smart TVs, gaming consoles, and any other devices easily.

You can get monthly, quarterly, or 2-year subscriptions for IPVanish. I advise getting the 2-year subscription as it comes with a discount of 76% — you’ll pay just $2.99/month.

You can also try IPVanish with YouTube Premium risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is incredibly easy to claim. Simply log into the IPVanish website, click the “Subscription” tab, and click “Cancel Now” to start the process. Refunds are processed automatically, and I had my money back within a few hours of canceling my subscription.

IPVanish works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Xbox, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, Google Chromecast, Android TVs, routers, and more.

Watch YouTube Premium with IPVanish

Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Comparison Table: 2024’s Best VPNs for YouTube Premium

Supported Platforms Speed Simultaneous Connections Money-Back Guarantee
ExpressVPN Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, smart TVs, Chromecast, and more Excellent 8 30 days
CyberGhost Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more Very fast 7 45 days
PIA Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and more Fast on nearby servers unlimited 30 days
NordVPN Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and more Very fast 10 30 days
Surfshark Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Mi box, and more Excellent unlimited 30 days
PrivateVPN Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and more Average (better on nearby servers) 10 30 days
IPVanish Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and more Average unlimited 30 days

Watch YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

3 Easy Steps to Watch YouTube Premium from Anywhere

  1. Get a VPN. I suggest you get ExpressVPN for YouTube Premium, which offers intuitive apps and lightning-fast speeds on its global server network.
  2. Connect to a server where YouTube Premium is available. Browse the VPN’s list of servers and connect to a location where YouTube Premium is available.
  3. Log in to YouTube Premium and start watching! You can now log into your account and start streaming YouTube Premium from anywhere.

Watch YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

How to Sign up With YouTube Premium

You can sign up for YouTube Premium through a variety of methods. However, the available payment options vary based on your country. Some countries only allow credit card payments, while some also offer PayPal and some other options.

Credit Card Method (via Google Pay)

If you choose to pay with a credit or debit card, you’ll need a credit card from the country you’re in or the country where your VPN server is located (in some cases, foreign credit cards will work). If your card doesn’t work, I suggest using the PayPal method below.

  1. Download a VPN. I recommend using ExpressVPN with YouTube Premium — it has 3,000+ lightning-fast servers for watching YouTube Premium.
  2. Connect to a server where YouTube Premium is available. You can connect to a server in the US, UK, South Africa, India, or any country with YouTube Premium.
  3. Visit the YouTube Premium page. Open the YouTube Premium page and click on the “Try it for free” option to start your subscription. 
    Screenshot of YouTube Premium official website free trial offer (US)
  4. Complete your payment details. To start a YouTube Premium subscription, you’ll need to use a debit or credit card via Google Pay. Once you select your card, a small amount (~$1) will be deducted and refunded to verify the card. However, you’ll only be charged a subscription fee in the next month. 
    Screenshot of YouTube Premium Google Pay credit card option free trial offer (US)
  5. Enjoy watching YouTube Premium! After these steps, you’ll have a trial subscription to YouTube Premium, which becomes a full subscription if you keep it going after the trial expires.

Note: The steps in this guide are based on the sign-up process for YouTube Premium in the US. In other countries, the process isn’t exactly the same. There may be different payment methods, subscription options, and free trial periods (in South Africa, you get 2 months free).

PayPal (via Google Pay)

  1. Download a VPN. ExpressVPN has the best speeds for watching YouTube Premium in 4K UHD.
  2. Connect to a server in a country that has YouTube Premium. For the best speeds, find and connect to a nearby country where YouTube Premium is available.
  3. Open the YouTube Premium page. Click “Try it free” or sign up for the annual plan. 
    Screenshot of YouTube Premium official website free trial offer (US)
  4. Select “PayPal” as your payment method. Choose “Add PayPal” in Google Pay payment options, and you’ll be redirected to the PayPal login page. 
    Screenshot of YouTube Premium Google Pay PayPal option free trial offer (US)
  5. Log into PayPal and approve the payment. You won’t be charged anything as the 1st month is a free trial, but a small sum may be deducted and then refunded back to your account. 
    Screenshot of YouTube Premium PayPal login (US)
  6. Start watching ad-free videos and YT Originals on YouTube Premium!

Top tip — The free trial is only available on YouTube Premium’s monthly plans (in the US). However, when you sign up for an annual plan, you’ll get a 16% discount ($24 off), essentially giving you 2 months free!

Watch YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Why You Shouldn’t Use a Free VPN with YouTube Premium

I don’t advise using a free VPN with YouTube Premium. While there are multiple good free VPNs with impressive connection speeds and other strengths, they can’t match the performance of top-tier premium VPNs.

First off, free VPNs are limited when it comes to server variety. Servers are available in a limited number of locations and are often overcrowded or throttled. So, you will often experience speeds that are much slower than usual.

Even if you can find one with fast connection speeds, free VPNs almost always have data caps, meaning you can’t stream YouTube Premium to your heart’s content. Of course, free VPNs aren’t nearly as good as premium options at bypassing geoblocks, meaning they may fail to access YouTube Premium entirely.

Also, alongside being worse at streaming, free VPNs are much worse than premium options in terms of security. Many store logs and share your information with third parties like advertisers; some don’t even have proper encryption.

If you’re still unsure about getting a premium VPN, you can try CyberGhost to stream YouTube Premium for free. Its 45-day money-back guarantee lets you test it completely free for the duration, as you can easily claim a full refund if you’re unsatisfied.

Editors’ Note: CyberGhost VPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

YouTube Premium VPN Not Working? Try This

YouTube Premium might sometimes not work, even if you’re using a premium VPN. Thankfully, you can fix most common issues in a few steps. The following solutions should help solve most problems you face:

Common Issues Quick Fixes
Your actual location was stored in your browser’s cookies, and YouTube Premium detected it. Clear your browser’s cookies and cache.
Try using another web browser.
You’re using a VPN server that’s been blocked by YouTube Premium. Connect to a different server in the same location.
Your VPN isn’t good at bypassing geoblocks. Use a different VPN.
Your real IP address is leaking and revealing your location. Enable leak protection in your VPN’s settings.
Your actual GPS location isn’t matching your VPN’s IP address. Change your location in your device settings.

If none of these tips help you resolve the issue, I suggest contacting your VPN’s customer support for assistance or checking out this detailed guide on fixing common VPN problems.

How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for YouTube Premium

I tested some of the best VPNs currently available and ranked them according to the following criteria to find the top choices for YouTube Premium.

  • Extensive server network — I looked for VPNs with large server networks, including servers in all the countries where YouTube Premium is available.
  • Device compatibility — I prioritized VPNs that work on most operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, media players, smart TVs, routers, and more, so you can stream on all your devices without issues.
  • Fast connection speeds — I ensured that the VPNs I’ve recommended provided fast speeds so you can watch 4K UHD videos on YouTube premium without excessive buffering or mid-show stuttering.
  • Top-grade security — The VPNs I’ve suggested on this list all offer industry-standard security, meaning they’ll keep your identity and personal data safe at all times.
  • Money-back guarantee — I only suggested VPNs that offer reliable money-back guarantees so that you can fully test them before committing to your purchase.

Watch YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

What You Get With YouTube Premium

YouTube Exclusive Content

YouTube Premium lets you watch exclusive YouTube Original shows and movies from your beloved YouTubers. All the content is available in HD or 4K UHD and is completely ad-free, thus leading to a smooth viewing experience.

Screenshot of YouTube Originals content available through YouTube Premium

You can watch a variety of YouTube Originals thanks to YouTube Premium

This includes various series’ like Supreme Models, The Mandela Project, Recipe for Change, and more. Of course, new shows and movies are constantly being added as well.

YouTube Music, Kids, and Gaming

As a competitor to Spotify and Apple Music, YouTube Music offers a wide variety of artists, songs, and albums. You can listen to your favorite songs via the website or using the YouTube Music app.

Screenshot of YouTube Music Premium made available through YouTube Premium

YouTube Music lets you listen to the top songs from all your favorite artists

Thanks to YouTube Premium, your music is ad-free, downloadable, and available for background play. I especially like this feature, as many people have requested it for years. Also, you get YouTube Kids, which offers lots of fun, kid-friendly content that your children can enjoy.

Finally, you get exclusive access to YouTube Gaming, a streaming platform much like Twitch. You can watch your favorite streamers make amazing plays in top video games on YouTube Gaming.

Ad-free, Downloadable Content

YouTube Premium makes everything on the site completely ad-free, which is one of the things I like most about it. This lets you save precious time that’s usually wasted on ads when you could be watching your favorite content.

Also, everything, including YouTube videos, music, and Originals, is downloadable with YouTube Premium. So, if you like to travel a lot and don’t have internet access on the go, you can easily choose things to download beforehand.

The Difference Between YouTube Premium and YouTube TV

YouTube Premium and YouTube TV are two different things. YouTube Premium aims to provide a quality on-demand streaming service, while YouTube TV aims to replace your TV service.

YouTube TV offers various popular channels like ABC, BBC, CBS, Discovery, ESPN, Fox, and more. Its variety of regional channels, live sports broadcasters, and other popular live TV channels it’s impressive, but it’s a lot more expensive than YouTube Premium. Also, YouTube TV is only available in the US.

On the other hand, YouTube Premium’s highlights include ad-free streaming and letting music and videos play in the background. Plus, it includes YouTube Music Premium, lets you download your favorite music or videos, and is much cheaper than YouTube TV.

You’ll also get ad-free YouTube Kids with your YouTube Premium subscription. YouTube Kids is filled with fun, child-friendly content that your kids can watch to their little heart’s content. Also, YouTube Premium is available across 90+ countries, so it’s accessible to a much wider audience.

Stream YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

FAQs on Watching YouTube Premium With a VPN

Is it legal to get YouTube Premium with a VPN?

Using a VPN to get YouTube Premium while you’re abroad is legal and is a great way to keep your data and devices secure.

However, it’s against YouTube’s Terms of Service to bypass regional restrictions by changing your location. My team and I don’t condone breaking YouTube’s Terms of Service, as your account may be suspended or even terminated by doing so.

Is there a YouTube Premium VPN ban?

No, there’s no such thing as a YouTube Premium VPN ban. So, you can use a VPN to get YouTube Premium without having your account banned.

Where is YouTube Premium the cheapest?

The price of your YouTube Premium subscription price varies based on your country. Some locations like India and Turkey have cheaper subscriptions, while subscriptions in countries like the USA and Canada can be pricier. The following table shows the different prices across various regions (at the time of writing):

Country Subscription Cost Subscription Cost in USD
India 129 INR/month ~$1.60/month
Turkey 29.99 TRY/month ~$1.60/month
Argentina 389 ARS/month ~$3.10/month
South Africa 71.99 ZAR/month ~$4.20/month
Sweden 69.00 SEK/month ~$6.70/month
Czech Republic 179 CZK/month ~$8.20/month
Singapore 11.99 SGD/month ~$9.00/month
Canada 11.99 CAD/month ~$9.00/month
United States 11.99 USD/month $11.99/month

Can I get YouTube Premium without a credit card?

Yes, you can subscribe to YouTube Premium in multiple ways, including PayPal and Paysafecard. However, it’s worth noting that the available subscription methods vary based on the country. Some countries only let you use a credit/debit card and your Google Play balance. Other regions, such as the UK, also support Paysafecard and PayPal. In India, you can pay with BHIM UPI, and in South Africa, you can add your subscription to your mobile provider bill.

Watch YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN

Start Watching YouTube Premium From Anywhere Now

For many people traveling overseas, YouTube Premium is either more expensive than it is back home or is completely unavailable. Fortunately, a VPN lets you circumvent these issues and enjoy YouTube Premium in 4K UHD from anywhere in the world.

You can choose from multiple VPNs, but getting a high-end VPN with loads of servers, fast speeds, and airtight security is crucial. I tested many VPNs thoroughly and found that ExpressVPN is the best choice, thanks to its massive server network, lightning-fast speeds, and industry-standard security.

Best of all, you can try ExpressVPN with YouTube Premium completely risk-free. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can thoroughly test it during this time to see if it’s right for you. If you’re unsatisfied, you can easily get a refund, no questions asked. I even tested the guarantee myself. When I asked for a refund via live chat, it was approved almost immediately, and I had my money back in less than a week.


Summary — The Best VPNs for YouTube Premium in 2024

Top Ranked Top Choice
ExpressVPN
$6.67 / month Save 49%
CyberGhost VPN
$2.03 / month Save 84%
Private Internet Access
$2.03 / month Save 83%
NordVPN
$3.09 / month Save 76%
Surfshark
$2.29 / month Save 85%
PrivateVPN
$2.00 / month Save 83%
IPVanish VPN
$2.99 / month Save 77%
Did you like this article? Rate it!
I hated it I don't really like it It was ok Pretty good! Loved it!
3.90 Voted by 3 users
Title
Comment
Thanks for your feedback