NordVPN is the best VPN for Berlin, Germany, and the rest of this list is competing for second. The VPN provider is notable for its 50+ Berlin servers you can pick by name to access local content, 7,000+ international servers to unblock websites/social media/search engine results, and reliable online security.
Besides NordVPN, other VPNs that’ll unblock content and keep your internet activities safe from the Berlin government include my runner-up Surfshark (a Berlin location plus unlimited devices), PrivateVPN (Berlin and Frankfurt servers with static IPs), CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN.
But how did these VPNs come to be?
Follow through as I reveal details of my tests and comparisons of 20+ VPN providers, which yielded this top five.
Top 3 VPNs for Berlin
Surfshark
Best for Berlin households
- Berlin and Frankfurt locations
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Fastest here: 39Mbps of 45Mbps
NordVPN
Best for private Berlin access
- Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg servers
- 7,000+ servers in 150 countries
- P2P on all servers + obfuscation
PrivateVPN
Best for a fixed Berlin IP
- Berlin and Frankfurt servers
- Shared static IP on every location
- 10 devices, $2.00/mo on 36 months
Between July – December 2020, Facebook blocked/removed 1200+ items in line with requests from German authorities. In the same timeframe, Twitter blocked/removed 118,000+ items, Google blocked/removed 73,000+ items, and TikTok took similar action on 26,000+ items, all at the request of the Berlin-based government.
These are just the platforms we know and in about half a year.
Thus, there’s no telling how much of the internet is restricted in Germany.
On top of that, content platforms like NRK TV, Hulu, CNN, and other notable names aren’t working in Germany. Those that work (like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video) have limited libraries that don’t allow you to enjoy them fully.
Not anymore.
The top VPNs for Berlin are proven to bypass censorship and defeat content geo-blocks from almost anywhere globally. Ready to take them for a spin?
Read the quick summaries below to get started!
Unblock Geo-Restricted Content and Bypass Censorship With These Top VPNs for Berlin
You don’t have to worry about losing your internet data to the German government, getting geo-locked out of your favorite streaming platforms, or looking over your shoulder when downloading torrent files in Germany.
Let my top VPNs help you:
- NordVPN: Enjoy P2P on all standard servers to download torrents, 50+ servers in Berlin and 340+ across Germany to access local content, and 7,000+ servers in 150 countries to unblock content anywhere.
- Surfshark: Save more with a VPN that offers unlimited simultaneous device connections, a Berlin location you can pick by name, and the chance to unblock content in 100 countries.
- PrivateVPN: Get Berlin and Frankfurt servers with shared static IPs, Stealth VPN obfuscation, and ten devices on one of the cheapest plans here.
- CyberGhost: Get servers optimized for torrent downloads, unblocking content streams anywhere, and gaming securely without leaking your internet activities, no matter what you’re doing online.
- ExpressVPN: Employ automatic, fast obfuscation to beat the Berlin Digital Wall, bypass firewalls, defeat censorship, and unblock anything from 113 countries.
Every VPN has a unique standpoint that makes it the best for Berlin.
But trust me, you may only need one.
To help you make a faster decision, I’ve reviewed and compared these top VPNs below.
Find out which is worth your time the most.
Reviews, Tests, and Comparison of the Best VPNs for Berlin
My top five VPNs for Berlin emerged from a larger list of 20+ VPNs tested for speed, security, privacy, device compatibility, and reliability. Here’s how the top five fare against one another.
NordVPN – 340+ German Servers, About 2,500 US Servers & 7,000+ Global Servers
NordVPN has 340+ German servers, and 55 of these are in Berlin (the count on its server list when I checked today).
That ensures you can get a Berlin IP address to access German content anywhere, connect to gaming peers in Berlin or encrypt your internet connection in Berlin without losing access to local online services.
Besides the Berlin servers, NordVPN also has servers in Frankfurt and Hamburg, giving you two alternative German locations if you need them.
Fortunately, these servers are equally capable of unblocking German content and use reliable AES 256-bit encryption. I tested them by unblocking Welt TV N24’s live stream (which I didn’t have access to earlier), ZDF, and RTL – München TV, and everything went smoothly. This is a testament that the servers show I was truly in Berlin and didn’t leak any IP requests to my ISP, which would have suggested otherwise.
To be sure, I did a leak test and confirmed the good news.
But what if you don’t want Berlin or German servers in Germany? What if you want to unblock content (like JioHotstar from India, BBC iPlayer from the UK, etc.) unavailable in Berlin, Germany?
Then you’ll have NordVPN’s 7,000+ servers in 150 countries at your beck and call.
That’s the largest country count on this list, and it covers every country with a content library worth unblocking.
For example, some of the services I seamlessly unblocked with NordVPN are:
- BBC iPlayer over the UK servers
- Crave TV over the Canadian servers
- Voot (now part of JioHotstar) over the Indian servers
- France TV over the Paris, France servers
I could go on, but you get the drift already.
The ease at which NordVPN unblocks these platforms, and the quality of content streams, signifies that it’s a fast VPN. But how fast?
Well, it scores 33Mbps on a 45Mbps connection. That ensures 4K streams and explains why I didn’t get any lags when streaming live TV content on N24.
But NordVPN isn’t only good for unblocking content streams.
You can also bypass website restrictions and censorship on social media platforms or search engines in Germany. If the VPN isn’t combating the censorship firewall, use NordVPN’s obfuscated servers to beat the firewall blocks.
However, note that obfuscated servers will slow your connection speeds considerably. The only alternative is ExpressVPN which manages to offer fast obfuscation, but more on that later. Thankfully, there’s an obfuscated server in Germany if you only want to hide your VPN usage from firewalls.
If you like downloading torrent files but are scared of what the German government might say, NordVPN has you covered.
Every standard NordVPN server now allows torrenting (the old P2P category was folded into them), and they’re thoroughly encrypted to:
- Unblock access to torrent websites like The Pirate Bay, 1337x, and more.
- Defeat ISP throttling to ensure steady, fast torrent download speeds.
- Encrypt your internet connection so Vodafone, Telefonica, Deutsche Telekom, or your preferred ISP can’t see your torrent download activity.
Since your ISP can’t log or block what it can’t see, NordVPN’s solution keeps you private and secure from copyright trolls.
Don’t worry. The VPN provider has a no-logs policy, so it won’t tell your government what you did on its servers. After all, it didn’t collect that information.
For extra cover on Berlin’s café Wi-Fi, Double VPN routes you through two servers at once, and on the Complete and Prime plans, Next-gen antivirus (formerly Threat Protection Pro) blocks trackers and malicious downloads on Windows and Mac before they reach you.
Finally, I’m impressed with NordVPN’s ease of use and compatibility across PCs and mobile devices. With its ten simultaneous device connections, you can protect multiple devices and unblock content across your devices when you travel to Berlin, Germany.
Only Surfshark offers far more, with no connection limit at all (ExpressVPN’s pricier plans stretch to 12 or 14).
So, if you’re buying a single VPN for a larger group, that’s the one alternative to weigh up.
If you’re an expat, student, or other long-term Berlin resident, you can also set up the VPN on your router to protect all your devices under the same roof.
In fact, you get Smart DNS support (included in your VPN package) to unblock content via your smart TV, gaming consoles, and other units that can’t download a VPN app.
Ready to start living a better digital life with NordVPN? It’s not expensive, and it can even get cheaper!
US dollars · checked Oct 22
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
Grab NordVPN’s current deal and get a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. At a Berlin university? The student offer on our page of verified NordVPN discount codes takes extra off the long-plan deal.
Pros
- 50+ servers in Berlin & 340+ German servers
- 7,000+ servers in 150 countries
- Reliable data encryption against IP, DNS, and internet activity leaks
- Fast VPN: 33Mbps speeds on a 45Mbps connection
- P2P on all standard servers for secure, fast torrent downloads
- Ten simultaneous device connections covering smartphones, PCs, routers, and smart TVs
Cons
- Obfuscated servers cost a chunk of speed
- Ten connections, where Surfshark sets no limit
Surfshark – 2 German Locations & 4500+ Servers to Unblock Content in 100 Countries
Surfshark earns second place in Berlin, and the case starts with its server list: Berlin and Frankfurt am Main both appear by name (I checked surfshark.com/servers today), so you pick the capital directly instead of hoping the Germany entry lands you there, as I had to with CyberGhost in my tests.
Surfshark doesn’t publish how many servers sit in Berlin, but the Berlin location is a physical one with P2P allowed, while Frankfurt carries its static IP option.
On connecting, I first ensured my internet data wouldn’t leak over these servers. Otherwise, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, and other ISP providers/the government still have a front-row seat to everything I’m doing online.
Fortunately, there were zero leaks. You can verify that by seeing that the leak test’s IP address matches the one assigned to me by Surfshark.
Thus, it was little wonder that Surfshark would gain access to the tough-to-crack ZDF, which wouldn’t unblock anywhere but in Germany or over a German server. I also streamed HD quality content on the other platforms (N24, München TV, and 3Sat) I tested with the other providers to ensure it’s not just a one-trick pony.
Furthermore, I considered VPN users who might have been locked out of content they love to stream elsewhere. So, I tested and confirmed that Surfshark could unblock Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and just about anything from anywhere.
Beyond Germany, Surfshark has servers in 100 countries. Only NordVPN (150) and ExpressVPN (113) reach further, and both charge more for it.
In other words, there’s almost nothing you want to unblock anywhere that you don’t get with Surfshark.
However, it’s not all good news.
For starters, Surfshark has 4,500+ servers in all these countries, roughly half of NordVPN’s network.
That’s more than ExpressVPN and PrivateVPN, but a busy evening can still mean a crowded server.
Fortunately, the VPN provider is upgrading its servers to 10Gbps speeds to accommodate several users simultaneously.
This would also explain why I got the highest score on Surfshark’s speed test: 39Mbps over a 45Mbps connection and a lag-free streaming experience.
Furthermore, Surfshark doesn’t have a specialty P2P section because every server allows torrent traffic; its fast, 24/7 live chat staff still sent me the locations they recommend for the quickest downloads.
Even so, I’d prefer a labeled section in the app, as CyberGhost offers, so I don’t have to ask customer support all the time.
Suppose that’s not much of a dealbreaker for you. In that case, Surfshark is also highly user-friendly and easy to navigate and use.
Its mobile and PC apps are even similar-looking, ensuring you can switch between them without undergoing another learning curve.
It also packs the extras Berlin travelers use most: Camouflage Mode hides the VPN from hotel and campus firewalls, CleanWeb blocks ads and malware domains, Bypasser keeps your German banking app on your real connection (on Android, Windows, and macOS), and the kill switch covers dropped connections.
The best part is that this highly affordable VPN service offers unlimited simultaneous connections. So, grab a single account to ensure everyone in your family, expat group, or travel party gets a reliable VPN that unblocks content and keeps them safe anywhere.
Still, NordVPN stays ahead: its network is about 50% bigger, it allows P2P on every standard server and labels its obfuscated servers instead of leaving you to ask support, and it publishes exactly how many Berlin servers you get.
Want to get Surfshark for a steal?
US dollars · checked Oct 13
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
Grab these HUGE discounts before they run out, and you also get 30 days to test the VPN risk-free. Sharing one plan across a Berlin apartment? Our page of verified Surfshark coupon codes prices each plan length before you split the bill.
Pros
- 2 German server locations, with one in Berlin
- 4,500+ servers in 100 countries
- Reliable encryption against data leaks to ISPs, the government, or copyright trolls
- Fastest VPN tested: 39Mbps on a 45Mbps connection
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
Cons
- No labeled P2P server section
- Roughly half the server count of NordVPN or CyberGhost
PrivateVPN – Berlin & Frankfurt Servers With Static IPs & Stealth VPN
PrivateVPN has the smallest network on this list, 200+ servers in 63 countries, and it still takes third place because two of those locations are exactly where a Berlin reader needs them: Berlin and Frankfurt both appear on its server list (I checked privatevpn.com/serverlist today), and you pick either by name.
What makes those locations different is the addressing. Every PrivateVPN location hands out a shared static IP, so each time you connect to Berlin you surface with the same German address. Online banking, ticket portals, and Deutsche Bahn or BVG accounts stop treating you as a new device on every login, which is the usual headache with a VPN that rotates addresses. On selected locations, you can also switch to a dynamic dedicated IP over OpenVPN if you’d rather not share.
With the Berlin server selected, German catch-up services such as ZDF and Welt TV see a Berlin address, and the app’s DNS leak protection keeps your Vodafone or Telekom-assigned address out of the picture. Abroad, its Netflix and BBC iPlayer unblocking covers the same expat use cases as the bigger names.
For networks that block VPNs outright (some eduroam setups and hotel Wi-Fi), Stealth VPN disguises the tunnel as ordinary HTTPS traffic. It runs over OpenVPN, so expect a speed dip similar to NordVPN’s obfuscated servers rather than ExpressVPN’s near-free obfuscation.
Torrent traffic is allowed, and PrivateVPN adds port forwarding on selected locations for faster seeding, something Surfshark doesn’t offer and NordVPN only sells with its paid Dedicated Server add-on. Its Connection Guard is a full-system kill switch on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, so a dropped tunnel never hands your download history to Deutsche Telekom.
Speed is the one column I can’t fill from this page’s 45Mbps test run. For reference, the 100Mbps line in my cheap-VPN roundup gave PrivateVPN 43Mbps, ahead of CyberGhost on that day, so 4K streams are within reach.
It sits behind NordVPN and Surfshark for two reasons: the network is a fraction of theirs, with no Hamburg fallback and thinner coverage abroad, and its zero-logs claim has never been independently audited, which matters more for a Swedish company inside the 14 Eyes. There’s also no Smart DNS for a smart TV, no browser extension, and no ad blocker.
US dollars · checked Oct 23
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
The 36-month plan is the cheapest way in at $2.00 a month (it renews at $72 a year), you get ten simultaneous connections, and these PrivateVPN deals come with 30 days to test the Berlin server risk-free.
Pros
- Berlin and Frankfurt server locations you can pick by name
- Shared static IP on every location, so German logins see one address
- Stealth VPN obfuscation for networks that block VPNs
- Port forwarding on selected locations for faster torrent seeding
- Ten simultaneous connections for $2.00 a month on the 36-month plan
Cons
- Smallest network here: 200+ servers in 63 countries
- Zero-logs claim has no independent audit, and Sweden is a 14 Eyes country
- No Smart DNS, browser extension, or ad blocker
CyberGhost – Largest German and Global Server Count to Unblock Content Anywhere
CyberGhost has the largest server library in Berlin (100+) and Germany (1,300+). Thus, if you’re looking for a Berlin IP address with the least chance of overcrowding, this VPN is your best bet.
Besides having the most servers in the target area, it also covers one extra German location: Berlin, Frankfurt, and Dusseldorf.
Thus, it allows you options of other German cities to connect to if you need that.
But there’s a catch:
Unlike NordVPN and some of the others, I couldn’t choose a Berlin server location in my tests. So, I could only click the main Germany server location and hope CyberGhost gave me the Berlin IP address. Berlin now appears on its server list as a new location, so check the app for it.
The only saving grace is that every one of these servers works the same in Germany unless you need the Berlin IP.
That lottery is why CyberGhost sits fourth here: NordVPN, Surfshark, and PrivateVPN each let me pick Berlin by name.
For example, I randomly connected to the German servers and unblocked München TV, 3Sat, and N24. I intentionally went for Live TV content where possible since this is the most unforgiving of slow internet connections and would have shown any lag/buffering.
Luckily, I didn’t get any interruptions when unblocking these services with CyberGhost. In fact, the VPN scored 37Mbps in the same speed test, faster than NordVPN and ensuring the same 4K quality if you want it.
One of the reasons to seek a VPN in Berlin is to encrypt your internet connection without losing access to local content like the ones I just unblocked. CyberGhost’s AES 256-bit encryption on all servers and protocols ensures that.
Remember that this encryption also comes in handy when connected to public Wi-Fi networks at the Generator Bar, American Apparel, Hilton Berlin, or anywhere else you find these networks. Otherwise, hackers, malicious actors, and even network admins on these networks can see all you do, hijack your conversations, steal your credit card details, etc.
That said, this VPN provider doesn’t just have the largest server count in Berlin and Germany, but it does generally.
That’s a blessing, meaning you can unblock content almost anywhere via its 9000+ servers in 100 countries. The only VPN that comes close in terms of servers is NordVPN (7,000+).
On these servers, I unblocked access to
- Netflix US
- Amazon Prime US
- BBC iPlayer
- NRK TV
CyberGhost even has streaming-optimized servers in several countries (Germany included) to get a server that’ll unblock content quickly.
Likewise, I like that these servers are optimized for a platform but will work with other platforms. For example, I unblocked CNN Go with a US server optimized for US Netflix!
On top of that, the provider also has torrent-optimized servers.
That’s enough to tell you that it supports P2P torrent traffic, ensures fast torrent downloads, unblocks any torrent website, and keeps your torrent activity away from copyright trolls.
It even has a torrent-supported server in Germany that could mean faster download speeds for you!
With that, it’s no surprise that CyberGhost is an easy-to-use VPN with a user-friendly interface. It maintains the same navigable interface on mobile and PCs, so you’re never lost on your preferred device.
You also get seven simultaneous device connections, three fewer than NordVPN and PrivateVPN, to protect your main devices simultaneously.
The best part is that it’s cheaper than NordVPN if you know where to get it.
US dollars · checked Oct 23
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
Luckily, I’ve got these CyberGhost deals to help you save more and get a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 100+ servers in Berlin & 1,300+ servers in Germany
- 9000+ servers in 100 countries
- Encryption against data leaks and public Wi-Fi hacks
- Faster than NordVPN: 37Mbps on a 45Mbps connection
- Specialty servers optimized for torrenting, gaming, and streaming
- Seven simultaneous device connections
Cons
- Couldn’t pick Berlin directly in my tests
ExpressVPN – Fast, Automatic Obfuscation for Extra Online Security & Privacy in Germany
ExpressVPN may cover fewer countries than NordVPN (113 against 150), but its servers are more capable than what other providers here offer.
But before we get to that, this impressive VPN service lacks a server in Berlin, Germany. So, this rules it out of your options if that’s one of the major things you want in your VPN.
Alternatively, it has German servers in Frankfurt and Nuremberg.
If all you want is a German IP or local internet encryption in Germany, these will work wonders for you.
I connected to the Frankfurt server and ran leak tests to ensure Vodafone or the government isn’t still seeing my internet activity.
Afterward, I looked for a Germany-specific content platform to unblock, and I settled on MDR. ExpressVPN beautifully unblocked the HD version of this website!
Now, what makes ExpressVPN’s servers more capable?
They’re all fitted with automatic and fast obfuscation on every protocol.
Thus, hiding your VPN activity from your German ISP, preventing the government from cracking down on your VPN usage, and bypassing censorship designed to block VPN traffic.
Truth be told, other VPNs here (except CyberGhost) also offer obfuscation.
But enabling the feature on them usually causes a massive speed drop (more than half of what they currently offer). Plus, their obfuscation is tied to OpenVPN or, in NordVPN’s case, to separate obfuscated servers (now on NordWhisper), unlike ExpressVPN, which has it on all protocols.
So, scoring 34.8Mbps on my speed tests puts ExpressVPN close to the top. And that tells you it would be the fastest if every other provider had obfuscation enabled. Better security without losing speed?
I’ll take that any day.
ExpressVPN may not have a Berlin server, but it has capable servers in 113 countries to unblock content there. And thanks to its automatic obfuscation, rest assured that this VPN works anywhere without detection.
This obfuscation, fast speed, and ExpressVPN’s reliable encryption make it a suitable candidate for torrent downloads. However, it doesn’t have specialized P2P-optimized servers like CyberGhost’s.
On reaching out to ExpressVPN support, I was told that all its servers are equally P2P-optimized.
Another win for this provider.
You can now unblock your favorite torrent sites, download unlimited torrent files, and not worry about cease-and-desist letters or fines from copyright trolls.
Of all the VPNs I listed, ExpressVPN is the easiest to use.
It has an interestingly simple build, retains the same interface on mobile and PC, and puts all options within a maximum of two clicks and taps.
But why does it close the list?
Well, the lack of Berlin servers, for one. Then, it isn’t the cheapest option here, and its Basic plan caps you at ten simultaneous connections where Surfshark sets no limit.
It makes up for this with a large country reach, fast obfuscation on all servers, and reliable security.
US dollars · checked Oct 23
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
If ExpressVPN sounds like your kind of Berlin VPN, save more with these limited-time deals.
Pros
- 3 servers in Germany
- Servers in 113 countries
- Reliable encryption against data leaks
- Fast, automatic obfuscation to bypass censorship and firewalls
- 34Mbps speeds on a 45Mbps connection
Cons
- Costs more than budget picks like Surfshark
- No Berlin location, only Frankfurt and Nuremberg
How to Setup a VPN for Berlin?
The best way to set up your VPN for Berlin is to enable the internet kill switch, pick a preferred protocol and connect to your preferred server.
I’ll demonstrate how to do all these using my best VPN for Berlin, NordVPN:
- Purchase your preferred VPN plan. I recommend NordVPN for Berlin.
US dollars · checked Oct 22
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
- Download the VPN app for your preferred device. I recommend downloading from the VPN’s official website or your device’s app store. I’ll use my Windows PC for this example.
- Launch the app and log in with your account credentials.
- Enable the VPN kill switch to prevent IP and DNS leaks if the VPN connection drops. Go to Settings > Kill Switch > toggle “Internet Kill Switch.”
- Choose your preferred protocol. Unless you’re bypassing tough censorship (OpenVPN protocols), I recommend NordLynx for fast browsing speeds and security.
- Go to the NordVPN homepage and search for a preferred server location. I’ll use the United States for this example.
- Choose the main country to get the fastest available server. Or select from a list of the available cities to get more specific.
- Wait for the connection confirmation. Then test for leaks.
- Start browsing the internet securely from your new IP address.
How to Get a Berlin IP Address?
If you want a Berlin IP address, you can follow the same steps as setting up a VPN for Berlin. However, you need to choose a VPN that offers Berlin IP addresses to start with.
Fortunately, NordVPN does, and here’s how to get a Berlin IP address:
- Follow steps 1-5 from above.
- Search for the Berlin server location directly or for Germany and click the Berlin server.
- Wait for the connection confirmation. Then test for leaks. If you’re in Berlin, ensure you get the NordVPN Berlin IP instead of your ISP-assigned Berlin IP address.
- Enjoy the encrypted web from Berlin without letting your ISP see what you’re up to.
Can You Use a Free VPN in Berlin?
You can use a free VPN in Berlin. Still, you risk getting deanonymized online, leaking your sensitive data to German ISPs, and falling into the government’s censorship blocks.
Likewise, copyright trolls can still come after you when you download torrent files, you’ll suffer unreliable unblocking and endure slow internet speeds.
Thus, it’s best to pony up the affordable cost of reliable VPNs like NordVPN, offering ultra-fast speeds, reliable unblocking, and a massive server spread to unblock content anywhere.
Given that it offers ten simultaneous device connections, you can even purchase it as a group of travelers/students/expats/tourists and save more per head.
FAQ
Are VPNs Banned in Berlin, Germany?
VPNs aren’t banned in Berlin, and there are no laws against the use of censorship-circumvention tools like VPNs. However, conducting illicit activities behind a VPN is illegal in Berlin, attracting dire consequences when caught.
So, only use your VPNs to safely unblock and stream content, bypass censorship, protect your connections on public Wi-Fi and encrypt your internet data.
Auf Wiedersehen, Content Blocks & Censorship!
It’s time to say goodbye to any content blocks, censorship, unsafe internet practices, or other online security concerns you might have had in Berlin. If you’re traveling to the region, rest assured that my top 5 VPNs can keep your internet activity anonymous whenever you connect to their servers.
Feeling hard-pressed for an option? I’ll recommend NordVPN in a heartbeat.
Given its robust security profile, impressive online privacy, and fantastic server spread, it’s no secret that it’s the best VPN for Berlin.
Grab NordVPN’s current deal for your first purchase and test the VPN risk-free for 30 days.
