Surfshark is the best VPN for unblocking music streaming platforms from anywhere in the world.
It has over 3200 servers optimized for music streaming, fast speeds, and reliable privacy features, even in heavily censored places like China and Russia.
Besides Surfshark, you can use other reliable alternatives to unblock your favorite streaming platforms. There’s NordVPN with a robust privacy framework, ExpressVPN with fast streaming speeds, CyberGhost with the largest server network, and AtlasVPN with a reliable freemium service.
Keep reading for the details!
The 3 Top VPNs for Streaming Music
NordVPN has the best privacy and security features that protect your device when streaming music. It offers over 5,000 servers for unblocking restricted content on top of obfuscation. NordVPN has fast streaming speeds without buffering. NordVPN is compatible with multiple streaming devices and allows up to 6 simultaneous device connections.
Surfshark is the most affordable VPN. It has over 3,000 servers for unblocking Spotify, Apple Music, and others. It also offers obfuscation, military-grade encryption for extra privacy and security, and split tunneling. Surfshark is also compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux.
ExpressVPN offers automatic obfuscation, the only one on this list. It also has over 3,000 servers that can unblock music streaming services worldwide. The streaming speeds are also the fastest around for high-quality music streams. ExpressVPN works with Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
Due to licensing issues, most music streaming platforms aren’t available everywhere. For instance, Spotify became available in my country (Kenya) in 2021.
Read this to the end if you want to access Apple Music, Qobuz, BBC iPlayer, Spotify, Deezer, and the rest.
If You Want to Stream the Latest Albums Without Restrictions, Here Are the VPNs to Use
Before you rush to listen to your favorite album, here’s a quick look at the best 5 VPNs for music streaming.
- Surfshark – Best for Streaming Music on Unlimited Devices
- NordVPN – Most Secure for Streaming Music in Censored Regions
- ExpressVPN – Amazing Speeds for Streaming Lossless Music
- CyberGhost – Largest Server Network for Unblocking Music Streams
- AtlasVPN – Best Free Music Streaming VPN for Users on a Budget
The tests for each VPN provider focused on the ability to unblock restricted music, streaming speeds, privacy features, and compatibility with streaming devices.
The Best VPNs for Music Streaming
After testing countless VPNs, here are the five best that impressed me the most regarding streaming music. I’ll highlight the music platforms you can unblock, how to unblock them, and finally, a quick troubleshooting guide if the VPN fails.
Let’s roll!
Surfshark - Best for Streaming Music on Unlimited Devices
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Netherlands | 3200+ | Unlimited | 26 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Restricted Music Platforms
Surfshark has 3200+ servers in over 95 countries.
You can unblock Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Qobuz, etc.
I use Apple Music and Spotify (both available in my country), and Surfshark gave me access to foreign playlists unavailable in my region.
I didn’t even know Japanese rap existed. Check out Mitsuhiro Hidaka and thank me later.
With Camouflage Mode, you can access your Spotify account and any other music platform in heavily censored networks like schools and work.
The feature can also get you past the Great Wall of China without detection.
The only drawback is that Camouflage Mode only works with OpenVPN TCP and UDP protocols, reducing your streaming speeds a little, unlike ExpressVPN.
But overall, Surfshark’s capability to unblock geo-restricted music is flawless.
Streaming Speeds
Surfshark was the second fastest VPN after ExpressVPN, with average speeds of 26 Mbps. I didn’t experience buffering when streaming Spotify and Apple Music. I enjoyed listening to Beyonce’s new album, Renaissance.
Furthermore, you can use Surfshark’s split tunneling (Bypasser) to only pass music streaming apps through the VPN. This reduces the encryption burden on Surfshark by handling less traffic, boosting overall performance.
Privacy
Due to licensing issues, most streaming platforms like Qobuz don’t entertain the use of VPNs to bypass their regional blocks.
Surfshark has military-grade encryption to take care of this.
It keeps streaming platforms and other third parties from snooping on your activities.
There’s an effective kill switch that acts as a DNS leak protection.
There’s also a no-logs policy, so if a platform like Spotify gets a warrant to investigate your streaming activities, there isn’t any data they can use against you. But the probability of that ever happening is close to zero.
Surfshark doesn’t offer dedicated IP addresses, but you get Static IP.
You connect to the same IP address every time you log in.
The downside of Static IPs is that they’re shared with others.
Compatibility With Streaming Devices
Surfshark is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and even smart TVs. So you can stream your favorite music from anywhere on any device.
Furthermore, like AtlasVPN, you can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single Surfshark subscription.
This is perfect if you have friends and family needing a VPN to unblock restricted music platforms.
Another advantage Surshark has over other Virtual Private Networks is its price. It’s the cheapest premium VPN that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Make sure you subscribe using these great discounts.
Pros
- Unblocks music streaming platforms
- Reliable internet speed
- Compatible with streaming devices
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Reliable privacy features
Cons
- Obfuscation slower than ExpressVPN
NordVPN - Most Secure for Streaming Music in Censored Regions
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 5500+ | Six | 25 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Restricted Music Platforms
NordVPN has over 5400 ultra-fast servers in 59 countries, ideal for unblocking restricted music platforms worldwide.
It even offers specialized obfuscated and Double VPN servers that make unblocking easier and safer.
For instance, obfuscated servers hide VPN activity from anyone who may have issues with you accessing restricted music platforms.
But you’ll have to contend with slow speeds since it only works with OpenVPN TCP, one of its slowest protocols. Surfshark has the edge over NordVPN since you can use OpenVPN UDP too.
I unblocked Tidal and spent the better part of my test listening to Pusha T’s “It’s Almost Dry,” which, in my opinion, is the best rap album of 2022.
Streaming Speeds
I averaged 25Mbps with NordVPN, giving me seamless music streaming sessions on high-quality files on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Since I’m not in a region with heavy censorship, I used the NordLynx protocol for the fastest music streaming performance.
Selecting the closest VPN server is another tip you can use to get the speeds up.
NordVPN was slightly slower than Surfshark and ExpressVPN, but I had no problems streaming my favorite jams.
Privacy
NordVPN offers a Double VPN feature, which encrypts your traffic twice. This extra layer of protection alongside the standard 256-bit encryption ensures nobody knows what you’re up to – super handy when using public Wi-Fi to check out the new Joey Bada$$ album.
The VPN client also offers a kill switch (two for those on Windows) for preventing IP leaks when the VPN connection drops.
You also get split tunneling for routing the VPN through your music streaming apps only. This served me well since I have apps like PayPal that don’t work well with VPNs.
Finally, for a little extra, you can get a dedicated IP address, which is a safer bet because it’s unshared and unchanging. In a way, your account gets credibility since you’ll use a permanent IP address.
This tricks strict streaming platforms into believing you’re always in one location.
But compared to CyberGhost, NordVPN’s dedicated IP is costlier and less flexible.
Compatibility With Streaming Devices
You can use NordVPN on all major streaming devices like Android and iOS phones and tablets, as well as Windows, Linux, and macOS PCs.
You can also set it up on your smart TV.
Moreover, there are Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions if you prefer streaming music directly in your web browser.
This is especially handy if you use YouTube Music.
Additionally, you can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously.
NordVPN isn’t as cheap as Surfshark, but it’s still less expensive than ExpressVPN. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you’ll get amazing discounts if you use this subscription link.
Pros
- Unblocks music streaming platforms
- Reliable streaming speeds
- Compatible with streaming devices
- Offers obfuscation
- The best privacy features
Cons
- Slowest obfuscation
- Dedicated IP is expensive and inflexible
ExpressVPN - Amazing Speeds for Streaming Lossless Music
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Test Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BVI | 3000+ | 5 | 28 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Restricted Music Platforms
ExpressVPN can unblock Tidal, Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify, and other platforms from any place in the world through any of its 3000+ servers.
It doesn’t have specialty servers like NordVPN and CyberGhost, but it does the job, even in the most restricted locations.
ExpressVPN is also one of the few VPNs with a VPN Speed Test feature that gives you detailed information on the fastest servers.
The test took a while, but it saved me time in the long run by providing me with a list of servers from the fastest to the slowest.
That’s a feature you may want to check if you want to beat geo-blocking.
The standout feature, however, is the automatic obfuscation that works across all servers and protocols. You can unblock music platforms in the most restricted places without detection or losing your speed, which is better than what Surfshark and NordVPN manage.
Streaming Speeds
ExpressVPN was the fastest in the tests, averaging 28 Mbps.
I streamed HipHop playlists on Spotify, and not once did I experience buffering. For the first test run, I let ExpressVPN choose the best server for me, and the results were excellent.
With unlimited data, you don’t have to worry about your Internet Service Provider reducing your speeds (something they do when they notice heavy streaming activities).
As for speed and encryption protocols, Lightway and IKEv2 are my recommendations.
Ultimately though, with automatic obfuscation, any change in speed will be minimal no matter the protocol you use.
Privacy
ExpressVPN encrypts your traffic with 256-bit encryption, the latest and the most secure technology in the VPN circles. With this, you can comfortably stream your music without worrying about third parties snooping on your activities. This includes streaming on public networks where the risk of hacking can be high.
Plus, you get a Network Lock kill switch that disconnects your internet when your VPN connection is interrupted. You can also use the split tunneling feature to maintain regular internet connections for the rest of your apps.
However, this feature isn’t available for iOS devices.
Another unique feature is the TrustedServer Technology, which wipes your data every time you launch ExpressVPN. With servers running on RAM only, there isn’t anything tied to you if, for example, you’re caught streaming music outside the licensed regions (but the probability of this happening is close to zero).
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN doesn’t offer dedicated IP or static IP addresses. But, it has an IP rotating feature where you’re given the best possible IP every time you connect to stream music.
This makes it hard for anyone to track you.
Compatibility With Streaming Devices
ExpressVPN has native Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux apps. You can also install it on game consoles if you love streaming your music from your PS5. There’s also support for browser extensions.
However, ExpressVPN only offers five device connections.
This might not be enough if you have a lot of friends and family who want to use a VPN to stream music through your account.
Furthermore, it is also the most expensive VPN on this list.
However, you can offset that high price by taking advantage of these great discounts.
Pros
- Unblocks music streaming platforms
- Fastest streaming speeds
- Works with streaming devices
- Automatic obfuscation
- Robust privacy feature
Cons
- No dedicated IP
- Expensive
- Only 5 simultaneous connections
CyberGhost - Largest Server Network for Unblocking Restricted Streams
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | 8800+ | Seven | 23 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Restricted Music Platforms
With a massive server network of over 8,000 servers worldwide, unblocking any music streaming platform was easier than AtlasVPN.
Also, unlike other alternatives, CyberGhost has streaming dedicated servers optimized for speed. They may be labeled for movie and TV show platforms, but you should get the same performance when streaming music.
Although CyberGhost lacks obfuscation, you can use NoSpy servers to stream music in heavily restricted countries without detection.
I unblocked Deezer using a US server and sampled Take it Like a Man by Amanda Shires without lag.
Streaming Speeds
CyberGhost averaged 23 Mbps during the tests, enough to handle the heavy streaming of FLACC music files. This was the slowest VPN on this list, but that didn’t stop me from grooving to the latest hits.
It also offers unlimited bandwidth, which ensures you’re not interrupted by your internet provider.
Besides the fast servers, the IKEv2 protocol is well adapted for speed.
I combined it with the closest servers I could find for a fantastic music streaming experience. You can switch protocols in settings across all devices when surfing popular streaming services.
Privacy
You get AES 256-bit encryption that protects your device when streaming music on public networks where the risk of hacking is great.
This encryption also keeps music platforms from interfering with users who bypass regional restrictions.
There’s a kill switch that keeps your details safe if your VPN disconnects when you’re busy with your favorite music. Like other alternatives, you can use split-tunneling to protect your music apps only rather than passing everything through the VPN.
CyberGhost also offers a dedicated IP address. With an exclusive IP, your account will have less suspicion when you access any music streaming platform. However, you have to pay extra to get it, but it’s still cheaper and more flexible than NordVPN.
Compatibility With Streaming Devices
CyberGhost is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux and can work on smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Plus, with seven simultaneous connections, you can cover all your devices and still have extra slots for your friends and family.
The price plans are cheaper than ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
CyberGhost is also the only VPN with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
And with these fantastic discounts, you can get CyberGhost even cheaper.
Pros
- Large server network
- Fast streaming speeds
- Compatible with streaming devices
- Largest server network
- 45-day moneyback guarantee
Cons
- Lacks obfuscation
- Slower than ExpressVPN
AtlasVPN - Best Free Streaming VPN for Users on a Budget
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The United States | 750+ | Unlimited | 25 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Restricted Music Platforms
AtlasVPN is another great VPN that offers 750 servers in 43 locations. That’s the lowest on this list, so you may experience issues unblocking music platforms in some places.
For example, I didn’t see any African servers with only two in South America. So unblocking African music streaming sites like Mdundo, Boomplay or Mziiki will be hard.
Another limiting factor is that the free version only offers three servers, one in the Netherlands and two in the United States.
I successfully unblocked platforms like Apple Music, iHeartRadio, Tidal, and YouTube Music, but the options weren’t as extensive as CyberGhost.
AtlasVPN doesn’t offer obfuscation.
In its place, you get SafeSwap, a feature that rotates your IP addresses when streaming music, making it hard for anyone to pinpoint your location.
Your VPN activity can still be detected, so watch out if you’re in heavily censored regions.
Streaming Speeds
AtlasVPN averaged 25 Mbps. I didn’t experience any buffering.
It was faster than CyberGhost but slightly below the rest.
But again, 25 Mbps is all I needed to handle hi-res music.
Considering the limited number of servers, I expected to run into performance issues, so this was a pleasant surprise.
A combination of the IKEv2 protocol, the closest serves you can find, and split tunneling should give you higher speeds.
I streamed my favorite playlists on YouTube Music and even got access to beautiful folk music from Hawaii by the legendary Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (rest his soul).
Privacy
Besides SafeSwap, AtlasVPN offers users military-grade encryption that can even protect your devices when streaming music on public Wi-Fi.
The anonymity provided ensures no one can know the platforms you unblock.
A polished kill switch protects against IP leaks when your VPN connection drops. If you love streaming music through the web browser, the SafeBrowse Plus feature will keep malicious ads from popping up everywhere.
You can also use split-tunneling to send music streaming traffic on your device through the VPN. There’s no dedicated IP.
Compatibility With Streaming Devices
You can install AtlasVPN on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and smart TVs. Plus, AtlasVPN offers unlimited device connections like Surfshark.
This is perfect for large groups like students who want to bypass school network restrictions.
AtlasVPN is also the only option with a free version, even though it’s limited in most features. The premium version isn’t costly either, and when you factor in these fantastic discounts, you’ll save a lot.
Pros
- Unblocks music streaming platforms
- Reliable streaming speeds
- Compatible with streaming devices
- Unlimited device connections
- Free version
Cons
- Lacks obfuscation
- Smallest server network
- No dedicated IP
What Music Can I Stream With a VPN?
A VPN allows you to access significant music streaming platforms, especially in restricted regions. These platforms include:
- Deezer: This French music streaming service is available in over 182 countries with about 90,000 licensed tracks.
- Tidal: This is a Norwegian-American music platform that offers music video streaming services. It’s available in 61 countries.
- iHeartRadio: This is an American music streaming service available in the US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand.
- Spotify: This is a Swedish audio streaming service with over 400 million subscribers. It’s available everywhere except Russia.
- Apple Music: This is a music platform developed by Apple. It also offers video streaming in all countries and platforms like Android and Windows.
- Qobuz: This is another French music streaming service available in some European countries, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Pandora: This American company offers online music streaming services in the United States.
- YouTube Music: This is a music platform that’s part of YouTube. It’s available in the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and 12 other countries.
- LiveXLive: This internet radio service is available in Canada and the US. It combines music streaming and podcasting services.
- Amazon Music: Formerly called Amazon MP3, this is a music streaming service available in over 90 countries.
How to Stream Music With a VPN?
You can stream music with a premium VPN using the following steps:
- Download and install a VPN on your preferred device. In our case, Surfshark.
- Connect to a server.
- Launch your preferred music platform and enjoy unlimited music.
VPN Not Working With Streaming Platforms? Troubleshooting Guide
You may encounter issues using VPN providers to stream music on various platforms.
If this is the case, try the following troubleshooting steps.
- Update the VPN to get the latest version without any bugs. Consider updating the music app you’re using, too.
- Change to a different server. Sometimes the server may be overcrowded with too many users causing lags.
- Check your internet connection. Slow base internet connections will interfere with seamless music streaming. You should also try restarting your router.
- Contact your VPN’s customer support.
FAQ
What Is the Best VPN for Streaming Restricted Music?
Surfshark is the best VPN for streaming restricted music.
It offers over 3200 servers for unblocking music from any place and has obfuscation that hides VPN activity from your traffic. Surfshark is also fast, works with most streaming devices, and allows unlimited simultaneous device connections.
Can You Use a Free VPN to Stream Music?
You can use a free VPN to stream Music, like AtlasVPN. However, you’ll have limited features to work with. For instance, free VPNs have bandwidth caps, making uninterrupted streaming hard. Unblocking restricted streaming platforms is also challenging. For example, the free version of AtlasVPN only offers three servers.
To get the best streaming experience, use a premium VPN like Surfshark.
Can Spotify Detect VPN Use?
Spotify doesn’t support the use of VPNs. Therefore, it may employ methods of detecting VPN service use, leading to banning user accounts to restrict access. Accessing Spotify without detection requires you to use a solid VPN with obfuscation to hide traces of your VPN from the internet traffic.
Some of the best VPNs with obfuscation you can use to access Spotify include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.
Do VPNs Affect Music Streaming Speeds?
A VPN can affect music streaming speeds in various ways.
If the VPN has limited servers, there will be overcrowding, bringing the speeds down.
If you use obfuscation to hide VPN activity, that will also bring the speeds down. Using slow protocols or switching to servers too far away will also affect how fast you can stream the latest music hits.
Is Streaming Music With a VPN Legal?
Streaming music with a VPN may be illegal due to licensing issues.
When a streaming platform is restricted in certain regions, that usually means most of the music catalog in its library is only licensed in specific regions.
So using a VPN to bypass these restrictions is going against the terms of services and copyright infringement.
Why Don’t Music Services Work in All Countries?
Music services don’t work in all countries because licensing restrictions from music copyright holders may stop them from availing their catalogs in every region. Additionally, the logistics of making all music available everywhere are very high, considering the copyright fees that must be paid and lawyers who must be involved in closing deals with the artists.
What’s the Best VPN for Music Streaming on Android?
The best VPN for music streaming on Android is Surfshark.
It has a native app that works on all Android devices with incredible streaming speeds and reliable privacy features. Surfshark for Android also offers split tunneling and has a Camouflage Mode for hiding your Virtual Private Network traffic when unblocking music streaming platforms in heavily restricted regions.
What’s the Best VPN for Music Streaming in Australia?
CyberGhost is the best VPN for streaming music in Australia.
It has one of the largest server networks, which makes unblocking geo-restricted content in Australia easier. It also has fast streaming speeds that can handle streaming high-definition music without lag. The privacy and security features are reliable enough to keep third parties out.
What’s the Best VPN for Music Streaming Abroad?
The best VPN for streaming music abroad is Surfshark.
It has enough servers to unblock music streaming platforms, even in heavy censorship regions.
Surfshark is affordable and supports unlimited device connections, perfect for people traveling as a group. Finally, Surfshark has robust security and privacy features that protect your devices even when you use unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
Final Word
We’re in the age of streaming, and countless online music platforms may not be available to everyone. To access them, you need a VPN, and Surfshark is still my top recommendation.
It’s friendly on the pocket, has impressive streaming speeds, is very secure, and has enough servers to unblock streaming platforms even in the most heavily censored places on earth.
But if that’s not your cup of tea, you can try NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and AtlasVPN.
To wrap this up, remember to get your best VPN deals through this link to take advantage of the fantastic discounts!
