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Best VPN for Disney Plus 2023: Comparing 27 Providers

Author
Martin Gschwentner
Last update
20. Mar 2023

For years, Disney has bought up rights to films and TV series like few others, including Star Wars and Marvel. The entire collection can be viewed on Disney's dedicated streaming service, Disney+.

In comparison to Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ content varies less from country to country, but licensing rights still play a role. Should you want to watch a film or series that isn't accessible on Disney+ where you are physically located, but is elsewhere, you can use a VPN.

These allow you to change your virtual location, tricking Disney+ into allowing you to access content that you normally wouldn't be able to. In our comprehensive evaluation of VPN providers, we looked at the ins and outs of 27 services to see which allow users to fool Disney+ into letting them view content from abroad. Specifically, we attempted to view US content while being physically located abroad, which should serve as a good indicator for how the services performed.

Disney's media empire is growing.

Best VPN for Disney Plus: Our TOP 5

From the 27 providers in our sample, 12 allow users to access Disney+ content from abroad. Interestingly, Disney+ appears to be a harder nut to crack than either Netflix (17) or Amazon Prime Video (14).

Below, we've listed our Top 5 VPNs for streaming foreign content on Disney+:

1.

NordVPN

Best Overall 2023
NordVPN
NordVPN
(754,625 )
NordVPN is our number one VPN because it combines speed, ease-of-use, and functionality in a slick package that's also pretty affordable.
5,500+ servers, 60 countries
excellent performance
no logs
6 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
6
Protocols
5
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
NordVPN 2-year plan
$3.49
monthly price
Visit Website »
30 days money-back guarantee

NordVPN received top honors in our overall evaluation, marketing what is, in our opinions, the best all-around package, excelling in terms of size, quality, and price. The Panama-based provider offers access to all important features, including split tunneling, and also took first place in our speed test.

Performance is important to ensure that streaming functions smoothly, especially from a server based in the US. Luckily, NordVPN's speeds are excellent, making streaming enjoyable. Should you want to access content on other streaming platforms, we also had good experiences with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and the BBC's iPlayer.

  • Allows users to watch Disney+ and other streaming content

  • Winner of our comprehensive evaluation

  • Fastest VPN from our sample

  • Provides limited protocol options

Review
9.4
excellent
Visit Website
Check Review
Performance
10 / 10
Customer Support
9.4 / 10
Installation and Features
9.4 / 10
Security and Privacy
9.4 / 10
Server Network
8.6 / 10
2.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
(595,161 )
ExpressVPN can impress with a strong performance, a huge server network, and excellently designed applications, but this quality also comes at a higher price.
3,000+ servers
160 cities in 94 countries
reliable performance
good for streaming
secure browser extensions
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
7
Contract Period
1 - 12 months
ExpressVPN 12 Months
$8.33
monthly price
Visit Website »
30 days money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN finished just behind NordVPN, as can be seen in our head-to-head comparison of the two. Its biggest disadvantage is actually its price, which is significantly higher than that of NordVPN - twice as much, to be exact, even for its cheapest subscription.

Beyond that though, differences between the two are a bit like splitting hairs. Despite coming in fourth in the speed test, ExpressVPN's performance was excellent, and with 3,000 servers across 94 countries, it has a wider global spread than NordVPN.

In terms of video streaming, the service was reliable, allowing us to watch Disney+ content without any problem.

  • Allows users to watch Disney+ content, as well as that of other streaming platforms

  • Excellent performance

  • Intuitive app

  • Pricy

Review
9.4
excellent
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Performance
10 / 10
Customer Support
9.4 / 10
Server Network
9.4 / 10
Security and Privacy
9.4 / 10
Installation and Features
8.6 / 10
3.

Surfshark

Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN
(121,804 )
Surfshark is one of the cheapest providers on the market, but it's a lot more than a great budget option: the relatively new VPN boasts strong protection, many features, and a great support with 24/7 live chat.
3,200+ servers in 100 countries
unlimited number of devices
many apps (Linux, FireTV, ...)
cheap 24-month plan
expensive monthly plan
8.8
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
unlimited
Protocols
3
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
Surfshark 24 months
$2.49
monthly price
Visit Website »
Get 83% Discount

Our price-performance pick, Surfshark, is far more affordable than ExpressVPN (1/3 as expensive), but that doesn't mean you'll have to make any sacrifices in terms of performance. On the contrary: Surfshark came in two places higher than ExpressVPN in our speed test, right behind NordVPN.

Such speeds make video streaming enjoyable, particularly for Disney+. Should you want to watch content from abroad at a low price, Surfshark is a solid choice.

  • Allows users to watch Disney+ and other streaming content

  • Priced affordably

  • Top speeds

  • Server network could be larger

Review
8.8
good
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Performance
10 / 10
Installation and Features
9.4 / 10
Customer Support
8.6 / 10
Server Network
8.0 / 10
Security and Privacy
8.0 / 10
4.

ProtonVPN

Proton VPN
Proton VPN
(109,527 )
With its open source philosophy and extra security features, Proton VPN targets security-conscious VPN users. But thanks to its user-friendly interface and suitability for streaming, it's worth a look for a wide audience.
open source & external audits
1,900+ servers in 67 countries
solid performance
free plan without data limit
not suitable for China
8.7
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
1 - 10
Protocols
3
Contract Period
0 - 24 months
Proton VPN Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website »
Free forever

ProtonVPN was our favorite free VPN, primarily because it doesn't impose any data or speed limits upon users, unlike most other free VPNs. Of course, free users only have access to three server locations, but we liked the provider's app, which offers split tunneling and a range of other features.

Unfortunately, video streaming isn't available to Free or Basic subscribers, however, Premium and Visionary users can watch Disney+ content or that from other streaming platforms.

  • Unlocks Disney+ and other streaming content from abroad

  • Open-source software, externally audited

  • User-friendly applications

  • Few contact options for getting in touch with support

Review
8.7
good
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Installation and Features
10 / 10
Security and Privacy
10 / 10
Performance
8.6 / 10
Customer Support
7.4 / 10
Server Network
7.4 / 10
5.

HideMyAss!

HideMyAss! VPN
HideMyAss! VPN
(84,562 )
HideMyAss' main claim to fame is its impressive server infrastructure, but the VPN also delivers solid speeds and handy features like its IP Randomizer. When it comes to streaming, however, it's not always the most reliable choice.
290 locations in 210 countries
IP Randomizer
strong performance
support with live chat
unreliable for streaming
8.6
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
1
Contract Period
12 - 36 months
HideMyAss! 36 months
$2.99
monthly price
Visit Website »
30 days money-back guarantee

HideMyAss has more to offer than just a funny name: The eccentric donkey took fifth place in our speed test, has a huge server network spanning 210 countries, and offers plenty of extras such as random IP selection. As such, the provider impresses not only in terms of quantity but also quality. Of course, there are a few missteps here and there, such as the desktop client's lack of split tunneling, but no one is perfect.

HMA did enable us to access content from abroad on Disney+, but had trouble with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Should you already be paying for multiple streaming platforms, you likely won't want to purchase more than one VPN to unlock additional content on them.

  • Allows Disney+ content to be viewed

  • Provides high speeds

  • Has good server infrastructure, even in commonly overlooked areas

  • Unable to unlock Netflix and Amazon Prime Video content during testing

  • Desktop client lacks split tunneling

Review
8.6
good
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Server Network
10 / 10
Customer Support
8.6 / 10
Security and Privacy
8.6 / 10
Performance
8.0 / 10
Installation and Features
8.0 / 10

Alternatives

We were able to access content from abroad on Disney+ with more than half of the providers from our sample. Below, we've included the seven alternatives to our Top 5:

hide.me VPN
hide.me VPN
(25,655 )
Hide.me secures its place in our top 10 with good to very good grades in all test categories. The app is filled to the brim with handy features, the performance is solid, and with 10 GB of data per month, the free tier is also worth a look.
78 locations in 49+ countries
many features, incl. split tunneling
free plan with 10 GB monthly
anonymous payment
no recent audit
8.4
good
Data Volume
10 - ∞
Devices
1 - 10
Protocols
7
Contract Period
0 - 36 months
hide.me Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website »
Free forever
Windscribe VPN
Windscribe VPN
(131,719 )
With its flexible pricing and a generous free plan, Windscribe is a solid option for budget-minded VPN users. It also has a nice, lean app with lots of features – but sadly, its performance can't keep up.
lots of features
free plan with 10 GB limit
unlimited devices
weaker performance
smaller server network
7.8
good
Data Volume
10 - ∞
Devices
unlimited
Protocols
2
Contract Period
0 - 12 months
Windscribe Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website »
Download for free
VyprVPN
VyprVPN
(81,327 )
700+ servers in 70 countries
located in Switzerland
good for streaming
weak performance
last audit 2018
7.6
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5 - 10
Protocols
6
Contract Period
1 - 12 months
VyprVPN 12 months
$5.00
monthly price
Visit Website »
30 days money-back guarantee
Hotspot Shield VPN
Hotspot Shield VPN
(1,766,162 )
800+ servers
70+ countries
with free plan
below-average performance
potential privacy issues
7.5
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
1 - 25
Protocols
5
Contract Period
0 - 36 months
Hotspot Shield Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website »
IPVanish VPN
IPVanish VPN
(145,779 )
2,200+ servers with 40,000+ IPs
10 simultaneous connections
strong performance
ugly app
potential privacy concerns
7.4
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
unlimited
Protocols
7
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
IPVanish 2-Year
$2.92
monthly price
Visit Website »
30 days money-back guarantee
VPN Unlimited
VPN Unlimited
(57,610 )
3,000+ servers in 50+ countries
static IPs available
offers lifetime plan
few features
possible privacy concerns
7.3
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
6
Contract Period
0 - 12 months
VPN Unlimited 1 Year
$4.00
monthly price
Visit Website »
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN
(11,172 )
excellent speeds
simple user interface
well suited for streaming
only 200+ servers
no external audit
7.2
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
6
Protocols
5
Contract Period
1 - 36 months
PrivateVPN 36 months
$2.00
monthly price
Visit Website »

How We Tested

To test all 27 services from our sample, we purchased a subscription to each, evaluating their clients and apps thoroughly. Each review is divided into six main areas, which relate to the most important facets of a VPN:

Installation and Features

We began by looking at the features offered by each VPN, as well as the user-friendliness of their apps and clients. In addition, we also noted how many platforms they are offered for, both in terms of the desktop client and mobile app.

Server Network

In terms of networks, we were able to compare providers numerically, based on how many servers they offer (which impacts performance), as well as the number of countries they have a presence in.

Performance

We constantly assess the performance of all providers from our sample using a 1 GB/s connection with a server in Frankfurt (Germany) as part of our VPN speed test. To complement this, we also tested each service for a day, to see how they worked for surfing and how they handled streaming with Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and the BBC's iPlayer.

The table below shows which providers from our sample are capable of unlocking US Disney+ content:

VPNDisney+ USAVPNDisney+ USA

Avast VPN

Perfect Privacy

Avira VPN

Private Internet Access

CyberGhost

PrivateVPN

ExpressVPN

ProtonVPN

hide.me

PureVPN

HideMyAss!

Surfshark

Hotspot Shield

TorGuard

IPVanish

TunnelBear

KeepSolid VPN Unlimited

VyprVPN

Mullvad

Windscribe

NordVPN

ZenMate

Security and Privacy

When it comes to privacy, VPN providers often promise the moon. Owing to scandals, we stopped taking providers at their word, ignoring their "No-Logs" promises or guarantees. Instead, we read between the lines of their privacy policies, check whether a provider has submitted to external security audits (or regularly does so), and determine whether the service or its parent company have been involved in any scandals in the past. Finally, we conduct VPN leaks tests and assess each service's general security practices.

Customer Support

Each provider should offer easy-to-find means for getting in touch directly with their support staff, either via live chat, email, or a hotline. To score high, responses should be competent and for emails or support tickets, received within less than 24 hours. Beyond that, VPN services should offer comprehensive and readily searchable help centers with support articles and FAQs.

Conclusion

Mickey Mouse might not be as accessible as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video when it comes to streaming, but there's still plenty worth watching. Should Disney continue to buy up rights for movies and TV programs, this offer is likely to continue growing. Of course, the availability of this content will vary from country to country.

Circumventing geo-blocking or restrictions is made easy when using the VPNs we've presented above, helping anyone to take full advantage of their Disney+ subscription. Of course, you should keep in mind that our tests reflect a single point in time, lasting at most, a day, and that streaming platforms are aware of VPNs and doing their utmost to counteract them. With that said, we remain confident that our Top 5 will stay a step ahead of the game.

FAQs

Which VPNs unlock Disney+ content?

From our sample of 27 services, 12 allowed us to access Disney+ content from outside of our physical location. This is subject to change, however, as streaming platforms do their utmost to reduce the efficacy of VPNs.

Which VPN is best for streaming Disney+ content?

NordVPN came out on top during our evaluation, offering the best all-around package from the 27 services we examined. In addition to Disney+, NordVPN also makes it possible to watch content from abroad on other streaming platforms. Behind NordVPN came ExpressVPN and Surfshark.

Is it legal to stream Disney+ content with a VPN?

Yes, even if it conflicts with Disney+'s terms of use. Disney+ notes in its subscriber agreement  that "Geographic restrictions will be enforced according to the location from which you are accessing the Disney+ Service, and we may use different technologies and methods to verify your geographic location." Legally speaking, you don't have to fear any consequences, and we're unaware of any cases of accounts being closed for VPN usage.

Which country has the best Disney+ catalog?

This depends on your preferences and is difficult to tell since no good websites exist for comparing content across different regions. The amount of available content might be helpful: According to What's On Disney Plus , in 2021, Germany has 176 series and 888 films, compared to 274 series and 889 films for the US.

Author ( German Version) : Martin Gschwentner
Martin Gschwentner majored in American Studies and Media Studies in Germany, the USA and France and works as a freelance editor in Paris. He is a doctoral student at the Institute for English and American Studies at the University of Paris Diderot, where he is researching the influence of money on US politics. On EXPERTE.com he writes about IT security, data protection and software for the self-employed and small businesses.
Translator & Editor: D Bare
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