Can I stream the Olympics with a VPN? Yes. Here's how

To ensure you don't miss a moment of the excitement, these are the steps for using most VPNs with your preferred streaming service for the games:

1. Choose a VPN provider. You must choose one with servers in the region where the streaming service you want to access is available. Our list above has some great options for Olympic coverage. 
2. Download and install the VPN software. Follow the instructions provided by the VPN provider to get the VPN actually up and running on your device. Most VPNs today provide multi-platform support for macOS, Windows, mobile devices, and TVs.
   
3. Connect to a server. Once you have installed the VPN, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to choose a server. Pick one in the region where the streaming service you want to access is available.
   
4. Log in to the streaming service. After connecting to a server, log in to the streaming service. It should now see you as located in the region of the VPN server you connected to -- thus allowing you to access any content in that region (which would normally be unavailable if you don't live there).
   
5. Start streaming. Enjoy the Olympic games!

When you are deciding on the best VPN for you, you should consider the following factors:

• Price: VPN prices vary, and although the most expensive services can cost you upwards of $10-$20 per month, you can also find solid, reliable VPNs for as little as a few dollars. However, keep an eye on renewal rates as some VPN providers hike the price after introductory periods. 
• Trial length: You need to consider your preferred price point and how long you think you will need a VPN. If you're in it for the long haul, consider a two-year subscription -- as you also tend to earn the best prices with the longest terms. Some VPNs will offer longer options. But if you only want a VPN for the games (and potentially other events, such as the Rugby Sevens), you could cancel after the trial period offered by your chosen VPN.
• Streaming availability: Many VPN providers will transparently publish what streaming services work through their connections. Some of the most popular streaming services -- such as Netflix and Disney+ -- will typically work on most, although you may not have access to all geolocked content libraries. This will likely be the case with the Olympics.
• Security: Consider the VPN's security track record, and a no-logs policy is essential to protect your information.

A VPN is not required for streaming movies, games, or TV shows, but it is necessary if you want to appear to come from a different location. Streaming services typically have geo-locked libraries that will prevent users from accessing content outside of their home region, and these restrictions may impact what games you can watch, and where from.

Many free VPNs will prevent you from streaming altogether or have a strict data usage limit, and so we don't recommend that you rely upon a free service to watch the Olympic live streams. 

For a comprehensive guide on how to watch the Olympic games, in and outside of the United States, read our guide: How to watch the 2024 Summer Olympics: Every streaming option.

The Olympics in Paris begin on July 24 with sporting events, including the Rugby Sevens and football fixtures. The official opening ceremony will take place on Friday, July 26, 2024, and the games will continue until August 11.

The summer games mark a return to Europe, and different cable providers have secured licensing deals to provide live coverage. These include NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, the BBC, Discovery+, and Eurosport.

To check out the schedule for live sporting events and competitions, visit the Paris 2024 Olympics website. 

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our ZDNET team. We've been reviewing VPNs for years, and have spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression if we've included them on this list.

ZDNET does test VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test from all locations. Every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure. Once you choose a VPN, it's essential that you test for all your likely usage profiles and only then decide whether to keep the service or request a money-back guaranteed refund.

These VPNs also have solid money-back guarantees, and we would not have recommended them otherwise. 

We analyzed the best VPNs for streaming TV and movies below using the following criteria that were most important in helping you make an informed decision:

• Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance, especially while streaming. After all, there's no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags, making it intolerable.
• Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service at the same time. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and possibly even a smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you'd need a service that allows at least five simultaneous connections.
• Security: There's no point using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured that the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.
• Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an essential feature for a VPN, as it prevents a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
• Geoblocks and streaming: We know that VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations perform well regarding these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while you are streaming. 
• Countries & servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether or not there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide variety for customers.
• Trial length & price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee. 

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.