Chromecast is among many devices in the market that can turn any TV into a smart TV. With it, you can stream online content straight to your TV for the best viewing experience. Using a Chromecast VPN would enhance that experience even further. You can unblock otherwise region-specific content so that you can watch whatever you want. However, when picking out a VPN, there are so many options. So how do you know which VPN to subscribe to? Read on to learn more.
After reviewing most services, we recon ExpressVPN is the best VPN for privacy, streaming and torrenting. For a limited time, get a huge discount and 30-day money-back guarantee.
What is the Best VPN for Chromecast?
To find out what the best VPN for Chromecast is, look at three performance criteria: speed, privacy protection, and of course, unblocking geo-restrictions. First, speed ensures you watch content as seamlessly as possible. Second, a VPN should ensure your identity is hidden and protected. Third, the VPN must be able to unblock regional restrictions.
Other indicators are also helpful. For one, having an affordable monthly cost is also a key indicator. Also, compatibility with the most popular streaming providers is a must-have. With a good Chromecast VPN Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video are supported.
Among the many Chromecast VPNs available today, many meet these performance criteria. And, they come in decent price ranges as well. In my opinion, ExpressVPN is the best in the market.
Here’s a ranking of the best Chromecast VPN.
How much does the best VPN for Chromecast cost?
Chromecast VPNs have a wide variety of pricing structures. To get the lowest prices, long-term contracts of 1 to 3 years are the best option.
However, if you don’t need it for that long a time, you can get a VPN subscription for just one month. The costs for this plan will seem higher at first glance, but still, a good deal if you’re only after temporary use. And you can even use the money-back guarantee to get a full refund afterward.
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Can you get a free Chromecast VPN?
Getting a VPN service for free is tempting, but here’s a cautionary tale. Free Chromecast VPNs open up a whole host of problems, especially those that compromise your privacy.
For one, many free VPNs log their users’ online activity. Privacy protection dictates that there must be no trace of your whereabouts online. Therefore, any VPN that records your activity defeats that purpose.
Secondly, free Chromecast VPNs often have poor support for streaming services. Their servers are often sluggish, so expect buffering when you stream your favorite videos. Lastly, the region unblocking capabilities of free VPNs are hit-and-miss. As a result, you still can’t watch any show that you want.
Thus, it’s wiser to buy the best VPN for Chromecast. They’re not bank-breaking expensive, and the benefits are worth the cost.
Does Chromecast work with VPN?
While you can’t run Chromecast through VPN on the device itself, there are two tricks to get it to work. One is through installing a VPN on your router, and the other is by sharing your Internet connection using your PC. Let’s look at those methods in detail below.
Method 1: Router-based VPN
The best VPNs for Chromecast can be installed on routers. ExpressVPN is one of them. Procedures are different depending on the model of your router, but it usually involves some tinkering with your router’s firmware. If you use a router that natively supports VPNs, installation is more straightforward.
Use DD-WRT
For most other routers, you can use a custom firmware known as DD-WRT. This firmware lets you tweak several settings of your router and enables VPN installation. Once installed, connect your device to the router. That way, traffic goes from the Chromecast via VPN. What’s neat is that other devices connected to the router will also gain the benefits of the VPN.
While putting a VPN on a router might be a tad complicated, this is the best method for you to use Chromecast with VPN. And you can easily buy a pre-configured router.
Method 2: Use the VPN on your PC through a shared internet connection
Not all routers support a VPN setup. An alternative installation method is to use a VPN installed on your PC. To use Chromecast with VPN in this manner, you must enable internet sharing on your computer.
With internet sharing, your PC becomes a sort of ‘virtual router’ where devices can connect. While this may not be an elegant VPN and Chromecast solution, it works.
Why do you need to use a VPN?
Unfettered streaming
Chromecast is a highly capable device in itself. However, its capability to stream is conditioned by region locks imposed on certain movies and shows. With these limits, you can’t use your subscriptions to the max. However, when you use a Virtual Private Network, you get unfettered access to content.
No more region locks
Using Chromecast over VPN gives you the freedom to watch whatever you want. That means you can watch a Europe-only show even if you’re in the US, or a US-only TV series despite being in Asia. In other words, you can view all content on any streaming service anywhere you are in the world. As long as the Chromecast VPN supports your particular streaming provider, this is possible.
Privacy protection
The privacy protection that Chromecast VPNs offer is a vital addition. You don’t want Netflix and other companies to spy on you, let alone your unrestricted content watching habits. Therefore, securing your identity online is necessary. If you use a secured VPN connection, you can relax worry-free and with peace of mind.
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Conclusion
To wrap up, do you need to use Chromecast with VPN?
Yes. A VPN lets you make the most out of your Chromecast device. First, it lets you stream content as it bypasses those annoying region locks. Additionally, your privacy is always kept safe, putting hackers and identity thieves at bay. The best part is that Chromecast VPNs provide all these advantages without being intrusive.
However, if you use Chromecast with VPN like ExpressVPN, it will cost you a bit. Plus, setting it up can be challenging. But in the final analysis, it’s worth the price and effort put in considering the added value you get.
