YouTube offers a world of content. However, that world can be divided.
Certain content is only available in some parts of the world, so depending upon which country you’re in, you won’t be able to access content that’s only available in other parts of the world.
Some countries, like China and North Korea, block the service entirely, making it impossible for users in those countries to access any part of the service – unless you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN can give you a new IP address in a country where YouTube isn’t blocked or where more videos are available to users.
For instance, if you’re in the U.K., you won’t be able to access videos that are only available to U.S. consumers. However, if you use a VPN to get an IP address in the U.S., all U.S.-specific content will be available to you.
A VPN can also encrypt your internet connection, keeping third parties such as governments, Internet Service Providers and hackers from observing your online activities.
In this article, I’ll tell you how you can use a VPN to change the country you’re (ostensibly) accessing YouTube from, as well as let you know which VPNs are the best for the job.
How to Bypass YouTube’s Regional Blockades
Here’s a guide on how to use a VPN to unblock YouTube from wherever you’re currently located.
- Choose the best VPN provider for your needs (I suggest NordVPN).
- Download the provider’s app(s) onto your favorite device(s).
- Log into the VPN service.
- Select a VPN server in the country with the YouTube content you’d like to access. For example, if you’re looking to watch France-only content, connect to a VPN server in France.
- Enjoy your access to new YouTube content!
Note: Should you run into any issues, you may need to clear your browser cache and cookies to erase old location identifiers. If that doesn’t work, contact the VPN’s customer support, because there may be certain servers that are better for streaming than others.
Can Just Any VPN Work to Change Your Country on YouTube?
Not all VPNs are able to unblock YouTube’s country restrictions.
Even though YouTube doesn’t block VPNs like Netflix and Amazon Prime do, making it easier to watch YouTube videos from other countries, not every VPN will work with the video platform.
That’s because some lower-quality VPNs leak your real IP address, making YouTube realize you’re not really in the country you’re saying that you are. You might encounter messages like
“This video is not available in your country.”
“The uploader has not made this video available in your country. Sorry about that.”
Before I get into the nuts and bolts of each VPN, here’s a short rundown of the best VPNs for changing your YouTube country.
The best VPNs to change YouTube country are:
- NordVPN: NordVPN is my top VPN for any purpose, including changing your YouTube country. The provider offers a wide server network so you can watch YouTube content from all over the globe, in addition to offering fast speeds and extensive app support.
- Surfshark: If you’re on a budget, Surfshark will allow you to change your YouTube country without charging you much for the opportunity. The provider’s speeds are fast, and unlimited simultaneous connections will allow you and your whole family to watch YouTube on as many devices as you like at once.
- ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is a high-priced VPN, but if you’re willing to pay the price, it offers excellent service. With the fastest speeds available, in addition to a wide-ranging server network and comprehensive app support, ExpressVPN doesn’t disappoint.
- CyberGhost: If you’re new to the VPN world, CyberGhost may be your best option. The provider’s easy-to-use apps make it simple to change your YouTube location in just a few clicks of the mouse.
- IPVanish: While IPVanish struggles to unblock some streaming services, YouTube is no problem for this provider. Unlimited simultaneous connections allow you and your family to watch YouTube on as many devices as you need to at the same time.
There are a multitude of factors to consider when deciding on which VPN is best to use for changing your YouTube country. When deciding on which VPNs to recommend, I considered the following factors:
- Unblocks YouTube
- Large server network
- Fast connection speeds
- Strong encryption and no-logs privacy protection
- Responsive customer support
These are the best VPNs for changing your YouTube country to unblock YouTube videos across the world.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is the best provider that you can choose for unblocking YouTube in various countries.
NordVPN offers 5,400+ servers in nearly 60 countries, giving you a wide range of options when it comes to watching YouTube in whichever country you like. The provider has no issues unblocking all sorts of streaming services, including YouTube.
NordVPN boasts some powerful connection speeds, capable of handling streaming on YouTube in HD or 4K, as well as gaming and file sharing.
NordVPN’s security protections include government-grade 256-bit AES encryption for your connection, an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, and malware, botnet and ad blocking features, keeping you ultra-safe on the internet during your YouTube binges.
Obfuscated servers are available in a multitude of countries, meaning your VPN traffic will appear as though it’s regular internet traffic. Double VPN allows you to connect through two VPN servers instead of one, doubling up on your anonymity and encryption.
Your privacy is duly protected thanks to NordVPN’s strict no-logs policy and privacy-friendly Bitcoin payment option.
NordVPN offers apps for the Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire and Android TV device platforms. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions also make the scene, as does support for numerous router makes and models. Up to 6 devices can connect simultaneously.
NordVPN also offers a smart DNS service that it calls, simply, SmartDNS. With this service, you can watch international YouTube streams on devices like game consoles, smart TVs and other set-top boxes. However, keep in mind that the service doesn’t encrypt your internet connection like the VPN service does.
Customer support is always available in the form of 24/7 live support chat, email support and a searchable knowledge base.
Pros:
- Servers around the world
- Strong encryption and security protections
- No-logs policy and Bitcoin payment option
- Extremely fast connection speeds
- Wide app support
Cons:
- No streaming-optimized servers
BEST VPN FOR CHANGING YOUTUBE COUNTRY:NordVPN is the best option for changing your YouTube country. The provider has a wide server network, allowing you to connect almost anywhere. Fast connection speeds and extensive app support add to the value. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is the best choice for users on a budget, who want a quality VPN service at a low price.
Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 65+ countries. This is much more than they offered just a year ago, meaning its coverage may only continue to expand.
The provider’s speeds are more than enough to handle watching YouTube in HD and enjoying all sorts of other online activities.
When it comes to security, Surfshark doesn’t mess around, offering government-level 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, malware and phishing protections, and ad and tracker blocking. A “MultiHop” feature can send your connection through two VPN servers, doubling up on your anonymity and privacy.
Surfshark also takes your privacy seriously, never saving any usage logs and letting you pay with Bitcoin, if that’s how you roll.
As regards app support, Surfshark offers native apps for the Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux and Amazon Fire device platforms. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox, and there’s plenty of support for different makes and models of routers.
The provider also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means that large families and small businesses will have no problem connecting as many devices as they need to the provider’s servers at one time on one account.
Customer support is only a click away when you connect via 24/7 live support chat. Email support, a “Contact Us” form and an easy-to-search knowledge base are also available.
Pros:
- Very low pricing
- Multitude of security protections
- Unlimited concurrent connections
- App support for most popular devices
Cons:
- Not many advanced options in apps
BEST FOR BUDGET:Surfshark doesn’t charge much for its extensive service offerings, making it an excellent choice for users on a tight budget. The provider’s speeds are impressive, and unlimited simultaneous connections allow you to watch YouTube on as many devices as you need to at once. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of Surfshark.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a sound VPN option if you’re willing to pay a rather expensive price.
ExpressVPN’s global server coverage encompasses 3,000+ servers in almost 95 countries, so you can watch YouTube from countries all over the world. The provider is well known for its ability to unblock all kinds of streaming services.
ExpressVPN’s connection speeds are the fastest of any provider on this list. Its speeds make it possible to watch YouTube in HD and 4K, as well as enjoy other online activities like gaming and file sharing.
Security-wise, ExpressVPN offers government-grade 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS leak and IPv6 leak protections. The provider’s proprietary “Lightway” protocol is designed to increase your speeds in addition to security.
The provider doesn’t save any logs of your online activities and welcomes the privacy-friendly Bitcoin as payment for its services.
In addition, the provider’s custom TrustedServer technology runs all server operations from RAM, never writing any info to the hard drive. This means all information is completely wiped every time the server is restarted.
ExpressVPN offers wide-ranging app support, including apps for the Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome OS, Android TV and Amazon Fire device platforms. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox and even Edge, and the provider’s router support is comprehensive.
Only 5 simultaneous connections are allowed on one set of login credentials.
ExpressVPN also offers a smart DNS option called “MediaStreamer.” With MediaStreamer, you can watch international streaming content such as what’s available from YouTube on devices like gaming consoles, smart TVs and other set-top boxes. However, just keep in mind that the service doesn’t encrypt your connection like the VPN service does.
Customer support is available 24/7 thanks to around-the-clock live support chat. Email support, a trouble ticket tracking system and a searchable support library are also available.
Pros:
- Servers available all around the world
- Excellent content-unblocking abilities
- Fastest VPN speeds available
- Smart DNS service included
Cons:
- More expensive than other providers
- Doesn’t label its streaming servers
COMPREHENSIVE VPN:ExpressVPN offers a high level of service in most every arena, if for a high price. The provider offers incredibly fast speeds, extensive global server coverage and a strong content-unblocking ability, making accessing YouTube a fun proposition. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of ExpressVPN.
4. CyberGhost
Newbies to using VPNs will appreciate CyberGhost’s easy-to-use apps, which offer one-click protection and connection.
The provider’s global server network is massive, including 6,700+ servers in 90+ countries. You’ll have no problem accessing YouTube in whichever country suits your fancy.
CyberGhost’s connection speeds are reliably fast, so you can definitely watch YouTube videos in HD. Gaming and file sharing are also fast and easy with this provider.
Security protections include bank-grade 256-bit AES encryption, automatic kill switch protection, DNS leak protection, and malicious website and ad blocking. There’s also the ability to force websites to present HTTPS (in other words, secure) versions of their web pages when available.
CyberGhost follows a strict no-logs policy and accepts Bitcoin as a private payment option.
CyberGhost offers easy-to-use apps for the following platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are available, as is support for numerous router makes and models.
While not unlimited, 7 simultaneous connections on one account should be enough to satisfy your YouTube binges.
CyberGhost understands the utility of proper customer support, so 24/7 live support chat is available, in addition to a trouble ticket submission system and a searchable knowledge base.
Pros:
- Extremely wide server coverage
- Easy-to-use apps
- Strong encryption and privacy protections
Cons:
- Doesn’t unblock all streaming services
- No native router apps
BEST FOR BEGINNERS:If you want to access YouTube content in other countries but are not familiar with using VPNs, CyberGhost is the best option for you. The provider makes it easy to connect wherever you like. The provider’s server coverage is also impressive, as is its privacy and security protections. A 45-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of CyberGhost.
5. IPVanish
IPVanish is a highly secure VPN that offers a privacy protection that most VPN providers do not.
The provider offers 1,500+ servers in 54+ countries, which isn’t the widest global server coverage on this list, but will still do the job.
The nice thing about those servers (and this is where that extra privacy protection comes in) is that IPVanish owns and operates all of them. That means that third-party contractors have no access to your data.
The provider’s speeds are up to snuff, providing plenty of bandwidth for YouTube streaming, gaming and file sharing.
IPVanish’s security protections include high-level 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch with an auto-reconnect ability, and a “scramble” feature, which makes your VPN usage appear to be normal internet traffic.
In addition, IPVanish also protects your privacy well, saving no logs of your online activities. However, the provider doesn’t let you pay with Bitcoin.
App support is another area where IPVanish scores decently, offering apps for the iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Chrome OS and Amazon Fire device platforms. Linux and Raspberry Pi users will have to set up the service manually. Although no browser extensions are available, there’s support for numerous router makes and models.
IPVanish offers unlimited concurrent connections, so you and your family can all enjoy YouTube streams on all of your devices at one time.
Customer support options include 24/7 live support chat, an FAQ library and a searchable support library.
Pros:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Keeps third-party contractors far away
- Thorough security protections
Cons:
- No Bitcoin payment option
- One-month subscription is expensive
EXTRA PROTECTION FOR MANY CONNECTIONS:IPVanish’s proprietary servers keep you utterly protected while connected. Unlimited simultaneous connections add to the value. I do wish it offered a Bitcoin payment option, though. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of IPVanish.
Conclusion
By using a VPN, you can change your YouTube country, enabling you to watch videos from all over the world. The best choice you can make is to choose NordVPN as your VPN service provider.
NordVPN offers a wide server network, allowing you to connect to many different countries to watch a variety of streams. Its speeds are formidable, allowing you to watch in HD or 4K. Strong encryption and a comprehensive privacy policy protect your connection, and customer support is always there when you need them.
For more information or to subscribe, visit the NordVPN website.
Watch Blocked YouTube Videos FAQ
Is Unblocking YouTube Legal?
Whether or not it’s legal to unblock YouTube depends upon which country you’re located in. You’ll need to check out your local laws to see whether or not there are any repercussions to unblocking YouTube from where you are.
How Safe Are Free YouTube Unblockers?
Proxy sites are a common way to unblock YouTube videos from another country. They change your IP address, making it appear as though you’re located in a country where YouTube is available, so that you can access YouTube.
However, that’s all free proxies do.
Free proxies don’t encrypt your internet connection, so all of your information is unencrypted. Since your information is passing through the proxy, this means that your login info, passwords, payment info and location are vulnerable. Stick with using a reputable VPN.
Which Countries Have Banned YouTube?
China, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Iran and Sudan have all blocked YouTube outright. Other countries have blocked YouTube partially or fully in the past, like Morocco, Thailand, the UAE, and even European countries where internet freedom is prized, such as Finland, Germany and Denmark.
How Do You Download a Video From a YouTube Channel When the Download Options Are Blocked?
To download a video from a YouTube channel when the download options are blocked, you’ll need to use a VPN service provider to access the video. Then you can use a video converter - all you have to do is paste the YouTube link, and it will download the video for you.
Two things: First, make sure that the video converter you use is legitimate. Second, check the local laws in your country. Some countries, such as France, will shut down your internet for downloading copyrighted materials illegally.
How Do You Know If a YouTuber Blocked You?
When a YouTuber blocks you, you’ll know if you’re unable to interact with the videos, such as by commenting, liking, etc. A surefire way to know is if you try to message them and you’re unable to send the message.
Contents [hide]
- How to Bypass YouTube’s Regional Blockades
- Can Just Any VPN Work to Change Your Country on YouTube?
- 1. NordVPN
- 2. Surfshark
- 3. ExpressVPN
- 4. CyberGhost
- 5. IPVanish
- Conclusion
- Watch Blocked YouTube Videos FAQ
- Is Unblocking YouTube Legal?
- How Safe Are Free YouTube Unblockers?
- Which Countries Have Banned YouTube?
- How Do You Download a Video From a YouTube Channel When the Download Options Are Blocked?
- How Do You Know If a YouTuber Blocked You?