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Best Budget-Friendly VPN
Best for Streaming
There are several virtual private network (VPN) services available but not all of them are great choices for users in Germany. We did extensive research to determine which VPNs may work well in Germany that also provided notable features.
CyberGhost is a budget-friendly option with the most servers and locations available in Germany. Surfshark is another affordable service provider that won us over with its streaming experience. Finally, NordVPN has several security features to protect your online data efficiently.
CyberGhost: Best budget-friendly option
Surfshark: Best for streaming
NordVPN: Best for security
VPNs that didn’t make the cut
Best VPNs for Germany FAQs
Bottom line: The best VPNs for Germany
How we tested the best VPNs for Germany
How to choose the best VPN for Germany
The best VPNs for Germany 2024
- CyberGhost: Best budget-friendly VPN
- Surfshark: Best for streaming
- NordVPN: Best for security
Top 3 VPN services for Germany compared
VPN | CyberGhost | Surfshark | NordVPN |
Starting price | Starts at $2.03/mo | Starts at $1.99/mo | Starts at $2.99/mo |
Free version | |||
Streaming support | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more |
Learn more | Get CyberGhost Pricing Read Our CyberGhost Review |
Get Surfshark Read Our Surfshark Review |
Get NordVPN Read Our NordVPN Review |
CyberGhost: Best budget-friendly option
- Cheaper than ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark
- Optimized servers for regional streaming
- No split tunneling feature
Who it’s best for
CyberGhost is best for people who have an affordable price as a top priority when choosing a VPN. It also has the most servers and locations in Germany compared to other VPN providers.
What we liked
Out of all the VPNs we researched, CyberGhost has the most server locations available in Germany. You can find over 1,300 VPN servers in 3 different locations; Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Frankfurt. Although the majority of these exist in Frankfurt, having such a wide variety of servers can make it easier to find a fast VPN connection.
CyberGhost is also one of the most affordable VPNs on the market with plans starting at $2.19 a month when you commit to a two-year subscription. This price is especially attractive when you consider all the features included:
- 9,000+ servers available worldwide
- AES 256-bit encryption
- DNS and IP leak protection
- Automatic kill switch
- Unlimited bandwidth and traffic
- No logs policy
- 45-day money-back guarantee
What we didn’t like
CyberGhost doesn't always perform well during our streaming tests. We had problems connecting to its streaming-optimized servers, where we either ran into error pages or dealt with slow loading times. Also, the split tunneling feature, which helps mitigate poor connections while still keeping other online activities secure, is only available on Android.
CyberGhost specs
Price range | $2.03–$12.99/mo |
Free version | No |
Number of servers | 9,100+ servers in 91 countries (1,300+ servers in Germany with locations in Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Frankfurt) |
Number of connected devices | 7 |
Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more |
VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
No-logs policy | No logs |
Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
Torrenting support | Yes |
Learn more | Read Our CyberGhost Review |
Surfshark: Best for streaming
- VPN technology offering stability and speed
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Works with Netflix and other streaming services
- Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance
Who it’s best for
Surfshark is best for people looking for an affordable VPN who prioritize a seamless streaming experience. Surfshark also allows for unlimited simultaneous connections, which can make Surfshark even more affordable for people with several devices or large households.
What we liked
Surfshark just barely missed out on the title of the most affordable VPN for Germany. Plans start at $2.39 a month when you commit to a two-year plan. Combine it with an unlimited number of connected devices, and Surfshark can provide great value.
Surfshark also did a great job with our testing for watching Netflix with a VPN. It connected to several regional servers and unblocked geo-restrictions without a problem. It was also able to connect and stream without causing buffering issues or other errors.
What we didn’t like
While Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, it wasn't transparent about the number of servers located in Germany. This makes it difficult to gauge how it compares to other VPN providers. However, it does have two locations in Germany: Berlin and Frankfurt.
Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, a country that's part of the Nine Eyes and Fourteen Eyes Alliances. It's a somewhat unappealing location even though Surfshark recently verified its no-logs policy.
Surfshark specs
Price range | $1.99–$19.99/mo |
Free version | No |
Number of servers | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries (two locations in Germany: Berlin and Frankfurt) |
Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more |
VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
No-logs policy | No logs |
Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
Torrenting support | Yes |
Learn more | Read Our Surfshark Review |
NordVPN: Best for security
- High-quality VPN offering safety and speed
- Loads of servers for multiple connection options
- Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
- Too many confusing plans
Who it’s best for
NordVPN is best for people who don't mind paying a little extra for a VPN filled with premium security features that also works with popular streaming platforms.
What we liked
NordVPN offers several premium security features outside of its secure VPN services. Depending on the subscription, your plan can include tools like:
- Malware protection
- Ad blocker
- Password manager
- Data breach scanner
- 1 TB cloud storage
- File encryption
NordVPN also has a healthy amount of servers located in Germany. It has over 240 servers in locations like Berlin and Frankfurt. While it's far fewer than CyberGhost, it is more than other VPN providers we researched.
What we didn’t like
If you are looking for a VPN without extra frills, then NordVPN can be considered pricey. Surfshark and CyberGhost offer more affordable plans if you are only looking for a strong VPN service. Moreover, Nord only allows for six simultaneous connections, which makes the subscription a lot less valuable compared to CyberGhost and Surfshark.
NordVPN specs
Price range | $2.99–$14.99/mo |
Free version | No |
Number of servers | 5,600+ servers in 60 countries (240+ servers in Germany with locations in Berlin and Frankfurt) |
Number of connected devices | 6 |
Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more |
VPN protocol | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec |
No-logs policy | No logs |
Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
Torrenting support | Yes |
Learn more | Read Our NordVPN Review |
VPNs that didn’t make the cut
During our research, there were a few VPNs that didn't meet our expectations when choosing the top VPNs for Germany. Here are two of those VPNs and why they didn't make our top three list.
IPVanish
A few of the key features that make IPVanish stand out include its unlimited connected devices, no-logs policy, and fast speeds. While it has all the essential features of a VPN, we noticed a couple of flaws during our research.
The most notable issue with IPVanish is the lack of servers in Germany. There are only 50+ servers, all located in Frankfurt. Compared to CyberGhost's 1,300+ servers and NordVPN's 240+ servers with multiple locations in Germany, IPVanish couldn't compete. Other issues include a lack of a kill switch on iOS and an outdated desktop interface.
Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN has a basic free VPN, and its premium plan includes good features. It offers unlimited devices, a no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to try the service risk-free.
However, Atlas VPN wasn't transparent about the number of servers and locations available in Germany. Our experience using streaming services wasn't always seamless since we couldn't always connect to different regional servers. There's also no option to get a dedicated IP address.
HMA
While HMA was transparent about how many servers and locations were available in Germany, it wasn't impressive. There are a total of 34 servers, including virtual servers. This is the lowest number of German servers we found during our research, so it may not be a great option since servers can get overloaded due to its limited network.
Best VPNs for Germany FAQs
Are VPNs legal in Germany?
Yes, VPNs are legal in Germany. There is no legislation barring the use of a VPN. However, you are still obliged to follow other legal restrictions for the internet, including not conducting illicit activities or violating copyright law.
Is Hulu available in Germany?
No, Hulu isn't available in Germany. Hulu is currently only available to U.S. households, including Puerto Rico and U.S. military bases. You can only sign up for a Hulu account if you have a U.S.-issued form of payment.
Is Tor Browser legal in Germany?
Using the Tor Browser is legal in Germany. However, you can't use it to participate in illegal activities like drug trafficking or viewing illicit content. Otherwise, you can safely use the Tor Browser to ensure the anonymity of your online activities.
What is the best free VPN for Germany?
The best free VPN for Germany should securely encrypt your online traffic and mask your geographic location and IP address. Some popular options include Atlas VPN, Privado VPN, and Hide.me. You can read more about the best free VPNs to find the right choice for you.
Bottom line: The best VPNs for Germany
The best VPN services for Germany will depend on your specific needs. Budget-conscious people will want to consider CyberGhost for its affordable plans. It also has the most servers in Germany, with over 1,300 servers available in three locations. However, if streaming is your main priority, then you should consider Surfshark. It's still an affordable VPN, but it passed our streaming tests more smoothly than CyberGhost.
Security is often a top concern for people, and NordVPN is a good option if you value top-notch security features. It has a variety of tools to protect your data and privacy like malware protection, ad blocker, and a password manager to name a few.
3 best VPNs for Germany 2024
Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
CyberGhost | Starts at $2.19/mo | Best budget-friendly VPN | See CyberGhost Pricing |
Surfshark | Starts at $2.39/mo | Best for streaming | See Surfshark Pricing |
NordVPN | Starts at $3.29/mo | Best for security | See NordVPN Pricing |
How we tested the best VPNs for Germany
During our review, we researched and tested a variety of features to determine which VPNs would be best for Germany. Here are the factors we considered while choosing the best VPNs for Germany:
- Number of servers in Germany: Worldwide availability of servers is essential, but we also considered the number of servers and locations available within Germany.
- Streaming experience: Using a VPN will slow down the internet speed, but you want to avoid any VPN providers that would have a significant impact. We prioritized VPNs with smooth streaming experiences.
- Affordability: Price is usually a top priority for people, and we ensured VPNs provided value for their cost.
- Security features: We ensured VPNs had all the core security tools you expect like robust encryption, strong protocols, and speedy servers. But we also looked at premium security features to further protect your online privacy.
How to choose the best VPN for Germany
One of the first considerations when choosing a VPN is ensuring it has the necessary security features to keep your online activities private. This includes military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy independently audited by a third party, and high-speed servers.
In choosing the best VPN for you, you'll also want to consider the number of servers and locations available locally in Germany. More servers and locations usually lead to better opportunities for maintaining a fast internet connection.
How to use a VPN in Germany
If you need help downloading and setting up a VPN in Germany, follow these instructions:
- Choose a VPN provider and go to its website. If you need a VPN app for your mobile device, you can visit the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Most websites have "Download VPN" or "Download" on the menu. Select it and then choose the relevant device you want to install it on.
- Follow the VPN provider's instructions to download the software and start running it. This may involve creating an account and paying for the VPN service.
- Cheaper than ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark
- Optimized servers for regional streaming
- No split tunneling feature