The best Germany VPN

Ease of Use

Getting started with NordVPN is quick and easy. The apps are available for all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux.

You can download the app from NordVPN’s website or directly from app stores, depending on your device. Installation is simple, with step-by-step instructions that'll get you connected in seconds.

The interface is clean and intuitive. A sidebar on the left gives you access to all features, including NordVPN's Threat Protection, which helps block malicious sites, filters trackers, and trims harmful URLs.

You can customize these options – like toggling the malware blocker or DNS filtering – depending on your needs. While it may take a moment to go through all the settings and tweak them to your liking, once done, it enhances security without slowing your overall experience down.

The NordVPN home screen centers around the Quick Connect button, which automatically links you to the fastest and most stable VPN server – though users in Germany (or anyone looking for a Germany-specific server) may prefer to scroll through the server list.

Luckily, NordVPN makes this incredibly easy – just click the globe icon or use the search bar. NordVPN has servers in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg, and connecting to one takes a fraction of a second. There’s also an interactive map that makes it easy (and kind of fun) to manually choose servers across 111 countries and 144 locations, including Germany.

Performance

We tested NordVPN with several German streaming services – ProSieben, Now TV, and DMAX – and it was excellent. The entire experience was smooth, with no buffering or lag, which isn't surprising, really, as NordVPN is the best streaming VPN on the market.

Speed-wise, NordVPN holds its own, consistently reaching 950+ Mbps when using the WireGuard VPN protocol. However, OpenVPN speeds are a bit slower (173 Mbps) compared to competitors like Surfshark (460 Mbps) and ProtonVPN (220 Mbps).

For those accessing German content abroad, NordVPN easily unblocks most streaming platforms, including Netflix (UK and US), Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. That said, connecting to Netflix Germany from outside the country may require a small workaround.

We had to delete the Netflix app and reinstall it while connected to a German server to make it work properly, but once done, it ran without a hitch.

One thing worth mentioning is that Double VPN isn't available on any German servers. This could be a slight letdown for users who want that extra layer of encryption while browsing with a German IP.

That said, NordVPN does offer Double VPN options nearby – France, for instance, has it in Paris. So, while it’s not ideal for those looking for a specifically German-based Double VPN option, there are still secure alternatives that are just a virtual hop away.

Ease of Use

Downloading the Surfshark app is super straightforward. Thanks to the clear setup prompts, installing and running it takes just a few minutes. Whether you're on Windows, Android, or iOS, the app looks and feels the same, which makes switching between devices a smooth experience. That consistent interface really helps when you're juggling multiple gadgets.

One of Surfshark’s biggest perks compared to other VPNs – like NordVPN – is that it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. That means you can protect all your devices at once and even share the account with family members/friends without worrying about connection caps.

The app itself is well-designed and easy to navigate. It reminded us a bit of NordVPN’s interface – just with a different color scheme. One small difference we noticed is that the Quick Connect button is placed in the bottom-left corner, which isn’t where we expected to find it, but it’s still easy enough to access.

Finding German servers is a breeze. You can either scroll through the country list or use the search bar. Surfshark offers servers in both Frankfurt and Nuremberg, and connecting to them took only a few seconds during our testing.

While there’s no interactive map (something NordVPN does offer), the list format still works just fine for quick access. Adding a map might enhance the user experience and add a little flair, but it's not that big of a deal.

Surfshark also includes a solid lineup of extra features. Most of them are conveniently tucked into the left-hand sidebar, including the all-important kill switch. It’s a key security tool that cuts off your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing any IP leaks.

In our case, we had to enable it manually through the Settings menu – it wasn’t turned on by default, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Performance

When it comes to speed, Surfshark is the fastest VPN available. Using the WireGuard protocol, we saw speeds reaching over 950 Mbps, and even OpenVPN connections clocked in at 460+ Mbps. For reference, that’s significantly faster than NordVPN (around 173 Mbps) and ProtonVPN (around 220 Mbps) combined.

This kind of performance makes streaming German content feel seamless. We had zero buffering issues on TV Now and ProSieben, and video quality stayed crisp and clear, even when switching between servers or during peak hours.

Gamers will also appreciate the speed. Whether playing locally or connecting to servers outside of Germany, Surfshark’s low latency and fast download rates make for a noticeably smoother experience.

Ease of use

We found that downloading and installing ExpressVPN was simple. The setup process is smooth and user-friendly, with easy-to-follow prompts that even VPN newbies will be able to follow. Once installed, you're greeted by a sleek interface dominated by a large Quick Connect button, which instantly connects you to the best-performing server near your location.

For users in Germany, that typically means one of its reliable Frankfurt or Nuremberg options.

Toggling the VPN on and off couldn’t be easier – it’s just a matter of clicking the Connect/Disconnect button. The interface keeps things clean and minimal, making everyday use a breeze.

When it comes to streaming or gaming, however, things might require a little more manual input. The good news is that ExpressVPN’s massive global server fleet, covering over 148 locations in 106 countries, gives you plenty of options. So, if you're a gamer in Germany, you'll want to find out which region your game servers operate from and connect to the closest matching ExpressVPN server.

For the best gaming performance, switching to the Lightway-UDP protocol is a smart move. This can reduce ping times by around 20 ms, giving you smoother gameplay. It only takes a few steps: head to Settings > Protocol > Lightway-UDP, and you’re set. It’s a small tweak that makes a noticeable difference if you're on the hunt for the best gaming VPN.

We also recommend checking whether the kill switch is enabled. It’s not visible directly on the home screen, which might be a slight inconvenience, but it’s easy to find under General Settings. Once enabled, it protects your real IP address in case of a sudden disconnection.

ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and, as of March 2025, a fully redesigned GUI for Linux, replacing the old command-line interface. That update alone makes ExpressVPN far more accessible for Linux users and shows the provider is serious about improving the experience across all platforms.

Performance

ExpressVPN delivers solid performance, though it doesn’t quite top the speed charts. In our most recent round of testing, it reached 898 Mbps, putting it just a bit behind top performers like Surfshark and NordVPN.

When using the OpenVPN protocol, speeds peaked at 176 Mbps – slightly above NordVPN’s 173 Mbps but trailing behind Surfshark (460 Mbps), Proton VPN (220 Mbps), and PIA (257 Mbps). So, if you prioritize blazing-fast OpenVPN speeds, there are a few faster options out there.

That said, these numbers don’t tell the whole story. In day-to-day use, ExpressVPN performs exceptionally well. We didn’t run into any streaming interruptions or buffering during our tests. In fact, it handled German streaming platforms like Sport1, ZDF, ProSieben, and ARD in flawless 4K, which is more than enough for most users.

As an added bonus, we also accessed the Austrian channel ORF – a favorite among German viewers – to watch Formula 1, and the experience was smooth from start to finish.

So, while ExpressVPN might not hold the crown for raw speed, it still delivers reliable, high-quality streaming and unblocking, making it a great option for users in Germany looking for consistent performance across the board.

Ease of use

The interface feels sleek and modern, with all the essential features right at your fingertips. Unlike ExpressVPN or NordVPN, which hide the kill switch in deeper menus, ProtonVPN conveniently places it on the right-hand sidebar, allowing users to protect their connection with a single click. It’s a simple, yet thoughtful touch that newcomers will appreciate.

This same sidebar also displays NetShield, Proton's built-in ad and malware blocker. It helps filter out malicious content and annoying ads before they reach your device – great for both browsing and streaming.

You’ll also find port forwarding, which allows you to access certain services (like remote desktop or torrent clients) more securely, and split tunneling, which lets you choose which apps go through the VPN and which use your regular internet. This is particularly useful for German users who may want to stream local content while keeping everything else protected through the VPN.

With this kind of intuitive layout, ProtonVPN is perfect for beginners since there’s no need to dig through countless settings to get protected – whether you're gaming, streaming, or just surfing.

The Connect button in the center gets you on the fastest server with a single click, while the interactive world map lets you manually select from ProtonVPN’s vast fleet of servers in 141 locations across 112 countries, more than any other VPN we tested. For German users, servers in Berlin and Frankfurt are readily available.

Performance

In terms of regional access, ProtonVPN unlocks Zattoo, RTL+, SRF, Kabel 1, ZDF, and 3sat. We did experience a few hiccups with some RTL group channels, including RTL and Vox, which we couldn't access during testing.

There were also minor issues with the German version of Zattoo. However, switching to the Swiss Zattoo servers did the trick, though we noticed a slight dip in video quality.

Accessing content outside Germany, however, is where ProtonVPN really shines. It had no trouble unblocking Netflix US, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and ITV, which is more than enough for most users.

Speed-wise, ProtonVPN delivers up to 950+ Mbps on the WireGuard protocol and a respectable 220 Mbps on OpenVPN – faster than both ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

That said, performance can depend heavily on the server location. For example, testing from the UK to a US server via WireGuard gave us around 630 Mbps, which is still fast, and the drop isn’t significant enough to cause concern.

Ease of use

PIA's interface takes cues from ProtonVPN, featuring a prominent Connect/Disconnect button at the center of the dashboard. A single click connects you to the most optimal server based on your location and network conditions.

Just beneath this, you’ll find quick access to commonly used locations – Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the UK – represented by their country flags. For German users, tapping the Germany flag gives you a choice between servers located in Frankfurt and Berlin.

For those looking to explore servers in other countries, there's a secure connection button at the top of the dashboard. This opens a neatly organized list of available servers, categorized by country and latency – a helpful metric for choosing the fastest connection.

While PIA supports 91 countries, which is slightly fewer than the other VPNs on our list, its UI still offers an intuitive experience for most users. For those who want to customize their connection, there’s a settings menu with deeper options. Here, you can enable:

Split tunneling: allowing you to decide which apps go through the VPN tunnel (for example, German users might want their banking apps to bypass the VPN while streaming foreign content through it).

Multi-hop servers: which route your connection through two different VPN servers instead of one – great for an added layer of privacy, especially if you're concerned about surveillance or using public Wi-Fi.

For those who might be new to VPNs, there are handy tooltips that explain each feature clearly, helping you understand what you’re enabling without the guesswork. For more advanced users, PIA also includes a drop-down menu with detailed technical stats, including protocol setup, session data, and performance analytics – perfect for those who like to monitor the fine print of their online activity.

Performance

PIA does well when it comes to unblocking popular platforms. We had no trouble accessing SRF, RTL+, ZDFmediathek, and ARD. That said, streaming these in 4K might be a stretch, as PIA maxes out at around 436 Mbps on WireGuard - a bit underwhelming compared to Surfshark, NordVPN, or even ProtonVPN.

On the OpenVPN protocol, however, PIA clocks in at a solid 257 Mbps, which is faster than both Nord and ExpressVPN in our tests, making it a decent choice for users who prioritize OpenVPN for its security benefits.

If your goal is to access content from abroad, PIA has you covered. It can unlock Netflix libraries in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan, and it also gives access to Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. While we had to lower the video quality slightly to maintain uninterrupted playback, the overall experience was smooth and consistent.