Technology companies are bracing themselves for more attacks on encryption after the UK government issued an order requiring Apple to create a back door to allow security officials access to content uploaded on the cloud by any Apple phone or computer user world-wide.The government has used powers under UK surveillance laws to issue a secret order requiring Apple to provide the UK with the ability to access all encrypted material stored by any Apple users on its cloud servers anywhere in the world, the Washington post revealed.The move will put pressure on Apple to withdraw encrypted cloud storage from users in the UK leaving British consumers without the capability to store files, documents or financial information, in a way that will provide them with strong protection from hacking attacks or accidental breaches by cloud providers.People in the technology industry told Computer Weekly that the UK has shown antipathy towards encryption and that it would not be surprising if more technology companies were hit with similar demands from UK officials seeking the ability to access users encrypted data. WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are potential targets.The Home Secretary served Apple with a Technical Capability Notice, in January, ordering it to provide the government with back door access to material stored by Apple users on its encrypted cloud service, the Washington Post revealed.The notice, issued under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, makes it a criminal offence for a technology company to reveal the existence of any technical capability notice served against it.The Investigatory Powers Act, gives powers to the government to issue Technical Capability Notices to remove or modify electronic protection applied by tech companies to communications data, under Section 253, part 5(c).A Home Office spokesperson said: We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices.Matthew Hodgson, CEO of Element, a secure communications platform used by governments, said that the disclosure that a Technical Capability Notice had been served was unprecedented.This is the first time the existence of a Technical Capability Notice under the Investigatory Powers Act appears to have leaked and represents a terrifying escalation in the fight to protect users from blanket surveillance, he said.In evidence to Parliament in March, addressing the governments plans to extend the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, Apple warned that powers in the Act were extremely broad and pose a significant risk to the global vitality of important security technologies.End-to-end encryption was one of the most important security features available to protect information stored in the cloud, ensuring that only users, rather than cloud storage companies, can access their personal data and communications, the company said.It provides an essential layer of additional security because it ensures that malicious actors cannot obtain access to users data even if they are able to breach a cloud service providers data centre.The technology shields citizens from unlawful surveillance, identity theft, fraud and data breaches and serves as an invaluable protection for journalists, human rights activists and diplomats who may be targeted by malicious actors, the company said.Apple raised concerns that the IPA purports to apply outside the boarders of the UK, permitting the UK to claim the right to impose secret requirements on providers located in other countries and that apply to their users globally.These provisions could be used to force a company like Apple, that would never build a back door into its products, to publicly withdraw critical security features from the UK market, depriving UK users of these protections, it wrote.Technology companies are concerned that providing back door access to encrypted storage would make it impossible to comply with data protection and compliance regulations including GDPR, placing further pressure on them to withdraw services from the UK.The UKs Five Eyes allies have taken a broader view of encryption. In an advisory last year, the US Canada, Australian and New Zealand, recommended wide-spread use of encryption, including end-to-end encryption, to mitigate threats from China, which infiltrated US telecoms networks in the Salt Typhoon attack.The UK, which notably did not add its name to the Salt Typhoon advisory, has fought a long-running battle with technology companies over encryption. Last year, the National Crime Agency singled out Meta for criticism over its plans to introduce end-to-end encryption on its Facebook Messenger and Instagram services.And in 2024, the government failed to ease industry concerns that the spy clause in the Online Safety Bill, which aims to crack down on child abuse and other harmful online content, would fundamentally weaken end-to-end encrypted services.Claims by a junior minister to the House of Lords, that there is no intention by the government to weaken the encryption technology used by platforms, did little to reassure tech companies.Jurgita Miseviciute, head of public policy at Proton, an encrypted communications provider, said that the move against Apple would create a dangerous precedent.Backdoors to encryption that only let the good guys in are impossible. Regardless of intent, compromising encryption creates vulnerabilities that are sure to be exploited not just by authorities beyond the UK, but by malicious actors as well, she said."Removing access to end-to-end encryption in the UK for people's files would be a huge step backwards that would create a two-tier system, erode trust, and expose British users to surveillance and cyber threats," she added.Matthew Hodgson, CEO of Element, said that the compromise of the US telecoms network by Salt Typhoon showed that surveillance back doors were a catastrophically flawed idea.Apple should withdraw from the UK rather than comply with this order, and make it clear that becoming complicit in a surveillance state is a line they will not cross, he said.Robin Wilton, senior director for the Internet Society, a global non-profit, said that it was beyond disappointing that the UK government was using the Investigatory Powers Act to break end-to-end encryption for Apples cloud service.It is stunning that just days after the UKs National Audit Office released a report that the "cyber threat to the UK government is severe, the UK government would launch an attempt to weaken the security and privacy of a service that its citizens, including government employees, rely on, he added.

Virtual private networks (VPNs)are excellent tools for protecting your privacy. But there are other benefits: accessing streaming services and staying entertained at home and abroad.How? Because VPNs can be used to connect to servers in different locations. These servers mask your original IP address and make you appear to come from a different city, state, or country. This means you may be able to access 'locally' available films and TV shows. You may also be able to use a VPN to avoid geolocation blocks and watch live sports events.You should know that accessing these services is a legally gray area when you aren't in your usual location. Even if you have a legal right to content at home, you might violate a streaming service's terms and conditions when accessing the library in another area. That said, streaming services, including Netflix, have acknowledged that subscribers often use VPNs, so at least some content will typically be displayed if a VPN is detected, such as TV shows or movies available under global licenses.What is the best VPN for streaming right now?NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN for streaming overall. It offers excellent speeds and a massive global network of servers while supporting enough devices to stream. Regardless of what you're streaming on and where you are, NordVPN works extremely well at circumventing geolocation blocks. If speed is key, you can also try out ExpressVPN.For decades, the ZDNET team has conductedhands-on testing and researchin the VPN space. We also keep tabs on the best VPNs for streaming. If you want to ensure you're finding the right VPN for your streaming needs, read on for our top picks. Sort by All Countries and servers Usability Speed and performance Security Price The best VPNs for streaming in 2025 Show less View now at NordVPN NordVPNhas the performance you need to stream your favorite content across every popular platform. During our testing, we found that NordVPN consistently performed better than many competitors in terms of speed and stability. The VPN also has exceptionally fast connection times and works well on mobile.NordVPN's country availability within its server network currently stands at 111 locations. The number of device connections you can use simultaneously is 10, although we would like this to be unlimited.NordVPN works with most major streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, and the DAZN channel for live and on-demand sports streaming. If you have trouble accessing content, try another server.NordVPN offersFAQ articlesdetailing how to stream most of these services securely and how to use the VPN provider's native apps. Provided the country you're streaming from has geographical access to the content you want to watch, use the "quick connect" function when streaming. This feature should select the fastest server available.If you run into problems or are unsure which server to connect to for unblocking a specific service, live chat and email support are available. You can also opt to install NordVPN directly on your router.Recently, I tried out NordVPN on thePrivacy Hero 2router. I found that NordVPN performed well in accessing streaming services across a laptop and TV, and I was able to tap into many different content libraries without issue.See More: Best Amazon Fire TV Stick VPNsCustomers like how easy the VPN app is to use and that it offers good speeds, although some have noticed inconsistent pricing.Prices start at $3.39 per month on a standard two-year plan, while one-year plans start at $4.99. If you want more advanced security features, consider signing up for a premium plan, which offers browser protection, ad blocking, a data breach monitor, and cyber insurance.NordVPN features:Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV|Simultaneous connections:10 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers |Countries:111 |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Email address and billing information only |Money-back guarantee: 30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 10 Usability 9 Speed and performance 10 Security 8 Price 7 Pros Excellent speeds Large server network Easy-to-use apps Impressive connection times Cons No unlimited simultaneous connections Price $14 per month, $60 for the first year or $81 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $140 per year)Latest tests No leaks detected, 3% average internet download speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 7,200-plus servers in 118 countriesJurisdiction Panama NordVPN Best VPN for streaming overall 4.4 / 5 Score NordVPNhas the performance you need to stream your favorite content across every popular platform. During our testing, we found that NordVPN consistently performed better than many competitors in terms of speed and stability. The VPN also has exceptionally fast connection times and works well on mobile.NordVPN's country availability within its server network currently stands at 111 locations. The number of device connections you can use simultaneously is 10, although we would like this to be unlimited.NordVPN works with most major streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, and the DAZN channel for live and on-demand sports streaming. If you have trouble accessing content, try another server.NordVPN offersFAQ articlesdetailing how to stream most of these services securely and how to use the VPN provider's native apps. Provided the country you're streaming from has geographical access to the content you want to watch, use the "quick connect" function when streaming. This feature should select the fastest server available.If you run into problems or are unsure which server to connect to for unblocking a specific service, live chat and email support are available. You can also opt to install NordVPN directly on your router.Recently, I tried out NordVPN on thePrivacy Hero 2router. I found that NordVPN performed well in accessing streaming services across a laptop and TV, and I was able to tap into many different content libraries without issue.See More: Best Amazon Fire TV Stick VPNsCustomers like how easy the VPN app is to use and that it offers good speeds, although some have noticed inconsistent pricing.Prices start at $3.39 per month on a standard two-year plan, while one-year plans start at $4.99. If you want more advanced security features, consider signing up for a premium plan, which offers browser protection, ad blocking, a data breach monitor, and cyber insurance.NordVPN features:Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV|Simultaneous connections:10 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers |Countries:111 |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Email address and billing information only |Money-back guarantee: 30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at ExpressVPN ExpressVPN supports many platforms and devices and has an exceptionally large network of servers, making it an ideal VPN for streaming.With ExpressVPN, you can access a host of streaming services, including Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Spotify, HBO, Showtime, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as sports events. If you want to do so without a compatible smart TV, you may have to install the VPN directly on your router.During our testing, we found ExpressVPN to be consistently fast, with a download speed reduction that is unlikely to impact most streaming services. With this VPN, you should not experience buffering issues while watching your favorite shows. It is also quick to connect and has a server network across 105 countries. You can use up to eight simultaneous connections.ExpressVPN provides an ad blocker and the option to block explicit content by default. Customers say that while it's expensive, this VPN provides bang for your buck, bolstered by solid customer support.Review:ExpressVPNOver the new year, the company is offering two-year contracts for only $4.99 per month, plus four months of free access. Outside of promotional periods, you usually pay $6.67 per month on ExpressVPN's cheapest plan, which is the cost of a one-year contract at the time of writing (three months free). One month of access is $12.95, or you can take advantage of ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee.ExpressVPN features:Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and Apple TV |Simultaneous connections:8|Kill switch:Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers|Countries:105|Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs |Money-back guarantee:30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.3 |Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 9 Usability 9 Speed and performance 10 Security 8 Price 5 Pros Large server network Compatible with an extensive list of devices Fantastic speeds Beginner-friendly Cons Expensive No unlimited simultaneous connections Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year)Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 35% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN Best VPN for server network, native support 4.1 / 5 Score ExpressVPN supports many platforms and devices and has an exceptionally large network of servers, making it an ideal VPN for streaming.With ExpressVPN, you can access a host of streaming services, including Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Spotify, HBO, Showtime, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as sports events. If you want to do so without a compatible smart TV, you may have to install the VPN directly on your router.During our testing, we found ExpressVPN to be consistently fast, with a download speed reduction that is unlikely to impact most streaming services. With this VPN, you should not experience buffering issues while watching your favorite shows. It is also quick to connect and has a server network across 105 countries. You can use up to eight simultaneous connections.ExpressVPN provides an ad blocker and the option to block explicit content by default. Customers say that while it's expensive, this VPN provides bang for your buck, bolstered by solid customer support.Review:ExpressVPNOver the new year, the company is offering two-year contracts for only $4.99 per month, plus four months of free access. Outside of promotional periods, you usually pay $6.67 per month on ExpressVPN's cheapest plan, which is the cost of a one-year contract at the time of writing (three months free). One month of access is $12.95, or you can take advantage of ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee.ExpressVPN features:Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and Apple TV |Simultaneous connections:8|Kill switch:Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers|Countries:105|Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs |Money-back guarantee:30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.3 |Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Surfshark VPN Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs on our list, as it's a solid streaming VPN at an excellent price.If you're looking for an affordable VPN suitable for Amazon's Fire TV stick or Android TV, this VPN is for you. Surfshark should work with the most popular streamingservices, such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, Hotstar, and Disney+.Surfshark attempts to disguise your VPN traffic as regular traffic to circumvent geolocation blockers. Remember that if you're having trouble streaming, you may need to try a different server or country location. Streaming services sometimes block IPs specifically connected to a VPN, so switching locations can remove these barriers.In ourSurfshark VPN review, we found no DNS leaks, and the service has a strong security focus -- although, sometimes, speeds can be marginally lower than when using other VPNs, especially when trying to connect to a server. It is often a difference of only a few seconds, but it is still worth noting.Customers applaud Surfshark customer service, but some report billing issues.Surfshark is one of the most affordable, trustworthy VPNs on the market. Surfshark's VPN starts at $2.19 per month for a two-year subscription plan and $3.19/month for a one-year subscription. Both of these offers include three months of free access. Alternatively, you can sign up for one month with plans starting at $15.45 or use Surfshark's 30-day money-back guarantee.Surfshark VPN features:Native streaming apps:Fire TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and Apple TV|Simultaneous connections:Unlimited| Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication |Kill switch: Yes |Countries: 100 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.4 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 8 Usability 9 Speed and performance 6 Security 8 Price 9 Pros Unlimited simultaneous connections Trials available Usually offers free months of access Great value for money Cons Speeds can be slower than competitors Connections can be slow Price $15.45 per month, $45 for the first year or $60 for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $60 per year)Latest Tests No leaks detected, 17% speed loss in 2023 testsNetwork 3,200-plus servers in 100 countriesJurisdiction Netherlands Surfshark Best budget VPN for streaming 4 / 5 Score Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs on our list, as it's a solid streaming VPN at an excellent price.If you're looking for an affordable VPN suitable for Amazon's Fire TV stick or Android TV, this VPN is for you. Surfshark should work with the most popular streamingservices, such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, Hotstar, and Disney+.Surfshark attempts to disguise your VPN traffic as regular traffic to circumvent geolocation blockers. Remember that if you're having trouble streaming, you may need to try a different server or country location. Streaming services sometimes block IPs specifically connected to a VPN, so switching locations can remove these barriers.In ourSurfshark VPN review, we found no DNS leaks, and the service has a strong security focus -- although, sometimes, speeds can be marginally lower than when using other VPNs, especially when trying to connect to a server. It is often a difference of only a few seconds, but it is still worth noting.Customers applaud Surfshark customer service, but some report billing issues.Surfshark is one of the most affordable, trustworthy VPNs on the market. Surfshark's VPN starts at $2.19 per month for a two-year subscription plan and $3.19/month for a one-year subscription. Both of these offers include three months of free access. Alternatively, you can sign up for one month with plans starting at $15.45 or use Surfshark's 30-day money-back guarantee.Surfshark VPN features:Native streaming apps:Fire TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and Apple TV|Simultaneous connections:Unlimited| Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication |Kill switch: Yes |Countries: 100 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.4 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at IPVanish For those who love the Kodi media player, IPVanish is the VPN for you. IPVanish has detailed setup guides for using Kodi with many popular streaming devices, and it works well while accessing streaming services such as Netflix.IPVanish is a highly configurable VPN. Its native apps are intuitive, and the user interface is clean. The current status of servers is easy to see, so you can connect to locations where the server load is less likely to impact your streaming experience. In addition, you can see the protocol in use and your public IP address.Review:IPVanishIPVanish had fast server connection speeds in our most recent tests. That said, download speeds sometimes lag behind other VPNs, so you might notice some impact if you stream in a high resolution.IPVanish's plans start at $2.19 per month for a two-year subscription and rise to $3.33 per month for a year of access. A one-month subscription costs $12.99 per month.Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company. For more, see our Editorial Guidelines.IPVanish VPN features:Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, and Apple TV |Simultaneous connections: Unlimited |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers |Logging: None, except billing data |Locations: 108 countries |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.3|Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.5 Countries and servers 5 Usability 8 Speed and performance 7 Security 7 Price 8 Pros Unlimited connections Security focus Flexible product with a wide range of protocols Cons Download speeds can be lower than competitors IPVanish Best VPN for Kodi 3.5 / 5 Score For those who love the Kodi media player, IPVanish is the VPN for you. IPVanish has detailed setup guides for using Kodi with many popular streaming devices, and it works well while accessing streaming services such as Netflix.IPVanish is a highly configurable VPN. Its native apps are intuitive, and the user interface is clean. The current status of servers is easy to see, so you can connect to locations where the server load is less likely to impact your streaming experience. In addition, you can see the protocol in use and your public IP address.Review:IPVanishIPVanish had fast server connection speeds in our most recent tests. That said, download speeds sometimes lag behind other VPNs, so you might notice some impact if you stream in a high resolution.IPVanish's plans start at $2.19 per month for a two-year subscription and rise to $3.33 per month for a year of access. A one-month subscription costs $12.99 per month.Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company. For more, see our Editorial Guidelines.IPVanish VPN features:Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, and Apple TV |Simultaneous connections: Unlimited |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers |Logging: None, except billing data |Locations: 108 countries |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.3|Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.5 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at CyberGhost CyberGhost is another excellent option if you need a VPN for streaming -- especially if you want one with great multi-platform compatibility.CyberGhost provides strong streaming capabilities and reliable speeds across services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Max. During our testing, we had some trouble with the anime streaming service Crunchyroll, but going Incognito fixed the problem.Speeds are strong, although they were not the best we've encountered over our years of testing.Review: CyberGhost VPN: A solid VPN for beginnersAnother benefit is CyberGhost's 45-day money-back guarantee, which is the longest in our list of recommended VPNs. So, if you need to try a streaming VPN for more than a month to decide, CyberGhost is for you. Customers like how easy the VPN is to use, although they would like to see an improved billing system.CyberGhost's two-year plan will cost you $2.19 per month, including two months of free access. A six-month plan is priced at $6.99 per month, whereas a month of access costs $12.99.CyberGhost VPN features:Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV |Simultaneous connections:7 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, NAS routers |Countries:100+ |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Payment information only |Money-back guarantee: 45 days|Trial: 24 hours on macOS and Windows; three days on Android, seven days on iOS |Trustpilot rating: 4.2|Google Play rating: 3.9|App Store rating: 4.2 Countries and servers 7 Usability 7 Speed and performance 7 Security 8 Price 9 Pros Long money-back guarantee Stylish user interface Great streaming speeds Cons Customers report a lack of support No unlimited simultaneous connections CyberGhost Best VPN for money-back guarantee 3.8 / 5 Score CyberGhost is another excellent option if you need a VPN for streaming -- especially if you want one with great multi-platform compatibility.CyberGhost provides strong streaming capabilities and reliable speeds across services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Max. During our testing, we had some trouble with the anime streaming service Crunchyroll, but going Incognito fixed the problem.Speeds are strong, although they were not the best we've encountered over our years of testing.Review: CyberGhost VPN: A solid VPN for beginnersAnother benefit is CyberGhost's 45-day money-back guarantee, which is the longest in our list of recommended VPNs. So, if you need to try a streaming VPN for more than a month to decide, CyberGhost is for you. Customers like how easy the VPN is to use, although they would like to see an improved billing system.CyberGhost's two-year plan will cost you $2.19 per month, including two months of free access. A six-month plan is priced at $6.99 per month, whereas a month of access costs $12.99.CyberGhost VPN features:Native Streaming Apps:Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV |Simultaneous connections:7 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, NAS routers |Countries:100+ |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Payment information only |Money-back guarantee: 45 days|Trial: 24 hours on macOS and Windows; three days on Android, seven days on iOS |Trustpilot rating: 4.2|Google Play rating: 3.9|App Store rating: 4.2 Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best VPN for streaming? To help you decide on the best VPN for you, we have listed the most important factors you should consider, including price, the availability of native streaming apps, and country server availability.VPN for streamingPriceNative streaming appsSimultaneous connectionsCountries/ LocationsNordVPN$3.39+ per monthAndroid, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Fire TV, Kodi, Chromecast, Apple TV, Linux10111ExpressVPN$4.99+ per monthAndroid, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Fire TV, Chromecast, Nvidia Shield, Apple TV8105Surfshark$2.19+ per monthAndroid, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, LinuxUnlimited100IPVanish$2.19+ per monthAndroid, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Fire TV, Chromecast, Nvidia Shield, Kodi, Apple TVUnlimited108CyberGhost$2.19+ per monthAndroid, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Linux, consoles7100 Show more What is the right streaming VPN for you? You may want to do some hands-on testing to find the right VPN to meet your streaming needs, and don't be afraid of using each one of our recommendations' 30-day money-back guarantees. You want to be sure you can stream where you want and through a VPN server that has the performance to support video.Below, you will find the best use cases for each of our recommended streaming VPN services.Choose this VPN for streaming...If you want...NordVPNThe best streaming VPN overall. It consistently works well with Netflix and other streaming platforms, and is one of the few VPNs that can usually bypass geo-restrictions. NordVPN also has a massive server network and fast connection speeds, making it an ideal choice for streaming high-quality video.ExpressVPNNative device support and a huge server network. It offers a wide range of native apps for streaming devices, including Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV. Additionally, it has a massive server network with locations in over 105 countries, making it easy to find a server that can unblock your preferred streaming services.SurfsharkThe most affordable option. Despite its low price, Surfshark offers features such as unlimited simultaneous connections, fast connection speeds, and support for a wide range of streaming services. It is also one of the few VPNs that provides a native Apple TV app.IPVanishUnlimited connections and Kodi compatibility. IPVanish is compatible with Kodi, making it a great option for those who use the popular media player to stream content. It is also a great VPN if you are looking for unlimited connections. It allows you to connect as many devices as you want simultaneously, making it ideal for larger households.CyberGhostA long money-back guarantee. CyberGhost will give you 45 days to decide whether you want to continue with a paid plan -- and unlike most VPNs, the options are a two-year subscription, six months, or one month. While the latter two options are somewhat expensive, CyberGhost is great if you want a short-term VPN solution. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a streaming VPN When you are deciding on the most suitable streaming VPN for you, consider the following factors:Price: VPN prices vary. Although the most expensive services can cost upwards of $10 to $20 per month, you can also find solid, reliable VPNs for as little as a few dollars. Keep an eye on renewal rates, as some VPN providers hike prices after introductory periods.Usage length: You need to consider how long you think you will need a VPN. If you're in it for the long haul, consider a two-year subscription (or longer), as you also tend to earn the best prices with the most extended terms. Some VPNs will offer longer options, including five-year contracts.Streaming availability: Many VPN providers transparently publish which 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 geo-locked content libraries. It's often a cat-and-mouse game, however, so availability can change without notice.Native apps: If you want to access your streaming service on a specific platform or OS, find out what native apps are available. For example, some VPN providers have developed native apps for tvOS, whereas others have yet to launch their own native offerings.Security: Consider the VPN's security track record. Preferably, the VPN will be open to external audits, and they won't have suffered any significant data breaches recently. You also want a VPN provider that transparently and regularly improves its security posture.Routers: Some VPNs may not provide native apps for your preferred streaming service. If this is the case, you might need to install your VPN directly on your router, or opt for hardware with your preferred VPN pre-installed. Show more How to use a VPN with a streaming service Getty/NurPhotoSince many streaming services restrict access to content in different geographic regions, using a VPN can allow you to unblock streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu -- simply by changing your IP address and appearing as if you are in a different region. Change your location, and you can access the libraries tied to your chosen region.In general, here are the steps for using most VPNs with your preferred streaming service:Choose a VPN provider.Look for one with servers in the region where the streaming service you want to access is available. Our list above has some great options.Download and install the VPN software.Follow the instructions of the VPN provider to get the VPN up and running on your device.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.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 typically be unavailable if you don't live there.) If your streaming service is open, it might be best to close and relaunch.Start streaming.Voil! Easy right?Keep in mind:Using a VPN to unblock content restricted in your region may violate the streaming service's terms of service.Some VPNs do not work with all streaming services.You may only be able to view content available under a global license if your streaming service detects VPN usage.Access can change at any time. There is a constant cat-and-mouse game happening between VPNs and streaming service providers.You might see different results depending on the device you use. For example, during ZDNET author Charlie Osborne's Privacy Hero 2 VPN router review, she could access geo-locked libraries on her laptop and third-party TV apps without a problem. But, it didn't work directly on the Tizen TV operating system.How we test VPNs 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 tests 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 patterns and only then decide whether to keep the service or request a money-back guaranteed refund.All these VPNs have solid money-back guarantees -- otherwise, we would not have recommended them.We analyzed the best VPNs for streaming TV, movies, and gaming below using the following criteria:Performance:Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there's no point in using a VPN while streaming content if your connection continually drops or lags.Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you need a service that allows at least five or six simultaneous connections.Security: There's no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements and patching reported bugs.Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.Geo-blocks and streaming: VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations performed well considering these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while streaming, although we can't guarantee that every VPN will consistently work with every streaming service. We also tested access to geo-locked libraries, although we don't suggest you should.Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for various hardware.Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide variety.Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee of at least 30 days.Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensiveVPN testing methodology page. Show more FAQs on streaming VPNS Do you need a VPN for streaming? A VPN is not required for streaming movies, games, or TV shows. By changing your location, however, you can unlock certain services or products in other countries. The tradeoff is that a VPN will likely slow down your connection -- especially if you opt for a free plan -- because the distance to the server, encryption process, and protocol can introduce lag.If you find that streaming with a VPN is unbearably slow, try connecting to a different server or a different VPN service altogether. Lag can often be minimized with better VPN services.Many free VPNs will prevent you from streaming altogether or have a strict data usage limit. Show more How do VPNs work with cable and other streaming products? VPNs, set-top boxes, and streaming sticks don't always work well together. You might have to set up your router to distribute a VPN to all your devices for blanket coverage or connect your TV as a client to your PC and use that machine's VPN-protected network. If you want to stream TV through a VPN, picking up a VPN-supporting device, such as a Fire TV stick or arouter with a VPNenabled, is one of the easiest paths. Show more Do VPNs work with smart TVs for streaming? Yes, although depending on your TV model and any other hardware you have on hand -- such as an Amazon Fire TV stick -- the way you install and use a VPN can differ. For example, a Samsung TV might not have a native VPN app available, but you could install the same VPN on your Fire Stick and access streaming services through it. Alternatively, you could install a VPN on your router to give all of your devices blanket coverage. Show more What set-top devices have native VPN apps? Android TV is a variant of Android, as you might have guessed. That means most apps in the Google Play Store, including VPN clients, will run reasonably well on Android TV. Most VPN vendors slightly change their Android handheld apps to have a wide-screen UI for TVs and put those apps into the Play Store.Since Amazon's Fire TV could best be described as a skinned version of Android TV with Amazon's app store, VPN vendors don't have to do too much technically to make their apps work there too. Just go to Amazon's app store and install the VPN you want.In 2023, Apple introduced third-party support for VPNs on Apple TV. Some VPN providers, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, have since released native apps.Unfortunately, there aren't native VPN apps available for all streaming devices. In such cases, you can still use a VPN, but you'll need to set it up on your router or PC network. The same process applies if you want to stream via an Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch. Show more Can I watch Netflix with a VPN? Yes. In fact, this popular streaming service is the reason many people use a VPN. Netflix appears to have accepted widespread VPN use among its subscribers, so instead of blocking connections outright -- which was often a problem in the past -- the streaming service allows access to its library of globally licensed content when a VPN is detected. Sometimes, it is also possible to access regional content, although watching this content may be against Netflix's terms of service. Show more Will a VPN slow down your streaming speed? It's possible that using a VPN could slow down your streaming speed, but this depends on various factors, such as the quality of your VPN, the location of the server you're connected to, and your internet connection speed.If you experience traffic slowdowns, check your VPN and your Wi-Fi connection between your device and your router or access point. Sometimes, connectivity issues begin at the source, and in other cases, switching your selected VPN server may be enough to resolve speed problems or connectivity drops. Show more Does a VPN hide what you stream? A VPN encrypts your online traffic, masks your online activity, and gives you a different IP address. It can prevent internet service providers from knowing when you are streaming, which in turn can prevent them from throttling your speed. A VPN shouldn't reveal what you are streaming, but this doesn't mean the activity won't be logged in your account by your streaming service. Show more Will a streaming VPN work on all of my devices? Yes, as long as they are supported. Today's VPN providers usually support all major operating systems and will work on everything from your PC to your smartphone. TVs can be more complicated. For example, Samsung's Tizen TV OS does not natively support VPN apps, but you can circumvent these problems by opting for a VPN-enabled router or by installing your VPN on a third-party app or Fire Stick. Show more What is the best free VPN for streaming? We don't typically recommend using a free VPN if you are constantly streaming content, as this can eat up your bandwidth. In addition, free VPN plans will often come with restrictions, including available speeds and country server availability. If you want to try out a VPN for streaming before you commit to a paid plan, consider Proton VPN or Windscribe. Show more How much does a VPN cost? VPN prices can vary depending on your needs. Basic plans are often priced at a few dollars but remember that pricing structures are usually displayed as monthly equivalents, so you may have to pay upfront for the entire contract at sign-up. For example, a VPN priced at $2 per month on an annual plan may cost you $24 when you subscribe, and this may also auto-renew. Taxes may also be added.If you need a specialized VPN, such as one that can circumvent blocks in countries like China, expect to pay more. Show more Should I leave a VPN on all of the time? We recommend that you do, as a VPN provides a blanket layer of protection for your online activities. If speed loss is problematic during some activities -- such as gaming -- at least use one during more sensitive activities, such as accessing financial accounts. Show more What VPNs allow you to choose your location? The majority of VPNs will allow you to select your location, but their server network and country availability will vary. Some VPNs offer their subscribers over 100 country locations, whereas others may only run a network of 50 or 60 locations. You may be unable to select servers in countries that conduct censorship, including China and Russia. Show more Are there alternative VPNs for streaming worth considering? If our best VPNs for streaming aren't the best choices for you, no problem. Here are a few other secure and reputable services that could meet your needs and budget. Show more Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

ZDNETThough we're well past the holiday deals season, don't worry. Major retailers are dishing out some serious deals on top tech for you, your home, or a loved one -- especially ahead of Presidents' Day 2025. Perhaps one of the most notorious online retailers to check out now? Amazon -- where you can shop savings anytime of year.From headphones to robot vacuums to TVs, now's your chance to snag savings near or equal to those we saw during Cyber Week 2024 on tech including flagship Amazon devices, Apple products, laptops, headphones, and more. I scoured the sales to bring you the best Presidents' Day deals already live at Amazon, so you can shop for savings as early as right now.Shop more deals at AmazonThe best Amazon Presidents' Day deals Dyson Airwrap Hair Styler: $500 (save $100): Dyson's popular Airwrap styler bundle is available for $100 off for the first time since Black Friday. Plus, this deal is on the limited edition strawberry pink model.Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024): $135 (save $25): The newest Kindle Paperwhite model is on sale for 16% off, snagging you a few dollars off, 25% faster page turns than the previous iteration, and a higher contrast ratio.AirPods Pro 2: $169 (save $80): The AirPods Pro 2 are our pick for the best AirPods you can buy, and can turn into a hearing aid -- and they're on sale ahead right now at the lowest price we've seen since Black Friday. Plus, the newest AirPods 4 are down to $100 (save $30) for the first time ever.Apple AirTag 4-Pack: $70 (save $29): Perhaps one of ZDNET's favorite recurring deals of all-time, right now you can save 29% on a four pack of Apple's handy AirTag trackers, which make finding your keys, wallet, purse, and more easier. Plus, this offer matches the lowest price this bundle typically sells for throughout the year, so you can't go wrong.Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar: $399 (save $100): The Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar will hook you up with Dolby Atmos for an immersive sound experience, and right now it's only 20% off. The Sonos Era 100 smart speaker is on sale for 20% off, too, and it's one of expert Maria Diaz's favorites.Anker Prime 67W GaN Charger: $36 (save $24): This 67W charger from Anker, one of ZDNET's top-tested accessory brands, features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, is perfect for boosting the battery on multiple devices, and is 40% off now.Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones: $248 (save $100): The Sony XM4 headphones are not the newest model to hit the market, but they're still a great purchase if you're looking for premium sound. Right now you can save 29%.Ring Battery Doorbell: $60 (save $40): The newest 2024 Ring battery doorbell is 40% off now, and features head-to-toe video, two-way talk, and full motion detection.Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum + Mop: $1,000 (save $900): ZDNET's pick for the best robot vacuum is on sale for nearly half off right now, and expert Maria Diaz loves it for its great mapping capabilities and 12,000Pa suction. But don't wait, this lightning deal is already over 30% sold.Best Amazon Presidents' Day tech deals Allison Murray/ZDNETAmazon Kindle Colorsoft: $230 (save $50): If you're not eyeing the Paperwhite, the new Kindle Colorsoft is also on sale for 18% off. The Colorsoft features a bright display (even in direct sunlight), customizable color settings, and a "zippy performance" while browsing titles and turning pages, per ZDNET expert Allison Murray.Baseus 100W USB-C: $14 (save $5): This handy USB-C cable ensures you'll never be without a charger for you favorite devices, and it retracts within itself for easy storage and portability. It's one of our experts' favorite accessory picks.Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet: $140 (save $40): Expert Maria Diaz loves Amazon's kids tablets for their affordability and great features, and the HD 10 Pro is no difference. In fact, she says its a better buy than an iPad for her kids, and it's 26% off now.Blink Mini 2 Indoor Cam: $20 (save $20): Blink's Mini 2 cams feature two-way audio, motion detection, HD night view in color and more, and they're great for watching your home, kids, pets and more.Renpho Eye Massager: $52 (save $48): ZDNET's expert Allison Murray loves this Renpho eye massager to help her migraines, and rigth now it's on sale for 48% off.Best Amazon Presidents' Day Apple deals Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETAirPods Pro 2: $169 (save $80): TheAirPods Pro 2 are our pick for the best AirPods you can buy, and can turn into a hearing aid -- and they'reon sale ahead right now at the lowest price we've seen since Black Friday. Plus, the newestAirPods 4 are down to $100 (save $30) for the first time ever.Apple Pencil Pro: $115 (save $14): The newest Apple Pencil Pro is on sale for just over 10% off, but Apple products don't see discounts often, and this is the best price you can nab right now for this model, especially if you're looking to pair it with a 2024 iPad Pro.Apple Watch Series 10 GPS, 46mm: $359 (save $70): The newest base model Apple Watch is discounted by almost 20%, matching the offers available during Black Friday. This model is equipped with GPS and an always-on retina display, and is available in three colors on Amazon.AirPods Max (Lightning): Apple's popular AirPods Max are on sale for 13% off if you're okay with the older lightning connector model.iPad 10th Gen: $279 (save $70): This $279 iPad deal is the model editor-in-chief Jason Hiner recommends to most people, and it's 20% off.Best Amazon Presidents' Day headphone deals Jada Jones/ZDNETSony WH-1000XM4 Headphones: $248 (save $100): TheSony XM4 headphones are not the newest model to hit the market, but they're still a great purchase if you're looking for premium sound. Right now you can save 29%.Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: $200 (save $50): If you prefer Android gear, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are also on sale. Swipe up this pair for 20% off and grab top features like noise cancellation, real time interpretation, and sound optimization, plus an exclusive 2-year warranty via Amazon.Beats Solo Buds: $50 (save $40): Save 38% on this already great budget pair of Beats earbuds. These feature a built-in mic and are Apple or Android compatible, so you'll be able to use them with any of your favorite devices.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Expert reviewer Prakhar Khanna prefers the QuietComfort Ultra headphones over the popular Sony XM5's for traveling, and right now they're $100 off, selling for the same price we saw during Black Friday.Beats Solo4 Headphones: $100 (save $100): The upgraded model of Beats' classic Solo headphone are 50% off now, and expert Jada Jones says the pair got some nice upgrades while still retaining all the nostalgia.Sony Ult Headphones: $148 (save $52): Headphone expert Jada Jones says these eased her Sony XM5 envy with all-day comfort and plenty of bass. Right now, they're on sale for 26% off.Sony WH-CH720N: $88 (save $62): Expert Jada Jones says these Sony headphones are almost as good as the XM5 model, but will cost you under $100 right now.Best Amazon Presidents' Day TV deals Maria Diaz/ZDNETAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K: $30 (save $20): Amazon's newest flagship Fire TV Stick 4K model is 40% off now. Streamline your viewing experience and maximize your favorite shows and movies at home. The Max model of the Fire Stick is also on sale.Hisense 75-inch Class QD7 Series QLED 4K UHD TV: $528 (save $222): Multiple sizes of this Hisense smart TV are on sale now, which feature color enhancer, game mode, multiple voice assistance and more.Sony 85-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV: $998 (save $500): This Sony smart Google TV is packed with features like Google Assistant, Apple Airplay, Motionflow XR technology, 4K picture quality and more.Amazon Fire TV 50-inch Omni Series 4K Smart TV: $310 (save $170): There's plenty of budget TV picks on sale, too, like this 50-inch hands-free smart TV that's Alexa compatible and 35% off.Roku Smart TV 32-inch TV: $128 (save $42): This Roku TV is equipped with Roku Voice and a customizable home screen. Right now it's 25% off, making it a great budget buy for a dorm room, kids' room and more.Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun 75-inch Class QLED 4K TV: $4,498 (save $2,000): Samsung's popular The Terrace TV is 31% off right now, and is the perfect pick for an outdoor setting thanks to its weatherproof design.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K + Luna Controller: $75 (save $45): This bundle will save you 38% on a Fire TV Stick 4K and a Luna controller -- all the essentials you need to get started with Luna, Amazon's game streaming service (a Prime or Luna subscription required).Best Amazon Presidents' Day robot vacuum deals Beth Mauder/ZDNETiRobot Roomba j7: $300 (save $300): If you're like expert Maria Diaz and love the idea of your floors being cleaned by someone, orsomethingelse, you can't go wrong with this deal. The Roomba j7 is a robot vacuum that intelligently maps and navigates your home, avoiding obstacles like cords and pet waste. This 50% discount is available for a limited time, resulting in a $300 discount.Dreame X30 Ultra Robot Vacuum + Mop: $800 (save $600): The Dreame X30 Ultra was ZDNET's top pick for the best 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop, dethroned only by its successor,the X40 Ultra. The Dreame X30 Ultra features 8,300Pa of suction power, dual oscillating mop pads with an extendable function, and a hands-free charging station with self-emptying and self-washing capabilities. This discount does not reflect the X30 Ultra's performance but rather an opportunity for the company to sell its existing inventory and focus on marketing its latest model.Eufy Robot 11S Max: $150 (save $100 with coupon): If you want a straightforward robot vacuum, the Eufy BoostIQ 11S Max is a perfect option, especially at this price. It's very simple -- it vacuums in a random pattern, has to be manually self-emptied, and doesn't connect to the internet. But don't be fooled by its simplicity; this vacuum is powerful enough to pick up dirt, dust, and pet hair and can run for 100 minutes on a single charge.Roborock Q7 Max+ Robot Vacuum + Mop: $550 (save $320): For a limited time, you can snag the Roborock Q7 Max+ for $360, an almost $200 discount. As a vacuum mop combo, this machine features 4,200Pa suction power and 300g mopping pressures, promising a smooth and efficient clean. With its self-empty dock, you can have hands-free vacuuming for up to seven weeks. Thanks to Roborock's PreciSense LiDAR Navigation, you can rest assured that this robot vacuum will clean where it's supposed to and when it's supposed to.Roborock S8 Max Ultra: $1,000 (save $600): One of the best two-in-one machines on the market, the Roborock S8 Max Ultra is now $1,000. It's a pretty penny, but expert Maria Diaz says the simplicity and efficiency make this robot worth the money. You could fill the clean water tank, empty the dirty water tank, and set a schedule to tackle your home without having to do anything for a couple of days.Best Amazon Presidents' Day home deals Maria Diaz/ZDNETAnker Solix C1000 Power Station: $429 (save $500): This Anker power station can fully charge in 48 minutes and is perfect for power outages, home backups, and camping. Right now it's 57% off.Anker Solix C200 Power Station: $100 (save $70): Need a smaller power option? The Anker Solix C200 is 41% off and is perfect for emergencies, camping, car travel, and more.Blink Video Doorbell: $33 (save $27): Blink's video doorbell features two-way audio, HD video, motion and chime alerts, and more, and right now it's 45% off.Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus: $150 (save $50): This outdoor cam from Ring offers 1080p HD video and is great for equipping your home with added security. Right now, it's 25% off. The Ring Spotlight Cam and Spotlight Cam Pro, which expert Maria Diaz loves for her home, is also on sale for 24% off.Ring Wired Doorbell Pro: This Ring wired doorbell option is 22% off right now, and it's ZDNET's top pick for the best wired Ring doorbell. When is Presidents' Day? Presidents' Day is always celebrated on the third Monday of February. This year, it falls on Feb. 17, a few days after Valentine's Day. Show more How did we choose these deals? ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy -- devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops.We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we're recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing -- in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. Show more When will these deals expire? Deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on a deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you atZDNET.com. Show more Does Amazon have a Presidents' Day sale? Yes, Amazon offers significantsales and discountsahead of Presidents' Day 2025. In fact, plenty of deals are already live on the platform, with more sales certainly to come (and perhaps even overlap with Valentine's Day offers). With less than a week between the two holidays, there are lots of savings to be had for consumers. Show more ZDNET Recommends

Decide mindfully whether to use chain-of-thought explicitly when working with the latest generative ... [+] AI reasoning models.gettyIn todays column, I examine and provide important recommendations about a crucial prompting technique that is used frequently in generative AI and large language models (LLMs). The technique is known as chain-of-thought (CoT) reasoning, which spurs AI to showcase a step-by-step series of statements about how it is solving a given problem. This is extremely valuable so that you can gauge whether the AI is logically getting the solution and potentially discern if it goes awry.The rub is this.Newer generative AI and LLMs have been adjusted to typically automatically carry out a chain-of-thought. You dont need to ask for it to happen. It just happens. Older versions didnt do this automatically. The bad news is that if you explicitly ask for a chain-of-thought, but the AI reasoning model is already implicitly going to do a chain-of-thought, the matter can falter or have other failings. The result can almost be like crossing the matter and anti-matter proton streams in the famous Ghostbusters movie, though not quite that catastrophic. Youll still live even with a double-duty chain-of-thought taking place, though the downsides can be disconcerting.Lets talk about it.This analysis of an innovative AI breakthrough is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here).MORE FOR YOUChain-Of-Thought As Crucial TechniqueReaders might recall that I previously posted an in-depth elicitation of over fifty prompt engineering techniques and methods, see the link here. Among those myriad approaches was the use of chain-of-thought (CoT) prompting (for my coverage of CoT and several advanced variations, see the link here and the link here).Allow me a moment to explain why chain-of-thought is so notable.Chain-of-thought is an overall common phrase often used when discussing human thinking and reasoning. A person playing a chess game might contemplate their next move. Rather than rashly moving, they are likely to also contemplate their subsequent move. In their mind, they create a kind of chain of thoughts about some number of moves and countermoves that might arise. Based on that chain of imagined steps or moves, they decide what actual move to next make.Rinse and repeat.In the AI field, these same concepts have been applied to AI systems of various kinds. For example, an AI system that plays chess will look ahead at many moves. That is partially why chess-playing games are so good these days at playing chess. Whereas a human might mentally be limited to assessing a handful of moves ahead, an AI system could look at a much greater depth by utilizing vast computational resources.Please be cautious when using the chain-of-thought phrase in the context of AI since it implies that AI can form human thoughts, which is not the case at this time. Referring to chain-of-thought in an AI context represents an unfortunate anthropomorphism of AI. Anyway, despite that qualm, the idea is that if humans think in a series or chain of thoughts, perhaps it is prudent to devise AI to work in a chain-like fashion too.Implicit Versus Explicit CoTWhen generative AI first truly went widespread, users discovered that using chain-of-thought tended to get better results. Plus, it was immensely helpful to see the explanation or series of steps that the AI undertook. You can use the steps to discern if things might have gone afoul. You can also inspect the steps to learn how to solve problems that the AI can solve. Lots of good reasons exist to invoke chain-of-thought. AI research confirmed that doing so was highly beneficial.Many who have been working with generative AI for a while are accustomed to telling the AI to make use of chain-of-thought. Saying this in a prompt is just about second nature. You dont always use it, only sparingly. Part of the reason to be mindful of the usage is that it tends to slow down the AI, delaying your response, and it can chew up server processing cycles (which, if you are paying to use the AI, could add up to a pretty penny).So far, so good.Well, AI makers figured out that automatically invoking chain-of-thought seemed to bolster the capability of generative AI and LLMs. They decided that building into the inner mechanism an automatic chain-of-thought reasoning mechanism could dramatically boost the AI. A notable example consists of OpenAI's latest ChatGPT o1 and o3 advanced AI models, see my in-depth analysis at the link here.Hoorah, AI gets better at coming up with answers.We are nowadays faced with these two possibilities:(1) Explicit invocation. A user makes an explicit chain-of-thought request in their prompt to the AI.(2) Implicit invocation. The AI is set up to implicitly proceed with a chain-of-thought that automatically happens.This, my friends, is what gets the AI world into a sticky wicket.Some Examples To Illuminate The MatterLets look at how these two approaches of implicit versus explicit invocation can go right, and how they can go badly when used at the same time.First, I will use a modern-era generative AI that automatically does a chain of thought. You dont have to ask for it. Whether you want it to occur or not, it is going to use CoT. Love it or leave it.I will compose my prompt simply and make sure to avoid asking the AI to do a chain-of-thought since I know its going to do so anyway.Here we go.My entered prompt: What is the result of dividing 462 by 3?Generative AI response: 462 divided by 3 can be calculated as follows: (a) Start by dividing the hundreds place: 400 3 = 133 with a remainder of 1; (b) Bring down the next digit, 6: 16 3 = 5 with a remainder of 1; (c) Finally, bring down the last digit, 2: 12 3 = 4; (d) The answer is 154.The AI showed me that it did a series of steps, labeled as steps a, b, c, and d. The answer of 154 is correct.Be thankful that a zillion-dollar generative AI app can do what a handheld calculator or even just an abacus can do.Ask Explicitly And See What HappensSome of the advanced AI reasoning models will rebuff a request by the user that says they want a chain-of-thought. Why would the AI be programmed to be so rude? Because the chain-of-thought is implicitly going to occur and there is no need to essentially do double duty. The AI is supposed to save you from yourself. Happy face.Lets see this occur.My entered prompt: Solve this problem by using chain-of-thought reasoning. What is the result of 462 divided by 3?Generative AI response: I am already using chain-of-thought reasoning and there is no need to ask me to do so. The response is the same as I just showed you. I will repeat it again. 462 divided by 3 can be calculated as follows: (a) Start by dividing the hundreds place: 400 3 = 133 with a remainder of 1; (b) Bring down the next digit, 6: 16 3 = 5 with a remainder of 1; (c) Finally, bring down the last digit, 2: 12 3 = 4; (d) The answer is 154.I suppose you could say this is a no-harm, no-foul situation. You still got to see a series of steps. The steps are the same ones that the AI implicitly came up with. Presumably, all is fine.Implicit Plus Explicit Can Be HandySometimes, invoking both an explicit and implicit chain-of-thought can be useful. There is a chance that you will get a more elaborate set of steps. Heres why. The implicit approach tends to be terse and not fully displayed. When you ask directly for a chain-of-thought, the AI goes out of its way to put on a real show. You have given permission to do so.Thus, you might see things you wouldnt otherwise have seen.Take a look.My entered prompt: Solve this problem by using chain-of-thought reasoning. What is the result of 462 divided by 3?Generative AI response: Sure, I will use chain-of-thought reasoning to solve this step by step. The number 462 can be broken into its place values: 400, 60, and 2. Divide each part by 3: 400 3 = 133 with a remainder of 1. Add the remainder (1) to the next digit, 6, making it 16. 16 3 = 5 with a remainder of 1. Add the remainder (1) to the last digit, 2, making it 12. 12 3 = 4. Combine the results from each step: 133 + 5 + 4 = 154. By dividing step by step, the result is 154.You can see that the combined implicit and explicit were a little bit different than the implicit alone.In this case, the difference is not especially overwhelming. It all depends on the complexity of the problem being solved. If you had a much more complicated problem, the odds are that the combined chain-of-thought will likely reveal additional interesting facets (not always, just some of the time).Confusion Can Be IntroducedWe are now to the point where I must bring you some bad news. Please prepare yourself accordingly.It is possible that by asking for both implicit and explicit invocations, wires can get crossed. In my experience, this is admittedly relatively rare. Again, it depends on several factors such as the nature of the problem being solved, plus the nature of how the AI maker has devised their AI reasoning model.I present this sadness to you.My entered prompt: Solve this problem by using chain-of-thought reasoning. What is the result of 462 divided by 3?Generative AI response: Sure, I will use chain-of-thought reasoning to solve this step by step. The number 462 can be broken into its place values: 400, 60, and 2. Divide 400 by 3 equals 0. Divide 60 by 3 equals 20. Divide 2 by 3 leaving the remainder 2. Combine the steps: 0 + 20 + 2 = 22. The result is 22.What might be happening inside the AI is that the implicit and explicit are in a tug of war. Steps can be overstepped. Steps can be missed due to the AI misarranging them. As I said, I dont think this is something to be overly worried about. It is a blue moon kind of phenomenon.Always keep your eyes and ears open.AI Hallucination Might AriseSince Im being a Gloomy Gus, I might as well also toss in the towel and mention that there is a rare upon rare chance of the double invocation landing into an AI hallucination. The gist of an AI hallucination is that sometimes the AI makes up stuff, groundless, and fictitious, but presents it as though it is true and factual. For more about dealing with AI hallucinations, see my coverage at the link here.Examine this example with your eyes half-closed so you dont bust a gasket.My entered prompt: Solve this problem by using chain-of-thought reasoning. What is the result of 462 divided by 3?Generative AI response: Sure, I will use chain-of-thought reasoning to solve this step by step. Step 1, check to see if 462 is divisible by 3. Answer: No, the number 462 is not divisible by 3. Please try a different number.The double invocation seems to have spurred an AI hallucination. The AI says that the number isnt divisible by three and therefore there is no point in continuing.My old slide ruler is laughing its head off.Recap On The Upside And DownsideThose examples hopefully gave you a visceral sense of what can take place when trying to use an explicit chain-of-thought on an AI reasoning model that is implicitly doing a chain-of-thought.Aspects to be aware of are:A double duty might be rebuffed by the AI and you cant accidentally start a troublesome spiral.A double duty might be allowed by the AI and it will work out just fine.A double duty might be allowed and add value by showing you steps that otherwise you wouldnt have seen.A double duty could cost you extra dough and take longer to process since both approaches are happening simultaneously.A double duty could inadvertently get the AI into an internal bind that leads to messing up the steps, which might or might not impact the correctness of the final answer.A double duty can stir AI into an AI hallucination that gives you a wild or strange response.And so on.If your head is spinning, which I can certainly understand, you might be puzzled as to whether you should or should not use explicit chain-of-thought when using an implicit chain-of-thought AI model.Im glad you asked.I have some sound advice to give you.Rightly Dealing With The Double DutyMy overarching recommendation in my classes on prompt engineering is that you need to be mindfully cautious about using chain-of-thought from now on. Heres how to do so.First, try to determine whether the AI that you are using is actively doing an implicit chain-of-thought.You can usually readily tell since the AI will be listing out steps when responding to your prompts. If you dont see any steps, that doesnt mean you are in the clear. Some of the models have a switch that turns the showing of steps on and off. It could be that the switch is turned off. My suggestion is that if you dont see any steps, go ahead and check the help files of the generative AI to see what the documentation says. You can also ask the AI to tell you whether it is implicitly doing chain-of-thought.Id suggest taking both routes to verify each.Second, if the AI is doing an implicit chain-of-thought, you are in the drivers seat as to whether to ask for an explicit chain-of-thought.I usually do some experimentation to see what happens when I ask for chain-of-thought on an AI model that is implicitly doing so. Use some simple problems where you already know the answers and see what happens. Use some complex problems where you know the answers and see what happens. After a few trial runs, you can usually gauge whether the double duty is going to work out or whether it is a dismal idea.Third, a key factor is the nature of the problems or questions that you intend to use with AI. I would doubt that explicitly asking for a chain-of-thought with easy or simpler problems is worthwhile. The explanation probably wont be much better, and the cost and delay might be disconcerting.The potential benefit can kick into gear when you have a highly complex problem. There is a reasonable chance that double duty could actually aid the solving of the problem. You also then have a likely longer explanation that you can inspect to see what the AI allegedly did to solve the problem.Words Of Wisdom On Thorny TopicsI would offer this further possibility.For your complex questions or problems, you can try with the implicit alone and then try a second time with your explicitly requesting a chain-of-thought. Compare the two.I know that doing this with any frequency might be problematic because you could be racking up a lot of added charges by doing the problem twice. I leave that to you to determine whether the added cost is suitable for you. I also realize that the AI maker will relish you running your prompts twice since it adds to their bottom line. Sorry, thats the way the ball bounces.A final thought for now.Marcus Tullius Cicero, the great Roman statesman, made this assertion: The first duty of humanity is the seeking after and the investigation of truth.Your duty in the case of using generative AI is to figure out the truth of what will happen if you use an explicit chain-of-thought when an implicit chain-of-thought is already headed in your direction. Find the truth. Its there somewhere.I anoint you as a badge-carrying truth-seeker in this regard. Good luck.

Today's NYT Strands hints and answers.New York TimesLooking for Fridays Strands hints, spangram and answers? You can find them here:Hey, folks! Todays NYT Strands hints, spangram and answers for Saturday, February 8 are coming right up.How To Play StrandsThe New York Times Strands puzzle is a play on the classic word search. Its available on the NYT Games app alongside the likes of Wordle and Connections (which we also cover in daily guides at Forbes Gaming).Theres a new game of Strands to play every day. The game will present you with a six by eight grid of letters. The aim is to find a group of words that have something in common, and youll get a clue as to what that theme is. When you find a theme word, it will remain highlighted in blue.Youll also need to find a special word called a spangram. This tells you what the words have in common. The spangram links at least two sides of the board, but it may not start or end there. While the theme words will not be a proper name, the spangram can be a proper name. When you find the spangram, it will remain highlighted in yellow.Every letter is used once in one of the theme words and spangram. You can connect letters vertically, horizontally and diagonally, and its possible to switch directions in the middle of a word. If youre playing on a touchscreen, double tap the last letter to submit your guess.If you find three valid words of at least four letters that are not part of the theme, youll unlock the Hint button. Clicking this will highlight the letters that make up one of the theme words.Be warned: Youll need to be on your toes. Sometimes youll need to fill the missing word(s) in a phrase. On other days, the game may revolve around synonyms or homophones. The difficulty will vary from day to day, and the puzzle creators will try to surprise you sometimes.What Is Todays Strands Hint?Scroll slowly! Just after the hint for todays Strands puzzle, Ill reveal what the answer words are.The official theme hint for todays Strand puzzle is...Westminster assemblyNeed some extra help? Heres another hint...Canine cohortsThere are seven theme words to find today, including the spangram.What Are Todays NYT Strands Hints?Spoiler alert! Dont scroll any further down the page until youre ready to find out todays Strands hints.Here are the first two letters of every theme word in todays puzzle. Theyre ordered from left to right, then top to bottom by any letter of the word appearing for the first time:SPTOHEDOHOTEWOWhat Are Todays NYT Strands Answers?Before I reveal the other the full word list, Ill first tell you the spangram and show you where that is on the grid.This is your final spoiler warning!Todays Strands spangram is...DOG GROUPHeres where youll find it on the grid...New York Times Strands screenshot, showing the highlighted term DOG GROUPNew York TimesTodays Strands theme words are...SPORTINGTOYSHERDINGDOG GROUPSHOUNDSTERRIERSWORKINGHeres what the completed grid looks like...Completed Strands grid for February 8 featuring the words SPORTING, TOYS, HERDING, DOG GROUP, ... [+] HOUNDS, TERRIERS and WORKING.New York TimesThere were only a couple of viable options for the theme given the clue: the U.K. parliament or the famed dog show. My instinct said it was the latter. I was right, but uh, it turns out that I do not know dog groups very well. Or at least I had trouble spotting any on the grid.I used a hint for every theme word except the last one. It is what it is. I figured the spangram started with "dog" but i couldn't see the rest of it for the longest time.I used five hints and the spangram was the sixth word I found.Please follow my blog for more coverage of Strands, Connections and other word games as well as video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot! Also, follow me on Bluesky! Its fun there.

Months after unveiling under the codename "Project Arc," the upcoming PUBG spin-off has received an official title PUBG: Blindspot. A free demo for the top-down tactical multiplayer shooter drops on February 20, a few days ahead of Valve's Steam Next Fest.Krafton describes the game as a competitive match-based shooter that transfers PUBG's brand of "realistic" tactical action from the main game's open-world environments into a close-quarters setting. The smaller maps and five-versus-five gameplay will ensure faster and shorter matches. Overall, Blindspot sounds like a mirror opposite of PUBG: Battlegrounds.The list of weapons is typical for this game type: assault rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, sniper rifles, DRM, pistols, grenade launchers, and more. Some familiar guns include the Mk14 and P90. Players can also utilize blue zone grenades, recon drones, proximity explosives, flashbangs, and smoke grenades.Although top-down games normally afford players a range of vision beyond what their avatars would see, Blindspot hides opponents and other vital items behind walls and other obstructions. This line-of-sight mechanic makes explosives and hammers essential since they can destroy walls. This feature is akin to the fog of war systems in strategy games. The line-of-sight mechanic makes maintaining and destroying cover a crucial aspect of the game.Furthermore, anything visible to one player becomes visible to the entire team, enabling instant communication. Automatically sharing visual information diminishes the need for voice chat, facilitating teamwork between randomly matched strangers.Blindspot follows bomb mission rules: an attacking team must reach and hack a hidden "Crypt" to activate a "Blue Chip." Defenders must prevent opponents from reaching the Crypt by blocking doors and erecting barricades. The game features a few characters with distinct specialties, like close-range attacks, long-range combat, or gas grenades.Krafton introduced Project Arc in early November and held an invitational competition later that month. A brief closed beta ran in January, but release details beyond the demo remain unclear. Steam Next Fest will include hundreds of free demos, including Blindspot, and runs from February 24 to March 3. // Related StoriesAlthough the company is mainly known for PUBG, Krafton will soon release its take on The Sims inZOI. When the company unveiled it last year, the life simulation game impressed audiences with its high-end Unreal Engine 5 graphics and flexible character customization system. Early Access availability begins March 28.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsDreamcast controllerPower GloveAtari Jaguar Pro controllerSEGA ActivatorAtari 5200 controllerResident Evil 4 Chainsaw controllerTony Hawk: RIDE Skateboard controllerThe best video game controllers are the ones you dont even think about. They let you fully immerse yourself in the game and let you forget youre even holding them. The best controllers today all follow a mostly standard design, but in the early console generations, each system took a completely unique approach. In fact, many consoles would experiment with multiple types of controllers of various shapes, sizes, and input methods. Most of them were bad, and there were a few that were even painful. No matter how amazing the game was to play or how great the graphics were, a bad controller would completely tank the experience. Looking back from the days of the NES up to the PS5, weve recalled the very worst video game controllers of all time.SegaWere starting off with a tame one here before working our way up. The Dreamcast controller looks fairly standard for the time it has an analog stick, D-pad, triggers, and four face buttons. The problem with it is everything else. This thing is somehow bulkier and less comfortable to hold than the original Xboxs Duke controller but made worse because the cable comes out of the bottom rather than the back or top. This made it awkward to handle for any length of time, and even the D-pad and buttons were hard on the thumbs. It wasnt bad enough to cause the console to die the early death it did, but it by no means helped.Recommended VideosThe NES controller was amazing for its time, but Nintendo has never been a company to rest on its laurels. There were plenty of peripherals for the NES, but none quite as bad as the Power Glove. In truth, Nintendo was just a few decades early with the idea of motion controls as we would see with the smash hit of the Wii. Back in the early 90s, however, the technology was nowhere near advanced enough to work. Youd be lucky if the game recognized even half your inputs moving this thing around, but it was also a huge pain to even get set up since it required you to type in long codes for each game. Using this was an exercise in frustration that only made it harder to enjoy your games. It did look cool, but thats about the only positive we can say about it.RelatedThe Atari Jaguar Pro controller is proof that more isnt better. Games were getting more sophisticated and required more than the typical two to four buttons most controllers had come with up to this point. Somehow this abomination isnt even Ataris worst controller since it at least has a D-pad and three buttons you can press without moving your hands. How Atari expected us to use an entire num pad while playing is a mystery we may never solve. Even ignoring how impractical the entire bottom section is, the good part isnt even made well. holding the controller at the top is awkward and hard to get a grip on, plus the buttons and D-pad are mushy and hard to actually press correctly. Thankfully not many people got a Jaguar and had to be subjected to this monstrosity.SegaRemember how we said the Power Glove was ahead of its time? Well, Sega somehow thought that it could make full body tracking work in the early 90s. The Activator was an octagon that you placed on the ground and used to control a game, or that was the concept, anyway. In practice, it forced you to memorize a completely new control scheme based on which sensor you moved over. For example, to pause the game you would need to move over panels 4 and 6 at the same time. So, once you knew what button you wanted to press you would then have to translate that into what panel that represented on the Activator, remember where that panel is, and then move your body over it. Oh, and pray that it reads you at all. That last part failed more often than it worked, making the entire struggle pointless.AtariSorry, Atari, but your controllers are terrible. Unlike most other controllers we mention, Ataris worst ones are the default options, and the 5200 controller is the worst. This thing looks like a TV remote with an awkward joystick at the top. The entire layout feels like it wasnt designed for human hands, let alone comfort. There was no way to hold the device, use the joystick, and press any of the buttons at the same time. It fails in every aspect of a controller without even talking about how stiff and unreliable the joystick is. The only notable thing this controller brought to the table was a dedicated pause button, but that alone isnt worth much praise.CapcomThe GameCube and PS2 had fantastic controllers with no need for any major changes. However, this was the era where third-party and novelty controllers started flooding the market. Of all the experimental controllers weve seen, none can compete with the chainsaw controller released alongside Resident Evil 4. Instead of making some kind of lightgun controller, Capcom thought the best form factor for a controller would be a bulky chainsaw. The result is worse than whatever you had in your mind. Besides just being big and bulky, it is wildly impracticable. Theres no way to hold this thing and have access to all the buttons and sticks at once. The only way you could sort of make it work is to use it on a table like some kind of arcade stick, but even that is hard on your wrists with how the sticks are placed. Hopefully, anyone who purchased this only wanted it for display purposes because it is absolutely useless as a controller.ActivisionIts one thing for a controller to be uncomfortable, and another for it to not function, but this controller is so much worse. Designed only for Tony Hawk: RIDE, this skateboard controller takes things to a new level by being actually dangerous to use. Speeding up requires you to slide your foot along the side, mimicking the motion of pushing a skateboard, but pulling off tricks actually requires you to lift and tilt the board around. Leaning back to do a manual, as one example, can easily end up with you flat on your back. This was during the height of Guitar Hero which popularized gimmick controllers like this, but thankfully RIDE was a bomb, and not that many people purchased this death trap.Editors Recommendations

OpenAI is planning a fascinating marketing push by introducing its first TV commercial during the 59th Super Bowl this coming Sunday, February 9th, according to the Wall Street Journal learned from sources close to the matter.In addition to the game itself, the many surrounding traditions, and the halftime entertainment, Super Bowl Sunday is an auspicious night for advertising. Some of the most notable brands pay millions of dollars for up to 30 seconds of airtime during the popular football event. Reports indicate that advertisers have shelled out up to $8 million for spits during this years Super Bowl, where the San Francisco 49ers will play the Kansas City Chiefs. This is up from $7 million the year prior.Recommended VideosDetails about OpenAIs Super Bowl ad, or how much the company paid for the TV spot remain unknown. However, its introduction to a more forward-facing advertising space comes at an interesting time. The artificial intelligence company became notable in the tech space in late 2022 with the popularization of its ChatGPT chatbot. Since then, OpenAI has had a limited branding strategy, relying largely on social media, word of mouth, and news reports to evangelize its tools and services. With more AI options being developed almost daily, and competition growing, the brand has onboarded its first chief marketing officer, Kate Rouch, the WSJ noted.The company is also in talks to raise up to $40 billion at a valuation of $340 billion with investor SoftBank leading the funding round.While it seems OpenAI is keeping its ad under wraps until Super Bowl Sunday, many other tech brands have already teased their commercials online. Googles commercial is called Dream Job, featuring a father prepping for a job interview using Gemini Live AI assistant. Microsoft is also airing its first Super Bowl commercial in four years, to advertise its Copilot AI assistant.AI companies have developed other interesting strategies to market themselves during footballs big night. The brand Perplexity will also be on location in New Orleans where the Super Bowl is being hosted, advertising its brand on a custom-wrapped Tesla Cybertruck. The brand has chosen this option in hopes of garnering social media buzz, AdAdge noted.Editors Recommendations

Employee has links to a deleted social-media account that advocated for racism and eugenics.

A love story doesnt have to be cloying or predictableand, when read by the right performer, the enchantment can be powerful.