The best VPN service for watching ARD Mediathek has servers in Germany, robust security, and a reliable reputation. We recommend ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, all providing a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try them confidently.
- ExpressVPN: Recommended for those who need higher internet speed
>>Sign up through our site get an extra 3 months free! - NordVPN: Recommended for those who want to balance price and internet speed
- SurfShark
: Recommended for those on a budget
To access ARD Mediathek ,the streaming service operated by the Association of German Public Broadcasting (ARD), from outside Germany, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is essential. By establishing a connection to a server in Germany via a VPN service, you can easily stream content from ARD Mediathek.
- Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in Germany
- Access ARD Mediathek via Germany
In this article, we will present our top-recommended VPN services for watching ARD Mediathek in detail. Additionally, we will show you how to watch ARD Mediathek from outside Germany using a VPN.
Tips to Choose the Best VPN for Watching ARD Mediathek
There are five important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for watching ARD Mediathek.
- Servers in Germany: Not all VPN providers have servers in Germany. Ensure that the VPN provider you choose has a server in Germany.
- Security and Privacy: Choosing a VPN with strong security features is crucial for a secure online experience. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption and a kill switch are widely used choices. Privacy is further enhanced if the VPN provider has a no-log policy, ensuring your browsing history is never stored on the VPN server and cannot be retrieved in the event of an incident.
- Connection Speed: Encrypting and routing your traffic through VPN servers has the possibility of slowing down your internet connection. This may cause trouble during watching videos. However, if you use a major paid service, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, you rarely notice the difference.
- Popularity : A large user base often signifies reliability. VPNs that lack popularity might struggle with circumventing government restrictions or suffer from unstable connections.
- Support: Encountering issues when using a VPN is not uncommon. For instance, there might be sudden restrictions on accessing certain websites, or an app update might introduce glitches. During such instances, having responsive and supportive customer service is invaluable.
Best VPN Services for Watching ARD Mediathek from Anywhere (Outside Germany)
Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | SurfShark | |
| Prices | 1-Month: $12.95 6-Months: $9.99/month 12-Months: $6.67/month | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 | 60 | 100 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,000+ | 5,800+ | 3,200+ |
| Servers in Germany | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connection Speed | Ultra Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Privacy | No-logging | No-logging | No-logging |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support |
| Maximum devices supported | 8 | 10 | Unlimited |
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
| Prices | 1-Month: $12.95 6-Months: $9.99/month 12-Months: $6.67/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,000+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | 8 |
ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest internet speeds among the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. Review sites consistently rank ExpressVPN as one of the fastest VPNs. Additionally, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, you have a wide choice of countries to change IP addresses to. Real humans are available 24-hour live chat support to help you with setup and troubleshooting. ExpressVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.
- Place a high importance on internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 60 |
| Total Number of Servers | 5,800+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | 10 |
NordVPN’s excellent service, and balance of price, internet speed, servers, and countries, has allowed it to gain the greatest market share in the world. Overall, NordVPN consistently receives great reviews from leading experts. NordVPN has more than 5,800 servers in 60 countries, so you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. You can et help and advice from our friendly customer support team through email or live chat for your 24/7. And NordVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.
- Want to balance price and internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Surfshark: Impressive Performance with a Lower Price
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 100 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,200+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
Surfshark offers impressive performance with a lower price. You can get Surfshark much cheaper than other services if you apply for the 24-month plan. Furthermore, Surfshark has no connection limits. So, you and your family can connect and use all your devices simultaneously. Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Just like the other VPNs, you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. Customer support experts are there for you 24/7, if you need a helping hand with them via live chat or email. And SurfsharkVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.
- Who are budget conscious and want to want to connect with lots of devices
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
How to Watch ARD Mediathek from Anywhere (Outside Germany)
Here are the steps to access ARD Mediathek using a VPN:
- Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in Germany
- Access ARD Mediathek via Germany
ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. So, using ExpressVPN, you can enjoy TV programs normally available only in other countries without a noticeable difference in speed. After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can easily browse the internet using ExpressVPN just by downloading their app.
STEP1. Register with ExpressVPN
To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Get ExpressVPN Today” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.
STEP2. Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in Germany
After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app. Next, click “…” in the app and type “Germany” in the search box.
Select a server and click the power icon in the middle. Now, you can connect to a server in Germany.
STEP3. Access ARD Mediathek via Germany
Access ARD Mediathek. You can watch ARD Mediathek without needing to register.
You need to access ARD Mediathek while connected to a server in Germany, so that ARD Mediathek will treat you as if you are accessing it from Germany.
Why Isn’t ARD Mediathek Accessible Outside Germany?
The primary reason ARD Mediathek is inaccessible from outside Germany is due to copyright restrictions. These restrictions often limit the broadcasting of content to specific geographic regions. The official statement reads as follows.
Abruf von Livestreams im Ausland
Warum kann ich manche Livestreams nicht im Ausland ansehen?Einige Sendungen dürfen aus rechtlichen Gründen nicht für den Abruf aus dem Ausland angeboten werden. Viele Sendungen entstehen als Koproduktionen und werden nicht allein von der ARD finanziert. Wenn eine Produktion im Ausland ausgestrahlt werden soll, ist es natürlich nicht im Interesse der Produktionsfirmen, wenn diese vorher international als Video abrufbar ist.
<Translation>
Viewing Livestreams Abroad
Why can’t I watch some livestreams from abroad?
Source: https://hilfe.ard.de/artikel/abruf-von-livestreams-im-ausland/
Due to legal reasons, some programs cannot be made available for viewing outside of the country. Many programs are co-productions and are not solely financed by ARD. If a production is intended for international broadcast, it is usually not in the interest of the production companies to make it available internationally as a video on demand beforehand.
If you try to access ARD Mediathek from outside Germany, you will receive the following message: “Wiedergabefehler. Dieses Video kann leider nicht abgespielt werden. Wir bitten um Ihr Verständnis. Wichtig: Inhalte mit Geoblocking können nur von Deutschland aus abgerufen werden.”
<Translation>
Playback Error
Unfortunately, this video is not available for viewing. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Important: Geoblocked content can only be accessed from within Germany.
How Does a VPN Enables You to Access ARD Mediathek from Outside Germany?
Using a VPN enables you to mask your location. A website like ARD Mediathek determines screen content based on IP address. For example, if you access the website from outside of Germany, the screen content will not be displayed. However, if you access the website via an internet provider in Germany, screen content for Germany will be shown.
If you access the website via VPN servers in Germany, your IP address will actually appear like this. By using a VPN, the website will treat you as if you are browsing from Germany, regardless of where you are.
FAQ
Is it legal to watch ARD Mediathek with VPNs?
Using VPNs to watch ARD Mediathek is legal. VPNs are widely used by individuals to protect their private information and other online activity.
Can I watch ARD Mediathek for free?
Yes, you can.
Can I use a free VPN?
We recommend paid services in terms of privacy and security because we don’t know how free VPNs manage our log traffic data. It is also said that free VPNs are more likely to track our data. Many paid services have a money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied with the service, you can receive a refund.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It acts as a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. By routing your connection through a VPN server, it masks your actual IP address and makes it appear as though you’re accessing the internet from a different location. This not only enhances your online anonymity, protecting your identity from potential eavesdroppers, but also allows you to access websites and services as if you were in a different country, bypassing geo-restrictions.
What else can a VPN be used for?
In addition to bypassing geographical content restrictions, VPNs can also enhance your online privacy and security. Furthermore, it can be used to save money on subscription services like YouTube Premium and Netflix by allowing you to subscribe from regions where prices are lower.
Conlusion
- ExpressVPN: Recommended for those who need higher internet speed
>>Sign up through our site get an extra 3 months free! - NordVPN: Recommended for those who want to balance price and internet speed
- SurfShark: Recommended for those on a budget
- Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in Germany
- Access ARD Mediathek via Germany
