ZDF is a German TV channel that allows live and catch-up streaming to all German residents. The channel is considered to be one of the top services in Germany. You’ll be able to watch content ranging from kids’ shows to sporting event coverage. However, whatever this channel has to offer is only available in Germany. If you want to access ZDF abroad, you’ll have to resort to a VPN. This article will cover the best VPNs to use if you’re looking to unblock ZDF overseas. Read on and find out which one suits you best.
Read more: How to Watch ZDF Outside Germany
How to Unblock ZDF Outside Germany
Whether you’re a German expat or just a fan living abroad who happens to love what ZDF has to offer, the easiest way to circumvent geo-restrictions imposed on the channel is to use a VPN.
A Virtual Private Network reroutes your entire internet traffic through a remote server in a country of your choosing. When you connect, you’ll receive an IP address in that region and hide your current identity. That way, you’ll be able to access whatever content that was once restricted to that territory.
For example, connecting to a German server provides you with a German IP address. As a result, when you approach ZDF while abroad, it will qualify you as a current resident in its area of coverage. Eventually, you’ll be able to tap into whatever the channel offers in its streaming library. Here’s how you can unblock ZDF abroad:
- First, pick a VPN provider that you see fit for the job. I’ve tested a lot of VPNs, and NordVPN stood tall.
- Download and install the VPN application on a compatible device such as Android, iOS, PC, Mac, as well as Amazon Fire Stick.
- Launch the VPN application and sign in with your VPN account.
- Head over to the server list and search for a German server. You can type Germany in the search bar for quick results.
- Double click the server and wait a few seconds for the connection to take place.
- Open the ZDF website or their dedicated application.
- Stream ZDF anywhere you are.
Best VPN for ZDF
In your opinion, what makes a VPN the best to stream ZDF abroad? What qualities should it have to be picked among others? In this review, I’ll show you the top four VPN providers that everyone is talking about these days. I’ll state what they offer and what features they include in their services. After that, it’s your job to pick whatever suits you best. With that said, here’s the full review of the best VPNs for ZDF.
#1 NordVPN (3.29$/month)
Number of servers: 3500+ | Server locations: 60+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 6
NordVPN is a Panama based VPN service provider. Hence, it is free of the U.S and the European countries jurisdictions. Due to it, the users can enjoy anonymous networking with its No Log Policy. Double encryption, a variety of protocol support, excellent customer support makes it one of the best VPN in the market. Most noteworthy, the pricing plans are quiet on the nominal side and worth the services provided.
- Six simultaneous connections
- A variety of platform support
- Double encryption for added security
- Excellent customer support
- Automatic kill switch
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 3-Day free trial
- Unique selling proposition is that it offers hassle-free installation even for new users
Avail 72% Discount
#2 ExpressVPN (8.32$/month)
Number of servers: 1800+ | Server locations: 148 | IP addresses: 30,000 | Maximum devices supported: 3
ExpressVPN has become the market leader in the VPN industry. With its supreme quality VPN performance during past seven years. Therefore, it attracted and retained millions of users and enhanced customer loyalty. All due to services that are beyond comparison. That is the reason it sits at the top position in our VPN table. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands. Which keeps it away from the Data Retention policies enforced by NSA, GCHQ.
- Unlimited Bandwidth with Ultra Speed
- Dedicated VPN Apps for Android & iOS
- Provides all VPN protocols OpenVPN (TCP, UDP), L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, and PPTP
- High-End Security with OpenVPN 256-bits
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 30-Days Money-Back Guarantee
- 3 Simultaneous-login Option
- Dedicated VPN App for Router
Avail 35% Discount
#3 Surfshark VPN (2.49$/month)
Number of servers: 500+ | Server locations: 50 | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited
Surfshark VPN is ahead of the curve in technological advancement. Surfshark VPN will ensure online privacy for your whole family – simple and intuitive on the outside with a robust security mechanism inside.
- No Logging Policy
- 500 Plus Servers Spread in over 50 Countries
- 24 x 7 Customer Service Support
- P2P Torrenting Support Available
- AES 256-Bit Network Encryption
- Comes with Zero Logging Policy
- Chrome Extension Available
- Kill-Switch functionality
Avail 81% Discount
#4 CyberGhostVPN (2.15$/month)
Number of servers: 6,200+ | Server locations: 87+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 7
CyberGhostVPN was established in 2011 and gained popularity. It is due to its dedication towards providing outstanding and unique security and privacy features. CyberGhostVPN defends privacy as a basic human right, being the first in the industry to publish a transparency report while building new user-oriented crypto-technology for the future.
- 6200+ servers in 87 countries
- Uses AES 256 Encryption
- Up to 7 Simultaneous Connections
- Supports OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP
- DNS & IP Leak Protection
- No Logging Policy.
- Uses 2048 Key & MD5 Authentication
- 45-Days Money Back Guarantee
- Automatic Wi-Fi security
Avail 83% Discount
#5 Private Internet Access (2.19$/month)
Number of servers: 3339+ | Server locations: 36 | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 5
Private Internet Access service provides you unbeatable internet security and privacy. It is due to its sustainable and specialized security barrier based on several layers. Hence, For an end to end protection with its amazing features. That includes; Anonymous IP, high-grade encryption. That is based on cryptographically secure Blowfish CBC algorithm.
- Zero VPN Traffic Logs
- Encrypted Wi-Fi Protection
- Offers all Protocols PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec including SOCKS5 Proxy
- 7-days Money-Back Guarantee
- IPv6 Leak Protection & DNS Leak Protection
- The Internet Kill Switch
- P2P file sharing & VoIP Support
- Support for VPN router including DD-WRT Tomato & PfSense
- Speed Test options for all Servers
Avail 78% Discount
About ZDF
ZDF is one of the biggest German broadcasters the country has ever known. You can stream its content live or on demand on a wide variety of devices including PC, Mac, iOS, Smart TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Xbox. However, the channel is only available for viewers residing within German borders.
If you try to access ZDF abroad, you’ll be getting one of these geo-error messages:
- “Diese Sendung kann Ihnen leider wegen rechtlicher Beschränkungen nicht angeboten werden.”
- “leider wird kein videoformat unterstützt zdf”
You’ll find a plethora of shows and movies to watch on ZDF once you get a hold of it with a VPN. I’ve listed a few of my top picks below. Check them out so you can get a head start in your streaming experience:
- ALF
- Bella Block
- Blochin
- Borgia
- The Bridge
- Das Kriminalmuseum
- Friesland
- In Plain Sight
- Inga Lindström
- Kidnap and Ransom
- Kommissarin Lucas
- Letzte Spur Berlin
- Midsomer Murders
- Mino
- Mordkommission Königswinkel
- Ray Donovan
- Siska
- Star Trek
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- The Fall
- The Five
- The Simpsons
- Veronica Mars
Read more: How to Watch Vox outside Germany
Conclusion
After this review, it’s up to you to choose which VPN to use to access ZDF abroad. The channel is worth doing all of this since it offers you the chance to watch the likes of UEFA Champions League for free. So, take your time and assess every VPN on our list. After that, pick one and watch ZDF wherever you are in the world.