However, when subscribers travel outside of the US, they find that they can no longer access the service they’re paying for. This is because DirecTV geoblocks its online content. If you want to watch DirecTV while you’re away from home — or you live outside the US and just want access to all these great channels — you’ll need a VPN. VPNs are capable of getting around geo-restrictions, allowing you to watch DirecTV from anywhere.
How to Sign Up for DirecTV
Why You Need a VPN to Watch DirecTV
In order to abide by international licensing laws, many streaming sites have to geo-restrict their content. Since DirecTV is an American company, it geoblocks any viewers streaming from anywhere outside the US. This can be particularly frustrating for American customers who pay a subscription fee but can’t access the service when away from home. Fortunately, you don’t have to go without your favorite shows just because you’re traveling or don’t live in the States. You can bypass DirecTV’s geoblocks by using a VPN. The only way DirecTV can tell where you’re streaming from is by looking at your IP address. Using a VPN masks your IP address and replaces it with an IP address attached to a VPN server in another country. If you connect to a VPN server in the States, it will look like you’re streaming from there when you log in to DirecTV. The streaming site will think you’re based in the US and automatically unblock all of its content.
That’s Not All a VPN Can Do
VPNs have all sorts of uses besides unblocking streaming content. If you travel a lot, you might find that you need to log in to public wi-fi hotspots regularly. These hotspots are usually unsecured and can leave you vulnerable to a number of cyber threats like phishing or hacking. When you connect to a VPN, it automatically encrypts all of your data. This means that no malicious third parties will be able to intercept your traffic while you’re connected to an open wi-fi. Even when you’re on your home network, this encryption can prevent anyone from monitoring or tracking you as you browse the internet. Advertising companies, social media, and other agencies will all be blocked from spying on you and storing or selling your information. If you’re particularly worried about malware and spyware, you can also look out for a VPN that includes built-in malware blockers. These sorts of blockers usually prevent annoying pop-up ads, too.
3 Best VPNs for Watching DirecTV
1. ExpressVPN
Some VPNs might slow down your internet connection but not ExpressVPN. This VPN has the lightning-fast speeds you need to stream DirecTV without irritating buffering. Not only is ExpressVPN highly praised for its speeds, it was also the fastest VPN in our speed tests. ExpressVPN’s security is just as high end as its speed. Military grade-encryption, split tunneling, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection will all ensure your data is kept private. The VPN’s no-logs policy is backed up by TrustedServer technology. You’ll enjoy simultaneous connection for 5 devices with ExpressVPN — test it out now with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Watch DirecTV with ExpressVPN!
Yes, all servers support P2P activity.
ExpressVPN works on these devices:
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox. It also offers an app for use with certain routers.
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has 780+ servers across the US so you will have no problem unblocking DirectTV. Dedicated streaming profiles will automatically connect you to the best streaming-optimized server in your chosen location. CyberGhost’s speeds are also reliable and fast enough for enjoyable streaming. As you watch DirecTV, you’ll be protected by military-grade security like AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and a strict zero-logs policy. Ads, malware, and trackers are all automatically blocked. With a 24-hour free trial and a 45-day money-back guarantee, you’ll have ample time to find out why real users love CyberGhost. You can even enjoy money off the service with a CyberGhost discount coupon. Watch DirecTV with CyberGhost!
Yes, the dedicated profile shows countries and number of users.
CyberGhost works on these devices:
3. PrivateVPN
You don’t need to be a VPN expert to stream DirecTV from outside the US. All you need is a simple and easy-to-use service like PrivateVPN. PrivateVPN is extremely user-friendly from installation to connection. The VPN even offers a remote installation service if you need extra help. Apps are all automatically set up with security features like military-grade encryption and both DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Despite being simple, PrivateVPN’s users describe it as powerful. It has servers based across the US and provides dedicated streaming profiles to make watching DirecTV quick and easy. PrivateVPN offers both a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee to help you decide if you like it. Watch DirecTV with PrivateVPN!
Yes, all servers support P2P activity; list of P2P-optimized servers available through the app.
PrivateVPN works on these devices:
Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Summary and Further Reading
Don’t get shortchanged by geoblocks. Enjoy the DirecTV service you pay for, from anywhere in the world, by downloading a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN or one of our other recommendations. Once you get your VPN up and working, why not enjoy content on Hulu and Netflix too? Want to know more about how geo-restrictions work? Here’s our full guide to geoblocking and how to get around it. The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.
Visit ExpressVPN
