How to Live Stream RTE (Ireland) From Anywhere in 2024

Since RTE is mainly available in Ireland, most of its content, including Happy Valley and The Big Bang Theory, isn’t broadcast abroad. You need an Irish IP address to watch the full RTE library and live streams.

A VPN with Irish servers can provide an Irish IP address to allow for safe access to sites and services in the country. This makes it possible to stream RTE securely from anywhere.

My top recommendation for watching RTE is ExpressVPN. It has fast speeds and reliable Irish servers for streaming RTE in HD without interruption. You can test it risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it fails to meet your expectations, you can easily get a full refund. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Best VPNs to Watch RTE Securely From Anywhere in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — The Fastest VPN to Watch RTE in HD From Anywhere

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2024

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds of any VPN we tested. On its Irish server, we recorded impressive speeds — just a mere 5% reduction from our base speed of 121.55 Mbps. There was no buffering with ExpressVPN as we streamed The Late Show and Peaky Blinders in HD. You can also privately stream all 4 of RTE’s live channels to keep up with GAA Football and Raw interruption-free.

Its entire server network (including Irish connections) is reliable and works seamlessly with streaming platforms, according to our tests. This ensures consistent HD access to RTE's content from anywhere, including Irish shows, live channels, and on-demand content.

I really appreciate its shortcut feature for hassle-free RTE streaming. This feature allows you to configure a shortcut for RTE (or any other app or URL) and assign it to an Irish server for instant, secure access. These shortcuts then appear conveniently on the app's home screen, enabling a one-click secure connection for streaming RTE, iPlayer, and more from anywhere.

All of its plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN with RTE risk-free. I checked out this claim by contacting live chat to request a refund. After answering a few quick questions, they agreed with no quibbles. I got a full refund within 3 days.

Useful Features

• Proprietary Lightway protocol. ExpressVPN has removed all the lines of code that aren’t necessary for a commercial VPN. The result is a lightweight, fast, but highly secure self-made protocol that’s ideal for streaming RTE. It’s also great for conserving battery life on mobile devices.
• Split tunneling. Nominate certain apps and URLs to bypass the VPN, freeing up more bandwidth for watching RTE.
• Simultaneous connections. Watch RTE on up to 8 simultaneous devices — no more arguments about what to watch on the RTE Player.

2. CyberGhost — Specialty Server Optimized for Safe Access to RTE

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost has streaming-optimized servers, including one specifically designed for RTE. It’s continuously maintained by the CyberGhost staff to ensure it works as intended. This makes it possible to stream RTE privately and in HD from anywhere. You can find this specialized server under the For Streaming tab.

You can click the star icon to favorite CyberGhost’s RTE server

Plus, CyberGhost has plenty of servers in Ireland, so there are plenty of options to choose from. You don’t have to worry about server overcrowding or slowdowns. In our tests on its nearby Irish server, we only had a 5% speed loss — you can stream in 4K without lag.

It’s super easy to navigate the apps. Servers are neatly organized and there’s a search bar to find them quickly. Even if you choose to customize your connection (for instance, with split tunneling), the app provides clear explanations of CyberGhost’s features to make it pain-free.

CyberGhost also offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee with its long-term plans, so you can try it risk-free. Each plan comes with 7 device connections.

Useful Features

• Block Content. This feature can help block the trackers and ads used by streaming sites like RTE.
• Smart rules. You can set CyberGhost to open any app when you connect, so we chose Brave as it’s the browser we used for RTE. Plus, you can get it to auto-connect to the specialty RTE server.
• Split tunneling. Unlike ExpressVPN, CyberGhost’s split tunneling works on apps and not URLs. For example, we set the RTE to always connect to an Irish server to stream safely.

3. PrivateVPN — Easy-to-Use Apps to Easily Stream RTE on Any Device

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try PrivateVPN >

www.privatevpn.com

Setting up and using PrivateVPN is pretty straightforward. The main application features a user-friendly interface with a single button for connecting and a dropdown menu to select the desired server location. Connecting to an Irish server will enable safe access to RTE from anywhere. I like that PrivateVPN conveniently remembers the last connection, eliminating the need for adjustments when reconnecting.

On the downside, the VPN has a smaller server network with a single Dublin server. Despite this, we never had an issue watching RTE with PrivateVPN. While not as fast as CyberGhost, PrivateVPN’s speeds allow for buffer-free streaming in HD. Our speed only dropped by 13% on an Irish server.

In fact, PrivateVPN maintains a High-Quality Network (HQN) for speedy and secure access to RTE from anywhere. It purchases internet capacity directly from the IP transit provider instead of a third party. That means there are no “middleman” slowdowns.

It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. I tested this out myself, and it was just as easy as ExpressVPN.

Useful Features

• Stealth VPN. It makes your VPN connection look like regular internet traffic, so you can watch RTE even on restrictive networks, for example in schools and offices.
• Remote setup and support. If you’re new to using a VPN or have tech issues with RTE, PrivateVPN has your back. Its support team can take control of your device remotely to resolve any problems.
• Responsive and quick live chat. PrivateVPN’s regular live chat is responsive and friendly. It even refers to its customers as “family” — that’s the kind of hospitality most Irish folk can get on with!

4. Proton VPN — Customizable Profile Setup to Safely Stream RTE

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Proton VPN >

protonvpn.com

You can configure 1-click settings for RTE with Proton VPN’s Profiles feature for quick, secure access to the platform. This lets you pick a server type, country, and protocol for your favorite online activities. We created one named “RTE Streaming,” selected the nearest Dublin server, and even color-coded it red to match RTE’s logo.

All of Proton VPN’s Dublin servers are displayed separately. This way, we could easily find the fastest RTE server based on its user load percentage — low user load is usually best for maintaing fast speeds. Plus, Proton VPN’s fast speeds are ideal for HD streaming from anywhere.

Its NetShield feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware. It didn’t block the in-video ads on RTE, and the platform doesn’t contain malware. But it’s reassuring to know that it can block trackers while you stream (plus malware on other sites, as a bonus).

Initially, navigating the Proton VPN app was a bit challenging. For example, I was unaware of which servers were best for streaming until I moved my cursor over a play symbol, prompting a "Streaming" bubble to show up. However, after familiarizing myself with it, the usage became more straightforward.

You can test Proton VPN’s advanced security features completely risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Unlike the other VPNs on my list, you don’t get a full refund. You get a partial refund for the unused period of your contract.

Useful Features

• Streaming-optimized servers. Unlike CyberGhosts streaming servers, these aren’t specifically optimized for RTE, but they work well with the platform regardless. They’re also only available on Windows.
• VPN Accelerator. Boost your speeds for streaming RTE with Proton VPN’s Accelerator. With this enabled, we only lost 6% of our speeds while connected to Ireland.
• Dynamic server map. The intuitive interface with an animated map helped me instantly find a local server in Ireland.

Quick Comparison Table: VPN Features for RTE

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN for RTE

When it comes to choosing the best VPN for accessing RTE and enjoying seamless streaming, I understand the importance of thorough testing. We have carefully assessed and compared the most popular VPNs for RTE, taking into consideration specific criteria necessary for optimal performance.

Using these criteria, we’ve identified the top VPNs that ensure safe, HD-friendly access to RTE from anywhere. Consider the following key factors:

• Servers in Ireland. To access RTE safely from anywhere, an IP address from Ireland is required. So, it’s important to choose a VPN that offers servers in Ireland.
• Speed and performance. VPNs that offer consistently fast speeds and minimal buffering are essential for reliable streaming of RTE shows and live broadcasts.
• Strong security and encryption. Robust encryption protocols and advanced security features protect your online privacy and ensure that your streaming activities on RTE remain confidential and secure. All the VPNs on my list offer 256-bit encryption, the same level that banks and the military use.
• Complimentary user interface. Pick a VPN that suits your tech preferences. Do you want a ton of adjustable settings, or an intuitive plug-and-play service so you can get straight to watching RTE?
• Customer support. Responsive customer support that can address any RTE-specific issues promptly and effectively is grand for a hassle-free streaming experience.
• Compatibility with multiple devices. The VPN should be compatible with a wide range of devices, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, and streaming devices, allowing you to watch RTE Player safely on your preferred platform. The VPNs on my list have apps for every major OS.

Where Can I Watch RTE Online?

RTE is only available in Ireland. RTE Player International provides viewers outside Ireland with streaming access to content from RTE's various channels and its archives. You can also watch some limited RTE content in Northern Ireland.

RTE can’t broadcast all of its content outside of Ireland due to licensing agreements and regional restrictions. The Player detects your location by checking your IP addresses when you attempt to stream content. If you’re not in a licensed location, you'll see this message:

FAQs on Watching RTE With a VPN

On which devices can I watch RTÉ?

You can watch RTE on any of these devices:

• Desktop computers. Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Mobile devices and tablets. Android, iOS.
• Streaming devices. Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, smart TV, Fire devices.

Not every device works with a VPN, including smart TVs and Roku. But every VPN in my list offers router compatibility, so you can securely watch RTE on any WiFi-enabled device in your home network.

Is it possible to watch RTE in the UK, the US, or Australia?

For audiences outside Ireland, including those in the UK, the US, or Australia, RTE Player International is the official option. This service offers a selection of RTE's content for international viewers, but it may not include the full range of programming available within Ireland. A reliable VPN with servers in Ireland can provide safe access to the full RTE library from anywhere.

What can I do if RTE blocks my VPN?

If your VPN is acting the maggot, follow this simple guide:

• Restart your VPN. Simply quitting and restarting your VPN can fix bugs.
• Clear your cookies and cache. Clear your browsing history, and you’ll lose the troublesome tell-tale data.
• Open a Private or Incognito window. Private windows store no browsing data that can interfere with a VPN connection.
• Connect to a different server. There may be issues with the Irish server you’re currently connected to. Switching to a different one can help.
• Speak to your VPN’s customer support. It may be able to provide a solution and may already be working on a fix.

Can I live stream RTE with a free VPN?

I tested multiple free VPNs and couldn’t find one that worked with RTE. They don’t come with the technology, speed, or servers in Ireland you need to watch RTE in HD securely without buffering. Instead, I recommend using a low-cost premium VPN with a money-back guarantee. They're always faster and have fully maintained locations in Ireland.

While testing free VPNs, I lost up to 90% of my speed. I couldn’t load basic web pages, much less stream videos. Much worse — many free VPNs freely admit to monitoring all user data and selling it to third parties. They’ve even been caught infecting users’ devices with malware. In my opinion, it’s not worth the trouble.

Securely Watch RTE Online in Minutes

A VPN makes it possible to safely access RTE Ireland from anywhere. However, not all VPNs can access the platform reliably. Some lack servers in Ireland while others are too slow for streaming.

My top recommendation for RTE is ExpressVPN. It offers fast speeds and reliable servers in Ireland for uninterrupted HD streaming. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it doesn’t meet your needs, it’s easy to get a refund.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for RTE...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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