How to Watch CW Free Online in 2024

The CW is a notable streaming service, but it may track your viewing patterns, which could result in targeted ads and intrusive marketing. Employing a VPN can protect your streaming activities on services such as The CW, safeguard your privacy, and allow for seamless viewing of your favorite shows. It's important to remember that The CW is a free service available exclusively in the US.

Theoretically, you could also use a VPN to access The CW from outside the US. However, this would be in violation of the CW’s terms and conditions and could constitute copyright infringement.

If you just want to stay private and prevent ISP speed throttling while streaming The CW, I recommend ExpressVPN. It stands out with excellent speeds and top-grade encryption for secure and buffer-free streaming. Thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try ExpressVPN without risk. 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 Securely Watch The CW Online in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Consistently Fast Speeds to Watch The CW in UHD Without Interruptions

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Tested December 2024

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN lets you watch CW without buffering. It also doesn’t impose any data caps, meaning you can stream as much as you want. My speeds were impressive when I connected to its US servers from New York. I recorded an average of 85.24Mbps, which is only a 19% decrease from my base connection (many VPNs reduce your speeds by more than 50%).

I didn’t notice any buffering while streaming The CW shows with ExpressVPN from the US

You can steam The CW privately with ExpressVPN’s servers across 24 US locations (including Dallas, New Jersey, and California). Every US server I tried while in the US worked well with The CW. Even if I'd encountered any difficulties, there are numerous alternative US servers available, ensuring a seamless streaming experience.

It’s super easy to find these servers as ExpressVPN’s app is really intuitive. Once you click on the server list, you can just type “US” in the search bar, and you’ll immediately find the US locations. There’s also a Shortcuts feature that allows you to save the CW website. As soon as you click on it, you’ll automatically connect to the VPN and open CW’s website (if you’re in the US), which is quite convenient.

One downside is the expensive subscriptions. Luckily, ExpressVPN frequently offers generous discounts, making it more budget-friendly. For instance, when I signed up for the longest plan, I got 61% off and an additional 3 months for free. This brought the total cost to just $4.99/month. The VPN is also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it with confidence.

Useful Features

• Works with Fire TV Stick. ExpressVPN offers a native app for Fire Stick. This is really convenient if you prefer to watch CW securely on your big screen. You can easily download the VPN app onto your Fire Stick from the Amazon Appstore, connect to a US server, and enjoy your favorite CW shows privately while in the US.
• Reliable customer support. You can conveniently contact customer support via 24/7 live chat if you encounter any difficulties. When I tested this by asking if the MediaStreamer (ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS) is optimized for the CW (it's not), they replied within seconds, so I was really satisfied.
• Unlimited bandwidth. ExpressVPN doesn’t put any limits on your bandwidth use unlike many free VPNs. Also, since it encrypts your data, your ISP can’t see high-bandwidth activities (like UHD streaming) and is less likely to intentionally throttle your internet speeds.
• Lightway protocol. This proprietary ExpressVPN protocol is faster and more mobile-friendly as it consumes less battery. This makes it a perfect choice for streaming CW on your smartphone. You can easily select it through the Options menu.

2. CyberGhost — User-Friendly Apps to Easily Protect Your CW Streaming Sessions

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost's user-friendly apps make streaming The CW securely a breeze, even if you're new to VPNs. Setting it up on my Mac was a quick process, taking less than 5 minutes to download and install. With just a single tap on the US server, I could watch The CW safely from New York on my MacBook Air.

When I tested CyberGhost's US servers from New York, I experienced consistently fast speeds of over 70Mbps, which is excellent for streaming CW shows without interruptions. Besides, it provides unlimited bandwidth and data, allowing you to stream as much as you want for as long as you need.

The VPN offers an extensive network, including numerous servers located in the US. Some servers are specially optimized for popular US platforms that let you stream CW content, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube TV. They’re the most reliable options for secure streaming sessions while in the US. These optimized servers are in a separate “For streaming” tab, so you can easily find them.

I was disappointed to see that the monthly plan is costly and offers a relatively short 14-day refund period. But if you opt for a long-term plan, you can get CyberGhost for as low as $2.19/month, providing substantial savings. Additionally, the long-term subscriptions come with an extended money-back guarantee, giving you a generous 45-day period to try out CyberGhost risk-free.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. CyberGhost allows you to select which apps utilize the VPN connection and which use your regular internet traffic. So you can use a VPN to watch the CW while using your normal connection to check your banking apps and avoid triggering annoying CAPTCHA.
• App rules. This feature lets you add your favorite apps to a list, like the CW app, and CyberGhost automatically launches and connects when you open them.
• Fast WireGuard protocol. Providing a balance between security and speed, WireGuard lets you stream The CW seamlessly & throttle-free, and it is compatible with major operating systems.
• WiFi Protection. You can configure CyberGhost to launch automatically when connecting to public WiFi to keep your streaming sessions safe even on unprotected hotspots.

3. PIA — Vast Network With Many US Servers to Watch The CW Interruption-Free

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a vast server network, including 53 US locations. Having many US servers means that you can avoid overcrowding. Even if one server doesn’t work, you have plenty of alternatives to rely on. While in New York, I tested some nearby US servers and the 2 streaming-optimized locations — there were no issues whatsoever.

You can also see the latency of each US server — lower numbers indicate faster speeds

However, while testing servers in more distant US locations, I did encounter some inconsistencies with my speeds compared to my experiences with ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. They dropped by an average of 30%, which is not bad, but it can be if your base speeds are slow to begin with. However, with a wide selection of US servers, you can easily connect to a different local server to see if it gives you faster speeds.

Subscriptions start from only $2.19/month. I chose a yearly plan, which is the most pocket-friendly. Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try PIA with CW for free.

Useful Features

• Customization options. With PIA, you can take control over a lot of the settings if you want to or even change the look of the app by replacing some widgets. Otherwise, it comes pre-configured, so you don’t have to change anything to stream CW shows. I switched to WireGuard protocol and AES 128-bit encryption to maximize my connection speeds.
• Dedicated IPs. For a small fee, it’s possible to get a dedicated US IP address only you can use. Not sharing an IP minimizes the chances that someone’s rule-breaking activity could be linked to your device.
• Quick Connect. PIA’s desktop app comes with movable widgets, and one of them is Quick Connect. This widget displays the last 6 locations that you used so you can quickly connect to them again with no fuss.

Where Can I Watch The CW Online?

CW is only available in the US due to its broadcasting restrictions. It determines your location by examining your IP address, which provides information about where you are. This means that you won’t be able to access it if you're not in the US. You’ll likely see this error message:

Note: While VPNs could allow you to get a US IP address when you’re abroad, this breaks the terms and conditions of streaming platforms and could even be seen as copyright infringement.

However, you can watch The CW for free on its website while in the US. Since CW doesn’t ask you to create an account, you can simply navigate to the CW website and enjoy its shows. CW also offers the possibility to watch its full library in its app. This app can be downloaded for iOS, Apple TV, Android, Roku, Chromecast, and Xbox.

You can also watch The CW in the US via other streaming services, but these options aren’t free:

• Netflix US. Netflix US is an excellent platform to enjoy CW shows in HD and UHD. With a wide range of popular CW series such as The Flash and Riverdale, among others, Netflix offers a diverse collection of CW content. Subscription costs vary based on the number of screens you need, allowing you to customize your viewing experience.
• YouTube TV. The CW is available in YouTube TV’s channel lineup. However, there is a subscription cost to access it. YoutTube TV is also supported on Roku, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Chromecast.
• Hulu. Hulu offers access to CW programming, although availability may vary depending on your location. It's important to note that while some CW shows are accessible on Hulu, you may need to add the Hulu + Live TV option to your plan, which comes with an additional cost.
• Amazon Prime US. While live programming from the CW isn’t offered on Prime Video, you can still discover and stream select CW shows and movies or purchase them on Amazon Prime US. By searching for CW titles, I watched episodes of Gossip Girl and 90210 at the time of testing.
• Fubo TV. Fubo TV offers CW as a channel that you can add to select subscriptions. It is compatible with various streaming devices, including Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Chromecast.
• DirecTV. DirecTV offers CW as part of its channel lineup in certain areas. However, channel availability may vary depending on your location and the specific package you have subscribed to. To confirm if CW is included in your DirecTV subscription, you can check their channel guide or contact DirecTV customer support for accurate and up-to-date information.

FAQs on Watching The CW With a VPN

Is it legal to use a VPN to watch CW online?

Using a VPN to watch The CW TV online is legal in most countries. In fact, VPNs with military-grade encryption let you watch The CW privately while in the US, even on public WiFi networks. However, you should respect the platform’s ToS and copyright laws while using a VPN. Besides, select countries (like China and Russia) ban some VPNs, meaning you should familiarize yourself with the local laws beforehand.

Can I watch CW without cable?

Yes, you can. Several options are available to stream CW online without traditional cable services. While in the US, you can watch CW content through various streaming platforms and apps that offer live TV or on-demand content. These include YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and the official CW app. Some CW shows are available on popular streaming services like US Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

What devices is The CW app compatible with?

The CW app is compatible with various devices (including Kindle and Xbox One), allowing you to watch your favorite shows on multiple platforms. The best VPNs are also compatible with various OSs, letting you stream The CW from the US without ISP throttling. Here are some devices that support The CW app:

• Mobile devices. The CW app is available for iOS (iPhone and iPad), and Android devices.
• Smart TVs. The CW app is compatible with popular smart TV brands such as Samsung, LG, and Vizio. You can download The CW app directly from the app store or access The CW website via the TV’s internet browser.
• Streaming devices. The CW app can be installed on streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast, and Apple TV.
• Web browsers. You can also access the CW app on your Windows or Mac computer through supported web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

How can I watch The CW on Roku, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TV, and Apple TV?

You can easily watch The CW on Roku, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TV, Apple TV, and other devices as long as you’re in the US, where The CW is available. It is relatively straightforward, even for beginners. You can follow the steps below to easily watch The CW on the above-mentioned devices:

1. Navigate to a respective app store (like Roku Channel Store, Amazon Appstore, Samsung Smart Hub, or Apple’s App Store).
2. Search for The CW app. Install the app, launch it, and follow the on-screen instructions to activate the app by visiting cwtv.com/activate and entering the provided activation code.
3. Enjoy watching CW shows. You’re all set to watch CW content on your favorite device.

Please note that the activation process may vary slightly for each device, but the general steps involve installing The CW app, launching it, and following the on-screen instructions to activate it by visiting the designated activation URL and entering the provided activation code.

What can I do if The CW is not working with my VPN?

Not all VPNs have reliable networks and high-tier leak protection to work with The CW. If you have problems accessing The CW while in the US, connect to another local VPN server. Here are a few tips you can try if the problems persist:

• Clear your browser’s cache. Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can help resolve any temporary connection issues. Go to your browser's settings or preferences and find the option to clear the cache.
• Disable browser extensions. Specific browser extensions or add-ons can interfere with the site. Temporarily turn off any VPN-related or ad-blocking extensions and try watching The CW again.
• Try a different device or browser. If you're experiencing issues with The CW on one device or browser, try accessing it from another device or browser to see if the problem persists.
• Access in incognito mode. Logging in to The CW site via a private (incognito) browsing mode can fix the connection error.
• Contact the VPN provider’s support. If none of the above steps resolve the issue, reach out to your VPN provider's support team via 24/7 live chat or email.

Can I watch CW on Amazon Prime?

Yes, you can watch The CW shows on Amazon Prime if you’re accessing the streaming platform from inside the US. Remember that Amazon Prime Video provides a selection of The CW shows and movies for on-demand streaming. Plus, a VPN with robust security can prevent ISP speed throttling for The CW streaming if you have connection problems in the States.

What can I watch on The CW?

CW offers a wide variety of TV shows, movies, and original content. The network boasts an extensive range of genres, including drama, comedy, superhero, supernatural, and more. Some popular shows available on The CW include The Flash, Riverdale, Kung Fu, Gotham Knights, Superman & Lois, All American, Nancy Drew, The Rising, and many more. In addition to scripted series, The CW also features reality shows, game shows, and special events.

The CW also has the air rights to the 2023 LIV Golf League, bringing exciting golf tournaments to its viewers. The CW is geo-restricted and works in the US only, meaning you can watch it from the US.

Can I watch CW online for free in Canada, the UK, or India?

It’s highly unlikely you can watch it for free. However, services like Netflix and Amazon Prime in Canada, the UK, and India sometimes carry shows from The CW in their libraries and might offer free trials. Just bear in mind that the availability of specific shows can vary by region and over time, depending on licensing agreements. Platforms like Google Play, Amazon, or iTunes may also offer episodes of The CW shows for purchase in these countries.

Securely Watch The CW in Minutes

VPNs are the best way to watch The CW in UHD without buffering or privacy risks. By protecting your IP address and online activities, you keep your data safe while steaming on public WiFi. It also prevents ISPs from intentionally reducing your speeds for high-bandwidth activities or particular online platforms.

ExpressVPN is my top recommendation to watch The CW securely. It offers reliable US servers, impressive speeds, and user-friendly apps, ensuring smooth streaming without interruptions. It’s also compatible with many devices, including Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, and Apple TV. Better yet, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free, as it’s backed by a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching The CW privately…

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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