How to Watch National Geographic Online in 2024

Are you wild about National Geographic TV? Nat Geo streams its current season episodes for free on its website, but you’ll need a paid US TV subscription to watch them. Due to copyright deals, you’ll be able to watch your favorite Nat Geo shows, like MARS and Life Below Zero, only if you’re in the US. Nat Geo is available to stream in full on Hulu as well, which is also exclusive to the US.

A high-quality VPN can give you a US IP address, hypothetically allowing you to access all of Nat Geo’s catalog from anywhere, but this is considered copyright infringement. It also breaks the platform’s terms and services. If you’re outside the US and have time on your hands, Nat Geo uploads its latest shows 60 days after the season finishes in the US.

If you’re already in the US, though, ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for streaming Nat Geo in HD. In this guide, I’ll show you how to use a VPN to stream without buffering while protecting your data. 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.

Watch National Geographic in HD >>

Best VPNs for Watching National Geographic

1. ExpressVPN - Unparalleled Speeds for Watching Nat Geo

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Tested December 2024

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

When it comes to sheer speed, ExpressVPN blows away most of the competition. In fact, ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN for watching content right now. It also combines those exceptional speeds with unlimited bandwidth, allowing you to watch as much National Geographic content from the US as you please with a minimal amount of lag. You can choose any of the 24 US server locations closest to you in the US for the best speeds. This will allow you to stream in HD on any US platform you like, including Hulu and HBO GO in addition to Nat Geo. All servers in the US have Lightway - an advanced protocol which offers an excellent blend of speed and security.

ExpressVPN isn’t just for streaming, however. Its state-of-the-art security package excels at protecting your personal information and privacy. No logs whatsoever are kept here, AES-256 encryption is in place, and there’s also a DNS leak test.

If you’d like to try it risk-free, you can actually check out this highly-rated VPN today with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also offers free trials of up to 7 days for mobile users.

2. CyberGhost - Best for Streaming-Optimized Servers

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost is a super speedy choice for streaming. With unlimited bandwidth and a pre-configured profile just for streaming, you’ll be binge-watching as many National Geographic shows in HD as you like, no matter which US city you’re in.

It operates in over 100 countries, with 11 locations in the US alone. If one server ever gets overcrowded and too slow for streaming Nat Geo, you’ll easily find another working one wherever you are in the US. Top-notch security features will also protect your connection while you do so, including military-grade encryption and an extra-strict no-logs policy.

You can see for yourself why CyberGhost is a popular choice thanks to its generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

3. Private Internet Access - Widest Server Selection

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

Private Internet Access has the widest server selection of any VPN on my list. There are over 29,650 available at the time of writing, including 14,000+ in the USA alone. This means that you should never struggle to find a nice, quiet server for watching National Geographic near you in the US.

There's a remarkable selection of security features available with PIA, making it an excellent choice for advanced users. You have the flexibility to choose between quicker 128-bit or safer 256-bit AES encryption. Additionally, there are several protocols to choose from, each offering distinct combinations of speed and security.

Finally, all Private Internet Access apps are extremely easy to use, even for complete beginners. You’re welcome to confirm this for yourself too, courtesy of a 30-day money-back guarantee.

FAQs

Can I use a free VPN to watch Nat Geo?

Free VPNs are always a tempting option, given that they don’t require a paid subscription. There are certainly some decent services out there, but even the best free VPNs can’t compete with their premium competitors. Server selections tend to be significantly smaller, and connection speeds much slower. Many also come with bandwidth limits, capping the amount of Nat Geo you can watch, while others have been known to sell your data for marketing purposes.

Where am I allowed to use a VPN to watch Nat Geo?

Only a handful of countries have actually banned VPNs. These include places like Russia, China, Turkey, and the UAE. Actually enforcing these laws is incredibly difficult, but - if you want to be 100% safe - don’t use a VPN in those countries. You’re allowed to watch Nat Geo with a VPN within the licensed regions and, as long as it’s for a legitimate, legal purpose. Watching Nat Geo is fine, for example, but distributing its content for profit is obviously illegal.

Can I use the Nat Geo mobile app with a VPN?

Absolutely. All of my recommended VPNs come with mobile apps alongside their desktop versions. Simply download one from the App Store or Google Play, log in to your account, and connect to a server closest to you in the US. This will give you the best connection for streaming because the distance influences speed. If on-the-go streaming is a priority for you, check out our top 10 apps for Android and iOS devices.

What else can I watch by using a VPN?

A VPN theoretically allows you to stream BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, HBO, or Dinsey+ from anywhere, but this goes against the T&Cs of these platforms. Not only that, it’s considered copyright infringement. However, you can legally use a VPN from within the licensed regions to stream safely in HD. A top-class VPN will protect your privacy and help you avoid ISP throttling, allowing you to stream uninterrupted.

Summary

If you’re in the US, you have the option to stream National Geographic's complete library on Hulu. Alternatively, you can view the specific shows and episodes you want after 60 days. A VPN can theoretically give you access to full Nat Geo content from anywhere, but this is construed as a copyright violation.

However, you are free to use a VPN from within the licensed country for privacy and streaming purposes. For that, ExpressVPN is my top recommendation because it provides data protection to keep your personal information secure from hackers and great speeds for HD streaming.

To summarize, the best VPNs for Watching National Geographic Online in 2024 are...

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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