Zee5 is a prominent Indian streaming service with unlimited entertainment. It was established in 2018 and has grown to include a wide selection of Bollywood and international titles. While Zee5 is available in more than 190 countries, it is unavailable in the USA due to licensing issues. You’ll get an error message if you try to access it in the US.
But don’t worry; you can easily bypass all the geo-restrictions with a virtual private network (VPN) and watch all your favorite TV shows, movies, web series, and other content. It will replace your actual IP address with an Indian-specific one to trick Zee5 that you are streaming from India.
Read on to learn how to watch Zee5 from the US, the best Zee5 VPNs, the benefits of using a VPN, why you should avoid free VPNs and more.
A quick guide on how to stream Zee5 abroad
- Sign up for a reputable VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN because it has stood the test of time and still delivers high-quality services.
- Download the app on your mobile device or the desktop client.
- Install and open your VPN.
- Enter your login credentials.
- Connect to an Indian server and start streaming Zee5.
Best VPNs to access Zee5 in the USA
There are thousands of VPNs available, and choosing the right one is a major challenge. Our extensive testing involved over 30 VPN services to determine which is best to watch Zee5 abroad. We based our research on the following criteria:
- Unblocking capability
- Indian servers
- Sufficient speeds for streaming
- Robust security and privacy
- Customer support
Based on our extensive tests, here are the top 3 VPNs to stream Zee5 outside India:
1. ExpressVPN
Excellent VPN to stream Zee5 in the US. The provider has a reputation for robust security, outstanding speeds, connection reliability, and a huge network offering numerous India IPs.
3,000+ servers across 94 countries
AES-256-bit encryption
DNS/IPv6 leak protection
P2P support
Network-lock feature
TrustedServer technology
Allows up to 5 simultaneous devices
30 days money back guarantee
Pros
- Several Indian servers
- Superfast speeds
- Advanced security
Cons
- Slightly pricier
ExpressVPN operates a network of more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries distributed in 160 locations. There are three servers in India, so you can easily access Zee5 and other geo-blocked content from anywhere. The TrustedServer technology will make the servers run on RAM to protect your privacy.
Typically, nearby servers are fast because the traffic has to travel a short distance. For example, the distance between the US and India is more than 13,000 kilometers, and you’d expect slow speeds.
Surprisingly, most ExpressVPN servers are super fast. We could barely notice a decrease in our speeds while testing. With the providers’ unlimited bandwidth and data, you can stream Zee5 in the USA smoothly.
This top India VPN has an impressive unblocking capability and will quickly surpass any geo-block. Connect to a server either in Mumbai or Chennai to stream Zee5 from the US in high definition.
Besides Zee5, ExpressVPN also bypasses restrictions of other popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Sling TV, DAZN, and many more. It also works for unblocking Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and other apps and websites often blocked by schools and employers.
In terms of privacy, ExpressVPN uses state-of-the-art security features. First, the provider combines AES 256-bit encryption with SHA 512 HMAC, AES 256-bit cipher, and 4096-bit RSA key encryption.
Second, the PFS (Perfect Forward Secrecy) will make your current session unrelated to the previous ones by changing your encryption key. Third, it uses multiple security protocols, including OpenVPN UDP/TCP, PPTP, and L2TP/IPsec. The app will automatically choose the best protocol based on your connection needs.
ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than some of its close competitors in the market. Moreover, there is only a slight drop in price from the monthly plan to the 6-month plan. The service is more affordable on the annual plan, cuts the price by nearly 50%, and offers three free months.
2. NordVPN
Our number one recommendation for Zee5 streaming. Boasts an impressive list of unique features with an affordable long-term plan.
5,000+ servers in 60 countries
Supports P2P sharing
AES-256-bit encryption
Zero-logs policy
SmartPlay feature
Double VPN
DNS/IPv6 leak protection
6 simultaneous devices
30 days money-back guarantee
Pros
- Unblocks Indian Zee5 worldwide
- Speedy servers for streaming
- Easy to use apps
Cons
- Takes longer to connect with distant servers
NordVPN has a massive server network of over 5,000 servers in 59+ countries. There are more than 30 Indian servers, so you can watch Zee5 abroad. Unfortunately, it still uses hard drive storage on servers instead of RAM like its competitors. This means your data is held on physical hard drives until it is deleted manually.
A VPN connection is expected to lower speeds because of the encryption process. NordVPN uses superior servers, and the drop in your speed will not be noticeable. The Quick Connect feature will connect you to the fastest server available. However, since you need to bypass Zee5’s geo-restrictions, you will have to connect to Indian servers manually.
NordVPN will bypass any geo-block on its way. It has a SmartPlay feature designed to get past geo-restrictions and maintain your security and privacy. Even when you connect to international servers, your streaming quality will be ultra HD. It also unblocks other widely used streaming giants such as CTV Canada, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Videos.
The VPN is compatible with all major operating systems, including Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux. This means you can watch Zee5 content on your laptop, PC, smartphone, tablet, etc. Furthermore, it allows you to use the VPN on six different devices simultaneously with one subscription. Still, you can install NordVPN on your WiFi router to be free to use VPN on any device connected to your network.
NordVPN uses AES-256 encryption to protect your data and keep your activities completely anonymous. It strengthens the encryption with perfect forward secrecy, a 2048-bit DH key, and SHA2-384 authentication for maximum protection.
The VPN’s pricing structure is very competitive. It has three plans that are priced differently but have the same features. While the monthly plan is priced slightly higher, you can choose the annual plan that cuts the cost by nearly 50%. The 2-year plan offers the best deal with a 68% discount. Use its 30-day money-back guarantee to test the features before committing to a plan.
3. Surfshark
The most budget-friendly VPN to watch Zee5 outside India. Given its huge server network, you can also unblock other streaming platforms in India while watching Zee5 on your local IP.
3,200+ servers in 65 countries worldwide
AES-256-bit encryption
P2P optimized servers
MultiHop mode
DNS leak protection
Automatic kill switch
CleanWeb feature
Camouflage-mode
Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
30 days money-back guarantee
Pros
- Works well with Zee5
- Smooth user experience
- Responsive customer support
Cons
- Slow connections on some Indian servers
Surfshark has recently extended its server network to become one of the biggest on the market. Now it has over 3,200 servers in 65 countries, with three Indian server locations. This means you can easily access Zee5 and other geo-blocked content and services from the country.
A slow VPN will impact your ability to stream Zee5 in the US. Surfshark has high-speed servers, and the drop in your speed will be minimal. You will still get consistent speeds to watch your favorite content without any connection failures.
Surfshark is a great VPN to unblock geo-blocked content and services. With several Indian servers, you will easily get past Zee5’s restrictions and watch from anywhere. It also works well with HBO Go, BBC iPlayer, etc.
Activate its CleanWeb feature to block intrusive ads for a smoother streaming experience. The VPN also prevents malware and trackers that might compromise your privacy and security.
It will guard your data and activities with AES 256-bit encryption. There is also a MultiHop feature that will pass your traffic through two servers for extra security. The automatic kill switch will temporarily halt your traffic if your VPN connection breaks.
The provider has feature-filled apps for almost all platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. There also are Firefox, Chrome, and Edge secure browser extensions. You can use the SmartDNS feature to stream Zee5 on devices that don’t work with VPNs. It supports unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can watch Zee5 on as many devices as possible.
Surfshark has three main plans to meet different budget needs. Like NordVPN, the monthly plan is slightly pricier, but the 6-month plan saves you 50%. The 2-year plan has the biggest saving cutting the initial cost by 81%. In addition, it allows you to test the service risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why you need to use a VPN to access Zee5 in the USA
Zee5 is available everywhere else except in the US. Even if you have a Zee5 subscription, you will probably get an error message if you try to access it in the country.
A VPN is the best way to bypass the restrictions and stream Zee5 from anywhere worldwide. It will enable you to get an Indian IP address. That will trick Zee5 into believing you are streaming within the country, allowing you access to your favorite content.
Furthermore, a VPN will also prevent your ISP from throttling your bandwidth for whatever reason. This will even help to improve your speeds for seamless streaming. The VPNs we reviewed above offer unlimited bandwidth and data, so you’ll stream without interruptions or lags.
Besides Zee5, a VPN will also help you access Hotstar outside India and other Indian streaming services such as SonyLIV, Hotstar, etc. Other advantages of a VPN include the following;
- Avoid price discrimination
- Prevent government censorship
- Maintains your online privacy
- Access regional sports
- Cheaper long-distance calls
Watching Zee5 in Canada, the UK, and Australia
The process of accessing Zee5 in the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere globally is identical to that of the USA we covered above. Use the following simple steps to watch Zee5 no matter where in the world you are right now.
- Subscribe to a reliable VPN service. Again, NordVPN is our number one recommendation for Zee5.
- Download and install the app.
- Connect to an Indian server.
- Visit the Zee5 website and enjoy a wide range of content.
Why you should avoid free VPNs to access Zee5 outside India
VPN’s popularity is increasing as more people are concerned with their online privacy. Right now, there are thousands of providers that promise to keep you safe and secure.
Premium VPNs will require you to purchase a subscription to enjoy the protection. On the other hand, some VPNs claim to maintain your privacy and security at no cost. This may sound like a great deal, but it is actually a trap in most cases. Not only a free VPN will hardly enable you to watch Indian Channels in the USA, but it could also harm your privacy.
Running a VPN network is expensive, so premium VPNs require you to buy a subscription. However, it also helps them to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing internet privacy world.
Many VPNs that promise to offer completely free services use hidden tricks and tools to make money from their customers. These tactics are fraudulent and dangerous but also eliminate the need to use a VPN in the first place.
As you can see, a free VPN will compromise your online privacy and ruin your internet experience. That is why we advise you to use premium VPNs. The VPNs we have reviewed in this guide offer sufficient speeds, servers across the globe, and watertight security.
Conclusion
Zee5 is a popular Indian streaming service that is rich in content. No doubt about that. It has grown exponentially quickly and is now available in more than 190 countries. Unfortunately, the site is unavailable in the US, and you will need a VPN to access it.
A good VPN will hide your IP address to bypass the geo-restrictions. Our top recommendation is ExpressVPN, which has blazing-fast speeds to stream Zee5 in the USA smoothly. And, of course, as you have reached this end, we are confident you would be through by now already. Still, if you get stuck on the way or have any questions, please let us know via the comments box below.
FAQs
Currently, no laws in the United States prohibit VPN usage. This means using a VPN to bypass Zee5’s geo-restrictions is perfectly legal in the USA. However, you should only use a VPN for lawful purposes, such as streaming Zee5. In addition, you will easily get into trouble if you use it for illegal activities such as downloading and sharing copyrighted material.
Zee5 is geo-blocked; a VPN is the only way you can access it in the US. It will change your IP address to trick Zee5, which you are streaming within India.
Besides India, Zee5 is available in over 190 countries, including Canada, the UK, Australia, and more. However, remember that the Indian Zee5 offers more and the latest content. Also, Zee5 India is more affordable and has free content as well.
It will mainly depend on the VPN service you are using. For example, ExpressVPN and NordVPN allow you to use 5 and 6 simultaneous devices, respectively. However, both VPN services work well with routers, meaning you can connect more devices. On the other hand, Sursfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections allowing you to use as many devices as possible.
You can stream Zee5 on all Samsung smart TVs as the company has recently partnered with Samsung. The VPNs we have reviewed on this list are compatible with various routers. This will allow you to stream Zee5 on devices that don’t work with VPNs, such as smart TVs, PS4 consoles, etc.
The only way to watch Zee5 for free is through the Indian library. You can stream plenty of free content, with even a ‘free Hindi shows’ category.
