How to watch Discovery Plus online from anywhere using a VPN

Want to watch Discovery Plus on vacation? We explain how to stream your favorite shows from overseas and recommend the best VPNs for Discovery Plus.

Discovery Plus is available in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and certain regions across Asia-Pacific and Europe. If you're a Discovery Plus subscriber and find yourself traveling to a country where the service is region-locked due to licensing restrictions, a VPN for Discovery Plus can help you regain access.

A VPN secures your internet connection and grants you an IP address in a remote location. By connecting to a VPN server in the US (or your home country), you can stream Discovery Plus regardless of where you travel.

Most VPNs have been blocked by Discovery Plus and other platforms hosting it, so you must select a VPN provider that’s proven to work. To make your life easier, we tested a bunch of VPNs with Discovery Plus to pinpoint the best ones.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of using a VPN to enjoy Discovery Plus from any location. We'll also recommend the most reliable VPNs with servers optimized for Discovery Plus, so you can stream content from abroad or on restrictive networks at work or school.

How to watch Discovery Plus abroad using a VPN

Whether you travel for work, leisure, or to study abroad, you can use a VPN to regain access to your home streaming services. Even expats who have retired somewhere exotic can use a VPN to log in and stream TV networks and services from overseas.

Not all VPNs work to watch Discovery Plus from abroad, as Discovery works hard to block the majority of VPNs. Luckily, some VPNs know how to get around those blocks. We tested them ourselves; all our recommendations can stream Discovery and a long list of other streaming services.

Using a VPN to watch Discovery Plus abroad is very straightforward. But if you are new to VPNs, here is how it works:

1. Start by registering for a VPN that is suitable for streaming Discovery Plus. We recommend NordVPN because it is super fast, reliable, and secure. You could also opt for Surfshark, which has streaming-optimized servers and is cheap, or ExpressVPN, which is a fantastic all-rounder.
2. Download and install the VPN application onto the device you intend to use for streaming Discovery+. Our recommendations have apps for all devices that let you stream Discovery+ on smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, etc.
3. Launch the VPN app and connect to a server in your home country. Alternatively, if you want to access content from other regions, select a server in any country where Discovery+ is available.
4. Log in to your Discovery+ account and attempt to stream your desired content. If you're not already a Discovery+ subscriber, create an account while connected to the VPN.

Videos should now start playing without any issues. If you have any problems, try clearing your browser cookies and refreshing the page. This should remove any trackers that conflict with your VPN. For additional help, don't hesitate to use your VPN's live chat support.

What are the best VPNs for Discovery Plus?

To help speed up your selection process, we have provided a list of the best VPNs for Discovery Plus. These VPNs offer watertight privacy and security, which means they will prevent local networks, ISPs, and government agencies from tracking you. They also provide robust encryption to protect you against hackers on public WiFi.

In addition to these important privacy and security features, which are essential components of a reliable VPN, they all offer superb value for money and a selection of servers that work to watch Discovery Plus. Use the summaries below to pick the VPN that best suits your needs.

The best VPNs for Discovery Plus:

1. NordVPN: Our top choice for watching Discovery Plus. This provider offers exceptional speed and prides itself on robust security features. It works seamlessly with Discovery Plus, Netflix, and more, all while maintaining a strict no-log policy. Plus, it offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for streaming Discovery Plus. It excels in unblocking content and provides some of the fastest speeds in the market. Additionally, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, making it great for sharing with friends and family. Plus it is packed with privacy features, including a kill switch.
3. ExpressVPN: A highly reputable provider known for its quick and reliable servers and strong emphasis on user privacy. Stream Discovery Plus, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix from anywhere with ease thanks to its Lightway protocol. A touch more expensive than our top recommendations. 
4. CyberGhost: A speedy VPN that effortlessly unblocks a wide range of popular streaming services. It comes with pre-configured security features for added convenience and offers access to over 10,000 servers. Fewer features than our top recommendations, but great for beginners. 45-day money-back guarantee.
5. PrivateVPN: This VPN offers decent speeds and is capable of accessing many popular streaming platforms, including Discovery Plus and over 20 Netflix regions. It adheres to a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activities remain private. Offers port forwarding, making it ideal for torrenting as well as streaming.
6. Atlas VPN: A versatile and quick VPN ideal for streaming Discovery Plus while abroad. It offers a solid set of security features, unlimited bandwidth, and a strict no-logs policy for added privacy. Great speeds and value for money.

Summary Table

Best VPNs for Discovery Plus – testing methodology

Choosing a VPN to enjoy Discovery Plus while abroad can be tricky, especially if you're new to the world of VPNs and aren't sure what features you need. Sub-par VPNs that have already been blocked by leading streaming providers can lead you to waste money on a subscription.

To make matters worse, many VPNs suffer from critical issues including DNS leaks, inadequate encryption, or other vulnerabilities that can compromise your online security and privacy. These issues make the majority of VPNs unsuitable for gaining online privacy, which is an integral reason for using a VPN. 

In this comprehensive guide, we've meticulously curated a list of VPN providers that offer dependable features and robust security measures. Our recommendations have servers that have been tested to watch Discovery Plus content from anywhere.

Below, we've outlined the main criteria we used to select the best VPNs for watching Discovery Plus. To find out more, please visit our methodology article.

• Has a server network that can be used to watch Discovery Plus USA, and access various other regions.
• Fast connection speeds let you watch Discovery in HD and without buffering.
• Strong security and privacy features, ensuring secure access to the internet from anywhere.
• Compatible with smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and other devices.
• A money-back guarantee to let you try the VPN on your own devices.
• A wide choice of servers that work to access other popular online streaming services like Netflix.
• Apps for all platforms that provide robust encryption for your data.
• A strict no-logging policy that ensures the VPN never retains records of your activities.
• Reliable customer support.
• Apps that have been thoroughly tested for DNS and IP leaks.
• Strong AES-256 or Chacha20 encryption that locks your data inside a tunnel and protects it from eavesdroppers.

Besides the features mentioned above, our top three recommendations must also have completed a full third-party security audit. This ensures that the VPN has been checked for vulnerabilities and that you can fully trust the service to protect your data. 

Our top three recommendations all run on diskless servers. These servers run on volatile memory and can easily be erased by pulling the plug in an emergency. This protects users against the possibility of remnant personal data being left on disk in a data center raid.

Watch Discovery Plus at work with a VPN

Although most people want a VPN to watch Discovery Plus on vacation or traveling for work, a VPN can also be useful within your own country. If you have ever been blocked from streaming Discovery Plus at work, in school, or on public WiFi, then you will be happy to know that a VPN can help. The same goes for any geo-restricted content. 

When you connect to a VPN server, you gain an encrypted connection to a server outside of the local WiFi network. This effectively bypasses any restrictions placed on the WiFi by the network administrator. As a result, you can watch TV streams, access social media, or use Reddit, Discord, Twitch, or any other service that has been blocked by your employer.

Workplaces often block access to these services because they are distracting, and bypassing those rules is against company policy. Thus, you always use a VPN at your own risk, and we recommend only using a VPN on your personal devices, and during legitimate downtime, such as during your lunch break.

All the VPNs in this guide employ robust encryption. Nobody can monitor what you're doing online while connected. You can use social media, stream shows, and play games without being found out. Most premium providers allow for smooth streaming, offering features like leak protection in the process. 

Although a VPN can provide you with online privacy, it can’t stop your boss from walking up behind you when you are breaking the rules. Always take care, be sensible, and remember that you use a VPN at your own risk.

Why is Discovery Plus blocked abroad?

Discovery Plus is blocked abroad due to content licensing agreements and geographical restrictions. Broadcasters like Discovery+ typically secure licensing agreements for their shows and documentaries on a country-by-country basis. These agreements limit where the content can be broadcast.

To comply with these contractual obligations, Discovery Plus and other streaming platforms track each visitor's IP address. If you travel abroad, your IP address will change to that of the foreign country you're visiting. As a result, Discovery will serve you an error message that explains the content is not available in that region.

A VPN allows you to bypass these geo-restrictions. They mask your IP address and make it appear as if you are back home or in another region where the content is available. A VPN allows anybody to bypass geo-restrictions and access content on Discovery Plus. 

The only caveat is that streaming platforms have become aware of the use of VPNs. As a result, they are cracking down hard and blocking as many VPNs as possible. You must stick to tried-and-tested VPNs to watch Discovery+.

How to watch Discovery Plus abroad – FAQs

Can I use a free VPN to watch Discovery Plus?

No. Unfortunately, free VPNs are not a suitable option for streaming Discovery+. Free VPN services have a limited number of servers, which makes them susceptible to congestion and slow speeds. Fewer servers make it easier for streaming services like Discovery to blacklist those server IPs. As a result, there are no free VPNs we are aware of that can reliably access Discovery+.

Although we recommend a few free VPNs that do not skimp on privacy or security features, it is important to remember that the free tiers do not work for streaming. Streaming-optimized servers that work to watch Discovery, Netflix, Prime Video, and other services are reserved for paying subscribers.

Reputable VPN providers typically only offer a basic free plan to showcase their service's capabilities and to provide VPN use for people who desperately need one during emergencies such as protests or during elections, when the government often blocks important services. A free VPN also gives people who can't afford a VPN the ability to gain online privacy.

We urge you to remember that the vast majority of free VPNs advertised online and in app stores must be avoided. Many free VPNs have dodgy privacy policies that allow them to harvest user data and sell it to third parties. In addition, free VPNs often lack encryption and suffer from leaks. Using free VPNs is a huge risk to your online privacy.

Where is Discovery+ available?

Discovery Plus initially launched in the UK and the US, but it has since expanded to numerous countries around the world:

• UK
• Ireland
• USA
• Canada
• Brazil
• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• US Virgin Islands
• Denmark
• Finland
• Netherlands
• Italy
• Norway
• Spain
• Sweden
• Turkey
• Poland
• Ukraine
• Belarus
• Moldova
• Georgia
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Uzbekistan
• Turkmenistan
• Tajikistan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Kazakhstan

Is Discovery+ free?

In the US, all Discovery+ content is paid content. Depending on where you live, however, you may be able to watch some content for free on the Discovery+ website. In the UK for example, you can make a free account and watch content from Quest, Really, Quest Red, HGTV, Food Network, and DMAX.

We recommend you head over to the website to find out whether any free content is available on your local version of Discovery+. Alternatively, you can try using a VPN to watch free Discovery content available abroad.

How much does Discovery+ cost?

This depends on where you live. In some countries, Discovery comes bolted onto third-party streaming services like Megogo (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan). 

In other countries like the UK, it is a standalone service that costs £6.99 per month. We recommend you check locally to find out how much the service costs where you live. In the USA, it costs $4.99 per month with ads and $8.99 per month for the ad-free version. 

Can I watch Discovery+ at work with a VPN?

Yes. When you connect to a VPN server, you appear to be outside of your work’s WiFi network. You can access any platform or website that has been blocked by your employer. The VPN’s encryption lets you use restricted services at work, in school, or on other restricted networks without divulging what you’re up to online.

Although our recommendations provide watertight online privacy, we still recommend that you stick to using a VPN on your own devices and during your downtime, such as lunch breaks. Using a VPN when you are supposed to be working could potentially get you in trouble, so take care, and remember that you always use a VPN at your own risk. 

Why can’t I log in to Discovery Plus?

When you log in to Discovery+, the service doesn't automatically redirect you. This can sometimes give the impression that there's a problem. To check whether you are already logged in, click on the Discovery+ logo in the top-left corner. This will take you back to the homepage. If the signup button has changed to “Upgrade,” then you are signed in.

If you still have trouble logging in, then you may have a free account but are in a country where there is no free Discovery content. If this is the case, you will need to either connect to a VPN server in a country where there is some free content or upgrade to a paid plan.

For example, if you signed up on the British site, you won't be able to log in or stream any content on the US site while in America. However, you can use a VPN to log into the Indian version, which offers a free tier. 

Discovery+ does not explain this on its website and instead serves you an error message that says: "Email or password entered incorrectly. Please try again." This can be confusing, but the solution is to connect to a VPN server back home or in a country where your account is valid.

What can I watch on Discovery+?

The content that is available on Discovery Plus varies around the globe. Below, we have included some of the most popular shows that are available on Discovery in the UK and America:

• 90 Day Fiance
• Deadliest Catch
• Mythbusters
• Ghost Adventures
• Goldrush
• Naked and Afraid
• Married at First Sight
• Planet Earth
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
• Iron Chef
• Beat Bobby Flay

Is it illegal to use a VPN to watch Discovery Plus?

Using a VPN to access content on Discovery Plus from abroad is not illegal. However, it may violate the service's terms of use. Theoretically, you could have your account suspended or terminated for accessing Discovery+ outside of your real region, but in practice, we’ve never heard of this happening.

VPNs are 100% legal in all but a handful of countries. We recommend that you check the legality of using a VPN in the country where you reside. Nothing in this guide should be taken as legal advice because we are not attorneys.

What devices can I use to watch Discovery Plus?

The VPNs in this guide have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Firestick, Linux, smart TVs, and routers. 

For other devices, you can set up a laptop or desktop computer as a VPN-protected virtual hotspot, or even install the VPN connection on a VPN-compatible router. This allows you to use the VPN on devices that won’t let you install a VPN directly, such as game consoles and smart TVs. 

Below is a list of devices you can use to watch Discovery:

• iOS devices like iPhones and iPads
• Android devices like smartphones and smart TVs
• Computers operating on Windows, Linux, or macOS
• TV streaming systems like Apple TV, Roku, and Kodi