Trying to watch SRF online from abroad? We explain exactly how you can unblock and stream SRF outside of Switzerland with the help of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) plus the best VPNs for the job.

If you try to access SRF content outside Switzerland (be it live or on-demand), you’ll encounter the following message: “Dieser Inhalt ist ausserhalb der Schweiz nicht verfügbar”.

This translates as “This content is not available outside Switzerland”. Geo-blocking such as this is typically due to copyright and licensing agreements. However, you can bypass these regional restrictions and watch SRF online from anywhere using a VPN.

So how can a VPN help? Simply, these services take your internet traffic and route it through an encrypted tunnel. They also provide you with a different IP address. By connecting to a server in Switzerland, you can get a Swiss IP address even if you’re in another country entirely. This tricks websites into thinking you’re located in Switzerland, causing them to unblock their geo-restricted content. Best of all, VPNs are actually very simple to use!

How to watch SRF online abroad (outside Switzerland) with a VPN

No matter which VPN you end up choosing, the signup and setup process will be very similar. Indeed, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

Here’s how to stream SRF online from anywhere:

  • Sign up with a VPN that unblocks SRF. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
  • Next, you’ll need to download and install the VPN app or browser extension for your streaming device.
  • Open the VPN app and connect to a server in Switzerland. You’ll then have a Swiss IP address for unblocking SRF abroad.
  • Go to the SRF website or SRF app. Remember, you don’t need an account to view its content (which should now be unblocked in your location).
  • Note that you may need to clear your browser’s cookies for changes to register. If it still doesn’t work, you should contact your VPN’s customer support.

When it comes to VPNs, there are a number of factors to take into consideration. Speed, server count, and security are all important. To make your decision easier, we only selected VPNs that offer all of the following:

There are no hidden terms - just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

  • Servers in Switzerland for unblocking SRF
  • Fast speeds so you can stream lag-free
  • Encryption and a no-logs policy for safe, anonymous browsing
  • Live chat and email support available 24 hours a day
  • Allows at least five simultaneous connections per account
  • Money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free

You can read all about the best VPNs for SRF further below. First, here’s a short summary of each in case you’re in a hurry.

Best VPNs for SRF:

Best VPNs for SRF

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for SRF:

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

unblocks srfTested Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our top choice for unblocking SRF. This is one of the larger, more established VPNs on the market with a network of nearly 5,500 servers. Some 100 of these servers are located in Switzerland, allowing you to unblock and watch SRF online from anywhere with ease. However, it’s not just about server quantity. Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth means NordVPN is a high quality option for streaming. In fact, it also works well with Netflix.

This VPN offers more choice than most when it comes to server types. That’s because it offers specialty servers including some optimized for P2P traffic and Double VPN connections. It’s also a highly secure service to use thanks to 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. NordVPN is a no-logs service and completed its second no-logs audit by PWC Switzerland in July 2020. Should you need it, 24/7 live chat and email support is available.

BEST VPN FOR SRF:NordVPN is our top choice for watching SRF. It’s fast and has over 100 servers in Switzerland. Also unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer. P2P and Double VPN servers available. Strict no-logs policy and 24/7 support. With the 30-day money-back guarantee, you’ll have the chance to try it out risk-free.

Pros:

Cons:

  • Suffered a data breach in 2018

Our score:

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

unblocks srfTested Jan 2023

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark allows you to get a Swiss IP address and stream SRF. In fact, with over 3,200 servers in 65 countries, this is a great choice for accessing geo-restricted content worldwide. It even works well with streaming services including Netflix and Disney+. What’s more, Surfshark provides fast server speeds and doesn’t engage in bandwidth throttling. This VPN provider stands out for allowing unlimited simultaneous connections.

You’ll find 24/7 support via live chat and email. If you’d like an extra layer of security, you can always connect to one of Surfshark’s MultiHop (Double VPN) servers. There’s no shortage of security features with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection all serving to keep you safe online. Impressively, Surfshark was named Best Cybersecurity Company in South America at the 2021 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards.

BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark offers fast speeds and unthrottled bandwidth for lag-free streaming of SRF, Netflix, and more. Unlimited simultaneous connections and Double VPN servers. Includes 24/7 support and operates a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Unblocks streaming services including SRF and Netflix

  • Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth for lag-free streaming

  • Secure as many of your devices as you like simultaneously

  • Double VPN servers provide an extra layer of encryption

  • Offers 24/7 support via live chat and email

  • Occasionally slow to connect to servers

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs you can use for browsing and streaming region-locked content. That’s because it has a very large server network (over 3,000 servers) in 94 countries. Its servers in Switzerland are very fast and there are no bandwidth limits, two characteristics that make lag and buffering unlikely. ExpressVPN is one of the more consistent VPNs when it comes to unblocking. In fact, it works well with many different Netflix libraries.

While ExpressVPN’s apps are very easy to navigate, it offers excellent customer support which is available 24/7. Once connected, your privacy is protected through its use of 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. You can use its apps to connect up to five of your devices at the same time. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any logs by which you can be identified and accepts Bitcoin, allowing for online anonymity.

FASTEST VPN:ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN we’ve tested. Ideal for streaming SRF and Netflix. Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries. Strong security with encryption. Includes 24/7 support and offers user-friendly apps for most platforms. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Fastest VPN we’ve tested — ideal for streaming SRF

  • Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries for unblocking content worldwide

  • User-friendly apps as well as 24/7 live chat and email support

  • Strong security thanks to encryption and kill switch feature

  • Doesn’t keep any identifying logs of its users

  • Slightly more expensive than most rival VPNs

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost stands out if you’re looking for a VPN with a large server network. With more than 7,000 servers in 90 countries, you can use it to access a wide range of geo-restricted content around the world. This includes SRF thanks to its 150+ servers in Switzerland, all of which offer unlimited bandwidth and are optimized for P2P traffic. With CyberGhost, you have the option of connecting up to seven devices at once — this is more than most VPNs allow.

With its strict no-logs policy, CyberGhost ensures your privacy is protected. Indeed, you can browse safe from hackers and snoopers because it uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure your internet traffic. There’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection and an automatic kill switch. CyberGhost continues to add to its impressive array of security features, as evidenced by its password manager which is now in beta-testing. It also includes 24/7 support via live chat.

150+ SERVERS IN SWITZERLAND:CyberGhost has 7,000+ servers in 90 countries and over 150 in Switzerland. Unlimited bandwidth and allows up to seven simultaneous connections. 24/7 support and a strict no-logs policy. 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • 7,000+ servers in 90 countries including 100 in Switzerland

  • Doesn’t throttle your bandwidth so you can stream SRF lag-free

  • Use on up to seven of your devices at the same time

  • Protects your privacy with encryption and a no-logs policy

  • Live chat and email support 24 hours a day

  • Doesn’t work well in China

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish sets itself apart by allowing users to connect as many devices as they want simultaneously. It also has a dozen servers in Zurich, Switzerland for unblocking and watching SRF while traveling abroad. In total, this VPN’s network consists of over 1,600 servers and upwards of 40,000 IP addresses, after recent infrastructure updates. This allows you to access a variety of content including streaming services like Netflix US.

A subscription to this VPN service includes 24/7 support via live chat as well as email. Once connected to a server, all of your data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also protection from DNS leaks and a kill switch which cuts your internet traffic should the VPN connection drop, preventing exposure of your data. IPVanish is headquartered in the US which is a member of Five Eyes but this shouldn’t matter because it has a zero-logs policy.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish has a dozen servers in Zurich. Works with SRF and Netflix US. Connect as many devices as you like simultaneously. Strong security with encryption and a zero-logs policy. 24/7 live chat and email support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Connect all of your devices at the same time

  • Good speeds and unlimited bandwidth

  • Works well with SRF as well as Netflix US

  • Encryption keeps you safe from hackers and snoopers

  • Headquartered in the US which is a Five Eyes member

  • No option of anonymous payment (Bitcoin)

Read our full IPVanish review.

6. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN has a smaller network of servers but these are spread across over 60 countries, Switzerland included. Perhaps its greatest advantage is its high-speed connections and unlimited bandwidth. This means you can stream in 1080p HD (and even 4K) without lag or buffering. It’s also a solid choice for unblocking streaming platforms. Aside from SRF, it’s able to access the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ from anywhere.

The apps of PrivateVPN are easy to navigate and let you connect to a server in seconds. There’s live chat support while the email support is particularly quick to reply compared to other VPN’ tested. With its strict no-logs policy, PrivateVPN ensures that only you know what you’re doing online. This is further reinforced with its use of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and kill switch. It also owns its own servers (as opposed to renting them), and recently became its own ISP, allowing for greater control over your traffic.

Secure up to six devices at the same time by using PrivateVPN apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. However, manual setup is required if you’d like to use this VPN with your wifi router.

PERFECT FOR STREAMING:PrivateVPN offers fast servers in Switzerland and consistent unblocking of SRF, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. User-friendly apps and fast email support. Stay anonymous thanks to its strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • High-speed connections for streaming SRF, Netflix, and more

  • Beginner-friendly apps for desktop and mobile

  • Can be used on up to six devices simultaneously

  • No-logs policy ensures all of your data stays private

  • Smaller network of servers

  • Live chat support isn’t available 24/7

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. Hotspot Shield

Website: www.Hotspotshield.com

                    Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.

With a Hotspot Shield account, you can connect up to five devices at the same time. You’ll also have access to its 24/7 live chat and email support. Security is certainly another of this VPN’s strong suits. You can expect 256-bit AES encryption, protection from DNS leaks, and a kill switch. More recently, Hotspot Shield has added features including automatic wifi protection. Last but not least, this VPN doesn’t keep any identifying logs of its users.

Hotspot Shield users have access to iOS, Android, Linux, MacOS, and Windows apps. This service can also be manually installed on supported routers.

  • Provides servers in 80 countries including Switzerland

  • Doesn’t throttle your bandwidth so you can stream SRF lag-free

  • Includes 24/7 live chat and email support

  • Plenty of security features including high-end encryption

  • Questionable privacy record

  • No Firefox browser extension

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

Our methodology: How we found the best VPNs for SRF

It can be frustrating to travel abroad and find that you can’t access your favorite websites and services. Unfortunately, this is a common issue due to copyright and licensing restrictions. As such, we understand that you need a VPN with strong unblocking ability. We test VPNs to ensure they meet this and the following important requirements:

  • Servers in Switzerland: SRF is only available in Switzerland. For this reason, it’s essential for any VPN included in this post to offer servers in Switzerland. By connecting to this location, you can get a Swiss IP address and watch SRF from anywhere in the world.
  • Speed: The ability to unblock a service is just the first step. It’s also essential that a VPN offers fast server speeds so you can stream SRF live and on-demand. Of course, it also helps if the VPN offers unlimited bandwidth. That way, you can stream SRF lag and buffer-free.
  • Network size: You may find you need to access a website or service from another country entirely. If so, having access to a VPN that offers servers in dozens of countries worldwide is a big help! That’s why we only recommend VPNs with widespread server networks.
  • Security: Security threats are everywhere, irrespective of location. However, you’re at particular risk when traveling abroad, particularly if you’re using public wifi networks. By using a quality VPN, you can have your data encrypted, making it inaccessible to hackers and snoopers alike.
  • Privacy: Like security, privacy is another must when it comes to VPNs. You may find yourself browsing and streaming in a country with extensive online surveillance. We’ve analyzed the VPN logging policies of 140 VPNs so you can see which best lets you maintain your online anonymity.
  • Ease of use: There’s a possibility that this is your very first time using a VPN. If so, you’ll want one that makes it easy to connect to a server or adjust your settings. All of the above-recommended VPNs have user-friendly apps and even offer live chat and email support should you need it.
  • Value for money: You can find a lot of VPNs on the market, many of which are similarly priced. However, the features they offer can vary significantly. We’ve tested many different VPNs and found those we feel offer the best value for money. In fact, promo coupons are available so you can save even more!

The above is just some of the criteria we look for in a VPN. Our VPN testing methodology involves extensive hands-on research. This allows us to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information available for each VPN service to help you make an informed decision.

Can I use a free VPN to watch SRF?

Some free VPNs might unblock SRF. However, there are still a number of issues to keep in mind. In particular, free VPNs don’t offer as many servers as the best paid VPNs. As a result, they tend to have a lot of users on each server which can lead to slower speeds. You’ll notice this in the form of lag and buffering when streaming. Further, while SRF isn’t too difficult for a VPN to unblock, major platforms like Netflix are another story. This is where free VPNs frequently fail.

Another reason to exercise caution when it comes to free VPNs is their lack of security. Some don’t properly protect your data (and many fail to encrypt it at all), leaving you vulnerable to hackers and snoopers. Many make money by spamming you with ads or even logging and selling your browsing data. Overall, free VPNs don’t work well for streaming and rarely allow you to browse with your privacy intact. Instead, you’re best off sticking with the VPNs listed in this post.

What can I watch on SRF?

Once you’re connected to a VPN server in Switzerland and have a Swiss IP address, you’ll be able to stream a variety of content live and on-demand, all without signing in. This includes news, sports, documentaries, TV series, and films. Here are some of the titles currently available at the time of writing:

  • Netz Natur

  • Einstein

  • Bosch

  • Grand Designs

  • Source Code

  • Deville

  • Rundschau

  • In Aller Freundschaft

  • Jamie Oliver

  • Guetnachtgschichtli