You wouldn’t believe it, but so many people are absolutely in love with fantasy sports. Another unbelievable nugget of info is that you can earn a hefty sum of money online through PrizePicks.
This website is #1 in fantasy sports but also supports real-life payments, taking the allure of combining your passion with a way to earn money on a whole new level.
The problem is – PrizePicks is banned or blocked in some areas and jurisdictions. No need to give up, though – by installing a premium VPN, you can access the site and also unlock a slew of privacy and security benefits from anywhere in the world.
The options are limitless, so finding the right match is a decent exercise in futility. To spare you from reading tomes of reviews and protect you from making a wrong choice, we rounded up safe and reliable VPNs that effectively unblock PrizePicks from anywhere, cutting down on hours and hours of your research.
Join us as we explore the best VPNs for PrizePicks and show you how the whole thing works.
Key points for accessing PrizePicks securely
- The PrizePicks website is now blocked or restricted in many areas due to various regulations (see the laws in your area).
- A VPN can circumvent geo-restrictions and blocks while also enhancing your online security and privacy. This is essential for a secure and seamless PrizePicks experience. Choosing the right VPN to access PrizePicks is crucial.
- Based on our test results, the best VPN for PrizePicks is currently NordVPN, and it comes with a 74% off coupon here.
For a more general overview, check out our analysis of the best VPNs for online gambling.
Why you need a VPN for PrizePicks
Installing a brand new piece of software for PrizePicks may seem like overkill, but there are plenty of reasons to do so. For starters, a VPN allows you to bypass geo-blocks as it alters your IP address to make it appear as if you’re accessing the site from a different country or area – preferably one where PrizePicks is not blocked.
For instance, you can easily connect to a VPN server in Texas or a California to gain full access to the site, because PrizePicks is allowed to operate in these states.
Apart from bypassing restrictions, VPN use is recommended if you want to dramatically boost your online security and privacy. These solutions come with robust encryption protocols, keeping your data safe from snoopers and hackers.
The added layer of security is paramount when you consider the fact you’ll be betting real money on PrizePicks – the last thing you want to happen is someone stealing your funds.
A VPN may help you achieve a better connection. ISPs aren’t always transparent and may slow down your speed if they conclude you’re using too much bandwidth. Browsing the internet through a VPN hides and masks your activity, so your ISP may stop throttling your connection.
Criteria for finding a PrizePicks VPN
If you’re a fantasy sports enthusiast, you know a thing or two about picking. However, before you dive into PrizePicks, you’ll first have to find an effective VPN solution.
To ease the pain, here’s a definitive list of features you should look for:
- Extensive server network – It’s important for a VPN to have servers in key locations around the world. That way, you’ll never have issues finding a place to connect to where you can access PrizePicks without limitations.
- No-logs policy – No-logs VPNs don’t gather your information, ensuring your fantasy sessions always remain private. While not imperative, you should also seek out a solution that uses RAM servers because these automatically delete data upon each restart. Here’s a list of the best no-logs VPNs available.
- High-end VPN protocol – VPNs rely on advanced protocols to provide users with secure and speedy connections. The best ones are NordLynx, WireGuard, and Lightway.
- Fast connections – Your app should preserve as much of your original bandwidth as possible.
- Reasonable pricing – The best VPN apps in the world offer affordable annual subscriptions without compromising on essential security features.
Ranking the top VPNs for PrizePicks
So many options, so little time. To get you playing sooner, we narrowed down all the available solutions to just four that are guaranteed to work.
Let’s take a closer look:
NordVPN – Ultimate VPN for PrizePicks
Website | NordVPN.com |
Based in | Panama |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $2.99/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 74% Off Coupon |
NordVPN reigns supreme in the industry, and there are countless reasons why. It has the largest VPN network that includes 6,400+ servers in 111 countries – from the USA to Kenya.
Powered by multiple protocols (the best of which is NordLynx), this provider is by far the most dependable and can provide instant connections with more than impressive speeds. We put it through its paces in our detailed NordVPN vs Proton VPN comparison and got top-notch results in most of our speed tests.
Hitting over 750 Mbps is no easy feat and NordVPN does it effortlessly, as you can see in the screenshot below.
The same quality is present in terms of security. NordVPN employs military-grade AES-256 GCM encryption, along with a variety of leak protection tools that protect users from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks.
Plus, as you’d expect in the modern age, NordVPN has an effective kill switch, meaning your real IP address is safe in the event the connection suddenly cuts off.
You’ll be happy to learn that the company also supplies advanced security features that will make your life a lot easier, a few of which include:
- Double VPN Servers – Funnels your connection to an extra server for an added layer of encryption.
- Obfuscated Servers – Hide your VPN usage from your ISP, a crucial feature in areas with strict online censorship. This is why NordVPN is the top VPN for UAE and the best VPN for China.
- Split Tunneling – Allows you to choose which websites and apps use NordVPN traffic and which remain vanilla.
- Threat Protection – Advanced ad blocker that also makes easy work of trackers and malware.
See all NordVPN features here >
NordVPN is super effective in unblocking other gambling sites. It’s a great VPN for Stake, PokerStars, and it’s also a reliable VPN for online casinos – giving you even more gambling options than you bargained for.
No surprise for such a renowned provider, but NordVPN has apps on almost any platform and supports router installation. You’ll also love that it supports 10 simultaneous connections, enabling you to protect the privacy of your entire household.
If you run into any hurdles, NordVPN has an excellent 24/7 customer support team. In case you change your mind after making the purchase, you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee – so when you look at it, NordVPN is also an amazing free trial VPN.
+ Pros
- User-friendly and reliable apps
- Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers
- Passed numerous 3rd-party audits
- Strong encryption standards with full support for WireGuard
- Works with Netflix and many streaming sites
- Threat Protection feature to block ads, trackers, and malware
- Professional 24/7 live chat support
- Consistently fast speeds
- Dedicated RAM-servers with 10 Gbps bandwidth channels
– Cons
- Best discounts only available with 2-year plans
NordVPN’s Black Friday Deal is live:
Get 74% Off NordVPN with 2-year subscriptions plus 3 extra months:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee.)
Get the full picture by navigating to our NordVPN review.
Surfshark – Affordable PrizePicks VPN
Website | Surfshark.com |
Based in | The Netherlands |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $1.99/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 87% Off Coupon |
If the number one on this list is a bit too mainstream for your tastes and you’d rather explore an affordable but equally powerful provider, Surfshark is a perfect match. This Netherlands-based VPN has superb coverage, offering 3,200+ servers scattered around 100 countries.
While NordVPN and ExpressVPN both have their proprietary protocols, Surfshark relies on WireGuard and IKEv2. Nothing inherently wrong with that because WireGuard is characterized by impervious security in combination with lightning-fast connections.
Despite its budget status, Surfshark inches very close to NordVPN in terms of sheer speed, as you can see in the following screenshot fro the NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison.
There are no sacrifices made on the security side either. Surfhsark adheres to a strict no-logs policy and uses RAM servers.
In addition to a kill switch, this provider also strengthens your privacy with a multitude of leak protection features and saves your data from trackers with its AES-256 encryption.
If you’re looking for advanced features, Surfshark certainly has its share of those, including:
- Dynamic MultiHop – Highly customizable double VPN servers.
- CleanWeb – A full-featured ad blocker that’s also effective in eliminating malware and trackers
- NoBorders Mode – Allows you to break through various network restrictions, including government censorship.
- Nexus Technology – Changes your VPN periodically. While inconvenient for online gambling, it can protect you during regular browsing.
- VPN Proxy – Browser extension tailor-made for preventing data leaks and visiting suspicious websites.
- SmartDNS – Changes the DNS address on your device to Surfshark’s DNS servers.
- Obfuscated Servers – Specialized servers that hide VPN usage.
See all Surfshark features here >
For a price starting at $3 per month, it’s impressive that Surfshark is available on a wide array of devices while also giving you unlimited simultaneous connections. The vendor really takes the cake (and eats it as it deserves the honors) as one of the best cheap VPNs.
A 24/7 customer support will take care of any snags that you may experience, and you can rest easy knowing there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
+ Pros
- Unlimited connections
- User-friendly apps for all devices and operating systems
- CleanWeb feature to block ads, trackers, and malware
- Works great with Netflix and many other streaming services
- 24/7 live chat support
- Strong encryption and security features (audited)
– Cons
- Limited support for VPN routers
- Above average monthly prices
Surfshark VPN Coupon:
Get 87% off Surfshark VPN plus an additional 4 months extra with the coupon below:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee)
Explore this service in detail with our full Surfshark review.
ExpressVPN – Tried and tested VPN service
Website | ExpressVPN.com |
Based in | British Virgin Islands |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $6.67/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 49% Off Coupon |
With a decade and a half under its belt, ExpressVPN is a force to be reckoned with. With a network of 3,000+ RAM servers in 105 countries, you can rely on it to unblock geo-restricted sites and enhance your online privacy.
You have plenty of VPN protocols at your disposal. In addition to Lightway (a direct rival to WireGuard), you can also choose L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2, and OpenVPN.
Despite the fact it’s slower than the champions on this list (as you can see in the ExpressVPN vs Surfshark article), it’s more than capable of delivering a solid gaming experience.
Here’s the speed we registered during our tests:
What it lacks in speed, ExpressVPN more than makes up for in the security and privacy department with AES 256 encryption, kill switch, and split tunneling. Plus, it’s a true no-logs VPN that’s been heavily audited by independent parties. For example, Cure53 confirmed in their pen test of the Lightway protocol that the security is unprecedented.
Here’s what you get in terms of advanced features:
- Device Groups – Gives you the ability to connect devices on your network to different VPN servers.
- VPN Proxy – A browser extension that solidified this provider as one of the top VPNs for Chrome.
- PrivateDNS – Safeguards DNS requests without third-party exposure.
- Built-in WebRTC leak test – Tests if your IP is leaking.
- Leak Prevention – Routes your DNS requests through encrypted servers, stopping any leaks.
- Threat Manager – Ad blocker that also protects from malware/trackers.
See all ExpressVPN features here >
Available on several devices, ExpressVPN protects you “over the wire” and on the go. You can also install it on your router to make matters more convenient. When it comes to simultaneous connections, ExpressVPN supports just eight – this may be a deal breaker to some as cheaper services are more favorable in this area.
The 24/7 customer support and a 30-day refund guarantee are also part of the deal.
+ Pros
- User-friendly and secure apps
- Split tunneling feature (for macOS, Windows, and routers)
- Works with Netflix and most streaming services
- 24/7 live chat support
- Passed independent third-party audits for security and no-logs
- Very large server network
– Cons
- Above average prices
- Fewer features than other leading VPNs
ExpressVPN Coupon:
Sign up for the 12-month plan and get 3 months added to your subscription for free.
(Coupon is applied automatically.)
Sift through the full ExpressVPN review to learn if this service is the right fit for you.
IPVanish – Capable and Affordable VPN for PrizePicks
Website | IPVanish.com |
Based in | USA |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $2.19/mo. |
Support | Email and Chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 83% Off Coupon |
Perhaps not as established as other solutions we recommend, IPVanish is more than adequate for general browsing and restriction-busting purposes. The server network may be smaller (only 2,200+ servers in 50 countries) but the VPN does support WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols.
Even though NordVPN is much more consistent in regards to remote servers, you’ll be surprised to learn that IPVanish running on WireGuard is capable of extraordinary speeds. Take a look at this download speed:
When embarking on your fantasy sports adventure, you need to stay protected – something IPVanish excels at. With a no-logs policy, a kill switch, and AES 256 encryption, your personal information is safe and sound.
Do note that IPVanish is based in the US. While this isn’t optimal (curse you NSA), multiple audits confirmed this provider doesn’t share any information with the government.
Some of the more advanced features include:
- SOCKS5 Proxy – Turns off encryption, allowing you to reach impressive speeds. This makes IPVanish one of the most recommended VPNs for torrenting.
- Split tunneling – Routes a part of data through a VPN while allowing apps or websites to keep direct internet access.
- DNS and IPv6 Leak Protection – Prevents your real IP from being exposed.
- Scramble (obfuscation) – Secure servers that help mask VPN use.
See all IPVanish features here >
What else can “the Yank” offer?
Support for multiple devices aside, there’s the option of router installation and unlimited simultaneous connections. This makes it a major rival for Surfshark – check out the full Surfshark vs IPVanish comparison to see which VPN comes out on top.
Despite the fact that IPVanish has a great 24/7 customer service team, the 30-day money-back guarantee is only available with the annual subscription.
+ Pros
- Strong security features, multiple VPN protocols, and a kill switch
Extremely fast and reliable connection speeds
Wide range of reliable apps
Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Audited, no-logs policy
Ability to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer
– Cons
- No cryptocurrency payment options
- Based in the United States
IPVanish Coupon:
Get 75% off IPVanish on 2-year plans with the coupon below:
(Coupon is applied automatically.)
Our full IPVanish review can provide you with additional details.
How to use a VPN to access PrizePicks
At first glance, setting up a VPN for PrizePicks seems like a challenging process. After all, you’re connecting to a server in another country, masking your IP address, and dodging geo-restrictions. In reality, using a VPN is super simple and consists of only a few steps.
Setting up your VPN
To begin the journey, do this:
- Subscribe to a VPN and confirm your payment
- Download the app and install it manually (on PCs and Macs) or find it on Google Play or Apple App Store
- Log in using your credentials
Connect to a server in a legal location
Before accessing PrizePicks, you need to connect to a server in a location where this platform is available.
For instance, if you’re a US citizen located in a restricted state like Florida or Pennsylvania, you may see this message when you attempt to enter the site:
Since PrizePicks doesn’t fool around, connect to a server in a state such as Ohio or Colorado. As simple as that, you’ll skirt around the geo-restriction and be able to create an account.
Troubleshooting common issues
At the end of the day, no matter how good the VPN is, it’s a piece of software and you may experience a few hitches along the way.
Nine times out of ten, though, you can troubleshoot your way out of the problem without reaching out to customer support.
Here are the two most common problems you can experience:
- Unable to establish a VPN connection
A common pitfall for newbie VPN users all around the globe – is the inability to connect to a server. The fix is easy – check if your firewall is messing things up for you by disabling it. If you can now establish a connection, you found the culprit.
Then, proceed to make a firewall exception for your VPN:
- Click Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
- Click ‘Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall’ > ‘Change Settings’
- Find your VPN on the list. If you can’t, click on ‘Allow another app’ and add it.
- Hit ‘Ok’ and you’re all set!
A Mac user? Follow the official guide, courtesy of Apple.
- Your VPN address is not working
It’s not uncommon to connect to a server only to realize you’re still “back home”. This happens because your IP address is leaking.
The first step should be enabling some of the leak protection features in your VPN settings, followed by disabling background applications you’re not using as they can reveal your location.
Then, delete cookies as they too can show your real address.
Is it legal to use a VPN for PrizePicks?
The legality of using a VPN to access blocked sites is very murky. Gambling laws depend on the jurisdiction, with some countries completely blocking or heavily regulating VPN usage.
What we can say is that using a VPN with PrizePicks goes against the platform’s Terms of Service and may lead to account suspension.
Legally speaking, gambling online can result in consequences from fines to imprisonment, so you should be aware of the risks. While the latter is rare, it’s never zero, so make sure to read up on your local laws.
Free vs. paid VPNs for PrizePicks
There are plenty of free VPNs available on the market. However, even if they seem appealing, there are plenty of limitations and security risks associated with their use.
With a free VPN, you’ll have to contend with limitations that can potentially put you at risk. For example, no-cost VPNs generally have a limited server network, which can cause bandwidth throttling that will affect your download speed.
That’s nothing compared to the fact that these VPNs are only free because they sell your data to advertisers. It’s also worth noting that they use outdated protocols, lack encryption, may include malware, and even contain trackers.
Where is PrizePicks legal in North America?
PrizePicks is available in most parts of Canada and the USA, with some exceptions. In Canada, it’s available everywhere except Ontario.
In the US, PrizePicks is illegal in the following states:
- Florida
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
Summary: Unlocking a world of fantasy sports
Like other gambling sites, PrizePicks is heavily regulated or restricted in many areas. Yet, with a VPN, you can easily circumvent geo-restrictions and start your sports fantasy journey with minimal issues.
Apart from just accessing the site, a premium VPN will keep your activities away from prying eyes and protect your data from hackers – both during your PrizePicks sessions and regular browsing.
Our testing is clear – NordVPN is the ultimate PrizePicks VPN. With its extensive network of servers and advanced security features, you’ll achieve the smooth connection needed when betting your real money online.
Other VPN gambling guides:
- Best VPNs for Gambling Online
- Best VPNs for bet365
- Best VPNs for FanDuel
- Best VPNs for Online Casinos
- Best VPNs for Online Poker
- Best VPNs for PokerStars
- Best VPNs for Sports Betting
- How to Unblock Stake
- Best VPNs for Stake
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to use a VPN for PrizePicks?
Accessing PrizePicks with a VPN goes against the platform’s Terms of Service and may result in your account being terminated. Depending on local regulations, the legal implications of VPN use may vary, so be sure to read up on all the risks involved in your area.
Which VPN is the best for accessing PrizePicks?
NordVPN is the clear winner due to its strong suite of security features, fast connections, and extensive server network.
Can I use a free VPN for PrizePicks?
It’s generally not recommended to use free VPNs as they often carry a great deal of risk. They suffer from performance limitations and are often outdated in terms of security features. Some may even expose you to trackers and malware.
How do I set up a VPN to access PrizePicks?
Easy – subscribe to a premium VPN, download and install the app, connect to a server in a legal state, and voila – you’re in business!
This guide on the best VPNs for PrizePicks was last updated on July 5, 2024.
Leave a Reply