5 Best VPNs To Bypass MLB.TV Blackouts In 2024
Major League Baseball season is greeted with a lot of excitement by fans. It allows most fans to see their favorite athletes in action. Fans can keep up with the games in real-time by streaming on the MLB.TV platform. This is hugely convenient. You can join in all the fun and excitement of the game from the comfort of your office or home.
However, using the MLB.TV platform has a few challenges. The biggest of these is geo-restrictions. Despite promising to grant unrestricted access to users on the platform, MLB.TV utilizes blocks for some content. This is mostly referred to as MLB.TV blackouts. For instance, most local games are not streamed on MLB.TV live in the location the match is being played. This is usually because a different broadcasting company has the right to air it and precludes MLB.TV from breaching that right.
To bypass these restrictions, you need a VPN. A VPN gives you the means to avoid blackouts and geo-blocks on the web. Thus, even if you are not in the same region as the one permitted for access to your favorite team’s content, you can still gain access.
In this review, we look at 5 of the best VPNs that can help you bypass MLB.TV blackouts.
Top Recommended VPNs for MLB.TV
Find below a list of VPNs you can trust to bypass the blocks on MLB.TV and allow seamless access to MLB games regardless of your location.
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
ExpressVPN occupies a well-deserved first position on our list. This VPN provider is first amongst equals when it comes to the provision of VPN services. It has stellar features that ensure that it stays far ahead of competitors in the game. Specifically, to access MLB.TV, you can trust that ExpressVPN is equal to the task. As long as you have a subsisting subscription, this provider will ensure you stream games regardless of the blocks the platform imposes.
This provider has no less than 3000 servers in 120 locations and 60 countries. This is especially relevant for unblocking geo-restricted platforms. ExpressVPN servers are some of the fastest in the industry. They also have fantastic unblocking prowess. Not only will you have access to MLB.TV, but you can also breach the restriction on other platforms such as Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and the likes. The service is reliable to get around geo-blocks in high-surveillance regions like China and Russia.
Security is also a strong suit of this provider. Each user is entitled to the AES 256-bit encryption model that it applies to all of its servers. Furthermore, it supports some of the best protocols in the industry, including OpenVPN and IPSec. It even has its unique protocol known as Lightway. Lightway has been lauded for being speedy, secure, and reliable.
The provider gives a detailed guideline on how users can access MLB.TV using its service. On its website, it is emphatic that all of its servers grant access to the platform. Thus, as long as you have a VPN account, you can connect to any location you want to bypass the restrictions on MLB.TV.
ExpressVPN allows 5 connections per account. Its subscription offers are reasonable. Furthermore, it lets all of its users take advantage of its 30-day money-back window. Here, if you get on the service and are unsatisfied with the quality of the VPN’s performance, you could simply request a refund.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 5342 in 58 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
Coming a close second to ExpressVPN is NordVPN. This provider ranks as one of the best you can utilize for any VPN need. It comes as no surprise then that it is an assured provider for gaining access to MLB.TV.
While ExpressVPN has 3000 servers, NordVPN has 5000 servers in 59 countries and counting. Equally, its servers are speedy and totally reliable. If you also need to get around geo-restrictions on various platforms, this provider is great for that. In fact, NordVPN claims that it is the fastest VPN in the market. With the quality of its services, this assertion might not be far from the truth.
Other features of this provider include its AES 256-bit encryption mode. It offers obfuscated servers for heightened security, split tunneling support, and an active kill switch. This provider runs its users’ data twice on its servers, offering double encryption as a result.
NordVPN employs a strict no-logs policy. Users can trust that every detail about their online sessions is totally wiped off after every round. This makes sure that no one has access to their data, even if there is an unlikely future breach. Furthermore, this provider has its headquarters in Panama. The government is not part of any data-sharing alliance and will not require VPN providers to share users’ data.
This provider has all the features that ensure its compatibility with MLB.TV. You can simply get on a subscription, connect to a compatible server, and then stream content on MLB.TV unhindered.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
Surfshark
Features
- Free trial? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
- Ad blocking? Yes
- Servers: 1000+ in 61 countries
Pros/Cons
- No footprints
- Allows torrenting
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Not the fastest
Surfshark is a new entrant into the VPN space sporting remarkable features. It has 3200 servers in 60 countries. This is a sizable number. What’s more, the provider assures users on its website that it aids the streaming of different sports on different channels, including MLB.
What you get with a Surfshark subscription is a slew of features that makes streaming (geo-blocked content) a delight. First, you have 3200 servers that are optimized for speed and efficiency. Thus, whether you want to access blocked local content, you can simply connect to a server in an approved location. For example, if your local team games are blocked in your home state of New York, you can connect to a server in, say, Australia and have instant access. In the same vein, if you are outside of the United States and your region finds MLB.TV games inaccessible; you can connect to a US server with ease.
Furthermore, Surfshark places no cap on the amount of data users can expend on its platform. In addition, it also allows for an unlimited number of device connections. Thus, with one Surfshark account, you can stream MLB.TV sports on any number of devices. It also offers compatible apps for many devices. You can scarcely find that your device is not one of those supported by the provider. You only need to download the apps either from the provider’s website or from your device’s app store to get started.
Lastly, your security is not compromised on the platform. Some of its security features include CleanWeb that prevents ads, trackers, or any other such malware. Its Whitelister app functions the same way split tunneling does; routing some apps through the VPN’s path and others through normal means. It applies a strict camouflage mode that allows you to fly below the radar of your country’s surveillance. Surfshark makes use of the best encryption models, supports great security protocols, and has all of these features available, regardless of the plan you are on.
- Pros: No footprints; Allows torrenting; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest Price: $2.49
ProtonVPN
Features
- P2P support? Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee? Yes
- Country of origin? Switzerland
- Servers: 600+ in over 40 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 5
Pros/Cons
- Professional support
- Modern interface and apps
- AES-256 encryption
- Lesser known provider
Have you heard of ProtonMail? It is a secured email messaging platform that is widely popular. The company behind it is the parent company for ProtonVPN, too. This, at the very least, assures you that this provider is committed to keeping its users secure. Hence, you should have no security worries while streaming MLB.TV sports live.
ProtonVPN has 1200+ servers in 55+ countries. This is the least server count of all the providers on this list. However, you can trust that server count matters only so much when it comes to unblocking restricted content.
Furthermore, these servers are secured with features nothing short of amazing. In addition to the standard AES 256-bit encryption model, this provider also makes use of Forward Secrecy. This feature secures previous sessions if a current session gets compromised. It also sports DNS Leak Prevention features and a kill switch that is always on.
For streaming blocked content on MLB.TV, ProtonVPN makes available special servers. These servers are found only on the Plus and Visionary Subscription plans. Unfortunately, if you are on the basic plan, you will be unable to access these servers or the features that they provide. If, fortunately, yours is the Visionary or Plus plan, you can connect to a Plus server. They have a P icon close to them in the macOS and Windows apps. For the Android and iOS apps, you will find the servers on the “Plus Servers” list. When you connect to any of the servers, you can then head back to MLB.TV for instant access.
ProtonVPN’s plans and offers are relatively affordable. In fact, it even has a completely free plan, although this comes with severely limited features. You can connect up to 10 devices to one account without exceeding your cap. You also get professional help and support if you need it.
- Pros: Professional support; Modern interface and apps; AES-256 encryption;
- Lowest price: €4
CyberGhost
Features
- Connected devices at once: 7
- Automatic kill switch? Yes
- One click connect: Yes
- Servers: 5900 worldwide
Pros/Cons
- No logs policy
- 24/7 live chat
- Apps for mobile devices and routers
- No free option
CyberGhost is another strong recommendation on our list. The service is excellent for streaming, thus, streaming sports on MLB.TV will be no problem at all. More so, its features are optimized to get around geo-blocks of any kind. This also means that when it comes to beating geo-restrictions, you will find no problems with it at all. Now, on to the specific features of the service.
This provider has a whooping 6500 server count, located strategically in 90 countries and counting. This large server strength automatically shoots it to the top of the line when it comes to providers to trust. This is because, with these servers, you can connect to any location you want, leaving geo-restrictions far behind you. More so, these servers are divided into several categories that fulfill specific functions. For instance, CyberGhost makes available servers that are optimized for streaming and P2P file sharing. When you log on to the service and carry out any of these activities, it automatically assigns you a compatible server for that purpose.
This provider also fares well when it comes to security. CyberGhost boasts of all of the standard security features you’d find on any remarkable VPN and then some. Thus, it secures its servers with the AES 256-bit encryption model. In addition, it supports the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols. It has DNS and IP Leak prevention features and comes with an automatic kill switch and split tunneling features.
Apart from being excellent for use with MLB.TV, this provider also affords users the benefit of pocket-friendly subscription prices. It allows the connection of 7 simultaneous devices to one account and has a responsive 24/7 customer care system to respond to any complaints from users.
- Pros: No logs policy; 24/7 live chat; Apps for mobile devices and routers;
- Lowest price: €2
How to Stream MLB Games on MLB.TV
As already stated, the primary reason to use a VPN to stream Major League Baseball on MLB.TV is to bypass restrictions on the platform. How does MLB.TV recognize that you are accessing restricted content anyway? It does this using your IP address. Every IP address has a unique location identifier. Thus, the MLB.TV website can tell when you are connecting from an unapproved location. It then blocks you if that’s the case. To get around this challenge, then, it means you need to find a way to be in, or appear to be in, an approved location.
The step-by-step process is discussed below:
- Get on a VPN subscription. Any of the ones on this list should be excellent.
- Toggle your settings. Then select a server located outside the blackout area. (Automatically, your IP address will change to reflect the location the server is situated in).
- Get on an MLB.TV subscription if you do not have one already.
- Log in and begin streaming MLB games.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best VPNs for Bypassing MLB.TV Blackouts
How do I know if an MLB game is blacked out?
You can know which MLB.TV games are blacked out by checking local games. MLB.TV was built for fans to watch teams playing outside their current location. So, you cannot watch games played by teams in your neighborhood. This applies to both the home and away baseball teams. Finally, you can get a list of blocked games from MLB.TV. You just have to input your zip code on the MLB.TV website.
Does my billing address affect MLB.TV blackouts?
No, MLB.TV doesn’t block games based on your billing address. Indeed, you can use your zip code to check MLB.TV blackouts in your area. However, this doesn’t directly impact your streaming options. MLB.TV uses your device’s IP address and location data to determine blacked-out games. So, suppose you move away from your billing address. MLB.TV would only block games in your new location.
Is it legal to unblock MLB games with a VPN?
Yes, it’s perfectly legal to watch a blacked-out MLB.TV game with a VPN. Most countries allow netizens to surf the net with VPNs. So, neither you nor your VPN provider is breaking any laws while bypassing MLB.TV geo-restrictions. However, watching blacked-out games is against MLB.TV’s terms of use. The streaming platform even sometimes detects VPN usage. If this happens, you may face some penalties from MLB.TV.
Can I watch blacked-out MLB games with a free VPN?
Yes, it’s possible but highly unlikely. Free VPNs usually don’t have solid infrastructures that can bypass MLB.TV’s geo-restrictions. The streaming platform would easily detect any such VPNs. However, suppose you finally bypass MLB.TV’s geo-blocks with a free VPN. You’d still have to deal with buffering and other issues. This is because free VPNs often have few and slow servers that are usually overcrowded.
Conclusion
MLB games provide a source of excitement for many sports enthusiasts. Unfortunately, geo-restrictions sometimes dampen the excitement of viewers. In this article, we show you how to get around this challenge using VPNs. In addition, you also learn about the different VPNs for this purpose and their different capabilities.