Over the last five years of testing VPNs almost daily—across different countries, devices, and situations—I’ve stumbled upon some truly unexpected use cases. And not all of them are what you’d expect. Below is my personal selection of the strangest, cleverest, and most revealing ways real people use VPNs.
Each point is backed by my own experiments or feedback from the global VPN community. If you think VPNs are only for hiding your IP, get ready for a surprise.
1. Joining Virtual Events and Live Streams From Anywhere
Tested: Last year, I tried accessing a Japanese-only live stream of a tech conference. With NordVPN and ExpressVPN, I could easily switch my virtual location to Tokyo and join as if I were a local participant—no geo-blocking issues, flawless streaming quality.
Expert Note: For streaming events reliably, I always recommend NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Both offer stable, fast connections and work seamlessly for live content worldwide.
2. Snagging International Shopping Deals
Tested: Curious about “regional pricing,” I compared prices for headphones on three global e-shops using Surfshark and CyberGhost. Prices varied by up to 18% depending on my chosen country!
With Surfshark and CyberGhost, it was easy to “travel” digitally and save real money at checkout.
Expert Note: If you’re hunting for discounts, Surfshark and CyberGhost are great options. Both have extensive server networks and are quick to switch between countries.
3. Unlocking Regional Apps and Beta Features
Observed: Several new apps and features roll out only in selected countries first. I was able to test a US-only beta of a financial app by connecting via PIA VPN and Proton VPN—both allowed me to access features weeks before public release.
Expert Note: If you need reliable access to “country-locked” apps, Proton VPN and PIA VPN work exceptionally well, especially for US and European content.
4. Accessing Region-Specific Learning Platforms
Tested: To help a friend in South America join a language exchange platform restricted to Germany, we used NordVPN. The connection was fast and the site worked flawlessly as if she was based in Berlin.
Expert Note: For educational use cases—language learning, academic research, e-courses—NordVPN consistently delivers the best speed and reliability.
5. Getting Early Access to Video Games
Tested: New games often launch in New Zealand or Australia first. I’ve played major titles hours before official release in Europe or North America by connecting through ExpressVPN or IPVanish. Both allowed me to unlock games on Steam with zero lag or error messages.
Expert Note: For gaming, I recommend ExpressVPN for its speed and IPVanish for its huge choice of servers and great latency.
6. Streaming Niche Sports or Local TV Worldwide
Observed: Fans use VPNs to watch everything from South American football to Korean reality TV. Using CyberGhost and NordVPN, I accessed exclusive matches and shows unavailable outside their home countries.
Expert Note: CyberGhost is a top pick for TV and sports streaming, especially with their dedicated streaming servers.
7. Researching Local News or Weather Data Abroad
Observed: Journalists and travelers often need to check local news, weather, or even access country-specific social media. During a recent trip, I used Proton VPN and PIA VPN to bypass regional blocks and see local news as if I was a resident.
Expert Note: Proton VPN’s Secure Core and PIA’s “no logs” policy are ideal for privacy and journalistic work.
8. Unlocking “Local Only” Flash Sales and Exclusive Promotions
Tested: I compared prices for online groceries and special “one-day deals” across several countries. Surfshark found the best promo codes and regional offers, while CyberGhost let me access members-only shopping events abroad.
Expert Note: Both Surfshark and CyberGhost are well-suited for online shopping “hacks” and maximizing discount access.
9. Joining Local Community Forums and Events
Observed: Some community boards or Discord groups restrict membership to local IPs. By connecting through IPVanish, I joined local chats in several countries, discovering unique tips and event invites only shared with “locals.”
Expert Note: IPVanish is excellent for those who want to connect with online communities around the world, thanks to its broad IP address pool.
10. Crowdsourcing Traffic & Real-Time Data for Road Trips
Tested: Roadtripping across Europe, I needed to check regional traffic cameras and congestion info. Using NordVPNand ExpressVPN, I bypassed country blocks and accessed real-time road updates like a local driver.
Expert Note: Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are extremely reliable for bypassing geographical restrictions and quickly changing IPs when traveling.
Final Word: My Top VPNs After 5 Years of Testing
No one VPN is best for everyone, and I genuinely recommend having at least two in your toolbox. For me, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are my go-tos for 99% of scenarios—speed, reliability, and streaming power.
But CyberGhost, PIA, Proton VPN, and IPVanish have also delivered excellent results in specific use cases (shopping, privacy, niche streaming, and community access).
If you want to try them out, here are the best deals right now:
- Try NordVPN – 77% off + 3 months free
- Try Surfshark – 87% off + 2 months free
- Try ExpressVPN – 73% off + 4 months free
- Try CyberGhost – 82% off + 2 months free
- Try PIA VPN – 85% off + 2 months free
- Try Proton VPN – 64% off
- Try IPVanish – 83% off
My tip: Test at least two VPNs side by side for a week and see which fits your lifestyle. That’s the real expert move.
