Penka Hristovska
Updated on: December 22, 2023
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Watch RTÉ Online With a VPN in 2024:
- Step 1: Download and install a VPN with servers in Ireland. I recommend ExpressVPN because it works with RTE all of the time and has very fast speeds for uninterrupted streaming.
- Step 2: Connect to a VPN server. Open the VPN app, scroll through the server menu, and choose a nearby server for the fastest speed. RTÉ Player is available worldwide with limited programming. You can also connect to a server in Ireland to be able to watch all content on the streaming site. Please keep in mind that using a VPN to watch RTÉ from another country may violate the streaming app’s Terms and Conditions and even cause copyright infringement. No one at SafetyDetectives endorses this behavior.
- Step 3: Log into RTÉ. You’re all set and can now watch any RTÉ content.
RTÉ Player’s full programming is only available in Ireland. RTÉ’s free online streaming platform, which includes RTÉ One, RTÉ’2, RTÉ’ News, and RTÉ’ Kids has some content that’s available to users outside of the country, but due to licensing restrictions, most of RTÉ Player’s shows, movies, and live streams are available only in Ireland. This essentially means that for full access to RTÉ’s content library, you need an Irish IP address.
A VPN gives you an IP address when you connect to one of its servers. This could theoretically allow you to stream all your favorite Irish shows on RTÉ Player no matter where you’re located. However, this may be considered copyright infringement and go against RTÉ’s Terms and Conditions — SafetyDetectives does not condone breaking any laws.
However, not all VPNs are good picks. Many don’t work with RTÉ Player, while others have very slow streaming speeds and buggy apps.
If you want to protect your privacy with a VPN while watching RTÉ Player, ExpressVPN is my top choice because it has the fastest streaming speeds out there and is also extremely easy to use.
Best VPNs for Watching RTÉ Content in 2024
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for watching RTÉ in 2024.
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Really fast + strong privacy features.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Great for watching RTÉ on dedicated streaming servers.
- 4. NordVPN — Great security on Irish servers.
- 5. Surfshark — Beginner-friendly + cheap plans.
- Comparison of the Best VPNs For Watching RTÉ in 2024.
Disclaimer: My team and I at SafetyDetectives are clear: we don’t support copyright breaches. The VPNs we highlight have firm policies that stop them from recording your online actions. It’s crucial to understand that when using a VPN, it’s up to you to do so rightly. Always adhere to the local rules and guidelines.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Watching RTÉ in 2024
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for RTÉ Player. It has servers in Ireland that work with RTÉ Player, as well as RTÉ One, RTÉ 2, RTÉ News, and RTÉ Kids 100% of the time — ExpressVPN’s live chat representatives confirmed this claim, and my colleague in Ireland also reported that the site worked for her.
In terms of speeds, there’s no VPN faster than ExpressVPN. In her tests, my colleague from Ireland didn’t experience any delays when streaming RTÉ video in HD and 4K. Also, websites loaded right away — even ones with tons of ads and videos. I also tested nearby and distant servers from my location, and I never experienced any buffering or slowdowns in any HD or 4K videos.
ExpressVPN has excellent security features. It includes full leak protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. It also comes with advanced security features like RAM-only servers, which wipe your data every time a server is restarted, and perfect forward secrecy, which changes encryption keys for each VPN connection to prevent hackers from monitoring your past or future traffic.
The interface is well-designed and makes it easy to find servers in Ireland. Servers are separated into geographical categories (Ireland is under Europe), so you don’t have to scroll through the entire server menu to find your country, there’s a search bar, and you can choose the server in Ireland as a favorite. I also liked the Shortcuts feature, which allows you to add 1-click shortcuts to sites or apps (including RTÉ Player’s) onto the ExpressVPN app’s home screen.
ExpressVPN has apps for all of the major operating systems — this includes Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, smart TVs, and even routers. It also comes with a smart DNS tool, MediaStreamer, that lets you stream RTÉ Player’s content on devices that don’t support VPNs, like certain smart TVs and gaming consoles.
ExpressVPN’s prices start from $6.67 / month. There are slightly cheaper options available, but ExpressVPN offers the best value and is the best VPN on the market. In addition, every one of its plans comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out risk-free.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Fast Speeds + Strong Privacy Features
Private Internet Access (PIA) has really good speeds for streaming RTÉ Player content and strong privacy features. Its no-logs policy was proven true in multiple court documents, and all of its apps are open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the code for security issues.
PIA’s servers in Ireland provided my colleague with really fast speeds. There were only 1–2 seconds of delay when she loaded or skipped through a video, and webpages loaded almost instantly. I also like how PIA allows you to choose between 256-bit AES and 128-bit AES encryption, as the latter should provide you with slightly faster speeds for streaming (due to less encryption). PIA’s browsing speeds were really fast, but they were still slower than ExpressVPN.
PIA’s intuitive interface makes it quick and easy to connect to an Irish server. One of my favorite things is the Quick Connect feature on the main window that lists the last 6 servers you connected to, offering 1-click access to the servers in Ireland. Plus, I think it’s great how the VPN allows unlimited connections, so everyone in your family can use it to connect to a nearby server to stream RTÉ.
And PIA also provides very good security. You get full leak protection, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy. In addition, you get access to MACE, which is the best VPN ad blocker on the market at the moment — in my tests, it always got rid of annoying ads on all sites I visited, and it also prevented me from visiting fake RTÉ Player sites.
Private Internet Access is very affordable, with pieces starting at $2.11 / month. All of PIA’s plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Dedicated Streaming Server for Watching All RTÉ Content
CyberGhost has dedicated streaming servers for RTÉ sites and 50 other streaming services. These streaming servers are optimized to reliably work with the corresponding streaming service, allowing you to secure your data on a local server while watching your favorite titles.
I love the sleek interface and how all of the apps are easy to navigate. CyberGhost VPN lists all of its streaming servers on one tab, which makes it easy to find the one for RTÉ. Plus, you can even add the RTÉ server as your favorite for 1-click access.
Another way CyberGhost keeps things intuitive is with its Smart Rules feature, which allows you to adjust your connection preferences — for example, you can set up CyberGhost to automatically connect to the RTÉ server as soon as you launch the VPN app.
CyberGhost’s speeds were really fast throughout my colleague’s testing. When she clicked on a RTÉ video, there was a moment of buffering, but once the video started it played in uninterrupted HD. While CyberGhost has fast speeds, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access are a little faster.
CyberGhost has excellent security features for securely streaming RTÉ content. It includes protection against WebRTC and DNS leaks, and IPv6 traffic is disabled by default. You also get RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and Identity Guard — a feature that monitors the email address associated with your RTÉ account. Plus, the provider publishes a transparency report, which provides further proof that it doesn’t store any user data.
CyberGhost VPN’s plans start at $2.03 / month, and there’s a 45-day money-back guarantee for the long-term plans (the monthly plan is covered for 14 days).
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
4. NordVPN — Great Security Features For Watching RTÉ
NordVPN provides secure connections to Irish servers for safely watching RTÉ content. It comes with advanced security features like perfect forward secrecy and RAM-only servers. It also has full leak protection — in my leak tests, I only saw NordVPN’s IP address.
There’s also Threat Protection, which blocks ads and malicious sites and also protects you from malware-infected downloads. In addition, the VPN has a data breach monitoring tool that alerts you if your NordVPN login details have been compromised — this is useful if you use the same details for your RTÉ account.
NordVPN also has great privacy — its no-logs policy has been independently audited and its apps and infrastructure have passed a security audit.
In terms of speeds, NordVPN performed really well in my colleague’s speed tests. HD streams on RTÉ Player loaded instantly and it only took 3–4 seconds for 4K videos to load. And there was no buffering or lag, which is great. Still, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access provided me with better speeds.
NordVPN’s apps have an intuitive interface and work on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and smart TVs, so you can watch RTÉ on any device. I really like that the apps come with an interactive map that lets you connect to any server location, including Ireland, by clicking on the country pin.
NordVPN’s plans start at $3.39 / month and are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — User-Friendly & Affordable VPN For Watching RTÉ
Surfshark is great for beginners who want to securely watch RTÉ content. Its apps are user-friendly and come with a lot of convenient features — it lists the last 3 VPN servers you connect to, so you get 1-click connections for the local Irish server if you frequently use it. And like Private Internet Access, Surfshark also allows unlimited connections, so everyone in your family can stream RTÉ Player at once.
This is also one of the cheapest VPN providers out there, so it’s a great pick if you’re looking for a good RTÉ VPN and are also on a tight budget.
Surfshark comes with advanced security features, including RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. While it only offers DNS leak protection, I never experienced any leaks in my tests, but I’d feel safer streaming RTÉ Player on a browser with ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access that protect you against WebRTC and IPv6 leaks, too.
My colleague had good speeds with Surfshark. All HD videos loaded instantly and she didn’t experience any buffering. And 4K videos took just 3–4 seconds to load, and there was only minimal buffering when skipping through the videos.
Surfshark has plans that start as low as $1.99 / month. And Surfshark covers all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Watching RTÉ Content in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN for Watching RTÉ in 2024
- Choose a VPN that works well with RTÉ. The VPN needs to have excellent streaming support and servers in Ireland that work with RTÉ Player without fail. All of the VPNs I recommend work with RTÉ Player 100% of the time (my colleague in Ireland confirmed this for me).
- Test for fast streaming speeds. VPNs naturally slow your connection because your traffic is encrypted and also rerouted through servers located further away from your local network’s servers. However, the best VPNs maintain fast speeds across their entire server network. All of the VPNs above provide really fast speeds (ExpressVPN is the fastest).
- Pick a VPN that has great streaming support. The VPN you choose should not only work with RTÉ Player, but also other popular streaming services like Netflix Ireland and Amazon Prime. Each VPN on my list works well with 10+ streaming sites.
- Get a user-friendly VPN. The recommended VPNs here guide users through the installation process and offer intuitive interfaces, simplifying the task of connecting to a nearby Irish server.
- Find a VPN with excellent device compatibility. Each VPN on my list has dedicated apps for all major devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and some smart TVs. They also have a smart DNS tool, meaning you can stream RTÉ content on any device you want!
- Choose a VPN that prioritizes security. Every VPN on my list is equipped with standard security features such as 256-bit AES encryption, a method adopted by banks and military institutions; a no-logs policy, guaranteeing your personal data isn’t stored by the VPN; and a kill switch, designed to automatically disconnect you from the internet should your VPN connection fail. They all also offer IP leak protection to ensure your real IP address is never revealed online.
- Opt for a VPN that provides good value. I only recommend VPNs that allow multiple device connections (Private Internet Access and Surfshark allow unlimited connections), offer affordable pricing plans, and have a money-back guarantee.
How to Watch RTÉ Content on Any Device
How to Watch RTÉ Content on Your PC or Mac Device
- Choose a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because it provides lightning-fast speeds and its servers in Ireland work with RTÉ Player without fail.
- Download and install the VPN. The VPN installation wizard will guide you through the process in 1–2 minutes.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a local server in Ireland. Then, go to the RTÉ Player site or app and log in.
How to Watch RTÉ Content on Your Smartphone or Tablet
- Pick a VPN. ExpressVPN has user-friendly apps for iOS and Android.
- Download and install the VPN. Once you’ve signed up on the VPN site, you’ll be prompted to download the app on your smartphone or tablet. Installation should only take a few minutes.
- Launch the VPN app and connect to a nearby server in Ireland. Open the RTÉ Player app on your device and log in. You’ll be able to watch all of RTÉ’s shows and movies.
How to Watch RTÉ Content on Your Smart TV & Roku
- Choose your VPN. ExpressVPN is my top recommendation, as it has apps for a variety of smart TVs and has a dedicated router app for smart TVs and devices like Roku that don’t support VPNs.
- On Android TVs. Download and install the VPN from the Google Play store. Then, open the VPN app and connect to a local server in Ireland.
- On non-Android TVs & Roku. Download the VPN to your router (ExpressVPN has a dedicated router app that’s really easy to install and use). Next, connect the router to the local Irish server. This way, all of the devices in your home that are connected to the router, including your Roku device, will be connected to the VPN.
- Log into your account on the RTÉ Player app. That’s all — grab a snack and start watching!
How to Watch RTÉ Content using Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Choose a VPN. My top recommendation is ExpressVPN because it’s fast and has the best Amazon Fire TV Stick app.
- Install the VPN app for Amazon Fire TV Stick. Choose your VPN’s app from the Amazon App Store. Note that not every VPN will support Amazon Fire TV Stick.
- Select a local Irish server from the VPN’s server list and start the RTÉ Player app. Enter your RTÉ account details and then sit back and enjoy your favorite content.
How to Watch RTÉ Content on Your Gaming Console
- Choose a reliable VPN that supports routers. I suggest ExpressVPN, as it’s one of the only VPNs that offer a native router app.
- Install the VPN on your router. By doing this, any device that’s connected to your router is connected to the VPN, including your gaming console. ExpressVPN’s user-friendly router app is quick to install. When picking a server, select one that’s nearby in Ireland for the best experience.
- Launch the RTE Player app on your console. Search for your favorite show and dive into the entertainment on your Xbox or PlayStation.
What Should I Do If RTÉ Blocks My VPN?
If you’re having trouble visiting RTÉ Player’s website or playing certain content while connected to the VPN, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Clear your cookies and cache. The cookies and cache that sites collect can become corrupted. They can also allow RTÉ Player to track your location.
- Reconnect to the server location. If RTÉ Player is blocking your specific IP address, simply reconnecting to the same server location in your VPN app may get you a new IP address.
- Connect to a different server in the same location. Some VPNs allow you to choose specific servers to connect to in the same location. If that’s something your VPN offers, try connecting to an entirely different server to see if the site is blocking that specific VPN IP address.
- Reach out to customer support. Your VPN’s customer support reps may be able to provide a solution unique to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best VPN for streaming RTÉ Player?
ExpressVPN is hands-down my top choice for streaming RTÉ Player. It always works with RTÉ Player’s site, as confirmed by my colleague in Ireland, maintains lightning-fast speeds for smooth streaming, and comes with easy-to-use apps.
Can I use a free VPN to watch RTÉ Player?
Probably not, as most free VPNs don’t allow you to access their servers in Ireland. And the ones that do either don’t work with RTÉ Player or have very low monthly data limits, which means you’ll only be able to watch your favorite shows and programming on the site for a couple of hours a month at best.
Instead, I suggest purchasing a low-cost VPN like one of the VPNs on this list. They all work with RTÉ Player, provide super-fast speeds, and have a generous money-back guarantee — so you can try them out risk-free.
Is it legal to use a VPN with RTÉ Player?
Yes, but using a VPN may go against RTÉ Player’s Terms and Conditions. Its Terms of Service agreements doesn’t explicitly prohibit using VPNs, but it does note that programs, shows, and other content on the site may not load properly or work at all while you’re connected to a VPN. RTÉ may also block you from accessing your account if it discovers you’re using a VPN.
This is why it’s important to use a top VPN like ExpressVPN, which works all of the time with RTÉ (though we still recommend checking the Terms & Conditions to make sure you’re not breaking any rules).
Will a VPN slow down my RTÉ videos?
All VPNs cause slowdowns due to the encryption process, but the top ones maintain fast speeds. When my Irish colleague tested her speeds connected to a local server, her RTÉ shows and movies started almost immediately and there was only minimal buffering. While she was impressed with all of the VPNs on this list, ExpressVPN was the fastest.
How to use RTÉ Player with VPN?
To use RTÉ Player with a VPN, all you have to do is follow these 3 simple steps: pick a VPN that works with the site, connect to a server, and start streaming. My top pick for RTÉ Player and all RTÉ content offered on the site is ExpressVPN — my colleague in Ireland tested it and confirmed it always works with the site. Plus, it’s the fastest VPN on the market, so you can stream your favorite shows and programs buffer-free.
