Formerly known as Grouper, Crackle is a video streaming platform owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. It is not as popular as Netflix, Disney+ or HBO – but Crackle does have its following. And we’re not surprised that you may want to access it, as well. If the service is not available in your country, you can still join the party with a VPN.
But, and here’s the important part, you shouldn’t use a VPN only to access Crackle or any other single service for that matter. A VPN offers much more with access to content that would otherwise be outside of your reach being just one of its features.
For instance, it will make you anonymous online so that Google and Facebook, as well as government agencies, can’t follow you online. But if you’re into Crackle and also need a VPN for everything else, here are your best options:
Pros
Cons
- 5,000+ servers in the network
- Easy to use - install it and forget it
- One license is good for up to 6 devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Chrome extension is just a proxy
Summary
Its network includes more than 6,200 servers spread across 111 countries, which directly translates into faster speeds. NordVPN is also very secure, relying on the strong 256-bit encryption combined with secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec). But as a user, you get a seamless experience with all this technology "doing its thing" in the background.
NordVPN is well suited to pretty much every task you throw at it — whether it's accessing a banned site from some country that filters out the internet, torrenting, accessing streaming services, or just wanting to keep a low profile on the web. It also doesn't keep any logs.
We highly recommend NordVPN to anyone looking for reliable service.
Pros
Cons
- Feature-rich yet easy to use
- One of the best VPNs around
- Strong no-logging policy
- Reliable support you can reach 24/7
- Limited number of servers in Africa and the Middle East
- Kinda pricey
Summary
ExpressVPN has great desktop apps for Windows and Mac, mobile apps and browser extensions. Also, it is well suited for video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and others.
However, what makes it stand out is its ease of use. We can't emphasize this enough. One could tell a lot of time has been spent making sure even the advanced features are easily accessible. And we love it for that. Plus, let's not forget ExpressVPN's speed which tends to leave other services in the dust.
Pros
Cons
- It's super fast!
- Works with Netflix, BBC and others
- Easy to use apps, browser extensions
- You can try it for free!
- Some advanced features are not configurable
- Not the best for high-censorship countries
Summary
Furthermore, thanks to the availability of browser extensions - Hotspot Shield is also one of our top choices for Chrome and Firefox VPNs.
Your privacy is equally well protected, with the software only collecting some anonymized that help continually improve its service.
There is one caveat though - it won't work in high-censorship countries like China. If you don't need that in the first place, we highly recommend Hotspot Shield.
As that's typically the case with most VPN services out there, the longer you commit - the better deal you get. However, what makes Hotspot Shield even better is the fact that it offers a 7-day free trial of its service. A few other top VPN providers do the same. Plus, its money-back guarantee lasts for 45 days, making for a risk-free purchase. Cause, you can always get your money back. Sweet and just the way we like it.
Pros
Cons
- Reliable download and upload speeds
- Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Lets you use it on unlimited number of devices
- Low number of servers in Africa and Australia
Summary
You can rely on it for streaming and torrenting, with included extra features like CleanWeb and MultiHop, delivering a that much better — and more secure — experience.
Surfshark, the company, is based in the British Virgin Islands and with its zero-logs policy makes for a powerful combo to anyone looking to keep its web whereabouts under the radar.
The service is easy to use and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
Cons
- One the best VPNs for torrenting
- Works well with Netflix
- Simple setup on all popular devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Doesn't work with BBC iPlayer
- Doesn't work in China
Summary
Its desktop apps are not among the prettiest ones, but they get the job done. The important thing is that installation is easy and straightforward, and that no logs are kept by the company.
When it comes to pricing, IPVanish is somewhere in the middle — it's not the most affordable option but also not the most expensive one. As noted, it will be most appreciated by heavy BitTorrent users, and — related — Kodi fans.
Crackle 101
Originally known as Grouper, Crackle is a video streaming platform owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. Its library consists of original content and acquired programming. The service is available in 21 countries on an array of devices and platforms. Crackle is also available as in-flight entertainment and in some hotel chains.
During the time the service was owned by Sony, Crackle’s features included movies and television shows from Sony’s library, and original content made for the Internet In late 2008. Then in March 2011, Crackle launched streaming services on Bravia TVs, PS3, Roku boxes, and Sony Blu-ray players — only to release Android and iOS apps in June of the same year.
Crackle also partnered with Xbox Live, making its content available for Xbox 360, and in June 2013 – it released an app for the BlackBerry 10 platform. Finally, in December 2013, Crackle made its content available for Apple TV.
On April 1, 2014, Sony ceased its Crackle operations in the UK and Australia without prior notice. Crackle UK had struggled against competitors like LoveFilm and Netflix. NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution struck a deal with Crackle to add over 140 NBCUniversal movies to the Crackle library.
In April 2015, Crackle announced a new feature dubbed “Always On”; an ad-supported, internet television channel similar to Vevo TV. Crackle announced its first animated series, SuperMansion; their first hour-long scripted drama, The Art of More; and Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser, a sequel to 2001’s Joe Dirt.
Sony’s reign over Crackle ended on March 28, 2019, when the company decided to sell its majority stake to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment.
Today, Crackle features programming in the following genres: action, comedy, crime, drama, horror, and sci-fi. Some of the films and TV shows are on an exclusive basis, mainly from Sony Pictures and its subsidiaries, including Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Classics, and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.
Also, there are “Crackle Original” series such as On the Ropes, Going from Broke, Hidden Heroes, The Oath, and Snatch. Crackle’s content changes each month as titles are added and taken down.
Aside from Sony, other partners providing content for the service include DreamWorks Pictures, Epic Pictures, FilmRise, Fremantle, Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Tribeca Film.
Crackle is available in 21 countries and in three languages – English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
You need a VPN for Crackle
And not just for Crackle – you need it for everything, so you could anonymously surf the web and do just about anything online without anyone knowing your web whereabouts. In a nutshell, a good VPN will:
- Protect your privacy from the government and big corporations
- Bypass restrictions imposed by the government or various organizations
- Change your IP address so you get unrestricted access to Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer, HULU, and other video streaming services
- Encrypt and protect private data from cybercriminals
The top contenders that check all these boxes include the following: