Based on our tests and readers’ recommendations, the overall best VPN for Netflix is NordVPN. It has excellent streaming speeds and can unblock the American Netflix library. You can access the Netflix library of any country using a virtual private network. VPNs can trick streaming services into thinking you’re in a different country even when you’re not. So even if you’re not in the US, you can watch US-exclusive Netflix titles like 30 Rock and NCIS. Ready your popcorn and crank up the TV. It’s time to pick the best Netflix VPN so you can watch every single international Netflix library.
Top 5 Best VPNs for Netflix
Netflix catalogs differ depending on your location. You can simply hop on a different VPN server to access a new selection of movies and TV shows. Due to a change in the way the streaming company deals with proxies and VPN IP addresses you might not always be able to access geo-specific content on Netflix using a VPN. The tips in this article work at the time of writing, but this could change in the (near) future. We will continue to review and test Netflix VPNs to ensure we provide the most current information. However, not all VPN providers can bypass Netflix’s VPN blocks. So, you’ll need a reliable VPN to access Netflix. That’s why we tested dozens of VPNs to narrow down the top five best VPNs for Netflix. Below is an overview of the best VPNs for Netflix.
Is using a VPN with Netflix legal?
Note that Netflix does not condone the use of VPNs. Using a VPN goes against Netflix’s terms of service. The streaming service reserves the right to terminate your account if you use a VPN. Netflix has intensified its efforts to combat the use of VPNs to circumvent its geo-blocks. In 2021, the company blocked residential IPs as part of this initiative. Several VPNs on this list offer obfuscated servers that hide the fact you’re using a VPN. Netflix is less likely to detect your VPN use if you connect to an obfuscated server. So, without further ado, let’s look at the best VPNs for Netflix, starting with our top choice: NordVPN.
1. NordVPN: Lightning-fast VPN for streaming Netflix securely
NordVPN is a leader in the VPN industry, known for its fast and reliable servers, competitive pricing, and expert customer service. With over 5,500 servers in 59 countries, NordVPN ensures you can access just about any Netflix catalog of your choice. NordVPN was one of the first providers to reinstate access to Netflix via VPN after the Netflix VPN ban. At the time of writing, we could access the US Netflix library and also bypass Netflix’s blocks in Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Although its apps and software are intuitive and easy to use, NordVPN recently switched to in-browser logins (instead of in-app logins). This may cause problems if you’re in a country where the Nord website is blocked.
Using NordVPN to unblock Netflix
NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature makes it safe and easy to stream content from a different country. It uses DNS rerouting and additional IP addresses to improve your experience. You don’t have to activate it separately, either — it’s built into the VPN software. If you run into trouble, NordVPN recommends any of the following solutions:
Clear your browser cache, then try again. Connect to the NordVPN DNS servers (103.86.96.100 and 103.86.99.100), clear your cache, then try again. Reach out to the customer service team. Often, they can point you to servers that can unblock Netflix.
If all else fails, you can also consider getting a dedicated IP address with NordVPN. This will ensure Netflix doesn’t recognize you as a VPN user, because this address is only used by you. As such, you’re virtually guaranteed to get access. Unfortunately, NordVPN doesn’t offer dedicated streaming servers to improve your Netflix experience. However, NordVPN’s other great streaming features, and great Netflix compatibility, make it arguably the best Netflix VPN. If you’re interested in learning more about why this provider is the best Netflix VPN, check out our NordVPN review. You can take advantage of NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee to test out the service for yourself!
2. Surfshark: Cheap, reliable VPN for watching Netflix on unlimited devices
The Surfshark app is extremely user-friendly, and it provides excellent speeds. This provider has a great customer support team, but the chances that you’ll experience any lag or other issues are slim. Of course, Surfshark is also adept at sidestepping Netflix’s efforts to block VPN use. At the time of writing, you can access Netflix libraries in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK using Surfshark. On top of that, you can connect an unlimited number of devices using just one Surfshark account. In other words, if you use Surfshark, you and your entire family can stream films and series simultaneously! Its incredibly affordable price also makes Surfshark a worthwhile Netflix VPN. For only $2.99 per month, you can use Surfshark on your PC, mobile phone, and Android TV.
Using Surfshark to unblock Netflix
If you want to optimize your streaming experience, we recommend using Surfshark’s browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome. The Netflix desktop app can make unblocking difficult, so Surfshark specifically designed browser extensions to get around geo-restrictions. Since Surfshark has over 500 servers in the United States, you have a vast array of servers to access the US Netflix library. Unfortunately, none of these servers are dedicated streaming servers. Nor does Surfshark offer dedicated IP addresses. Despite this, Surfshark is still the best Netflix VPN among low-budget providers. Still in doubt about whether Surfshark is the best VPN for Netflix? You can get a free trial of Surfshark, risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also read our full Surfshark review to learn more about this provider.
3. ExpressVPN: Premium VPN with fast speeds and great support
ExpressVPN is a great VPN for unblocking Netflix. With this provider, you can access the Netflix libraries of different countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, and Germany. Even in the face of Netflix’s campaign against VPN use, ExpressVPN continues to bypass its geo-blocks. To do so, ExpressVPN is constantly updating its server IPs. This is how they ensure you can continue to access Netflix from anywhere in the world. Is your VPN not working? ExpressVPN’s customer service team will help you find a compatible server. You can use the live chat feature to contact ExpressVPN’s customer service team around the clock.
Using ExpressVPN to unblock Netflix
Thanks to its special MediaStreamer DNS feature, ExpressVPN lets you stream Netflix on lesser-used devices, including smart TVs and gaming consoles. Despite their great attention to streamers, ExpressVPN doesn’t offer dedicated streaming servers, however. Unfortunately, ExpressVPN doesn’t offer dedicated IP addresses either. They state this is because shared IP addresses improve their users’ privacy. This is absolutely true. Still, it would be a nice feature for streamers. Still unsure whether this is the right provider for you? ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try ExpressVPN before committing to a long-term subscription. If you’re unhappy with your experience, you can simply ask for your money back. You can learn more about this provider in our ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost: User-friendly VPN with dedicated servers for streaming Netflix
CyberGhost is easy to use and has a great interface on its desktop and mobile apps. You can access over 9,000 servers in 91 countries, and CyberGhost’s VPN servers provide excellent speeds. You can connect up to seven devices simultaneously with just one CyberGhost account. This means you can stream Netflix on multiple devices at once. At the time of writing, CyberGhost unblocks the US Netflix library successfully. We could also access the Netflix libraries of Germany, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Using CyberGhost to unblock Netflix
CyberGhost has a dedicated US Netflix server. This server is specifically designed to unblock the US Netflix library and is, according to our speed tests, one of the fastest servers on the CyberGhost network. The provider also has optimized servers for Netflix UK, France, Germany, Japan, and many other Netflix versions. CyberGhost has many other servers that are optimized to work with specific streaming platforms. So, if you want to watch Hulu, Disney+, or something on a different platform, CyberGhost has got you covered. CyberGhost also offers dedicated IP addresses. These will greatly improve your (Netflix) streaming experience. Thanks to these great streaming features, CyberGhost is probably the best Netflix VPN for people that also like to use other streaming services. You can try out CyberGhost for free thanks to their 45-day money-back guarantee. Check out our CyberGhost review to learn more about this provider and why it may be the best Netflix VPN.
5. PIA: Privacy-focused VPN with plenty of servers to choose from
Private Internet Access (PIA) is another top VPN that can unblock the US Netflix library. Users have reported problems with less popular Netflix libraries, but at the time of writing, we could bypass Netflix blocks in the US, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Brazil, and Canada. Private Internet Access has over 35,000 servers in about 70 countries, which makes it one of the best VPNs for Netflix. PIA also stands out for its privacy. The company says it does not keep any logs and offers strong encryption and protocols. It’s also priced reasonably.
Using PIA to unblock Netflix
PIA works hard to keep Netflix accessible to its users. While it doesn’t have specialized servers for unblocking Netflix and other streaming services, Private Internet Access offers dedicated IP addresses. Generally, a shared IP gives you more privacy and anonymity. However, part of Netflix’s strategy to limit VPN use is blocking IP addresses that are used by multiple users. If you request a dedicated IP, that address is yours alone. By offering this option, PIA makes it easier for you to unblock Netflix. That’s not all. Eager to tick all the streaming boxes, PIA also offers dedicated streaming servers. Among these are a server in the US optimized for Netflix, Hulu, and other US streaming services and a server in the UK (London) that’s great for watching BBC iPlayer. If you want to try PIA for free, it’s good to know that they also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our full Private Internet Access review for more information!
Our Top 5 Netflix VPNs: Speed Test Results
Before we wrap up our comparison of the five best VPNs for Netflix, it’s worth looking at the speeds you can expect from each provider. Below, you will find a summary of the speeds we recorded when testing these VPNs.
Best VPN for Netflix: What to Look Out For
A VPN is a valuable tool for bypassing censorship and other geo-restrictions — like the ones Netflix uses to ensure only people in a particular location can access certain content. If you’re looking for the best VPN for Netflix, these are the essential features to consider when making a choice.
Essential Netflix VPN features and qualities
These are some of the key factors we considered when selecting the best Netflix VPNs.
How to Watch American Netflix With a VPN
A VPN does three things:
Encrypt your internet traffic Redirects all traffic via a remote server Hide your location by changing your IP address
When you connect to a US VPN server, your data traffic is redirected through the United States. This makes Netflix believe you are located on American soil, giving you access to the US Netflix library. We have a step-by-step guide if you’re wondering how to connect to Netflix with a VPN. Click the button below for quick and easy instructions!
Can You Use a Free VPN For Netflix?
Although some free VPNs can bypass geo-restrictions, we generally don’t recommend using them for the following reasons: Not ready to pay for a VPN subscription yet? Don’t worry — many of the best Netflix VPNs offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee.
Which Free VPNs Can I Use to Unblock Netflix?
Although free VPNs are not ideal for streaming, we’ve conducted tests to determine the safest and best free Netflix VPNs. You can read our full review and see our test results in this resource.
PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN at consistently unblocking Netflix at the time of writing. If you want to stream movies and series from the US Netflix library, try PrivadoVPN. The provider uses obfuscation technology to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. Privado has great security features, including 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch. The only drawback is that you have a 10 GB data limit each month. You can also only access servers in 10 countries. Still, PrivadoVPN is one of the best Netflix VPNs available at no cost.
Windscribe
Windscribe has paid subscription plans, but its free plan can unblock the US Netflix library. This is a hit-or-miss Netflix VPN. We tried several servers without success before we could connect to Netflix. You get a 2 GB monthly data limit when you sign up for Windscribe. If you give Windscribe your e-mail address, they increase your allowance to 10 GB. While Windscribe says it doesn’t log user data, the provider suffered a security breach in July 2021 when Ukrainian authorities seized its VPN servers. Authorities also accessed a private key that could decrypt Windscribe VPN users’ internet traffic.
TunnelBear
We initially had some issues trying to unblock Netflix with TunnelBear. After changing some settings (switching servers and protocols), we could access the Netflix libraries of Germany and the United Kingdom. TunnelBear is relatively secure for a free service. It provides strong encryption and has apps for various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Android. You can also opt for TunnelBear browser extensions. Unfortunately, TunnelBear has a data cap of 500 Mb, which makes it unsuitable for streaming. A one-hour HD episode of your favorite show will require you to stream about 3 GB of data. TunnelBear can be a temporary option, but we don’t recommend it for watching Netflix long-term. For that, you’ll need one of the best Netflix VPNs we highlighted above.
Which VPNs Don’t Work with Netflix?
Netflix continues to upgrade its ability to detect VPN and proxy servers. So, the list of the best VPNs for Netflix is constantly changing. Even big players in the VPN industry can run into issues. At the time of writing, these are some of the most well-known VPNs that are blocked by Netflix:
IPVanish PureVPN Hola HideMyAss! (HMA) Opera VPN VPN Unlimited VyprVPN Zenmate
Why Doesn’t Netflix Work With Every VPN?
Netflix has contracts with producers and film distributors all over the world. Depending on the type of license it can acquire, some content may only be available in specific countries. To enforce this licensing agreement, Netflix checks your IP address to determine your location and whether you should have access to certain content. Netflix knows many people around the globe are using VPNs to bypass its geo-restrictions. That’s why it has systems to detect if many people are using the same IP address. When Netflix blocks your IP address, instead of being able to watch movies or series, you get an error message instructing you to turn off your proxy connection or unblocking tool.
Can You Get a Netflix Discount with a VPN?
Did you know you can use a VPN app to get a nice discount on Netflix? We’ve researched the way prices for Netflix subscriptions vary in different countries. By choosing a VPN server in a specific country, you can score a discount by paying a lower subscription fee. Currently, it’s cheaper to subscribe to Netflix with a Turkish IP address. You can subscribe to Netflix’s Basic plan for just 37.99 TL (around USD 2.12). Subscribing with an Argentinian IP address can also get you a discount. Netflix’s Basic plan costs ARS 429 (approximately USD 3.25) at the time of writing. However, there is a caveat — you’ll need an Argentinian payment method. For more information, check out our article on how to save money on your Netflix subscription. Note that this doesn’t affect the content you’ll be able to see on the platform. You’ll always see the version of Netflix that corresponds with your location.
Other Benefits of Using a Netflix VPN
Unblocking country-specific Netflix content is not the only benefit a VPN service has to offer. VPNs also support internet freedom, providing a safe and easy way to bypass censorship. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic using encryption and VPN protocols. It also reroutes your data through its servers and changes your IP address. This makes it much harder for hackers, governments, or other parties to track or access your personal information. A VPN offers much-needed security, allowing you to surf the web safely. Another important feature of a VPN is anonymity. Since a VPN hides your IP address, no one can determine your location and, ultimately, your identity. Check out this article to learn more about the advantages of a VPN.
Other Ways to Bypass Netflix’s Geo-Restrictions
VPNs aren’t the only tool you can use to unblock Netflix, although they’re often the best way to do so. You can use a proxy server to access the American Netflix library, though our experience is that Netflix blocks most proxies. Moreover, the connection is neither stable nor fast. You can also attempt to watch international Netflix using the Tor browser or smart DNS. Here’s how.
Watching Netflix on Tor
The Tor browser routes your internet traffic through different servers worldwide. Each server adds a layer of encryption and anonymity. However, Tor is not very suitable for streaming Netflix. Since your traffic has to travel through so many “”nodes,” Tor is significantly slower. Also, with Tor, you have no control over the location of the exit server (the last rerouting node). If you want to stream content from the American Netflix library, there is no way of ensuring that your server location will be in the US. In other words, accessing the US Netflix library through Tor is a gamble with low odds. Streaming also requires a fair amount of data speed. For these reasons, we recommend using a VPN for Netflix over Tor.
Watch Netflix using Smart DNS
It’s also possible to access foreign Netflix libraries with Smart DNS. All computers and websites have a unique IP address. This IP address is linked to a hostname. The Domain Name Server (DNS) keeps track of which website name belongs to which IP address. You can think of the DNS as the internet’s phonebook. Smart DNS hides the location of your computer by routing DNS queries through a remote server. Using Smart DNS, you can connect to an American server and get an American IP address. This is a good way to unblock Netflix and access the full US Netflix library, no matter where you are in the world. Just note that, unlike a VPN, Smart DNS does not encrypt and redirect your internet traffic
Conclusion: The Best Ways to Unblock Netflix
There are several ways to bypass Netflix’s restrictions and access foreign Netflix libraries. Do you want to get the most out of your streaming subscription? Here are three ways to unblock Netflix:
Use a VPN. With the right Netflix VPN, you can access the American Netflix library from anywhere in the world. NordVPN works especially well with Netflix and has many fast servers in the US. Use Smart DNS. With Smart DNS, you can change the virtual location of your computer and bypass Netflix’s geo-restrictions. Use an American proxy server. A proxy server redirects your internet traffic, allowing you to access the American Netflix library. However, proxy servers are often slow, and Netflix is quick to block them.
Remember, you need an active Netflix account to access any Netflix library. Using a VPN is the best and easiest way to watch Netflix freely and comfortably from anywhere in the world. A good VPN provides freedom, anonymity, and security. In our books, the five best VPNs for Netflix are: It’s possible to use a free VPN to stream Netflix, but we don’t recommend this for security reasons and due to data (and speed) caps. Want to unblock other streaming sites? Check out our guides to unblocking Disney+ and Hulu.
