Best VPN for Netflix

Want to unblock different regions of Netflix and get MORE movies and MORE TV shows?

I did too and this is where a VPN comes into play. However, finding the best VPN for Netflix is more tricky than it should be, right?

So I did some research into which VPN companies work best to consistently unblock Netflix. Below I’m sharing my results which I keep updated every month.

The Netflix streaming site and app has completely revolutionised the way we watch both movies and TV shows and just like the term ‘Google it’, it’s now become a part of public consciousness to essentially, ‘Netflix it’.

If you’re a savvy film watcher then you’re probably aware that the kind of movie and TV show catalogue you’ll get access to depends on what country you’re in.

You’ll also probably be aware that a VPN is the magical app that allows you to access overseas regions and get more movies and TV shows with your regular Netflix account by giving you access to multiple Netflix libraries.

Netflix blocks many VPN services but there is a good selection that works and in this guide, I’m comparing the Top 7. Although ExpressVPN is our favourite, you are free to choose.

Top VPN choices for Netflix:

Choosing a Netflix VPN shouldn’t be hard, but unfortunately, it is. With so many Netflix VPN services out there it’s easy to end up with one that’s blocked by Netflix.

We’ve tried and tested a whole bunch of them to see which one unblocks Netflix the best. We have found the following seven to be the best Netflix VPNs around.

Not only do these work with the US Netflix service and some other regions but they’re also some of the leading options in terms of speeds and reliability allowing you to sit back and enjoy without interruptions.

1. ExpressVPN
2. NordVPN
3. Surfshark
4. CyberGhost VPN
5. VyprVPN
6. IPVanish
7. PrivateInternetAccess

1. ExpressVPN

Best for: Best all-round pick for Netflix

ExpressVPN has become synonymous with Netflix because it’s the service that’s been working with Netflix for the longest time. While many VPNs remained blocked, ExpressVPN was sailing the Netflix flag and allowing unrestricted access for as long as I can remember.

With servers located across 105 countries, it is easy to see why ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix better than most other VPN services around. They’ve also developed their own in-house protocol called Lightway, which is worth knowing about. It’s designed specifically for speed and reliability, and in practice it shows. Connecting is fast and streams rarely stutter.

The American Netflix site works perfectly on ExpressVPN across their range of apps and there are plenty of Netflix servers enabled. This allows you to stream on your computer, tablet, phone or even the Amazon Fire TV / Stick, and they also have a dedicated Apple TV app which is one of the better ones I’ve tested.

Accessing US Netflix is a huge bonus, as the US is known to have the largest amount of movies and TV shows on their Netflix library. Nobody would blame you for wanting to stream video from the US library. But to do so, you’ll need to use Netflix with a VPN.

It’s worth noting that ExpressVPN allows you to have up to 8 simultaneous connections, so you can protect all of your devices.

They do also work with some other international Netflix libraries and regions such as the Canadian, Australian and Netflix UK sites. I’ve even found them to allow access to regions like Thailand which many VPNs don’t.

You may also use ExpressVPN to access other video streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Apple TV, Disney+, Peacock, and many others.

In our most recent ExpressVPN review we found them to be one of the fastest providers with minimal speed loss even at a distance when testing their US VPN server location from the UK. You’ll have no trouble streaming in up to Ultra 4K across the world.

ExpressVPN also allows you to use their smart DNS feature which is great for streaming video if you don’t need the encryption side of things.

Plus they have a huge 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat customer support service so you can stream Netflix and chill for an entire month without risk.

Their money back guarantee provides you with plenty of time to test their service with the Netflix regions that you want to unblock, ensuring it works. I always recommend choosing a VPN with a good money back guarantee for this reason.

One thing worth knowing is that ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, who also own CyberGhost VPN and Private Internet Access, two other services on this list. We test all three independently on a regular basis and their ownership doesn’t influence our rankings, but we think it’s important to be upfront about it.

ExpressVPN is our top Netflix VPN pick. Our speed tests show they have some of the fastest connection speeds around, they unblock Netflix libraries from all over the world, and they have a large number of server locations in the US. If you want to access American Netflix there is quite simply no better provider right now.

Our #1 Recommendation

30-day money back guarantee

2. NordVPN

Best for: Watching US Netflix from anywhere in the world

NordVPN is one of the best Netflix VPN providers, but they work a little different from most of the competition.

A feature of NordVPN that you’ll love is the ability to access US Netflix (the largest Netflix library) by connecting to most of their server locations.

So if you’re in Asia or Australia, for example, you can connect to your local server locations and as if by magic, you can still access US Netflix. This will give you improved speeds, which are perfect for HD streaming.

NordVPN has continued to open up the service to work with other Netflix libraries and regions and they have a vast range of servers. Some regions can still be a little hit and miss depending on where you’re trying to access, but this is a reliable VPN provider and in our tests it works consistently with all of the most popular Netflix content libraries.

I used NordVPN to stream Bank Of Dave 2: The Long Ranger (which is only available on UK and Australian Netflix) while I was in Thailand. I had crystal clear streams and didn’t encounter any issues.

The NordVPN apps are simple to use and they support all major devices such as Windows, Mac, Android and iOS plus the Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Cube. They also have a native Apple TV app which works very well for watching Netflix on the big screen without any fussing around. So whatever device you want to binge-watch on, NordVPN has an app for it.

NordVPN really makes streaming Netflix with a VPN easy. Their VPN can also be used with other HD streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

A useful feature is their split tunnelling capability, allowing certain apps and websites to bypass the VPN. This is useful when using your banking app. They also offer a Smart DNS feature, handy for unblocking streaming services such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

They also allow you to put your connection to a VPN server through a double IP address change for added security, and allow you to use a dedicated IP address to ensure nobody else is using the same IP as you.

I’m a fan of the double VPN connection that Nord offers, but I feel this option won’t be necessary for most users. Yet it’s a nice feature to have. Their Threat Protection Pro feature, which blocks trackers, ads and malicious sites at the VPN level, is also genuinely useful beyond just streaming.

Just like ExpressVPN, they offer live chat customer support that will be more than happy to help you out.

I put their live customer service to the test and asked various questions. They got back to me fairly quickly and always provided the answer I was looking for. I asked them basic questions like “how to access Netflix” and more complex questions such as “how to set up a VPN on my Smart TV”.

Nord gives you the ability to have 10 simultaneous connections to your streaming devices, which is enough for the whole family with a couple to spare.

Overall, NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Netflix. It is definitely one of the fastest VPN providers for streaming too, so you can get away from SD quality content and start streaming Netflix in full HD on all of your devices.

3. Surfshark

Best for: Households with lots of devices

Surfshark has come a long way since launching and they’ve been consistently excellent in their ability to work with Netflix. Surfshark no longer publishes how many different regions of Netflix it works with so it’s difficult to ascertain numbers.

However, in testing I found that the US, UK, Canada and Japanese Netflix all worked well, and also some more rare regions including France, Germany, The Netherlands, India, South Korea, Italy, Australia, Turkey, Brazil and Singapore.

Some regions can be hit and miss and work one month, but not another.

Using Surfshark’s range of apps is straightforward and they support all major devices. VPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android (Android TV), Apple iOS and the Amazon Fire TV. This will cover most devices so you can reliably unblock Netflix wherever you are.

I was pleased to see that Surfshark supported Android TV and I used their app to binge my way through The Last Kingdom while I was in Cyprus. No buffering, no drop-outs, just good telly.

Surfshark has also completed independent security audits covering both their apps and their no-logs policy. For a service that was criticised early on for being unaudited, they’ve done the right thing and followed through, which I respect.

Worth being upfront about: Surfshark is owned by Nord Security, the same parent company as NordVPN. Both are on this list and both were tested independently. The ownership didn’t factor into their placement.

With Surfshark VPN, you will be able to have unlimited simultaneous connections to any of your devices, making them one of the best Netflix VPN providers around. A VPN offering unlimited simultaneous connections is genuinely rare and is a big selling point for households with a lot of devices.

There is also the industry standard 30-day money-back guarantee and if you’re prepared to commit to a longer package their prices are lower than we’ve seen elsewhere.

Along with 24/7 live chat support, fast speeds, an easy to use app, and a solid zero traffic logs policy, Surfshark VPN is one of the best VPN providers that works with the Netflix streaming service and many others such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.

You may even want to use their smart DNS feature, which is useful for unblocking websites on devices that don’t support VPN usage, which would usually leave you with a streaming error. I’ve encountered this issue in the past with BBC iPlayer, but it works brilliantly with Surfshark.

So if you are looking for a VPN that unblocks Netflix across the most regions possible, Surfshark is hard to beat.

4. CyberGhost VPN

Best for: Beginners who want a no-fuss streaming setup

CyberGhost VPN is an excellent choice if you want to use a VPN to access Netflix libraries other than the US one.

While CyberGhost VPN unblocks Netflix US, they also offer access to some regions that others don’t, making them one of the better Netflix VPNs for region-hopping.

On their range of apps, they have a dedicated ‘For Streaming’ mode which automatically connects you to dedicated streaming servers to access Netflix. This covers the UK, US, German and Singapore Netflix sites plus more.

If you want a VPN for nothing else than making a quick connection to Netflix, then these simple options make it effortless. I actually found this option really useful when I wanted to hop between different regions to find a movie that wasn’t available at home.

Even my parents managed to use CyberGhost’s VPN app for accessing Netflix, it really is simple. And they used it to watch the latest season of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime Video while they were away in Spain.

CyberGhost has one of the best customer support teams and offers a massive money-back guarantee lasting a whopping 45 days, which is longer than most. They also have apps for all major streaming devices including Amazon Fire TV devices.

I’ve always been impressed with their 45-day money back guarantee. It gives you plenty of time to test their VPN with all of the Netflix libraries you want to unblock, and there’s no scrambling to cancel before a 30-day window closes.

As far as Netflix VPNs go, CyberGhost is one of the better options when it comes to streaming with fast VPN servers. A fast server is a must for high-quality streams and they consistently deliver.

Their inbuilt Smart DNS feature will help you unblock Netflix libraries from all around the world and is a genuine bonus for those who want flexibility.

You will also benefit from being able to watch other streaming services such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ while connected to a VPN server.

CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies, the same parent company as ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. As mentioned earlier, we test each independently and our rankings reflect our own findings.

5. VyprVPN

Best for: US Netflix on desktop and mobile at a straightforward price

VyprVPN had been a little hit and miss for accessing Netflix in previous years but over time this VPN has settled down and can work with Netflix reliably.

Our testing showed they’re mainly suitable for watching the US Netflix region, which is where the majority of movies and TV shows are so it really is the library you’ll want to access. We found you may have hit and miss luck with a couple of other regions and they’re not guaranteed.

So if you’re looking to access multiple Netflix regions, VyprVPN might not be the one for you.

VyprVPN is an entirely no-log VPN service so your private internet access is ensured, which is not only great for watching Netflix but also for your overall internet security.

VyprVPN have developed their VyprDNS (Smart DNS) feature to help you defeat any censorship from all around the world. A Smart DNS is a handy feature when you need it.

Speeds are fast and the VPN connection with VyprVPN is reliable. VyprVPN provides apps for Android and iOS plus Windows and Mac allowing you to stream Netflix anywhere. We had no issues streaming Netflix in full HD.

It took VyprVPN some years but they finally released an Amazon Fire TV app which is handy for watching Netflix on the big screen. They also brought in Apple TV, Android TV and Google TV support so you can watch Netflix on any of your devices.

I still think personally, you’re best sticking with ExpressVPN as our overall best VPN for Netflix, but the choice is yours.

6. IPVanish

Best for: Unlimited devices on a budget

IPVanish has been in the VPN industry since 2012, which gives it the kind of track record you want when choosing a service for something as demanding as Netflix streaming. What I like most about IPVanish is that it has quietly and consistently done the job without the fanfare of some of the bigger names on this list.

In our testing, IPVanish unblocks US Netflix reliably and works with a handful of other regions too. While it won’t win any awards for the sheer number of Netflix libraries it can access, it does the job well for the regions it supports, and it does it consistently. For most people, US Netflix is all they’re after anyway.

One thing that genuinely impressed me was the move to unlimited simultaneous connections. If you’ve got a busy household with everyone wanting to watch something different, IPVanish has you covered without any extra cost. I tested it with several devices running Netflix at the same time and there were no complaints.

Their apps are clean and straightforward, covering all the major platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and crucially, they have a dedicated Amazon Fire TV app which is ideal for watching Netflix on your TV. The Fire TV app is one of the better designed ones I’ve used from any provider.

IPVanish is one of the fewer VPN providers to have had their no-logs policy independently audited, which is genuinely reassuring. A lot of VPN services make the no-logs claim but never back it up. IPVanish has.

The one thing I’d flag is that IPVanish is based in the United States, which puts it within Five Eyes jurisdiction. For pure Netflix streaming this is not really a concern day-to-day, but it’s worth knowing if privacy is a bigger factor for you than streaming.

Their speeds are solid across the board and we had no trouble streaming Netflix in full HD during testing. They also support BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and other popular streaming platforms.

With a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support, IPVanish is a dependable choice, particularly if you want unlimited device connections at a competitive price point.

7. Private Internet Access

Best for: Privacy-focused users who want a huge server network

Looking for one of the best VPNs for Netflix with access to multiple regions? Private Internet Access offers one of the VPN world’s largest collections of servers. With thousands of servers across 91 countries, you will never be stuck trying to find a fast connection.

Their fast speeds make Private Internet Access one of the more reliable VPNs for Netflix and allow you to stream in full 4K UHD without ridiculous buffer times.

Private Internet Access can be used to unblock some of the most popular Netflix regions including Netflix US, UK, Canada, Australia and Netflix Netherlands. Each of these will provide you with thousands of hours worth of content, more than enough to keep you busy.

I tested their service by streaming Netflix UK from abroad and found it to be consistent and quick. No fussing around with servers or getting the dreaded proxy error, it just worked.

One feature that I genuinely like is the ability to pay for your Private Internet Access VPN package using a number of different cryptocurrencies. This ensures that you remain as anonymous as possible and don’t need to share any unnecessary personal information with the company.

For a privacy-focused service it’s a nice touch that not many competitors offer.

As mentioned earlier in our CyberGhost section, PIA is also owned by Kape Technologies, the same parent company as ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. Again, this doesn’t affect our testing or rankings but we think transparency matters.

PrivateInternetAccess also offers 24/7 customer support which I tested and found responsive, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee too.

Overall, they are a dependable option and a worthy addition to any list of the best VPNs for Netflix.

How to choose a VPN?

Before you dive in and sign up for any old Netflix VPN, it’s worth thinking about the following. These will save you time and money while preventing disappointment.

Which Netflix VPN is best for you?

If you’re looking for a VPN that can work with Netflix then the most difficult part is finding one that works consistently.

Our favourite right now is ExpressVPN but the other six listed above all work well to access Netflix. It’s hard to go wrong whichever of the VPNs you end up choosing.

There are some minor considerations that will help you choose between the seven above if you’re still struggling to make a decision.

If you want to unblock Netflix with no fuss, choose ExpressVPN.

They work well for Netflix US, UK, Canada, Australia, and others. It can be difficult finding a VPN that works with Netflix Australia, luckily ExpressVPN is one of them. They also support more devices than most, including Apple TV, which is a genuine bonus.

If you want to watch Netflix on more devices, choose Surfshark.

They have no concurrent device limit allowing you to use it on an unlimited number of devices at the same time. You can connect on each device without any restrictions. IPVanish is also unlimited on devices if Surfshark doesn’t suit.

If you want to try risk-free, choose CyberGhost VPN.

CyberGhost VPN offers a huge 45-day money-back guarantee to give you plenty of time to test the service. It’s the most generous guarantee on this entire list.

If you want to watch Netflix on any device, get ExpressVPN.

They’ve got apps for more devices than most. You’ll be able to unblock and watch Netflix on your computer, laptop, tablet, phone, TV, media stick and a whole host more, including Apple TV and Google TV.

How we selected the top VPNs

We tested a whole range of VPN providers to see which ones actually work to unblock Netflix. With Netflix actively blocking VPN traffic, it was a fairly quick process to eliminate services that trigger the dreaded “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy” error message.

Once we had whittled it down to a select group, we then went about testing various features of each service. Some questions we asked included:

• Does it unblock US Netflix?
• Does it unblock other regions of Netflix?
• How many regions of Netflix does it unblock?
• Does it unblock Netflix on multiple devices?
• Are speeds fast enough to stream in high quality?

We re-test each service on the list every month. VPN and Netflix compatibility can change without warning, so a VPN that worked in January might not work in February, and vice versa. Our monthly testing process catches those changes so you don’t have to.

Alongside those questions, we considered other areas such as price, ease of use, reliability, customer support quality, and how long a service has been consistently working with Netflix. That last point matters more than people realise.

A VPN that has been unblocking Netflix reliably for several years is a much safer bet than one that just started working last month.

From all of these, we were able to determine which services were most suitable and rank them accordingly. ExpressVPN came out on top.

Don’t forget you don’t need multiple Netflix subscriptions to hop regions. You just need your regular subscription and a VPN.

In the interest of transparency, it’s worth knowing that three of the services on this list, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and Private Internet Access, are all owned by the same parent company, Kape Technologies.

We test all three independently and their shared ownership played no role in their inclusion or ranking. We include them because they genuinely performed well in our testing.

If that ownership is a concern for you, NordVPN, Surfshark, VyprVPN and IPVanish are all independently owned alternatives, although NordVPN and Surfshark do fall under the same umbrella company.

Aren’t VPNs blocked from accessing Netflix?

You may have heard of the fabled Netflix VPN ban.

While it’s true, this is something that first occurred back in 2015. Netflix cracked down on almost every VPN service and at the time it wasn’t possible to use Netflix while connected to a VPN at all.

Fast forward to now and many Netflix VPN services work fine. If a VPN wants to circumvent the Netflix ban, it can without too much trouble.

However, not all do work (looking at you, Proton VPN) so it pays to do some research or stick with one of the seven providers above which we’ve tested and confirmed working.

What about the Netflix password sharing crackdown?

Netflix rolled out their password sharing restrictions in 2023 and a lot of people got confused about how this affects VPN use. The short answer is that it doesn’t, not directly.

The password sharing crackdown was about stopping people using one account across multiple households, not about VPNs. As long as you have your own active Netflix subscription, you can use a VPN to switch regions without any issue.

The two things are entirely separate and you won’t find your account flagged or restricted for using a VPN to watch a different Netflix library.

I did find that when a family member in the same area “borrowed” my account they did have difficulty using the service. They found this much more on TV apps like the Fire TV one, but were able to make use of it more freely on desktop web browsers.

Will it unblock Netflix on my TV?

The answer to this can be both Yes and No, and it all depends on your TV set-up.

If you’ve got a built-in Netflix app on your Smart TV then using a VPN app directly on the TV is usually impossible. Unless you’ve got a dedicated VPN router, you’ll be unable to unblock American or other regions of Netflix through the TV’s native app alone.

The best ways to watch American Netflix on an actual TV are through the Amazon Fire TV, the Fire TV Stick, a Google TV device (such as a Chromecast with Google TV), or an Apple TV.

These are small, inexpensive boxes or sticks that plug into your TV and enable access to loads of different entertainment apps from BBC iPlayer to Netflix. You can buy an Amazon Fire TV here, either built into a TV these days or via the traditional stick or cube.

The good news is that the options have expanded considerably. ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark all now have native Apple TV apps, which is a big deal if you use an Apple TV box. You no longer need to set up a VPN router just to watch a different Netflix region on your television.

For Google TV devices, the recommended approach is using the Android-compatible apps that ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark all offer.

For Amazon Fire TV users, the top four services listed in this guide all have dedicated Amazon apps that work with the Fire TV, Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Cube. They’ll let you unblock Netflix US (and some other regions) and watch directly on your TV.

If you do want to watch on any device, including Smart TVs that don’t support VPN apps directly, a VPN router is where you should be looking.

Can I watch on my tablet, mobile or other devices?

Yes, all the recommended services above have apps for all the most popular desktop, laptop, tablet and phone devices.

You need to sign up for one of their services and download their app.

Then connect to the United States. Once you’re connected, you can watch on any device wherever you are.

So if you’re lazing in bed at home, on the commute to uni or sneaking 5 minutes in the toilet at work, you can binge-watch Netflix as much as you want using one of the VPN mobile apps above.

Is there a free VPN for Netflix?

I love something for free and I’m sure you do too. After all, why pay for it if you can get it free?

Unfortunately, getting a free VPN for Netflix is a non-starter.

I tested a whole bunch of them such as Proton VPN and they let me down either being too slow or just not working.

The main issue is Netflix blocks most free VPNs and it makes sense.

As hundreds of users load onto them, because they’re free, it’s easy for Netflix to spot them and block them. This means the free Netflix VPN will struggle to unblock anything at all.

You’ll also find that many free VPN providers don’t offer unlimited bandwidth, and they’ll have extremely high traffic from all those free users which leaves you with very slow speeds and an extremely limited server network.

Free VPN security concerns

There are also a wealth of security concerns around free VPNs, from bundled malware and spyware, to selling user data, to being owned by companies with questionable track records.

You’re free to search around and try, but my advice is to save yourself some time, spend a couple of pounds or dollars, and watch Netflix hassle-free with one of the providers above.

There’s no guarantee that a free VPN works, and they won’t have features such as unlimited simultaneous connections or a proper server network to let you access the Netflix library you’re after.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most popular Netflix VPN FAQs:

In Summary

There are many VPNs that can unblock Netflix. Yet, those that worked last year aren’t guaranteed to work this year, which is why we test our recommendations every single month.

Recap of Top 7 VPNs for Netflix

When it comes to the top VPNs for Netflix, we’ve found the following to be your best options:

1. ExpressVPN
2. NordVPN
3. Surfshark VPN
4. CyberGhost VPN
5. VyprVPN
6. IPVanish
7. Private Internet Access

Factors to Consider When Choosing a VPN

There are many factors to consider when choosing a VPN for Netflix, such as connection speed, security and encryption, app options, a wide range of server locations (so you can access Netflix libraries from around the world), and how consistently the service actually works with Netflix.

Most VPNs on the list offer the best of the best and work well with Netflix month after month in our testing.

Our Top Pick for the Best VPN for Netflix

ExpressVPN is our top Netflix VPN pick. It offers excellent speeds, a proprietary Lightway protocol built for streaming, and it works with most Netflix regions consistently. It also comes with a 30-day guarantee, so if you’re not happy, you get your money back.

What’s not to like?

Sign up today and start streaming Netflix immediately, without any restrictions.

Or, if you don’t fancy ExpressVPN, try one of the other best Netflix VPN services on our list.

References

1. Forbes | Benefits Of A VPN

Other articles you may like

• 21 VPN services you should know this year
• Why free VPN services really should be avoided
• Best VPN for the Amazon Firestick

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