Let's be real — isn't it annoying when you're set for a movie marathon with your favorite shows and Netflix is like “Oh you wanna watch that? Not in your country, buddy!” You're not alone, and there is a simple fix called VPNs. In this article, you will discover the 5 best VPNs for Netflix and gain access to a whole new world of content on the largest streaming website in the world.
Netflix stands tall as a global giant in digital entertainment and VPNs magically make Netflix think you're browsing from a different country. So if you've ever felt FOMO watching your friends worldwide enjoy exclusive shows and movies, a VPN is your golden ticket. By changing your IP address, you can access movie libraries from any country, bypass Netflix's content restrictions, and increase viewing options.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for virtual private network and it is like a secret online cloak that hides what you are doing, tricks websites into thinking you're somewhere else, and keeps your internet stuff private and secure. Here’s what a VPN does:
- It uses an encryption protocol to hide and encrypt your data on the internet
- A VPN masks your IP address by replacing it with the IP address of the VPN server and keeping you anonymous.
- It allows you to gain access to content that is restricted or blocked based on your location.
- VPNs add an extra layer of security by encrypting your data when using public wifi.
- You can bypass your region's restrictions and access the internet through servers in countries with fewer restrictions.
- If your job involves working remotely, a VPN lets you do it securely.
5 Best VPNs for Netflix in 2024
Different countries have different Netflix shows, but by virtually changing your location, you can watch anything available using the best VPN. To ensure you can always access your favorite websites, the best VPN companies now include features like stealth VPN protocols and servers optimized for streaming.
There are countless VPNs available on the market today, I've narrowed down my selection to 5 best VPNs that function well with Netflix.
- Nord VPN – The Best for Netflix Streaming
NordVPN boasts over 5,000 servers and provides coverage in 60 countries globally. You can even pick the exact server you want, giving you the flexibility to switch around in case Netflix decides to crack down on things. NordVPN is not limited to just laptops or cellphones to enhance your TV streaming enjoyment. It's compatible with game consoles, Amazon Firestick, Apple TV, and Roku, ensuring you have various options for watching Netflix.
It can unlock 21 Netflix libraries, such as those in the US, the UK, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and more. What's even better, this service is perfect for accessing other widely-used streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Max, Disney+, and YouTube.
Features of Nord VPN
- You can connect up to six devices and experience a secure and private internet connection, even when using public Wi-Fi.
- Meshnet is a safe way to connect to other devices, no matter where they are in the world. Once you set it up, Meshnet works like a secure local network, connecting devices directly to each other.
- NordVPN's Threat Protection checks the files you download for harmful stuff and gets rid of it if it's infected. It makes your internet experience better by stopping annoying ads and sneaky web trackers that try to gather info about you without you knowing.
- NordVPN has a cool feature called Dark Web Monitoring. It keeps an eye out for your account info on the dangerous dark web. If it finds anything, it tells you so you can do something to protect your account.
- A dedicated IP is like having your very own special address online. With Nord VPN, you get an extra private address that's just for you and not shared with others.
- Don't worry about limits or slowdowns with NordVPN. Thanks to a broad server network, strong setup, and the superfast NordLynx protocol, you enjoy the quickest VPN connection for the best secure online streaming experience.
- With NordVPN guarding your mobile device, you can join public Wi-Fi without concerns, hide your IP address from curious eyes while on the go, and enjoy your favorite content from home even when you're abroad.
- Easy to set up, it keeps you protected from bad guys, hackers, and snoops. Browse securely in just seconds!
NordVPN starts at $3.39/month, and you can try it for free for 7 days. Plus, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also manage your passwords with the NordPass Password Manager.
The only downside we noticed with NordVPN is that connecting to a server might take a few seconds longer. While it's not a major issue, the handshake process seems to take an extra three or four seconds compared to providers in a similar price range.
- Express VPN
When you think about VPNs, ExpressVPN is one of the first names that comes to mind. You've probably seen their ads all over the internet. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a place that handles its affairs, especially when it comes to gathering and sharing digital information.
The company has more than 3,200 servers across 94 countries, with many in various locations. A significant portion is available in both the US and the UK. When it comes to Netflix, ExpressVPN is a top-notch option, even though it comes at a higher cost compared to NordVPN and Surfshark. It features a dedicated Netflix page, and specific VPN server locations consistently unlock geo-restricted content on Netflix.
About Express VPN
- Express VPN's network is designed for high speed, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and lightning-fast connectivity.
- It consistently allows access to Netflix on all tested platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Linux, and specific Wi-Fi routers.
- Keep yourself safe with top-notch security features, including strong encryption, protection against DNS/IPv6 leaks, a kill switch, and split tunneling.
- It comes with a special MediaStreamer tool, giving you more flexibility to access blocked content on devices that don't naturally support VPN connections, surpassing the capabilities of a standard DNS.
If you decide to give ExpressVPN a shot, you can grab it for $6.67 per month and connect up to 8 devices at the same time. Plus, you can give it a spin with the 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can check out how it stacks up against the leading Netflix VPN in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.
- Proton VPN - Best Netflix VPN for Mac
Ever since Netflix started cracking down on VPNs, even my go-to, NordVPN, had a bit of trouble. But Proton VPN handles it like a champ. It can unlock shows from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and Japan on most servers. Proton's average speeds provide a solid connection, ensuring smooth streaming without any buffering, even for 4K content.
ProtonVPN comes with several security and privacy features, such as a user-friendly multi-hop option and compatibility with TOR servers for P2P file-sharing. The company has strong privacy policies and impressive speeds, but the cost might make you hesitate.
About Proton VPN
- ProtonVPN supports Forward Secrecy, a security measure that employs one-time session encryption keys. This helps prevent the theft of encryption keys from one VPN session and their use to decrypt previous sessions.
- ProtonVPN allows TOR connections through VPN on certain servers, and this feature is exclusive to Plus and Visionary subscribers.
- You'll also find standard VPN features like DNS leak protection, an internet kill switch that stops your internet if the VPN connection is lost, and NetShield, which blocks malware, ads, and trackers directly at the server level.
- ProtonVPN accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, cash through regular mail, and Bitcoin through direct wallet-to-wallet transfers.
- When you use ProtonVPN on mobile, the company keeps track of crash reports. Additionally, ProtonVPN monitors the geographic distribution of its users on a collective, worldwide scale.
ProtonVPN works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. For $48 a year, the Basic plan gives "high" speeds on two devices. The Plus plan, $96 per year, allows 10 devices, top speeds, more servers, TOR, and Secure Core.
- Private Internet Access (PIA)
PIA boasts one of the biggest server networks, featuring over 20,000 servers across approximately 84 countries. This allows you to access all your favorite content no matter where you are. It performs exceptionally well with its OpenVPN connections, reaching a maximum speed of 440Mbps. This positions it among the fastest OpenVPN speeds available.
You get a no-log service, can connect up to 10 devices at once, and there's live chat support. The apps work on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
About PIA
- Keep your data locked up for added security. PIA ensures that unencrypted emails, photos, banking details, and anything else you want to keep private stay out of the wrong hands.
- Experience limitless bandwidth to stay connected to the world's top shows, apps, and games.
- Cutting-edge antivirus software scans and eliminates malware from your Windows PC, all without monitoring user activity or logging connection data. This makes PIA the only antivirus that provides complete control over your data and digital privacy.
- Acquire an exclusive IP address just for yourself. It's perfect if you want all the advantages of a VPN, such as accessing restricted content and concealing online activity, but with fewer CAPTCHAs and increased stability for activities like online banking and gaming.
All prices are in USD, and discounts are based on the regular monthly price of $11.95. Try PIA VPN free with the 30-day Money-Back Guarantee. Enhance your streaming and gaming with our advanced servers and keep your data secure.
- Surfshark – Cheapest VPN for Netflix
Surfshark stands out as an excellent VPN for Netflix, showcasing exceptional peak speeds reaching up to 950Mbps and reliable unblocking capabilities. Surfshark is effective with Netflix in the UK, US, Australia, and other regions. It's also the most budget-friendly option for dependable access to Netflix.
The company takes pride in its extensive server network, boasting over 3,200 servers spread across more than 100 countries. When it comes to unlocking streaming services, Surfshark is quite impressive. It can unblock Netflix in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.
About Surfshark
- Surfshark Antivirus provides robust device protection, securing everything from your webcam to your files.
- Surfshark Alert provides quick notifications about data leaks for added security.
- Create a fresh online identity and a proxy email using an Alternative ID.
- This VPN is highly compatible with widely used operating systems, routers, and streaming devices such as Roku and Firestick. Additionally, it can be activated as a browser extension.
- Many VPNs have multi-hop connections, but Surfshark is special. It lets you choose a set route or make your multi-hop route.
Surfshark is available for as low as $2.29 per month, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial.
Bottom line
Netflix is widely used in over 190 countries, but each region doesn't have the same movies, TV shows, and series. Some places, like Russia, Syria, China, and others, don't even have access to Netflix. Watching Netflix with a VPN is simple, as long as your VPN service allows it. Just sign up for one of the recommended VPNs, like NordVPN, and follow the easy instructions.
When you travel, having a Netflix VPN is essential because when you're outside your home country, you might not be able to continue watching the shows you're currently enjoying.