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ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix overall, with a generous server network, outstanding geographical content unblocking and an uncomplicated app design. Whether you’re a seasoned VPN expert or new user, Express’s streamlined applications help you hop on a server and start streaming quickly. ExpressVPN unblocked almost all international Netflix libraries I tried.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN for Netflix streaming. Its class-leading 11% average internet speed loss results in silky smooth, buffer-free 4K video streaming quality. Capable of unblocking dozens of popular international Netflix libraries, Nord is an excellent choice for power users. Although Nord didn't provide access to some worldwide Netflix content -- notably Egypt -- it never failed to load Netflix, and its exceptional internet speeds make it a fantastic VPN for streaming in 4K ultra-high-definition.
PIA is a budget-friendly VPN for watching Netflix. Private Internet Access provides access to dozens of international Netflix libraries, boasts a large worldwide server network and offers unlimited simultaneous device usage, so you can stream on an Apple TV, your phone, computer, Amazon Fire TV and any other gadgets all at once.
Proton is the best free VPN for streaming Netflix, and the only zero-dollar VPN CNET recommends. Despite a few limitations, the no-cost tier doesn’t compromise your data or inundate you with ads, and you can still stream Netflix. The paid Proton Plus plan provides 91 servers and outstanding geo-restricted content unblocking capabilities (Proton unblocked all of the Netflix countries I tried), so it’s a compelling upgrade for cinephiles.
A virtual private network masks your IP address, which indicates your geographic location similar to your physical address. For instance, you can use a VPN to make apps, websites and your internet service provider (ISP) think you’re in a different state or country. While traveling, Netflix offers varied content libraries based on region, so you’ll notice different movies and TV shows in another international locale.
Using a VPN accordingly unlocks access to global Netflix libraries, meaning you can stream films and shows typically unavailable in your region. It’s a neat lifehack to make the most out of your Netflix subscription -- and possibly save money by watching videos otherwise requiring another streaming service subscription in your area. Netflix thankfully allows the use of VPNs, although you can’t use one to stream live content or with the base ad-supported tier. But you’ll want the right VPN for your media consumption. I tested VPNs to determine the most unblocked international Netflix libraries, 4K video playback capabilities and streaming device support. In all, I ran dozens of tests on various devices -- from phones and computers to streaming dongles including the Amazon Fire TV and Android TV boxes -- to help you pick out the best VPN for Netflix.
Show lessStreaming support
When you’re selecting a VPN to stream Netflix, you’ll want to consider how many international content libraries it unlocks. Generally, we found that most servers in the US, UK, Canada, South Africa, Romania and Australia worked flawlessly. Servers in other countries, like Egypt, occasionally didn’t show geo-specific movies and shows -- while Netflix never failed to load, on some VPNs, it simply continued showing the US version. Aside from Netflix, think about the other streaming services you want to unblock with a VPN, like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney Plus, YouTube TV, Sling, Amazon Prime Video and other providers.
Server network
The more individual country servers a VPN provider offers, the greater potential it offers for unblocking international Netflix libraries. At the high end, VPN companies including NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark sport 100 or more nations. We recommend at least 60-plus countries, which gives you plenty of options. Notably, you may not be able to access global Netflix content on all servers. But if a VPN offers multiple servers in a particular country -- such as several choices in the UK -- you can try changing connectivity options within that region to see if that successfully unblocks Netflix.
Device compatibility
Think about the devices you want to stream Netflix on using a VPN. Most VPNs offer Windows, MacOS and Linux applications for desktops or laptops. Likewise, you’ll find Android and iOS/iPadOS apps for mobile devices including phones and tablets. Many VPNs feature Android TV apps that run on streaming boxes, like the NVIDIA Shield TV or Chromecast with Google TV. A growing number of VPN companies, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PIA and IPVanish, boast Apple TV apps, which are great for Apple aficionados.
Speed
All VPNs slow down your internet connection somewhat, with the best-performing VPN dropping your speeds by an average of 25% or less. A reliable connection is a must, especially for streaming in 1080p high-definition or 4K ultra-high-definition. Look for a VPN with a minimal internet speed loss for buffer- and lag-free streaming.
Privacy
Aside from entertainment like streaming video and gaming, many folks use VPNs for additional privacy. When connected to a VPN, apps, websites and your internet service provider view your traffic as coming from a different location -- such as another state or even country. At a minimum, I recommend a VPN service with AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch and split tunneling. Additionally, make sure your VPN provider maintains a strict no-logs policy and undergoes annual third-party audits to verify its zero-log claims. However, more privacy-conscious users, like investigative journalists or political activists, may want advanced privacy features such as a double VPN or multihop, Tor over VPN and RAM-only servers.
Price
You can sign up for a monthly, bi-annual, yearly or multi-year VPN subscription. VPN plans run you anywhere from $40 to $100 per year. Typically, the more you commit to the more you save, so an annual plan breaks down to a lower price per month than a monthly plan (but you’re paying upfront). We recommend sticking to an annual plan for the maximum savings with the lowest risk. A lot can change in a year: Your fast, private VPN might suffer a data breach or get acquired by a shady company during a 12-month time span. Notably, many VPN providers hit you with price hikes, so you might pay $60 for your first year of service, then get slapped with an auto-renewal of $100. Pay attention to the checkout page when purchasing a VPN, and take advantage of any early renewal discounts you get to avoid a costly subscription renewal.
Netflix libraries vary by your location, so available movies and TV shows vary by country. For instance, if you’re a US Netflix subscriber traveling throughout the UK and pull up Netflix, you’ll find movies like Spider-Man: Homecoming, which is reserved for Disney Plus in the States. Therefore, a VPN lets you watch many movies and TV shows previously unavailable in your region. Moreover, foreign film fans can access popular movies and shows from other areas. Using a VPN to stream Netflix at home lets you maximize your subscription by accessing a vast library otherwise unavailable to watch in your area.
Conversely, you can set a VPN to your home country while abroad. For instance, while traveling in the UK, you could continue binge-watching Gilmore Girls even though it’s not available in the United Kingdom by tunneling through a US server.
Streaming Netflix with a VPN only requires a VPN subscription, an active Netflix plan (excluding the ad-supported tier), a compatible device, and an active internet connection. Here’s how to watch Netflix with a VPN:
You should now be able to view movies and shows from your region of choice. But if that doesn’t work, you can try switching Netflix profiles. Occasionally, especially on streaming boxes or mobile devices like phones and tablets, I had to change profiles to get the correct region to load.
Alternatively, on a phone, tablet or streaming device, you can try force-closing the Netflix app, then reopening it when you’re still seeing a country in Netflix that doesn’t match the VPN server you selected. I even had to force quit the Netflix app, clear my cache and data, enable my VPN, then restart the Netflix app on some Android phones and tablets to load the correct region.
I tested VPNs for Netflix streaming by watching movies and TV shows on dozens of global servers to determine each virtual private network's international Netflix libraries. While researching, I used servers in a bevy of countries, including Australia, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan, Romania, South Africa, the US and UK. I tried VPNs on a host of different platforms, including Windows, MacOS and Linux PCs, Android and iOS/iPad mobile devices, plus Android TV and Apple TV streaming boxes. In addition to geo-restricted Netflix content unblocking, I tested each VPN’s connectivity -- officially with hundreds of internet speed tests per provider and anecdotally by streaming videos in 4K to assess lag or lack thereof.
Surfshark is a budget-friendly, feature-rich VPN with fast connectivity. On paper, Surfshark works swimmingly for Netflix streaming: You’ll enjoy an exhaustive 3,200 servers in more than 100 countries and fast speeds perfect for streaming -- we measured a snappy 17% average internet download speed loss. Additionally, Surfshark supports nearly every platform available: Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, MacOS and Linux, complete with a graphical user interface, or GUI, on Linux. For use with a TV, Surfshark offers Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Android TV apps.
But in my testing, Netflix blocked Surfshark in a few regions, notably South Africa and Romania. For reference, most other VPNs I tried were never blocked, even if the local Netflix library didn’t load. Still, Surfshark is a value-packed VPN provider at $15.45 per month, $48 each year or $60 total for your first two years of service (the one- and two-year plans spike to $60 annually after your introductory term).
IPVanish is a great VPN for casual VPN users. While I was able to unblock Netflix in most regions, including the US, UK, Canada, Japan and Germany, streaming on an Australian server didn’t work at all. Additionally, IPVanish’s comparatively smaller server network of over 50 countries falls well below the competition. Rivals like NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark boast 100-plus servers, with Proton and PIA each at over 80. Accordingly, IPVanish lacks the sheer volume of international options available with other VPN providers -- Egypt, for instance, was notably absent.
At $13 per month, $40 annually or $66 for your first two years (the annual plan renews at $90 and the two-year plan goes to $180 after your introductory period). While IPVanish’s upfront prices are easy on the pocketbook, its future price hikes, coupled with its smaller server network and streaming issues in some locations, mean you’re better off with other VPNs for watching Netflix.
