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Netflix has a habit of occasionally cracking down on customers using VPNs to stream movies and shows. So it only makes sense for us to regularly check our list of the best VPNs for streaming video online to see which ones let Netflix content flow. We found plenty that still unlock vast libraries of content, though not all. We list the top choices below, followed by some explanations of how we tested, why Netflix blocks VPNs, and whether any free VPNs work with Netflix.
Our Top Tested Picks
Proton VPN
NordVPN
Private Internet Access VPN
ExpressVPN
IPVanish VPN
Windscribe VPN
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Best Free VPN for Netflix
Proton VPN
- The best free VPN subscription
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent speed test scores
- Awkward ChromeOS implementation
ProtonVPN unblocked Netflix in nearly all our test regions. It also has an excellent combination of powerful features and affordability, making it the best free VPN service we've reviewed. Finally, it has servers that are especially recommended for a better video streaming experience (though they are not exclusively for streaming).
If you're cost-conscious, like a streamlined user interface, and want to watch Netflix from every region except for Canada (where it was at least partially successful), ProtonVPN is the pick for you.
Best Premium VPN for Netflix
NordVPN
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Excellent design
- Traffic routing and file-sharing with Meshnet
- Built-in antivirus tools
- Expensive
- Lackluster malware-blocking results
- Limited utility of free Meshnet traffic routing
While expensive, NordVPN has a hefty collection of privacy tools and a large number of servers across the globe. It also has streaming-specific servers, which enabled full Netflix access in every region we tested.
If you're looking to unblock Netflix around the world and don't mind paying a little extra for a VPN that's packed with features, NordVPN is your best option. You can use a static IP address, enable split tunneling, try a multi-hop connection, get extra protection with a kill switch, and choose from thousands of server locations globally.
Best for Unlimited Connections
Private Internet Access VPN
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Split tunneling and multi-hop
- Numerous server locations
- Completed third-party audit
- Expensive
- No free version
Private Internet Access has a snazzy interface that lets you customize the experience and is one of the few VPNs that enabled full Netflix access across every region we streamed from.
With its customizable interface, Private Internet Access appeals to anyone who wants to have their app tailored to their personal aesthetic. Also, having unlimited simultaneous connections means it can unblock Netflix for every device in your household at the same time.
Best for World Travelers
ExpressVPN
- Large, diversely distributed fleet of servers
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Split tunneling
- Stylish interface
- Expensive compared with VPNs with similar feature sets
- No multi-hop connections
In addition to giving full access to four out of five of our testing regions, ExpressVPN recently redesigned its app and has a large global presence that stretches across 105 countries. It has eschewed the new WireGuard VPN protocol, instead using its own technology called LightWay, along with the open-source OpenVPN protocol.
With numerous server locations, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for anyone living or traveling outside the US. Anyone keen on streaming from around the world should be well served by either the desktop or mobile app.
Best Interface
IPVanish VPN
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Good geographic diversity of servers
- Transparent privacy policy
- Small impact on throughput speeds in our testing
- Expensive
- Free trial only offered on annual plans via mobile app stores
While IPVanish didn't unblock Netflix in every region in testing, its intuitive desktop application and reasonable price put it a few notches above other options in our lineup.
Those who are looking for a reasonably priced and easy-to-use option for unblocking Netflix should consider IPVanish near the top of their list of prospects.
(Editors' Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
Best Company Transparency
Windscribe VPN
- Industry-leading company transparency and communication
- Large number of payment options
- Best free plan of any VPN we've tested
- Helpful AI support bot
- Open Netflix access in all regions benchmarked
- Unlimited number of simultaneous connections and devices
- Anonymous signup allowed
- Middling speed results
Windscribe has both 10Gbps and standard streaming servers to pick from in many regions around the globe, including those we benchmark for this list. Windscribe is one of the few VPNs we tested to get an Open library in all five tests. Add to that a stellar privacy policy and an outspoken owner who advocates for the rights of VPN users, and it's a winning combo for all your late-night Netflix binges.
If you're primarily concerned about your privacy and the transparency of your VPN, Windscribe is hard to beat. With anonymous signup methods as well as a robust free plan, users who want to keep their streaming under wraps will find Windscribe more than up to the task.
How We Test VPNs for Netflix
All the testing for this story was done on a freshly updated Intel NUC 13 Extreme Kit ("Raptor Canyon") with Windows 10 in New York City. That means we were starting from a standard IP address using a normal internet connection. In most cases, the VPN client software connected to a VPN server in the NYC area, but we frequently look to use different IP addresses and locations in our testing.
We installed and tested each VPN service with Netflix. We looked only at whether a US-based customer could connect to a US-based VPN server and still successfully stream Netflix content. If you want to view Netflix content that's available in other countries, we have a separate article for you.
Each service got five attempts. We tried to obtain a different IP address for each attempt, either by selecting a different server or using a different VPN server location. Some products, such as TunnelBear VPN, don't let you select specific servers and only let you choose servers at the country level. In these cases, we toggled the VPN connection on and off to try and force a fresh connection.
Note that the services here may stop working with Netflix one day and start working again the next (or vice-versa). If streaming Netflix is your primary VPN concern, don't sign up for a yearlong subscription to a VPN service. Instead, you should go with a month-to-month account because it gives you the flexibility to cancel your plan should you find that Netflix has blocked your VPN.
Note that while it's convenient when a VPN works with Netflix, it's not how we judge or test the best VPNs. We look at these as privacy products first, and we are more concerned with each service's features and the steps they take to protect your privacy.
What Are the Different Types of Netflix Access?
The question of which VPN Netflix users should adopt has become a little more complicated lately. A few years ago, testing VPN compatibility with Netflix was fairly straightforward. Netflix either streamed video without complaint or kicked up an error message. Frequently, Netflix was able to tailor the message to VPN users, suggesting that they switch off their VPN or proxy connection.
In 2020, a third state appeared. Instead of showing all the content for a region, Netflix would display a smaller subset of content. All of these would stream without incident. This was almost entirely Netflix original programming, like She-Ra: Princesses of Power, but it also included some licensed content not produced by Netflix, such as 2019's Uncut Gems or the full run of Seinfeld. We previously indicated this state on charts as Netflix Originals but now refer to it as Limited (short for limited access), which more accurately reflects the situation.
In some ways, the Limited library is a good thing for customers. You're not entirely cut off from the content you're paying Netflix to see when you use a VPN. It also seems like an admission on Netflix's part that it can't entirely stop customers from using VPNs.
It can be hard to tell which state you're in, though. A good rule of thumb is to look at the My List section and compare what appears with and without the VPN. If it's different, you're probably in Limited mode. If you can view content from many different studios and producers that have temporary licensing deals with Netflix (think The Office working on the UK Netflix library), you have what we refer to here as Open access. This is the premier state of a Netflix library and one you want to shoot for when selecting your next VPN.
Then there are Closed libraries. In very limited instances, we've seen Netflix completely block some regions so when you go to open the website or application, you're greeted with a message that your IP address has been flagged and you can't access any libraries at all.
Note that Limited mode does not guarantee you can stream content. In some cases, we found we were blocked from viewing content when presented with a Limited selection of shows and movies. Our chart above shows only the best results we observed over five attempts. Your mileage will surely vary.
What Is the Best VPN for Netflix?
For a VPN to make it on this list, we had to be able to view US Netflix with an Open library while the VPN was running. In short, there should have been no difference in viewing Netflix with or without the VPN. The services that achieved this goal are listed above and at the bottom of this article. Those we chose for the top spots could stream the most content from the regions we tested.
The full breakdown is shown in the chart above, which shows the best result for each service. That means some of the services we list as unblocked were functional at least once, though they may have been blocked on other attempts.
Why Does Netflix Block VPNs?
Far from being a monolithic repository of film and television, Netflix has different content available depending on your location. It all has to do with licensing deals. At one point, for example, you could watch Game of Thrones on Netflix—as long as you were watching in Australia—or you appeared to have an IP address in Australia. Such licensing deals are likely the reason that Netflix has begun blocking VPN users.
As another example, HBO began releasing its older back catalog on US Netflix in the latter half of 2023. However, during our most recent testing, we weren't able to see a single HBO show anywhere else but servers located within the US.
Being blocked from Netflix is a bummer, and it's especially annoying when you're not trying to spoof your location. If you're concerned about the security of your network or just the general state of surveillance capitalism, it makes sense to use a VPN. Unfortunately, even in this case, when you've paid for the right to watch everything that's locally available, Netflix will still probably do its best to block you if you try to access the service over a VPN connection.
While most people likely want to spoof their location to access content they wouldn't normally have access to, that's not always the case. Let's say you're from the US and you're watching your favorite show on Netflix. If you travel to the UK and try to watch it, you might discover that you can't—unless it's also available in the UK. With a VPN, you can conceivably keep watching as if you were back in the US.
Whatever your situation, just remember: Netflix considers the use of a VPN to be against its terms of service. You are forewarned.
What to Do if Netflix Blocks Your VPN
If you already have a VPN that you like or don't like any of the Netflix-friendly ones we've listed above, take heart. Just because your preferred service didn't work with Netflix or had a limited library when we tested it doesn't mean it never works with Netflix. Here are some tactics you can try that may get Netflix working with your VPN of choice.
1. Be Persistent
Most VPN services have multiple servers in a given country, with different IP addresses at each. If you find yourself blocked at one VPN server, switch to another in the same country. Some VPNs let you view all the available servers in each location, making the process easy. If your VPN doesn't do this, try toggling the VPN on and off to try to get a new IP address.
2. Use Every Tool at Your Disposal
VPN companies understand that many of their users are interested in streaming video, and some have worked to meet that demand. Your VPN may include specialized servers just for streaming, perhaps streaming in specific regions. Your VPN may also include a stealth mode or unblocking mode that aims to disguise VPN traffic. Familiarize yourself with all the tools available and use them all. Your VPN almost certainly has FAQs on how to stream content, so be sure to read those.
3. Be Flexible
Is the content you're trying to stream available in just one country or several? We've noted a few major countries where that may be the case above. If you try other locations, you may have more luck.
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4. Be Patient
VPNs are frequently looking for new ways to sneak past Netflix, and Netflix is frequently finding new ways to stop them. If you're not able to access what you want, wait a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks.
5. Consider a Static IP Address
Some VPNs offer static IP addresses for an additional fee. When you use a static IP, your data always appears to have the same public IP address. Sometimes, these addresses are private to the user, and sometimes, they are shared between a very small number of other people. Either way, it looks more like normal internet traffic and may not be blocked by Netflix. These are generally sold geographically, so you can pick an IP address in the country of your choice. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that a static IP address will work, so be careful before you purchase.
What Is the Best Free VPN for Netflix?
You don't necessarily have to open your wallet to get a VPN. There are several excellent free VPN services out there, although most place some kind of limitation on your use. Generally, a free VPN limits the number of devices that can connect at once, the amount of data used per day, the number of available VPN servers, or all of the above.
ProtonVPN is our pick for free VPNs because it places no limit on the amount of data you can use while connected. That's critically important, especially if you're streaming video. It does, however, limit your choice of servers. That could make spoofing your location difficult and means you are competing with many other free users for limited bandwidth on the designated free servers.
If you can spare a little bit of money, try one of our top-rated cheap VPNs. These services cost significantly less than the average monthly price we've seen across the industry. In general, these services offer more flexibility than free VPNs, with more servers and server locations to choose from. None of the cheap VPNs we've reviewed place a restriction on data usage.
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Will a VPN Slow Down Netflix?
A perennial concern when using VPNs is sacrificing speed. When a VPN reroutes your data, it has to travel further, through more machines and via more wires, all of which serve to slow it down.
For Netflix streaming, this is a recipe for stuttering audio or even your video dropping from HD to blocky low-res. Netflix's documentation outlines how much data the service needs, suggesting about 1GB of data per hour for standard definition video and up to 3GB per hour for HD video.
In general, you see an increase in latency when a VPN is used. You also see a decrease in upload and download speeds. Our testing measures the percent change between speed test results with and without the VPN running. To measure internet speeds, we use the Ookla Speedtest tool.
(Editors' Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
The following chart shows the speed test results we've recorded over the past several years:
