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Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Yahoo
Best VPN for Netflix in 2025: Easily Unblock Its International Libraries
What is the best VPN for Netflix? ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix overall, with a generous server network, outstanding international geographical content unblocking and fast speeds. Whether you're a seasoned VPN expert or a new user, Express's streamlined applications help you hop on a server and start streaming quickly. Express unblocked almost all international Netflix libraries I tried, including Netflix Egypt, which proved tricky for many other VPNs. With servers in all 50 of the United States, ExpressVPN is a great choice for streaming US Netflix and unblocking regional sports content, like NFL games. NordVPN is the fastest VPN for Netflix streaming. Its class-leading 3% 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. Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN for watching Netflix. Its generous server network provides access to dozens of international Netflix libraries, fast speeds make for slick 4K video playback and the company offers unlimited simultaneous device use so you can stream on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, your phone, computer and any other gadget 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. You'll find apps for all major streaming platforms, including Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV. The paid Proton Plus plan provides 13,600-plus servers in 122 countries and outstanding geo-restricted content unblocking capabilities (Proton unblocked all of the Netflix countries I tried), so it's a compelling upgrade for cinephiles. About VPNs for Netflix A virtual private network, or VPN, can be like a skeleton key for unlocking region-restricted content from all over the globe, including regional Netflix libraries. VPNs hide your public IP address, which can make streaming sites think you're in a different city, state or country. For instance, if you're in the US, but want to make Netflix think you're in the UK, you can simply hop on a UK VPN server. Netflix filters the movies and TV shows you can see according to your country, so if you want to stream a movie or show from your home country's library while traveling abroad, you may need a VPN. On the flipside, you may be able to find movies and television series that you want to watch on foreign Netflix libraries that aren't available to stream in your home country. The more global servers a VPN provider offers, the greater the amount of choice you have. With the right virtual private network, you'll be able to stream films and shows from other countries that aren't in your home country's Netflix roster. With a VPN, you may be able to cut down on the number of streaming services you pay for. There's no need to worry about breaking the Netflix terms of service either, as thankfully, Netflix allows the use of VPNs. But you still can't stream live content on Netflix with a VPN enabled. You'll want a VPN capable of unblocking many regional Netflix libraries, and one that offers high-speed servers so you can enjoy buffer-free 4K video playback. We tested over a dozen VPNs on a slew of devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets and streaming boxes such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV dongles. Whether you want to watch The Old Guard 2 or Dept. Q, the best VPNs for Netflix can help you stream with ease. Factors to consider in a VPN for Netflix Streaming 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, Australia, Canada, Romania and South Africa worked flawlessly. Servers in other countries, such as 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, such as Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, Hulu, Sling, YouTube TV and other providers. Server network The more individual country servers a VPN provider offers, the greater potential it provides for unblocking international Netflix libraries. At the high end, VPN companies, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Proton VPN 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 servers within that region to see if one successfully unblocks Netflix. The best way to see if a provider unblocks the content you want to watch is to take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee. You'll know for sure if a provider can actually give you access to Netflix in the region you want when you test it for yourself. If not, you can issue a request for a refund. Aside from the total number of servers available and a diverse set of countries, think about specialty servers for other purposes. Some VPN providers, including ExpressVPN, let you torrent on any server, while others, like Proton VPN and NordVPN, have P2P-optimized servers for file-sharing. 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, IPVanish, Proton VPN and Surfshark boast Apple TV apps, which are great for Apple aficionados. (Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Speed All VPNs slow down your internet connection somewhat, with the best-performing VPN dropping your speed 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. Netflix recommends a minimum 15Mbps or higher internet connection for a single 4K UHD video stream, but faster is better. Generally, if your internet service provider delivers 50Mbps or greater download speeds, you should be fine streaming in 4K or 1080p while using a fast VPN. But if you're using a slower, higher-latency ISP, like a satellite internet provider, you'll want the fastest VPN available so as to retain as much of your base internet speed as possible. Privacy Aside from entertainment such as streaming video and gaming, many people 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 (with the OpenVPN and IKEv2 VPN protocols) or ChaCha20 with WireGuard. If you need obfuscation, which tries to hide the fact that you're using a VPN, look for a provider that offers proprietary obfuscation-focused VPN protocols, like NordVPN's NordWhisper or Proton VPN's Stealth. I also suggest getting a VPN that has a kill switch (which cuts off your internet connection in case your VPN unexpectedly disconnects) and split tunneling (which lets you use a VPN with some apps and websites but not others). Additionally, make sure your VPN provider maintains a strict no-logs policy and undergoes annual third-party audits to verify its zero-log claims. While audits don't paint a full privacy picture, they're helpful trust signals that can verify that your VPN provider isn't logging VPN session data. However, more privacy-conscious users, such as investigative journalists or political activists, may want advanced privacy features such as a double VPN or multihop, which uses two VPN connections rather than one or Tor over VPN, The Onion Router and a VPN simultaneously. Onion over VPN servers and double VPN servers both make it even harder to trace your web traffic back to your device than with a standard VPN connection. Likewise, privacy buffs may want RAM-only servers, which theoretically don't log any VPN session data. 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 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. I never pay full price for my VPN subscription, and you shouldn't either. Why you should use a VPN with Netflix 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 certain content unavailable in other regions. For instance, you can stream Star Trek: The Next Generation on UK Netflix but not US Netflix. 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. How to use a VPN for watching Netflix 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: Download your VPN provider's app on your device. If there's no available app, you can run a VPN on your router. Once you've installed a VPN on your device or router, fire up your virtual private network. Choose a server from the country you want to unblock. Open the Netflix app or head to Netflix in a browser. Start streaming videos from the international Netflix library you unblocked. 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. Best VPNs for Netflix ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix, and CNET's Editors' Choice as top VPN overall. I easily unblocked dozens of international Netflix libraries thanks to Express's 3,200-plus servers throughout 105 countries. Using ExpressVPN, I watched Final Destination on Netflix UK and Friends on Netflix Germany (normally on Max in the US). Unfortunately, its French servers didn't work -- Netflix loaded, but it showed only a US library. Why we like it You can stream movies or shows at home and while traveling because of ExpressVPN's Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS/iPadOS apps. Plus, ExpressVPN's Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV apps make watching on a TV or projector a breeze. In our 2025 benchmarks, ExpressVPN clocked a reasonable 18% average internet download speed loss, which should be fast enough for most users with a reliable internet connection. During my tests, I had no issues watching 4K ultra-high-definition videos. If you're trying to stream Netflix on a smart TV that won't allow you to load VPN apps, ExpressVPN has another solution: MediaStreamer. It's a smart DNS service that lets you unblock region-restricted content, so you can watch BBC iPlayer, foreign Netflix libraries and other streaming videos. Essentially, it gives you some of the unblocking capabilities that ExpressVPN offers, but using DNS settings rather than a VPN app. However, it won't provide the privacy benefits of a VPN because smart DNS services, like proxies, lack encryption. Still, MediaStreamer can be handy for streaming smart TV operating systems that don't support VPN apps, as well as gaming consoles, in situations where you don't want to install a VPN on your router. Outside of streaming, ExpressVPN is a top-notch VPN provider that demonstrates a steadfast commitment to privacy and transparency. It's a safe choice for privacy-conscious VPN users, and also a fantastic option for casual users because it's extremely simple to use, fast and excellent for streaming. With ExpressVPN, you'll get a simple interface and consistent user experience across platforms, making ExpressVPN an ideal choice for beginners. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV Stick and even a newly released GUI app for Linux. But the catch is that you'll pay a premium. The monthly subscription plan costs $13 per month, which is pretty standard across the industry. If you choose the yearly subscription, you'll pay $100 for the first year and $100 annually upon renewal. The two-year plan costs $140 total for the first two years combined, but renews $117 per year after the initial two-year term. Additionally, Express limits you to eight simultaneous connections -- which is fewer than most VPNs we tested -- although most people should be okay with that allowance. Pro tip: You can run a VPN on your router or use ExpressVPN's Aircove router to circumvent that restriction. It's a great time to try Aircove out, as ExpressVPN updated its Aircove router firmware for significant speed boosts and added the ability to create segmented guest networks. This means you can stream content through ExpressVPN without needing to hassle with installing a VPN on a router, which may void the warranty. Ultimately, ExpressVPN unblocked nearly every international regional library we threw at it while remaining uncomplicated, making it a terrific Netflix companion. Also featured in: Best VPN 2025, Best VPN for Streaming See at ExpressVPN NordVPN NordVPN is the fastest VPN we tested. Its best-in-class 3% internet download speed loss was a step above the competition -- the next fastest VPN was Proton, with a 16% speed loss. Accordingly, NordVPN is a fantastic choice for buffer-free Netflix streaming, even at more bandwidth-demanding 4K resolutions. In my experience, Nord unblocked a modest slate of international Netflix libraries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and Romania. I watched Law & Order SVU on a UK server (typically on Peacock in the States) and M3GAN on a Canadian server (normally on Starz in the US). Why we like it I appreciate Nord's great app support for Windows, MacOS, Linux, browsers, Android, iPhone, iPad, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV and routers. Nord's Apple TV, Fire TV and Android TV apps are particularly convenient for watching Netflix on your TV or projector. With a sizable roster of 7,800-plus servers scattered over 125 countries, NordVPN is excellent for international travel and streaming -- its global reach is slightly more than Proton VPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN, but its unblocking capabilities fell slightly short of the competition. I accessed foreign Netflix content on servers in countries including Egypt on rivals Proton, PIA and ExpressVPN. Luckily, Netflix never failed to load -- it simply showed US Netflix content when connected to servers in some regions, such as Egypt. Although Nord didn't show as many worldwide Netflix connections as other VPNs, it still handled geo-unblocking for dozens of global locales and is no slouch for streaming. Initially, NordVPN is a great value at $13 per month, $60 for the first year or $83 total for the first two years. However, the one- and two-year plans renew at an astronomical $140 per year, which is considerably more than the $79 to $80 that Surfshark and Proton VPN renew for, but in the same ballpark as ExpressVPN. Its blazing-fast speeds are exceptional for watching Netflix and streaming from other services. But other VPNs unblock more worldwide Netflix libraries and may therefore be a better choice for cinephiles seeking the most international movies or shows. Also featured in: Best VPN for Smart TV, Best VPN for Fire TV See at NordVPN Surfshark Surfshark is a budget-friendly, privacy 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 respectable 21% average internet download speed loss. At those speeds, Surfshark lets you stream Netflix movies or shows in buttery smooth 4K, even on geographically distant servers. Why we like it Surfshark also offers dedicated IPs in several popular streaming regions, including the US, UK, Japan, Canada and Australia. Not only are you less likely to encounter a blanket VPN ban from a streaming site because you're the only one using that IP, but it also comes with the added benefits of fewer sites serving you annoying CAPTCHAs and less frequent IP bans by websites. A dedicated IP address from Surfshark costs $3.75 per month as an add-on to your existing plan. 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. Best of all, if you're in a house full of streaming aficionados who all want to watch content from different countries, Surfshark is more than capable of dealing with it because of its unlimited simultaneous connections. You won't need to pay extra to cover every single device in your household with Surfshark. In my testing, Surfshark worked flawlessly on a bevy of international servers, notably the US, UK, Canada, South Africa, France, Germany, Japan and Romania. Accordingly, I enjoyed streaming some episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation using UK, South African and Romanian servers. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to load up the Egyptian Netflix library -- but neither were many other VPN providers, including NordVPN. Only a few, like Proton VPN and ExpressVPN, were able to load Egypt's Netflix library. Overall, Surfshark is a value-packed VPN provider at $15 per month, $48 for your first year or $60 total for your first two years of service (the one- and two-year plans spike to $79 annually after your introductory term). Also featured in: Best VPN for Apple TV, Best VPN for Xbox See at Surfshark Proton VPN Proton is the best free VPN for Netflix and the only no-cost virtual private network that CNET recommends, for that matter. Unlike most unpaid VPNs, Proton doesn't sell your data, plaster your screen with ads or impose strict use restrictions. You can connect to servers in five countries and use the free VPN as much as you like -- but you can't manually select a server, so it's worth upgrading to the paid plan for greater control over your VPN connection. In our testing, Proton's zero-cost tier was great for streaming. With Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS/iPadOS apps, you can stream on PCs or mobile devices at home and on the go. Its Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV apps are great to use with a smart TV. Additionally, you can run Proton on your router for whole-home coverage, letting you use a VPN with Netflix on devices without Proton apps, such as Roku streamers or game consoles like an Xbox. Why we like it While Proton's free plan is fantastic, it does come with a few drawbacks compared to the paid version. You'll only get access to server locations in Romania, Poland, Japan, the Netherlands and the US. It's also not possible to specify which one of these servers you'll be automatically connected to. Proton does this to ensure proper load balancing for free users, which helps deliver faster connections -- but it also makes it harder to access specific streaming sites since you can't choose which country's server you tunnel through. Finally, while it's likely you'll be able to access Netflix through Proton's free servers, there's no guarantee, as only the paid servers are regularly updated to get around VPN bans. If you want to know for sure that you'll be able to stream Netflix around the planet, it's best to upgrade to Proton's paid plan. It's well worth it, as it gives you more than 13,600 servers across 122 countries and was the second-fastest VPN in our testing, with a mere 16% speed loss on average. I was even able to access content on Netflix Egypt using Proton VPN, a regional Netflix library that proved difficult to unblock for many VPN providers. I successfully unblocked international Netflix libraries on nearly any server I tried, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and a slew of others. I enjoyed Star Trek: The Next Generation on Netflix using an Egyptian server -- at the moment, it's traditionally available on Paramount Plus in the US. All VPNs slow down your internet connection somewhat, but Proton performed swimmingly even for 1080p high-definition and 4K ultra-high-definition video streaming. The Fall of the House of Usher was buttery smooth in 4K with Dolby Vision HDR. Proton charges $10 per month, $60 for your first year or $108 for your first two years of service for its premium Proton VPN Plus tier (the one- and two-year plans renew at $80 per year). Because of its superb Netflix streaming support, Proton Plus more than justifies its price. Also featured in: Best VPN for Amazon Prime Video, Best VPN for Travel See at Proton VPN How we test VPNs for Netflix 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 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. Other VPNs we tested PIA Private Internet Access, or PIA, is a wallet-friendly VPN provider. I was impressed with its superb Netflix unblocking capabilities -- PIA provided access to all the worldwide servers I tried. PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs on the market, at $12 per month, $40 for the first year (renewing at $50 per year) or $79 every three years. Despite its modest price, PIA doesn't cut corners. It boasts a massive roster of 35,000 servers across more than 90 countries. I streamed The Naked Gun via a Canadian server (traditionally, that title is on Paramount Plus in the US). An unlimited simultaneous device policy means that Netflix's concurrent streaming is the only thing keeping you from streaming on all your devices at once. However, PIA's middling connectivity -- I experienced an average 49% internet speed loss in our benchmarking -- might impact streaming quality, particularly on a slower internet connection (think less than 50Mbps or unreliable connections such as satellite internet). Video quality was occasionally blocky when first starting out and sometimes buffered. Also, when using PIA in general, I ran into considerably more CAPTCHAs than I'd like to see on a VPN. Nevertheless, PIA brings a lot to the table. Its diverse device support includes Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS/iPadOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV. I liked the Linux graphical user interface app, which is easier for beginners than a command line-only app. The Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV apps simplify streaming Netflix with a VPN in the living room on your television. Plus, its relative affordability compared with competitors helps PIA overcome its internet speed loss. If you're on a budget, PIA is a value-packed VPN with strong privacy chops and robust device compatibility. Read our PIA review. IPVanish IPVanish is a decent VPN for casual VPN users. (Again, IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis). 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. You do get 2,400-plus servers in 108 countries for decent Netflix international library options. But with its high 44% average internet download speed loss that we clocked in our 2024 testing, IPVanish isn't ideal for streaming videos in 4K or even 1080p. IPVanish costs $13 per month, $40 for the first year or $53 total for your first two years (the annual plan renews at $90 and the two-year plan goes to $180 total after your introductory period). While IPVanish's upfront prices are easy on the pocketbook, its future price hikes and high internet download speed loss mean you're better off with other VPNs for watching Netflix. Read our IPVanish review. Best Netflix VPN FAQs Which VPN is best for watching Netflix? ExpressVPN is the best VPN for watching Netflix, with its superb region-restricted content unblocking, fast internet speeds and large server network. However, NordVPN is a great choice for 4K video streaming thanks to its blazing-fast speeds. Surfshark is the best cheap VPN for Netflix streaming. And Proton's exhaustive international server network and reliable connections make it a solid VPN for unblocking geo-protected international Netflix libraries. Does any VPN work with Netflix? Yes, any VPN works with Netflix. However, some VPNs unblock more international Netflix libraries than others, so your mileage may vary when trying different countries. Which country should you choose when using a VPN for Netflix? When using a VPN for Netflix, you should choose a server from a country whose content you want to watch. To stream videos from your nation of origin while traveling internationally, pick your home region. For unblocking foreign Netflix libraries, pick a worldwide server. Does Netflix block VPNs? No, Netflix doesn't block VPNs, although you'll see only films and television shows that Netflix has the rights for in that region. Furthermore, Netflix doesn't allow VPNs with its ad-supported plan, and you can't stream live events, just on-demand content. What is the best free VPN for Netflix streaming? Proton VPN is the best free VPN for streaming Netflix. You'll gain access to servers in five countries -- the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, the US and Poland. Whereas many other free VPN services sell your data or plaster your screen with ads, Proton's free tier doesn't. While Proton's no-cost plan is limited -- you can't select a server manually -- it's a worthy trade-off considering how strongly Proton maintains privacy. While Proton VPN's zero-cost tier is a great choice, upgrading to the paid Proton Plus package provides access to a generous international server network of over 12,000 servers spread across 117 countries with superb Netflix worldwide library region-restricted content unblocking.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Best VPN for Netflix in 2025
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' 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. Though 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 ultrahigh-definition. Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN for watching Netflix. Its generous server network provides access to dozens of international Netflix libraries, fast speeds make for slick 4K video playback, and the company offers unlimited simultaneous device use, so you can stream on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, your phone, computer, and any other gadget 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. You'll find apps for all major streaming platforms, including Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV. The paid Proton Plus plan provides 11,800-plus servers in 117 countries 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 is your key to unlocking content from all over the globe that you may not be able to access otherwise, including regional Netflix libraries. VPNs make this happen by hiding your public IP address, which makes streaming sites think you're in a different city, state or country. Netflix filters which shows you can see according to your country, so if you want to stream a movie or show from your home country while traveling abroad, you may need a VPN. The more global servers a VPN provider offers, the greater the amount of choice you have. With the right virtual private network, you'll be able to stream films and shows from other countries long before they turn up on your local Netflix, if they ever do at all. Some providers, such as Peacock, outright won't allow you to connect from outside the US at all. With a VPN, you'll continue to get access to the stream sites you pay for even when you're traveling internationally, and you can cut down on the number of streaming services you'll have to juggle just to watch certain shows. There's no need to worry about breaking the Netflix terms of service (ToS) either as Netflix thankfully allows the use of VPNs. Unfortunately, you'll need a paid account to access Netflix through a VPN and you still can't stream live content on Netflx with a VPN enabled. Not all VPNs will work with Netflix either. We've tested a bunch of them to bring you recommendations for the best VPNs for Netflix that unblock regional Netflix libraries and boast high-speed servers to deliver buffer-free 4K video playback. We tested VPNs for Netflix on a slew of devices, including desktops, laptops and smartphones, as well as streaming boxes such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV dongles. Whether you want to watch The Night Agent or Carry-On, a VPN for Netflix can help you stream with ease. 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, Australia, Canada, Romania and South Africa worked flawlessly. Servers in other countries, such as 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, such as Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, Hulu, Sling, YouTube TV and other providers. The more individual country servers a VPN provider offers, the greater potential it provides for unblocking international Netflix libraries. At the high end, VPN companies, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Proton VPN 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 servers within that region to see if that successfully unblocks Netflix. The best way to see if a provider unblocks the content you want to watch is to take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee. You'll know for sure if a provider can actually give you access to Netflix in the region you want when you test it for yourself, and if not, you can issue a request for a refund. 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, IPVanish, Proton VPN and Surfshark boast Apple TV apps, which are great for Apple aficionados. (Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) All VPNs slow down your internet connection somewhat, with the best-performing VPN dropping your speed by an average of 25% or less. A reliable connection is a must, especially for streaming in 1080p high-definition or 4K ultrahigh-definition. Look for a VPN with a minimal internet speed loss for buffer- and lag-free streaming. Aside from entertainment such as 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 (with the OpenVPN and IKEv2 VPN protocols) or ChaCha20 with WireGuard, 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, such as investigative journalists or political activists, may want advanced privacy features such as a double VPN or multihop, Tor over VPN and RAM-only servers. 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 certain content unavailable in other regions. For instance, you can stream Star Trek: The Next Generation on UK Netflix but not US Netflix. 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: Download your VPN provider's app on your device. If there's no available app, you can run a VPN on your router. Once you've installed a VPN on your device or router, fire up your virtual private network. Choose a server from the country you want to unblock. Open the Netflix app or head to Netflix in a browser. Start streaming videos from the international Netflix library you unblocked. 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. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix, and CNET's Editors' Choice as top VPN overall. I easily unblocked dozens of international Netflix libraries thanks to Express's 3,200-plus servers throughout 105 countries. Using ExpressVPN, I watched Final Destination on Netflix Canada and Friends on Netflix Germany (normally on Max in the US). Unfortunately, France servers didn't work -- Netflix loaded, but it showed only a US library. You can stream movies or shows at home and while traveling because of ExpressVPN's Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS/iPadOS apps. Plus, ExpressVPN's Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV apps make watching on a TV or projector a breeze. In CNET Labs's benchmarks, ExpressVPN clocked a reasonable 25% average internet download speed loss, which should be fast enough for most folks with a reliable internet connection. During my tests, I had no issues watching 4K ultrahigh-definition videos. Outside of streaming, ExpressVPN is an excellent all-around VPN. Its class-leading transparency, cutting-edge security features and extremely intuitive design make it a fantastic virtual private network solution for everyone, from VPN beginners to power users. However, Express charges a premium for its service at $13 per month, $100 annually (then $117 per year) or $140 total for two years of service (then $150 per year). By comparison, NordVPN charges just $60 per year for your first 12 months (then $140 annually) and Surfshark sets you back $48 per year (then $79 per year after the first year). Additionally, Express limits you to eight simultaneous connections -- which is fewer than most VPNs we tested -- although most people should be okay with that allowance. Pro tip: You can run a VPN on your router or use ExpressVPN's Aircove router to circumvent that restriction. It's a great time to try Aircove out, as ExpressVPN just updated its Aircove router firmware for significant speed boosts and added the ability to create segmented guest networks. This means you can stream content through ExpressVPN without needing to hassle with installing a VPN on a router, which may void the warranty. Ultimately, ExpressVPN unblocked nearly every international regional we threw at it while remaining uncomplicated, making it a terrific Netflix companion. Also featured in: Best VPN 2024, Best VPN for Streaming See at ExpressVPN NordVPN is the fastest VPN we tested. Its best-in-class 11.1% internet download speed loss was a step above the competition -- the next fastest VPN was Surfshark, with a 17% speed loss. Accordingly, NordVPN is a fantastic choice for buffer-free Netflix streaming, even at more demanding 4K resolutions. In my experience, Nord unblocked a modest slate of international Netflix libraries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and Romania. I watched Law & Order SVU with an Australian server (typically on Peacock in the States) and M3GAN on a UK server (normally on Starz in the US). I appreciate Nord's great app support for Windows, MacOS, Linux, browsers, Android, iPhone, iPad, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV and routers. Nord's Apple TV, Fire TV and Android TV apps are particularly convenient for watching Netflix on your TV or projector. While Nord boasts over 7,300 servers peppered throughout 118 countries, its unblocking capabilities fell slightly short of the competition. I accessed foreign Netflix content on servers in countries including Egypt on rivals Proton, PIA and ExpressVPN. Luckily, Netflix never failed to load -- it simply showed US Netflix content when connected to servers in some regions, such as Egypt. Although Nord didn't show as many worldwide Netflix connections as other VPNs, it still handled geo-unblocking for dozens of global locales and is no slouch for streaming. At $13 monthly, $60 for your first year or $81 for your first two years (Nord renews at $140 annually with the one- and two-year plans), Nord starts off fairly expensive but the yearly plans undercuts many rivals -- including ExpressVPN -- while sporting power user features. Its blazing-fast speeds are exceptional for watching Netflix and streaming from other services. But other VPNs unblock more worldwide Netflix libraries and may therefore be a better choice for cinephiles seeking the most international movies or shows. Alfo featured in: Best VPN for Smart TV, Best VPN for Fire TV See at NordVPN Surfshark is a budget-friendly, privacy 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. Its blazing-fast speeds mean Surfshark lets you stream Netflix movies or shows in buttery smooth 4K, even on geographically distant servers. Surfshark also offers dedicated IPs in several popular streaming regions, including the US, UK, Japan, Canada and Australia. Not only are you less likely to encounter a blanket VPN ban from a streaming site because you're the only one using that IP, but it also comes with the added benefits of fewer sites serving you annoying CAPTCHAs and less frequently IP bans by websites. A dedicated IP address from Surfshark costs $3.75 per month as an add-on to your existing plan. 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. Best of all, if you're in a house full of streaming aficionados who all want to watch content from different countries, Surfshark is more than capable of dealing with it because of its unlimited simultaneous connections. You won't need to pay extra to cover every single device in your household with Surfshark. In my testing, Surfshark worked flawlessly on a bevy of international servers, notably the US, UK, Canada, South Africa, France, Germany, Japan and Romania. Accordingly, I enjoyed some episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation streaming using UK, South African and Romanian servers. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to load up the Egyptian Netflix library -- but neither were many other VPN providers, including NordVPN. Only a few, like Proton VPN and ExpressVPN, were able to load Egypt's Netflix library. Overall, Surfshark is a value-packed VPN provider at $15 per month, $48 for your first year or $60 total for your first two years of service (the one- and two-year plans spike to $79 annually after your introductory term). Also featured in: Best VPN for Apple TV, Best VPN for Xbox See at Surfshark Proton is the best free VPN for Netflix and the only no-cost virtual private network that CNET recommends for that matter. Unlike most unpaid VPNs, Proton doesn't sell your data, plaster your screen with ads or impose strict usage restrictions. You can connect to five different servers. In our testing, Proton's zero-cost tier was great for streaming. With Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS/iPadOS apps, you can stream on PCs or mobile devices at home and on the go. Its Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV apps are great to use with a smart TV. Additionally, you can run Proton on your router for whole-home coverage, letting you use a VPN with Netflix on devices without Proton apps, such as Roku streamers or game consoles like an Xbox. While Proton's free plan is fantastic, it does come with a few drawbacks compared to the paid version. You'll only get access to server locations in Romania, Poland, Japan, the Netherlands and the US. It's also not possible to specify which one of these servers you'll be automatically connected to. Proton does this to ensure there's proper load balancing for free users so you get a faster connection, but it does make it a bit more difficult to get access to specific streaming sites since you can't choose the country server you tunnel through. Finally, while it's likely you'll be able to access Netflix through Proton's free servers, there's no guarantee as only the paid servers are regularly updated to get around VPN bans. If you want to know for sure that you'll be able to stream Netflix around the planet, it's best to upgrade to Proton's paid plan. It's well worth it, as it gives you more than 11,800 servers across 117 countries. I successfully unblocked international Netflix libraries on nearly any server I tried, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and a slew of others. I enjoyed Star Trek: The Next Generation on Netflix using an Egypt server -- at the moment, it's normally available on Paramount Plus in the US. All VPNs slow down your internet connection somewhat, but Proton performed swimmingly even for 1080p high-definition and 4K ultrahigh-definition video streaming. The Fall of the House of Usher was buttery smooth in 4K with Dolby Vision HDR. Proton charges $10 per month, $60 for your first year or $108 for your first two years of service for its premium Proton VPN Plus tier (the one- and two-year plans renew at $80 per annually). Because of its superb Netflix streaming support, Proton Plus more than justifies its price. Also featured in: Best VPN for Amazon Prime Video, Best VPN for Travel See at Proton VPN 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. Private Internet Access, or PIA, is a wallet-friendly VPN provider. I was impressed with its superb Netflix unblocking capabilities -- PIA provided access to all the worldwide servers I tried. PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs on the market, at $12 per month, $40 for the first year (renewing at $50 per year) or $79 every three years. Despite its modest price, PIA doesn't cut corners. It boasts a massive roster of 35,000 servers across more than 90 countries. I streamed Monk via a Canadian server (normally that title is on Peacock in the US). An unlimited simultaneous device policy means that Netflix's concurrent streaming is the only thing keeping you from streaming on all your devices at once. However, PIA's middling connectivity -- I experienced an average 49% internet speed loss in our benchmarking -- might impact streaming quality, particularly on a slower internet connection (think under 50Mbps or unreliable connections like satellite internet). Video quality was occasionally blocky when first starting out and sometimes buffered. Nevertheless, PIA brings a lot to the table. Its diverse device support includes Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS/iPadOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV. I liked the Linux graphical user interface app, which is easier for beginners than a command line-only app. The Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV apps simplify streaming Netflix with a VPN in the living room on your television. Plus, its relative affordability compared with competitors helps PIA overcome its internet speed loss. If you're on a budget, PIA is a value-packed VPN with strong privacy chops and robust device compatibility. Read our PIA review. IPVanish is a decent VPN for casual VPN users. (Again, IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis). 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. You do get 2,400-plus servers in 108 countries for decent Netflix international library options. But with its high 44% average internet download speed loss that we clocked in our 2024 testing, IPVanish isn't ideal for streaming videos in 4K or even 1080p. IPVanish costs $13 per month, $40 for the first year or $53 total for your first two years (the annual plan renews at $90 and the two-year plan goes to $180 total after your introductory period). While IPVanish's upfront prices are easy on the pocketbook, its future price hikes and high internet download speed loss mean you're better off with other VPNs for watching Netflix. Read our IPVanish review. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for watching Netflix, with its superb region-restricted content unblocking, fast internet speeds and large server network. However, NordVPN is a great choice for 4K video streaming thanks to its blazing-fast speeds. Proton's exhaustive international server network and reliable connections make it a solid VPN for unblocking geo-protected international Netflix libraries. And Surfshark is the best cheap VPN for Netflix streaming. Yes, any VPN works with Netflix. However, some VPNs unblock more international Netflix libraries than others, so your mileage may vary when trying different countries. When using a VPN for Netflix, you should choose a server from a country whose content you want to watch. To stream videos from your nation of origin while traveling internationally, pick your home region. For unblocking foreign Netflix libraries, pick a worldwide server. No, Netflix doesn't block VPNs, although you'll see only films and television shows that Netflix has the rights for in that region. Furthermore, Netflix doesn't allow VPNs with its ad-supported plan, and you can't stream live events, just on-demand content. Proton VPN is the best free VPN for streaming Netflix. You'll gain access to servers in five countries -- the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, the US and Poland. Whereas many other free VPN services sell your data or plaster your screen with ads, Proton's free tier doesn't. While Proton's no-cost plan is limited -- you can't select a server manually -- it's a worthy trade-off considering how strongly Proton maintains privacy. While Proton VPN's zero-cost tier is a great choice, upgrading to the paid Proton Plus package provides access to a generous international server network of over 9,700 servers spread across 117 countries with superb Netflix worldwide library region-restricted content unblocking.
