VPNs allow users to select any country available on the VPN’s server and then change users’ real IP addresses to that of the chosen country. That way, users would appear to be in another region and can continue streaming movies or TV shows on Netflix, even if the videos weren’t originally available to the users.
However, not all VPNs work for Netflix because the streaming platform blocks IP addresses linked to some VPNs, especially when unusual traffic is detected on those IP addresses. The best VPN for Netflix depends on how the VPN can efficiently switch ports to remain undetectable. The eight best VPNs for Netflix are detailed below.
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1. ExpressVPN
is a security and privacy software that works by hiding users’ actual IP addresses and encrypting web traffic.
The pros of using ExpressVPN include unlimited data and excellent streaming speeds, secure and high-quality connections, 160 server locations in 94 different countries to choose from, and compatibility on any device. ExpressVPN also has a user-friendly interface, allows up to five device connections simultaneously, and is supported on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, router, Apple TV and other devices.
Despite those merits, ExpressVPN is a bit pricey compared to other VPNs and doesn’t offer a free version. Phone support is not available to customers, only 24/7 live chat or email support. Users also can’t customize app settings.
ExpressVPN offers a monthly plan at $12.95, a six-month plan at $59.95 or $9.99 per month, and a 12-month plan at $99.95 or $8.32 per month. All plans are eligible for a full money-back guarantee for the first 30 days.
To use ExpressVPN, subscribe to a plan and download and install the application on a computer or mobile device. Next, set up the device. There are different ways to do this, depending on the type of operating system. Users should visit ExpressVPN’s website to see how to set up the given device. After setup, users can connect to any of the 160 server locations to stream Netflix from anywhere worldwide.
When users connect to ExpressVPN, the software creates a secure connection with one of the VPN servers. The connection is protected using encryption and tunneling. Tunneling works by hiding a data packet inside another data packet to prevent third parties from reading the data. After connecting, the websites or streaming services visited, such as Netflix, won’t be able to read the actual IP address of the user, but instead, the IP address of the VPN server that is switched regularly to avoid detection. Traffic still goes through the user’s internet service provider (ISP), but the ISP won’t be able to read the user’s traffic or see the final location because the data is encrypted using AES-256.
One security risk of using ExpressVPN is the lack of a multi-hop connection, which routes users’ traffic through two servers so that privacy is maintained even if one server is compromised.
2. Surfshark
is a VPN tool that ensures users’ protection by encrypting and routing internet traffic to a remote server.
Some of the advantages of using Surfshark include access to over 3,200 servers in 65 countries, strong AES 256 GCM encryption, and private DNS and leak protection. Surfshark also unlocks 30 Netflix libraries, blocks ads to prevent malware or phishing attempts, and is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Firefox, Chrome and Fire TV. Users also benefit from unlimited simultaneous connections, multihop connections, split tunneling and 24/7 customer support.
However, Surfshark has a couple of demerits, such as high subscription costs and no free version available. Also, Surfshark’s P2P servers are restricted, and there’s no split tunneling feature on iOS devices.
Surfshark offers a monthly plan at $12.95, a six-month plan at $38.94 or $6.49 per month, and a 12-month plan at $59.76 or $4.98 per month. Extra charges may apply due to taxes, depending on the subscriber’s location. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available for all plans.
To use Surfshark, subscribe to a plan and then download and install the application on a computer or mobile device. Open the app and create an account (for new users) or log in (for existing users). Click “connect” to start using Surfshark. Users can connect to the “fastest server” or use the “search” function to find and connect to the nearest country’s VPN server.
When users connect to Surfshark, the application creates a secure connection to any of Surfshark’s VPN servers through tunneling and encryption. Data sent and received by users while browsing or streaming will be encrypted to make the information unreadable by third parties. The encrypted data is then forwarded to a VPN server, which decodes and sends the data to the destination. The user’s location is then replaced with the server’s IP address. However, when browsing on a website, for instance, the data sent back to the user from the website won’t be decrypted by default. The server forwards the data to the user’s device, which the app then decrypts. Anyone who intercepts such data can detect that the connection is coming from a VPN service, but no one can know what the user is using the VPN for.
3. NordVPN
is a VPN tool that hides users’ IP addresses by routing the internet traffic through remote servers. NordVPN also encrypts data sent and received by users to ensure privacy protection.
The merits of using NordVPN include over 5,200 servers in 60 countries to choose from, uninterrupted streaming on Netflix and the ability to connect up to six devices. Also, user data is protected using the kill switch, split tunneling and double protection functions. NordVPN unblocks streaming services using SmartPlay technology, provides 24/7 client support and secures users’ accounts through multi-factor authentication.
NordVPN, however, has some demerits. The service is more expensive than other VPNs. Also, auto-updates for Apple devices sometimes fail, and users have to update manually. Torrenting is only supported on a few servers.
NordVPN offers a monthly plan at $11.95, a one-year plan at $59 or $4.92 per month, and a two-year plan at $89 or $3.30 per month with three months free. The one-year and two-year plans feature 58% and 72% discounts, respectively, with the offer available for a limited time. Subscribers can also benefit from a money-back guarantee within the first 30 days.
To use NordVPN, download and install the app, which is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android devices. After that, new users should create an account and existing users should sign in. Click “Quick connect,” and the app will select the best server available.
When a user connects to NordVPN, the app connects the user to a secure VPN server. The server then encrypts all incoming and outgoing data through tunneling. To ensure all data packets are protected during transit, each packet is encapsulated into another data packet. When the data gets to the server, the data is decrypted to remove the outer packet.
NordVPN suffered a security breach in March 2018 when some servers were hacked. No major data leak was recorded, and the company’s privacy policy has since been audited twice.
4. Hotspot Shield
is a VPN service that grants users access to websites and streaming services to download, game or stream at super-fast speeds. Users are protected with military-grade encryption.
Hotspot Shield has over 3,200 servers in more than 80 countries worldwide and is one of the fastest VPNs in the world. Users enjoy uninterrupted streams on Netflix at HD quality and fast speeds through the Hydra protocol. Other benefits include AES-256 encryption and kill switch features to ensure users’ privacy protection, unlimited streaming data, a free version, 24/7 customer support, the ability to connect up to five devices, and compatibility with macOS, Windows, iOS and Android.
Despite these merits, Hotspot Shield is expensive and doesn’t offer a Firefox extension. The free version is filled with targeted ads and can’t be installed on routers. Hotspot Shield’s WireGuard support is limited, and there’s no external infrastructure audit.
Hotspot Shield offers a monthly plan at $12.99, a one-year plan at $95.88 or $7.99 per month, and a two-year plan billed at $6.99 per month. There’s a 45-day money-back guarantee on all premium plans. Hotspot Shield also offers a free plan.
To use Hotspot Shield, download and install the application on a PC or mobile device. Open the app, click “Connect,” select a country to watch from and start streaming Netflix.
After connecting to Hotspot Shield, a user’s web traffic is routed through secure VPN servers, where the traffic is then encrypted. This serves as a “tunnel” for data to be transmitted, protecting the user’s privacy by hiding the actual IP address and preventing ISP throttling.
Hotspot Shield provides other services such as WiFi security and malware protection. The free version of Hotspot Shield doesn’t provide top-notch security and privacy protection, which is one risk of using this service.
5. PrivateVPN
is a relatively new VPN service that is reliable in unblocking Netflix and uses military-grade 2048-bit encryption to protect users.
PrivateVPN’s benefits include over 200 servers in 63 countries to choose from, uninterrupted streaming at fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, no logging of data, the ability to connect up to 10 devices, and compatibility with macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android and routers. This VPN tool has a free trial and live chat and email support.
However, there are a few downsides to using PrivateVPN, such as the limited number of servers, the live chat is not 24/7 and the kill switch function is available on Windows only. PrivateVPN also doesn’t offer a WireGuard function and doesn’t support browser extensions.
PrivateVPN costs $8.99 per month. There’s also a three-month plan at $17.99 or billed at $6 per month and a two-year plan at $2.50 per month or billed at $59.99 every 12 months after two years. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. PrivateVPN also offers a free trial for seven days.
Users can stream Netflix with PrivateVPN by first downloading and installing the app on any of the supported operating systems. Users then proceed to create an account or log in and then select any country to watch from and click “Connect.”
PrivateVPN safeguards privacy by routing users to a VPN server using an encrypted connection or tunnel. All data transmitted between users and servers is encrypted, meaning no one can read the transmitted data. Transmissions between VPN servers and users’ destinations are also protected. PrivateVPN hides users’ IP addresses and provides a new location to bypass geo-restrictions.
6. VyprVPN
is a VPN application that allows users to stream or browse at great speeds while privacy is protected with multiple encryption technologies.
Some of the benefits of using VyprVPN include unlimited streaming, 24/7 customer support and the use of the Chameleon protocol to unblock websites and streaming services. VyprVPN offers over 300,000 IP addresses spread across 70-plus countries to provide fast, reliable and secure connections for browsing, downloading and streaming. VyprVPN uses encryption protocols such as WireGuard to protect users’ privacy and doesn’t keep data logs of users’ activities. VyprVPN also allows up to five connections and is supported on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, routers and TVs.
VyprVPN has some disadvantages, such as the limited number of servers (over 700), slow connection time and no browser extensions. The connection speeds are average, and the kill switch function sometimes has issues on Windows. Also, the iOS app lacks some essential features, and VyprVPN doesn’t accept Bitcoin payments.
VyprVPN offers three plans: The standard plan goes for $9.95 per month or $60 per year. The premium plan costs $12.25 per month or $80 per year. The business plan starts at $299 per year, with a cloud option starting at $349. VyprVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
To use VyprVPN, install and launch the app on a PC or mobile device. Next, select a server to connect to from any of VyprVPN’s 70-plus locations available. Start browsing or streaming Netflix once connected.
VyprVPN works by encrypting users’ internet connections to ensure that any incoming and outgoing data is protected during browsing or streaming by routing users’ data through a VPN tunnel. VyprVPN exchanges users’ real IP addresses with any of the app’s 300,000-plus IP addresses from remote servers.
7. CyberGhost
is a VPN service that ensures users stay anonymous during online activities by using encryption technologies and VPN protocols.
Users of CyberGhost benefit from unlimited data or bandwidth and access to over 7,100 servers in 91 countries to stream, torrent or game at lightning speeds and in full HD. CyberGhost uses reliable protocols and military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to protect users’ online activities when using public WiFi or any unsecured network. This VPN protects users against DNS leaks, keeps no logs on users’ activities and provides 24/7 client support. CyberGhost can be used on up to seven devices simultaneously and is supported on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Smart TV and Fire TV.
Despite these benefits, CyberGhost is expensive compared to other VPNs. CyberGhost doesn’t support P2P on mobile apps and doesn’t work on routers. This VPN also doesn’t accept Bitcoin payments. CyberGhost’s privacy policies are unclear, and the company has no external audit.
CyberGhost offers a monthly plan at $12.99 with a 14-day money-back guarantee. The six-month plan goes for $6.39 per month with a 45-day money-back guarantee, and the two-year plan costs $2.25 per month with a 45-day money-back guarantee plus two months free.
To use CyberGhost, download and install the app on a supported device. Next, sign in (for existing users) or sign up to create a new account. Click on the “Power” button, and the app will connect to the best server suitable for the user’s location.
When connected to CyberGhost, the app establishes a secure point-to-point connection between the user’s device and the internet. The data packets sent and received are routed through an encrypted tunnel to make the data packets unreadable and hide the user’s IP address.
CyberGhost faced privacy issues in the past when an upgrade included a root certificate that reportedly could be used to monitor users’ activities. The company has since cleared up this issue, and there are no recent risks attached to using this VPN.
8. ProtonVPN
hides users’ real IP addresses and unlocks websites and streaming services. Users’ privacy is protected using encryption tunnels and other advanced security features.
Users of ProtonVPN enjoy benefits such as access to 1,426 servers in 60 countries, unlimited data and speed, and free app versions. ProtonVPN also uses AES-256 encryption, strong protocols such as WireGuard and OpenVPN, DNS leak prevention, and doesn’t keep log records of users. Users can connect up to 10 devices and enjoy a fast speed connection of up to 10Gbps. The app supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android devices.
However, ProtonVPN’s client support is only via email, which is not even 24/7. ProtonVPN also has fewer servers compared to other VPNs, doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments, has limited customization options and doesn’t support unlimited torrenting.
ProtonVPN offers a basic plan that costs $4 per month, a plus plan for $8 per month and a “visionary” plan for $24 per month. There’s also a free version available.
To use ProtonVPN on an iOS device, users have to download the app and configuration file of the server the user would like to connect to. The configuration file should then be opened using OpenVPN. Users should then add the OpenVPN connection to the app and enable a VPN connection by tapping “Yes” from the pop-up notification. After that, users should input their username and password and click “Add” in the top-right corner. Users should then select “Allow” on the pop-up notification and choose a server to connect to ProtonVPN.
ProtonVPN uses the Secure Core function to hide users’ IP addresses by routing internet traffic through several servers before being sent from ProtonVPN’s network.
Why Do People Need a Netflix VPN?
People need a VPN for Netflix to access videos that aren’t available in their country/region due to geo-blocking or government restrictions.
VPNs change Netflix region data by hiding and replacing users’ real IP addresses with that of the VPN’s servers. This is done by using strong encryption technologies such as AES-256 and VPN protocols such as WireGuard to encrypt users’ incoming and outgoing internet traffic between the server and users’ devices via a tunnel.
VPNs also ensure users enjoy uninterrupted and high-quality streaming across multiple devices and secure users’ internet data while streaming on public WiFi. Other functions of VPNs include protection against malware, removal of ads, cloud protection services and P2P file-sharing.
How Do I Use a VPN with Netflix?
The steps for how to use a VPN with Netflix are given below.
- Subscribe to Netflix: Sign up to create an account and choose a payment plan. Existing users should simply sign in.
- Subscribe and install a VPN app: Choose a VPN that can unblock Netflix libraries, subscribe to the service and install the app or software on a PC or mobile device.
- Connect VPN: Most VPNs allow users to select their preferred server, while some automatically select the best servers for the users’ locations. Select and connect to the country where the desired Netflix library is available.
- Open Netflix: Users can now launch the Netflix app to start watching movies and TV shows from any country or region in the world.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN for Netflix?
Yes, it is legal to use a VPN for Netflix according to the laws of most countries. However, according to the terms and conditions set by Netflix, it is illegal to use a VPN if the use falls within certain categories. Some of the statements in Netflix’s terms that could make using VPN risky are listed below.
Netflix states in 4.3 that users can view content mainly within the account’s originating country and only in geographic locations where Netflix offers services and licenses content.
Also, in 4.6, Netflix says users may not “circumvent, remove, alter, deactivate, degrade or thwart” any of the service’s content protections. That includes gaining access through a robot, spider, scraper or another automated tool.
Therefore, based on Netflix’s terms, using a VPN is prohibited on Netflix, and users’ accounts can be terminated for doing so.
Why Does Netflix Block Most VPNs?
The reasons why Netflix blocks most VPNs are given below.
- Netflix blocks many VPNs because the company is trying to prevent subscribers from accessing content they are not supposed to, maybe due to a government ban.
- Netflix also blocks VPNs because the company lacks distribution rights in certain countries. Users in these countries with illegal access to movies and TV shows could result in an infringement of Netflix’s copyright agreement and could cause legal issues for Netflix.
- Another reason why Netflix blocks VPN is cost-effectiveness. Some users pay for their content to be hosted on Netflix in a particular region, but the use of VPNs provides access to users in other regions, and Netflix will not be able to generate any income from those users.
- Accessing Netflix’s content through VPNs also disturbs one of the core features of Netflix, which is filtering recommendations of shows according to the user’s location, hence, another reason for blocking VPNs.
What Is Netflix VPN Proxy Error?
A Netflix VPN proxy error is simply an error that occurs when Netflix detects a connection to a VPN or proxy server. VPN proxy errors in Netflix arise because Netflix is trying to prevent users from connecting through VPNs or proxy servers for different reasons. When Netflix recognizes an IP address from a VPN or proxy server, a notification appears on the user’s device that says,
You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy, please turn off any of these services and try again.
or
Whoops, something went wrong. Streaming error.
How to Bypass the Netflix VPN Proxy Error
To bypass Netflix VPN proxy error, the user should register with a VPN that’s compatible with Netflix and run the application for a while. After this, the user will then select a server located in the same country as the desired Netflix library and then click “Connect” to set up a secure VPN connection. After successfully connecting, the user can open the Netflix app to access video content from the Netflix library without any error popping up.
Which Free VPN Is Best for Netflix?
A free VPN offers secure and anonymous access to the internet through a VPN server and encrypted tunnel, at no cost. Some of the best VPNs for Netflix that offer free trials include Surfshark, ExpressVPN and NordVPN, while ProtonVPN and Hotspot Shield offer free plans.
There are certain risks associated with using free VPNs for Netflix, such as the possibility of being banned by Netflix, exposure to malicious ads, access of user’s information by a third party, and other considerations.