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Using avirtual private network(VPN) allows you to enjoy all of your favorite Netflix TV shows and movies from anywhere. However, not all VPNs can get past Netflix’s geoblocks. For the best binge-watching, even across borders, consider these VPNs.
UPDATE: 19-07-2025
We’ve reviewed our recommendations and updated the fastest VPN for Netflix, and the best budget VPN. Take a look!
Windscribe
What to Look For in a VPN For Netflix
Avirtual private network(VPN) gives you more options when accessing streaming websites like Netflix. For example, if you’re in the US, you’ll only see content inNetflix’s US library. The reason for regional variation in content is copyright laws. If Netflix has rights to a certain movie or TV show only in the US, you won’t find it in Netflix UK. This content isgeoblocked, i.e., only accessible in specific regions.
Netflix checks a user’sIP addressto determine their physical location. Then, the streaming service understands which content library a user should have access to.
That’s where a VPN comes in. A VPN that works with Netflix can help you hide your real IP address and assign you a different IP address that might belong to a different country.
When you access Netflix using another country’s IP address, Netflix will think you’re physically in that region and allow you to access its content library.
For example, when you connect to aVPN serverin the UK, the server will access Netflix on your behalf and transmit the content it receives from Netflix. That’s how VPNs help youaccess another country’s Netflix library.
All VPNs can assign you another country’s IP address, but not all VPNs can get past Netflix’s geo-restrictions, and manyVPNs do more harm than good. You should look for specific features and characteristics so you can be confident about your choice. For example, you want a VPN that can effectively bypass geoblocks. The only way to find out which ones can do so is to try them, so you’ll want to choose a VPN that has been properly tested.
You should also select a fast VPN. Slow VPNs can result in frustrating buffering. While all VPNs reduce speed, the best ones minimize this reduction.
Split tunnelingis another desirable feature that allows you to use a VPN for specific apps by creating two tunnels. Traffic in one tunnel goes through the VPN server, while the other goes through your regular internet connection. For example, if you want to access Netflix Japan, you can use the encrypted VPN connection in your browser. On the other hand, you can continue other activities you don’t need a VPN for using your unencrypted internet connection. All VPNs in this list offer split tunneling.
Some services also offer specific features to improve the streaming experience, such as streaming-optimized servers or technologies that impact streaming performance (for example, MediaStreamer on ExpressVPN).
Here are the most reliable, secure, and best-performing VPNs for Netflix.
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Fast speeds
Has MediaStreamer
Excellent security
ExpressVPNis the best VPN for Netflix (and also thebest VPNoverall). It checks all the boxes—it’s fast, secure, and bypasses Netflix’s geo-restrictions without a hitch. With a server network spread across 94 countries, ExpressVPN helps you access your favorite content libraries no matter where you are.
You get unlimited bandwidth and five simultaneous connections with ExpressVPN. This means up to five members can stream virtually any Netflix content library simultaneously, and everyone will get the same, buffer-free streaming experience.
VPNs can slow down your internet speed because your data will need more time to travel through an intermediary server, especially if the server is located far away. However, the speed reduction is minimal when you use ExpressVPN, as you can read inour review:
Without a VPN, we were hitting just under 9.9Mb/sec, with a ping of about 25ms. While connected to ExpressVPN via Lightway UDP, that dropped to around 8.2Mb/sec with a ping of 26. […] It’s hard to predict how these results would translate to the much-faster 100Mb connection we were using only a few months ago. In our experience, we were only losing a couple of megabits and our speed wasn’t significantly impacted.
Moreover,ExpressVPNhas a feature called MediaStreamer that tackles speed issues. MediaStreamer helps you spoof your location, allowing you to access another country’s Netflix library, without the performance drag that comes with encrypting your connection. The connection may be less secure, but you’ll get faster speeds.
The biggest downside is that ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPNs on the market. Its performance justifies the cost, but if you’re on a budget, you might want to consider other services on this list.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is fast, secure, and cuts through Netflix’s geo-restrictions easily. If you’re looking for best-in-class services, ExpressVPN is your best bet.
Some interface issues
Affordable
Great bundles
Proton VPNis another great pick if you’re looking for a VPN, especially considering how fast it is. As you can read in ourProton VPN review, it performed extremely well under testing, losing very little speed even on transatlantic connections. This makes it well suited to anybody who regularly wants to crack Netflix across the pond:
This is an excellent result, with even the connection to faraway Japan showing a very acceptable [speed] loss of less than 25%. This makes Proton VPN a great option for streaming, as you’ll still be able to display your shows in high quality even if you’re on the other side of the world. The loss of ping, orlatency, is unavoidable with VPNs, so this result is still decent.
Proton VPN does more than unlock Netflix. The company has a strong reputation for security and privacy, offering secure email, a password manager, and a VPN. It offers a special stealth mode that masks the fact that you’re using a VPN, meaning it’s great for people who need to be anonymous online.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a fast and secure service, that comes with a strong reputation for privacy.
Fast
Some issues with Netflix
If you’ve read ourPrivate Internet Access review, you’ll know that PIA is fast and easy to use, with apps for all major desktop and mobile operating systems. It’s also secure, with no history of breaches or other issues.
When it comes to Netflix, PIA gets the job done, though not always on the first try. There’s a chance that if you want to watch another country’s Netflix library, you may have to try more than one server before it works. Still, that may just be worth it for a VPN service as cheap as this.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is a low-cost VPN that offers excellent speeds and keeps latency to a minimum. If you’re looking for a secure and reliable service with an affordable price.
User-friendly app
VPN automation features
5-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhostdoesn’t offer anything over and above other services regarding streaming. However, as you’re able to read in ourCyberGhost review, it beats almost all services in terms of user-friendliness. The interface is clean, well-organized, and, more importantly, detailed.
For example, most VPNs offer a connect button and a list of servers on the home screen. CyberGhost goes a step further by categorizing its server list by purpose so you can find the most optimal server for streaming, torrenting, or gaming, among other things. You can also view the distance between your physical location and the server, allowing you to select the closest server for improved performance.
Interestingly, CyberGhost also offers automation features called “smart rules.” For example, you may set a rule where every time you launch CyberGhost, it automatically connects to a UK-based server, allowing you to skip an extra step before you start streaming.
The only downside? CyberGhost tends to be a little slower than comparable services. You might experience occasional buffering, but you should still be able to stream using Netflix.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost has a user-friendly interface, perfect for beginners. It’s also one of the few VPNs to offer automation features.
Generous free plan
Short, three-day money-back guarantee
Excellent speed and security
Flexible pricing option
Windscribeis popular for its generous free plan. Fortunately, the free plan also cuts through Netflix’s geo-restrictions just fine. As a free user, you get 10GB of free monthly data and access to servers in 10 countries.
The 10GB offered through the free plan may or may not be enough depending on how much Netflix content you want to stream and the quality you want to stream in. If 10GB sounds too low, Windscribe offers a flexible build-a-plan option (with a minimum $3 per month checkout value) allowing you to buy server locations for $1 per month. You can also get unlimited data for an extra $1 per month.
Don’t want to build a plan? Windscribe also offers ready-to-use paid plans. However, they are a little more expensive. If you’re open to paying for a VPN service, consider one of the other options on our list.
If you plan on trying Windscribe’s paid features, the money-back guarantee window is only three days. That’s much shorter than other services, so you might want to try the free version first and then the paid features.
Besides the data cap and limited server locations, the free version of Windscribe works perfectly for streaming. Even as a free user, you get top-notch connection speeds and excellent security.
Windscribe is a reliable free VPN that offers good speeds and lets you access streaming servers even on the free plan.
