Best VPN for Netflix: 3 Still Work Well (September 2023)

This guide highlights the best VPNs for Netflix based on the latest test results in September 2023.

Netflix remains the most popular streaming platform around, but you’ll need the best VPN for Netflix if you want to unblock all shows and regions from anywhere in the world. But how do you find the best Netflix VPN when there are so many VPNs on the market that do not unblock Netflix? We put the most popular Netflix VPNs to the test for this updated guide.

We set out to answer this question by testing all of the top VPNs and posting the results in the guide below. For starters, we conduct regular tests to verify exactly which of these VPNs are working consistently without any problems.

WARNING: Even though there are still a few VPNs that work with Netflix, the vast majority do not work well, even if they claim to be good “Netflix VPNs”. This is because:

1. The majority of VPNs are blocked by Netflix.
2. Many VPNs are too slow to work well with streaming, which results in buffering, interruptions, and video timing out.
3. Very few VPNs can unblock a large selection of Netflix libraries around the world on a consistent basis.

Because Netflix is actively rolling out new blocks, most of the smaller VPN services simply cannot stay ahead of this cat-and-mouse game. Therefore we are recommending only four VPNs for Netflix. These four VPNs work the best at consistently (every day) unblocking the most Netflix libraries around the world.

Best VPNs for Netflix

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Netflix, consistently unblocks 15+ regional libraries, fast speeds, larger server network, secure and reliable apps for all types of devices (with a 68% off coupon)
2. Surfshark – Best budget VPN for Netflix with secure and reliable apps, fast speeds, and numerous global servers
3. ExpressVPN – A reliable Netflix VPN with user-friendly apps and consistent speeds

So without further delay, here is a quick overview of the different topics we’ll cover in this guide on the best Netflix VPNs:

1. The 4 best VPNs for Netflix that are working right now with a large selection of Netflix libraries
2. 20 VPNs that are blocked (or too slow) with Netflix
3. Netflix VPN FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
4. Netflix VPN Comparison Table

Ranking the best Netflix VPNs

Here are the criteria that we used for ranking the best VPNs for Netflix:

1. Unblocks American Netflix, as well as other popular Netflix regions
2. Excellent speeds and reliability to stream HD Netflix without interruptions.
3. Professional and prompt technical support.
4. Reliable and secure apps to use on Netflix streaming devices.
5. Thoroughly tested and found to perform well with different devices and server locations.

Now let’s examine the best VPNs for Netflix:

NordVPN – Best VPN for Netflix in 2023

NordVPN is currently the best VPN for Netflix simply because it always works with the service and offers the fastest speeds with consistent reliability. With a huge network of global servers, NordVPN unblocks numerous Netflix regions with ease (see the list below). While many VPNs struggle to provide consistently fast speeds for HD streaming, NordVPN delivers. Below is one of our tests with NordVPN using the WireGuard (NordLynx) protocol, which gave us download speeds of 755 Mbps in the NordVPN review.

With NordVPN’s network of 5,500+ servers spread across 60 locations, you can easily find a fast server near you. All of these servers are running on RAM-disk (no hard drives) for enhanced security and to ensure no data is stored on any server. Being legally based in Panama, NordVPN can maintain a strict no-logs policy. It is one of the few no-logs VPNs that has been independently audited.

Aside from being a leader in streaming, NordVPN is also among the best VPNs with privacy and security. It has passed third-party security audits conducted by Versprite as well as no-logs audits conducted by PWC AG in Switzerland. Additionally, NordVPN offers many advanced privacy features:

• Threat Protection feature to block ads, trackers, and malware domains (one of the best VPN ad blockers available)
• Double-VPN servers that encrypt and route traffic over two different locations
• Tor-over-VPN servers that encrypt traffic with the Tor network, in addition to the VPN
• Obfuscated servers to conceal VPN traffic as regular HTTPS encryption (a useful feature if you need a VPN for China)

One other huge advantage you get with NordVPN is the WireGuard VPN protocol. This gives NordVPN users a big performance advantage over other VPNs. For example, you can see in the ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison how NordVPN came out on top in every speed test. Aside from blazing-fast speeds, WireGuard also connects quickly, can easily transition between network interfaces, and works much better on mobile devices than legacy VPN protocols. This protocol also offers major security and encryption upgrades over OpenVPN and IPSec.

See all NordVPN features here >>

Using NordVPN with Netflix

For Netflix streaming, NordVPN is the top performer. It supports all major Netflix libraries around the world and has dedicated apps for all types of streaming devices, from computers, phones, and tablets to Android TV boxes, Smart TVs, and more. They even offer a dedicated app for using a VPN with FireStick. Below I’m streaming American Netflix through a NordVPN server in the US:

Other streaming service providers: With support for Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and numerous regional channels, we’ve rated NordVPN as the best VPN for streaming. It simply offers the best access in comparison to all the other VPNs we’ve tested, along with great apps for all streaming devices.

Netflix Regions: NordVPN currently unblocks the following Netflix regions: US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, Japan, India, and Korea. NordVPN support staff told me other locations are available as well, but these are some of the most-used locations.

Check out our NordVPN review for more info.

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Surfshark – Fast and secure VPN to unblock Netflix

Surfshark is a fast and reliable VPN that works for Netflix and many other streaming media services. Officially launched in 2018, Surfshark offers a secure, high-performance VPN that delivers access to all major Netflix regions. And aside from the low price, Surfshark also stands out by giving you an unlimited number of connections. This allows you to stream Netflix on every device (the whole family!) without having to worry about exceeding your connection limit.

Surfshark is a great option for all types of streaming. In addition to Netflix support, you can also use this VPN for Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and many other services. It’s a great VPN for Amazon Prime Video with a dedicated Amazon Fire stick app in the Amazon Store.

Following NordVPN’s lead, Surfshark recently integrated the WireGuard protocol into their service. With Surfshark’s WireGuard servers, I was able to hit speeds of 397 Mbps in the Surfshark review. This means Surfshark will deliver more than enough bandwidth for HD streaming on all your devices.

With premium speeds and support for all types of devices, Surfshark is also a great VPN for Kodi streaming. Like our other top Netflix VPNs, Surfshark has a large network with 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. This large network will unlock many Netflix libraries and streaming media services around the world.

Surfshark also does well with security. VPN traffic is encrypted with an AES-256 cipher via the OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, and a ChaCha20 cipher with WireGuard. Like NordVPN, Surfshark offers many great privacy features:

• CleanWeb feature to block ads, trackers, and malware domains
• Double-VPN servers to secure traffic with an extra layer of encryption
• Browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome browsers
• Whitelister split tunneling feature to route certain apps or websites outside of the VPN tunnel

Using Surfshark VPN with Netflix

We’ve found nearly all VPN servers in the supported streaming countries to work with Netflix. It’s just a matter of connecting to the server, clearing your browser cache, and then logging in to Netflix. Below I am using a Surfshark server in London to watch UK Netflix:

At only $2.30 per month with the coupon below, Surfshark is probably one of the cheapest VPNs worth considering for Netflix. All plans come with a 30 day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live support via chat.

Regional Netflix availability: Surfshark officially supports and unblocks ten different Netflix regions: US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Poland, Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Sweden, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Turkey, and Taiwan. Surfshark may also work on other Netflix regions.

Our Surfshark review has more info and test results.

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ExpressVPN – Reliable Netflix VPN with user-friendly VPN apps

ExpressVPN has long been one of the top Netflix VPNs on the market. It simply works when most other VPNs are having problems. In fact, ExpressVPN has built a name for itself with rock-solid reliability in nearly every category, from privacy to security to streaming and unblocking content. This is a premium VPN that just works.

In the streaming category, ExpressVPN has a lot to offer. It supports a huge number of Netflix libraries, including all of the most popular regions: US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, and more. It also works with all of the other popular streaming content sources, including Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, ESPN, and many others.

ExpressVPN also offers a great selection of apps and support for numerous types of streaming devices. They have apps for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even routers. ExpressVPN also has the MediaStreamer app, which allows you to use ExpressVPN on all types of streaming devices, from Smart TVs to TV boxes, gaming systems, Apple TVs, and more. They also have a dedicated app if you need a VPN for Firestick.

While some Netflix VPN users may not be overly concerned with privacy or security, ExpressVPN excels in these areas, too. They utilize strong AES-256 encryption with all of their apps and infrastructure, as well as the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Lightway VPN protocols. Lightway is very similar to WireGuard in that it offers faster speeds and improved security. ExpressVPN has also passed third-party audits for security and adhering to their privacy guarantees (no logs).

Using ExpressVPN with Netflix

ExpressVPN is very easy to use with Netflix. Simply connect to an ExpressVPN server in the region you need and enjoy streaming Netflix as normal. As with all Netflix VPNs, there are occasional hiccups, so you may need to open an ExpressVPN chat box to ask support exactly which servers to use for a given area. While one or multiple servers may get blocked from time to time, others will be working to ensure 24/7 access to Netflix through the VPN.

Below I am streaming US Netflix through an ExpressVPN server in Washington, DC.

Support – ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support directly through their website. They are available to help you find the best server to use, get ExpressVPN working on your devices, or do anything else you may need. And like our other top VPNs for Netflix, ExpressVPN gives you a full 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Regional Netflix availability – ExpressVPN provides access to the following Netflix regions: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Belgium, Germany, and Spain. While I’ve heard there are other (smaller) Netflix regions supported, I have not tested this yet, since all major regions are already covered.

Other streaming service providers – ExpressVPN works great with all major streaming companies, including Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, HBO, and more.

Our ExpressVPN review has additional test results and information.

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Many VPNs are blocked (or too slow) with Netflix

Unfortunately, most VPN services on the market today are blocked by Netflix or are simply too slow to work well. A large number of VPNs used to work with Netflix, but Netflix started actively blocking VPN services in 2016.

Let’s take a look at VPNs that are not working well with Netflix.

Disclaimer: This list is based on my own experience testing numerous VPNs with Netflix. Since variables are always changing with Netflix and VPNs, this list may not reflect the most recent changes. If in doubt, you can check with your VPN or run your own tests.

Here are a few VPNs that I have found to not work well with Netflix:

CyberGhost not working with Netflix

In our CyberGhost VPN review, we showed how the VPN was getting blocked by US Netflix. This happened even with CyberGhost‘s server that was dedicated to streaming US Netflix.

You can see the CyberGhost VPN server in the background (right) with the Netflix proxy error message on the left.

PureVPN too slow for Netflix

PureVPN is not the best choice for Netflix, mainly due to performance problems. Extensive testing for the PureVPN review identified serious issues, including slow speeds, data leaks, and dropped connections. This would make viewing Netflix very frustrating.

Even worse, PureVPN was found to be logging customer data and handing it over to the FBI (US authorities), despite claiming to have a “zero logs policy”.

Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield’s VPN is a large, popular one, but it isn’t a good VPN for Netflix. It was previously in the news for a vulnerability that could reveal the user’s location to hackers. Additionally, this VPN was found to inject JavaScript codes using iframes for advertising and tracking purposes and embed tracking libraries into their Android VPN apps. While some of their servers might work with Netflix, it would be wise to consider alternatives.

Hola VPN

Hola is one of the free VPN services you should probably avoid if you want to stream Netflix. It was found to hijack user bandwidth and fraudulently resell it through its sister company Luminati. These bandwidth-stealing practices expose the end-user to all kinds of problems and dangers.

Private Internet Access (PIA)

PIA is a decent VPN service, but it’s not a great Netflix VPN. In my testing, it was consistently blocked by US Netflix.

Private Internet Access claims to sometimes work with Netflix, but it has never worked well for me.

Tunnelbear

TunnelBear is known for its free VPN, but it does not work well with Netflix. In testing for our TunnelBear review, I also found it to be quite slow, which would make Netflix streaming difficult.

IPVanish

IPVanish is a decent VPN service, it has trouble unblocking Netflix. I asked a customer support representative if IPVanish works with Netflix and he told me: “Netflix has been very vigilant recently in trying to block our services.” If you want a VPN that works consistently with Netflix, IPVanish is not the answer.

IPVanish was also caught logging users and providing the data to the FBI, despite claiming to be a “zero logs” VPN service. (We discuss this more in the IPVanish review.)

HideMyAss (HMA VPN)

In our tests for the HideMyAss review, we found it to work sporadically with US Netflix. However, it would get blocked for other regions, such as Netflix UK and Netflix Canada.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN has been hit or miss with Netflix over the years. In our own streaming tests, we have found Proton VPN usually worked with US Netflix, but was unreliable for other geographic regions. See our ProtonVPN vs NordVPN comparison for details.

Other VPNs that get blocked by Netflix

We also found the following VPNs to have trouble with Netflix:

• Avast Secureline VPN
• Private Tunnel
• Ivacy
• iVPN
• F-Secure Freedome
• Hide.me
• CactusVPN
• AVG VPN
• SecureVPN
• Celo VPN
• Kaspersky Secure Connection

Note: This is just a small sample of VPNs that don’t work well with Netflix, but there are surely many more. Keep in mind, however, that the Netflix VPN blocking game is dynamic. Therefore this list will continue to change as Netflix and VPNs evolve with these changes.

Using a VPN to unblock different Netflix regional libraries

We have been testing out VPNs with Netflix for over 7 years — and there is a reason we only recommend the four VPNs above. The answer is simple: they unblock a large number of regions on a consistent basis.

One of the best things about using a VPN with Netflix is that it gives you access to a huge library of content. With your Netflix account, all you need is a good Netflix VPN to give you access to a large selection of content from all over the world. Take for example NordVPN. You can use their servers to access more than 15 different Netflix regional libraries.

The streaming possibilities are truly endless — especially when you consider the other streaming sources you can access through your VPN. If you want to change Netflix regions with ease, then you need a good VPN.

Most “Netflix VPNs” are restricted and blocked

There are many VPNs that claim to “work with Netflix” — but they usually don’t tell you which regions they support. That’s because most of them only support one or two regions. Take HideMyAss VPN for example. In our HideMyAss VPN review, we found it only worked with US Netflix, while all other regions were blocked.

Therefore if you want full access to the largest selection of Netflix regional libraries, go with one of the recommended VPNs in this guide.

Netflix VPN Questions (FAQs)

You probably have questions beyond which VPN is best for Netflix. Here are some frequently asked questions.

• How to watch Netflix with a VPN when abroad or overseas
• How to unblock Netflix
• How to access American Netflix from other countries
• What free VPN works with Netflix?
• Why does Netflix block VPN users?
• What is the fastest VPN for streaming Netflix?
• How much speed do you need with a VPN to stream Netflix?

How to watch Netflix with a VPN when traveling abroad

People who work or travel abroad often want to unblock Netflix with a VPN. As long as you are using a good VPN and have enough bandwidth for streaming, you can watch Netflix with your VPN by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Choose a good Netflix VPN service

First, you need a good VPN that works with Netflix:

1. NordVPN (68% off coupon)
2. Surfshark
3. ExpressVPN

Any of these VPNs will work well.

Step 2: Install the VPN software on your streaming device(s)

Find the VPN software for your specific device(s) on the VPN’s website. If you go with NordVPN, you’ll have access to a large selection of apps for all types of devices and operating systems, including TV boxes, Smart TVs, and Amazon FireTV Stick, as well as computers, routers, tablets, phones, and more.

Step 3: Connect to a VPN server

Open the VPN app on your device, then connect to a server in the location where Netflix is available, such as the US or UK. For best performance, connect to the closest server possible.

Note: You may need to check with your VPN provider to learn which servers to use.

Step 4: Enjoy streaming with Netflix from abroad

Now log in to your existing Netflix account and enjoy streaming Netflix as normal. From Netflix’s perspective, you are just another user connecting from the country where your server is located.

How to unblock Netflix regions

Netflix is often blocked in various regions. When this happens,

1. You will get a message about a proxy error; or
2. You will be unable to locate the regional titles you want to access.

In the first case, you may see a message about an “unblocker or proxy” being used. Here’s what this looks like (the image below is from the NordVPN vs PIA comparison).

In the second case, imagine you want to stream The Office. If your VPN is blocked by Netflix, you won’t be able to find The Office in the library.

Here are some options to try:

1. Use one of the Netflix VPNs listed in this guide whenever you stream Netflix.
2. If you are still getting blocked, ask the VPN’s support team which servers they recommend for streaming Netflix.

That’s really the secret to unblocking Netflix. Use a good VPN and connect to the correct VPN server.

There is a perpetual cat-and-mouse game that is being played between Netflix and VPN companies. We regularly see Netflix block some individual servers (IP addresses) and then the VPN will roll out a new solution. So if you are already using a Netflix VPN from above, just verify which server will allow you to unblock Netflix with the VPN’s support department.

How to watch American Netflix from other countries

Many people living and working overseas are looking to access Netflix from abroad. This applies to expats as well as foreign nationals — but there is one region that stands out from them all: Netflix in the US.

A VPN remains the best available tool to unblock websites and other content around the world.

Whether you are an expat living in Europe, Asia, or South America, you can have the best that American Netflix offers, wherever you are located. Or perhaps you are simply an American traveling and working abroad. Either way, it is easy to unblock American Netflix using the steps in this guide.

To access American Netflix from overseas simply follow the steps laid out above. Any of our recommended Netflix VPNs can give you full access to American Netflix. Just choose one of our recommended VPNs, then connect to a VPN server location for full access.

Check out this article if you want more information on how to change Netflix regions.

Do you need to pay for American Netflix with a US payment method?

Answer: No.

You can access American Netflix from anywhere in the world, even if you purchased your Netflix subscription in a different country, such as France or Japan. All you need is a US IP address, which you get by connecting to a US VPN server. This will unblock American Netflix, regardless of whichever Netflix region you originally subscribed to.

What free VPN works with Netflix?

There are not very many good free VPNs that work with Netflix simply because most VPNs that are free are also blocked, restricted, or not secure. Our updated best free VPN guide discusses how many “free” VPNs have been caught collecting user data for profit (and selling it to third parties). There have even been VPNs, such as Hotspot Shield VPN, that have been called out for installing tracking libraries in their apps.

There are some trustworthy VPNs that offer limited free plans. This is the “freemium” business model that offers you a limited “free” VPN option in the hopes that you upgrade to a paid plan. Here are a few examples:

• Atlas VPN – Atlas VPN has a freemium version, but that version doesn’t work with Netflix. (See our Atlas VPN review for more info.)
• TrustZone – TrustZone also offers a basic free VPN with only 3 GB of data, but again, it does not work well with Netflix. (See the TrustZone review for info.)

In truth, the only viable option is to use a safe, secure, paid VPN service.

Why does Netflix block or ban VPN users?

The infamous Netflix VPN ban was officially rolled out in early 2016. Following the initial announcement in January 2016, Netflix initiated a number of consecutive steps to further block VPN and smart DNS services. By January 2017, many of the VPNs that previously worked with Netflix could no longer access the service.

The continual efforts by Netflix to block VPNs in order to block paying customers from access are somewhat ridiculous. After all, why should paying customers be blocked from using a service that they have already paid for?

The answer to the question of why must Netflix block VPNs is that the company caved in to pressure from large copyright holders. They wanted to further restrict access to their licensed content. This is usually done so that they can charge people more money to stream the same movie in different locations.

This also lines up with the trend we see unfolding whereby the internet is getting carved up and more restricted, with the gatekeepers blocking access to content, media, websites, etc.

Fortunately, there are a handful of VPN services that continue to invest significant resources into unblocking Netflix, while many others have simply given up completely. However, we see similar restrictions rolling out with bans on account sharing.

Is it illegal to use a VPN for Netflix?

Generally speaking, it is not illegal to use a VPN for Netflix. The VPN blocks are put in place by Netflix to limit content. In other words, these blocks are not carried out by state governments or municipalities. Therefore getting around these blocks should not be illegal or break any laws where you are located.

With that being said, we encourage you to check your local laws just to be safe, and of course, this is not legal advice. VPNs can be a grey area in some places of the world, such as in China, Dubai, and some other countries with restrictive internet regulations. So do your own homework beforehand.

What is the fastest VPN for Netflix streaming in 2023?

The fastest VPN for streaming Netflix is NordVPN. It consistently delivers the fastest speeds with NordLynx protocol (which incorporates WireGuard), hitting around 445 Mbps in my tests. The runner-up, not far behind, is Surfshark, which was about 400 Mbps in my tests.

To get the fastest VPN speeds when streaming Netflix, use NordVPN or Surfshark, and then connect to a nearby server with the WireGuard protocol. All four of our top Netflix VPN recommendations support WireGuard. That said, NordVPN is by far the fastest and offers the most Netflix regions to choose from.

VPN speed was a key consideration when ranking the best VPN services for Netflix. So let’s examine this use in more detail.

How much speed do you need with a VPN to stream Netflix?

Here are some benchmarks for streaming speed and quality:

• 500 Kbps = Minimum quality
• 1,500 Kbps [1.5 Mbps] = Normal quality (less than 480p)
• 3,000 Kbps [3 Mbps] = SD quality (480p or better)
• 5,000 Kbps [5 Mbps] = HD quality (720p or better)
• 25,000 Kbps [25 Mbps] = Ultra HD quality (1080p or better)

To optimize the best speed and reliability, connect to the closest VPN server you can. For example, if you are in the UK and want to stream American Netflix, a VPN server in New York would be better than a server in Los Angeles. This will minimize latency and should improve overall performance.

Depending on your VPN provider, you may want to experiment with a few different locations. If you ever notice speed issues with your VPN, you can always troubleshoot with the VPN’s support department – or switch to a faster VPN service.

Conclusion: Use a good Netflix VPN to access more regional libraries from anywhere

Using the best Netflix VPN will unlock a world of potential for you – wherever you may be located. A VPN will allow you to:

• Access Netflix from any location in the world.
• Unblock American Netflix to give you access to the largest selection of movies and TV shows.
• Access other Netflix regions, such as Netflix UK, Canada, France, Netherlands, and many more.
• Encrypt your internet connection to give you more privacy and security while streaming your favorite shows.

Even though accessing Netflix with a VPN continues to be a cat-and-mouse game with some providers, all of the VPNs recommended in this guide should give you everything you need. Our top recommendation continues to be NordVPN, which performed the best with accessing Netflix in our tests.

The trend of people using VPNs for streaming will only continue to grow with the current landscape. A VPN gives you unlimited access and streaming freedom.

And if you are on a tight budget, you might want to check out our VPN Coupons Guide here >>

If you have any feedback, problems, or questions about Netflix VPN providers, drop a comment below.

This Netflix VPN guide was last updated on September 2, 2023.