The 5 Best Netflix VPNs in 2022 (Tried and Tested!)

Best Netflix VPN Woman on Couch
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Quick Guide: The Best VPNs For Netflix in 2022

Many people are looking for a way to access the American version of Netflix. Usually, the amount of content Netflix USA has to offer is way larger than the local Netflix databases of most users. These people have found a solution to be able to watch American Netflix outside the US: a VPN.

The best VPNs for Netflix are as follows:

  1. NordVPNPopular VPN with Netflix-focused features
  2. SurfsharkAffordable VPN with access to the most Netflix libraries
  3. ExpressVPNFast premium VPN that allows access to multiple Netflix libraries
  4. CyberGhostVPN with dedicated servers for streaming Netflix
  5. PIAPrivacy-focused VPN with plenty of server choices for Netflix

According to our research and our readers’ recommendations, the best VPN provider for Netflix is NordVPN. It can connect you to the American version of Netflix and boasts super-fast streaming speeds.

If you want to know more about Netflix USA and how a VPN can unlock the full Netflix library, you can read the rest of our article below.

Note: Many VPN providers are currently experiencing issues and can’t guarantee access to Netflix through their servers. This is due to a recent change in the way Netflix deals with proxies and VPN-related IP addresses. The providers are working on a solution, but as of now, you might not always be able to access geo-specific content on Netflix while using a VPN.


Think you’ve seen everything Netflix has to offer? Think again! Netflix is a service available in many countries that has grown considerably over the last couple of years. However, every country has a different version of Netflix, with its library of movies and TV shows.

It’s easy to get access to the movies and series that Netflix offers in a different country. Do you want to watch the American version of Netflix (which has one of the largest offerings of films and series) even when you aren’t in the USA? We’ll show you how to unblock Netflix libraries of different countries in the article below.

What Makes for a Good Netflix VPN?

What to look for in a VPN depends on your reason for using one, though there are several factors that we generally consider. In this case, you’d want a VPN that works well with Netflix, so here’s what you need to take into account.

  • Privacy and anonymity: The best VPNs use comprehensive security measures, including protocols like OpenVPN and Wireguard, and 256-bit AES or SSL encryption. When your data is encrypted, it’s much more difficult to track. It also makes you more anonymous. While privacy and anonymity may not be your main concern for streaming Netflix abroad, you should still make sure you’re using a secure VPN connection.
  • Connection speed: When streaming on Netflix or any other platform, speed is important too. If your connection is too slow, it’ll start buffering and lagging. Netflix will also downgrade the video quality. This is why you want to pick one of the fastest VPNs for streaming Netflix from abroad (or even at home!).
  • Data allowances: Paid VPNs don’t tend to impose any data cap on your usage. However, free VPNs routinely have data caps, which will limit the amount of content you can stream from Netflix or any other provider. In some cases, it won’t even be enough to finish an episode! This is why we don’t recommend free VPNs for streaming.
  • Countries and server locations: Again, premium VPNs are best for choice, with providers like NordVPN offering more than 5,000 servers in 60+ countries! If you want access to the biggest range of content, you’ll need to choose a provider that offers VPN servers in a wide range of countries. Most free VPNs just offer this much variety.

This is a very high-level view of some of the factors we’ve taken into account when choosing the best VPN providers for unblocking Netflix. So, without further ado, here are our top five VPNs, plus our score for how reliably they allow you to unblock Netflix abroad.

The 5 Best VPN Providers for Netflix

Netflix catalogs differ depending on the country you are visiting from, so you may want to hop from server to server to see what movies and shows are on offer. You can achieve this simply by swapping between VPN servers located in different countries.

This way, you’ll get to browse each different country’s Netflix catalogs. However, not all VPN providers can bypass Netflix’s VPN blocks.

That’s right, this streaming service is not a fan of VPN connections, and you’ll need a reliable VPN that actively tries to bypass Netflix blocks. Of course, you should bear in mind that this is against Netflix’s terms of service, and they have recently been known to ban residential IPs for VPN usage.

If you want to use a VPN for Netflix US, you need a VPN server located in the USA that isn’t blocked by Netflix. We’ve tested a lot of VPN providers against the factors listed above, but more importantly, to ensure that they aren’t currently blocked by Netflix.

The results? Here are our top 5 best VPNs for Netflix:

  1. NordVPN – Popular VPN with Netflix-focused features
  2. Surfshark – Affordable VPN with access to the most Netflix libraries
  3. ExpressVPN – Fast premium VPN that allows access to multiple Netflix libraries
  4. CyberGhost – VPN with dedicated servers for streaming Netflix
  5. PIA – Privacy-focused VPN with plenty of server choices for Netflix

Horizontal narrow screenshot of NordVPN website with logo in the corner

Reasons to buyReasons to avoid
Access Netflix through servers in more than 60 countries (with Netflix available in many!)Inconsistent connectivity with Netflix
Can also unblock other popular US streaming services, like Amazon Prime VideoHulu, and HBO MaxThe mobile experience is less user-friendly
Actively looks for ways to avoid blocks by streaming sites
Strong encryption and advanced security features, plus verified no-logs policy

NordVPN is a VPN industry leader known for its fast, reliable servers, competitive pricing, and customer service. With over 5,000 servers in 60 countries, this service ensures you’ll almost always have access to the Netflix catalog of your choice.

While NordVPN has had some teething issues with unblocking Netflix recently, it was also one of the first providers to reinstate access to Netflix via VPN after the streaming giant launched its war against VPN providers.

At the time of writing, we were able to watch American Netflix, in addition to bypassing Netflix’s blocks in Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Nord’s SmartPlay feature makes it safe and incredibly easy to stream content from a different country too. Simply by connecting to a server in, for instance, the U.S., you’ll get access to the U.S. Netflix library.

SmartPlay makes use of both DNS rerouting and additional IP addresses in order to improve your experience when unblocking Netflix with NordVPN.

Although its apps and software are intuitive and easy to use, NordVPN recently switched to in-browser logins (instead of in-app logins). This may cause problems when you’re in a country where the Nord website is blocked, but generally should be a minor setback if you’re only using Nord to unblock Netflix content.

Score scale 9.5/10

NordVPN
Our pick
Our pick
Deal:
Only $3.29 a month for a two-year subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
From
$3.29
9.3
  • Excellent protection and a large network of servers
  • Nice and pleasing application
  • No logs
Visit NordVPN

Not yet ready to try NordVPN? Our full review might help you decide. You can also take advantage of Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee to test out the service for yourself!


2. Surfshark: Cheap, reliable VPN for accessing different

Surfshark VPN provider website homepage with added logo to the corner

Reasons to buyReasons to avoid
Reliably unblocks Netflix in America, the UK, Canada, and moreHas fewer servers as one of the newer providers on the scene
A cheaper provider, which means you can unblock American Netflix (and others) for lessMay have to use the browser extension instead
Supports unlimited devices so the whole family can stream simultaneously

Surfshark’s software is extremely user-friendly; they have great customer support; and their speeds are excellent, as well. The chances you’ll experience any lag due to this provider are very small. What’s more, they’re pretty adept at sidestepping Netflix’s battle to block you when using a VPN. While Surfshark recently had some teething issues with Australia and the United Kingdom, at the time of writing, you can unblock Netflix in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK by using a Surfshark VPN server.

There’s something else that makes Surfshark a great VPN for watching Netflix: with just one affordable subscription, you can connect an unlimited number of devices.

In other words, if you use Surfshark, you and your entire family will be able to watch (American) Netflix, or any other library, on any device using the service’s multi-account feature!

Besides access to Netflix, Surfshark has many extra options that will enhance your online experience. The service uses extremely safe protocols and allows you to anonymously download torrents.

They offer all of these services for an incredibly affordable price, making it a very worthwhile VPN for Netflix. Read our full Surfshark review to learn more about this provider.

Score scale 9/10

Surfshark
Deal:
Safe and anonymous internet for only $2.30a month
From
$2.30
9.0
  • Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
  • 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
  • Cheap with many extra options
Visit Surfshark

Still in doubt? Remember: you can benefit from their 30-day money-back guarantee to try out this provider for a few weeks, risk-free.


3. ExpressVPN: Premium VPN with fast speeds and great support

Screenshot of ExpressVPN provider website homepage

Reasons to buyReasons to avoid
Can automatically find you the fastest VPN servers for streamingOne of the most expensive premium VPN providers in the market
Customer service can help bypass Netflix blocks
Unblock other streaming services, including Peacock, HBO Max, and Hulu

ExpressVPN is a great VPN for unblocking Netflix. With this service, you can unblock Netflix libraries from numerous countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, and Germany.

Even in the face of Netflix’s campaign against VPN use, this provider has managed to restore service after being targeted by the streaming service’s geo-blocks. In their efforts to bypass Netflix’s geo-blocks, ExpressVPN is constantly updating its server IPs. This way, they ensure that they always have servers available to access Netflix from anywhere in the world.

If Netflix does end up blocking your VPN connection (which can happen rarely with ExpressVPN servers), ExpressVPN’s customer service will help you find a new, compatible server as quickly as possible. In other words, watching Netflix with this VPN shouldn’t be a problem.

Speaking of which, ExpressVPN offers some pretty comprehensive customer support, including round-the-clock live chat. This service will even let you unblock Netflix on less-used devices thanks to its MediaStreamer DNS, including when using a VPN on your smart TV or your games console.

Besides that, the provider offers high speed VPN servers and connections and a huge number of servers in many different countries — 96 in total. Finally, since you’re likely interested in streaming other content, ExpressVPN will typically unblock all of the major streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, HBO Max, and Hulu.

Score scale 8.5/10

ExpressVPN
Deal:
Great discount on annual subscription + 30-day money-back guarantee!
From
$6.67
8.9
  • Very easy to use VPN
  • Perfect for anonymous browsing, downloading, and streaming (i.e. Netflix)
  • 3000+ servers in 94 countries
Visit ExpressVPN

Still unsure whether this is the right provider for you? ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try out the service before committing to a long-term subscription. If you’re not happy with your experience, you can simply ask for your money back. Read more about this provider by taking a look at our ExpressVPN review.


4. CyberGhost: VPN with dedicated servers for streaming Netflix

CyberGhost VPN homepage horizontal screenshot with logo

Reasons to buyReasons to avoid
Dedicated US Netflix streaming server with speed connectionsNo independent security audit thus far
Can also unblock Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and HBO MaxOpenVPN speeds were below average during our test
Fast support from live chat if you run into issues with Netflix blocks

CyberGhost has a lot of curb appeal. It’s really easy to use and has a great interface on both its desktop and mobile versions. You’ve got access to more than 7,000 servers in over 90 countries, and CyberGhost’s VPN servers have excellent speeds.

With this VPN client, you can also have up to seven simultaneous connections with just a single user account. The combination of these benefits means that it’s ideal for streaming, whether that’s on Netflix or another platform.

CyberGhost could successfully unblock American Netflix at the time of writing. We were also able to access the Netflix libraries in Germany, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom, which is every country we attempted.

What’s more, CyberGhost has also made it as easy as possible to access American Netflix with their dedicated “US Netflix” server. This server gives you easy access to all your favorite shows and offers great streaming speeds.

In fact, according to our speed tests, it’s one of the fastest servers on the CyberGhost network.

For real streaming aficionados, CyberGhost also offers many other servers which are optimized for specific streaming services. Whether you want to watch HULU, Disney Plus, or one of many other streaming services, CyberGhost has got you covered.

Score scale 8/10

CyberGhost
Deal:
Try CyberGhost for $2.15 per month!
From
$2.29
8.8
  • Very user-friendly
  • High quality for a low price
  • Torrents and Netflix possible
Visit CyberGhost

You can even try it out for 45 days with their 45-day money-back guarantee. Press the orange button above to find out just how easy streaming becomes with CyberGhost.


5. PIA: Secure VPN servers with plenty of server choices for Netflix

Laptop, magnifier, box with archive folders and a padlock on top of the laptop with score bar showing 9.3/10

Reasons to buyReasons to avoid
Can unblock American Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video reliablyMay struggle with Netflix libraries outside the U.S.
Heaps of security features for advanced securityLike CyberGhost, PIA lacks a security audit thus far
Better value for money compared to others like ExpressVPN

Private Internet Access (PIA) is another top VPN that can unblock American Netflix. Users do report problems with ‘less popular’ Netflix libraries, but at the time of writing, we were able to bypass Netflix blocks in the US, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Brazil, and Canada.

Private Internet Access has close to 30,000 servers in around 70 countries, which makes it a good all-around VPN and ideal for watching American Netflix from abroad.

However, one great thing about PIA that we frequently mention is the service’s focus on privacy. They don’t keep any logs — though bear in mind that there’s been no security audit so far — and the VPN is reasonably priced.

That said, there’s no live chat service like you’d get with other providers such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN, so teething issues could be slower to resolve.

Score scale 7.5/10

PIA
Deal:
PIA is always well-priced with a 30-day money-back guarantee
From
$2.19
8.5
  • Strong focus on privacy and security
  • Good price
  • Fast and stable servers
Visit PIA

Despite this, we still highly recommend PIA. Check out our review of Private Internet Access for more information!

Our Top 5 Netflix VPN Speed Test Results

Before we wrap up our comparison of the 5 best VPNs for American Netflix and other Netflix libraries, it’s worth looking at the speeds you can expect with each VPN.

So, here’s a brief summary of the speeds we saw when we tested some of the fastest VPN providers. You’ll also find a more detailed explanation in the linked article.

ProviderDownload speed (Mbps)Upload speed (Mbps)Ping% Download speed% Upload speed
Our connection503.51482,113100%100%
ExpressVPN322,38171,11864%35%
CyberGhost441,67214,62488%45%
NordVPN257,20388,64951%81%
Surfshark381,40265,15476%55%
PIA131,72202,63526%42%

How To Watch American Netflix with a VPN

A VPN connection does three things:

When you connect to a US server, your data traffic is redirected through the United States. This makes Netflix believe you are on American soil, meaning you get access to American Netflix.

You might be wondering how exactly you can do this once you’ve got a VPN at your service. Do you want to know how to watch American Netflix step-by-step with a VPN? Click the button below for a quick and easy guide!

Watch Netflix with a VPN: A Step-By-Step Guide

Can You Use a Free VPN with Netflix?

Hands holding VPN shield icons, free vs paid VPN with white background

Although there are some free VPN providers that will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions, we don’t recommend using them because of the reasons outlined below.

  1. Compromised data privacy. Free VPN providers can use the information they gain about you to sell to other parties. They will likely be more inclined to do this than paid services, because of the stronger financial incentive.
  2. Poor customer service. Most free VPNs do not offer the highest standard of customer service. In fact, often free services won’t have any customer service. This means that they won’t be able to help you if you need help getting access to US Netflix content or encounter any other issues.
  3. Fewer resources to outsmart Netflix. Most important of all, most free services don’t have the resources to constantly one-up Netflix. The chances that Netflix will work with a free VPN are slim.
  4. Slow speeds. Even if a free VPN does work, you’ll probably encounter extreme loading times because you have to share a server with many other users. If you want to watch US Netflix comfortably, a free VPN simply isn’t an option.

If you’re not sure whether you want to pay for a VPN subscription, you can check out some of the trials that good VPN providers offer. With a trial, you can see whether a VPN is useful for you without getting stuck with a long subscription.

What free VPNs can I use to unblock Netflix?

You’re probably realizing that while free VPNs are good for certain tasks, they’re less than ideal for streaming. Still, we’ve researched which free VPNs work with Netflix. The bad news is that we’ve found just two free VPNs that can unblock Netflix, and we don’t recommend them.

Windscribe Free

Windscribe VPN company logo
Windscribe has a paid subscription tier, but its free tier can unblock American Netflix. At the time of writing, it’ll also let you access other Netflix libraries — 10 in total — including Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, and the UK.

This has only been possible in recent years, after Windscribe optimized its servers for streaming. Prior to that, Netflix still managed to lock Windscribe users out.

However, while Windscribe states that no data is logged, the provider suffered a security breach in July 2021 when Ukrainian authorities seized VPN servers and a private key belonging to the company.

This key would enable the authorities to decrypt internet traffic belonging to Windscribe users.

VPNhub Free

VPNhub company logo
VPNhub has only been around for a few years, but it’s backed by a company that’s well-known to many: Pornhub. At the time of testing, VPNhub was able to unblock American Netflix, though we had no success when trying VPN server locations in other countries.

However, since we value the anonymity offered by VPN services, it’s hard to recommend this VPN provider.

Paid subscribers must sign up with their Apple or Google account, tying the subscription to your payment information.

The privacy policy also highlights how some non-personally identifiable data may be shared with “third parties for advertising, marketing, or research” purposes. For these reasons, we can’t be absolutely certain that you’d have anonymity online with this VPN.

Which VPNs don’t work with Netflix?

Some VPNs are blocked by Netflix and many other streaming platforms. However, bear in mind that the VPNs blocked by streaming services can change from time to time as a result of providers refreshing their IP ranges.

That said, even big players in the VPN industry like NordVPN and ExpressVPN can have teething issues from time to time. At the time of writing, this list is up-to-date with some of the most well-known VPNs that are blocked by Netflix:

  • IPVanish
  • PureVPN
  • Hola
  • TunnelBear
  • HideMyAss! or HMA
  • OperaVPN
  • VPN Unlimited
  • VyprVPN
  • Zenmate

Why Doesn’t Netflix Work with Every VPN?

VPN shieldNetflix doesn’t always work when you’re using a VPN. This is because the company is actively trying to stop people from attempting to bypass their geographical restrictions.

Some VPNs, such as BlufVPN, do unblock Netflix and include servers optimized for streaming.

As we’ve mentioned, Netflix has legal contracts with producers and film distributors all over the world, meaning a huge part of their content can only be shown in specific countries. You won’t find all American series and films on the UK version of Netflix, nor the other way around.

In order to enforce these “rules,” Netflix uses the location attached to your IP address to determine whether you should get access to certain content.

If you, for example, use a German IP address to go online, you’ll get to see the German version of Netflix when you log into your Netflix account. A VPN can change the IP address you use to access the internet. This unblocks Netflix from other countries, wherever you are.

However, Netflix knows about this workaround. That’s why they try to figure out the IP addresses used by VPNs (by looking at traffic numbers) and subsequently block these IP addresses.

Instead of being able to watch any movie or series on Netflix, many VPN users end up with an error message stating that they have to turn off their proxy connection or unblocking tool in order to be able to use the platform. Here’s how the error looks:

netflix error

Fortunately, Netflix is trying to make its TV shows and movies accessible anywhere in the world. This means that all Netflix users should have access to the same films and series in time. It’ll take a while before we’ll reach that point, however.

For now, a good VPN that isn’t blocked by Netflix will give you the biggest chance of reaching foreign Netflix content with your account.

Using a VPN to Bypass Geographic Restrictions

We tested several VPN providers on the following features and created a top 5 of the best VPN providers for watching (American) Netflix. Below are five different factors we took into consideration while creating our top 5. The VPN providers we’ve listed excel on all of these fronts, earning them a spot on our list.

VPN FeatureWhy it’s important
Access to NetflixNot all VPN providers are trying (and succeeding) to bypass Netflix’s restriction, so this is the most important feature we test on. If we couldn’t watch Netflix (specifically US Netflix) with a provider, we didn’t include them in this list.
SpeedWhen you’re watching Netflix, you don’t want to wait too long for your movie or episode to load. Thus, speed is very important for this ranking. Understandably, the larger the distance between servers, the slower the connection. But between different providers, there are also large speed differences. With some providers, you can hardly notice the difference, but with others, the slow speeds can be quite frustrating.
Customer serviceBecause the VPN providers are constantly having to find ways around geoblocks, it can happen that Netflix will block certain servers a provider uses. This is the moment that customer service becomes important. If the provider has good customer service, they will be able to guide you to a server that is not yet blocked by Netflix.
Dedicated IP addressAnother service that some providers provide is a dedicated IP. Netflix mainly discovers VPN IP addresses when they see that lots of people are using Netflix from the same IP address at the same time. With the service of a dedicated IP, the VPN providers will give you a personal IP. You will be the only person using that IP address, thus likely not causing any suspicion with Netflix. However, this feature does often cost extra and slightly reduces your level of privacy, so this isn’t the most important factor we tested.
Number of devices allowedAll VPNs we recommend for Netflix have useful apps that can easily be downloaded and installed on your smartphone, as well as your tablet and smart TV. In other words, you can enjoy a larger offer of movies and series on whatever device you own: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows PC, Smart TV, Chromecast, Android TV, and other Android devices.

Can You Get a Netflix Discount With a VPN?

Creditcards on LaptopIf you don’t have a Netflix subscription, you may be able to use a VPN to get a nice discount. In the past, we did some extensive research on the different prices of Netflix subscriptions in different countries.

By choosing a VPN server in a specific country, you could subscribe to Netflix as if you were in that country and score a small discount.

This doesn’t affect the content you’ll be able to see on the platform. After all, you always get to see the version of Netflix that corresponds with your location. It doesn’t matter whether you subscribed to Netflix from Argentina or Turkey, for example.

If you use an American IP address to access Netflix, you’ll still get to see all movies and films that are part of the American catalog.

At the moment, it’s cheapest to subscribe to Netflix with an Argentinian IP address. In fact, a Basic subscription costs approximately $0.26 (USD) at the time of writing. However, there is a caveat: you’ll need an Argentinian payment method.

Assuming you don’t have that, you can subscribe to Netflix Turkey with a VPN. With a Turkish IP address, you can get a Netflix subscription for just 26.99 TL (around $3.20 USD) on the Basic plan.

In case you’re wondering how to get this done, you can check out our article on how to save money when getting a Netflix subscription.

Other Benefits of Using the Best Netflix VPN

Trophy with VPN icon sticking out of half of a Russian dollUnblocking country-specific Netflix content is not the only benefit a VPN service has to offer. It provides you with almost complete freedom on the internet.

Area restrictions are imposed by streaming services, but there are also countries that limit the internet access of their citizens. This type of censorship can also be bypassed with a VPN.

A VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic using different types of VPN protocols. It also reroutes all the traffic through their servers.

These features make it much harder for hackers, governments, or other parties to gain access to any of your personal data. This way, a VPN offers the security you need to surf safely on the internet.

Another important feature of a VPN is the anonymity it can offer you. Because the VPN reroutes your traffic through a different IP address, no one will see your actual IP address.

Your IP address is linked to your location and ultimately to your identity. By hiding your IP address with a VPN, you are much more anonymous online.

All in all, a VPN is useful for so much more than just watching U.S. Netflix content. It offers you more freedom, security, and anonymity online. If you are interested in reading up on these other advantages you can read our article on the advantages of a VPN.

Other Methods to Bypass Netflix Area Restrictions

Some will say you can use a proxy server or the Tor browser to watch American Netflix. Our experience, however, is that Netflix blocks the use of most proxies. Moreover, the connection won’t be as stable and fast as other methods; it’s just not suitable for streaming Netflix.

Watching Netflix using proxy servers and Tor

Tor The Onion Router Logo

Tor functions as a browser and works by sending your internet traffic through different servers all over the world. Each server will offer another layer of anonymity. Because the traffic has to travel through so many different “nodes,” Tor can be slow as well.

Moreover, you cannot make sure with the Tor browser that the exit server (last rerouting node) is located in the US. This means trying to access U.S. Netflix through Tor is not much more than a gamble with low odds.

Streaming videos on Netflix requires a fair amount of data speed. For this reason, we would recommend the use of a good VPN instead.

Moreover, a VPN can provide you with a lot more perks than just watching American Netflix, as covered in the previous section.

Watch Netflix using Smart DNS

It’s also possible to watch foreign versions of Netflix with Smart DNS. All computers have a unique IP address. This IP address is linked to a name.

The Domain Name Server (DNS) keeps track of which website name belongs to which IP address. You can think of the DNS as the Internet’s phonebook.

A Smart DNS allows you to change the location of your computer. Via Smart DNS, you contact an American server and are assigned an American IP address. This is a good way to unblock American Netflix and access the full US Netflix library anywhere in the world.

Keep in mind that a Smart DNS does not encrypt and redirect your internet traffic. For more secure and private internet, we recommend the use of a VPN.

Summary: The Best Ways to Watch American Netflix Abroad

Watch Netflix with a VPN

There are several ways to bypass Netflix’s restrictions and access foreign Netflix libraries. Do you want to unblock Netflix and get the most out of your streaming subscription? Here are the three best ways to unblock Netflix:

  1. Use a VPN. With the right VPN, you can quickly access American Netflix from anywhere in the world by changing your IP address to an American IP address. NordVPN works especially well with Netflix and has many fast servers in the US.
  2. Use Smart DNS. With Smart DNS, you can change the virtual location of your computer and bypass online geographic restrictions so you can unblock Netflix USA. Please note that your internet traffic is not encrypted when you use Smart DNS. If this sounds confusing to you, make sure you read our article that explains what a DNS server is.
  3. Use an American proxy server. A proxy server will redirect your internet traffic, allowing you to access the content of American Netflix. However, proxy servers are often slow, and Netflix is quick to block them.

Remember, you’ll still need an active Netflix account to access any Netflix library. A VPN is the best and easiest method to watch Netflix freely and comfortably. A VPN also provides its users with freedom, anonymity, and security.

You can even watch foreign versions of Netflix on your television. The easiest way to do this is by connecting your laptop to a VPN and then using an HDMI cable to show its screen on your television.

If you have a smart TV with Wi-Fi, there are also ways to broadcast Netflix without an HDMI cable.

Watch Netflix with a VPN: Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll find a quick answer to all your questions about watching Netflix with a VPN below. Simply click on a question to see the answer. Do you still run into a problem or have a specific query? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, so we can help you out.

Right now, we recommend using NordVPN to unblock Netflix. Outside of our top choice, you could also use Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, or Private Internet Access (PIA). These providers have all been tested and confirmed as working with US Netflix at the time of writing. That means you’ll be able to stream American shows and movies, plus you’ll also be able to unblock Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more!

Some VPN servers are known to Netflix and are therefore blocked. If you are using one of these servers, Netflix will recognize the server’s IP address and stop you from being able to connect. However, there are several good VPN providers that ensure there’s always a server available that can unblock Netflix. While Netflix will likely continue to block VPN IPs, providers like those in the above article will likely continue to refresh their IPs, restoring access. It’s an ongoing battle.

Unless you’re in a country where using a VPN is prohibited, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If you’re not sure, check out our article on the legality of VPNs around the world. As long as you’re allowed to use a VPN in your country, then watching Netflix with a VPN is perfectly legal. However, note that Netflix discourages the use of VPNs with their service. They are actively trying to block VPN providers and servers from accessing their streaming service.

Netflix blocks VPN connections wherever it can because they only have the right to show certain content in certain countries. If you’ve ever wondered why the movies and series available on Netflix differ per country, this is why. The American version of Netflix has the biggest content library, but due to broadcasting rights, you can’t access it from abroad without a VPN. However, by getting a US IP address from a reliable VPN provider like NordVPN and the others mentioned above, you’ll be able to watch American Netflix.

Many free VPNs don’t work with Netflix, because Netflix has blocked the IP addresses of those servers. Occasionally, a free VPN server might work for a while, but this typically doesn’t last long. In other cases, you might be experience slow connections or data limitations, or the security for those VPNs might be questionable.

Watching Netflix with a VPN is simple. You simply get a subscription with your provider of choice, connect to the right VPN server (for instance a US server if you want to watch Netflix USA), and go to the Netflix website or app. Check out the best Netflix VPNs in this article.

Netflix may recognize that you’re trying to access their site while you have a VPN or proxy turned on. They have a list of known IP addresses of proxies and VPNs they deny access to. If you try to watch Netflix with such a proxy or VPN, you won’t be able to watch movies or series until you turn it off.

Tech journalist
Tove has been working for VPNoverview since 2017 as a journalist covering cybersecurity and privacy developments. She has broad experience developing rigorous VPN testing procedures and protocols for our VPN review section and has tested dozens of VPNs over the years.
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  1. Thanks for your reviews, keep the good work going on! A question: what do you recommend for other streaming platforms as Disney+ or Amazon Prime? Which VPN would be the best for these?

    • We have not tested any VPNs for Amazon Prime yet, but we did look at VPNs for Disney Plus. The best one seems to be Surfshark.

  2. Thanks for sharing a great info for the travelers in most cases. Like I use both surfshark and Purevpn, you haven’t mentioned about it but both are great and works best for me. As it is obvious that most of the regions shows and channels require the same IP every time you access it so in that case dedicated IPs works best. Like I use Purevpn UK dedicated IP whenever I want to watch UK Netflix and Bt sports outside UK. But for the casual surfing I use surfshark. It also depends upon the uses of the person that in what sense you are using it. But in my Case watching UK Netflix Shows and Channels works best with UK Dedicated IP.

    • Surfshark and PureVPN both seem to work pretty well. The problem we had with PureVPN is that a year or two ago they were found to have shared certain information with the FBI. Information that was supposedly not logged. We are therefore still a bit skeptical about PureVPN’s logging-policy. However, we’re very happy you’ve found a combination of VPN’s that suits your needs! Thanks for sharing.

  3. I love NordVPN. I tried Private Internet Access before but their online portal is no help when trying to redownload the product. Nord has been super helpful and support has been amazing

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