How to access Netflix with a VPN (in just 14 clicks!)

Due to licensing restrictions, Netflix shows you a different library of content depending on where you’re located. Additionally, schools and workplaces routinely block Netflix access. It doesn’t matter where you set up your account; Netflix will determine your current location based on your IP address and show you the library for that region. This means if you’re traveling or moving abroad, you’ll need a VPN that works with Netflix in order to access your home library.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts all internet traffic flowing to and from your device and tunnels it through a secondary VPN server. You get to choose the location of that server and are assigned a corresponding IP address. If you choose a server in your home country – say the US – Netflix will see a US IP address and allow you to access the US Netflix Library. This also works to bypass blocks in your school or workplace.

Sound simple? It is! The only tricky part is finding a VPN that still works with Netflix as the platform is notoriously tricky to access, and most providers -especially free ones – are simply not up to the job. In this article we list those VPNs that do still work with Netflix and let you access it from anywhere. We’ll go into more detail later but first, here is a quick rundown of our top picks.

Best VPNs to access Netflix anywhere:

1. NordVPN Our first choice for a Netflix VPN. Amazing speeds and a wide network of servers that consistently work with Netflix. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark Budget VPN that works with Netflix and other popular streaming sites. No device limit. Servers in 100+ countries.
3. ExpressVPN Solid, reliable VPN with lots of location options and excellent speeds for streaming. Customer service available 24/7.
4. CyberGhost User-friendly, great speeds, and over 10,000 servers. Servers are labeled and optimized for specific jobs, such as streaming Netflix.
5. IPVanish A fast, reliable VPN with a no-logs policy and no connection limit.
6. PrivateVPN Great for streaming, browsing, and downloading. Excellent accessing abilities.
7. PureVPN Consistently fast speeds for Netflix and other streaming platforms.

How to access Netflix with a VPN in just 14 clicks

Using a VPN is very straightforward. Follow the steps below to get secure Netflix access on your desktop or laptop computer:

Here’s how to securely watch Netflix from anywhere (in just 14 clicks!):

1. Sign up for a suitable VPN provider by going to the provider’s website and selecting “Buy Now” (or similar), choosing your subscription length, and submitting payment. We recommend NordVPN. (Usually 4 clicks)
2. Download the app for your device from the website. With most VPNs, you’ll be prompted to hit Run to get the installation wizard started and to select Finish once it’s installed. (Usually 4 clicks)
3. Launch the app and log in using the credentials provided when you set up your account. (Usually 3 clicks)
4. In the app, select a server in the location of your choice. For example, for US Netflix, choose a US VPN server. Once you’ve selected a server, the VPN will either automatically connect to that server or you’ll have to click a connect button. (Usually 3 clicks)

The process is similar for mobile devices, but instead of running an installation wizard, you’ll just download and install an app. If you run into issues, the solution may be as simple as clearing your cache and cookies and reloading the page. In some cases, you may need to choose a different server, in which case your VPN provider’s support team can help. They should also be able to walk you through any other problems you may have.

How we selected the best VPNs for Netflix

Although our main selection criterion is that a VPN works well with Netflix, there are other factors we consider when choosing our favorite providers:

• Performs well in speed testing
• Offers reliable connections
• Doesn’t collect personal data
• Uses strong security features
• Provides solid customer support

You can read more about our criteria for testing and ranking the VPNs we recommend later on. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that impressed us.

Best VPNs to securely access Netflix

Here’s our list of the best VPNs to get secure Netflix access anywhere:

1. NordVPN

Jul 2024 works with NetflixTested Jul 2024

NordVPN is our number-one choice VPN for watching Netflix. It can securely access multiple catalogs, including Netflix US and UK. If you select a location for which it can’t access the corresponding Netflix library, you’ll be automatically redirected to Netflix US. So essentially, every server will enable you to watch Netflix. NordVPN has incredible speeds for HD streaming and comes with a low monthly price tag.

Don’t just want Netflix access? NordVPN works with plenty of other streaming platforms, including Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. This provider has apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, and the VPN is configurable with some home routers. You can connect up to 10 devices at a time on one account.

BEST VPN FOR NETFLIX:NordVPN is our #1 pick. It operates an expansive network of superfast servers and every server works with Netflix. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee making this a risk-free option.

Check out our in-depth review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

works with NetflixTested Jul 2024

Surfshark is a great budget alternative. It’s one of the newer VPNs on this list, but it’s establishing itself as a speedy, reliable provider with great streaming abilities. It works with multiple Netflix libraries, and similar to NordVPN, it will default to the US catalog if it won’t work with Netflix for a particular location. Surfshark will also help you access Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.

A huge perk of purchasing a plan with this provider is that it doesn’t impose a connection limit. You can use the VPN on as many devices as you like. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. You can configure the VPN with select routers.

BEST BUDGET NETFLIX VPN:Surfshark offers a strong service and doesn’t impose connection limits. It extends a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth review of Surfshark.

3. ExpressVPN

works with NetflixTested Jul 2024

ExpressVPN is another solid choice to access Netflix. Its fast speeds make for a seamless streaming experience and connections are as reliable as they come. ExpressVPN always has servers available that work with Netflix US and UK, along with a handful of other libraries. It does change servers used to access Netflix from time to time, but a quick message to the 24/7 live chat support team will have you up and running in no time.

Aside from Netflix, ExpressVPN works with Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and many other streaming sites. This provider has apps for Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV, all of which have Netflix apps.

You can connect up to eight devices at a time. ExpressVPN can also be installed on a home router which counts as one device. Plans include a MediaStreamer smart DNS proxy. Although this doesn’t encrypt your connection, it can help you get Netflix access on devices that don’t have native VPN apps, including some smart TVs and gaming consoles.

RELIABLE VPN:ExpressVPN is fast, secure, and works with multiple Netflix libraries with ease. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

works with NetflixTested Jul 2024

CyberGhost is another hot contender for a top Netflix VPN. It boasts fast speeds and works with Netflix quickly and easily. Within the app, servers are clearly labeled, so you always know which one to select for your use case. You’ll find specific Netflix servers, as well as those for Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other sites.

CyberGhost has desktop clients for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. It can be manually configured with select home routers. You can connect up to seven devices at a time under a single subscription.

FAST AND RELIABLE:CyberGhost is a speedy yet sturdy VPN that works with Netflix and is great for beginners. The company offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Dive into our full CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

works with NetflixTested Jul 2024

IPVanish is a popular VPN that’s ideal for browsing, streaming, and downloading. It provides access to Netflix and several other sites and delivers exceptional speeds for streaming HD video. Only select servers work with Netflix, so check the IPVanish site or hop on a live chat if you have any issues. IPVanish is particularly popular with torrent users and Kodi users and has a remote control-friendly app that can be directly downloaded to Android-based devices.

This service is compatible with macOS, Windows, iOS, Fire TV, and Android. You can install the app manually on Linux and select routers. IPVanish allows you to connect all of your devices at the same time.

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish has no device limit and will help you seamlessly stream Netflix. Annual plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more from our full review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

works with NetflixTested Jul 2024

PrivateVPN works hard to ensure it always offers access to at least the US and UK Netflix catalogs. It runs a small network of servers but prides itself on its abilities as a streaming VPN. It can also unlock other sites such as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android, and desktop clients can be downloaded for Windows and macOS. There’s support for Linux and some home routers, and you can connect up to 10 devices at a time.

SMALL, POWERFUL VPN:PrivateVPN may have a low number of servers, but it reliably provides fast connections and work with most streaming sites with ease. This company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more details in our full PrivateVPN review.

7. PureVPN

works with NetflixTested Jul 2024

PureVPN is a low-cost VPN that works to access many different Netflix regions. It boasts the WireGuard protocol, makes it a fast VPN for streaming in HD without buffering issues. This VPN has a network of 65+ countries and works to access other streaming platforms such as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and ITVX.

PureVPN comes with robust AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a watertight no-logging policy. Apps are available for all popular platforms, and there is a 31-day money-back guarantee.

WALLET FRIENDLY:PureVPN is ideal for watching Netflix on a budget. Secure, fast, and comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee so you can test it yourself.

Find out more details in our PureVPN review.

Methodology: Choosing the best VPNs for streaming Netflix safely

Netflix has spent considerable amounts of time, effort, and money trying to stop VPN users from accessing the service. As such, most VPNs simply won’t work. We’ve filtered out these providers by comparing each potential recommendation to a strict list of criteria. To earn a spot in our list, a VPN must excel in all of the areas below:

• Suitability for Netflix: Lots of providers work with the US catalog but we specifically looked for VPNs that could provide secure access to multiple Netflix libraries. This allows users from a wider range of countries to keep streaming their usual content while traveling.
• Performance: 4K video requires speeds of around 25 Mbps. This might not sound too difficult but with every VPN slowing you down to some degree, you’d be surprised how challenging it can be. We’ve speed tested dozens of leading VPNs and can safely say that all of those above are fast enough for uninterrupted streaming.
• Security and privacy: It’s not enough to be able watch Netflix, you also have to be secure while doing so. That’s why we require 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. Of course, we’d like to see an even greater range of security tools if possible.
• User-friendliness: Part of our testing involves looking for features that make the service easier to use. This could be Netflix-optimized servers or something as simple as 24/7 live chat.

This is actually only the beginning of our process. To find out more about how we put services through their paces, read our full VPN testing post.

Watching Netflix via VPN: FAQs