How to get American Netflix in the UK

Netflix is available in almost every country globally, but the library of content you can view varies widely depending on your location. Americans, for instance, have access to over 7,000 titles, and the UK has over 8,000 while those in Croatia only have around 5,800 to choose from, and those in Ukraine have 5,500. Luckily, it’s easy to regain access to Netflix US with the right Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPNs work by encrypting your connection and sending your traffic through a server somewhere else in the world. This means that if you choose a server in the United States, websites you access will believe that’s where you actually are. As an added benefit, your online activities are hidden from public hotspot owners, network administrators, the government, or anyone else who might be watching.

Now, Netflix is extremely good at detecting telltale signs of VPN usage, so not every service will work. We’ll cover the best VPNs for accessing Netflix abroad shortly, but for now, here’s a quick rundown of our top picks:

Best VPNs to get American Netflix in the UK:

1. NordVPN Our number one choice for watching American Netflix in the UK. Offers tons of security features and works with most major streaming platforms. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Netflix.
2. Surfshark Our top budget-friendly VPN for accessing US Netflix. Reliable accessing abilities, fast servers in 100+ countries, and no limit on the number of devices you can connect.
3. IPVanish A no-logs VPN with easy-to-use, reliable apps. Large selection of high-speed servers in the UK. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
4. ExpressVPN Fast and secure, this service makes it easy to stream Netflix US from anywhere. A solid set of privacy features and 24/7 live chat support.
5. CyberGhost A great beginner-friendly VPN that’s fast, private, has a huge server network, and is great for streaming Netflix US from anywhere.
6. ProtonVPN A highly advanced VPN. Works to gain online privacy to stream Netflix in the UK. Fast and secure with a kill switch, stealth, and multi-hop features.
7. PureVPN This beginner-friendly VPN can effortlessly access Netflix US in the UK. Also offers a high degree of security and 24/7 customer support.
8. PrivateVPN Prioritizes privacy and security. Great for streaming, working with Netflix and many other services. Small network but exceptional reliability.

How to watch American Netflix in the UK

Setting up a VPN to work with US Netflix is pretty simple. International travelers can follow the easy steps below to watch Netflix US from the UK or anywhere else.

Here’s how to get American Netflix in the UK with a VPN:

1. Sign up for a Netflix account if you haven’t already done so.
2. Subscribe to a top-rated Netflix VPN. We’ve found the most reliable to be NordVPN.
3. Download the appropriate VPN client or app for your device and log in.
4. Connect to a VPN server in the US. This will give you the US IP address you need to access Netflix US.
5. Log in to your Netflix account, and you should automatically see the US Netflix library of content, even if you’re currently visiting the UK.
6. You can now watch American Netflix from anywhere!
7. If you don’t see it, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache before reloading the page.
8. If this still doesn’t work, try a different US server or contact your VPN provider’s customer service team. They should be able to point you to a server that works with Netflix US.

How we selected the top Netflix US VPNs

It’s important to note that many VPNs won’t work with Netflix as it has sophisticated VPN detection methods. In this case, you’ll see a proxy error: “Whoops, something went wrong. Streaming error. You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”

To save you from wasting time and money figuring out which ones work, we’ve compiled this list of VPNs that still work reliably with Netflix. Our selections are based on the following criteria:

• Capable of accessing Netflix’s American content library
• Has a strong presence in the US and at least 60 other countries
• Fast enough to play 4K content with no issues
• Employs strong encryption (ideally 256-bit AES)
• Doesn’t log user information
• Provides reliable customer support (preferably with live chat)
• Is good value for money with a money-back guarantee

This is just an overview, but if you want more information on how we choose the VPNs we recommend, check out our methodology section below. Let’s take a closer look at the ones that made the grade.

The best VPNs for US Netflix: At a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for American Netflix.

Best VPNs to watch American Netflix in the UK

At Comparitech, we aim to bring you the most helpful and accurate VPN recommendations possible. To do that, we personally use every VPN, putting them through rigorous real-world testing. The following reviews are based on those first-hand experiences.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs to watch American Netflix in the UK:

1. NordVPN

Jun 2025 works with American NetflixTested Jun 2025

NordVPN is our first choice VPN for accessing US Netflix. Its network covers an impressive 100+ countries, and there are servers in more than 20 US cities. This VPN is capable of accessing even the trickiest streaming services, so whether you’re hoping to use Netflix, Hulu, Max, or Prime Video, you’re in the clear. There’s 24/7 customer support over live chat, and users have the ability to protect up to 10 devices at a time.

This is a highly competitive provider, and one that regularly ranks very highly in our industry-wide speed tests. For the purposes of this post, we performed another three tests (one in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon) on NordVPN’s American servers, using a 250 Mbps connection. Let’s see just how fast they were:

NordVPN delivered an average speed of 202.11 Mbps, the highest of any provider in this list. So what does this mean for you? Simply, you’ll be able to download a 1 GB file in under 45 seconds and queue up as many 4K videos as you like. This provider’s speeds were lower in the evening, but that’s to be expected, and besides, you’re extremely unlikely to notice a 7 Mbps drop when the average speed is so high.

This is a true no-logs provider, and we know that for a fact as NordVPN has been audited several times. Its security features include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and automatic tracker-blocking. This VPN can even be configured to activate on its own whenever you use unsecured networks. Finally, there’s a tool called MeshNet that lets you securely send files across devices.

Desktop clients are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and there are mobile apps for iOS and Android. The VPN works with select home routers via manual configuration.

BEST VPN FOR US NETFLIX:NordVPN is our first choice for Netflix. It’s extremely fast and comes packed with advanced features. Great for securely accessing your usual services abroad. Users can take advantage of a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more in our in-depth NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

works with American NetflixTested Jun 2025

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for streaming Netflix US. With servers in 22 US cities (and 100+ countries around the world), it’s a fantastic way to regain access to your favorite shows abroad. In addition to Netflix, users will be able to watch Disney+, Max, Peacock, and more. Best of all, this is one of the only major VPNs that lets you secure any number of devices. Need help? Just get in touch using the 24/7 live chat service.

So, just how quick is this service? To find out, we had our experts perform three speed tests over the course of a standard day. These were run on a 250 Mbps connection designed to replicate the performance of an average American household’s internet. Below, you can see how the US servers did:

Surfshark’s average speed was 199.9 Mbps, much faster than is required for watching 4K content. In fact, with performance like this, there’s very little you can’t do. We had no issues playing fast-paced online games, making video calls, or downloading large files, and with just 7 Mbps of difference between its best and worst results, you’re all but guaranteed top-tier speeds.

This might be a budget service, but it doesn’t compromise on security. User traffic is kept safe using unbreakable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and automatic tracker-blocking. Surfshark has also been independently audited to prove that it doesn’t keep logs. Want even more anonymity? In that case, just activate its Rotating IP addresses feature or enable the censorship-beating NoBorders mode.

Desktop clients are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android. Surfshark can be manually configured with some home routers, too.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a low-cost VPN that won’t disappoint and is a reliable choice for secure accessing Netflix US from abroad. It allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our full review of Surfshark.

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3. IPVanish

works with American NetflixTested Jun 2025

IPVanish has been around for a long time, but it just keeps improving. With no connection limits whatsoever and a network that now covers 100+ countries, it’s a great choice for anyone looking to stream across all of their devices. On that note, it works flawlessly with most major streaming apps, including Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, and Hulu. There’s also 24/7 live chat just in case you need any assistance.

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market, but many of them struggle to provide the speeds to maintain a stable connection, let alone stream high-definition video. IPVanish generally does quite well in our rankings, but to get the most up-to-date info, we ran speed tests on three of its American servers. Take a look at how they did:

Not bad at all! IPVanish had an average speed of 179.28 Mbps, with roughly 8 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest speeds. As such, it’s one of the fastest and most consistent providers we’ve tried. These speeds also mean that you should be able to stream Netflix in 4K, chat over video call, or do any other day-to-day task without any issues.

This VPN clearly cares about your security too. It stops anyone from monitoring your activities using 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. The latest version of its app also includes new features like link-safety verification and the ability to send you traffic through multiple servers for another layer of encryption. IPVanish doesn’t keep any logs of your activities and has been independently audited several times.

IPVanish has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Manual configuration for routers and Linux systems is also possible. There’s a new Advanced subscription tier that includes the VPN, a cloud-based browser, and secure online storage.

SPEEDY AND PRIVATE:IPVanish is fast secure and private. It works with American Netflix and has great speeds for streaming at home and on the go. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

works with American NetflixTested Jun 2025

ExpressVPN is a reliable, well-respected provider with excellent customer support. It operates servers in more than 100 countries and can securely access virtually any popular streaming site. Aside from US Netflix, it works with Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Peacock, among many others. This VPN even works in countries with extreme online censorship, like China. Up to eight devices can be connected simultaneously.

Every VPN will reduce your speed by some amount; it’s just an unavoidable side effect of the encryption process. That said, some services have a much larger impact than others. Our experts tested ExpressVPN’s American servers in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon to see just how quick they were, and to find out how much slowdown you can expect during busier periods. Let’s take a look at the results:

With an average speed of 139.47 Mbps, ExpressVPN is more than capable of playing 4K content on Netflix. In fact, you should be able to multitask without any stuttering or buffering. We were able to perform a wide range of everyday tasks while connected, including making video calls, playing online games, and downloading large files, so no matter what you have in mind, ExpressVPN can help.

There’s no need to worry about your online privacy with this service. ExpressVPN has been audited, proving its apps are secure and that it doesn’t keep logs. Users can take advantage of uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and automatic tracker-blocking, as well as obfuscation that kicks in as needed. This provider even accepts Bitcoin, making it easy to pay anonymously.

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It also offers its own router firmware, making it as straightforward as possible to protect your whole home network.

HIGHLY VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is more than capable of helping you securely access Netflix US in the UK. It’s fast, reliable, provides 24/7 support. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

works with American NetflixTested Jun 2025

CyberGhost is a natural choice for travelers hoping to watch TV from back home. Its network covers 100+ countries, and there are servers specifically optimized for accessing various Netflix libraries abroad. Of course, it also works with platforms like Disney+, Peacock, and YouTube TV. Customer support is available 24 hours per day over live chat, and subscribers can connect up to seven devices simultaneously.

Let’s talk about performance. Streaming (especially if you’re interested in watching 4K video) requires a fast, reliable connection, so we have to make sure CyberGhost is up to the task. With that in mind, we speed tested its US servers at various points throughout the day. The table below shows how quick these were and, equally important, how much their performance varied.

CyberGhost achieved an average speed of 141.34 Mbps, putting it roughly around the middle of the pack. This is well above what you’ll need to watch TV, play online games, or torrent, and roughly 6 Mbps of fluctuation over three tests, you won’t have to worry about performance issues caused by wildly varying speeds. In short, CyberGhost is an excellent option for virtually any task.

Your VPN’s main goal is to keep your browsing habits private. CyberGhost does this using 256-bit encryption, preventing DNS and IPv6 leaks, and stopping all data transfer during unexpected outages using its kill switch. This provider also offers a customizable connection rules tab and a proven no-logs policy.

CyberGhost apps are available for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. Most routers are supported, too, but you’ll have to follow a manual setup guide.

STRONG FIRST VPN:CyberGhost is very user-friendly and makes it easy to find a server that works with American Netflix. Provides you with a secure, reliable connection. CyberGhost offers a 45-day refund policy.

Dive into our full review of CyberGhost.

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6. ProtonVPN

works with American NetflixTested Jun 2025

ProtonVPN has more than 3,500 servers in the US, with a network spanning 12 countries worldwide. The server list shows you which are best-suited to streaming and P2P activity, which helps streamline the experience. We’ve had great results using this VPN to access platforms like fuboTV, Disney+, and Peacock, as well as Netflix. Each plan allows up to 10 simultaneous connections and access to 24/7 support via live chat.

ProtonVPN is known for its strong focus on privacy, but is it fast enough to meet your needs? We ran speed tests on its US servers (using a connection designed to replicate the average US household broadband speeds) to find out. The chart below shows how quickly these servers were at three key points throughout the day.

This service was far faster than most of its rivals, achieving average speeds of 143.32 Mbps with just 6 Mbps of difference between its lowest and peak results. For context, that’s enough to play 10 4K videos simultaneously or download a 1GB file in under a minute. This means that you shouldn’t have any issues, even if your whole family likes to stream different shows at the same time.

In addition to a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and unbreakable encryption, ProtonVPN boasts additional features like split tunneling and port forwarding, a stealth protocol, Tor over VPN support, and automatic tracker-blocking. Crucially, this provider doesn’t keep any logs of your activities (something we know for sure thanks to its independent audit results).

ProtonVPN offers apps for iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. Popular router firmware is supported too, with manual setup guides on ProtonVPN’s website.

GREAT FOR NETFLIX:ProtonVPN is a feature-packed VPN that can access multiple Netflix libraries. Boasts a high degree of privacy and one of the largest networks we’ve seen. Paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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7. PureVPN

works with American NetflixTested Jun 2025

PureVPN takes the stress out of streaming American Netflix abroad. With simple, streamlined apps and servers in 65 countries (plus over a dozen US states), this novice-friendly VPN is an excellent choice for most users. It allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, provides 24/7 support via live chat, and even works in countries with extreme censorship, such as China or the UAE.

PureVPN is a lightweight, easy-to-use service, which makes it ideal for novice users. Assuming, of course, that it’s quick enough to handle data-intensive tasks like watching Netflix. To be sure, our team speed tested its servers in the US three times, keeping a close eye on its top speed, its consistency, and how much of an impact it had on our base speeds. Take a look at the chart below to see the results for yourself:

Straight away, we can see that PureVPN isn’t quite as fast as some of the services above. However, with average speeds of 65.71 Mbps, it’s more than capable of streaming UHD video without any problems. We’d have preferred to see a little less variation in its speeds, but 11 Mbps of difference isn’t too significant, and even at its slowest, this VPN held up well in our real-world testing

This service includes all of the must-have security features, such as uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPV6 leaks. Additionally, PureVPN recently made its tracker-blocking feature available on all plans (previously, only Plus and Max subscribers could take advantage). Finally, this provider follows a strict no-logs policy, making it virtually impossible to track you.

PureVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. Users also have the option to manually install it on supported routers.

VERSATILE VPN:PureVPN is perfect if you want to watch Netflix US in Britain. Delivers speedy connections and a high level of privacy, while remaining affordable. Also a great choice for torrenting or gaming. You can test it using its 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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8. PrivateVPN

works with American NetflixTested Jun 2025

PrivateVPN may only have around 200 servers in 63 countries but it makes the most of them, providing secure access to stubborn platforms like Hulu, Max, Netflix, and Peacock no matter where you are in the world. Users can connect a maximum of 10 devices at the same time too, which is very generous. Live chat-based support is available most (but not all) times of day, meaning you’ll never have to wait more than a few hours for help.

In previous tests, PrivateVPN hasn’t been able to reach quite the same top speeds as other VPNs in this list. That is to be expected, though, given it’s the only major service that acts as its own ISP. Still, we wanted to see what kind of performance you could expect, which is why we speed-tested its American servers three times (in the morning, at noon, and in the evening). Let’s see how this provider fared:

As expected, PrivateVPN was a little slower, but with an average speed of 60.68 Mbps, it remains highly competitive. We didn’t encounter any issues streaming Netflix, even when doing other things in the background, and even latency-dependent activities like gaming went flawlessly. We were pleased to see that this VPN had very consistent connections too, varying by just 6 Mbps over the course of a typical day.

PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any logs and protects your connection with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. Activating its Stealth VPN mode will allow you to sidestep extreme online censorship in places like China (though note that this option only shows in the Advanced view). What’s more, this is the only provider we’ve seen that acts as its own ISP, preventing your traffic from ever being handled by another company.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. PrivateVPN supports Linux systems and some home routers as well, but you’ll have to install it manually.

GREAT FOR STREAMING:PrivateVPN enables secure access to multiple Netflix libraries as well as other streaming platforms. Subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our in-depth PrivateVPN review.

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Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for Netflix US

Netflix has devoted incredible amounts of time and energy to preventing VPN users from accessing its service. As such, not just any VPN will work. We carefully considered the aspects of a VPN most important for streaming Netflix abroad and recommended only those that excelled in every area. These include:

Speed

Every VPN will reduce your download speeds somewhat. That’s understandable: encrypting and decrypting traffic takes time, especially when it’s happening on a server thousands of miles away. Still, watching Netflix requires a quick, stable connection, and we have to be sure that we only recommend VPNs that offer these.

With this in mind, we speed tested each provider’s American servers at three times of day (morning, noon, and afternoon). These tests were run on a 250 Mbps connection, as that’s roughly the average broadband speed in the United States. We then averaged the three results and normalized them to get a score out of 10 for each service.

NordVPN came in first place here as the only VPN with an average speed of more than 200 Mbps. Surfshark wasn’t too far behind, though, and really, you won’t have any problems streaming Netflix with any VPN in this list; it’s just that some have a larger impact on your base speeds than others.

Streaming ability

First and foremost, we had to make sure that providers could reliably access Netflix US outside of the States. However, we wanted to go even deeper, and ended up looking into whether they could access other regional libraries (such as Netflix UK and Netflix Japan) too. The next step was to see how many other major platforms each VPN worked with and, equally important, how easy it was to find a suitable server. The chart below shows everything that went into our scoring decision:

NordVPN took the top spot in this category again, earning an impressive 9.8 points. Not only did it work with a wide range of Netflix libraries, but it also consistently accesses platforms like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+. ExpressVPN was right behind with 9.6 and Surfshark with 9.5, since the vast majority of their servers worked with Netflix US.

Security and privacy

A VPN’s main goal is to ensure that you’re able to browse the internet privately. That’s why, to be eligible for a spot in our list, providers must offer unbreakable encryption (AES-256 or better), a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy. Of course, this is the bare minimum, and additional security features are always very welcome. The following table shows all 16 of the criteria we consider when assigning security and privacy scores:

Don’t worry if some of the technical terms above went over your head. Our team assigned scores based on the data above and created a side-by-side comparison of each VPN’s overall security score, making it easier to see how they stack up:

As you can see, NordVPN and Surfshark tied for first place with 9.5 points each. These providers boast extremely robust security offerings, though we’d prefer if Surfshark weren’t based in a Nine Eyes country. NordVPN, meanwhile, could do with shoring up its authentication slightly. Note that the lowest score any provider got in this category was an 8.6 — this just goes to show how seriously our top VPNs take privacy.

Ease of use

Nobody wants a VPN that makes day-to-day browsing a chore. Here at Comparitech, we prioritize providers that try to be as user-friendly and intuitive as possible. They may allow a large number of device connections, for instance, tell you which servers work best with Netflix, or just provide friendly, prompt customer support. You’ll find every factor that impacted our scoring decision in the following table:

NordVPN came out on top again, earning an astounding 9.6 points for ease of use. We liked that it clearly separated its task-specific servers from general-purpose ones and also really appreciated that its more advanced features are introduced in a way that won’t feel overwhelming to novices. IPVanish took second for its lack of connection limits, with ExpressVPN’s exceptional streaming ability earning it third place.

Value for money

While it’s not the only thing you should consider when buying a VPN, there’s no denying that price is an important decision-making factor. Our goal is to make sure you get a high-quality service for as little as possible. That’s why every VPN in our list must offer a money-back guarantee (so you can try it risk-free). We also look into long-term discounts, reduced rates for students, and how often each service goes on sale to help cut the cost as much as possible if you decide you’d like to keep using a given service. Here’s a full list of factors impacting our scoring decision:

Surfshark was the top scorer again here, earning 9.7 points. IPVanish came in right behind, with 9.6, while NordVPN took third place. These providers either have no connection limits (Surfshark and IPVanish) or a generous allowance, plus they have some of the steepest discounts we’ve seen for users who choose long-term plans.

Would you like to find out more? We explain our complete VPN testing methodology to give you a better understanding of exactly how we put each service through its paces.

Watching US Netflix in the UK: FAQs