How to Watch Netflix With a VPN

We use VPNs to protect our privacy, but a lot of people use it to unlock Netflix’s global content library. Netflix’s catalog varies dramatically depending on your location. If you’re in the United States, for instance, you’re missing out on exclusive shows and movies available to Netflix subscribers in Japan, South Korea, or the UK. The reverse is true as well.

To bypass these restrictions, you can use a VPN to trick Netflix into thinking you’re from a different country. We’ll show you how this works and which VPNs work the best.

>> Learn More: A 2025 Guide to VPNs

How to Watch Netflix With a VPN

To watch Netflix with a VPN, do the following steps:

1. First, choose a VPN that works with Netflix. We list all of your options in detail below.
2. After you’ve signed up for your account, download the VPN app on the device you want to watch Netflix on.
3. Once you’ve downloaded the app and signed in, connect to another country’s compatible server. This will automatically change your region on Netflix, once you sign on.
4. Now that the VPN is turned on, log into Netflix, sit back, and watch.

VPNs That Work With Netflix

Not all VPNs work with Netflix. In fact, Netflix actively blocks VPN traffic to enforce its licensing agreements. When Netflix identifies that you’re using a VPN, it restricts your access to a limited library featuring content with global licensing rights. Instead of expanding your viewing options, you might actually see fewer titles.

To avoid this scenario, we recommend choosing a VPN with servers optimized for streaming Netflix. Here are ones that we’ve tested and know work:

Free vs. Paid Options

While we recommend getting a paid VPN to avoid the time, server, speed, and data limits, there are free VPNs and VPNs with free trials that work with Netflix. Here are some noteworthy options:

• HMA VPN: HMA VPN offers a seven-day free trial of its premium VPN. After that, prices start at $2.99 a month on the three-year plan. You’ll also get a 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.
• ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN’s pricing is different from HMA’s, as there’s no time limit to its free VPN. Before you get too excited, you’re limited to one device, speeds are throttled, and you can only connect to servers in the U.S, Japan, and the Netherlands. We recommend upgrading to a paid plan, which starts at $2.99 per month for a two-year plan.
• Surfshark: Surfshark offers a free 30-day trial with no limitations. After that, Surfshark’s costs start at $1.99 per month for a two-year package.
• Windscribe: Windscribe offers a completely free VPN that you can use indefinitely. However, you only get 10GB a month, which is roughly 10 hours of standard definition streaming. We wouldn’t recommend it for Netflix bingers. Plus, you can only connect to 11 out of 69 servers, which includes:
  • Canada
  • France
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong
  • Norway
  • Romania
  • Switzerland
  • The Netherlands
  • The U.K.
  • The U.S.

• Windscribe’s pricing is reasonable, starting at $5.75 a month if you sign up for a year.

How to Choose

Once you have determined that a VPN is compatible with Netflix, keep these other considerations in mind:

• Price: You shouldn’t have to spend more than $10 a month on a VPN. Most services that work with Netflix cost between $2 and $5 monthly on annual plans.
• Device compatibility: Make sure the VPN works on the device you want to watch Netflix on, be it a VPN for the Fire TV Stick, a VPN for your router, a VPN for your iPhone, a VPN for your Android, etc.
• Servers: If you want to access content from a specific country, check that the VPN has streaming-optimized servers in that location. Most VPN companies list their server locations and streaming capabilities on their websites. Look for providers with 3,000+ servers across 60+ countries for the best coverage.
• Privacy: If you’re watching Netflix in a place where it’s banned, like China or North Korea,1 you have more considerations to mull over. One, make sure that your VPN won’t keep any of your web traffic or device IP addresses. Two, make sure that the VPN is headquartered in a Five Eyes nonmember country so they won’t share your information with governments around the world. Finally, look for VPNs with AES-256 encryption, the current industry standard.

• Speed: This is critical if you want to use VPNs for streaming. Nobody wants buffering during the climactic scene of their favorite show. Look at our speed test results to find a VPN that maintains at least 25 Mbps for 4K streaming or 5 Mbps for HD content.
• Connections: Check that your subscription covers all the devices you need. Look for VPNs offering at least 5 to 10 simultaneous connections. Some providers like Surfshark even offer unlimited connections.

What If I Can’t Get Netflix To Work with a VPN?

If you see the message, “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again,” Netflix has detected your VPN. Netflix continuously updates its VPN detection methods, and not all services can keep pace. Here’s a comprehensive list, so you don’t waste your time.

VPNs That Don’t Work With Netflix

• Perfect Privacy
• Blackvpn
• IVPN
• Encrypt.me
• TunnelBear
• VPNSecure
• Mozilla VPN

If you encounter this error, we recommend following these steps:

1. Switch to another server location. Many providers rotate their IP addresses to stay ahead of Netflix’s detection.
2. Clear your browser cache and cookies. Alternatively, try using an incognito/private browsing window, as Netflix may be detecting your location through stored data.
3. If that doesn’t work, change your VPN to one that’s compatible with Netflix.
4. Consider getting a dedicated IP address from your VPN provider. Since you’re the sole user of this IP, it’s less likely to be flagged by Netflix’s detection systems. This typically costs an extra $5 to $8 per month.

» Learn more: How to find your IP address

Why Netflix Is Different in Different Countries

Copyright and distribution laws are the main reason why Netflix libraries differ from one region to another. To show movies and TV shows, Netflix buys the right to distribute every title it has on its library. However, not every title offers global rights, so Netflix may have the right to show a movie in the United States, but not in the U.K., for example.

Each country has its own unique Netflix library, so by changing your IP address, you can unlock new content. As of March 2023, Slovakia currently has the largest Netflix library with 8,427 different movies and TV shows. They’re followed by Bulgaria, Latvia, Estonia, and Iceland.3

How to Optimize VPN Speeds for Netflix

While all VPNs will slow your streaming down a little bit, they also have advantages when it comes to speed.

Do VPNs Block Throttling?

Some internet service providers (ISPs) may throttle websites, meaning slow them down intentionally. However, by using a VPN, your ISP won’t know what websites you’re on, making throttling impossible.

We recommend doing a speed test to quantify the slowdowns precisely:

1. Turn off all other websites.
2. Close all web apps.
3. Turn off all other devices on your network.

Will Netflix Ban Me If I Use a VPN?

While Netflix has a ban against VPNs and proxy servers, it’s perfectly legal to use VPNs on Netflix; it just may not work. Netflix has specific licensing agreements with TV shows and movies, meaning that they’re only allowed to offer them to certain audiences, divided by country.

As VPNs replace IP addresses, making users seem like they’re elsewhere, you can see where this becomes a licensing issue. However, you don’t have to worry about being carted off to jail if you use a VPN on Netflix. Unless you’re in a country where VPNs are illegal,4 you should be safe and sound.

Recap: How to Watch Netflix With a VPN

Using a VPN to watch Netflix can be great for many reasons. Whether you’re traveling and can’t help but keep up with your TV shows or you just want early viewing access to a new movie, a VPN can do that for you. Since Netflix’s library is different depending on the country you’re in (for legal licensing reasons), changing your IP address to appear in a different location can help you unlock more content.

However, you should keep in mind that Netflix is smart and many times it knows when you’re using a VPN. If it catches you, you won’t be banned or get in trouble, but it will block certain content until you turn off your VPN.

So, if you want to watch Netflix using a VPN, you have to choose a service that’s compatible with Netlflix. Some services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have optimized servers that will bypass restrictions for your viewing pleasure. Overall, when you pick a VPN for Netflix, you should consider compatibility, server locations, connection speeds, and how much it costs.