Best VPN for Netflix 2025! Discover the best option ✨
VPNs aren't just useful for keeping your online activities secure and private, but they're also a great way to bypass streaming content restrictions in other countries. The best VPN providers are always one step ahead of streaming services in a never-ending game of cat and mouse, ensuring you always have access to your favorite content no matter where you are. I've extensively tested the best VPNs on the market to see how they perform when unblocking major streaming sites and have compiled a list of the best below. 🎥🌍
NordVPN – The Best Overall VPN for Netflix
Pros
- Packed with VPN configuration options
- Outstanding speeds
- Multiple independent audits without records
- Antivirus and password manager included
Why I like NordVPN
For me, the best option to watch Netflix is NordVPNFrom the beginning, it has defied Netflix's VPN ban. Its goal has been to make all its servers work with the streaming service. In our latest review, Netflix worked flawlessly on all tested servers. No matter what Netflix catalog you want, NordVPN promises to deliver. 🍿
NordVPN has over 6,000 servers and offers locations in over 110 countries worldwide. It also lets you choose your specific server, so you can switch if the Netflix ban ever applies. 🌐
In addition to top-tier speeds and Netflix support, NordVPN offers multi-hop and mesh connections. It also uses the WireGuard protocol by default, though it has made some modifications to make it more friendly and private for commercial VPN services, calling its protocol NordLynx. 🔒
When it comes to download and upload speeds, NordVPN is the fastest VPN overall, and with the company's success rate at bypassing blocks, you should have no problem streaming Netflix anywhere in the world. 🏆
Who should buy NordVPN?
Simply put, anyone looking to use a VPN with streaming services like Netflix can, and probably should, use NordVPN—it's actually that good for streaming. Between its consistently good speeds and successful unblocking history, I think NordVPN has no competition. 🌈
ExpressVPN – Second Best VPN for Netflix
Pros
- Excellent speeds
- Easy-to-use interface
- Unblock all streaming services
- Big security and privacy practices
Cons
- More expensive than many competitors
- Missing some additional features for a top VPN
Why I like ExpressVPN
If NordVPN isn't your style, my overall recommended VPN, ExpressVPN, is also a great option. ExpressVPN offers over 3,000 servers in 105 countries. It also promises that Netflix will work on every server it has, and offers good speeds. Express is on the pricier side, costing almost £100 per year, compared to Nord's £60. But the app is easy to use, speeds are excellent, and it offers some nice extras like a private DNS service that lets you set up an Apple TV or console to watch US streaming services abroad. 🎉
Who should buy ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is right up there with NordVPN as my recommendation for most people. Its wide range of servers means you'll likely find a country to connect to no matter where you want to disguise your location. Plus, as the best overall VPN, ExpressVPN will serve you just as well with non-streaming activities as it will with unblocking Netflix. 📅
CyberGhost VPN – Best for Server Locations
Pros
- Independently verified no-logs policy
- Impressive variety of servers
- Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Server speeds can be variable
- It lacks some extra safety features offered by competitors.
Why I like CyberGhost VPN
When you use a VPN to stream Netflix or another service, having a large number of servers to choose from is a huge advantage. This is because streaming services and VPN providers are in a constant game of cat and mouse for access to content. And if you want variety and choice in your VPN's server locations, then CyberGhost VPN is unmatched. 🚀
It offers over 9,000 servers for users to connect to, more than double that of ExpressVPN. These servers aren't all concentrated in the US or Europe. They have an equally impressive server distribution, with 120 countries worldwide. It even provides servers optimized for various needs, such as gaming, streaming, and torrenting. While I found some speeds to be faster than others, overall, in my tests, speeds were good enough for streaming on any of CyberGhost's servers. 🎮
CyberGhost also has an intuitive and easy-to-use Windows app with good functionality. It lacks some advanced features offered by other VPNs on this list, but that shouldn't be a problem if you're only looking to use the service for streaming. Ultimately, CyberGhost is a simple and powerful VPN service with an impressive number of server locations. 📲
Who should buy CyberGhost VPN?
If you're looking for the widest variety of servers and the most options, then CyberGhost VPN is the solution. For those who travel a lot or simply need access to a wide server network around the world, CyberGhost is more than worth your time and money. 🌏
Surfshark – Best for multi-device access
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Works well with Netflix
- Built-in extras like ad and malware blocking
- Low price on long-term plans
Cons
- Ping or server load indicators are not immediately available
- Based in the Netherlands and subject to government data sharing requests
Why I like Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is another VPN that's in my top 10 for speeds, reaching 61 percent of the base speed in my latest tests. This makes Surfshark more than fast for streaming Netflix. My tests also showed that Surfshark was able to unblock not only Netflix, but also every other major streaming service I tried—Amazon Prime, Max, Hulu, and more. 🎉
It also features ad and malware blocking features, double-hop connections, and, surprisingly, offers unlimited simultaneous device connections instead of the usual five-device limit found on most VPNs. Surfshark's Windows app is also easy to use, and if you opt for a two-year subscription, the price is incredibly affordable. 💰
Who should buy Surfshark VPN?
Since Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous device connections, it's ideal for users who want to securely access streaming platforms from multiple devices at the same time. This makes it a great option for families who often have everyone watching shows on their own devices, or for individuals who are happy to share their VPN with friends or colleagues. 👨👩👧👦
ProtonVPN – Best for watching Netflix on a Mac
Pros
- Excellent free plan
- Great privacy tools
- Reliable and transparent no-logs policy
Why I like ProtonVPN
Another good recommendation is ProtonVPN, which is available at a similar price to ExpressVPN. Unlike NordVPN, however, Netflix doesn't work on all of its servers. It works on many of the 4,800+ servers, but not all. The problem with Proton is that it can occasionally experience issues where a stream suddenly stops, especially if you're watching while working on the same PC. While these issues occurred on my Windows computer, I didn't experience the same problem on a Mac, where it worked flawlessly the entire time. 🍏
Who should buy ProtonVPN?
While we typically use Windows computers, we understand that Mac users need the love of a VPN too. So if you're a macOS user, I think ProtonVPN is a great option. The VPN has one of the best macOS apps I've found, and combined with its strong ability to unblock content, it makes ProtonVPN a solid choice for Apple users looking to access streaming services. 🍿
Other VPN reviews and features
Why does Netflix block VPNs?
Netflix's massive expansion to nearly every country in the world in 2016 meant it had to become stricter with VPNs. While Netflix produces a lot of its own content that it can make available globally, it also licenses a lot of content from traditional entertainment studios. 📺
These third parties are still working on a global territorial licensing system. Under this system, Netflix receives a package of movies and TV shows from these companies that it can show in the US, but which are not licensed to be shown, for example, in Europe. To keep these companies and its other international licensees happy, Netflix must enforce a VPN block to prevent people from accessing content that is available to Netflix subscribers in the UK, but not in the US. 🌎
"We're making progress in licensing content around the world," Netflix said in a 2016 blog post. "But we still have a long way to go before we can offer people the same movies and TV shows everywhere." 📅
Netflix isn't the only company that has to enforce these restrictions. Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and others do so as well. However, Netflix and Hulu are the most active and effective in doing so. ⚔️
What to look for in a VPN for Netflix streaming
First, most people shouldn't make speed their primary consideration. The minimum recommended bandwidth for streaming Netflix in 1080p is 5 megabits per second (Mbps). If you're streaming in 4K, you need 15Mbps. Depending on your home internet speed, that should be feasible with almost all of the best VPNs. 🚀
Instead, the first consideration should be the basic promise of Netflix support from a reputable company. That's the tricky part. Any VPN can promise Netflix support, but if there aren't many reviews for the service, it may not be real. Stick with well-known VPN services if you can. ✅
Next, you need to consider how many servers are available for the service—especially the number in your target country. If you want Netflix from Australia and the VPN only has two Australian servers, that could be a problem. Most popular VPN services list their server networks online, so you can see how many servers there are in each country. 🌏
Finally, make sure the VPN's desktop app (and don't forget the mobile app) allows you to select specific servers. Since this is a cat-and-mouse game with streamers, you need a VPN with multiple servers in your desired Netflix country. That way, if one server has been discovered by Netflix, the others may still work. The solution to this is simple: just change servers. 🔄
How I did the tests
I evaluate the VPN on a variety of criteria, including network Servers, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease of use, additional features, and cost. For a more detailed guide on how I test, check out the complete guide on how we test VPN services. 🔎
Speed tests are kept as simple as possible. I average connections across different global locations for any given VPN and then compare them to a baseline internet speed to get a good idea of global connection speeds. I thoroughly research and analyze each VPN's privacy policies and history, pointing out any notable discrepancies or data collection issues. 📊
As for unblocking capabilities, I connect to multiple servers around the world with each VPN and try to access content on all major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney Plus, and more. 🍿
FAQ
1. Can you use a VPN to watch Netflix?
Yes! If you're located in a country where certain Netflix content isn't available, you can use a VPN server located in another country to access that content. While some streaming services try to prevent VPN connections, you can usually find a server that isn't blocked. Reputable VPN companies offer thousands of servers to connect to from all over the world. If your intended use of a VPN is to stream a service like Netflix, connection speeds, server network size, and unblocking capabilities will be the most important factors to consider. 🎬
2. What is a VPN?
A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your internet traffic and hides your identity while you browse the web. When used to stream Netflix, a VPN redirects your traffic from your location outside the US to its own server within the country, hiding your true location and allowing you to bypass Netflix regional blocks. 🌐
Additionally, VPNs anonymize your internet traffic and prevent your ISP from spying on your browsing. 🔒
3. Are VPNs legal?
Yes! In most countries, including the United States, using a VPN is legal. Some websites like Netflix may attempt to block VPN connections due to their own restrictions, but it is still completely acceptable to use them. Keep in mind that while using a VPN is legal, some activities performed while using Using a VPN can be illegal. Activities such as downloading copyrighted content or accessing dark web markets are illegal both with and without a VPN. ⚖️
4. Will a VPN affect my internet speeds?
In short, yes, a VPN can affect your internet speeds. But these days, it's the exception rather than the rule. 🚦
When you're connected to a VPN, your traffic is redirected through the VPN provider's own servers. Depending on where these servers are located, it can add extra distance for your traffic to travel back and forth, which slightly slows your speeds.
Additionally, VPNs encrypt your data, which can lead to slower download and upload speeds due to the time it takes to encrypt and decrypt your data. This can have a more significant impact on speeds and can affect everything from page load times to video buffering speeds. Fortunately, modern VPN providers have taken advantage of advances in encryption technology and server optimization to drastically reduce these impacts. ⚙️
5. Do VPNs track my browsing or store my data?
This depends entirely on the VPN provider you choose to use. There have been cases in the past of VPN providers collecting data on their users. However, these were primarily free VPN services without explicit "no-logging" policies. 📜
When looking for a VPN, be sure to check the company's website for a no-logs policy, third-party trust verification, and reliable user reviews. Fortunately, most major paid VPNs have clearly stated no-logs policies, so it's generally best to stick with one if you have concerns. 🔒
