Collecting all your favourite snacks and drinks, surrounding yourself with comfortable cushions and blankets, and then spending hours in front of a screen can be a truly therapeutic experience. Unfortunately, there is one big problem with this hobby: There is a limited amount of content out there to keep you entertained.
We are a greedy bunch, and regular streamers can quickly get to a point when it feels like there's nothing left to watch. What are you supposed to do then? Don't panic, because there is a simple solution to this frustrating issue.
If you've reached this point of streaming shortage, you should consider investing in a VPN.
What is a VPN?
VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.
The act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.
Do you need a VPN?
VPNs are used to provide protection for your sensitive information, which is obviously super important. This isn't the only reason VPNs are so popular though, because these tools can be also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location.
By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country, you can watch all your favourite content from that location. For example, you could watch all the extra films and shows on American Netflix that are not usually accessible outside of the U.S. There is so much content out there that can be accessed with the help of a VPN.
Everyone is in need of something that can bypass geo-restrictions to access all of this blocked entertainment, and that something is a VPN. These services are keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love.
How to unblock U.S. Netflix
If you think accessing American Netflix is going to be difficult with a VPN, think again. It's actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand:
- Sign up to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
- Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
- Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
- Visit Netflix to watch movies and shows from the U.S. content library
If you're worried that this whole thing sounds a bit illegal, then maybe we can reassure you. It's currently legal to watch Netflix while using a VPN, although we should point out that Netflix states in its terms of service that it may restrict your account without compensation or notice if you are engaged in "improper" use. We're not entirely sure what that means, but consider yourself warned.
We should make it very clear that you still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. A VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you're subscribed.
Should you use free VPNs?
There are plenty of free versions and free trials of VPNs, so why would you ever consider paying for a service? As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.
There is always a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will be just fine if you're just an occasional user, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading anything, this isn't going to work. Free trials are different as come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.
To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you generally need to pay up. That being said, services like ProtonVPN offer an impressive set of features for free. However, you might have trouble streaming Netflix with this free version.
What is the best VPN for Netflix?
There are a lot of VPN services out there that can effectively unblock American Netflix, but which is the best? There are plenty of strong options for you to consider, but we wouldn't want you wasting your time checking everything out. To save you time, we've handpicked your best options. Each service has a different set of features that will suit some users better than others, and it's all about finding something that works for you.
ExpressVPN is at the top of this list because it combines essential features with impressive results, but it isn’t the only option available to you. We have lined up all the best VPNs for unblocking Netflix, with something for everyone on this list. We've highlighted the best deals on the likes of Surfshark, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN.
These are the best VPNs for Netflix in 2024.
NordVPN
Best premium VPN
- NordVPN Basic: $12.99/month, $68.85/year, or $96.93/2 years
- NordVPN Complete: $14.99/month, $97.35/year, or $148.23/2 years
- NordVPN Plus: $13.99/month, $82.35/year, or $121.23/2 years
- NordVPN Prime: $17.99/month, $142.35/year, or $229.23/2 years
Read Mashable's full review of NordVPN.
Who it's for:
It's overkill for VPN newbies and casual users, but NordVPN is the primo paid choice for power users who want the freedom to mess around with lots of settings and servers. If you opt for a long-term plan, it can also be reasonably priced.
Why we picked this:
Nord Security's well-established VPN has a clean and highly customizable app, which presents its server network in the form of a list and a minimal map. That network is the most geographically diverse server network out of all the VPNs I've tested thus far, with locations in 111 countries worldwide. It also includes specialty servers for multi-hop connections ("Double VPN"), Tor connections ("Onion Over VPN"), P2P connections, and obfuscated servers; the latter make it so no one can tell you're using a VPN. The app could be quite slow to initially connect in testing, but it ran well once I got on a server and consistently unblocked international streaming sites. Split tunneling is available on its Windows, Android, and Android TV apps.
One NordVPN subscription gets you support for up to ten simultaneous connections and access to a unique feature called MeshNet, which lets you steer traffic through other devices running the NordVPN app (essentially creating your own private network). Users can upgrade its Basic, VPN-only plan to other tiers with extras like an anti-malware/tracker tool, a dark web monitor, a password manager, file encryption, and NordProtect, an all-new identity theft protection service. These won't make the actual VPN any better or stronger, but they're convenient add-ons if you're trying to flesh out a digital security suite. Its plans can be a decent value if you pick one of the discounted yearly options.
Users should be aware of a transparency blunder in NordVPN's past, but may find peace of mind from the network upgrades, boosted security standards, and bug bounty program it launched in its wake. These all supplement regular third-party audits of its no-logs policy and its monthly transparency reports, which recently replaced a Read Mashable's full review of CyberGhost VPN. CyberGhost VPN offers unrestricted trials of varying lengths on both desktop and mobile. It's a solid pick for users who want to try a premium VPN service with a massive server network, and it's especially great for streaming. It won't wow transparency sticklers, though. CyberGhost VPN's key appeal is its large and globally diverse network of servers across 100 countries, which includes dozens of locations that are optimized for downloading and streaming. These servers only allow traffic for their respective activities to prevent slowdowns. CyberGhost has issued transparency reports that anyone can peruse since 2011 — and they went quarterly in 2019, which is commendable —?but it only recently started commissioning third-party audits. It's also owned by Kape Technologies, which has a sketchy history. (CyberGhost and other VPNs under the Kape umbrella operate separately from it, but it's worth noting if you're extra concerned about privacy.) CyberGhost offers a free trial for 24 hours on Windows and Mac, three days on Android, and a full week on iOS, allowing one simultaneous connection per account. (You can't have concurrent trials going on multiple devices, so pick your platform wisely.) Trial users have unrestricted city-level access to its server network, which is presented in list form on its sleek, uncluttered app. There's no multi-hop, and split tunneling is only available on Android, but at least there's a kill switch that's enabled automatically. I do want to mention that Google made me complete a reCAPTCHA every time I switched CyberGhost servers on both desktop and mobile. This suggests that the servers I was using were pretty full at the time, but since I didn't have any connection or speed issues, I didn't consider it a major issue (just a minor nuisance). CyberGhost's desktop trials don't require a credit card to activate, so you're not at risk of paying for a plan you don't necessarily want if you go that route. That's not the case for CyberGhost's mobile trials, though: You have to "subscribe" to a $49.99 per year annual plan before you start using it on Android or iOS, and if you forget to cancel the plan before the trial ends, you'll get charged. On the plus side, CyberGhost has an extCyberGhost VPN
Best VPN free trial
Who it's for:
Why we picked this:
Private Internet Access
Best For Server Network
- Monthly: ?10.99/month
- Six-month plan: ?5.39/month
- Two-year plan: ?1.69/month
Private Internet Access is probably not your best option for streaming sport, but if your priority is online security and data protection, it should be something to consider.
Private Internet Access keeps things very simple with strong encryption, decent connection speeds, and an absolutely massive server network. Subscribers can also connect 10 devices simultaneously, which is great for large households.
It's straightforward and focused on security, but Private Internet Access is a powerful service that belongs in this list.
PureVPN
Best For Beginners
- Monthly: ?8.37/month
- One-year plan: ?2.86/month
- Two-year plan: ?1.75/month
Read our full review of PureVPN.?
PureVPN users get apps for every operating system, enterprise-grade security, 10-multi logins, and access to over 6,000 secure servers in 140 countries. PureVPN also has a strong record for good customer support.
Surfshark
Best For Unlimited Connections
- Monthly: ?9.90/month
- One-year plan: ?3.05/month
- Two-year plan: ?1.76/month
Surfshark users get an unlimited number of connections, uncompromised security and privacy, around the clock customer service, and enterprise-grade infrastructure. Surfshark also has a strict no-logging policy, meaning all of your data is protected from prying eyes.
TunnelBear
Best free VPN
- Data limit: Up to 2GB per month (does not roll over)
Read Mashable's full review of TunnelBear.
Who it's for:
TunnelBear is a charming and uncomplicated VPN with good privacy practices and a free tier geared at casual users who only need a VPN for occasional private browsing (i.e., you don't have it running 24/7). It's decidedly not for those who need a VPN to access geo-restricted content; it couldn't unblock regional streaming libraries in my testing.
Why we picked this:
TunnelBear eschews intricate settings and intimidating jargon for cute and simple apps. Its lack of multi-hop connections and small server network won't impress power users, but VPN newbies will find it refreshingly approachable. Tunnelbear conducts regular annual security audits and occasional transparency reports, and its privacy policy lays out the kind of data it does (and doesn't) collect in plain language.
I asked TunnelBear about their business model over email, and a company rep (under the alias "CubCake Bear") told me flat-out that the company doesn't make money off its free users, nor does it track or sell their data. "Our business is driven solely by our paid subscribers, who help off-set the cost to maintain our servers and operate our infrastructure," they explained, adding that TunnelBear's free tier "serves as a method to try before you buy, or if your need is minimal on a monthly basis." Good stuff.
The free version of TunnelBear caps you at 2GB of data per month, which does not roll over and resets on the monthly anniversary of when you created your account. It includes support for one simultaneous connection for use on Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS. Users can pick from servers in different countries in a list or on a cartoon-y map. (Unlimited simultaneous connections and city-level server options are reserved for paid subscribers.) There's a kill switch called "VigilantBear," which you'll have to enable automatically, and a split tunneling tool called "SplitBear," which varies from platform to platform: You can exempt websites and apps on Windows. but only apps on Android and websites on Mac and iOS.
Finally, and crucially, you don't have to enter any credit card information to use Tu
ProtonVPN
Best For Free
- Monthly: ?9.87/month
- One-year plan: ?5.15/month
- Two-year plan: ?4.29/month
ProtonVPN offers users the choice of services, with Basic, Plus, and Visionary plans available. Each one offers a different package of features, so it really depends on your expected usage.
ProtonVPN is Switzerland-based, meaning your data is shielded by Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the strongest in the world. ProtonVPN also has a strict no logging policy that means none of your data can be revealed to third parties. Users also get a kill-switch, DNS leak prevention, and much more.
What sets ProtonVPN apart from the competition is its free version. No, this doesn't include the most advanced features, but it still offers enough for most users.
Ivacy VPN
Best For App
- Five-year plan: ?0.80/month
- Monthly: ?8.22/month
- One-year plan: ?2.91/month
If you had no clue what VPN stood for prior to clicking on this post, Ivacy VPN is the provider for you.?
Its app is extremely easy to navigate thanks to its Smart Purpose Selection feature, which chooses the right server for you based on your VPN needs (secure download, streaming, or unblocking). Better yet, it's supported on basically every platform you can think of —?even Kodi, Raspberry Pi, Xbox, Playstation, Roku, and Blackberry —?and maintains a sizable network of more than 1,000 servers in over 100 locations.
If you're still floating the idea of a VPN, Ivacy's price tag might be the thing that wins you over. Yet despite its low price, it doesn't skimp on security features like 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection.?
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