How to avoid the Netflix VPN ban: Easy fixes that still work in 2024

There aren't many VPNs that work well with Netflix. We'll cover some of the best options for changing Netflix regions, so you can continue streaming your usual content abroad.

Netflix is one of the only streaming services that is available just about everywhere. The problem is that each country has its own library of content. As such, subscribers in one location are only able to access a fraction of the titles available elsewhere. This causes problems for travelers and international students since they often can't continue watching their favorite shows and may only have access to a handful of content in their preferred language. To make matters worse, Netflix has effectively imposed a VPN ban to prevent people from accessing other regions’ catalogs.

Despite the company's best efforts, however, there are still a few VPNs that work reliably with Netflix. These will allow you to regain access to your home countries catalog, no matter where you are in the world. As an added bonus, VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, enhancing your privacy and making it harder for anyone to monitor your online activities.

Below, you'll find a short overview of the services that are best for avoiding Netflix’s VPN ban. If any catch your eye, just scroll down to learn a little more about it. 

The best VPNs for switching Netflix regions:

1. NordVPN: Our first choice for streaming Netflix. Fast, effective, and extremely security-conscious. Works with many other platforms and offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. Surfshark:  The best budget VPN for watching Netflix. Allows any number of connections and includes a wide range of privacy tools. A fantastic option for those on a budget. 
3. ExpressVPN:  A reliable VPN capable of accessing more than half a dozen Netflix libraries. Works with both the app and the website, and provides 24/7 customer support.
4. CyberGhost VPN:  Has servers specially designed to provide access to Netflix abroad. Delivers ultra-high speeds and offers plenty of scope for customization. Proven no-logs policy.
5. IPVanish: Lightweight, zero-logs VPN with better than average speeds and strong streaming capabilities. Can secure all of your devices simultaneously.
6. PrivateVPN: Has no issues accessing Netflix or most other streaming services. Takes your privacy seriously and even works in countries with extreme online censorship.
7. Hotspot Shield: Provides streaming-optimized servers in the US and the UK. Impressive performance and beginner-friendly security features, plus around-the-clock support.

Summary Table

How to use Netflix while connected to a VPN

Netflix doesn't make it easy to watch with a VPN active. With the right provider, however, avoiding the platform’s VPN detection is trivial. 

Just follow these steps to start streaming Netflix securely in a matter of minutes: 

1. First off, you’ll have to choose a service that works with Netflix (we recommend NordVPN).
2. The next step is to download and install the VPN app on any device you use for streaming. Most providers allow at least five simultaneous connections.
3. Open up Netflix and log in. It's important you do this now,  because trying to log in with the VPN active will result in an “incorrect password” error, even if you entered your credentials perfectly. 

 

4. Now, log into the VPN app and choose a server in your home country. This will change your IP address and prevent Netflix from realizing that you're actually somewhere else.
5. Finally, return to Netflix and refresh the page. You should notice that the available content changes, and that your favorite shows are once again accessible.
6. If you're having problems, we'd suggest trying a few other servers. In our experience, those in capital cities tend to work best. Alternatively, you can ask your VPN provider for further assistance. All of the services mentioned in this post allow you to chat directly with staff, which makes getting help quick and easy. 

Although Netflix is one of the world's biggest streaming platforms, there are surprisingly few VPNs capable of accessing it without being detected. Of course, this isn't the only requirement we have for our recommended services. Below, you'll find a few more of our must-have criteria:

• Can reliably access the most popular Netflix libraries (ideally in-app and via the site).
• Delivers consistently high speeds and does not limit user bandwidth.
• Keeps you safe using uncrackable encryption and various other privacy features.
• Does not log details of your online activities.
• Offers apps for all major platforms.
• Allows you to speak with customer support staff one-on-one.
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party.

Best VPNs for streaming Netflix securely

Let's begin by taking a closer look at our top recommendation, NordVPN:

 

NordVPN is our first choice, and for good reason: it works with several Netflix libraries and has very little impact on your connection speed. Not only that, but you can use any of its 5,000+ servers to stream your favorite shows. If NordVPN can't access a particular content catalog, it will instead default to the American version. The company's website includes an expansive help section and a 24/7 live chat feature. In our experience, support staff are friendly, knowledgeable,  and quick to reply.

This VPN is extremely security-conscious. It includes a wealth of tools, such as a kill switch, leak protection, and automatic tracker-blocking. There are even specific servers designed to help you sidestep even the strictest digital censorship, plus a feature called MeshNet that routes traffic from multiple devices through a single IP address. NordVPN is a true no-logs provider and has proven this via multiple successive audits.

NordVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. It also offers step-by-step installation guides just in case you'd prefer to install it directly onto your router.

BEST VPN FOR NETFLIX: NordVPN is our top recommendation. Users can reliably access Netflix from anywhere, and there’s minimal impact on your connection speeds. Best of all, this service includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try it risk-free.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark is the best option for anyone on a budget. Despite its low price point, it's one of the most effective VPNs for accessing Netflix. In addition to the US catalog, we were able to view the British, Japanese, and Australian libraries, to name but a few. Surfshark delivered average download speeds of nearly 200 Mbps in our latest tests and there's no simultaneous connection limit. In other words, you'll be able to stream in 4K across all of your devices.

It's a strong contender as far as security is concerned, too. This service uses uncrackable encryption and protects against DNS and IPv6 leaks, while blocking ads, trackers, and malware. For more advanced control over your privacy, you can activate the rotating IP feature or the censorship-beating NoBorders mode. Surfshark follows a no-logging policy, ensuring it can't reveal details of your activities under any circumstances. Further, both its privacy policy and infrastructure have been independently audited for your peace of mind.

Surfshark supports macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. It must be manually configured for use on routers but the support section on the VPN’s website explains exactly how to do this.

BEST BUDGET VPN: Surfshark is our low-cost pick. Helps you effortlessly access Netflix while traveling or at college, and provides one of the strongest security toolkits we've seen. Subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark. 

ExpressVPN is a high-speed service that’s capable of accessing more than half a dozen regional Netflix libraries. In fact, with servers in 105+ countries and an unparalleled ability to fly under the radar, It's a great option whether you're looking to stream, play online games, or browse the web anonymously in places like China and the UAE. Live chat is available around-the-clock and thanks to a newly increased connection limit, ExpressVPN is better value than ever.

This service seems to have been built with complete beginners in mind. It automatically blocks data leaks, encrypts your traffic, and obfuscates data as needed, with no configuration required. You can also take advantage of the threat protection mode, which stops ads, trackers, and malware before they ever become an issue. ExpressVPN does not log any details of your activities; we know this for sure because its privacy policy, apps, and custom protocol have all been professionally audited.

ExpressVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. This is the only major VPN provider with its own router firmware. There are detailed setup instructions on the provider’s website, so securing an entire network has never been so simple. 

GREAT FIRST VPN: ExpressVPN has no problems accessing Netflix but it also excels in several other areas including ease of use. It works on just about any device you can imagine, does a fantastic job of keeping you safe, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost VPN has one of the largest networks on the market, with more than 11,000 servers in 100+ countries. Many of these are specially optimized to help you access Netflix securely, and streaming servers are even separated into their own list to make them easier to find. That said, with average speeds approaching 300 Mbps, CyberGhost is an equally strong choice for gaming, video calling, or general web browsing. 

This VPN uses uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption. It also protects against DNS and IPv6 leaks, blocks and trackers, and includes a kill switch that stops data transferal if your connection drops. Users can create smart rules that govern exactly when the VPN will connect automatically, or create exceptions for certain sites. CyberGhost publishes regular transparency reports   and has had its privacy policy verified by independent experts. In other words, there's no need to worry, since your data is in safe hands.

CyberGhost VPN has its own Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux apps. It's compatible with several popular types of router firmware too, so if you'd like to install it on a router, you can.

SPECIAL NETFLIX SERVERS: CyberGhost supports many Netflix libraries that its rivals don't. It's novice-friendly yet provides plenty of options for experienced users who need a little more control. There’s a 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans, with monthly subscribers getting 14 days to try the service out. 

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

IPVanish has improved its streaming capabilities by leaps and bounds over the last few years. These days it has no issues with stubborn platforms like Netflix, Peacock  or Disney+. Better still, it provides speeds that many of its rivals can only dream of. The apps are streamlined and easy to navigate, customer support staff are only ever a moment away via live chat, and there's no limit on the number of devices that you can connect. 

A VPN is only worth using if it can keep your online activities private, though. We’re pleased to say that IPVanish includes powerful encryption and all of the safeguards you'd expect from a high-quality service (such as a kill switch and leak protection). There's also an obfuscation option designed to hide the fact that you're using a VPN at all. This service doesn't log any personally-identifiable information and has been audited to prove it.

IPVanish has apps for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices. However, manual setup is required for routers and supported Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Pop! OS, Lubuntu, and Mint).

STREAMING MADE SIMPLE: IPVanish has quickly become one of the best VPNs for watching TV securely. A no-logs provider with impressive performance and the ability to protect all of your devices. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of IPVanish.

PrivateVPN  excels at two things: helping you stream your favorite services abroad and protecting you from prying eyes as you do so. Best of all, PrivateVPN permits up to 10 simultaneous connections, meaning you can watch Netflix safely at home and on the go. Although it doesn't have the largest network (roughly 200+ servers in 63+ countries), it owns its infrastructure outright. This allows the company to roll out patches and optimizations more quickly, while also keeping your data out of the hands of third parties like hosting providers. 

PrivateVPN’s biggest asset is its stealth mode. Once activated, all of your traffic is obfuscated, allowing you to sidestep advanced VPN-detection systems and country-wide censorship. Users can also adjust their level of encryption, take advantage of a customizable kill switch, and prevent IPv6 and DNS leaks automatically. There is a strict zero-logs policy in place, though unlike some of its rivals, PrivateVPN has yet to undergo an independent audit.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. PrivateVPN must be manually configured for use on Linux systems and routers, though there are detailed instructions in the website's help section.

ANONYMITY-FOCUSED: PrivateVPN doesn't compromise when it comes to the security of your data. Can securely access several Netflix catalogs and even works in countries like China. New subscribers benefit from a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Hotspot Shield is a reliable, versatile VPN with a network spanning roughly 80 countries. In our tests, its streaming servers were consistently able to access Netflix US and UK, while the general-purpose servers worked well with a variety of other region-locked platforms. Further, it appeared to have a very low impact on our connection speed, regardless of whether we used a standard residential connection or a specialized test machine. Paid users can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously and have access to 24/7 support over live chat.

This VPN doesn't offer as many bells and whistles as some of the others above but it does have everything you'll need to stream safely. This includes industry-standard encryption, a kill switch, and IPv6 leak protection, as well as the option to connect automatically when on unknown networks. Hotspot Shield also has its own protocol named Hydra, which it claims is multiple times faster than OpenVPN. The service does record session length, total bandwidth used, device identifiers, and anonymized browsing data, but nothing that could identify an individual. 

Hotspot Shield apps are available for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux. Alternatively,  you can manually configure it to work hand-in-hand with your router  which will automatically encrypt traffic from every device on your network.

STRONG ALL-ROUNDER: Hotspot Shield can handle whatever you throw at it, including accessing Netflix abroad. It's quick, novice-friendly, and supports all major platforms. What's more, every plan comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Hotspot Shield. 

Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for Netflix

Choosing the right VPN isn't always easy. After all, just because a service works with Netflix doesn't mean it's able to properly secure your data. Additionally, users have to carefully consider each VPN's speeds, logging policy, and advanced functionality to see if it's a good fit for them.

To make sure that only the best earned a spot on our list, we evaluated VPNs on each of the following criteria:

• Suitability for Netflix: VPNs should be able to access at least the British and American Netflix libraries. Support for additional catalogs is always appreciated, though. We also check to see whether users can stream Netflix using the app as well as the website.
• Network: Generally we'd expect to see around 60+ server locations, though it's important to note that this doesn't mean your VPN can access 60+ Netflix libraries. Our team checks to see if a provider offers streaming-optimized servers, whether you can watch Netflix with every server in a given location, and if there are any under-represented regions.
• Speed: You'll almost always notice slightly lower speeds when connected to a VPN. That said, we prioritize services that maintain as much of your speed as possible. The good news is that you only need a  15 Mbps connection to stream Netflix in 4K. So unless your internet is already very slow, you'll probably be just fine.
• Security offering: One of a VPN's main responsibilities is to shield your online activities from prying eyes. That's why we require providers to have uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, leak protection features, and a privacy-first logging policy. Ideally, this policy would have been independently audited to put your mind at ease.
• Customer support: Netflix has invested huge amounts of time and resources into blocking VPNs. As such, you may run into issues now and then. That's why it's so important to have a top-tier customer support team; we strongly prefer VPNs offering 24/7 live chat and expansive knowledge bases on their website. 
• User-friendliness: The easier your VPN is to use, the better. We're big fans of services with streamlined apps, multi-platform support, no connection limits, and pre-configured security tools. 

This might seem fairly comprehensive but it's actually just a quick overview of our process. If you'd like to learn more, we have a post dedicated to explaining our VPN testing methodology.

Using Netflix with a VPN: FAQs

Can I get banned for watching Netflix with a VPN?

Netflix's terms of service don’t explicitly mention VPNs, but they do forbid users from trying to “ circumvent, remove, alter, deactivate, degrade, block, obscure or thwart any of the content protections… of the Netflix service ”. In other words, despite having some of the strictest VPN-detection measures we’ve seen, Netflix isn’t opposed to you using a VPN, providing your goal is just to secure your connection. 

Theoretically, the company could ban anyone it detects using a VPN to access another region's content. However, we've yet to see a single instance of this happening. Instead, you'll usually just be shown content that Netflix has the rights to broadcast worldwide or be asked to disconnect the VPN.

Are there any free VPNs that work with Netflix?

If you're looking to access your usual Netflix library while traveling, free VPNs can seem like a good option. Unfortunately, though, most have several significant limitations such as a low monthly bandwidth cap, very limited server networks, and slow speeds. To make matters worse, the vast majority of free services simply don't work with Netflix or similar streaming platforms.

Instead, you'll be much better off with a paid service. These tend to have better streaming capabilities, stronger security, and more reliable servers, as well as dedicated support staff you can contact if anything goes wrong. Best of all, just about every major VPN offers a money-back guarantee. This means you can sign up, try it out for 30 days, and cancel when you’re done to receive a full refund.

Why should I use a VPN with Netflix?

There are essentially two reasons you may want to use a VPN with Netflix. The first is to regain access to your usual content during a trip abroad. The second is to prevent anyone monitoring the network from seeing what you're doing. For instance, some internet service providers throttle the connections of users who stream often, leading to slower speeds. You may also find that Netflix is blocked on certain networks (for instance, at your university or office); a VPN’s encryption makes most forms of web-filtering redundant and allows you to access whatever you like, so long as the site is accessible wherever your chosen server is.