Home Best 3 Netflix VPNs to Use in 2021
Kane Pepi

If you’re here looking for the best Netflix VPN, you might be planning a trip overseas and seek to access your local library of movies and TV shows. Alternatively, you might be looking to watch a program that isn’t yet available in your country of residence. Either way, we’re going to show you exactly what you need to do to watch Netflix without interruption.

In our Best Netflix VPN Guide, we’ll start by explaining what a VPN actually is, and why you might need one for Netflix. I’ll then present 3 of the best Netflix VPNs currently available in the market.

What is a VPN?

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A virtual private network, or simply ‘VPN’, allows you to access a website or application from an IP address that is different from your own. Regardless of what website you are accessing, the underlying server will know the IP address of your device. For example, while you are here reading our guide, you indirectly offer a range of information linked to your location.

While in most cases this will not present any issues, there might come a time where the website restricts access because of where you are based. Whether it’s China banning access to Facebook or Thailand banning access to online casinos, a VPN can help you mask your true location.

It does so by giving you a tempory IP address that is held on a server that is different from your own.

Note: It is important to understand the legalities surrounding the usage of a VPN prior to setting one up for Netflix. You can read more on this further down in our guide.

For example, you could be based in the US and wish to gain access to the local version of Google in Australia. You would be able to achieve this by switching on a VPN program and choosing Australia as your preferred location. In terms of using a VPN on Netflix, you would be able to view the local Netflix edition of your preferred country.

VPNs are not only useful in changing the location of your IP address. Some people use them to increase privacy and security. For example, using a VPN allows you to keep your sensitive information secure, as you are not beaming the data from your own IP address. Similarly, as VPNs add an additional sever between you and the website, you have more control over the data that you inadvertently transmit over the internet.

What are the Pros and Cons of using a Netflix VPN?

The Pros

  • Access your local Netflix edition when you travel overseas
  • Watch Netflix in countries where it is banned
  • View movies and TV shows that are yet to be released in your home country
  • Watch content with subtitles in your preferred language

The Cons

  • Some VPNs are slow – Content might not run as smoothly
  • Netflix doesn’t want you to use a VPN

Top 3 Netflix VPNs 2021:

1. NordVPN – Best Performing VPN for Netflix - From $3.49 Per Month

Best Netflix VPNs to...NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers in the space. The company offers more than 5,600 servers that are located across over 60 different countries. You can use NordVPN on up to 6 different devices, so it’s a great option if you’ve got multiple family members.

Performance levels are typically excellent when using NordVPN, so you should have no issues watching Netflix in HD. If any issues do arise, you can simply switch over to another server.

We really like that NordVPN puts security first, so if privacy is your main concern, you’re covered. The slight draw-back with NordVPN is pricing.

The cheapest option available is $3.49 per month, although you’ll need to pay for 36 months in advance to get this price. If you want to pay on a rolling basis, NordVPN will cost you $11.95 per month.

Pros:

  • Highly rated VPN
  • Fully compatible with Netflix
  • Has 3,700 servers in 60 countries
  • Puts security first

Cons:

  • Cheaper options available elsewhere

 

2. CyberGhost – Great Deal if You Pay for 38 Months - From $2.75 per month

Best Netflix VPNs to...If ExpressVPN doesn’t quite take your fancy, then we would suggest checking out CyberGhost. This Netflix VPN provider has more than 3,700 different servers based in 60 countries.

Although the provider doesn’t state the number of IP addresses available within its suite, customer reviews are excellent. Upon testing out CyberGhost on Netflix ourselves, we were really impressed with its performance levels.

We had no issues at all when it came to finding our preferred IP location, and content ran ultra-smooth. We were also impressed with the guaranteed US IP address that the provider offers. Americans are often treated to new releases before other locations, so this is a major plus-point.

In terms of pricing, this varies depending on how long you are prepared to sign up for. The cheapest deal starts at just $2.75 per month and you will need to pay for 38 months in advance.

The most expensive option costs $12.99 if you want to pay month-by-month without any further commitments.

Pros:

  • Just $2.75 per month if paying for 38 months in advance
  • Month-by-month option available at $12.99 per month
  • 3,700 servers available in 60 countries
  • Good performance levels
  • Use your VPN on up to 7 different devices

Cons:

  • Does not publish how many unique IP addresses it has
3. ExpressVPN - Best for Security and Privacy - From $6.67 Per Month

Best Netflix VPNs to...If your main priority is speed and efficiency, look no further than ExpressVPN. The provider has more than 3000 individual servers located across 160 countries, so you’re all-but-certain to find the local Netflix service that you require.

Moreover, ExpressVPN has over 30,000 unique IP addresses within its suite, so you’ll have the opportunity to change addresses as and when you see fit.

The overarching selling point of ExpressVPN is its speed. This is crucial when watching Netflix, as there is nothing worth than having content constantly buffer, especially if you’re looking for that HD experience.

In terms of costings, ExpressVPN will set you back a very reasonable $6.67 per month. This is much cheaper than many of its industry rivals. ExpressVPN will also give you the first 3 months free, which is great. Finally, you can use ExpressVPN on up to 5 different devices, so you’re covered on both your laptop and mobile phone.

Pros:

  • One of the fastest VPNs in the space
  • Fully compatible with Netflix
  • More than 3,000 servers and 30,000 IP addresses
  • Supports IP addresses in 160 countries
  • Use the VPN on up to 5 devices
  • Costs just $6.67 per month

Cons:

  • You’ll need to pay for 12 months upfront to get the cheapest deal

Why do I Need a Netflix VPN?

There are numerous reasons why you might need a Netflix VPN. Check out the most popular use-cases that we out outlined below.

Travelling Overseas

We all like a bit of downtime when travelling overseas. Whether you’re travelling for pleasure or business, Netflix can be accessed in most countries. However, did you know that you’ll be diverted to the Netflix library of the country you’re located in? For example, let’s say that you have a US Netflix subscription and you’re on vacation in Thailand.

You’ll likely experience a much thinner library of movies and TV shows, as Americans typically get access to the latest content. By connecting your hotel WIFI to a US VPN, you can trick Netflix into thinking you’re still in America.

Watching Content Not Available in Your Country

Netflix VPNs are also popular with people that want access to certain TV shows or movies that are not yet available in their home country. For example, let’s say that you’re a huge fan of the Billions TV show. You’ve already gone through seasons 1-3, and you’re delighted to hear that Netflix has just launched season 4.

However, you scroll through your Netflix library and search for Billions, only to find that season 4 is yet to be added. This isn’t a mistake, as Netflix adds new content on a country-by-country basis. By connecting your device to a national IP address of a country showing your desired show, you can watch it as soon as Netflix releases it.

Netflix Banned

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Although Netflix is a global entity available in most countries, it’s actually banned in certain jurisdictions. The most high profile example of this is China. This means that you would not be able to watch Netflix if travelling to China, so you would need to use a VPN.

Subtitles in Your Native Language

One of the biggest flaws that Netflix is yet to address is that of its subtitles offering. If you are a non-native English speaker, you will often only be able to access subtitles in the language of the country you are based in. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as being able to install Spanish subtitles in the US. However, let’s say that you are an Indonesian citizen that travels to Vietnam.

Upon loading up your Netflix account, you will be surprised to learn that subtitles are only available in English or Vietnamese, even though you are used to having access to Indonesian. The only way around this is to use a VPN and connect to the country that you want subtitles in.

How do I use a Netflix VPN?

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Although a lot of people are put off by a VPN because they think the process is too complex, it is actually super easy to set up. To help you along the way we have outlined the step-by-step process that you will need to follow below.

Step 1: Choose a Netflix VPN Provider

First and foremost, you will need to choose a Netflix VPN provider. There are literally hundreds of options available in the market, so spend some time thinking about what it is you are looking to achieve. For example, if you are looking to access the US version of Netflix, you need to ensure that the VPN provider offers a number of stable US IP addresses.

Additionally, if you are looking to watch content in HD, you’ll want to ensure that the VPN provider offers fast server speeds. You also need to assess how much the VPN is going to cost per month. Some providers force you to purchase the VPN for a minimum of 1 year, so be sure to check this out.

Step 2: Download the VPN Software

Once you have chosen a VPN provider, you will then need to download the software to your device. Most VPN providers support both desktop computers and mobile phones, and they allow you to use the software across multiple devices at the same time. You will need to install the VPN software once the file has been downloaded.

Step 3: Choose Your Subscription

You will now need to choose your preferred subscription. Most VPN providers will offer you different prices depending on how long you are preferred to sign up for. If you only want to sign up on a month-by-month basis, this will be the most expensive option.

If you want to get the cheapest monthly rate, then you’ll likely need to sign up for at least 3 years, meaning that you’ll need to pay for the entire subscription in advance. You might be best to start with a month-by-month plan just to make sure the VPN is compatible with your needs. Once you are happy with the VPN, you can then sign up for a longer period.

Step 4: Join a VPN Server

Once you have completed payment, you are then free to use your VPN. You will have the option of choosing which country you want to connect to through a drop-down list. The best Netflix VPN providers will typically have multiple servers for each country, and they will automatically connect you to the best performing IP address. It should take no more than a few seconds to connect to your chosen IP location. To minimise latency choose the closest server to your physical location. E.g. If you want to watch the US Netflix out of the UK it’s wise to select a server in New-York rather than California.

Note: Don’t open Netflix until you have successfully connected to your chosen VPN location. If you have Netflix open while you are setting your VPN up, it might cause you problems.

Step 5: Open Netflix and Start Watching Content

As soon as you are connected to your chosen VPN location, you can then open Netflix up. If you have followed the above steps correctly, you should be presented with the Netflix library as per your VPN location.

If you aren’t, close Netflix and then reopen it. If you find that your movie or TV show is running slow, then we would suggest closing Netflix, and then connected to a new IP address. When you have finished watching Netflix, close the program and disconnect from the VPN.

Free Netflix VPNs

All of the VPNs that we have recommended in this guide are available on a paid-for basis. This is for good reason. Although there are a number of VPNs in the market that are available for free, you will likely struggle to watch Netflix.

This is because the VPN provider will limit the number of servers it offers for free, with the best performing IP addresses reserved for paid members. As you will be sharing the free server with heaps of other people, the connection won’t be strong enough to watch content. You can test this out for yourself by searching the internet for a free Netflix VPN.

The specifics surrounding the legalities of a VPN will depend on your country of residence. In most western locations such as the US, UK, and mainland Europe, VPNs are perfectly legal. On the contrary, the likes of China and Iran ban VPNs, even though usage is widespread. As such, we would suggest checking the domestic laws surrounding VPNs as per the country you wish to use one.

In terms of where Netflix stands on VPNs, this is also a grey area. Upon reading through its terms and conditions, Netflix states that you “may view the Netflix content primarily within the country in which you have established your account and only in the geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such content”. The key point here is that Netflix might not have the required jurisdictional license for the content you wish to watch, so you should tread with caution if planning to use a VPN.

Conclusion

If you have read our Best Netflix VPN guide from start to finish, you should now have a really good idea of what a VPN can do for your viewing needs. This includes the ability to watch content if the TV show or movie is yet to be released in your location, or access your local library when travelling overseas. A Netflix VPN is also useful if you are a non-native English speaker and wish to set-up subtitles in your preferred language.

It is also important to remember that Netflix VPNs come in a range of shapes and sizes. You are best to assess the pros and cons of each provider prior to parting with your money, as not all VPNs are going to be suitable for your requirements. It is important to note that the vast majority of VPN providers do not work well with Netflix or don’t work at all even though they claim otherwise. Before making your choice just double check it directly with the provider or read the independent reviews. Crucially, you need to ensure that the VPN runs fast enough for uninterrupted viewing, and that it has multiple IP addresses from your chosen country.

FAQs

How do I pay for a Netflix VPN subscription?

Are there any good Netflix VPNs that I can get for free?

Can I use my Netflix VPN on multiple devices?

How do I watch Netflix with my chosen subtitles?

Are VPNs fast enough to watch Netflix?

Can I install a Netflix VPN onto a TV?

Should I buy a long-term VPN subscription to get the cheapest price?

Kane Pepi

Kane Pepi

Kane holds academic qualifications in the finance and financial investigation fields. With a passion for all-things finance, he currently writes for a number of online publications.