For a variety of strategic reasons, as well as a plethora of legal agreements, the streaming industry’s leading service blocks their users’ access to content based on where in the world they live.
So, somebody in Argentina is unable to access the same content that somebody in Canada does and vice versa.
I find this unacceptable, and most Netflix users agree. If there is one thing that streaming service customers have in common is their thirst for content.
This is why today, I am going to tell you how to use a VPN to access Netflix’s entire catalog!
Best VPN for Netflix 2021
3000 VPN-servers Server-positions: 160 24/7 live-support Countries: 94 30-day money-back guarantee! 
One of the best VPN-services with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which will give you a great chance to see if ExpressVPN is a good fit for your needs. They support almost every device and operating system available and have 24/7 customer support. Full review of ExpressVPN.
VPN-servers: 5570+ Dedicated IP-servers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS Countries: 58 30-day money-back guarantee! NordVPN has long been regarded as one of the strongest brands in cybersecurity. With one of the largest server offerings on my list and support for most, if not all operating systems, NordVPN is the obvious choice for many. They have 24/7 customer support if you need help getting started or if need help setting up. Their app is one of the most well-designed apps I have ever looked at and I highly recommend using a VPN on your mobile device. NordVPN accepts all major credit cards and even cryptocurrencies as payment!
Servers: 1700 Countries: 64 Affordable VPN Unlimited connections 30-day money-back guarantee! Surfshark VPN is perfect for those who want a cheap and reliable VPN that also has many extra features. "Camouflage Mode" hides your usage from your ISP, "Kill Switch" suspends your connection and protects your information if you temporarily lose Internet access, "MultiHop" to connect from multiple countries at the same time just to name a few. My favorite feature of Surfshark is "Whitelists" which allow the user to exclude specific apps and programs from the VPN connection! Full review of Surfshark VPN.
How to watch Netflix with VPN (Step by step)
Step 1.
The first thing you need to do is get a good VPN. As of today all of the VPNs listed on VPNetic work with Netflix, but some may be banned at a later date. That’s why a “money-back guarantee” is important. If your VPN doesn’t work with Netflix then you need to change provider.
Step 2.
Now you need to connect to your target country with your VPN. In this example, we are using ExpressVPN to access the American version of Netflix.
Step 3.
All you need to do now is go to Netflix’s website and sign up. Finished! It’s an easier process than a lot of people think.
Will Netflix Ban Me For Using A VPN?
Unfortunately, Netflix has grown savvy of the VPN workaround and has begun blocking a large number of VPN services. Starting in 2014, the streaming giant began implementing anti VPN protection to prevent users from accessing content from outside the licensed regions.
However, Netflix won’t ban you for using a VPN service. In the worst-case scenario that you get “caught” using a VPN to connect to a Netflix catalog from outside your region, you will simply be unable to access that content.
But, if you’re careful and do your due diligence, getting caught won’t be an issue.
Will A VPN Slow My Netflix Streaming?
If you are wondering whether using a VPN to access Netflix will slow down your connection and negatively affect the quality of your streaming experience, the answer might surprise you.
Using a VPN service involves lengthening the distance between your computer and your target server; as such, you can be sure that your connection will slow down. However, because today’s internet speeds, even moderate ones, are able to transfer large quantities of information and data, the reduction caused by a VPN server is virtually negligible.
So, while your actual connection speed will be slower, your Netflix viewing experience should not be affected.
Is Getting A VPN For Netflix Worth It?
VPN services offer users a large number of security and privacy benefits, as well as the increased online functionality.
For that alone, VPN services are worth their price.
Logically, if you are already thinking about paying for a VPN for those reasons alone, then getting access to Netflix’s vast movie and tv series catalog is the quintessential cherry on top of your streaming sundae.
But, if you’re thinking of paying for a VPN exclusively for much improved Netflix access, then its worthiness will depend entirely on how badly you want to expand your streaming catalog. Remember that although there are free-to-use VPN servers, the best user experiences are provided by paid VPN services.
I, for one, think that paying for a VPN and instantly gaining access to more than a Petabyte of movies and shows, is worth every penny.
What Is A VPN?
A VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, is a networking technology that allows a user to connect a computer to another, through a public network such as the internet, without the need for any physical connection to be established.
In other words, VPNs allow two or more devices to connect and exchange data securely and privately. They are often used in combination with file-sharing via torrent sites.
VPNs are widely used by companies to allow their employees to connect to corporate networks, where they can access resources that they otherwise could not. However, this is not the only use for these virtual networks.
Generally speaking, there are two primary types of VPN networks:
Site-to-Site VPN
These are mostly used by corporate entities that have offices across different geographical locations. Site-to-Site VPNs allow users to connect to various networks at once.
Remote Access VPN
This type of VPN allows users to connect to a remote network through an application, using a username and password to create an encrypted channel between the network and the user’s computer, in order to perform a secure exchange of data.
The most important detail to keep in mind when dealing with Remote Access VPNs is that your IP address remains hidden throughout the connection. The network will only see the IP address of the VPN server.
And thanks to the fact that there are VPN servers with IP addresses from virtually any country in the world, you can skip any geographical filter that Netflix may throw your way. If used correctly, a VPN can grant you access to all the series, movies, documentaries, and reality shows that are ONLY available in certain countries, regardless of where you live.
So, how do you use a VPN correctly to bypass Netflix’s geo-filter? Keep reading below to find out.
Free VPN for Netflix?
While there are paid and free versions of VPN services, they all work in much the same manner. You create a user account and choose a server location from which to connect. It is that simple.
So, let’s say you live in Austria and want to access the Netflix catalog for the United States. All you have to do is choose a US-based server from your VPNs list of servers and connect to the streaming service. As far as Netflix is concerned, you will be connected from a US IP and thus gain access to US content.
The big difference is that a lot of free services will collect your data and internet activity and sell it, in order to make a profit.
However, there are non-shady operators too – like ProtonVPN.
But you will be limited by the number of countries and Netflix libraries available.
Is it illegal to use a VPN for Netflix?
No. But they do not like it, primarily because of their licensing around the world. They are forced by copyright holders to take action against it and will occasionally ban VPN servers. That is why it’s important to pick an operator that continuously tries to find workarounds.
Related articles
- Find the fastest VPN, with our complete guide.
- Which VPN is best for browsing the dark web?
- We have compiled a list of the cheapest VPN services.
References
- Greenberg, J. (2016). Netflix’s VPN Ban Isn’t Good For Anyone-Especially Netflix.
- Khan, M. T., DeBlasio, J., Voelker, G. M., Snoeren, A. C., Kanich, C., & Vallina-Rodriguez, N. (2018, October). An empirical analysis of the commercial vpn ecosystem. In Proceedings of the Internet Measurement Conference 2018(pp. 443-456).
- Dingham, S., & Gray, J. (2015). What’s VPN, are they legal, and does Netflix care Canadians use them.The Globe and Mail.
- Hern, A. (2015). Why Netflix won’t block VPN users–it has too many of them.The Guardian.
Transparency – Our goal is to offer honest and factual reviews on cybersecurity software. Our reviews and guides are based on facts and extensive testing. When you buy a VPN through us we sometimes get an affiliate commission so that we can continue to deliver quality to our readers. Read more about VPNetic and our VPN experts on our About Us-page.
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Author Per-Erik Eriksson
Per-Erik-Eriksson is the main author of VPNetic. Everything you read here has been written by him or one of his colleagues. Per-Erik has 10 years of experience within cybersecurity and has previously worked at Microsoft as a software engineer.
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