Netflix stands tall as a global entertainment powerhouse. With its diverse catalogue spanning various regions, it’s no surprise that avid watchers constantly seek ways to unlock content beyond their geographical borders.
One popular method is using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). But with Netflix’s evolving techniques to detect and deter VPN users and the massive influx of good and bad VPNs, it can be difficult to find a VPN that will work with the streaming service.
In this article, we’ll answer the question, will any VPN work with Netflix, going into detail about how Netflix blocks VPNs, how VPNs beat these blocks and assist you in finding a VPN that will allow you to access any Netflix library wherever you are.
Not all VPNs will work with Netflix
It’s easy to assume that a VPN will automatically provide access to geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix, but that simply isn’t true.
Netflix now blocks VPNs using various measures. It does this to prevent users from circumventing its geo-restrictions.
Not all VPNs – especially free VPNs – have the capability or resources to counter these measures. Here’s how Netflix blocks VPNs:
- IP address blacklisting: One of the primary methods Netflix uses to block VPNs is by maintaining a blacklist of known VPN IP addresses. When users connect to Netflix using a blacklisted IP, their access is denied, and they run into Netflix not working with VPN issues. Notably, if you’re using a free VPN with Netflix, you’re more likely to have your IP recognised and blocked simply because of how large and popular the VPN is.
- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): DPI is a technique that allows Netflix to inspect data packets transmitted over a network. This can determine if a user is accessing its service via a VPN. It’s a more advanced method of detecting and blocking VPN traffic, and only certain VPNs have the technology to obfuscate their traffic and bypass DPI.
- Capacity and Server Numbers: Streaming high-quality video requires significant bandwidth. Smaller VPN providers may not have the infrastructure to support fast streaming speeds, leading to buffering and a poor viewing experience. Additionally, slow VPNs with fewer dedicated servers can get quickly overwhelmed, reducing streaming quality.
- Server Diversity and Locations: To access content from a specific region, the VPN must have servers in that region. If a VPN doesn’t have servers in a desired country or if those servers are frequently offline, users won’t be able to access content from that location. Additionally, having servers in only a few locations makes it easier for Netflix to block them.
- Outdated Technology: As the game of cat and mouse continues, Netflix continually updates its detection algorithms. VPNs that don’t invest in updating their technology and techniques will inevitably fall behind, rendering them ineffective at bypassing these updated restrictions. The best VPNs for Netflix use proprietary protocols that can win this battle
Which VPNs work with Netflix?
As you can see above, Netflix is among the most vigilant streaming services when it comes to detecting and blocking VPN users.
Over the years, however, VPNs work with Netflix when they introduce measures that are adept at evading Netflix’s blocks, offering reliable access to various Netflix libraries around the world.
A good VPN for Netflix can get around these blocking techniques using a variety of methods:
- Performance and Streaming Quality
- VPN speed: The top VPNs invest in premium server infrastructure to ensure minimal speed loss. This guarantees that users experience seamless streaming in high definition without buffering or stuttering.
- Unlimited bandwidth: A crucial feature, especially for binge-watchers. The leading VPNs don’t impose data caps, allowing users to watch as much Netflix as they desire without throttling.
- Server Diversity and Locations
- Expansive server networks: VPNs that consistently work with Netflix typically have an extensive range of servers. This makes it harder for Netflix to blacklist all their IP addresses and also offers users a choice in which regional libraries they’d like to access.
- Regularly refreshed IPs: Some top VPNs frequently rotate their IP addresses. This makes it challenging for Netflix to keep up with their blacklisting efforts.
- Strategic server placement: These VPNs have servers located in key regions around the world, ensuring access to popular Netflix libraries, such as the US, UK, Japan, and more.
- Consistency and Reliability
- Prompt updates and patches: As Netflix’s detection techniques evolve, the best VPNs are always a step ahead, swiftly updating their systems to bypass new restrictions.
- Customer feedback loop: Leading VPN providers actively solicit feedback from users about server performance and accessibility issues, allowing them to rapidly address any emerging challenges.
What are the best VPNs for Netflix?
We test VPNs for a living, and from our findings, there’s a handful of VPNs that work well with Netflix:
1. ExpressVPN 🥇 $6.66/month
The fastest and most reliable streaming VPN of 2023
- ✔160+ IP addresses in 94+ countries
- ✔5 simultaneous devices
- ✔Live chat support
- ✔Over 3,000 servers
- ✔>80% connection speed
- ✔Unlimited bandwidth
ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) is still the best VPN. And importantly, it ALWAYS has servers that are open with major streaming sites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
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2. NordVPN $3.19/month
An incredibly fast and trustworthy VPN
- ✔Over 5,000 servers worldwide
- ✔6 simultaneous devices
- ✔Reliable customer service
- ✔Fast NordLynx protocol
- ✔Cybersec ad and tracker blocker
- ✔Easy to use interface
NordVPN is the most widely-used VPN in the world. And it’s easy to see why. It’s a polished app that delivers fast connections (more on this later) to a massive network of VPN servers.
It’s the most reliable at unblocking popular streaming services too – US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. This is because NordVPN hired a full-time technical team (that’s responsible for monitoring its servers’ connections with popular TV streaming services) and has been aggressively investing in its network of IP addresses in key locations.
Read our full NordVPN review.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
3. Private Internet Access $2.03/month
An affordable, reliable VPN
- ✔35,000 servers worldwide
- ✔Unlimited simultaneous devices
- ✔24/7 chat support
- ✔Servers in over 80 countries
- ✔MACE ad blocker included
- ✔Supports multiple protocols
4. Ivacy $1.00/month
A trustworthy and affordable VPN
- ✔5700+ servers worldwide
- ✔10 simultaneous devices
- ✔24/7 customer support
- ✔Dedicated IP address option
- ✔Available on all major platforms
- ✔Great price
5. CyberGhost $2.19/month
A solid VPN package
- ✔Deloitte verified no logs policy
- ✔Servers in 91 countries
- ✔7 simulatenous devices
- ✔Proprietary NoSpy servers
- ✔Multiple protocol options
- ✔Split tunneling support
