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How to unblock and watch U.S. Netflix

Securely stream more movies and shows from this popular Netflix library.
How to unblock and watch U.S. Netflix Credit: Pexels

Best For Security
You can't go wrong with Nord. It's a well-known and reliable VPN that has over 5,000 servers worldwide and doesn't track your activity.
Pros & Cons
The Good
One of the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs Fast servers Can connect six devices Doesn't log activities
The Bad
It's expensive
The Bottomline
If you want a VPN that has a fast service and allows you to connect to multiple phones at once, try out NordVPN.
Best For Simplicity
CyberGhost makes staying protected on your Android device easy.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Great security features Easy to use with Android Generous money-back guarantee
The Bad
Speeds can drop
The Bottomline
CyberGhost VPN keeps things real simple, and focuses on strong security features.
Best For Server Network
Installs quickly and comes with loads of premium features for all types of users.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Encrypted WiFi Kill switch Number and spread of servers Range of apps
The Bad
Interface is dated Not the fastest
The Bottomline
List of features that should suit beginners and advanced users.
Best For Customisation
Android users can profit from the customisable modes used to optimise their connection.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Customisable modes Private connection possibilities Protection against viruses and ads
The Bad
The modes can actually be limiting
The Bottomline
Android users should love the customisable modes that can be used to optimise connection.
Best For Multiple Devices
Surfshark offers an impressive set of features with an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
Pros & Cons
The Good
No limit on simultaneous connections Intuitive app Multi-hop and split tunnelling tools
The Bad
Not the strongest connection speeds
The Bottomline
Surfshark ticks a lot of boxes for streaming sport and should be your top choice if you rely on a lot of tech.
Best For Beginners
This VPN offers a simple and fun user-interface that'll show your connection through cute animations.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Simple Fun animation Friendly user-interface
The Bad
Only get 500MB for free
The Bottomline
TunnelBear makes using a VPN less intimidating through its animated user-interface.
Best For Free
ProtonVPN's network is small but its offering is strong.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Impressive free version Shielded by Swiss laws Kill-switch
The Bad
Small network Not the fastest speeds
The Bottomline
ProtonVPN is a stong option for any Android user who likes to have choice.
Best For App
This cheap provider is supported on basically every platform.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Supports torrenting App available for lots of platforms 24/7 support Unlimited bandwidth Supports simultaneous connections on up to five devices Split tunnelling
The Bad
Only supports one form of cryptocurrency payments On the slow side
The Bottomline
Such a great service for so little money. What's the catch?

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:

  1. Sign up to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
  4. 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 For Security

The good
One of the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs Fast servers Can connect six devices Doesn't log activities
The Bad
It's expensive
The Bottomline
If you want a VPN that has a fast service and allows you to connect to multiple phones at once, try out NordVPN.
Specs
  • Monthly: £10.39/month
  • One-year plan: £3.99/month
  • Two-year plan: £3.19/month

Read our full review of NordVPN.

NordVPN has a reputation for being amongst the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs out there. NordVPN has fast servers that are also not on any blacklists. You should be able to stream Hulu or Netlfix shows in several European countries without any issues. 

NordVPN says it offers over 5,000 servers worldwide. It lets you connect six devices at the same time, and it claims to keep no logs of your activities. INordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, with a wide range of advanced security features that combine to protect your data and identity.

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Simplicity

The good
Great security features Easy to use with Android Generous money-back guarantee
The Bad
Speeds can drop
The Bottomline
CyberGhost VPN keeps things real simple, and focuses on strong security features.
Specs
  • Monthly: £10.89/month
  • Six-month plan: £6.19/month
  • Two-year plan: £1.92/month

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Cyberghost VPN has a really simple interface with easy-to-understand terminology explaining all of its features. It keeps things easy and focuses on strong security features. It’s very fast to set up and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices. 

CyberGhost might be easy to use but that doesn't mean it's not on par with other options on this list. Users have access to 3,600 servers in over 60 locations around the world, with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. This makes for reliable streaming, but some users have said connections can be slower than with other VPN offerings. 

Private Internet Access

Best For Server Network

The good
Encrypted WiFi Kill switch Number and spread of servers Range of apps
The Bad
Interface is dated Not the fastest
The Bottomline
List of features that should suit beginners and advanced users.
Specs
  • Monthly: £10.99/month
  • Six-month plan: £5.39/month
  • Two-year plan: £1.69/month

Private Internet Access (PIA) installs quickly and comes with loads of impressive features for all types of users, no matter if you're a beginner or an advanced user who likes fiddling around with settings.

You get your standard secure VPN account, encrypted WiFi, P2P, IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, plus a whole lot more. PIA isn't a particularly sexy app, but what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for with a long list of features. It also has a solid backbone, with thousands of servers in countries all around the world.

It's also relatively speedy. We noticed our "naked" download and upload speeds dropped by only about a half or two-thirds (common for most VPNs). It may not be the fastest VPN around, but it's definitely not the slowest, either. 

PIA has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and an extension for Chrome.

PureVPN

Best For Customisation

The good
Customisable modes Private connection possibilities Protection against viruses and ads
The Bad
The modes can actually be limiting
The Bottomline
Android users should love the customisable modes that can be used to optimise connection.
Specs
  • Monthly: £8.37/month
  • One-year plan: £2.86/month
  • Two-year plan: £1.75/month

PureVPN is different to other virtual private network services, due to its customisable nature.

Your connection is based on what 'mode' you select. Some of the options include streaming, 'internet freedom', privacy, file-sharing, and dedicated IP modes.

Some Android users might actually find this a bit limiting, but all your activity is kept private no matter what mode you're in, and that's the most important thing. The dedicated IP mode helps deal with some of the speed issues VPNs frequently face, too.

PureVPN also has many of the other features you expect to get from a VPN, such as the ability to change your location, and in-built protections against malware, viruses, and ads.

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

The good
No limit on simultaneous connections Intuitive app Multi-hop and split tunnelling tools
The Bad
Not the strongest connection speeds
The Bottomline
Surfshark ticks a lot of boxes for streaming sport and should be your top choice if you rely on a lot of tech.
Specs
  • Monthly: £9.90/month
  • One-year plan: £3.05/month
  • Two-year plan: £1.76/month

Surfshark is probably the best VPN for anyone who relies on a lot of tech, as you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan. This also makes it something to seriously consider if there is a lot of people in your house looking to stream at the same time.

Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive features including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with an easy to use and stylish interface making it a strong choice for total beginners.

Surfshark is not the cheapest provider, but if you're willing to commit to a longer contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply.

Tunnelbear

Best For Beginners

The good
Simple Fun animation Friendly user-interface
The Bad
Only get 500MB for free
The Bottomline
TunnelBear makes using a VPN less intimidating through its animated user-interface.
Specs
  • Monthly: £7.78/month
  • One-year plan: £3.89/month
  • Three-year plan: £2.59/month

Read our full review of TunnelBear.

TunnelBear's main selling point is simplicity and ease of use, and it delivers. After downloading the app, all you need to do is create an account (only your email address and password is needed), confirm the registration via email, and you're good to go. The animation of a bear actually tunneling from one place to another is pretty great, too. 

The app is free, but it only gets you a monthly 500MB, which will be enough for a little bit of work but definitely won't do for video streaming. If you want more, you can get a paid account with unlimited data.

ProtonVPN

Best For Free

The good
Impressive free version Shielded by Swiss laws Kill-switch
The Bad
Small network Not the fastest speeds
The Bottomline
ProtonVPN is a stong option for any Android user who likes to have choice.
Specs
  • Monthly: £9.87/month
  • One-year plan: £5.15/month
  • Two-year plan: £4.29/month

ProtonVPN offers users a lot of choice, with three different annual plans, as well as a free service.

Android users can choose from ProtonVPN's Basic, Plus, and Visionary annual plans, with each one offering a different package of features.

ProtonVPN has a lot of advantages over the competition. It's Switzerland-based for a start, meaning your data is shielded by Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the strongest in the world. ProtonVPN also has a no logs policy meaning none of your data can be revealed to third parties. Other than that you are also getting a kill-switch, DNS leak prevention, and more.

The Basic plan provides access to servers all around the world, on two devices, with high speeds and peer-to-peer networking.

Ivacy VPN

Best For App

The good
Supports torrenting App available for lots of platforms 24/7 support Unlimited bandwidth Supports simultaneous connections on up to five devices Split tunnelling
The Bad
Only supports one form of cryptocurrency payments On the slow side
The Bottomline
Such a great service for so little money. What's the catch?
Specs
  • 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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