Best VPNs for Netflix in 2024

Best VPNs for Netflix in 2024

Accessing Netflix is one of the most common questions we get. Because of the content rights, Netflix is not the same all around the world, and in some countries — it is not even available. And so smart folks are using a VPN to get their Netflix fix all while bypassing local content restrictions.

The good news is that these days Netflix works with many VPNs; the bad news is that not all VPNs get you the best possible experience. What you want is buffer-free streaming and for that – you need a really good service.

So we had to check all VPNs to get to those that are best suited for Netflix. Also, we took into account other factors, cause chances are — you will also be using VPN for other things. And so our list of best 5 VPNs for Netflix was born.

Without further ado here’s the mentioned list with best 5 VPNs for Netflix:

1
NordVPN

at NordVPN.com
Our rating:
Price from: $3.29/mo
30-day money-back guarantee

Pros

Cons

  • 5,000+ servers in the network
  • Easy to use - install it and forget it
  • One license is good for up to 6 devices
  • Strict zero-logs policy
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Chrome extension is just a proxy
  • You can't pay with PayPal

Summary

NordVPN is one of the best services for accessing Netflix that tends to work out of the box! Also, you'll get a super-fast, buffer-free experience — which is what most users want and expect these days.

In addition, NordVPN will have you covered in all other scenarios. Whether you want to keep a low profile on the web, bypass ridiculous content bans and censorship, download and upload files via BitTorrent — this is a VPN that you can rely on. And we love it for that. Highly recommended.
2
ExpressVPN

at ExpressVPN.com
Our rating:
Price from: $8.32/mo
30-day money-back guarantee

Pros

Cons

  • Feature-rich yet easy to use
  • One of the best VPNs around
  • Strong no-logging policy
  • Reliable support you can reach 24/7
  • Limited number of servers in Africa and the Middle East
  • Kinda pricey

Summary

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN services for Netflix. It's not only reliable — it consistently worked across a few dozen tests — it is also very fast. Which means we've got the buffer-free experience every single time. And we have to respect that.

Add other ExpressVPN features to the mix and you get a service that is hard to beat and is, therefore, one of our favorites. You won't regret buying it.
3
Hotspot Shield

at HotspotShield.com
Our rating:
Price from: $2.99/mo
45-day money-back guarantee

Pros

Cons

  • It's super fast!
  • Works with Netflix, BBC and others
  • Easy to use apps, browser extensions
  • You can try it for free!
  • Some advanced features are not configurable
  • Not the best for high-censorship countries

Summary

Hotspot Shield is one of the fastest VPNs for enjoying Netflix. The company uses its own proprietary technology to deliver the true buffer-free streaming experience and we love it for that. We have tested Hotspot Shield with multiple locations and it managed to deliver the true Netflix experience every single time.

In addition, you can also rely on Hotspot Shield for torrenting, where too you can expect fast download and upload speeds; and the same goes for mobile users — its apps are super easy to use and work out of the box.

As that's typically the case with most VPN services out there, the longer you commit - the better deal you get. However, what makes Hotspot Shield even better is the fact that it offers a 7-day free trial of its service. A few other top VPN providers do the same. Plus, its money-back guarantee lasts for 45 days, making for a risk-free purchase. Cause, you can always get your money back. Sweet and just the way we like it.
4
Surfshark

at Surfshark.com
Our rating:
Price from: $1.99/mo
30-day money-back guarantee

Pros

Cons

  • Reliable download and upload speeds
  • Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer
  • Strict zero-logs policy
  • Lets you use it on unlimited number of devices
  • Low number of servers in Africa and Australia

Summary

Surfshark is a solid all-round VPN offering top-notch security and privacy features. It may not be the best option out there, but it's definitely not the worst. And for the price, it offers a hard to beat package that goes well beyond basic VPN service.

You can rely on it for streaming and torrenting, with included extra features like CleanWeb and MultiHop, delivering a that much better — and more secure — experience.

Surfshark, the company, is based in the British Virgin Islands and with its zero-logs policy makes for a powerful combo to anyone looking to keep its web whereabouts under the radar.

The service is easy to use and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5
IPVanish

at IPVanish.com
Our rating:
Price from: $3.99/mo
30-day money-back guarantee

Pros

Cons

  • One the best VPNs for torrenting
  • Works well with Netflix
  • Simple setup on all popular devices
  • Strict zero-logs policy
  • Doesn't work with BBC iPlayer
  • Doesn't work in China

Summary

IPVanish works with Netflix, it's that simple. There are better services for accessing the popular streaming service out there, but that doesn't mean IPVanish can't be relied on.

The situation is different with BBC iPlayer and we've had a hard time finding the server we can reliably use.

IPVanish is best used for torrenting and streaming with Kodi. Also, the service doesn't keep any logs, which is always a plus in our book.

Netflix 101

Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California – Netflix is a subscription-based streaming service that offers online streaming of a library of films and TV series, including those produced in-house. As of April 2020, Netflix had over 193 million paid subscriptions worldwide, including 73 million in the United States. It is available worldwide except in mainland China, Syria, North Korea, and Crimea (due to U.S. sanctions).

Initially, Netflix was a DVD sales and rental company. It entered the content-production industry in 2013, after debuting its first series – House of Cards. And that was just a start, with the company releasing an estimated 126 original series and films in 2016, more than any other network or cable channel. All this has helped Netflix become the largest entertainment/media company by market cap in July 2020.

The birth of Netflix and its DVD business

Netflix launched in 1997 as the world’s first online DVD-rental store, with only 30 employees and 925 titles available, which was almost the entire catalog of DVDs at the time. The company started with the pay-per-rent model, with rates and due dates similar to those of Blockbuster.

The monthly subscription concept was introduced in September 1999; Netflix has built its reputation on the business model of flat-fee unlimited rentals without due dates, late fees, shipping and handling fees, or per-title rental fees.

In 2000, when Netflix had just about 300,000 subscribers and relied on the U.S. Postal Service for the delivery of their DVDs, they were losing money and offered to be acquired by Blockbuster for $50 million. The proposition was that Netflix, which would be renamed as Blockbuster.com, would handle the online business, while Blockbuster would take care of the DVDs, making them less dependent on the U.S. Postal Service. The offer was declined.

By early 2002, Netflix saw a huge increase in its subscription business. And in May of the same year, the company initiated an initial public offering (IPO), selling 5.5 million shares of common stock at the price of $15 per share. A month later, an additional 825,000 shares of common stock were sold at the same price.

Netflix posted its first profit during the fiscal year 2003, earning $6.5 million profit on revenues of $272 million. In 2005, 35,000 different films were available, and Netflix shipped 1 million DVDs out every day.

The streaming service launch

For some time, Netflix had considered offering movies online, but it was only in the mid-2000s that data speeds and bandwidth costs had improved sufficiently to allow customers to download movies from the net. The original idea was a “Netflix box” that could download movies overnight, and be ready to watch the next day. By 2005, movie rights were acquired, and the box and service were designed. However, after discovering YouTube, the concept of using a hardware device was scrapped and replaced with a streaming concept instead, a project that was completed in 2007.

And so in February 2007, Netflix delivered its billionth DVD and began to move away from its original core business model of DVDs, by introducing video on demand via the Internet.

At the start, it offered no more than about 1000 movies and TV shows, just 1% compared to its more than 100,000 different DVD titles. Yet as the popularity kept growing, the number of titles available for streaming was increasing and had reached 12,000 movies and shows in June 2009.

In January 2013, Netflix reported that it had added two million United States customers during the fourth quarter of 2012, with a total of 27.1 million United States streaming customers, and 29.4 million total streaming customers. By September 2014, Netflix had subscribers in over 40 countries, with intentions of expanding their services in unreached countries. By October 2018, Netflix’s customer base reached 137 million worldwide, confirming its rank as by far the world’s biggest online subscription video service.

Why do you need a VPN to watch Netflix?

In most cases, you don’t need a VPN to watch Netflix as the service is now available all across the world. There are, however, some places where that is not possible like China, Syria, and a few other countries. Also, some schools and universities may ban access to entertainment websites and services like Netflix.

But, it’s not that simple. Because of the way content rights are bought and sold on the international market, users in different countries have access to a different catalog of Netflix movies and TV shows. Most of us would like to access US Netflix and for that – we need a VPN.

Yes, Netflix tries to block the usage of VPNs but the best services can get around their filters. So you’re best off getting a VPN that has proven to work with Netflix — while also delivering other benefits. Which leads us to the next section…

Look beyond Netflix

You need a VPN for many things, not just for accessing Netflix. A good VPN will:

  • Protect your privacy from the government and big corporations
  • Bypass restrictions imposed by the government or various organizations
  • Change your IP address so you get unrestricted access to Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer, HULU, and other video streaming services
  • Encrypt and protect private data from cybercriminals
  • Download files with BitTorrent anonymously

The top contenders that check all these boxes — while also let you access Netflix from anywhere — include the following:

30-day money-back guarantee
30-day money-back guarantee
45-day money-back guarantee