These are the best VPNs for watching Netflix while abroad
Overview
Table of Contents
Imagine this: You're traveling, and after a day of sightseeing you just want to relax in your hotel room and chill with Netflix. You fire it up and search frantically for your favorite show, but it just isn't there. What gives?
The problem is this: Netflix shows different content for different geolocations, no matter where your account is based (though this is starting to change). So, if you signed up in the U.S. but are traveling in Italy, you'll likely see a very different (read: poorer) selection of content.
A simple way to beat this would be to use a VPN, but Netflix doesn't like VPNs. The service actively thwarts any attempts to access it over a VPN, constantly banning new servers as they appear. The trick is to choose the right VPN, as some are more resilient to this than others.
SEE ALSO: This is the last VPN you are ever going to need, and it's on sale
A VPN, or virtual private network, lets you access content through a server located in a remote location, with the added benefit of providing more privacy when connecting to the internet. The best VPN services support all major platforms and let you connect to a wide range of servers in numerous different locations. Using VPN is typically very simple: Install the app on your platform of choice, choose a geolocation, and just continue surfing as you normally would.
Before we lay down a list of the best Netflix-friendly VPNs, know this: No VPN is perfect, and Netflix is constantly waging a war against them, so whichever VPN you choose might not work at any given time. But by choosing a solid, proven VPN with a good track record and tons of servers, you'll increase your chance of getting good results. (And this is not only about Netflix — a VPN that works with Netflix is likely to also work with other streaming services such as HBO Now and Hulu.)
Another tip: Free VPNs, such as Opera VPN (which is built into the Opera browser), have a very poor chance of unblocking Netflix content. Sorry, but you'll likely have to dish out some cash to get the full Netflix experience anywhere you go.
ExpressVPN
Best For Streaming
The Good & The Bad
- Simple and attractive interface
- Strict no-logging policy
- Large and geographically diverse server network
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Up to five simultaneous connections
- Expensive
Why We Like It
Read our full review of Express VPN.
ExpressVPN has a formidable number of servers, with more than 3,000 spread out across 94 countries worldwide. It also promises great security, offers unlimited bandwidth, and abides by a zero-logs policy. (The company is actually based in the British Virgin Islands, a country without mandatory data retention laws.)
But we know why you're here: You want to know whether ExpressVPN plays well with Netflix. We're happy to inform you that the answer is an enthusiastic "yes." What's more, ExpressVPN can be set up at the router level so you can stream your favourite shows and movies on all sorts of different devices without having to install separate apps.
As far as user-friendliness go, ExpressVPN is quite easy to setup: You just boot up the app and choose a location — that's it. (The app will also recommend a location depending on your actual geolocation, ideally providing you with better speed.)
Details
NordVPN
Best For Security
The Good & The Bad
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Strict no-logs policy
- Extremely secure
- Includes ad blocking
- Up to six simultaneous connections
- Huge server network
- Monthly plans are expensive
Why We Like It
Read our full review of NordVPN.
One of the most reliable VPN services out there, NordVPN lays claim to over 5,200 servers in nearly 60 countries around the globe. But more importantly, watching Netflix with NordVPN works without a hitch. Using it to access content on U.S. Netflix was as simple as firing up the NordVPN app, clicking on a dot on its server map, and voilà — all of Netflix's 5,000-plus TV shows and movies instantly became available upon login.
Even more importantly, streaming through NordVPN was fast and easy. (If you do run into trouble, the service has a dedicated help page for dealing with Netflix-related issues.)
Other NordVPN highlights include top-notch encryption, protection from dangerous websites and malware, and a guarantee to not log or retain your data.
Details
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Beginners
The Good & The Bad
- Strong privacy policy
- Up to seven simultaneous connecttions
- Large server network
- Extremely user-friendly
- Long-term plans are cheap and include a 45-day money-back guarantee
- Features dedicated streaming servers
- Live support could use some work
Why We Like It
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
CyberGhost VPN has over 6,200 servers worldwide, offers unlimited bandwidth, and features AES 256-bit encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, and an automatic kill switch (among other stellar security tools).
This provider is of particular interest to us as it maintains dedicated streaming servers that are specially optimised for speed, reliability, and location — i.e., they play really nice with Netflix.
These servers are also capable of unblocking other services like Disney+, Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC One, in case you've depleted your Netflix queue.
Details
TorGuard
Best For Security
The Good & The Bad
- Over 3,000 servers in more than 50 countries
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Offers optional dedicated IP addresses
- Up to eight simultaneous connections
- Unlimited speeds and bandwidth
- Good for torrenting
- Dedicated IP addresses are expensive
- Clunky interface
- If you're not happy with your plan, you have only a week from the date of purchase to request a refund
Why We Like It
TorGuard has a special way of dealing with Netflix, but it'll cost you.
The problem with most VPN providers is that they only offer shared IP addresses, which Netflix's anti-VPN system can somewhat easily detect and block. (It looks out for IP addresses that are accessing large amounts of data — that's a telltale sign that a VPN is in use.)
TorGuard is unique in that it offers an option to add a dedicated (single-user) U.S. IP address to your VPN plan — that way, it's highly unlikely Netflix ever will flag your connection.
This technology comes at a premium: You'll pay an extra $7.99/month for that IP address on top of your standard VPN plan.
Click here to sign up for TorGuard starting at $4.17/month.
Details
VyprVPN
Best For Ping
The Good & The Bad
- Multi-platform, multi-protocol support
- Up to five simultaneous connections
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Automatic kill switch
- Audited no-log policy
- Long-term plans are super cheap
- Small server network (~700)
Why We Like It
VyprVPN is speedy and works quite well with Netflix, though you may have to try out a few servers before you find one that works. (Click here for a how-to guide.)
As far as its privacy offerings go, VyprVPN offers AES 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch to protect your data in case the connection fails. It's worth mentioning that its network is a bit small at around 700 servers, but since it owns, builds, and manages all of them itself (as opposed to outsourcing to a third-party hosting company), they're super secure; no one else is ever handling your data.
And just in case you ever run into an issue with VyprVPN's client, you've got the option of contacting its support staff via live chat 24/7.
Click here to sign up for a plan starting at $2.50/month.
Details
Topics Netflix
Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.
