With everything that has happened and is happening in the world, people needed something to turn to just to ease their minds and relax. One of the few things that served as a coping mechanism for many, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, was watching TV shows and movies at home. That’s when streaming services started to grow.
One of the most popular streaming services is, undoubtedly, Netflix. It has a wide variety of content that just about anyone can find something they’d like to watch. However, with its popularity also comes the reality that not everyone can access it and all of its content. That’s because Netflix is only available in certain countries, and it also imposes geo-restrictions on its content libraries.
If you try to access it from outside these countries, you will get an error message saying, “Netflix is not available in your country yet,” or you will not find the title you’re looking for, even if it’s available in other countries.
The good news is that there is a way to bypass these restrictions and still be able to enjoy all the great content that Netflix has to offer. In this article, you will learn how to watch Netflix using a virtual private network (VPN), so you can make the most out of streaming TV shows and movies.
Watching Netflix Using a VPN Software
Using a VPN to watch Netflix can help you access numerous content that isn’t available in your country. Here’s how to do it:
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Choose a VPN that works on Netflix.
Let’s be clear on one thing. Not every VPN will work on Netflix, regardless if it’s paid or free. That’s why it’s important to find reliable VPN software with at least a 7-day or 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can try it out and see if it works or not.
We do not recommend you opt for a free VPN mainly because of security concerns. Free VPNs are more likely to have malware, which can put your device and personal information at risk. Moreover, they tend to have data caps and slower speeds, which can affect your TV streaming experience.
Also, Netflix can easily detect free VPN users because they all share the same IP address, even when using different servers. So, it wouldn’t likely work for long.
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Install your chosen VPN.
Once you’ve chosen your desired VPN, the next step would be to install it. The process is pretty much the same for all VPNs. Just follow the on-screen instructions, and you should be good to go.
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Turn on your VPN and login into your account.
Now that your VPN is installed, the next thing you need to do is to launch it and log into your account. Once you’re logged in, connect to a server where Netflix is available. For instance, if you want to unblock US Netflix, then you should connect to a server in the United States. Doing so will give you a US IP address, making it appear as if you are physically located in the country. If you want to access Netflix content from other countries, simply connect to a server in that country.
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Open Netflix and start streaming.
Once your VPN is connected to the right server, go ahead and visit Netflix. You can now start watching all the great content it has to offer. Keep in mind, though, that your chosen VPN’s speed will also affect your streaming experience. So, if you want to enjoy a smooth and buffer-free TV experience, make sure to pick a fast VPN service.
Free vs. Paid VPN for Netflix
As we’ve mentioned earlier, free VPNs are not ideal for watching Netflix. First and foremost, they can be unreliable and often result in error messages. Moreover, they tend to offer slower speeds, which can affect your TV streaming experience.
On the other hand, Paid VPNs are more reliable and offer faster speeds. They also have stronger security features that can protect your device and personal information from online threats. If you want to ensure a smooth and enjoyable TV streaming experience, we recommend that you opt for a paid VPN service. Not only will it allow you to unblock Netflix content from different countries, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing that your device and personal information are well-protected from online threats.
VPNs That Work Best with Netflix
Netflix is compatible with the vast majority of the VPNs we’ve tried, but some impose restrictions on the number of servers you can connect to because Netflix restricts IP addresses from VPNs. Here is a list of VPNs that effectively work with Netflix.
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NordVPN
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ProtonVPN
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StrongVPN
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Surfshark
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PureVPN
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Ivacy VPN
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HideMyAss (HMA)
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ExpressVPN
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AVG VPN
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Avast SecureLine VPN
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Encrypt.me
Will I be banned if Netflix Detects that I’m using a VPN?
It’s perfectly legal to use a VPN on Netflix unless VPNs are illegal in your country. With Netflix’s licensing agreements with TV episodes and movies, they are only able to show them to select audiences in specified countries and only to those people. You can see how this becomes a licensing issue as VPNs switch IP addresses, making users appear to be elsewhere. However, a VPN connection to Netflix will not result in you being arrested and taken to jail.
Conclusion
A VPN is a great tool for unblocking restricted content on Netflix. Just make sure to choose a reliable and fast VPN service to ensure a smooth and enjoyable TV streaming experience.
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