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Best VPNs for Netflix
Netflix VPNs, or virtual private networks, are your multipurpose secret weapon in 2024. They help keep your online activities confidential and secure, while also allowing you to sidestep geographic constraints on streaming content.
The only hitch is that the platform recently stepped up its efforts to restrict VPN use. That’s why I took it upon myself to test the top ones in Canada to find the very best VPNs for Netflix. Continue reading as I delve into as much detail as possible about those that are most compatible with the service.
For really effective privacy controls and access, you need more solid protection. That’s why we’re here to help by outlining to you, the reader, the best VPNs for Netflix.
VPN | Key Feature | Why this VPN? | Our Rating | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN | Double encryption | Best free VPN | 5 ★★★★★ | Visit Site |
Surfshark | Secure protocols | Best VPN Canada | 5 ★★★★★ | Visit Site |
ExpressVPN | Over 3,000 servers | Best VPN for Android | 4 ★★★★★ | Visit Site |
VyperVPN | Advanced security | Best VPN for Netflix | 4 ★★★★★ | Visit Site |
CyberGhost | Nearly 4,000 servers | Cheap VPN Canada | 3 ★★★★★ | Visit Site |
TRUST.ZONE | Supports P2P file sharing | 131 servers across 32 countries | 4 ★★★★★ | Visit Site |
TOR.GUARD | Unblocks Netflix America | Supports all major operating systems | 4 ★★★★★ | Visit Site |
Picking the Best Netflix VPN
There are several factors to consider when choosing a VPN, including speed, security, or server availability. Here’s what to look for:
Streaming Compatibility
Netflix is fully aware that some of its over 260 million subscribers might use a VPN to tap into their entire library of shows and movies. This is precisely why they’ve gotten so good at blocking certain VPN providers. You need a service that’s clever enough to navigate around said barriers so that you can stream seamlessly without any hiccups in quality.
And this is often not just about Netflix; a good VPN should work just as well with other streaming giants like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, Sling, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
Server Network
How many multinational content catalogues can the VPN unlock? To answer this, you’ll need to find out more about the locations of the VPN’s servers. Simply put, it’s a map that shows where your internet connection can appear to be coming from.
Of course, the more options you have (I recommend having 60+), the more content you can potentially access. Plus, having more servers means faster speeds and more reliable connections.
Discover more: Here’s how to access American Netflix in Canada in 2024.
Cost
Honestly speaking, you can spend as much or as little as you want; it’s all about your budget and preferences. And yes, there are even free VPNs if you’re up for giving one a try!
Generally speaking, providers offer monthly, semi-annual, annual, or multi-year subscription options. As you’d expect, the more extended your plan is, the greater your savings. Furthermore, you need to consider the kind of features you’d like to have. Most will have all the basic necessities included in all their plans, and some will have more advanced add-ons.
Speed
VPNs can sometimes slow down your connection. This could be due to encryption and the extra step of connecting to a remote region. In fact, my results showed an average decline in speed of 10% to 20%. This is not too bad considering, as I still always had a reliable connection and the streaming quality remained high throughout.
Good read: How to fix a Netflix proxy error with your VPN.
Privacy and Security
I highly suggest taking a peek at the VPN service’s security features. Some things to consider:
- The encryption standards (AES 256-bit encryption is preferred)
- The log management policy
- The security protocols
- The kill switch
Cross-Device Compatibility
Are you using Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome OS or Fire OS? It is also important to consider that different VPNs operate better on certain devices. For example, a provider may not have a dedicated app for iOS devices, but only for Android users. Also, some may not even offer TV apps, at all.
What is the Best VPN for Netflix?
The best VPN services mask all your identifying information and activity on any device when connected. This means they create a super secure tunnel between you and the internet that’s well-guarded from spies, hackers, and platforms like Netflix. This helps to protect your information and stops DNS leaks.
Want in? If your main use is going to revolve around streaming on Netflix, I recommend going for:
1. NordVPN – It’s the Best Netflix VPN Overall
I chose NordVPN as my number-one pick, primarily because of its powerful performance in overcoming Netflix access blocks. I also never encountered issues finding a particular region—they’ve got over 6,400 servers in 111 countries. They have an excellent app for on-the-go use, a 30-day money-back guarantee, 256-bit AES, a strict no-logs policy, and allow up to 10 devices simultaneously.
When I carried out a speed test on Netflix from Europe while connected to a U.S. server, it came down to a slight 0.58s difference, with the VPN activated. The platform also worked perfectly well on all the servers I tried.
Pricing:
1-month plan
- Basic Plan: $12.99 per month
- Plus Plan: $13.99 per month
- Complete Plan: $14.99 per month
1-year plan
- Basic Plan: $4.99 per month
- Plus Plan: $5.99 per month
- Complete Plan: $6.99 per month
2-year plan
- Basic Plan: $3.59 per month
Plus Plan: $4.49 per month
Complete Plan: $5.49 per month
Pros
- Strong unblocking
- Fast connection speeds
- Security-focused; Advanced encryption
- Strict no-logs policy
- Very user-friendly
Cons
- Higher price point
- Mobile interface is slightly overcrowded
- No phone support; only live chat, email, support centre
You can read more in my detailed NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – Best Netflix VPN for Connecting Multiple Devices
Surfshark consistently impresses me with its range of budget-friendly options. So much so, that it’s considered one of the best cheap VPNs for Canadians. It successfully delivers a feature-rich VPN with fast connection speeds for streaming, It features 3,200 RAM-only servers in over 100 countries (at least one 1 Gbps port per server and new 10 Gbps ports added daily).
Furthermore, it supports unlimited devices, which is perfect for families or your next Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party). You’ll also get access to 24/7 live chat, an ad and cookie consent blocker, and a whole host of other nice-to-have features. Just like NordVPN, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, an AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
Pricing:
1-month plan
- Surfshark Starter Plan: $15.45 per month
- Surfshark One Plan: $15.95 per month
- Surfshark One+ Plan: $17.95 per month
1-year plan
- Surfshark Starter Plan: $2.99 per month
- Surfshark One Plan: $3.39 per month
- Surfshark One+ Plan: $6.09 per month
2-year plan
- Surfshark Starter Plan: $2.19 per month
- Surfshark One Plan: $2.69 per month
- Surfshark One+ Plan: $4.29 per month
Pros
- Affordable pricing (for long-term users)
- Unlimited device connections
- Strong privacy protection
- Ad-blocking capability
- Supports torrenting, great for streaming on Netflix
Cons
- Limited advanced settings
- Based in The Netherlands (14-Eyes alliance country)
- Occasional app glitches
Read our full review of Surfshark’s VPN.
3. ExpressVPN – Best Netflix VPN for Beginners
ExpressVPN allowed me to unblock Netflix across several regions, namely the UK, Australia and the US. While it doesn’t offer a variety of plans, it delivers where it counts, in my opinion. It provides a simple layout for beginners to access the Netflix library they’re after in just a few minutes
It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, AES 256-bit encryption, split tunneling, over 2,000 servers in 105 countries, round-the-clock live chat support, and a considerable jurisdiction advantage. Use it on up to 8 simultaneous connections. Plus, it’s compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chromebook, Amazon Kindle Fire, supports VPN router installations and Smart TVs.
Pricing:
- 1 Month Plan: $12.95/month
- 6 Months Plan: $9.99/month
- 12 Months Plan + 3 Months Free: $6.67/month
Pros
- Proven track record with streaming platforms
- Solid privacy and security measures
- High-speed connections
- Independent security audits verified
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Less extensive server network compared to competitors
- Some servers slower than competitors
To learn more about the provider, make sure to check out my honest ExpressVPN review.
4. VyprVPN – Best Netflix VPN for Privacy and Streaming
VyprVPN offers a no-log VPN that’s publicly audited and fully verified. You’ll get up to 5 simultaneous connections across your devices—Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, Router, and more.
The 30-day money-back guarantee applies here too, and so does the split tunneling, DNS leak protection, kill switch, and much more. Since they make use of more than 300,000 IP addresses, I could easily access their regional servers to stream Netflix. Speaking of servers, they’ve got over 700 of them scattered across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. However, while the network maintained decent performance throughout, it didn’t reach high top speeds. I only recorded speeds up to 29.06 Mbps on my chosen server.
Pricing:
- 1 Month Plan: $10.00/month
- 12 Months Plan: $5.00/month
- 24 Months Plan: $3.00/month
Pros
- Strong unblocking capabilities
- Consistent speeds for streaming
- High-level security with 256-bit encryption
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- Works in restrictive countries like China
Cons
- Inconsistent kill switch reliability
- Fewer servers compared to competitors
- Premium pricing
Want to discover more? Read our comprehensive VyprVPN review.
5. CyberGhost – Best Netflix VPN for Streaming-Optimized Servers
CyberGhost has a wide collection of fast servers in 100+ countries, 21 dedicated IP locations, 10-Gbps networks, and unlimited bandwidth. You can simultaneously use 7 different VPN connections across various compatible devices. You can also rest assured knowing that your activities aren’t being tracked, and you’re protected with advanced encryption, split tunneling, and an automated kill switch.
The email and live chat support team are available 24/7 in multiple languages. You will also be able to enjoy an impressive 45-day money-back guarantee. Speed test results when streaming Netflix (I also gave it a go on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video) turned out great, with no lag or buffering.
Pricing:
- 1 Month Plan: $12.99/month
- 6 Months Plan: $6.99/month
- 2 Years + 2 Months Plan: $2.19/month
Pros
- Unblocks multiple Netflix libraries
- Fair device connection allowance (up to 7)
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Optimized servers for streaming in 100+ countries
- Strong security features including AES-256 encryption
Cons
- Occasional buffering on high-traffic scenes
- Slightly slower on long-distance servers
- Limited advanced security features
Check out our full review of CyberGhost VPN if you’re thinking of becoming a ghostie yourself.
6. Trust.Zone – Best Netflix VPN for Cost-Effective Streaming
From my personal experience, it’s clear why Trust.Zone has earned a reputation for robust security, anonymity, and dependable connections. For starters, it’s based in the Seychelles’ jurisdiction, which sits outside the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance and only stores your email address. Nothing else! The provider offers 184 servers across more than 91 global locations, and all worked perfectly well for me when streaming on Netflix, as well as Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney Plus. Speeds generally averaged around 65 Mbps.
What I didn’t like is that Trust.Zone doesn’t keep up with its competitors when it comes to a money-back guarantee policy. It does offer a free plan, but it’s only available for three days and is worth just 1GB of data transfer.
Pricing:
- Free Test: $0.00
- 1 Month Plan: $9.99/month
- 1 Year Plan: $3.33/month
- 2 Year Plan: $1.99/month
Pros
- Effective at unblocking Netflix
- Supports cryptocurrency payments
- Strong privacy with a strict no-log policy
- Offers dedicated IP addresses
- Provides DNS leak protection and kill switch
- Military-grade encryption
Cons
- Limited customer support hours
- Interface can be unintuitive
- Lack of advanced features and customization options
- Fewer servers and locations than other VPNs
Read our in-depth analysis of Trust.Zone.
7. TorGuard – Best Netflix VPN for Dedicated Streaming IPs
TorGuard’s unique selling point is anonymous browsing. The VPN automatically assigns an anonymous IP, so ads or websites cannot track your location and identity. It also offers state-of-the-art AES-256 encryption with a secure hashing algorithm called SHA-512. Not to mention, protocols such as Stunnel, OpenVPN, SSTP, and SSH tunnels, the 24/7 support, and 3000+ servers in over 50 countries
I can confirm that TorGuard does that quite well, with an average speed of around 45 Mbps. That means it’s more difficult to be blocked by platforms like Netflix, so you can directly bypass any intensive network monitoring or rigid censorship barriers you may come across. I found the software super easy to install on Windows, but it’s also fully compatible with Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers.
Pricing:
- Standard Plan: $9.99/month or $29.99/year
- Pro Plan: $12.99/month or $59.50/year
- Premium Plan: $14.99/month or $64.99/year
Pros
- Offers dedicated streaming IPs
- Provides decent speeds for streaming
- Strong security features
- Supports multiple devices simultaneously (5 at a time)
- Lots of customization features and add-ons
Cons
- Apps are cumbersome
- Slower speeds compared to some competitors
Check out our comprehensive evaluation of TorGuard VPN.
FAQs
Q: Is using a VPN to watch Netflix illegal?
A: Technically, not in most countries. However, Netflix lists it as a violation of their terms of service. Therefore, you’re not likely to face any legal issues, but there’s a chance Netflix might block your account if they catch you using a VPN to access their service from a restricted region (don’t worry, you will get plenty of warnings before this happens).
Q: How do I set up a VPN for Netflix?
A: Pick a reliable Netflix VPN from our list, download and install the app on your device. Then, connect to a server in the country whose Netflix library you want to access. Once connected, head over to Netflix. It should automatically direct you to the library corresponding to the server’s location.
Q: Is the kill-switch feature important when using a VPN to watch Netflix?
A: Yes, it’s a pretty big deal. Without it, you won’t have a safety net that protects your data (e.g. real IP address and browsing history) from being exposed if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
Q: Can I use a free VPN for Netflix?
A: Generally, it’s better to steer clear of free VPNs, particularly for something like Netflix streaming. Free services often have slower speeds, leading to endless buffering and they have fewer servers, meaning that they’re more likely to be blocked by Netflix. Plus, they aren’t always the best for your privacy.