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:
- Sign up to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
- Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
- Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
- 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
- Monthly: £10.39/month
- One-year plan: £3.99/month
- Two-year plan: £3.19/month
NordVPN is great for data and identity protection, with a large and diverse collection of servers and a strong set of advanced security tools.
Users get access to thousands of servers located all around the world, and even though it doesn't offer the fastest speeds, it's still one of the best services for unblocking streaming sites for watching sport.
It's not the cheapest VPN, but it is one of the best and most comprehensive services on offer.
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Interface
- Monthly: £10.89/month
- Six-month plan: £6.19/month
- Two-year plan: £1.92/month
There is a long list of things to look out for when selecting a VPN, and even though interface is not as important as things like encryption and connection speed, it still matters.
Fortunately, you don't need to settle with CyberGhost VPN. Users get a strong server network, decent encryption, and much more, all packaged in an intuitive and attractive interface.
You don't always get the best speeds with CyberGhost VPN, but it's still a good option for unlocking streaming sites for sport.
Private Internet Access
Best For Server Network
- Monthly: £10.99/month
- Six-month plan: £5.39/month
- Two-year plan: £1.69/month
Private Internet Access is probably not your best option for streaming sport, but if your priority is online security and data protection, it should be something to consider.
Private Internet Access keeps things very simple with strong encryption, decent connection speeds, and an absolutely massive server network. Subscribers can also connect 10 devices simultaneously, which is great for large households.
It's straightforward and focused on security, but Private Internet Access is a powerful service that belongs in this list.
PureVPN
Best For Travel
- Monthly: £8.37/month
- One-year plan: £2.86/month
- Two-year plan: £1.75/month
When looking for a VPN that will keep you connected to all the content that the Fire Stick potentially provides, PureVPN ticks an awful lot of boxes.
PureVPN has a strong network of geographically diverse servers, a dedicated IP, and a strong privacy policy. So the key message is that this VPN boasts an outstanding network of international servers so you can keep watching your favourite series wherever you may be. Ideal for those that get around the globe.
It isn't all perfect. PureVPN is not the fastest VPN out there, but it is faster than most, and is definitely fast enough for most users to stay connected and enjoy the Fire Stick content buffer-free.
Overall, PureVPN is a serious option for anyone wanting to enjoy all of Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and Netflix, without being blocked. It's one of the best VPNs thanks to its mix of competitive performance, polished design, and diverse server locations.
Surfshark
Best For Multiple Devices
- Monthly: £9.90/month
- One-year plan: £3.05/month
- Two-year plan: £1.76/month
Do you stream sport on a number of devices? If the answer is "yes," you should seriously consider Surfshark. You can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan, which is great for those who like to switch it up.
Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive security features, including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure. It's not the cheapest VPN, but when you consider everything you get, it makes sense.
Surfshark can be a little slow compared to something like ExpressVPN, but you can normally fix this by switching servers.
TunnelBear
Best For Free
- Monthly: £7.78/month
- One-year plan: £3.89/month
- Three-year plan: £2.59/month
TunnelBear has all the professional features you could want, but it also offers animations of cute bears tunnelling around the world to provide you with a more secure connection. For that reason alone, it's one of the friendliest, and most easy-to-use VPN services out there, especially for people who are new to the whole VPN game. Just pick a country and TunnelBear does the rest for you.
TunnelBear is smarter than your average bear, too. Its AES-256 encryption keeps your data secure from both hackers and ISPs, and you're able to access global content without much hassle. We've found mixed results when it comes to connecting to Netflix, but it's speedy enough when downloading torrents and other files.
TunnelBear is also the only VPN (that we know of) to publish regular, independent security audits of its apps, which is immensely reassuring for the security conscious.
ProtonVPN
Best For Free
- 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
- 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.
Recommended For You
-
NordVPN just dropped its bumper Black Friday dealSave 74% and get an extra three months for free. -
How to watch Premier League live streams online from abroadWe've tracked down the best VPNs for streaming football from anywhere in the world, including popular services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. -
The best VPN for the Fire TV StickWe've lined up a selection of the best VPNs for Amazon's range of popular Fire TV Sticks, including top services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. -
The best VPN for WindowsTake control of your cybersecurity with this selection of the best VPNs for Windows 10, including popular services Private Internet Access and CyberGhost VPN. -
The best VPN for AndroidWe have checked out all the best VPNs for your Android phone or tablet, and highlighted a selection of popular services including the likes of PureVPN and CyberGhost VPN.
Trending on Mashable
-
Here's What You Can Expect From The MSA Awards & Festival 2024 Happening This WeekThe event will feature well-known personalities such as Khairy Jamaludin, Shahril Hamdan, and Khairul Aming. -
Samsung's Latest Flip Devices Launched In Paris Are Powered By Galaxy AIThe Galaxy AI in each unique foldable device is a formidable driving force for everyday needs. -
Here's A First Look At Samsung's New Wearables: Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch UltraThe wearables offer innovative health experiences, enhancing everyday wellness with intelligent features. -
Endeavor Wraps Up MatchCAP Asia 2024 With Record-Breaking SuccessFostering deeper connections between entrepreneurs and investors. -
Enjoy More Flexibility With Disney+ Hotstar’s New Monthly & Annual PlansWatch an ever-growing collection of movies and series with lower commitments!