The Best VPN Service Providers for Streaming Netflix in 2024

Last updated April 11, 2024Written by human, not by AI

If you're tired of missing out on all the content Netflix offers in other regions, it's time to get a VPN that can get around regional restrictions. There are several such VPNs on the market, and in this article 9Ranks covers the best of the bunch. These are VPNs with worldwide server fleets, so users can access all the libraries Netflix offers. In addition, these are providers with servers specifically configured for streaming, including the speeds necessary for 4K videos. Many of these companies offer mobile apps, so you can enjoy Netlifx on the go, and some offer apps for televisions as well. If you're looking for a VPN capable of circumventing Netflix's geo-restrictions, this article is for you.

Index

#1NordVPN

NordVPN

Pros

  • Fast Download Times
  • Well-Designed Apps
  • Over 5500 Servers
  • 60 Countries
  • Strict No-Log Policy

Cons

  • Limited to 6 Devices
  • iOS Compatibility Issues

With approximately 14,000,000 users, NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN service providers in the world. The company maintains over 5200 servers, strategically spread out over 60 countries, which means most users are rarely more than a few hundred kilometers from the nearest server. Being that close to a server facilitates high-speed streaming, because the information doesn't have to travel as far. The company even developed a proprietary protocol called NordLynx, based on the popular WireGuard-based protocol, in the hopes of increasing VPN speeds and streamlining communications deliver. The result is a lighting fast connection, longer battery life, and greater stability.

In general, NordVPN clocks impressive speeds. Assuming a baseline speed of 300Mbps, a user in the US should enjoy little to no speed-loss (less than 5%) when connected to a nearby server. Even a foreign server shouldn't suffer more than 20% loss. That means anyone with high-speed internet should be able to stream HD and 4K without trouble. Tests conducted on Japanese servers from computers in the US indicate an average speed-loss of only 75Mpbs. That leaves 225Mbps, which is fast enough to stream anything in 4K without worrying about buffering or loading times.

NordVPN has one of the best mobile VPN apps on the market. Using the app, you should be able to access all the Netflix libraries via the same servers you would use to watch Netflix on your computer. The also have an app for most television systems, with the exception of Samsung TV. In addition, you have run NordVPN directly through your router, so that you're always connected to a VPN. If your internet provider tends to throttle your connection, running NordVPN through your router might actually make your overall internet experience better.

Specifications

Comparison
Free Version:
Trial period:30 days

Servers/Countries

Number of servers:5,710
Number of countries:60
Split Tunneling:
Speed Loss:25%
Protocol:AES-256-GCM
Five Eyes Jurisdiction:
Ad Blocker:
KillSwitch:
Malware protection:
P2P Servers:Full
Streaming support:Full

Browser extensions

Chrome extension:
Firefox extension:
Edge extension:
Router Client:

Leaks

IP/DNS address:
Keeps web logs:
Live chat support:
Public Auditing:

VPN Subscriptions

NordVPN Standard
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 11.99
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
6
Static IP address:
NordVPN Standard
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$99.48 $ 59.88 ($4.99/month)
Period:
1 Year
Number of devices:
6
Static IP address:
NordVPN Standard
2-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$198.96 $ 100.56 ($4.19/month)
Period:
2 Years
Number of devices:
6
Static IP address:
NordVPN Plus
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 12.99
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
6
Static IP address:
NordVPN Plus
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$126.96 $ 71.88 ($5.99/month)
Period:
12 Months
Number of devices:
6
Static IP address:
NordVPN Plus
2-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$253.92 $ 124.56 ($5.19/month)
Period:
2 Years
Number of devices:
6
Static IP address:
NordVPN Complete
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 14.49
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
6
Static IP address:
NordVPN Complete
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$198.84 $ 89.88 ($7.49/month)
Period:
1 Year
Number of devices:
6
Static IP address:
NordVPN Complete
2-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$397.68 $ 160.56 ($6.69/month)
Period:
2 Years
Number of devices:
6
Static IP address:

Add-on options

Dedicated IP
Dedicated/static-IP add-on
Price:
$ 3.69
Period:
1 Month

#2AtlasVPN

Pros

  • Extreme Speeds
  • Propriety "SafeSwap" Servers
  • Additional Cybersecurity Features
  • No Device Limit
  • Free Version Available
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Only 1000 Servers
  • Five Eyes Exposed
  • No Live Support

AtlasVPN is a very attractive option for those on a budget. The VPN is among the least expensive VPNs around, and you definitely get your money's worth. You'll get access to over 1000 servers, which isn't a huge fleet, but it's enough to get the job done. Those servers are located in a total of 42 countries, including the United States, most EU countries, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the UAE, and Australia. AtlasVPN doesn't have many locations in South America, however, and only one in Africa (South Africa). With each passing year, however, the company adds more servers.

There is one major concern when it comes to AtlasVPN, and that's its legal jurisdiction. Because AtlasVPN is based in the United States, it is subject to the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes governmental-spying program. The 5 participating countries (the "eyes) are the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, which share all information gathered by the intelligence organizations involved. In total, 21 agencies are involved, including the NSA and the CIA of the United States, MI5 and MI6 of the UK, and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.

The information these agencies collect includes IP addresses, user logs (which sites you've visited, what you've searched, and with whom you've communicated). Five Eyes justifies its activities by claiming they're trying to combat terrorism, money-laundering, and narcotics trading, but the full extent of their activities isn't reported. Privacy advocate and whistleblower, Edward Snowden believes the program is far more intrusive than official reports indicate. This doesn't mean you should shy away from AtlasVPN, but it's a detail you need to bear in mind when choosing the best VPN for your personal needs.

Specifications

Comparison
Free Version:
Trial period:30 days

Servers/Countries

Number of servers:750
Number of countries:38
Split Tunneling:
Speed Loss:5%
Protocol:AES-256
Five Eyes Jurisdiction:
Ad Blocker:
KillSwitch:
Malware protection:
P2P Servers:Full
Streaming support:Full

Browser extensions

Chrome extension:
Firefox extension:
Edge extension:
Router Client:

Leaks

IP/DNS address:
Keeps web logs:
Live chat support:
Public Auditing:

VPN Subscriptions

Monthly Plan
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 10.99
Period:
1 Month
Unlimited Devices:
Static IP address:
Annual Plan
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$131.88 $ 39.42 ($3.29/month)
Period:
1 Year
Unlimited Devices:
Static IP address:
3-Year Plan
3-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$395.64 $ 71.49 ($1.99/month)
Period:
3 Years
Unlimited Devices:
Static IP address:

#3CyberGhost

CyberGhost

Pros

  • Nearly 10,000 Servers
  • Access to Over 90 Countries
  • Static-IP Option
  • Dedicated Streaming Servers

Cons

  • Slightly Clumsy User Interface
  • Add-Ons are Costly

CyberGhost has one of the largest server fleets of any VPN in the world, with nearly 9,500 servers across 90 countries. In addition, the Request a Server policy allows you to report on your local needs. The server fleet includes many dedicated servers, including some for peer-to-peer file sharing (torrenting), others for gaming, and others for streaming. The means you're likely to enjoy faster speeds and greater stability. CyberGhost has nearly 40,000,000 registered users, making it one of the most popular VPNs in the world. The platform is independently audited, and its 45-day money-back guarantee makes it an attractive option for those still researching their options.

CyberGhost offers a wide variety of apps and features, including clients for routers, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. The company operates "NoSpy" servers, to which access is restricted to CyberGhost staff only. On its website, CyberGhost itself as "hyper-paranoid about your privacy," and NoSpy servers are their solution to that. In addition, the dedicated uplink to these servers is supposed to ensure greater speeds, but CyberGhost doesn't actually perform that well on speed tests. The VPN can cause speed losses over 30%, which isn't great for users with basic internet packages.

That being said, you really only need around 25Mbps to enjoy 4K streaming, according to Netflix's recommendations. Even assuming 50% speed loss, anyone with a 50Mbps package should be able to enjoy hours and hours of Netflix via Cyberghost. In addition, CyberGhost has a set of "streaming-optimized servers, especially for Netflix." You can find them on the app by going to "For Streaming." Using these servers, you should be able to unlock all of the Netflix libraries and stream without buffering or delays. There are similar servers for Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+.

Specifications

Comparison
Free Version:
Trial period:45 days

Servers/Countries

Number of servers:9,500
Number of countries:90
Split Tunneling:
Speed Loss:40%
Protocol:AES-256
Five Eyes Jurisdiction:
Ad Blocker:
KillSwitch:
Malware protection:
P2P Servers:Full
Streaming support:Limited

Browser extensions

Chrome extension:
Firefox extension:
Edge extension:
Router Client:

Leaks

IP/DNS address:
Keeps web logs:
Live chat support:
Public Auditing:

VPN Subscriptions

Monthly Plan
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 12.99
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
7
Static IP address:
6-Month Plan
6-month subscription (single paymnent)
Price:
$77.94 $ 41.94 ($6.99/month)
Period:
6 Months
Number of devices:
7
Static IP address:
2-Year Plan
2-year subscription (one payment) + 2 months free
Price:
$337.74 $ 56.94 ($2.19/month)
Period:
26 Months
Number of devices:
7
Static IP address:

Add-on options

Monthly Plan
Antivirus + Security Updater
Price:
$ 4.50
Period:
1 Month
6-Month Plan
Antivirus + Security Updater
Price:
$4.50 $ 3.25 ($0.54/month)
Period:
6 Months
2-Year Plan
Antivirus + Security Updater
Price:
$4.50 $ 1.00 ($0.04/month)
Period:
2 Years

#4ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

Pros

  • World-Class Developers
  • Swiss-Government Privacy Protections
  • Complete Security Suite
  • Intuitive User Interface
  • Speed Accelerator
  • Excellent Free Version

Cons

  • Sometimes Detected and Blocked
  • Confusing Pricing
  • Doesn't Work in China

The developers of Proton Mail have devoted themselves to facilitating personal privacy. These brainiacs from CERN adopted their host country's dedication to privacy and created one of the world's most secure email products. Then they turned their attention to other products, including ProtonVPN. According to their website, the company protects "over 100 million people" by way of their products. Those products include the mail and VPN mentioned above, as well as Proton Calendar (a secure calendar system with sharing mutli-user sharing capabilities), Proton Pass (a password manager and identity shield), and Proton Drive (a secure drive with file-encryption tool).

For extreme security, ProtonVPN offers access to 100 Secure Core servers, carefully guarded on military installations and private compounds in Switzerland, Sweden, and Iceland. These servers are built, shipping, and maintain by Proton, and connect to the internet via Proton's own Local Internet Registry. From there, the traffic moves to standard servers, effectively doubling the protection of your traffic. ProtonVPN operates 100 such servers, in addition to over 2500 Plus servers. You'll use the latter to stream content on Netlix, as well as HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

ProtonVPN has clients for Windows, Man, iOS, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox, and an excellent client for Android televisions. Using the TV client is the easiest way to stream Netflix, unless you want watch on your computer. You can also use your phone or other mobile device, if you happen to be on the move. However, iPhone users might find it difficult to enjoy Netflix on their phones, as it will sometime require several attempts before they can find a server that connects and sustains a stable connection.

Specifications

Comparison
Free Version:
Trial period:30 days

Servers/Countries

Number of servers:2,992
Number of countries:68
Split Tunneling:
Speed Loss:15%
Protocol:ChaCha20
Five Eyes Jurisdiction:
Ad Blocker:
KillSwitch:
Malware protection:
P2P Servers:Limited
Streaming support:Limited

Browser extensions

Chrome extension:
Firefox extension:
Edge extension:
Router Client:

Leaks

IP/DNS address:
Keeps web logs:
Live chat support:
Public Auditing:

VPN Subscriptions

ProtonVPN Plus
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 9.99
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
ProtonVPN Plus
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$119.88 $ 71.88 ($5.99/month)
Period:
1 Year
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
ProtonVPN Plus
2-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$239.76 $ 119.76 ($4.99/month)
Period:
2 Years
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
Proton Unlimited
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 11.99
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
Proton Unlimited
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$143.88 $ 119.88 ($9.99/month)
Period:
1 Year
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
Proton Unlimited
2-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$287.76 $ 191.76 ($7.99/month)
Period:
2 Years
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
Mail Essential
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 6.99
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
1
Static IP address:
Business
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 10.99
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:

#5VyprVPN

vyprVPN

Pros

  • Dedicated Streaming Servers
  • "Chameleon" Protocol
  • 24/7 Live Chat
  • "Zero-Third-Party" Policy
  • Publicly Audited

Cons

  • Low Server Count
  • Comparatively Expensive

VyprVPN's parent company, Golden Frog, has a well-earn reputation as a privacy advocate. The company was founded by Ron and Carolyn Yokubaitis, in direct "response to Room 641a" and the NSA spying drama that unfolded therein. In addition to Golden Frog, they also run Texas.net, Giganews, and Data Foundry. To ensure the highest levels of privacy, Golden Frog was incorporated in Switzerland—land of confidential bank accounts, the Swiss Federal Data Protection Act, and a right of privacy explicitly guaranteed at the constitutional level.

Privacy isn't the only thing VyprVPN offers. It's a very fast VPN, particularly in the United States and Western Europe. You're not likely to suffer download-speed losses over 10%, and if you're using a throttled ISP you'll likely see your speeds increase. This is especially noticeable when streaming, as VyprVPN's Dedicated Streaming Servers make it easy to watch shows in high definition, without constant buffering. According to VyprVPN's Netflix page, their service "lets you stream Netflix whenever you want without limitations, no matter what part of the world you may be in."

In addition to streaming, VyprVPN offers one of the most effective VPNs against the Great Firewall of China. If you plan to travel to China on business, or ever for a vacation, you'll need a very strong VPN platform, because China's firewall is so restrictive it can prevent you from getting anything done. Without a VPN, you won't be able to access your social media accounts, your email, or many (if not all) the news outlets you're accustomed to reading. Use VyprVPN to work around that.

Specifications

Comparison
Free Version:
Trial period:30 days

Servers/Countries

Number of servers:700
Number of countries:65
Split Tunneling:
Speed Loss:50%
Protocol:Chameleon
Five Eyes Jurisdiction:
Ad Blocker:
KillSwitch:
Malware protection:
P2P Servers:Full
Streaming support:Limited

Browser extensions

Chrome extension:
Firefox extension:
Edge extension:
Router Client:

Leaks

IP/DNS address:
Keeps web logs:
Live chat support:
Public Auditing:

VPN Subscriptions

Monthly Plan
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 10.00
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
Annual Plan
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$120.00 $ 60.00 ($5.00/month)
Period:
1 Year
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
Business Plan
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$ 299.00 ($24.92/month)
Period:
1 Year
Number of devices:
-
Static IP address:
Business Cloud
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$ 349.00 ($29.08/month)
Period:
1 Year
Number of devices:
-
Static IP address:

#6ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Pros

  • Excellent Apps and Cients
  • Large Server Fleet
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • Password Generator
  • Blazing Speeds

Cons

  • Comparatively Expensive
  • Constant Updates

According to a blog post on their website, ExpressVPN has over 4 million users. The company serves customers in 180 countries, via 3000 servers in more than 150 locations around the world. ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest speeds of any VPN, and it has apps and clients for every major operating system and device. There are apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Linux, and Kindle Fire. There are clients or add-ons for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, and you can run ExpressVPN on a long list of routers. In addition, the company sells a proprietary router, called Aircove, with ExpressVPN built in. This allows you to "enjoy ExpressVPN security right out of the box."

ExpressVPN claims that their VPN offers fast, reliable, and secure access to Netflix streaming, and that claim consistently proves true. ExpressVPN manages to unlock all the Netflix libraries, while providing the speeds required to enjoy high-definition and ultra-high-definition streaming. If you're a fan of 4K movies and television programs, this is one of the best VPNs for you. Those of you with Android TVs, should consider downloading the TV app, which allows you to run the VPN through your TV, and Netflix through the app.

There are a handful of VPNs that offer premium features, and ExpressVPN makes that list. Using the Password Generator, users can create complex alphanumeric passwords for all their devices, under a single master password or biometric entry. Users can then store those passwords using Keys, which catalogues and auto-fills your passwords whenever you open the relevant app of website. The Windows and Mac version also have a speed tester, to help you decide which server is best for your streaming needs.

Specifications

Comparison
Free Version:
Trial period:30 days

Servers/Countries

Number of servers:3,000
Number of countries:94
Split Tunneling:
Speed Loss:5%
Protocol:Lightway
Five Eyes Jurisdiction:
Ad Blocker:
KillSwitch:
Malware protection:
P2P Servers:
Streaming support:Full

Browser extensions

Chrome extension:
Firefox extension:
Edge extension:
Router Client:

Leaks

IP/DNS address:
Keeps web logs:
Live chat support:
Public Auditing:

VPN Subscriptions

Monthly Plan
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 12.95
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
5
Static IP address:
6-Month Plan
6-month subscription (single payment)
Price:
$77.70 $ 59.94 ($9.99/month)
Period:
6 Months
Number of devices:
5
Static IP address:
Annual Plan
1-year subscription (single payment / one-time offer)
Price:
$194.25 $ 80.04 ($5.34/month)
Period:
15 Months
Number of devices:
5
Static IP address:

#7PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN

Pros

  • Relatively Inexpensive
  • Free Version
  • Easy-to-Use Interface
  • Excellent Torrenting Speeds

Cons

  • Small Server Fleet
  • Excessive Speed Loss

PrivateVPN is a small but highly effective VPN service. Though the company only maintains 200 or so servers, they're intelligently spread out across 60 countries. Unfortunately, some of the servers are rather slow, making PrivateVPN less than ideal for long-distance viewing. In other words, if you're in the United States and you want to watch European Netflix, you should be fine. But if you try connecting to the Japanese Netflix library, you might find the VPN struggling to stream 4K programs. On the other hand, Private is one of the only top-tier VPNs that offer Static-IPs, which is a major draw for businesses that need to whitelist addresses. It's also comparatively inexpensive, if you're willing to commit to a 3-year subscription.

PrivateVPN not only unlocks Netflix, it's also quite effective at unlocking Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. In addition, PrivateVPN is effective at hiding Kodi and other streaming service activities from your ISP. If you're tired of having your streaming and data throttled, PrivateVPN can help you enjoy everything the internet is meant to offer. In addition to streaming, all of PrivateVPN's servers support peer-to-peer file sharing. If you're into torrenting movies, programs, and music, but don't want to get caught, this is a VPN worth considering.

One criticism of PrivateVPN is the amount of work the user has to do to get everything set up. The website provides guides for all sorts of "manual" processes, but that's not really something most users want to bother doing. The industry standard is "downloan" and "run," not "configure manually." The guides are indeed detailed and helpful, but sooner or later the platform will have to streamline this process.

Specifications

Comparison
Free Version:
Trial period:30 days

Servers/Countries

Number of servers:200
Number of countries:63
Split Tunneling:
Speed Loss:45%
Protocol:AES-256
Five Eyes Jurisdiction:
Ad Blocker:
KillSwitch:
Malware protection:
P2P Servers:
Streaming support:

Browser extensions

Chrome extension:
Firefox extension:
Edge extension:
Router Client:

Leaks

IP/DNS address:
Keeps web logs:
Live chat support:
Public Auditing:

VPN Subscriptions

Monthly Plan
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 9.90
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
Quarterly Plan
3-month plan (paid once every 3 months)
Price:
$29.70 $ 17.99 ($6.00/month)
Period:
3 Months
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:
Annual Plan
Annual plan with 2 bonus years (one-time offer)
Price:
$356.40 $ 72.00 ($2.00/month)
Period:
3 Years
Number of devices:
10
Static IP address:

#8StrongVPN

StrongVPN

Pros

  • Numerous Apps and Clients
  • P2P Supported on all Servers
  • 12 Simultaneous Connections
  • Free SugarSync Cloud Storage

Cons

  • Speed Issues
  • Five-Eyes Exposed
  • Comparatively Expensive

StrongVPN only has around 1000 servers in 30 countries, but it manages to unblock Netflix libraries without difficulty. The American library is the most easily unblocked, with StrongVPN servers in 15 US cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, and New York. The company maintains servers in Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, and Singapore, making the Asian libraries accessible, particularly the Japanese and Australian libraries. Strong VPN has a fair number of servers in Europe, and you should have no trouble accessing German and British Netflix. In addition to Netflix, StrongVPN is able to unblock Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer.

StrongVPN has versions for Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Kodi, and Linux. You can even set up StrongVPN on certain gaming consoles, and StrongVPN is one of very few service providers offering versions for much older versions of Windows, such as Vista and XP. This makes then an attractive options for smaller businesses that can't afford to upgrade to expensive new versions of Windows. Furthermore, StrongVPN allows users to connect to 12 devices per subscription, which should meet the needs of many small businesses, as well as households with several members.

Unfortunately, StrongVPN is based in the United States, making it another 5-Eyes VPN. To be clear, there's nothing technically illegal about unblocking geo-restrictions, so if that's all you're doing you really don't need to worry about The Eyes. If you're torrenting, however, you might want to consider other options. According to their terms of service, StrongVPN doesn't log any user information, but no independent audit has confirmed that claim. It's likely The Eyes wouldn't be able to find out anything about you if they got hold of StrongVPN's servers, but you need to decide for yourself whether that's a risk you're willing to face.

Specifications

Comparison
Free Version:
Trial period:30 days

Servers/Countries

Number of servers:950
Number of countries:30
Split Tunneling:
Speed Loss:15%
Protocol:WireGuard
Five Eyes Jurisdiction:
Ad Blocker:
KillSwitch:
Malware protection:
P2P Servers:Full
Streaming support:Limited

Browser extensions

Chrome extension:
Firefox extension:
Edge extension:
Router Client:

Leaks

IP/DNS address:
Keeps web logs:
Live chat support:
Public Auditing:

VPN Subscriptions

Monthly Plan
1-month subscription (renews monthly)
Price:
$ 11.99
Period:
1 Month
Number of devices:
12
Static IP address:
Annual Plan
1-year subscription (single payment)
Price:
$143.88 $ 47.69 ($3.97/month)
Period:
1 Year
Number of devices:
12
Static IP address:
A Comparison of VPN Services
NordVPNAtlasVPNCyberGhostProtonVPNVyprVPNExpressVPNPrivateVPNStrongVPN
Free Version
Trial period30 days30 days45 days30 days30 days30 days30 days30 days
Servers/Countries
Number of servers5710750950029927003000200950
Number of countries6038906865946330
Split Tunneling
Speed Loss25540155054515
ProtocolAES-256-GCMAES-256AES-256ChaCha20ChameleonLightwayAES-256WireGuard
Five Eyes Jurisdiction
Ad Blocker
KillSwitch
Malware protection
P2P ServersFullFullFullLimitedFullFull
Streaming supportFullFullLimitedLimitedLimitedFullLimited
Browser extensions
Chrome extension
Firefox extension
Edge extension
Router Client
Leaks
IP/DNS address
Keeps web logs
Live chat support
Public Auditing

How to Select the Right VPN for Your Netflix Experience

According to Statista, nearly 1.5 billion people have subscriptions to at least one streaming service, with Netflix commanding around 40% of that market share. The Netflix Help Center (online) reports that the streaming service "is available in over 190 countries around the world." However, the catalog of available content differs from one country to the next. Viewers in Japan will find a very different Netflix library than viewers in Germany. And the differences aren't only due to language. The UK and the US don't have similar libraries, nor do the many Spanish-speaking countries in South America. To complicate matters, a user's country "account can't be changed unless [they] move."

These geo-restrictions leave many viewers in a quandary. If you're an American living in Japan, or a Japanese living in Brazil, what you are meant to do? Similarly, if you're traveling, studying aboard, or simply want to watch a show not on your country's list, what options do you have? Enter the VPN industry. A VPN masks your true IP address with "fake" IP address, which can be generated from any of the servers the VPN company operates. As long as the platform has a server in Japan, you have access (in theory) to Netflix Japan—and similarly for any other country. The use of a VPN is legal in most countries albeit it is against the Netflix terms of service.

The first thing you should do is ask yourself which libraries you're hoping to unblock. If you're in the United States and hoping to unlock the Japanese Netflix library, it's obvious you'll need a VPN like ExpressVPN with servers in Japan. On the other hand, NordVPN has 130 Japanese servers, and CyberGhost has 109, making them the clear favorites when it comes to accessing that library. But server count isn't the only metric. If you're hoping to stream in 4K, you need speed, in addition to access. CyberGhost might have more Japanese servers than ExpressVPN, but consistently scores better on speed tests.

Another factor worth considering is the connection process. If you want to stream from the TV in your living room, it's very convenient to have a VPN with an TV app/client. NordVPN, ProtonVPN, and ExpressVPN have world-class apps for Android-based televisions, but if you own a Samsung TV you have a problem to address: The Tizen operating system, on which Samsung TVs run, doesn't directly support VPNs. That means you'll need to use an Amazon Fire TV Stick, or run the VPN through your router. That makes ExpressVPN a great choice, since they're the only one with a proprietary router. On the other hand, if you're watching TV on your mobile device, there's no denying how great the NordVPN mobile-device app is, compared to the rest.

Lastly, there's always the question of cost. You're already spending money to stream Netflix, and now you're adding to that so you can watch all the material they offer. PrivateVPN, AtlasVPN, and ProtonVPN are among the least expensive VPNs on the market, though AtlasVPN is the only one with no device limitation. If you only watch TV on occasion, you might even get away with using ProtonVPN's or AtlasVPN's free versions.