Can VPNs still unblock Netflix? I tested them (so you don't have to)

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Can VPNs still unblock Netflix? I tested them (then you don't have to)

(Image credit: Studio R3/Shutterstock)

About a month ago I wrote an article exploring how a number of the best VPN services had been afflicted by Netflix's new blocking techniques. Allow'due south just say that the results weren't stellar.

Now the dust has settled and the providers accept had time to develop their solutions, I thought I'd meet how they've improved – if at all.

I tested the paid-for versions of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Hotspot Shield, CyberGhost, IPVanish, VyprVPN and ProtonVPN in v different locations, and during each examination for each location I changed the individual Netflix VPN server a number of times.

It's worth noting that during these tests I used the automatically selected regional server to reverberate the boilerplate user, although if I had issues I'd manually select another.

And so, if yous're wondering whether ExpressVPN can nonetheless unblock US-only Netflix shows or if NordVPN can get you access to The Office on Netflix Great britain, merely check the relevant sections below for the in-depth results – or reference the table for quick info.

NB: While I'yard confident these tests are right at the time of publishing, be aware that nosotros're seeing a lot of changes pretty quickly in this expanse. All the same, all the providers I've tested offering at least a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can make sure you can unblock what you want before committing.

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• Is OpenVPN however fit for purpose?
• E'er buffering? Peradventure y'all demand the fastest VPN

Which VPNs work with Netflix at a glance

	Great britain	US	Canada	Australia	Japan
ExpressVPN	Aye	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
NordVPN	Yes	Yes	Intermittent	Intermittent	Intermittent
Surfshark	Intermittent	Aye	Intermittent	Intermittent	No
ProtonVPN	Yeah	Yes	No	No	No
Hotspot Shield	Yes	Intermittent	No	No	No
CyberGhost	Yes	No	No	No	No
VyprVPN	No	No	No	No	No
IPVanish	No	No	No	No	No

(Image credit: Future)

1. US Netflix

Probably the most popular location for those looking to evade geo-blocks, US Netflix is home to a whole host of shows and movies unavailable anywhere else, like Radium Girls, Rain Man, and What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

Because of that, it's usually fairly easily accessible when using a US VPN, but it was by no ways a make clean sweep in my testing.

NordVPN, ProtonVPN, CyberGhost and Hotspot Shield impressed, and unblocked Netflix on each server I tried.

A week or so ago I was having a few problems with ExpressVPN and US Netflix, but afterwards a quick chat to a customer support agent I was informed that the Los Angeles – three server should exist working. Thankfully it did, and I was able to watch exactly what I wanted.

Surfshark also had a few problems with US Netflix, and while I was able to unblock content, information technology was only about 30% constructive. Finally, VyprVPN and IPVanish weren't able to unblock US Netflix and – spoiler alarm – they couldn't unblock whatever other countries either. That's the last you'll hear of them in this commodity.

ii. UK Netflix

Thanks to the proliferation of streaming services in the U.s., tons of hugely popular titles like the aforementioned The Function have moved to other sites – but in the Britain, many of these are still available on Netflix. And then, information technology's definitely worth having a UK VPN that can get access if you're in the States.

ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark and ProtonVPN had no issues getting access to UK content. So, if you desire to lookout It'southward E'er Sunny, American Graffiti, or fifty-fifty Dark-green Street (don't estimate me) on Netflix, one of these providers is a safe bet.

Hotspot Shield wasn't a total failure, merely in this round of testing it only had a xxx% success rate when accessing UK content. Unfortunately, despite having a dedicated streaming server, CyberGhost wasn't able to get access at all in my testing.

iii. Canadian Netflix

While peradventure not as widely used every bit the UK or United states, Canadian Netflix has a remarkably expert selection of content not available elsewhere. However, many VPN providers appear to neglect the location – and this was true even before Netflix's beefed-upward blocking came into play.

In my testing, only ExpressVPN was able to crack the Canadian library on every attempt, which is an impressive upshot. However, on some occasions Netflix loaded at a snail'south pace – not reflected in general browsing when using the aforementioned server – so while it's constructive, you'll need to exercise a little patience.

NordVPN was successful near 50% of the fourth dimension, and Surfshark well-nigh xxx%. If you're a Surfshark user looking to unblock Canada, I'd propose trying the Toronto server first – it's the just one that worked for me.

Canada is where ProtonVPN'southward run of successes ended. While it'south disappointing that it couldn't complete a clean sweep, its splendid performance in the US and United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland demonstrates that the provider'due south committed to upping its game in this department. Until recently, Proton wasn't fifty-fifty a contender as a streaming VPN, and then I'1000 looking frontward to seeing if it continues to upward its game.

(Epitome credit: Netflix)

4. Australian Netflix

Nosotros're getting a footling more niche now, but I think it's of import to bank check more than only the well-nigh popular locations. Plus, Aussie Netflix boasts a number of classic movies like The Large Lebowski and Airplane, so information technology'due south worth having admission.

Unfortunately, Downwardly Nether doesn't seem to have been a priority for VPN providers, and none of the VPNs tested were able to unblock it 100% of the time.

Much similar with US Netflix, a number of ExpressVPN's Australian servers were unable to access Aussie content, merely afterwards talking to the support team I was informed that Sydney – 2 would become me admission. Lo and behold, it did, and this goes to show just how useful a responsive customer support team is.

NordVPN likewise performed well, with each server tested gaining admission to the library. However, in one instance playback was blocked because a VPN was detected. Surfshark once again delivered a roughly thirty% success rate, which is usable in a pinch, only is inappreciably the effortless experience I've become used to from the excellent cheap VPN.

5. Japanese Netflix

Again, it'southward a niche library, but for those travelling outside Nihon or wanting to lookout some anime available nowhere else, having access to Japanese Netflix could be a bargain breaker.

Mayhap reflecting that lack of need, I institute it was the trickiest location to gain admission to. Out of all the providers I tried, only NordVPN was able to unblock Netflix Japan – and even then, only every other fourth dimension. ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and the rest all failed to get access to sectional content.

Which VPN is best for Netflix right at present?

With the server information I received from back up agents combined with my own testing, I'd say that ExpressVPN has the border over NordVPN, but information technology's a seriously close fight.

That comes down to the fact that although Nord can access most things after several tries, knowing the correct ExpressVPN servers allows seamless streaming in more locations. If I didn't have that information, I'd be coming to a different conclusion.

Surfshark comes in third, but the large surprise is ProtonVPN. While it's not class-leading, it'due south quietly upping its game, and may well be a provider to continue an centre on in the future.

So, if yous're not later on Japanese exclusives I'd recommend ExpressVPN, and if you are, and so NordVPN is the sensible choice. But right now annihilation could happen. The primary take abroad, though? Make use of your VPN's back up network if you can – it actually can salve y'all a lot of trial and mistake.

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Which ExpressVPN servers work for US Netflix?

At the time of publishing, you need to use Los Angeles – iii to access The states Netflix from exterior united states. If that's non working, make it contact with the back up team and run across if they have upwardly-to-the-infinitesimal information.

Mo is VPN Editor at Tom's Guide. Day-to-twenty-four hours he oversees VPN, privacy, and cybersecurity content, and also undertakes contained testing of VPN services to ensure his recommendations are authentic and up to date. When he's not getting stuck into the nitty-gritty settings of a VPN yous've never heard of, you'll find him working on his Peugeot 205 GTi or watching Peep Bear witness instead of finally putting up those shelves.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/can-vpns-still-unblock-netflix-i-tested-them-so-you-dont-have-to

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