The Best VPNs for Streaming Netflix from Anywhere

NordVPN boasts one of the largest server networks of any VPN provider, made up of more than 7,000 servers in 118 countries. Close to 2,000 of these servers are in the U.S., making it easy to find a suitable VPN server for streaming Netflix US. I’ve also tested NordVPN with the likes of Amazon Prime Video and Hulu and found it to be a highly consistent unblocker. Streaming is seamless thanks to NordVPN’s fast proprietary protocol, NordLynx, which is built around WireGuard.

With NordVPN, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. It also has excellent app support, providing apps for Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV and allowing you to stream US Netflix on almost any device. Along with Surfshark, NordVPN is one of the most feature-heavy VPNs around, adding extra security in the form of an ad blocker and password manager. Still, its clunky server app means its apps aren’t quite as easy to navigate as ExpressVPN, my next pick.

ExpressVPN is my best VPN for streaming, so it should come as little surprise that it has no trouble with the U.S. version of Netflix. It has long been my go-to for bypassing stubborn geo-blocks on streaming platforms, capable of working with almost everything I throw at it. It helps that it has servers in 105 countries and 18 U.S. cities. ExpressVPN proves popular with streamers thanks to highly consistent connections, helped by its very efficient Lightway protocol.

If you don’t have much experience with VPNs, you’ll appreciate ExpressVPN’s apps which are about as easy to navigate as they come. ExpressVPN makes it straightforward to set up on your router with the availability of custom firmware. Having got in touch with the 24/7 live chat and email support during testing, I can safely say it’s among the best I’ve experienced. ExpressVPN operates a no-logs policy and even includes a password manager.

Surfshark has servers in 22 U.S. cities – far more than most VPNs. This is useful not only when you’re traveling, but when you’re home and looking to connect to a nearby server for the fastest speeds. Overall, a little over 3,000 servers can be found in 100 countries, which include Canada, the UK, and Australia. In my experience, Surfshark is able to securely access more Netflix libraries than many rivals. The fast speeds allow for lag-free streaming even in 4K resolution.

With subscription prices starting at $2 a month (though one month subscriptions are expensive), Surfshark’s many features are all the more impressive. Even the base tier includes ad blocking, access to MultiHop servers, and a new Alternative ID feature for generating data on websites to protect your real information. Upper tiers benefit from antivirus protection.

CyberGhost makes it super easy to find the right server for accessing US Netflix and other popular streaming services. That’s because you’ll find a list of streaming-optimized servers available in its apps, saving you from having to try multiple servers each time. CyberGhost uses the lightweight and speedy WireGuard protocol, resulting in testing with streaming that was consistently lag- and buffer-free. Servers cover 100 countries and 11 U.S. cities.

It’s fair to say that CyberGhost is particularly confident in the service it offers, as evidenced by its lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee. Most VPNs offer just 30 days in comparison. I tried this for myself and received a full refund with no issues. Yet CyberGhost is also the best free trial VPN thanks to a unique 24-hour free trial on Windows and MacOS with no credit card required. The only real downside to this no-logs VPN is that it doesn't offer as many features as services like NordVPN and Surfshark.

IPVanish made significant improvements in 2024, not only in terms of speed and unblocking, but in expanding its server network and adding multiple new features. It’s now one of the best VPNs you can use with Netflix US. I was also able to access libraries including Canada and the UK, but Australia was a struggle. IPVanish now has over 2,400 servers, some 1,400 of which are in the U.S. in 20 different cities. Though not quite as fast as Surfshark, it’s no slouch either.

When it comes to security, IPVanish ticks every box with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. New additions to IPVanish’s features include a secure browser and cloud storage. It’s just a shame that these are only available as part of the more expensive Advanced subscription tier. Still, there’s a generous unlimited simultaneous connection allowance, and you’ll also have access to 24/7 support via live chat and email.

Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, IGN's parent company.

Proton VPN is unique in that, unlike most VPNs on the market, it operates a very strict no-logs policy and lets you pay anonymously in cash. These are just some of the reasons why it, alongside Mullvad VPN, has proven to be such a popular choice among privacy enthusiasts. Yet Proton VPN is much more than this. It has a huge network of approximately 10,000 servers in 117 countries. Some 3,000 of these are in the U.S., which is more than any other VPN in this list.

As for speed, Proton VPN remains one of the fastest VPNs available today. It uses the WireGuard protocol, has 10 Gbps-capable servers, and boasts a VPN Accelerator feature that maximizes the efficiency of your connection. Not only are the speeds fast enough for watching US Netflix online in 1080p HD and 4K, they also make this one of the best VPNs for gaming. Though setup and navigating the apps is easy enough, it’s a shame live chat support isn’t available 24/7.

PrivateVPN is a smaller, lesser-known VPN provider but that’s arguably its strength. The consistency with which I’ve been able to access US Netflix and international streaming services such as BBC iPlayer suggests that PrivateVPN IP addresses tend to fly under the radar. Some may be put off by the small network of just over 200 servers (albeit in more than 60 countries), but it’s important to remember that PrivateVPN serves far fewer users than VPN giants like NordVPN.

This is one of the more affordable VPNs to use with streaming services. With a single-month subscription costing less than $10 and a three-year plan that works out to $2 a month, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a VPN on a budget. PrivateVPN is limited in terms of extra features. Unlike some rivals, there’s no ad blocker included. However, you’ll still have all of the security essentials (encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch) plus port forwarding. It also lets you connect 10 devices at once.

How We Picked the Best VPN for US Netflix

It’s fair to say that we’re not short of VPNs to choose from. The competition in the VPN market is so fierce that some very solid VPN services, Private Internet Access included, narrowly failed to make the cut. Yet I have to whittle down the many options one way or another, and I do this by running each VPN through a series of tests.

Here’s what I’m looking for when testing for a great VPN to access US Netflix:

• Unblocks Netflix USA: Needless to say, I’m looking at each VPN’s servers and putting them up against Netflix US. Ideally, I’m looking for successful unblocking at the first time of asking. Multiple failure leads to a VPN service being ruled out.
• Servers worldwide: Although the primary aim is accessing US Netflix, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have access to servers in countries such as Canada or the UK. This provides more flexibility when it comes to accessing region-locked content.
• Fast server speeds: I connected to the U.S. servers of each VPN and streamed US Netflix to make sure they’re up to the task. Just remember that the speed you get is determined by various factors, including your base connection.

Best VPN for US Netflix FAQs

Does Netflix detect VPNs?

Yes, Netflix detects and blocks many VPNs, making many VPN services unsuitable for accessing US Netflix. When it detects many users accessing its service using the same VPN IP address, it flags and blacklists it. Netflix can also detect when your IP address doesn’t match other data like DNS queries. The best US Netflix VPNs are simply more consistent in getting around restrictions.

Can I use a free VPN with US Netflix?

Unfortunately, even the best free VPNs don’t work with US Netflix. In fact, they’re not compatible with any version of the popular streaming platform. That’s largely because they offer very few servers and locations. Free VPNs attract a lot of users, and the limited number of IP addresses are quickly identified and blacklisted as a result. Besides, free VPNs usually limit your data and bandwidth. This makes them far too slow for streaming US Netflix anyway.

Instead of a free VPN, you can always take advantage of testing the VPNs listed above, which come with generous money-back guarantees so you can try them risk-free, or others with with free trial periods.

Will a VPN slow my Netflix US streaming?

It’s normal for a VPN to slow your connection slightly due to the VPN encrypting your data and routing it to its server. However, some VPNs use lightweight protocols such as WireGuard which makes them much faster than others. I’ve only recommended VPNs that are fast enough for streaming Netflix US. If you’re suffering ISP throttling, these VPNs may even improve your streaming speeds.

Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGN, bringing over five years of dedicated experience from Comparitech, where he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs. When he’s not testing VPNs, Mark is an avid gamer with a soft spot for the Sega Mega Drive, reliving the classics for a dose of nostalgia.