Hey friends, Aijaz Uddin here! If you are like me, you love binge-watching Netflix the most. But do you ever feel like watching a great show and then finding out that it is not available in your country? Or when you are traveling and suddenly your favorite shows get deleted from your Netflix library? I have been in a situation like this and it is absolutely frustrating.
For a long time, I use a little magic trick to solve this problem: a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. It's a simple tool that lets you change your virtual location so you can unlock a whole new world of content on Netflix. But there's a twist - there's always a cat-and-mouse game going on between Netflix and VPNs, and many VPNs that used to work are now blocked.
So I decided to spend the last three months testing the most popular VPNs. My goal was to find out which VPN will work with Netflix in 2025, not just on paper, but in the real-world too. And today, I'm sharing my top 5 picks with you.
Why Netflix Blocks VPNs
Understanding Licensing Agreements
Why does Netflix block VPNs? It all depends on licensing agreements.
First, let’s understand why Netflix blocks VPNs. This is not to please Netflix, at all! It all happens because of licensing agreements. The movies and shows you watch on Netflix are licensed for specific regions. Meaning, a show that may be available in the US may not be available in the UK because they have different licensing deals. And Netflix checks your IP address so that it can show you the library of the region where you are physically.
When you use a VPN, you are borrowing the IP address of another location, through which you can access different libraries of Netflix. But if Netflix detects that many people are using the same IP address (which is the common sign of VPN), then it blocks that IP address.
But don't worry! Using a VPN will not create your Netflix account. The worst that can happen is getting a proxy error message.
How We Tested the Best Netflix VPNs
Three Months of Rigorous Testing
How we found the best Netflix VPNs: Our 3 months of hard work
I did not just read the reviews and quit the work. I signed up for these services, installed them on my laptop, phone and smart TV. For three months, every night I connected to servers in different countries – US, UK, Japan, Canada – and checked whether I was able to stream without interruption.
Here were some of the things I checked:
- Can it unblock Netflix? This was the most important. I tested multiple servers of each VPN, from different countries.
- Is it fast for 4K? Buffering is not a bad thing. I was looking for VPNs that offer blazing-fast speeds for high-definition streaming.
- Is it easy to use? You don't need a computer science degree to watch movies. I prefer VPNs that offer user-friendly apps.
- Does it have a large server network? The more servers it has, the greater the chance of finding a server that works with Netflix.
- What's the customer support? If something goes wrong, it's nice to have 24/7 help.
And now, after three months of "testing" (which was basically an excuse to watch forced TV), these are my top picks.
Top 5 Netflix VPNs for 2025
1. NordVPN: The Best Choice for Netflix
NordVPN: Sabse Best Choice
If you want the best, NordVPN is my top recommendation. It unblocked more than 17 Netflix libraries in my tests, including major regions like the US, UK, and Canada.
What I liked:
- Lightning-fast speeds: I was streaming in 4K without buffering.
- Easy to use: The app has a map interface, which makes choosing a server location very simple.
- SmartPlay technology: This feature automatically helps bypass geo-restrictions.
My experience:
I wanted to watch a new season in the US. I opened NordVPN, clicked on the US server, and started streaming on US Netflix in seconds.
2. Surfshark: Budget-Friendly and Family-Friendly
Surfshark: Budget-Friendly and Family-Friendly
If you want an affordable VPN that runs on your whole family's devices, Surfshark is the best.
What I liked:
- Unlimited devices: You can use one Surfshark account on every device you own, and share it with your family.
- Great at unblocking: It unblocks Netflix libraries quite well.
- Camouflage mode: This feature makes your VPN traffic look like normal internet traffic, which Netflix cannot block by detecting it.
My experience:
One day my partner was watching a UK drama, I was watching a US sitcom, and our beta was watching anime on his tablet – all from the same Surfshark account, without any issues.
3. ExpressVPN: The Speed King
ExpressVPN: The Speed King
ExpressVPN is very fast and reliable. My test confirmed that as well.
What I liked:
- Incredible speeds: I was streaming in 4K, even when connected to servers around the world.
- Works on everything: There are apps for every device, including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
4. Proton VPN: Privacy-Focused
Proton VPN famous for privacy, but also good for Netflix streaming.
What I liked:
- Good for US Netflix: It was reliable in unblocking US Netflix.
- Growing server network: They are expanding their servers to more countries.
- Free version available: There is a free plan as well, but you need to upgrade for consistency.
5. PrivateVPN: Simple and Reliable
What I liked:
- Streaming-optimized servers: These servers are specially optimized for streaming.
- Good unblocking power: A few servers successfully accessed international Netflix content.
Tips for Smooth Netflix Streaming with VPNs
Quick tips for smooth streaming:
- Switch servers if one server doesn't work.
- Clear your cache and cookies.
- Use Stealth Mode if available.
Why Avoid Free VPNs for Netflix?
About free VPNs:
I'm against free VPNs because Netflix blocks them. You have the advantage of getting premium service.
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Netflix VPN
Final thoughts:
After three months of research, I can confidently say that you don’t have to be limited to your local Netflix library. With the right VPN, you can unlock a whole new world of entertainment with just one click. Happy streaming!
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