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With the likes of Amazon Prime catching up, Netflix still has the largest library of digital streaming content — with over 100 million hours of shows and movies already available (source: Comparitech).
Much of this content gets geographically restricted, due to copyright agreements. This means you’re limited to shows you can watch based on where you are. However, there’s a workaround — using a Virtual Private Network.
If you want a slap-bang answer on what VPN still works with Netflix from the UK (not all do) choose any option below. For more ins and outs, our findings were gathered by the HostingData team and covers reliability, connection speeds and common issues. (Check out our separate guide for how to use Netflix with a VPN.)
Table of Contents:
Best Netflix VPN (UK 🇬🇧) in 2023 👈
Our team selected the best Netflix VPNs (UK) based on the below qualities:
- Consistency of unblocking with speeds fast enough for HD/4K streaming
- Compatible on popular devices and OSs
- Experienced customer service and customer chat
- Application-layer security (as well as network encryptions)
- Total privacy guarantees for personal data
- Moneyback guarantees for first-time users
- Dependable selection of servers
1. NordVPN: All-Around Most Loved Netflix VPN 💗
Key Specifications:
PROS
CONS
All-Around Most Useful at Streaming 📺
Our team thinks NordVPN is top-notch in every key aspect that we consider important for Netflix, and more. There doesn’t seem to be any library that this all-around service can’t unlock…
It’s about as far as perfection, from a Netflix VPN, gets. You’ll also be able to unblock other geo-restricted services:
- ✅ Hulu
- ✅ Amazon Prime
- ✅ BBC iPlayer
- ✅ Best Podcast Hosting
All-Around Fastest at Netflix 🎿
NordVPN has shown itself able to exhibit connection speed decreases as small as 5 megabytes per second — in tests with total speeds of 155 MB per second.
This test was done on the UK mainland, with the highest level of AES encryption, using the OpenVPN security protocol… Such a minimal drop makes this an excellent client for Netflix HD streaming — including 4K.
That’s not to mention a wealth of other features such as getting past firewalls (eg. China’s): actually, Nord tops our ‘All-Star List’ of all-around best VPNs ever.)
2. Surfshark VPN: Best Long-Term Budget Netflix VPN 💷
Key Specifications:
PROS
CONS
All Servers Unblock Netflix (w Unlimited Connections) 🖱️
This is one unique benefit of such shock: every single server can unblock Netflix, saving you effort from scrolling around for the perfect one.
Additionally, although you will typically be redirected to the US version of Netflix, there are a handful of local versions that host for France, Canada, Japan, and others.
You get speeds fast enough to stream in HD without buffering or sacrificing security. And connections are unlimited, working on lots of different devices and operating systems.
Best 24-Month Price (seriously so) 🏆
The thing with VPNs is there’s no foreseeable future where they won’t be essential…and pricing schemes reflect this long-term thinking.
This may seem like some kind of pricing trick, but if you do the maths you see just how much savings you make. For instance, at the time of this article, Surfshark charges £1.76 for a 24-month subscription (using a discount code) — yet their one-month price is £9.17.
That’s over 5x more, which actually means you’ll only be spending the cost of taking out a 1-month plan 5 times — even though you’re subscribed to a 24-month deal. (We hope the maths made sense: you’re basically saving us a ton more than it might seem at a glance.)
3. ExpressVPN: Last But By No Means Least… 🗿
Key Specifications:
PROS
CONS
Unblocks Netflix Everywhere and Anywhere ⭐
When you’ve got space for only 3 champions, you have to be extra ruthless in dwindling down all of the contenders — so it could look like our HostingData team sees ExpressVPN as a bad choice for Netflix.
Not at all!
For starters — ExpressVPN is able to unblock Netflix on ALL the popular consumer platforms: Android/Windows, iOS/MacOS, Amazon Fire TV, Linux, and even some Wi-Fi routers — but also on devices it shouldn’t even be able to (these devices were made to support VPNs), like Apple TV, Xbox One, and PS4.
They’re also fast: speed drops can be a bit higher than NordVPN (6-11%), which is still very good, although this might vary for super far-away servers (up to 35%).
Above Average Support for Netflix 📞
ExpressVPN reliably unblocks for most other video streaming platforms such as Hulu and BBC iPlayer, allowing HD viewing without buffering.
They have a page dedicated to Netflix, offering the best VPN server locations for unblocking Netflix. If these ever change, you can message live chat.
If looking to view Netflix UK, US, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, Japan, or Germany — you can be sure that this is your option (it also comes with a one-month money-back guarantee).
Best Netflix VPNs (UK) Buying Guide ⭐
Honourable Mentions
More VPNs That Unblock Netflix 👍
The following VPNs unblock Netflix, but didn’t make the top 3 for some reason — this could be because of poor networks and speeds, privacy concerns, or not being able to unblock Netflix from mobiles.
Of that list, our four top alternatives for unlocking Netflix are CyberGhost, PrivateVPN, Hotspot Shield & IPVanish — in that order…
VPNs that somewhat work with Netflix:
- AirVPN
- Astrill
- BulletVPN
- BlackVPN
- CyberGhost 👈🏼
- CactusVPN
- FrootVPN
- Hide My Ass 👈🏼
- Hide.me
- Hotspot Shield 👈🏼
- IPVanish 👈🏼
- LiquidVPN
- McAfee Safe Connect
- Norton Wifi Privacy
- Private Internet Access
- Private Tunnel
- PrivateVPN
- ProXPN
- PureVPN
- ProtonVPN
- SaferVPN
- Speedify
- StrongVPN
- Torguard
- VPN Tunnel
- VPNArea
- VPN Unlimited
- VyprVPN
- Zenmate
- Windscribe
Since We Last Checked, these VPNs Do NOT Work 👎
Buffered ⏳
In the past, this was able to unblock Netflix via web browsers on Windows or Mac OS, but this has changed since late 2017. Buffered has confirmed that, for Netflix US, they can no longer access the service as far as we know.
Blockless ❎
Around the same time as Buffered began to fail, Blockless showed that it was also ineffective against Netflix.
GetFlix 🎞️
This actually uses smart DNS proxies, to cheaply unblock Netflix. When this was still effective, the company made a big name for itself. Today, however, this is either an ineffective or slow way of unlocking geo-blocked libraries.
Hola Browser App 👋
Hola has security issues, as well as a very shady background — involving criminality and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. You might have some luck with YouTube, but it won’t unblock Netflix — either way, security is your main issue with this company.
HideIPVPN 📟
They stopped providing a service for unblocking Netflix — quite a while back, in 2016.
Opera VPN 🎻
The Opera browser has an inbuilt VPN. Although it may be good for other use cases like YouTube, it will not unblock Netflix. It also stops working for no reason at certain times.
Unblock-Us 🔑
Not good for reliability — the company also says they don’t work on all devices.
Unotelly 📺
Another company that no longer works (since we last checked.)
Unlocator 🌎
Also not working with Netflix anymore!
Top UK VPN FAQs
How Do I Start Using My Vpn With Netflix? 😎
We’ve already made a guide for how to set up your VPN with Netflix but we quickly go over the process, as it is simple.
The first step is to sign up for a trustworthy VPN service from the above list.
To watch Netflix using a VPN, follow this process:
- Download and install your VPN using the official website or app. Make sure you use a VPN that actually works with Netflix.
- Choose a VPN server based on which library inventory you want to use. For instance, for US video libraries, choose a US server.
- Boot up your VPN. Once your connection starts, bring up Netflix in a browser or app — start watching!
- For any additional issues, head to the customer support chat of your VPN — they may advise you to reconfigure some settings, such as DNS or IPv6 configurations.
If you are looking a more detailed explanation, take a look at our guide on how to watch Netflix with VPN.
Why Does Netflix Have Different Shows in Different Countries? 🏈
Netflix has different licensing deals that vary according to geography.
These licensing deals were agreed by the copyright holders who own the content.
While Netflix may be able to stream the show in one country, they might not hold copyright agreements for another — this is why you will get many more titles available on Netflix US than Netflix UK, Australia or Canada.
Why Does Netflix Block VPNs?🚧
Netflix wants to avoid legal fines for streaming content that is restricted from geographic licensing.
Giving access to any user regardless of where they are from would be a breach of its licensing agreements and commitments. But Netflix doesn’t discern between users who are visiting a different country, who live in other countries — or use VPNs just for extra anonymity when streaming.
Why Do Some People Advocate for Using VPNs?📢
VPNs are a breakout way for users to be anonymous online.
Governments and other mass data collectors are restricted from having total power over all of the information that passes across over the Internet.
Some states also do their best to censor people, such as China which is on the top of all internet censorship statistics worldwide.
Hosting data recommends that every person considers using a VPN, whether or not they are subscribed to Netflix.
The VPN ban by Netflix is there to prevent copyright holders from being able to sue them in court. But it doesn’t consider the location of VPN users. If the proxy is detected, that person is blocked — this is not fair-use by Netflix concerning subscribers who want to enjoy shows without sacrificing privacy and security.
This is especially the case for those using public Wi-Fi networks, or travelling abroad to heavily surveilled countries. Users have the right to use a VPN and protect their privacy — even if Netflix wants to force users to choose between entertainment and privacy.
For Netflix Abroad, What Countries Will the VPNs in This Guide Work In? 🌞
The recommended VPN providers should let you unblock US Netflix whatever country you’re travelling to, unless in a heavily-censored state — where there are firewalls such as in China (ExpressVPN is our #1-pick VPN that works in China AND unblocks Netflix.)
For pretty much any other country, the top 3 VPNs are fine. We’ve seen people from all over use them to successfully access US Netflix — Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, and more.
Can a VPN That Unblocks Netflix Us Work for Other Countries? 🇧🇷
Not necessarily.
Despite the US version of Netflix being by far the highest in demand, that may be some variations for other popular countries, eg. the UK itself (if you happen to be travelling abroad), Brazil, France, Italy, Spain or Japan.
Start a free trial to test out one of those on our list.
Can I Unblock Netflix With a Smart DNS Proxy? 🛰️
Smart DNS proxies like Hola, Overplay, Unlocator, and Unblock-US were flashes of lightning — ending with Netflix winning the war on proxies.
These proxies emerged after Netflix successfully blocked connections for most VPN servers, a couple of years back… (making users switch services).
Smart DNS proxies are able to monitor the devices DNS requests (DNS requests are used for bringing up domain names such as “netflix.com” connected to their servers). When you establish a Netflix DNS request, the smart DNS changes your public IP address and DNS server.
Problem is, this only works for a few months — Netflix subsequently cracked down on most of these services. Only a handful of these can still unblock Netflix — of them all, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer smart proxy is the best, which you can get by purchasing a subscription.
Is It Legal to Use Netflix With Vpn? 🚓
It is — no law exists against using a VPN to watch Netflix. Netflix however, has a wall against using a VPN to access libraries in a country other than the one in which you are residing.
The hosting data team doesn't agree with the bluntness of this wall. And while Netflix does attempt to block Internet connections from VPN services, users are not penalised by attempting to watch Netflix via a VPN. We’ve not seen users get banned, suspended, unsubscribed, or sued.
(That’s not to say it won’t happen in the future, but as of yet, it’s not been the case.)
Does Netflix Really Have ‘Secret Codes’?🔟
Actually, it does — Netflix has over 70,000 “secret” codes for doing advanced searches for titles. These let you filter down results to highly specified genres.
For instance, code 77232 is for Asian Action Movies. These save you a bunch of time from trying to figure out exactly what is on offer in any given sub-niche.
Here’s NordVPN’s list of Netflix codes.
Conclusion 🏁
Whatever use you put your VPN to, security should be high up on the list — hackers enjoy sniffing out hidden weaknesses in poorly protected devices, to obtain sensitive data.
Around 50% of applications today have some kind of security vulnerability 🐱👤 — putting your personal information at risk: your name, location and possibly even payment details (source: CISOMag).
It’s not good enough just to encrypt the network however (which is what most VPNs do) — the best providers like NordVPN give you protection at the “application layer,” where most vulnerabilities exist.
Short Summary ⭐:
- NordVPN is the all-round favourite VPN for Netflix UK
- Surfshark has the overall best long-term price
- ExpressVPN also unblocks PS4, XBox, etc.
We hope this was useful. Remember, your VPN will be useful for a range of security and privacy reasons, such as doing online banking and everyday purchases such as Amazon
