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How many times have you been so excited to catch a new series on Netflix … only to realize it’s not on Netflix UK? From Japan and France to Canada and the US, each region has something that isn’t always available in other countries.
This is where a virtual private network (VPN) comes in handy.
Simply put, this relatively affordable and widely accessible technology will allow you to jump from Netflix UK to other regions in mere seconds.
However, not all VPNs can bypass content restrictions based on your geographical location, which is why we’re providing both a simple setup guide and a list of tried-and-tested VPNs for UK residents.
Table of Contents:
How to Watch Netflix with a VPN: Complete UK Guide 🇬🇧
Easy 4-Step VPN Setup for Netflix Access 🌟
- Create a VPN account — Go to the official website of your preferred VPN and make an account. Some VPNs will require credit card information upon signing up. Even then, they won’t charge anything unless you’ve opted for a premium subscription plan … and there’s always the free trial period.
- Download and install the VPN app — Don’t leave their website yet. Go to their downloads page and find the correct installer, which depends on your device and version of its operating system.
- Open the app and choose a server — Sign in to your account. VPN may slightly differ in their user interface and features, but the general process is to connect to a VPN server located in your desired Netflix region. Important: Ensure the VPN connection has been established.
- Play the video on the Netflix website — If the VPN is successful, the show should play normally on the site even if it’s not part of Netflix UK. Empty both browser cache and cookies if it doesn’t work the first time, then refresh Netflix to see if it works.
How to View Netflix on Other Devices 📺
Many Netflix users prefer streaming their shows using devices like Roku, Chromecast, and video game consoles. Others watch on their Apple TV or any other smart TV.
The problem, however, is that not all devices support VPNs and not all VPNs have support for them.
In this case, see if you have a device with a screencast feature. Chromecast, for example, allows you to connect your phone or laptop (or any device where Netflix is installed) to a VPN server like normal, and then screencast to your TV.
Another option is to configure your VPN on a router, which connects your other devices to the Internet. The level of difficulty depends on the firmware … and some users will have to overwrite their firmware with a VPN-compatible alternative. We recommend Linux’s reputable open-source firmware, DD-WRT.
Lastly, you can still watch US Netflix with a VPN without going through the hassle of firmware changes by purchasing a VPN router.
Best and Biggest Non-UK Netflix Regions 🌎
Surfshark published its findings of the quality and quantity of titles in different Netflix regions in 2020. The US boasted the highest number of movies and series combined at 5,879. However, South Korea had the most films with Oscar wins: 109.
Alongside other Asian countries like Singapore and Thailand, South Korea also had the most Emmy-winning TV shows available on the platform: 35.
In 2021, Netflix brought more titles to each region ... and as of January, the US is no longer at the top. According to Statista, Ireland surprisingly dominated with 6,379 titles. The next three biggest regions were all in Southeast Asia: Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Canada followed in fifth, so a VPN server for Canadian Netflix remains a solid option.
1. NordVPN
Fast and Secure 🚀
Key Specifications:
PROS
CONS
Connecting to Netflix 💻
NordVPN’s innovative protocol, NordLynx, offers fast streaming speeds regardless of the Netflix region. And with its double Network Access Translation (NAT) system and WireGuard software, it remains incredibly secure.
Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN’s browser extensions make non-UK Netflix viewing more convenient. And simultaneous VPN connections ensure that you can seamlessly switch from your office PC to your tablet on the bed when watching Canadian or Japanese Netflix.
Pricing 💸
NordVPN costs £11.95/mo, but this drastically goes down to £3.71/mo if you opt for a two-year plan — and they have a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can pay using a credit card, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, and other methods … but the company can’t provide a refund if you buy NordVPN from the Apple App Store.
2. Surfshark
Better Loading Speeds 🌊
Key Specifications:
PROS
CONS
Connecting to Netflix 📽️
This is a good VPN to watch US Netflix and other regions. We noticed that the Netflix website loads quickly. This is partly because of CleanWeb, which blocks ads and pop-ups to improve page loading speeds and save you mobile data if you’re not using wi-fi.
Surfshark has official apps for the usual devices such as smartphones and computers — and there’s even one for the Amazon Fire TV Stick. But for users with Chromecast, Roku, or game consoles, they’ll need a router, virtual router, or an ethernet cable ... and follow all sorts of instructions.
Pricing 💳
The monthly plan is the same as ExpressVPN — £12.95. Amazingly, the six-month plan leads to a 50% discount, costing just £38.94. But the best offer is its 24-month plan that charges just £59.76, equal to just £2.49/mo. Keep in mind that you’ll start paying the same amount annually after the first 24 months.
3. ExpressVPN
Premium Netflix Performance 🥇
Key Specifications:
PROS
CONS
Connecting to Netflix 🎦
On their website, ExpressVPN states that you can “access all content … no matter your location” — and this is true for international Netflix streaming. With split tunnelling, we could browse content on Netflix Switzerland while attaining a maximum internet speed for other online activities.
ExpressVPN has official support for many other devices used for Netflix streaming: Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Chromecast, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation. Users can go beyond the five-device limit for simultaneous connections by purchasing one of ExpressVPN’s recommended VPN routers.
Pricing 💰
ExpressVPN has a pretty steep monthly cost of £12.95. And its most cost-effective offering isn’t that low: You have to pay £99.95 for a one-year plan — that amounts to £8.32/mo or 35% in savings. This is our best VPN for UK Netflix (and any other region), but we suggest trying the other picks if you want to save more money.
4. VyprVPN
Excellent Pricing 💷
Key Specifications:
PROS
CONS
Connecting to Netflix 🖥️
Despite its limited server count, VyprVPN impresses with over 70 locations that include massive Netflix regions like Ireland and Malaysia. We streamed several titles with no buffering, although the maximum connection speed was not the best.
Connecting to public wifi was fine because of a protective feature that instantly connects your device to a VPN once it detects an untrusted network. Also, you don’t have to worry about this VPN not working on Netflix halfway into a show because dynamic server switching stops users from overcrowding the same servers.
Pricing 💶
VyprVPN has no monthly plan. Instead, it starts at £12.95 for every two months (that’s £6.47/mo) — but the first two months will only cost half, £6.47. The most practical VPN option, however, is the 36-month plan. This offer costs only £60 every 36 months, which is equal to £1.67/mo.
5. PureVPN
Global Streaming Prowess 🌐
Key Specifications:
PROS
CONS
Connecting to Netflix 📱
Netflix is available in more than 190 countries, so it’s impressive that PureVPN has servers in over 140 countries. They fully manage their worldwide network and they don’t rely on shared servers, which is good for both privacy and streaming speed.
The split-tunnelling feature works well, allowing us to balance our internet traffic for buffer-free binge-watching.
Pricing 👛
PureVPN starts at £10.95/mo and offers up to 70% off with its two-year plan. One distinct offer combines a seven-day trial and an annual subscription. First, you pay £0.99 for the trial. After a week, you can pay £69.95 for a one-year subscription. All three plans come with the unique 31-day money-back guarantee.
FAQs on How to Watch Netflix with a VPN 💭
What should I do if I want to watch Netflix with a VPN but it’s not working? 😟
If clearing your internet browser’s cache and cookies doesn’t work, turn it off. Sometimes, Netflix detects attempts at bypassing location-based restrictions and blocks the VPN. So when you reopen the browser, reconnect to a new VPN server.
Likewise, check as many VPN servers, protocols, and locations as possible to pinpoint the source of the issue.
Ask the VPN customer support if there’s a particular server you should use for streaming Netflix France. Perhaps they can offer a static IP address that Netflix won’t detect.
Also, read troubleshooting articles on your VPN’s official website.
Now, there are cases where Netflix doesn’t blacklist an IP address but prevents the device from showing titles that aren’t available on Netflix UK. Sadly, your options here are to either contact customer support … or look for another VPN provider.
Is there the best free VPN for Netflix? 🤩
We don’t recommend using a free VPN for Netflix Japan or other areas for three main reasons: speed, stability, and security. These free VPNs are unlikely to have sufficient servers to avoid overloading. And when servers are filled with users, your Netflix streaming may grind to a halt — or the video might be forced to load in a much lower resolution.
Free VPN services are never free. Some will secretly track their users’ online activities using cookies … then they’ll sell big data to companies. Other free VPN providers will bombard you with irksome ads until you pay a monthly fee.
According to Norton, 60% of malware-filled VPNs are free VPNs. Worst, 72% of free VPN services had third-party trackers — and 25% had three each. Norton discovered that such VPNs usually can’t access geo-blocked Netflix shows, adding that premium VPN services have better chances at bypassing Netflix restrictions.
And even if a free VPN succeeded, its severely limited bandwidth means you may not even finish one HD episode.
(Quick tip: Instead of wasting your time on shady free VPNs, why not try VPNs that are practically free?)
Is it illegal in the UK to use a VPN to unblock US Netflix? 😨
Netflix doesn’t want its subscribers jumping from region to region, watching all the shows exclusive to each country. Its terms of use even state that you should “primarily” view titles “within the country in which you have established your account”.
But Netflix is only focused on identifying and blocking VPN connections, especially as VPN providers develop better ways to conceal them.
Thus, subscribers themselves face no legal repercussions in using a VPN to watch American Netflix. Even if Netflix detects the VPN is used to bypass geographical restrictions, it will just block the connection or add the IP address to its blacklist. There are no fines to worry about.
Conclusion 🏁
Using a VPN for Netflix is a simple yet reliable way to catch content only available in other regions. Most of the time, the whole process takes only four steps. However, people must be careful in choosing a VPN.
Free VPN services appear convenient and safe, but a significant portion is hampered with privacy issues — and they seldom succeed in unblocking Netflix content.
We recommend sticking to premium VPN providers. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two of the best ones, although VyprVPN and Surfshark offer lower-priced long-term plans — and PureVPN dominates when it comes to the number of countries.
Finally, don’t worry about using a VPN to watch Japanese Netflix or a show exclusive to Netflix France. Netflix may block the connection, but you won’t receive any legal punishment.
We hope you found this guide useful in your virtual globe-trotting Netflix adventures. May you find all the bingeworthy shows.
