Summary (updated September 9th, 2017): To access your favorite American shows online, you need to be able to watch US Netflix abroad. One of the most efficient ways to do so is using a VPN. This lets you mask your original IP address and indicates to Netflix that your location is in the US. Discover how to watch American Netflix abroad and find the best VPN services to help you get through inconvenient proxy walls. We recommend using ExpressVPN’s fast and simple interface to get around any restrictions.
Get ExpressVPN to Access US Netflix from Abroad.
Unfortunately, if you want to get the full experience of Netflix and access all of its shows and movies, you can only do that if you live in the USA. If you live outside the USA, you need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to make Netflix think you are in the USA by using a VPN to change your IP address.
Reports found online show that people with US Netflix have access to around 7000 movie and TV titles, while, for example, Australia has access to 1900. Why is this?
Hollywood and other TV and movie creators have old, outdated content copyright laws that only allow TV and movies to be shown in the country they are created. And then if another country wants to show that content they must pay huge amounts of money to buy those content rights from the original creator.
This is why a VPN is so great. It allows you to get past those restrictions and route your internet connection to a different country to access that country’s content. E.g. if you are in Sydney, Australia, you can turn your VPN on, select a location in Los Angeles, USA and then start watching all the US shows that you couldn’t get access to in Sydney.
Thus you can pick and choose which country you want to watch the content library from.
Netflix announced that they would limit access from proxies and VPNs to their streaming services. We believe this is just a ploy to keep Hollywood and TV and movie producers happy. There have been many words published on the matter, such as these articles here, here, and here that delve into the topic more in-depth and conclude that the company cannot possibly restrict all VPN users who access American Netflix.
According to Neflix’s Chief Product Officer, “Since the goal of the proxy guys is to hide the source, it’s not obvious how to stop VPN users […] it’s likely to always be a cat-and-mouse game.”
We have a few theories at Secure Thoughts. A large portion of Netflix subscribers use a VPN to access their favorite content. Netflix is a publicly listed corporation with shareholders. I’m sure if they decided to say to 20% of their user base, “you can’t pay for our service anymore”, their shareholders would not be happy. Netflix, therefore, is caught in a balancing act. They must simultaneously appease Hollywood and keep their investors happy, with shareholders and the company’s growth having higher priority than upholding outdated content laws.
Netflix Everywhere Update 6th January 2016: It’s official. Netflix is now available all around the world! However, just because you can create an account doesn’t mean you have access to all the shows and movies available on American Netflix. You still need to know how to watch US Netflix abroad. You still need a VPN to get a US IP address and have access to the full American library. Case in point, there are currently 6,995 shows in the USA, 4,362 in Canada, 2,475 in Australia, and a mere 1,425 in Italy. That’s a big difference.
Netflix Proxy Update 14th January 2016: Netflix announce they will make a concerted effort to restrict access for VPN and proxy users to their US content. We have seen some instances where Netflix has limited access to some users although even Netflix admits “it’s not obvious how we can [restrict access to] VPNs on a large scale”. When one solution becomes effective, a new workaround is surely around the corner. As we have seen, it seems unlikely that they’ll succeed and they’re fighting a losing battle. Until now any large-scale restrictions have been ineffective, and we believe this will continue. We are keeping a close eye and are updating this article with any new developments.
So far, our recommended solution, ExpressVPN, has remained available. There have been a few instances where customers have lost access, but contacting ExpressVPN’s support team seems to resolve the issues. They also offer a 30-day money-back policy if an IP is restricted for any reason and there is no work-around.
As of now, US Netflix remains restricted in China, North Korea, Syria, and Crimea. You can, however use a VPN to Access US Netflix abroad from any of those places. You simply need an account that is not registered in any of those countries.
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Get the best and forget the rest. Here are our top 5 VPN providers to get US Netflix abroad and unlock all 7,000 titles to watch right now!
ExpressVPN is far and away the best VPN service to access US Netflix from Abroad and watch titles from the US library. We have recommended it for the last 3 years and we have had no problems with it, nor have the people we’ve recommended it to.
They have a great server network in the US with multiple servers on both the East and West Coasts. Here is a map of their server locations. Wherever you are in the world, simply pick one of these locations when you turn on ExpressVPN and that will give you access to the 7,000 titles available on US Netflix.
Pros: As soon as the sign-up was complete, I got my login details, downloaded and set up the software, and because their program is so simple to use, I was logged in to Netflix in less than 10 minutes.
But what I love more than the easy setup is the customer service. The one time I forgot my email address and couldn’t log in, their support staff responded to my ticket in less than 11 minutes. That’s really fast!
Along with the easy use and the great support, you get everything else you’d want from your VPN:
And most importantly, no issues connecting to or watching my favorite shows on Netflix.
Cons: Nothing really to report.
Summary: If you’re outside the US and still want to enjoy your favorite shows and movies and stream US Netflix, do yourself a favor and get ExpressVPN. It will allow you to access US Netflix so you can watch any show you like.
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More details on ExpressVPN can be found on our expert’s ExpressVPN review.
NordVPN is a decent choice in its own right, but it has occasionally struggled with accessing Netflix.
Pros: NordVPN has over 1000 servers to choose from (400+ in the US alone), including servers that are dedicated to high speed streaming. The variety means that you shouldn’t face any problems with connection speeds.
It’s one of the most intuitive VPNs available, and they also offer 24/7 support via live chat with decent response times.
Cons: NordVPN is a solid VPN in nearly all respects, but it’s not necessarily the best option for accessing Netflix specifically. Due to NordVPN’s popularity, Netflix actively seeks out and restricts known IP addresses used by the VPN.
Nord quickly replaces these addresses, but this back-and-forth tussle means that connecting to American Netflix can sometimes be difficult. It’s also a relatively expensive VPN but NordVPN 2-year plan offers the best value for your money at $3.29/month and the service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee policy.
Summary: NordVPN is a great VPN for usability and speed, but watching US Netflix isn’t really its strong suit. It’s probably a better bet to go for ExpressVPN for this use case, as both are priced similarly.
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Visit our NordVPN review to get more features and applications.
PrivateVPN is a smaller provider that still offers an efficient solution if you are trying to determine how to watch US Netflix abroad.
Pros: PrivateVPN delivers access to US Netflix on several of its US-based servers. Despite Netflix’s efforts to limit its availability, the company constantly updates users regarding which of its servers are currently still up and running. We found that this list is never empty.
The VPN enables reliable streaming speeds so you can still stream your favorite US shows in full HD. PrivateVPN also provides applications for Android and iOS that allow streaming via Netflix’s mobile applications.
Cons: One of the downsides of PrivateVPN is that the company hosts a smaller set of servers compared to some of its competitors. If Netflix were to restrict too many of their addresses, you could be facing a situation where you couldn’t view US content with your account. Support is also not available 24/7 like ExpressVPN, so if you’re facing downtime, you may have to wait to receive assistance.
Summary: If you’re looking for a reliable server that gives you alternatives in case your preferred server is down, PrivateVPN is for you. However, the limited number of servers means that Netflix could quickly restrict access to all of them.
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After a brief hiatus in access to American Netflix, VyprVPN has regained its status and lets users stream US content once again.
Pros: VyprVPN offers a good variety of US-based servers, and while they aren’t all available for streaming, a good percentage of them are. The best part is that they didn’t require any changes to presets. The company is currently offering a three-day free trial for users to test their service, and we’ve seen a strong success rate. Additionally, they offer a mobile application that lets you watch US Netflix on your Android or iOS devices.
Cons: If you’re concerned with privacy, VyprVPN has been known to keep some connection logs, although they are transparent about it. Moreover, some of the company’s US servers are not always available to stream American Netflix, and they don’t offer a straightforward way to determine which ones are working.
Summary: The addition of mobile applications for US Netflix streaming and a good variety of servers make VyprVPN a solid choice. However, for sheer number of available servers, ExpressVPN may be a better deal.
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Customers who don’t mind shelling out a slightly higher monthly subscription fee can take advantage of Buffered’s strong selection of US servers and reliable access.
Pros: For those who are skeptical about Buffered’s effectiveness when it comes to accessing US Netflix, Buffered is confident enough in its services to offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. The service offers reliable streaming speeds and is focused on security, giving customers peace of mind. In addition, the service offers great perks for those looking to also download content.
Cons: The price tag on Buffered is higher than some of the more popular options, and it does not offer a free version. We couldn’t find many of the advanced features some competitors offer to customize the level of protection certain customers are seeking. Moreover, some users have claimed that the VPN doesn’t always deliver US Netflix access.
Summary: A strong, if pricey, alternative to stream US Netflix from abroad. However, if you prefer to save, options such as ExpressVPN offer better value for your dollars.
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Here is an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to accessing American Netflix with your VPN of choice:
Even as Netflix continues to ramp up its fight to limit VPNs’ access to their US content library, you can still watch your favorite American shows easily by finding the right VPN for your needs. Services like ExpressVPN give you access to American Netflix libraries no matter where you are in the world. Other VPNs are good to give you access, and even by Netflix’s own admission, they’re not capable of stopping all the users who are trying to log on to their US content via proxies and VPN. Follow these five simple steps and you’ll be able to stream US Netflix from your computer or mobile device anywhere in the world, with no restrictions for which TV shows and movies you can access. Discover how VPNs can give you access to American Netflix abroad at incredibly affordable rates.
We try a variety of VPNs every month, as well as read user feedback to assess what is working and what isn’t. At the time of writing this (August 24, 2017), we have found the following VPNs are not working with Netflix.
Lyndon Seitz News maker and gatherer. Editor-in-Chief of Secure Thoughts.
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Keeep up the great writing.
After Netflix vpn crackdown most vpn services can no longer Access Netflix, For now express vpn is the only vpn service that is reportedly working for Netflix. so we will advice you to stick to them, thanks
Express vpn does not work, currently i have also tested nordvpn and private internet access and none work to access netflix, hulu, cbs just to name a few.
Hey V Rendz,
Thanks for the information! Unfortunately we often see the situation go back and forth in which streaming companies and VPN companies are constantly finding workarounds to each other’s workarounds. It’s an ongoing situation.
Best,
Lyndon
Looks like to me that media streaming companies or just media companies don’t want people to be able to use legal means of viewing media. The solution? Use a vpn and use a torrent streamer. More selection, free, and best of all you don’t have to deal with this BS.
I would suggest a credit card based in the usa as well. or getting a walmart refillable card with a usa address.
I have been using PureVPN to stream videos on Netflix and it works. I spoke to their support staff when i read this article. They told me that purevpn is working for all locations with neflix.
If anyone is interested, they can contact their support staff to find out the same news
I live in US. Is there a way for me to access Netflix New Zealand.
Hey Ed,
To do so, you’ll likely just want to select a VPN server that’s based in New Zealand. That should place your IP address in New Zealand and solve your issue.
Best,
Lyndon
BufferedVPN not working anymore
Hello Nasthy,
we’ll look into this. It’s often a constant back and forth between Netflix and VPN providers. Hopefully the situation will resolve soon.
Hi,
I live in San Francisco, USA but I am in india right now for vacation. I tried accessing netflix from India and I could able to access movies and seasons. Is it okay to watch these shows outside USA ?
Hello,
Just for the sake of clarification, do want to access American Netflix from India or are you asking if you can access Indian Netflix with an American account in India?
Thank you
Thanks for the list of VPN’s and set up information. I have express VPN and Netflix continues to give a blocked Proxy notification so I can’t get my USA content. It’s frustrating paying for both the VPN and Netflix and not being able to use it. Any ideas?
Hi,
Would ExpressVPN only give me access to US Netflix or will other countries be available as well? Eg Canada, UK, Etc
With VPN you could access any countries/continent content.
Is ExpressVPN working with Netflix as of April 2017?
Thanks
Yes it is. They have been the most consistent at keeping it up and running.
The entertainment industry wants to squeeze every dollar they can out of you, and that’s one reason you cannot freely watch Netflix anywhere in the world. The good news is that you can use a VPN to get around georestrictions and access all that Netflix has to offer.
I am using ExpressVPN and keep getting a proxy error page on Netflix saying I cannot access. Does ExpressVPN still work?
Hi Devin,
Absolutely. Please get in touch with ExpressVPN customer service (live chat). We have testimonies that they will help you in no time.
Thank you,
Ilana
Is a us Netflix account needed , I’m guessing so as Australian account won’t work
Hi Mattman,
Here is a step by step guide for you to get US Netflix from where you are:
1. Sign up with a VPN provider (we recommend ExpressVPN to unblock Netflix).
2. Download / install the application to your device.
3. Launch the VPN application and sign in using your VPN account.
4. Connect to an American VPN server.
5. Go to Netflix website (you can also launch the Netflix application).
Enjoy your streaming!
Thank you,
Ilana
hi, i live in the USA.I’m going for a 3 months vacation in Cameroon, central Africa. do you think
i can use one of those vpn to watch netflix? if yes what will be better?
Hi Arlette,
Thank you for reaching out.
I would suggest either ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Both unblock Netflix from many locations in the world, with many features which ensures a smooth streaming.
Have a look at our recent article https://securethoughts.com/make-an-effective-vpn-comparison/ for a quick comparison at their features.
Thank you!
Ilana