Summary: Netflix is an awesome way to watch all of your favourite shows, but it’s not always available outside the US. In many countries the content either varies, or its blocked completely. With a VPN, you can unblock your access to your Netflix account and stream anywhere. The best VPN gives you a new IP address, giving you instant access to all of your favourite shows and movies.

For the fastest Netflix streaming, no matter where you are, use ExpressVPN.

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Netflix is an awesome way to stream your favorite TV shows and movies from anywhere in the world, but it’s not available everywhere. Even in versions of Netflix that you can get abroad, a lot of shows that are available in the US, for instance, you can’t get outside the US.

When you try to access a service like Netflix, servers use your IP address to tell them your rough location, and will limit your access accordingly. So if you’re in a place like China, where access is extremely restricted, your IP address will tell them that, and you won’t be able to access it.

How To Unblock Netflix With A VPN

To unblock Netflix you need a VPN. VPNs work to get you quick, easy access to blocked content by hiding your IP address. When you use a VPN, your location is completely concealed, and it appears that you’re actually accessing from the server you’ve chosen from their menu.

So picture this: you’re sitting in your hotel in Hong Kong, absolutely dying because you can’t watch The Walking Dead. You just hop onto your VPN app, choose a server somewhere in America, and connect.

From there, login in to your Netflix account, and get to streaming. Your VPN will make sure that you get instant access, even if you’re in a country where Netflix is either unavailable or blocked.

VPN Basics: What it Does (And Doesn’t) Do

Does it automatically connect me to Netflix?

No. A VPN is basically just a program that gets you past content blocks. Once you’re connected with it, you just sign into your Netflix account like you normally would (only now, you actually have access).

Do I need to set up a separate Netflix account to watch American content?

No – just log in while you’re connected to the VPN. If you want to access American content, connect to an American server – it’s that easy!

Can I watch American Netflix on my tablet?

Yes! You can watch Netflix, or really, do just about anything else on your tablet, smartphone, laptop, and desktop computer.

Which server should I connect to?

Ultimately, you’re going to get the most reliable connection on the server that’s nearest you. This means that if you want to stream American Netflix, it’s best if you connect to an American server that’s as close as possible to your actual location.

So if you’re in Europe, Africa, or the Middle East, you’ll want to connect to an east coast server, like New York or Miami, and if you’re in Asia or Australia, you’ll want to try a west coast location like Seattle or Los Angeles.

Is a VPN going to slow down my Netflix connection?

Yes it will slow down the connection slightly. Because you are channeling traffic through another server it will slow down the connection.

What else can I do with a VPN?

VPNs are a great way to unblock Netflix, but really, you can access any blocked content with one. They also have the added benefit of protecting the privacy of your data from government surveillance organizations and hackers.

Since your connection is fully encrypted, you never have to worry about having your information stolen or your connection hacked on unsecured, public networks.

Key Features: What to Look for In a VPN 

• speed – make sure your connection is fast enough to stream Netflix (check out some reviews)
• device compatibility – Is the VPN you’re looking at going to work on all of your devices?
• unlimited bandwidth – for your binge-watching pleasure
• a large network – so you can always get a reliable connection
• great customer service – Are they going to help you when you need it?
• a money back guarantee – peace of mind for buyer’s remorse

Bottom line, the easiest way to unblock Netflix to use a VPN. These programs will give you instant access to any version (America or otherwise) of Netflix that you want, all while protecting your online privacy.

Top Three VPN’s For Streaming Netflix

There are a few things you need to keep an eye out for if you’re using a VPN specifically for streaming Netflix. The thing is, all of that encryption can slow down your connection, so you need to make sure you get one that’s fast enough.

Here I’ve got a few of the top competitors on the web listed, and I’ll explain to you what features they have to offer, and we’ll see which ones are really up to the task of streaming Netflix.

#1 Express VPN – 9.5/10 – Best VPN Software for Netflix

ExpressVPN is the ideal choice for most scenarios, but especially when you’re trying to balance security and performance. This is on the of the fastest VPNs I’ve ever used, and it’s never let me down for streaming.

You get unlimited bandwidth and two connections per account. This means that you can stream it on two devices per account for no additional fees.

Their service is backed by a 30 day money back guarantee, so I’ve never been hesitant to recommend this one – you can always get a refund if it doesn’t work out.

They has incredibly simple software, so anyone can figure it out, even if you’re a beginner and completely new to VPNs. The features are simple and easy to use, and setup is automatic.

If you do need some help, you can always get in touch with their customer service. This was a big sell for me – these guys never make you wait for a response.

You can usually get a response to an e-mail inquiry within 20 minutes, but if the problem is urgent, their live chat is also available round the clock, and there’s almost never a wait.

They is great for people that pack an arsenal of different gadget – it’s compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, so you can use it seamlessly between all of your devices.

Plus, with their referral program, you can even earn a month of free service when you get a friend to sign up – you can’t beat that.

Add in their military grade encryption, and you’ll never have to sacrifice privacy for speed when you use their service.

#2: IPVanish – 8/10 – Fast enough for Netflix, but not compatible with iOS

This is another great option for streaming Netflix, but there are a few catches.

For starters, IPVanish isn’t compatible with iOS. This VPN has software and apps for just about every other system, including Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux, but there’s no app for mobile Apple devices yet.

Also, while it may not seem like a huge deal (until it is), they don’t have a live support option. Their team is available 24/7, but you can only reach them by e-mail, and responses usually take a few hours.

However, this is another great option for beginners. IPVanish is simple and easy to use, and their software’s setup is completely automatic – no manual configurations to mess with.

They will give you unlimited bandwidth and two connections per account. You’ll also get the same 256 bit encryption.

Their refund policy is a bit shorter than just two weeks – but all in all, IPVanish is definitely fast enough to stream Netflix, and a very user-friendly VPN option.

You can check out IPVanish here.

#3: HideMyAss– 6/10 – Slow connection, choppy playback

I’m not a huge fan of HideMyAss for a few reasons, but namely because their connections are just never fast enough to stream or download content online.

Even when I’ve used one of HideMyAss’s recommended server locations, I’ve had major issues with connection speed. This VPN just can’t handle things like streaming Netflix.

What’s really irritating though is that the connection with HideMyAss isn’t even reliable. With them, I had my connection dropped at least once every hour.

HideMyAss has a lot of the features you’d expect to see, like unlimited bandwidth, two connections per account, and software for all major operating systems.

Even more frustrating though is when you can’t even get their customer service to respond. I’ve tried on numerous occasions to get HideMyAss to respond, and it never seems to happen in under 48 hours when I send them an e-mail.

Their live support options are available 24/7, but even those always have you on hold for at least twenty minutes – it never fails. So much for instant support.

These guys might cut it when it comes to securing your data, but ultimately this VPN is a one trick pony, and isn’t up for streaming TV online.

You can find HideMyAss here.

Conclusion: Use Express VPN to Unblock Netflix