The best Netflix VPN

This reliability isn't something that every VPN can boast – it's a constant cat and mouse game between streaming platform like Netflix and VPNs, with the former routinely blacklisting VPN IP addresses (then prompting you to switch off the VPN before continuing through to the site).

It's why you need a VPN that can evade these blocks – and NordVPN did the job expertly during our usage. We were able to log in and load up our usual library of content quickly, and shows and movies immediately loaded in crystal clear HD. NordVPN didn’t make us sit and watch the dreaded buffering circle.

There are NordVPN servers dotted across 118 countries. This is a generous selection, and the more servers (in more places) a VPN has, the more choices you have when it comes to accessing content. It also means you'll be able to keep up with your favorite shows when you travel abroad.

NordVPN blew us away during speed testing, too, clocking in at over a blistering 950 Mbps, marking it as one of the fastest VPNs on the block. We used NordVPN's WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol to achieve these results and recommend using the same protocol if you want a quick connection that'll keep up with 4k streaming.

Finally, we always find NordVPN nice and easy to use. Once you've downloaded the right app for your device, just follow along with the installation wizard and log in when prompted.

The homescreen itself can be a little overwhelming to look at, especially if you’ve invested in any add-on tools, and we find that Surfshark is easier to digest visually.. The same goes for NordVPN’s interactive map interface. It’s a great novelty, but scrolling through the traditional server list is a lot less fiddly.

You'll also get 10 simultaneous connections to play with and apps for all major platforms, which means you can take your Netflix favorites with you on the go.

In fact, at just $2.19 a month for a 2-year plan, Surfshark is half the price of one of our other top contenders, ExpressVPN, and still cheaper than NordVPN.

Using Netflix with Surfshark was straightforward. We loaded up Netflix in the blink of an eye and were able to log in just as quickly, and the movies we checked out while using a Surfshark server played in uninterrupted 4k quality.

All in all, during our testing, we found that Surfshark had no negative impact on our streaming experience.

Why is that? Well, it’s all thanks to Surfshark’s outstanding performance. Using the WireGuard protocol, we recorded speeds of over 950 Mbps, effectively maxing out our testing line. That’s many more times the 25 Mbps you need to stream in HQ – and it also makes Surfshark a great gaming VPN.

Surfshark has servers in 100 countries, which is an impressive spread, though not quite as many as NordVPN. Still, you’ll have no trouble finding a nearby server to connect to.

Similarly, we found Surfshark’s apps to be some of the most intuitive on the market. They’re clean and simple, with all important features clearly labeled, and connecting to a server is as easy as hitting the big button in the top right. You can’t go wrong.

On that note, there are Surfshark apps available for all platforms, so you can enjoy an expanded Netflix catalogue on your desktop at home and on your phone when you’re traveling.

We particularly like that Surfshark boasts unlimited simultaneous connections as part of its core offering. It’s great value for money and means you can share your login details with friends and family if you’re feeling generous.

Loading and logging into Netflix wasn’t much slower than usual during our testing – though NordVPN and Surfshark were perhaps a few milliseconds quicker. Still, it wasn’t enough of a delay to call frustrating, and the picture quality loaded in HQ right away and stayed crisp throughout the testing process.

It is worth noting, however, that the ExpressVPN connection did drop out a few times when we connected to a US server from here in the UK.

ExpressVPN is half a step behind NordVPN and Surfshark when it comes to speed, too. Its proprietary Lightway protocol is no slouch, but it couldn’t keep up with NordLynx, recording speeds of 898 Mbps during our most recent round of testing. Again, though, these speeds are way above the minimum required for smooth HD streaming.

Currently, there are ExpressVPN servers in 105 countries, which places it right between NordVPN and Surfshark in terms of quality. The distribution is great, too, serving folks in sometimes underserved areas of Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America.

ExpressVPN is our top-rated VPN for beginners – largely thanks to its super-simple panel-based UI. The design is fresh and free from clutter, and choosing a server is as easy as scrolling through a list and hitting the connect button. Plus, ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and many more platforms.

Right off the bat, we were glad to see that PIA has its very own dedicated streaming servers. They impressed us during testing – we experienced no hiccups when loading and browsing through Netflix, and playback remained clear and crisp.

We’d recommend using PIA’s streaming-optimized servers if you’re looking to really, seriously, maximize your cinematic experience.

While PIA only has servers in 91 countries (fewer than our top three Netflix VPNs), it does boast servers in all fifty States in America, which is great news for folks in the US looking for a nearby server to connect to.

After all, connecting to a server that’s geographically close to you reduces the length of the journey your data has to make, ensuring that your browsing (and streaming) sessions run as smoothly as possible.

Joining any of PIA’s servers is pretty easy. We like PIA’s panel-based interface and the fact that it can be customized and expanded to suit the individual’s needs. So, if you’re more of a techy, you can tweak your app down to the smallest details or just hit the Quick Connect button if you want to get on with your movie marathon.

In terms of speed, we recorded PIA at 436 Mbps when using the WireGuard protocol. This isn’t criminally slow, but it’s not all that impressive, either. NordVPN and Surfshark are much faster, however, and could be worth considering as alternatives if you’re on the hunt for a more consistent performer.

Proton VPN’s prices are modest, too, and you can bag a 2-year plan for just $3.59 or give its reliable free VPN tier a go (though remember, you won’t be able to pick a server manually if you do).

Unblocking Netflix with Proton VPN was a piece of cake. The only instance where we had some trouble was with joining a local UK server, where it took two attempts to load Netflix content.

This isn’t a deal-breaker for us, but the rest of the providers on this list didn’t bump up against the same hurdles, which is something to consider if you’re weighing your options. Otherwise, Proton VPN was able to keep up with HD content during testing and immediately loaded shows in excellent quality.

Proton VPN has been steadily carving out a reputation as one of the quickest VPNs on the market, and during our most recent batch of speed tests, it continued to impress. We recorded speeds of over 950 Mbps, putting it on par with the uber-fast NordVPN and Surfshark.

With servers in 110 countries, we were spoiled for choice when it came to picking out a location. That’s a lot, but NordVPN still takes the cake with servers in 118 countries.

Proton VPN’s black and purple UI might not suit every taste, but we found it easy to set up and navigate, especially thanks to the big “Quick connect” button. Like NordVPN, Proton VPN has an interactive map, which tends to be easier to use on bigger screens. Luckily, Proton VPN’s apps are available for all platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.