Gathering all your favorite snacks and drinks, surrounding yourself with comfy pillows and blankets, and then spending hours in front of a screen can be a truly therapeutic experience. Unfortunately, there is a big problem with this hobby: there is a limited amount of content to entertain you.
We're a greedy bunch and regular streamers can easily get to the point where they feel like there's nothing to watch. What should you do then? Fear not, because there is a simple solution to this frustrating problem.
If you've reached this point of streaming deprivation, you should consider investing in a VPN. This will unlock many shows and movies on services you already subscribe to.
What is a VPN?
VPNs are security tools that protect your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). All your activities are untraceable and secure because all your online traffic goes through an encrypted tunnel. No one can see inside the tunnel and everything inside the tunnel is protected from online threats such as hackers, viruses and malware.
30 Best Movies to Stream on Netflix Right Now
Hiding your real IP address can trick major streaming sites into thinking you're in another country.
Do you need a VPN?
VPNs are used to provide sensitive security information, which is very important. This isn't the only reason why VPNs are so popular, as you can use these tools to watch content that is normally blocked in your location.
By hiding your real IP address and connecting to a server in another country, you will be able to watch all your favorite content from that location. For example, you can watch all the movies and extra shows on American Netflix that cannot normally be accessed outside the US. There is a huge amount of content that can be accessed with the help of a VPN.
A VPN is something everyone needs to bypass geo-restrictions and access restricted entertainment. These services are your gateway to the online world and give you access to many of the shows and movies you love.
How to unblock US Netflix
If you thought accessing US Netflix would be difficult with a VPN, think again. It is a very simple process that anyone can understand:
-
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app on your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open the app and connect to a server in the US.
-
Visit Netflix to watch movies and shows from the library of American content.
If you're worried that this is all a bit illegal, we can assure you. It's currently legal to watch Netflix using a VPN, although it's worth noting that Netflix does mention it. Terms of service Your account may be restricted without compensation or notice if you engage in “inappropriate” use. We're not entirely sure what that means, but consider yourself warned.
We must clarify that you still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work. A VPN won't give you free access to a streaming site. Once you subscribe, the VPN gives you access to many libraries around the world.
Do you want to use free VPNs?
There are many free VPN versions and trials, so why would you consider paying for a service? As with most things in life, with VPNs you get what you pay for.
There is always a problem with free versions and it is usually due to limited data usage. These plans are fine if you're a casual user, but if you're going to stream or download something, this won't work. Free trials are different from anything you get with a paid plan, but they obviously don't last long. Testing is great before committing to a service, but it's not a long-term solution.
You generally have to pay to get access to advanced security features with no usage limits. That being said, services like ProtonVPN offer impressive features for free. However, you may have trouble streaming Netflix with this free version.
What is the best VPN for Netflix?
There are many VPN services that can effectively unblock US Netflix, but which one is the best? There are many solid options you can consider, but we don't want to waste time checking everything. To save you time, we have selected the best options for you. Each service has different features that make some users better than others, and it's all about finding one that works for you.
ExpressVPN tops this list because it combines essential features with impressive results, but it's not the only option available to you. We've ranked the best VPNs to unblock Netflix and there's something for everyone on this list. We've highlighted the best deals on Surfshark, PureVPN, Cyber Coast VPN, and NordVPN.
These are the best VPNs for Netflix in 2024.