How to change Netflix region: Watch any country version anywhere

Travel from one country to another, and you may notice a significant difference in what’s available in the local Netflix catalog. Certain regions have a limited selection of shows and movies, which can be disappointing for avid streamers. For example, if you’re from the US and find yourself in Spain, you’ll quickly realize that the content options are much more limited. Fortunately, by changing your Netflix region, you can bypass these restrictions and access your home library.

The easiest and most effective way to change your Netflix region is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN routes your internet traffic through a server in your chosen country. By doing so, it masks your actual IP address and replaces it with one from your selected country. This effectively tricks Netflix into thinking you’re streaming from that location.

Using a VPN in this way is easy and effective, but only if you choose the right provider. Most VPNs are blocked by Netflix. Of those that do work, some may only be able to access one or two content libraries. We tested the top VPNs to find out which provides the best Netflix access while also fulfilling speed, security, and price requirements. We’ll start with a quick summary of those providers; scroll down for more in-depth reviews and a step-by-step process for changing your Netflix region using a VPN.

Here’s our summary of the best VPNs to change location on Netflix:

1. NordVPN: The most reliable VPN for switching Netflix countries. #1 in our Netflix tests for six years running. Very high speeds, strong security, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for changing Netflix region.
2. Surfshark: Our favorite service for changing Netflix regions and accessing geo-restricted content on a budget. Strong on security, with steady speeds and unlimited connections.
3. IPVanish: A no-logs provider capable of accessing multiple Netflix libraries from abroad. Robust security tools and no connection limit. The cheapest monthly subscription of any provider on our list.
4. ExpressVPN: A premium VPN service. Works well with Netflix and a host of other streaming services. Fast connection speeds and a strong security offering.
5. CyberGhost: Thousands of international servers to access any Netflix region on almost any device. Easy for beginners to use and has competitively priced subscriptions.
6. PureVPN: Great for streaming Netflix thanks to notably fast speeds and unblocking ability. Budget-friendly with plenty of security features.
7. PrivateVPN: Works well with Netflix and beats the geographical restrictions of other streaming services. Strong on privacy and great customer service. 
8. Private Internet Access: Quick and great for Netflix UK, US, and more. Has plenty of advanced security features.
9. ProtonVPN: A secure VPN with 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and a choice of protocols. Works reliably with Netflix.

How to change Netflix region with a VPN

Follow this step-by-step guide to change your Netflix region with a VPN:

1. Sign into your Netflix account or sign up for one.
2. Download and install a VPN that works for changing Netflix regions. After vigorous testing, we found NordVPN to be the most reliable VPN for accessing other Netflix regions.
3. Connect to a VPN server in the country you want to change to. For example, for Netflix US, you will need a VPN with servers in the United States.
4. Go to the Netflix website, and you should see the country site for the location of your selected server.
5. Select a movie or TV show from that country’s Netflix library and enjoy!
6. If you encounter any issues, you should try clearing your cookies and cache or connecting to a different server. If problems persist, you will need to reach out to customer support for technical help.

This method will allow you to watch Netflix anywhere abroad and is popular with people who travel frequently. For example, Americans visiting the UK will be able to securely stream American Netflix, and British travelers in the US can watch Netflix UK.

Jump to guides for changing your Netflix region on specific devices, including mobiles and Roku. Or scroll down for in-depth reviews of the VPNs that impressed us.

Criteria for the best VPNs for changing Netflix location

We created our list of the best VPNs for watching different Netflix regions based on in-depth evaluations of the leading providers. Here’s a taster of the areas we looked at:

• Speed: To find out what kind of speeds users might expect while streaming Netflix, we carried out speed tests while connected to VPN servers in nine different countries.
• Netflix region access: We tested which Netflix regions we could access while connected to VPN servers in different countries.
• Streaming: Few people only use one streaming platform, so we tested how providers performed with other popular streaming services.
• Security & privacy: We used 15 different metrics to evaluate each provider’s ability to keep users safe online.
• Value for money: We used eight different metrics to gauge the extent to which each VPN service offered good value for money.

You can find a full exploration of our testing methodology later in the article — where we’ll also discuss the test results.

Best VPNs for changing Netflix region: a snapshot of features

The best VPNs to change region on Netflix

Here’s a list of the best VPNs for changing your Netflix region in 2024:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024 works with NetflixTested Nov 2024

NordVPN is our number-one choice VPN for accessing and changing Netflix regions. It’s well-known for its ability to securely access Netflix. When we tested it, the provider worked with a wide variety of libraries, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Spain, the UK, Australia, Brazil, Italy, India, and Germany.

This VPN can also provide secure access to many other popular streaming sites, such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, and BBC iPlayer.

All of NordVPN’s 6,400+ servers are RAM-only, and are available in 111 countries. It’s easy to choose between them using the map in the location tab. Users can also search by country or city name.

In addition to its regular servers, NordVPN also has a range of specialty servers available. These include Double VPN, which routes traffic through an additional VPN server; Obfuscated servers that disguise traffic so that it can evade blocks in countries like China; and Onion Over VPN servers that provide one-click access to the Tor network.

Other NordVPN features include automatic public wi-fi protection (which is useful in preventing unintentional connections to rogue wi-fi hotspots); a kill switch; and a dark web monitor. App-based split tunneling is available, which allows you to keep the Netflix app within the VPN tunnel while using other apps with a regular internet connection.

One of NordVPN’s more unusual features is Meshnet. This lets users create their own private network of trusted devices, which they can access remotely of share files between. NordVPN decided to make Meshnet free to everyone a couple of years ago, so you can try it out via the NordVPN website if you’re interested.

As part of our testing, we wanted to know what sort of speeds users could expect while streaming various Netflix regions. To this end, we carried out speed tests while connected to NordVPN servers in nine different countries. We used a home broadband connection (with an average download speed of 53.05 Mbps) to mimic the average user’s experience of using the service.

Netflix requires a download speed of at least 15 Mbps to stream in ultra High Definition (UHD). As you can see from the above, NordVPN is at least twice as fast as this in all locations — even with our relatively slow base connection. In five of the countries tested, it was three times faster than the speed needed for streaming in the highest resolution possible. All in all, a great result.

NordVPN is based in Panama, which means it’s under no obligation to store user activity logs. The provider says that it keeps no records of the servers its subscribers connect to or the IP address they’re connecting from. These claims have been verified via multiple third-party audits.

The company’s apps — which are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android — use strong encryption and come with built-in leak protection. We confirmed that there were no IP, DNS or WebRTC leaks through a series of tests.

NordVPN has several subscription plans available, the cheapest of which is the two-year basic option. All subscriptions allow users to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Router configuration is possible if you want to use VPN-incompatible devices to stream different Netflix regions.

BEST FOR NETFLIX:NordVPN is our first choice since it’s versatile and works with so many different Netflix libraries from abroad. Strong online privacy and security credentials. Try it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

works with NetflixTested Nov 2024

Surfshark works with US Netflix and a host of other libraries, including Netflix UK, Japan, Netherlands, India, and France. If you try to access an unsupported library securely, Surfshark will redirect you to the US Netflix library. That means every server works with Netflix regardless of where you connect.

The provider also works with numerous other streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus.

Furthermore, Surfshark comes with a standalone smart DNS service. Setting this up allows you to watch US Netflix on VPN-incompatible that allow you to modify DNS settings. Note that the smart DNS proxy is less secure than the normal VPN, which uses strong encryption and automatic kill switch protection to prevent data leaks.

To find out what sort of speeds the average user might expect while connected to a Surfshark server, we carried out speed tests in nine different countries. We used a home broadband connection with an average download speed of 53.05 Mbps.

Surfshark was comfortably fast enough for streaming 4K Netflix content in all the regions tested. It was particularly quick in the UK, France, and India, with speeds that were only a few Mbps slower than our base connection speed.

Some of the provider’s more interesting features include an alternative ID generator. This creates a whole new persona — complete with name, address, and date of birth — in a few clicks. The tool is useful if you want to keep your personal details private when setting up online accounts. Addresses are currently available in the US, Denmark, Australia, Germany, Portugal, and Brazil.

Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that has static IP addresses available. These are IP addresses that don’t change when a user disconnects from, and reconnects to, the server. They’re currently available in six countries.

If you’re concerned about being tracked through your VPN IP address, Surfshark has a feature called ‘Rotating IP’ that will change your IP address without you having to break your connection to the VPN server.

The provider comes with all the day-to-day features you’d expect, including an ad, tracker and malware blocker; a kill switch; and IP-based split tunneling. Effective obfuscation is available via the NoBorders mode.

Surfshark apps all have a full GUI and are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. They use strong encryption and are free of any leaks that might expose your real location to Netflix.

The provider’s long-term subscriptions are great value, costing the equivalent of $2.19 for the first two years. Better still, they allow subscribers to connect as many devices as they want simultaneously — great news if you want to share an account with other members of your household.

BEST BUDGET PICK:Surfshark is a great low-cost option for watching Netflix abroad. Comes with strong security, speedy connections, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

works with netflixTested Nov 2024

IPVanish has significantly improved its streaming abilities over the years. Platforms that troubled it before, such as Netflix, no longer pose any issues. In fact, we’ve had great results accessing multiple popular catalogs, including Netflix UK, US, Brazil, Japan and France.

The provider also works well with a whole host of other big-name streaming platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Max, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Paramount Plus.

Of course, there’s not much point in being able to access streaming services if your connection is too slow to watch anything. To find out how fast IPVanish was, we tested the speeds of nine of its servers. We wanted to simulate an average user’s experience, so we used a home broadband connection (which had a relatively modest average download speed of 53.05 Mbps).

IPVanish was particularly fast in France, Singapore, and the UK. It was slowest in South Africa, though still fast enough to meet the speed requirements for streaming Netflix in UHD.

Choosing a server is easy, thanks to the server map on the app’s dashboard. Simply click a location, and IPVanish will connect you. Once connected, the dashboard shows a real-time graph of the amount of data being transferred, together with details of the protocol in use and current IP address.

IPVanish also has a list of servers in the location tab, here you can see how many are available in each location — which is something most VPNs are reluctant to share. Users can choose between individual servers using the drop down menu. The listed ping time and load makes it easy to find the fastest.

Features include a kill switch, app-based and domain-based split tunneling, and an ad, tracker, and malware blocker.

Available protocols include WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. Enabling OpenVPN allows users to turn on Scramble — which obfuscates traffic in an effort to bypass VPN blocks.

IPv6 and DNS leak protection are optional, though they’re sensibly enabled by default. We confirmed that IPVanish was leak-free by carrying out IP, DNS and WebRTC leak tests while connected to a server in Brazil.

IPVanish has apps for iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and Amazon Fire TV. It also provides manual configuration instructions for several types of home router. This allows you to stream different Netflix regions using devices that don’t natively support VPN software, such as smart TVs and games consoles.

Subscriptions are competitively priced, with a two-year plan costing the equivalent of $2.19 a month. IPVanish sweetens the deal further by allowing unlimited simultaneous device connections and throwing in free access to a SOCKS5 proxy.

Another awesome selling point with IPVanish is its new Advanced plan. This comes with an unlimited VPN, one terabyte of secure cloud storage, and a cloud-based browser that keeps all your browsing sandboxed on a cloud server to protect your devices against malware, trackers, cookies, and other threats.

We tested the sandbox browser and found it to be reliable when wanting to browse without being monitored. However, bear in mind that it isn’t the best for streaming HD content because it lowers picture quality substantially.

However, if you live in a country with a lot of restrictions, and you want to be able to browse without your ISP detecting anything, this remote browsing is still extremely useful.

All things considered, the price of the VPN with the added cloud storage and remote browser is extremely hard to beat. The entire bundle costs about the same as what you would usually pay for 1 TB of storage on its own, which means you get the VPN and the browser for free.

QUICK AND CAPABLE:IPVanish makes it as easy as possible to stream your favorite Netflix shows while traveling. Offers unlimited device connections, fast speeds, a strong security toolkit, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why not read over our full IPVanish review?

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4. ExpressVPN

works with NetflixTested Nov 2024

ExpressVPN is a highly reputable provider based in the British Virgin Islands. It only uses RAM-only servers in its network — which is great for privacy  — and has a presence in 105 countries.

The provider is known for its streaming ability, and it worked reliably with Netflix versions in the US, UK, Japan, Canada, and France when tested. If a chosen server doesn’t work, you can contact a live customer support agent to determine which is the optimal server to connect to.

Besides Netflix, ExpressVPN can grant you secure access to many other streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Max.

If you have a device that isn’t compatible with VPNs — but that allows you to change its DNS servers — you can use ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer service. This will allow you to spoof your virtual location so that Netflix US becomes accessible.

Alternatively, ExpressVPN has a dedicated router app that makes it easy to use the VPN service on a home router. This makes it possible to stream different Netflix regions on any connected device that’s suitable for streaming.

To find out whether ExpressVPN was fast enough for streaming Netflix in UHD, we carried out speed tests while connected to servers in nine different countries. We used a home broadband connection (with an average download speed of 53.05 Mbps) to simulate the average user’s experience.

In every country tested, ExpressVPN was fast enough to comfortably stream Netflix in the best resolution available. It was particularly quick in the UK, US, and France, where it only caused our connection speed to drop by a few Mbps.

One of our favorite things about ExpressVPN is how quickly it connects to VPN servers. It’s noticeably faster than any other VPN, which makes a difference when you’re testing VPNs all day — or regularly switching servers to try out new Netflix libraries. ExpressVPN says that this is possible thanks to the company’s proprietary Lightway connection protocol — which is available via the Options menu.

Users can enable or disable the provider’s other features using tick boxes. It’s a simple design and could help prevent new users from being overwhelmed. Options include a kill switch, app-based split tunneling, and an ad, tracker, malware, and adult-site blocker.

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. They use strong 256-bit encryption and have built-in leak protection. We confirmed that there were no IP, DNS or WebRTC leaks by carrying out a series of tests while connected to a server in Hong Kong.

ExpressVPN doesn’t log any user-generated internet traffic. Neither does it record users’ IP addresses or the VPN servers they connect to. Reassuringly, the company’s no-logs claims have been independently audited on several occasions.

GREAT FOR STREAMING:ExpressVPN is a reliable, security-conscious provider that consistently works with Netflix from any location. Has a dedicated router app and plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

works with NetflixTested Nov 2024

CyberGhost is operated from Romania and offers a vast network of servers — currently in excess of 10,000 — in 100 countries. More directly useful to anyone hoping to access Netflix are the servers optimized for particular streaming platforms.

We tested the CyberGhost servers for Netflix libraries in Australia, the UK, Brazil, Canada, the US, Denmark, France, Germany, and India, and they all worked great.

CyberGhost also works with numerous other platforms, such as Max, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

The provider simplifies the streaming process in other ways, too. Its Smart Rules feature includes the option to link streaming apps to particular CyberGhost servers so that when the app is launched, it automatically connects to the relevant server. If there’s a particular Netflix region you favor, setting it up with the relevant server can make your life that bit easier.

Other Smart Rules options include setting up automatic public wi-fi protection and choosing an app to launch — such as a preferred browser — when CyberGhost first connects.

Other CyberGhost features include a kill switch, an ad, tracker, and malware blocker, and a choice of the WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN connection protocols.

DNS and IPv6 protection is optional. We made sure both were enabled before carrying out a series of IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests. CyberGhost passed all three, which means users needn’t worry about their true location inadvertently being exposed to Netflix while connected to a CyberGhost server.

To find out how fast CyberGhost connections were, we tested its download speeds while connected to servers in nine different countries. We used a home broadband connection with a so-so speed of 53.05 Mbps to replicate the experience of an average user.

Speeds were great in Canada, France, Singapore and the UK — just a few Mbps shy of our base connection speed. The provider performed less well in Hong Kong and South Africa, but was still above the minimum threshold for streaming Netflix in UHD.

CyberGhost apps are great for users who are new to VPN software, though experienced users might like more customization options. Supported platforms include Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.

The provider doesn’t keep records of its subscribers’ IP addresses, the servers they connect to, or what they do online. These no-logs claims have been independently verified by auditors.

CyberGhost subscriptions are at the cheaper end of the market, with a two-year plan costing the equivalent of $2.19 a month. It’s worth noting that the company’s rolling monthly subscriptions are slightly cheaper than average. Both subscriptions come with a seven-device connection limit.

EASY-TO-USE APPS.:CyberGhost is the beginners' favorite choice that works well with Netflix and other popular streaming services. Stores no logs and streams HD video reliably. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

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6. PureVPN

Works with NetflixTested Nov 2024

PureVPN is an excellent VPN choice for home internet users primarily interested in accessing streaming services. When tested, it performed flawlessly to access a wide selection of international streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Max, BBC iPlayer, and — most importantly — Netflix.

Opening PureVPN’s Shortcuts menu provides users with a list of servers labeled according to the regional streaming service they work with. Connecting to one of these servers helpfully opens the website of the service they’re optimized for.

Shortcuts are available for Netflix catalogs in the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and India.

If there’s a Netflix catalog that isn’t listed — and you can find a server that works — you can set up your own shortcut easily enough.

Another one of PureVPN’s more unique features is that it obfuscates traffic by default. Not only does this help with accessing stubborn streaming platforms like Netflix, but it enables users to bypass VPN blocks in countries such as China.

Apps all have an easy-to-navigate GUI — even the Linux app, which is relatively unusual. They all use strong encryption to protect user-generated traffic and come with a kill switch, a tracker blocker, app-based split tunneling, and a choice of the WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN connection protocols.

Leak protection is built-in. We confirmed it worked as it should be carrying out a series of IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

PureVPN is transparent about what information it does and doesn’t collect. The good news is that it doesn’t log user’s online activity while using the VPN service. It has had its no-logs claims verified by reputable third-party auditors, and says that it is willing to submit to audits unannounced.

The provider was the fastest VPN in our most recent lab-based test, so we were interested to see how it performed using a home broadband connection with a modest average download speed of 53.05 Mbps.

PureVPN was extremely fast in eight of the nine countries we tested, with only a small impact on our download speeds. Overall, it was the fastest provider we tested. If preserving your base connection speed while streaming Netflix is important to you — perhaps you already have a slow connection — then PureVPN would be a good choice.

It’s also a good choice if you’re looking for a cheap long-term subscription. PureVPN offers a five-year introductory price, which works out at the equivalent of $2.16 a month. Most VPNs only offer a two-year deal, so this is great if you’re happy to commit. You can test the water by taking advantage of PureVPN’s 31-day money-back guarantee.

FAST AND CHEAP:PureVPN is a highly impressive VPN to stream Netflix on a budget. The VPN is extremely fast and has a strong no logs policy and rock solid AES-256 encryption. Allows torrenting and protects you on public wi-fi. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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7. PrivateVPN

works with NetflixTested Nov 2024

PrivateVPN runs a small network of servers, but it covers 63+ countries and has the potential access to a wide range of geo-restricted streaming content. During testing, we were able to access the US, UK, Japan, Spain, Brazil, France, and Italy catalogs without issue.

In addition to Netflix, the provider works with BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and various other popular streaming sites. Note that we occasionally needed to enable the Stealth VPN option in order to bypass streaming providers’ blocks, but this is easy enough to do.

We tested PrivateVPN’s suitability for interruption-free streaming by carrying out a series of speed tests while connected to servers in various countries.

Speeds were consistently greater than 30 Mbps, which is twice the recommended download speed for watching Netflix in UHD. The provider was exceptionally fast in the UK and France, with a negligible difference between our speeds with and without the VPN.

PrivateVPN allows a little more connection customization than most providers. For example, users can switch between 128-bit and 256-bit high-level encryption depending on their speed vs security requirements. The former is still considered extremely secure.

IPv6 and DNS leak protection is enabled by default, though you can turn it off if you really want to. We tested that this feature worked while also confirming that the provider was free from IPv4 and WebRTC leaks.

PrivateVPN was originally created to aid safe and secure torrenting. It’s still a good option for torrenting as it’s fast and allows port forwarding (most VPNs don’t). It has a solid privacy policy and doesn’t keep any records of subscribers’ source addresses or those of the servers they connect to.

Apps are easy to use, with users able to choose between a Simple view of the dashboard and an Advanced view. If all you want to do is change the Netflix region with PrivateVPN, the Simple view provides all you need.

PrivateVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections, which is higer than the industry average. Manual configuration is possible on compatible routers, including Synology and Asus RT models. A router connection will enable you to stream different Netflix regions on VPN-incompatible devices. Instructions are available on the PrivatePVN website. If you get stuck, PrivateVPN customer support offers remote control assistance.

Subscriptions are excellent value. PrivateVPN’s two-year plan is the cheapest in this list, costing the equivalent of $2 a month. It’s rolling monthly plan costs $9.90, which is also cheaper than most other premium VPNs.

FAST SPEEDS:PrivateVPN works with US Netflix and many other country versions. Allows up to 10 devices on the same account. Small network of servers but fast and capable connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

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8. Private Internet Access

works with NetflixTested Nov 2024

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a US-based provider with thousands of servers covering 91+ countries. Streaming-optimized servers are available in the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK.

We used these to successfully stream several popular Netflix libraries, including those from the US, Japan, the UK, and Canada.

Note that some of the streaming-optimized servers can be a little fickle with other streaming services. We were able to access Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer in the UK without issue, but you may have difficulty with some US-only platforms.

In terms of speed, PIA was fastest in the UK, France, and the US, where it achieved speeds not far off our base connection speed.

The provider was slowest in Hong Kong, Japan, and South Africa, but even then, it was twice the speed necessary to stream Netflix in UHD.

PIA is a great choice for those new to VPNs, with a simple dashboard that’s easy for anyone to navigate.

Clicking the down arrow opens the extended view, where you’ll find a wealth of connection information. This includes the current protocol and encryption being used, together with any features that are enabled.

Some of the many features available include port forwarding, a kill switch, an ad, tracker and malware blocker, public wi-fi protection, and app-based and IP-based split tunneling. Obfuscation is available by routing traffic through an additional SOCKS5 or Shadwsocks proxy.

Users can choose between the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. Those opting for the OpenVPN can set the level of encryption used on their traffic: either 128-bit AES or 256-bit AES. Opting for the smaller key length enables faster speeds, but is still secure enough for the vast majority of users.

PIA servers are RAM-only, which means they cannot store data long-term. This, coupled with PIA’s independently audited no-logs policy, provides reassurance that what you do while connected isn’t being recorded.

However, because PIA is based in the US, there is always the chance that the US government could issue it with a warrant to log user data in secret. Whether this bothers you depends on what you’re using a VPN for — users who change Netflix regions are currently of much interest to the state.

All PIA apps are open-source, which means anyone can inspect their code and identify errors. Supported platforms include Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Subscribers can use these with as many devices as they want simultaneously, which is great if you want to share an account with other members of your household. Subscriptions are great value, with a three-year plan costing the equivalent of $2.03 a month.

STREAM SAFELY ABROAD:PIA is a great choice for streaming Netflix. It’s quick and easy to use, with unlimited device connections and a great set of security tools built-in.

Read our full review of Private Internet Access.

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9. ProtonVPN

Works with NetflixTested Nov 2024

ProtonVPN is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland and was developed by the team behind the widely trusted Proton Mail, giving it an impressive reputation right off the bat. 

We were impressed by how the provider performed with different Netflix regions. During testing, we were able to access Netflix in the UK, US, Italy, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, France, Switzerland, and South Korea.

ProtonVPN also worked with several other big-name platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer — though we had to try a few different servers to get past some platforms’ blocks.

This is easy enough to do as ProtonVPN is one of those rare providers that lets you pick specific servers to connect to. These are accessible using the drop-down menu next to each country.

To find out what kinds of speeds it was capable of in the various Netflix regions, we carried out speed tests while connected to ProtonVPN servers in nine different countries.

The provider performed particularly well in France, the UK and the US. In all the countries tested, it met the minimum requirements for streaming Netflix in the highest resolution available.

ProtonVPN is capable of far more than simply spoofing your IP address. Some of its advanced features include one-click access to the Tor network and multi-hop servers that involve routing traffic through ProtonVPN-owned servers in high-security data centers. 

Port forwarding is permitted, and there’s app-based and IP-based split tunneling. Available protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN, and Stealth. As its name suggests, Stealth obfuscates user-generated traffic so that it can bypass VPN blocks. However, this doesn’t currently work in China.

DNS and IPv6 leak protection are enabled by default. We confirmed they were effective as part of our leak-testing process — which also involves testing for IPv4 and WebRTC leaks.

Live chat support is available in the member’s area of its website, which means you can get help setting up and using the VPN. We found the agents to be highly knowledgeable and helpful.

The only real drawback is that this VPN is a touch more expensive than some other options. However, given ProtonVPN’s reputation for security and privacy, we feel this cost is largely justified.  

ADVANCED FEATURES:ProtonVPN comes with a wide feature set suitable for techy users. Provides servers in 112+ countries, perfect for bypassing restrictions. Solid encryption to watch Netflix privately at work or on campus. Live chat support at all times of the day. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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Video: How to change Netflix region

Finding the best VPNs for changing Netflix region: our methodology

Traveling abroad can be frustrating, especially when you find that you can no longer access your usual Netflix library from home. We’ve found VPN providers that solve this problem while also keeping you safe online. This involved testing each service against a multitude of metrics. These were grouped into the following areas:

Netflix region access

We wanted to find out which country-specific Netflix content we could access with each VPN provider. To do this we connected to VPN servers in 15 different countries and tried to stream Netflix. We then converted the results to a score out of 10 for each provider.

NordVPN provided access to the most Netflix regions, closely followed by Surfshark, PrivateVPN and IPVanish. If you get bored of the same old Netflix content, these are the VPN services best equipped to help you find something new.

Speed

As Netflix is available in a huge number of countries, we wanted to check that VPNs were able to provide speeds fast enough for streaming in as many countries as possible. We also wanted to know whether decent speeds were attainable for users who don’t have lightning-fast connections. To this end, we tested providers in nine different countries using a home broadband connection with an average download speed of 53.05 Mbps.

From the above, you can see that the fastest speeds overall were for servers in the UK and France, which isn’t altogether surprising given that we were connecting from the UK. Speeds were generally slowest while connected to servers in Hong Kong.

To judge which providers were fastest overall, we took an average of the results and converted them to a score out of ten. The results can be visualized as follows:

It’s fairly clear that PureVPN was the fastest. It barely slowed our base download speed while connected, which is an excellent result. NordVPN was the next fastest, and also more than capable of smooth streaming Netflix in UHD.

Value for money

Getting value for money goes beyond just comparing subscription prices. During testing, we also looked at things like the existence of introductory offers and the number of permitted connections. You can see all the metrics we used in the table below:

Scores for each metric were combined to produce a total score out of ten, which we can use to easily compare providers.

While several of our recommended VPNs offer great value for money, Surfshark was the pick of the lot. IPVanish, NordVPN and CyberGhost are also well worth considering if you like getting a good deal.

Security & Privacy

Just like not every VPN changes your Netflix region, not every VPN protects your privacy. To find those that do provide adequate protection, we evaluated providers against 15 different security and privacy criteria:

We assigned a score to each of the criteria to create an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.

While we wouldn’t recommend a VPN that wasn’t private and secure, some do score more highly than others. NordVPN and Surfshark provide particularly robust protection, as does ProtonVPN.

Streaming

While finding a VPN that works with Netflix is all well and good, most users also want a service that works with a range of other streaming platforms — and that do so from a range of countries. To evaluate VPNs’ streaming abilities, we tested providers on nine different metrics.

Each metric was scored, with the results combined to produce a total score out of ten. We can use this score to easily compare providers.

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are all great options for all-round streaming. Choose any of these for consistent access to popular streaming platforms.

How to access US Netflix

Using a VPN to access US Netflix on vacation is easy no matter where you go in the world. The only caveat is that you must pick a VPN that works, and in 2024 there are very few left that can access Netflix reliably.

In this guide, we have done the hard work by recommending the world’s best VPNs for streaming Netflix abroad. We have included a short setup guide below to make things even easier.

Here’s how to access US Netflix while traveling abroad:

1. Pick a VPN that works for changing Netflix regions. We recommend NordVPN because it represents superb value, outstanding security, and fantastic speeds for streaming US Netflix and many other services.
2. Subscribe to the VPN. Thanks to our automated coupon, you can use our link to get the VPN at the best possible cost.
3. Download the VPN software. Our recommendations include apps for all platforms that are easy to install and use on any device.
4. Install the VPN and log in using your credentials.
5. Pick a VPN server in the US and click to connect. As soon as the VPN connection is established, your real location is concealed, and you appear to have a valid IP address in the US.
6. Watch US Netflix from anywhere via your app or the website to watch US-only shows and movies!

How to change Netflix region on various devices

How to change Netflix region on an iPhone

To access different Netflix libraries on your phone, you’ll need to use a VPN to spoof your location. Don’t worry, it’s not as complex as it sounds.

Here’s how to change your Netflix region on iPhone:

1. Subscribe to a reputable VPN provider with an easy-to-use mobile app. We recommend NordVPN.
2. On your iPhone, go to the App Store and download and install your VPN app.
3. Log into the app using your VPN provider credentials.
4. Connect to a server location that corresponds to the Netflix library you want to watch. For example, use a UK server to access Netflix UK.
5. Now open your Netflix app, and you should have access to the library you want.

Note that even if a VPN works with the country you want, you might find that not all servers in that location will work. If you run into issues, switch servers or contact your VPN’s customer support team for help with troubleshooting.

How to change Netflix region on an Android phone

Accessing a different country’s Netflix library on your Android phone is possible if you use a VPN, which is quite simple to set up.

Here’s how to change Netflix region on an Android phone:

1. Sign up with your chosen VPN provider (choose one with a good Android app like NordVPN).
2. On your Android phone, go to the Google Play Store and download the app for your VPN.
3. Once installed, log into the app with your new VPN credentials.
4. Select a server in the correct location for the Netflix library you want to watch. For example, to access Netflix UK, connect to a UK server.
5. Now, launch your Netflix app, and you should be able to watch content from your desired library.

Although many VPNs work with Netflix, not all work with every library, and even for the libraries they do work with, not every server will work. Netflix regularly adds new blocks, and VPN providers introduce workarounds in a cat-and-mouse game. As such, you may need to contact your VPN’s customer support team for assistance, as they can provide specific instructions.

How to change Netflix region on PS4

PS4 does not support native VPN apps, but there are still a couple of ways you can change Netflix region on your PS4. One is to use a VPN router, which will provide VPN coverage for every device that’s connected to that router. Another method involves connecting your gaming console to a VPN-connected computer via an ethernet cable, but this is fairly cumbersome.

If you’re looking for the simplest way to change Netflix region on your PS4, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer may be your best bet. This comes free with every ExpressVPN subscription, which is worth considering when choosing the most suitable VPN for your needs. The one issue with MediaStreamer is that it’s a DNS service versus a VPN. This means it doesn’t encrypt data, so it won’t protect your connection.

If you wish to try MediaStreamer, here are the steps:

1. Sign up for an ExpressVPN account and submit payment.
2. Sign in to the ExpressVPN website and go to the ExpressVPN DNS settings page.
3. Go to IP address registration, select Register my IP address, and toggle Automatically register my IP address to the on position.
4. Head to the ExpressVPN setup page and locate your MediaStreamer DNS server IP address.
5. On your PS4, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
6. Under How do you want to connect to the network?, choose Use Wi-Fi or Use a LAN cable. If prompted to use your existing wifi settings, select Yes.
7. Under How do you want to set up the Internet connection?, choose Custom.
8. Select your wifi connection and enter your password.
9. Choose the following settings: IP Address Settings – Automatic; DHCP Host Name – Do Not Specify; DNS Settings – Manual. Then select Primary DNS.
10. Enter your MediaStreamer DNS server IP address (found in step 4) and click Done, then Next.
11. Finally, select the following settings: MTU Settings – Automatic; Proxy Server – Do Not Use; Internet settings updated – Test Internet Connection.

Note you will have to restart your PS4 for these changes to take effect.

How to change Netflix region on Xbox

There aren’t any native VPN apps for Xbox but don’t worry, there are a few ways to change your Xbox’s Netflix region. We’ll run you through each of these below:

Method one: Smart DNS

The quickest option is to use a smart DNS service, since this just requires you to change your console’s DNS settings. However, this usually only grants you access to the US library, and not all VPNs include this feature. 

Method two: Share a VPN connection

You can actually share a VPN connection from another device, so if you already use a VPN on your main PC, changing Netflix region is pretty simple. We’ve written guides on how to create a virtual router on Windows and MacOS in case you’re interested. When you’re ready, just select a server in the appropriate country on your PC’s VPN app, and your Xbox’s location should change too.

Method three: Router VPN

It’s also possible to install a VPN directly on your router. This will redirect traffic from any device that connects to the network, and you’re free to choose from a much wider range of locations. The downside is that this is a fairly involved process, and you’ll likely need to spend a few hours getting set up.

How to change Netflix region on Roku

Roku is another system that does not support native VPN apps, but if you’re willing to make some effort, you can change the Netflix region on Roku.

Here’s how to change Netflix country on Roku:

1. Set up a VPN router and connect your Roku to it.
2. Create a VPN-protected Wi-Fi hotspot on your laptop computer and connect your Roku to it.
3. Screencast to the Roku using a VPN-protected Android smartphone or tablet.

We go into more detail about these options in our Best VPNs for Roku post.

How to change Netflix region on a smart TV

To change your Netflix region on a smart TV, you’ll need to install a VPN app. This may be an app for Android TV or Amazon Fire TV (Fire TV Stick). You can search for these apps via the Google Play Store and via the Amazon Fire TV main menu. Simply:

1. Download and install the VPN app,
2. Connect to a server in the Netflix region you’d like to access
3. Launch the Netflix app (and sign in if necessary).
4. You should now see the content from the new library.

Note that an alternative method is to install a VPN on your router (manual configuration is required).

Using a free VPN to change region on Netflix

Free VPN providers are easy to find and can be very tempting. But we’d have to advise you to steer clear for several reasons. Providing full access to Netflix requires a lot of effort on the part of a provider, and free services aren’t profitable enough to justify the use of these resources on an ongoing basis. A free VPN might let you explore another country’s Netflix catalog, but when it comes time to watch, you’ll almost certainly encounter the Netflix proxy error.

What’s more, these services typically provide users with a limited selection of servers, which means you’re less likely to be able to access the Netflix library you’re looking for. Even if you do get access, you’ll probably be frustrated with slow connection speeds and even having to wait in a queue for some servers. You may also find free VPNs don’t offer unlimited bandwidth, making it difficult to stream HD content. This type of monthly data cap isn’t an issue when using any of the premium VPNs recommended above.

Practicality isn’t the only issue with free services. We’ve put a heavy emphasis on privacy and security above because it’s important for users to know what’s happening with their data. The providers of free VPN services need to make money somehow and often do so through questionable methods. Some interrupt your experience with annoying ads, log your activity to sell data to third parties, or even carry malware.

Netflix country versions available

Netflix started slowly and solely operated in the US for its first decade. It finally expanded internationally with Canadian Netflix in 2010, and then there was no stopping it. After a massive 2016 expansion, Netflix is now available in most countries except China, Crimea, Syria, Russia, and North Korea. When it comes to China, not wanting to miss out on this massive market, Netflix has pushed for licensing deals instead of having an actual presence in the country.

Although Netflix is available in most countries, the catalog of shows and movies varies greatly depending on your region. Aside from having different titles available, some regions have a very small selection. This is due to the different licensing agreements in each region.

Size of Netflix Libraries by Region

(source: uNoGS.com)

Our own Netflix library study showed a big difference in cost and available titles depending on where you live. There is a map on Netflix’s website that shows where the service is currently available.

Related: Best VPNs for accessing Netflix US, Netflix UK, Netflix Japan, Netflix Spain, Netflix Brazil, Netflix France, Netflix Italy.

Changing Netflix region with a VPN: FAQ