Like many other international streaming platforms, Netflix is geo-restricted. However, this doesn’t entirely prevent you from watching it if you travel to a different country. Instead, you’ll see a different selection of movies and TV shows that are available. This is because Netflix only has the right to show specific titles in certain countries, but it can cause problems and frustrations for subscribers hoping to watch their home Netflix shows while traveling abroad.
Luckily, there is a workaround: just connect to a suitable VPN. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will route your data through servers elsewhere in the world, changing your IP address, and helping you securely access your regular Netflix library from anywhere in the world. However, not every VPN is capable of bypassing Netflix’s notoriously tricky VPN detection methods.
We’ve put IPVanish to the test to see if it’s up to the challenge of accessing Netflix. We’ll let you know which Netflix libraries it works with, plus whether you’ll be able to use the Netflix mobile app.
Does IPVanish work with Netflix?
We’ve tested 59 VPNs with 30 different country versions of Netflix in browsers and in apps to see which is best. In total, we have run more than 5,000 Netflix VPN tests.
We found that IPVanish works well with US Netflix. However, it can’t access as many Netflix catalogs as some other VPN services. We’ve found the best VPN for Netflix is NordVPN, which can access multiple Netflix libraries and has consistently fast speeds. But, while IPVanish doesn’t rank as highly as NordVPN if you are looking for a reliable VPN that works well with US Netflix, then IPVanish is a sound choice.
You can check out our complete findings in our article on the best VPNs for Netflix and read more about our VPN testing methodology here.
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Why choose IPVanish?
Dec 2024
works with NetflixTested Dec 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish is extremely popular because of how versatile it is. With consistently high speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and 2,000+ servers in over 75 locations, there isn’t much it can’t do. Better still, this VPN lets users connect as many devices as they like simultaneously, while most of its rivals permit five or so connections at most.
Another standout area of this service is its security. User traffic is kept private with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection, as well as a traffic scrambling feature. IPVanish is a zero-logs provider, so your privacy is all but guaranteed. If you need any help, 24/7 support is on hand via live chat.
Our score:
SPEED AND SECURITY:IPVanish can handle just about anything thanks to its fast servers, impressive security features, and no-logs policy. What’s more, it offers unlimited connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try it risk-free.
Read our full review of IPVanish here, or watch our video review below.
How to watch Netflix with IPVanish
Using a VPN to access Netflix is easier than you might think. Just follow these steps to regain access to your usual Netflix library from anywhere with IPVanish.
Here’s how to securely access Netflix from anywhere with IPVanish:
- First, you’ll have to sign up for IPVanish if you don’t already have an account.
- Download and install the IPVanish app, making sure to install the correct version for each device you plan to stream on.
- Connect to a server in your home country, this will give you the IP address you need to access your home Netflix library. For example, a server in the US to access US Netflix.
- Open Netflix. The available content should have changed to your chosen country, and you can continue streaming your favorite shows on Netflix wherever you are in the world!
- If not, clear your cookies and cache, then reload the page. Alternatively, try a different server, or contact IPVanish’s customer support. They should be able to point you to a server that works with Netflix.
Which Netflix libraries can IPVanish access from abroad?
IPVanish has stepped up its game when it comes to Netflix and now can securely access several Netflix regional libraries. Better still, IPVanish works with both a desktop web browser and the Netflix mobile app. It should be noted, though, that Netflix continuously updates its VPN-detection features, so these results may change in the future.
If you’re looking to securely access a library that IPVanish doesn’t support, you may be better suited to a different VPN service like NordVPN.
See also: How to change Netflix country
What to do if IPVanish is not working with Netflix?
If IPVanish is not working with Netflix, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue:
- Clear your browser cache: Sometimes, your device stores geographic data, and Netflix can use that to tell you’re not located where you say you are. Clearing your browser history can help resolve this issue.
- Restart your device: A restart can often fix simple issues like this.
- Check your IPVanish connection: Make sure that your IPVanish connection is active and working correctly. You may need to contact customer support if you are having trouble connecting.
- Change your server location: If you’re still having trouble, try connecting to a different server location. Sometimes, specific locations can become overloaded or blocked by Netflix.
- Disable any other VPNs or proxies: If you are using any other VPNs or proxies, disable them and try again. Sometimes, having multiple VPNs or proxies can cause conflicts.
- Contact customer support: If you are still having trouble, you may need to contact IPVanish customer support for further assistance.
See also: VPN not working with Netflix? Try this.
Streaming Netflix with a VPN: FAQs
Can I stream Netflix with a free VPN?
Free VPNs very rarely live up to their marketing hype and are a particularly poor choice for streaming. First, they usually have very small networks which are quickly overwhelmed by users, leading to extremely slow speeds across the board. Additionally, because streaming services notice so much traffic coming from a relatively small number of IP addresses, it’s extremely easy to blacklist free VPN servers. As such, even if you get decent speeds, there’s a strong chance your free VPN won’t work with Netflix.
There are real security concerns to be aware of too. We know that at least one major app store is flooded with malware pretending to be free VPN apps. To make matters worse, many free VPNs fail to encrypt user traffic and store their users’ data.
To protect yourself when streaming, we recommend using a reputable, no-logs VPN instead of a free service.
Why are some Netflix shows not showing up?
Sometimes, if Netflix detects you’re using a VPN, you’ll see an error message (“You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy”). More commonly these days, though, you’ll simply be shown the titles that are available in your home country’s Netflix library.
So what can be done about this? First, try clearing your cookies and see if this fixes the problem. If not, contact your VPN’s customer support team and ask if there’s a specific server you should be using; Netflix has spent a huge amount of time and money trying to block VPNs, so some servers are bound to be blocked, especially if you’re using a popular service.
Will a VPN make my connection too slow for streaming?
There’s no getting around it: every VPN will slow your internet connection to some degree. However, some services are better optimized than others and have less of an impact. Additionally, there are things you can do to help minimize speed loss, like using a nearby server or choosing a faster protocol (usually at the expense of security).
To be fair, though, you shouldn’t have any issues unless your internet speed is extremely slow to begin with. Netflix’s official guidance recommends a mere 5 Mbps for HD streaming, which means that as long as you normally get 8 Mbps or higher, you should be fine. If you do experience problems, it’s likely to be with 4K content since this requires far higher speeds (25 Mbps) to play smoothly.
is it illegal to stream Netflix with IPVanish?
It’s not illegal to stream Netflix with IPVanish, but it may breach some of the terms and conditions set by the streaming provider. It’s recommended you check the laws to check if VPNs are legal in your country before using one.
