Netflix UK has various movies and TV shows not available to Netflix subscribers in other parts of the world. This means that British travelers could find themselves unable to continue streaming their favorite shows while on vacation. In this article, we’ll show you how to get British Netflix in any country and recommend some of the best VPNs for Netflix UK.
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through an server in a location of your choosing. By connecting to a VPN server in the UK, you get a British IP and can securely access the Netflix UK library from anywhere. However, Netflix actively blocks connections from known VPN servers. That means not all VPN providers work to watch Netflix UK. If you try to stream Netflix using a blocked VPN or some other proxy service, you’ll receive an error warning.
The good news is that some VPNs still work, and we’ve found them! Below, you can take a quick look at the best VPNs for UK Netflix. Later in this guide, we will provide full summaries to help you choose between them.
The best VPNs to watch UK Netflix abroad:
- NordVPN: The best VPN for UK Netflix. Fast, reliable, strong on privacy, and has severs that work with over a dozen Netflix regions including the UK. 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly. - Surfshark: Best budget VPN for UK Netflix. Super-fast WireGuard protocol. Servers in 100+ countries, including Netflix-optimized servers in Britain. Secure encryption and a no-logs policy.
- ExpressVPN: An incredible all-rounder with a proprietary protocol called Lightway designed for speed. Works with Netflix UK, iPlayer, and more. No logs policy and many security features.
- CyberGhost: The perfect service for beginners. Clearly labels its servers to let you watch Netflix UK. Over 9,000 servers in 90+ countries. WireGuard protocol. Apps for all platforms. Fast and secure.
- Private Internet Access: PIA is a US-based provider that has a no-logs policy and highly customizable security. It supports Netflix UK, US, Germany, Japan, Italy, and France.
- PrivateVPN: A Swedish VPN that is ideal for streaming and torrenting. Extremely secure AES 256 encryption. Apps for all platforms. Lots of advanced features, including obfuscation.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP NETFLIX UK VPN RISK FREE?
NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for Netflix UK with no restrictions for a month – great if you want to watch UK Netflix abroad.
There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
Best VPNs for UK Netflix – at a glance
We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for accessing UK Netflix from any country.
No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN |
Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | PrivateInternetAccess.com | PrivateVPN.com | Ranking for UK Netflix | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | UK Servers | 440+ servers | 3 cities | 4 locations | 3 cities / 840+ servers | 3 cities | 2 cities | Streaming services | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Sky Go ITV Hub | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Sky Go ITV Hub | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Sky Go ITV Hub | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Sky Go ITV Hub | Netflix Amazon Prime | Netflix BBC iPlayer ITV Hub | Avg Speed (UK) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 20 Mbps | Total number of servers | 6,000+ | 3,200 | Undisclosed | 11,000+ | Undisclosed | 200+ | Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | 8 | 7 | Unlimited | 10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $3.09 Up to 73% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months | $2.19 Save 86% on a 2 year Starter plan + 3 months free | $6.67 SAVE: 49% + 3 months free | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! | $2.19 SAVE 82% on the 2 yr plan | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
The best VPNs for UK Netflix
We’ve researched several providers to figure out which are the best VPNs for Netflix UK. We curated our list based on the following criteria:
- Reliably works with UK Netflix
- Fast download speeds for uninterrupted streaming
- Strong security and privacy policy
- Works on multiple types of devices
- Quick and competent customer service
For more information about how we test and recommend VPNs check out our methodology article. For now, here are the best VPNs for the job.
Here’s our list of the best VPNs to watch Netflix UK:
1. NordVPN
Sep 2024
works with uk netflixTested Sep 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our top choice VPN for watching UK Netflix from any country. It works with several other regional libraries of Netflix, including the US, France, India, the Netherlands, and Spain. To find out which servers work with Netflix, you can search NordVPN’s knowledge base or shoot a message to live customer support. NordVPN can securely access plenty of other popular streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Sky Go, and BBC iPlayer.
Speeds are fast, ideal for streaming high-quality video without lag or buffering. NordVPN protects your data with 256-bit AES encryption and perfect forward secrecy. The company keeps no logs whatsoever of users’ activity. DNS and IPv6 leak protection and a process-specific kill switch ensure your data never escapes the VPN tunnel. Overall, NordVPN operates more than 5,000 servers in 60 countries.
Connect up to six devices at once via NordVPN’s apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. It also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. NordVPN can be manually configured to work with compatible routers.
Pros:
- Fast protocols and servers
- Servers in 60+ countries
- Lots of advanced features
- No-logs policy
- Free Smart DNS service
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Single month plan is quite expensive
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR UK NETFLIX:NordVPN is our #1 choice. Lots of advanced features. Highly secure. Works with Netflix and other popular streaming services. High-speed NordLynx protocol and allows torrenting. NordVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
works with uk netflixTested Sep 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a provider based in the British Virgin Islands that is one of the best VPNs for streaming streaming Netflix. It has more than 3,000 servers in 100 countries, and works with more than 30 Netflix libraries including Netflix UK and Netflix US. It also works with popular streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and BT Sport.
This VPN provider has many key security features including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. It even offers MultiHop servers and a malware blocker. A free Smart DNS service lets you watch Netflix on devices that won’t let you install a VPN directly such as consoles and Smart TVs. Surfshark has a no-logs policy and allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
Use Surfshark via its apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Alternatively, browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. Manual configuration allows you to use Surfshark with VPN-compatible routers.
Pros:
- Servers in 100 countries
- Lets you connect unlimited devices
- Advanced apps for all platforms
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No-logs policy
Cons:
- Some servers take a bit longer to connect
Our score:
BEST VALUE FOR UK NETFLIX:Surfshark is a solid provider that provides the perfect blend of reliability, stability, freedom, and security. Servers in 100+ countries, including the UK, to access Netflix. No-logs policy. Lets you connect unlimited devices. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
works with uk netflixTested Sep 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN can securely access Netflix UK, as well as Netflix US and Netflix Canada. Not all servers work with Netflix, but a quick chat with ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live customer support will point you in the right direction. Better still, this is an exceptionally speedy provider which permits up to eight connections at a time. You’ll have the choice of more than 3,000 servers across 94 countries in all.
256-bit AES encryption is paired with perfect forward secrecy to keep your browsing private. A kill switch and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection ensure no internet traffic escapes the VPN tunnel. ExpressVPN is highly suitable for use with routers thanks to its custom firmware. This makes it a great option if you want to watch on your Smart TV or game console — devices that don’t natively support VPNs.
ExpressVPN’s apps can be downloaded for the following: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. You also have the option of Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions.
Pros:
- 3,000+ servers in 94 countries
- Works with over a dozen Netflix regions
- Very fast server speeds
- Apps for all platforms
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons:
- More expensive than others on this list
- Streaming servers aren’t labeled
Our score:
GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is fast and secure. Servers in 94 countries. Lots of advanced features. Works with around two dozen Netflix regions. Proprietary Lightway protocol and a no-logs policy. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
works with uk netflixTested Sep 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is a VPN provider based in Romania. We often recommend it to beginners because it has uncomplicated apps that make it easy to navigate through its various features. It also clearly labels its server by use-case, with servers for Netflix UK and Netflix US easily identifiable within the apps. It also has 9,000+ servers in 90+ countries, which means you will never be short of locations.
In terms of security, the VPN provides robust AES-256 encryption (OpenVPN protocol), a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. It also has a no-logs policy which means you never have to worry about what it might be doing with the data that passes through its servers. Best of all, you can use this VPN on up to 7 devices. Need help? 24-hour support is available via live chat as well as email.
CyberGhost has apps for desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS). It also has an app for Amazon Fire TV and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
Pros:
- 9,000+ servers in 90+ countries
- Works with Netflix UK, US, and iPlayer
- Very easy to use on all devices
- No logs and robust encryption
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Fewer advanced features than some competitors
- Doesn’t work in China
Our score:
PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost has easy-to-use apps for all platforms. No-logs policy and AES-encryption. Kill-switch and DNS leak protection. Works with Netflix UK. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. Private Internet Access
works with uk netflixTested Sep 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Private Internet Access has thousands of servers in over 80 countries worldwide. This allows it to avoid congestion and makes it great for gaming, torrenting, and HD streaming. It worked to access Netflix UK, the US, Germany, Japan, Italy, and France. What’s more, there’s no limit to the number of simultaneous connections you can have with a single PIA account.
In terms of security, this VPN has OpenVPN which is highly customizable while the WireGuard protocol gives you even faster connections. DNS leak protection and kill switch is available, and the PIA permits torrenting. PIA is a no-logs VPN which offers 24/7 support via live chat and email. Subscribers also have the option of some intriguing paid extras such as an antivirus and dedicated IP address.
To use Private Internet Access, you’ll need to download and install its app for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, or Fire TV. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox it’s also possible to set up a VPN connection with a router.
Pros:
- Highly customizable encryption settings
- Servers in 80+ countries
- Works with various Netflix regions, including the UK
- No-logs policy has been proven in court
Cons:
- Headquartered in the US
- App design is somewhat lacking
Our score:
RELIABLE AND SECURE:PIA is highly popular on Reddit and Trustpilot. Lots of advanced features. Highly customizable security. Fast WireGuard protocol for streaming. Unlimited simultaneous connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PIA review.
6. PrivateVPN
works with uk netflixTested Sep 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN works with British Netflix and more than a dozen other regional libraries. Despite its small server network compared to others on this list, PrivateVPN makes it easy to use platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Sky Go, and BBC iPlayer securely as you travel. Fewer servers don’t mean slower speeds in this case, as PrivateVPN excels at streaming HD video without buffering.
You’ll also get all of the privacy and security features you would expect of a veteran VPN provider, including 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a zero-logs policy. PrivateVPN lets you secure up to 10 devices at the same time. Live chat and email support is available, as is free remote help and installation should you need help getting set up.
PrivateVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. It’s also possible to use it with Linux and select routers but this requires manual setup.
Pros:
- Works with most streaming services
- Robust encryption and a no-logs policy
- Apps for all platforms
Cons:
- Fewer servers in each location
- Live chat is not 24/7
Our score:
HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE:PrivateVPN works with UK Netflix and has servers in 60+ countries. Lets you connect up to 10 devices. Easy to use. Lots of advanced features and customizable security options. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
Still getting the Netflix proxy error? Try this:
If you connected to one of the VPNs, we recommended above but still get the Netflix proxy error when you attempt to stream a video, try these steps:
- Check with your provider to ask which servers work with Netflix UK.
- Log out of any Google accounts, including the Chrome browser. Google caches IP addresses and can reveal your real location to Netflix.
- Disable your GPS and all other location-based services in your device and browser. If you’ve allowed Netflix to see your location in the past, disable this permission in your browser settings.
- Clear browser cookies, cache, and temporary files. See our tutorials on how to clear your cookies and clear the browser cache on each of the major operating systems.
- Disable IPv6. This is mainly for Windows 10 users, but it might cause issues on other operating systems. In Windows 10, you can disable IPv6 in your wifi properties.
- Flush your DNS cache. In Windows, open Command Prompt in administrator mode and enter the command:
ipconfig /flushdns
- Adjust the device’s timezone to the country where you’re trying to watch Netflix. The UK’s time zone is UTC+0 in the summer and UTC+1 in the winter.
- If you’re connected to a wifi network and can access the wifi router, rename the wifi network or SSID. Append “_nomap” to the end of the network name (minus quotation marks). This will opt out of Google’s geolocation services, which use wifi networks to help pinpoint people’s whereabouts. You must reconnect your device to the renamed network.
- Disconnect and reconnect to the same server location to see if you can get a different UK IP address that isn’t blacklisted by Netflix.
Note: that even if a VPN provider works with Netflix, it’s possible that only a small subset of servers can do so. For this reason, we recommend you contact your VPN provider’s customer support to ask which is the best VPN server for watching British Netflix from abroad. Furthermore, we cannot vouch for whether or not they work with the Netflix apps for Android, iOS, and media consoles.
See also: Best VPNs for Netflix US
Finding the best VPNs for Netflix UK: our methodology
You may be wondering why we’ve chosen the VPNs listed above (and why we haven’t selected others). While securely accessing Netflix UK was the top priority, it’s not the only piece of criteria that a VPN had to meet to be recommended. Below, we explain our methodology which helped us identify the best UK Netflix VPNs:
- Servers in UK: First and foremost, a VPN must have servers in the UK in order to access the UK version of Netflix. This also allows you to stream the likes of BBC iPlayer and ITVX while traveling abroad. Most of the VPNs covered in this post have thousands of servers in dozens of countries globally.
- Fast speeds: Speed is another important factor to consider when it comes to streaming. That’s because slow speeds and bandwidth throttling cause excessive lag and buffering. We carried out speed tests and found the fastest VPNs which use high-speed protocols and offer unlimited bandwidth.
- Strong security: Browsing and streaming while traveling abroad can come with some risk, particularly if you connect to public wifi networks. A quality VPN encrypts your data and protects you from leaks. Most of the best VPNs for Netflix UK offer extras such as an malware blocker or Double VPN servers.
- Privacy protection: Having studied 140 VPN logging policies, we know which VPNs allow you to stream anonymously (and which don’t!). A VPN shouldn’t keep any identifying logs of its users. Ideally, it will require little personal data for signup also offer anonymous payment options such as bitcoin.
- User-friendly: We carry out plenty of hands-on testing with each VPN’s apps in order to make sure that it’s user-friendly. As such, you’ll be able to signup and get set up in a matter of minutes. You’ll even have access to live chat and email support in all cases should you require assistance.
- Value for money: Last but not least, we expect a VPN to offer all of the above without breaking the bank. You can choose between monthly, annual, and multi-year plans in most cases. We’ve also included discount coupons in this post so you can get an even better deal for one of the best Netflix UK VPNs.
Our VPN testing methodology post goes into greater detail regarding how we analyze VPNs in terms of speed, security (such as testing for DNS leaks), and more.
Read more Netflix articles here:
Accessing UK Netflix with a VPN: FAQS
Can I use a free VPN for Netflix UK?
We recommend avoiding any so-called free VPN services for Netflix UK. Free VPNs generally don’t have the resources to outmaneuver Netflix’s anti-VPN tactics. They also carry certain risks and limitations that reputable paid VPNs abstain from. If you attempt to use a free VPN for Netflix UK, you’ll almost certainly encounter the dreaded proxy error and won’t be able to view the video.
Many free VPN services impose data caps or bandwidth limits that hinder bandwidth-intensive activities like video streaming. Server selections are severely limited, and you might have to wait in a queue before connecting.
Even if a VPN service advertises itself as free, it has to make money somehow; these are not charitable operations. A provider of a free service may resort to placing tracking libraries on your device, monitoring your behavior, and selling the data to advertisers. Some free VPNs inject advertisements straight into your browser, and a few even carry malware payloads.
In short, pay a few extra bucks and get the peace of mind that comes with a good VPN.
Does Netflix allow VPNs?
Technically, proxies are prohibited according to Netflix’s terms of use. That being said, the company has set no precedent of penalizing users who watch or attempt to watch through VPNs. While most VPN servers are blocked, Netflix seems to turn the other cheek when users try to watch while connected.
Netflix imposed the VPN ban in 2016, shortly after its global rollout. Due to content licensing restrictions on TV shows and movies, Netflix is obligated to limit viewership to specific countries, even if doing so is not in the best interests of its customers or Netflix itself. It’s worth noting that VPNs are 100 percent legal in almost all countries.
What's exclusive to UK Netflix?
Despite the fact that US Netflix has nearly 1,000 more titles than the UK, the British version still has a few titles you won’t find across the pond. Some of the trending TV shows you can only watch on UK Netflix include:
- Orphan Black
- Star Trek: Discovery
- The Expanse
- Archer
- Rome
Besides TV shows, Netflix UK has a ton of movies not available stateside. Netflix’s American catalog of movies has actually shrunk in the past few years as the company diverts its resources to acquiring more TV shows and original content. The licenses to stream those movies are presumably much cheaper in the UK, which means older movies and classics are still in the UK archive.
Bollywood fans will also find a lot to love in the UK version of Netflix. The foreign films section of Netflix UK has swelled with Bollywood titles, both old and new.
NordVPN does not connect to Netflix UK. I just bought 3years worth and found that out after the fact. NordVPN website says so.
safervpn doesnt provide UK unblock services for netflix it only has US servers, i tried it and it doesnt work so as Hide My Ass… I need new list for vpns or DNS servers to access neftlix UK streaming services