You know that feeling. You found the trailer to a new show or movie online and you’ve been waiting for it to drop, thankful it’s going to be on Netflix. The day has finally come. Armed with your popcorn, you eagerly log on to your Netflix account, but you just can’t find it.
After searching fruitlessly, you head over to Google and find that the show isn’t available in your location. Fewer things can be more annoying or frustrating.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation at any time, there’s no greater desire than to rip Netflix’s geo-blocks to shreds and enjoy just any show you please. The Netflix account is yours, so why can’t you just see any show you please?
Thankfully, this isn’t as impossible as it sounds.
With the right Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can access content from just about anywhere in the world. The VPN acts as an intermediary server between your request and the Netflix website. When connected, your traffic first goes to the VPN server before heading over to the website.
In this time, your IP address is changed to one from the VPN server. Your online location is also changed to match the location of your new IP. Finally, your traffic is encrypted to keep anyone from finding out.
Changing your Netflix region or country using a VPN is really straightforward. In fact, the most difficult step of this process is deciding the best VPN to use – which we’ll cover in a later section. That said, to change your Netflix country you should:
Note: Your Netflix account will not be blocked if you’re found using a VPN. I mean, even if you hit the proxy error where Netflix lets you know they detected a VPN, your account is still perfectly safe.
For the most part, copyright laws are the reason Netflix has different libraries for different countries. Netflix doesn’t produce all of the shows it airs. This means that the companies who produce the shows or movies can dictate where they want it shown.
Distributors may reach agreements with different networks for exclusivity in different markets. As a result, Netflix may receive broadcasting license in one region, but not in another.
Sometimes, government censorship of certain categories of content might also prevent Netflix from carrying content that fits the category in those countries. Likewise, most originals by Netflix drop first in the US before entering other markets.
Whichever the case, Netflix uses robust geographic restrictions to display content based on your current location. This means that the content you’d see on Netflix when in France will be different from that you’d see in the US.
Interestingly, you don’t need to change your account for this to happen. Netflix uses your IP address to determine your current location as soon as you log into your Netflix account. Once your location is determined, Netflix loads up a library of movies available in that region.
Netflix works super hard to keep every user within their geo-permitted library. This goes beyond just detecting your location as Netflix goes ahead to also try determine if you’re on a VPN connection.
Should a VPN-associated IP address be detected, your Netflix account is denied access to any content until the VPN is turned off. However, the best VPNs can easily alter your online location. This is why it’s important that you subscribe to a service with the ability to constantly unblock Netflix come what may.
When selecting the best VPNs to change your Netflix country, the unblocking capacity of the VPN was a major factor. But we also considered factors like:
That said, here are the best VPNs we found for changing your Netflix region:
CyberGhost
There are many reasons why we love CyberGhost. It may not be the overall fastest VPN in 2022, but it does more than hold its own.
Its streaming-optimized servers consistently unblock specific streaming services like Netflix while delivering top speeds for 4K or HD video streaming. It also unblocks streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Hulu with dedicated servers..
At the moment, CyberGhost boasts an industry-high 6,100 servers and counting in 90 countries. Not all of these servers are great for streaming, but you’d find their dedicated servers mighty useful. The VPN is a great tool for those looking to get Netflix US, Canada, UK, India, France, Austria, Italy, Japan or Brazil.
A long timer in the industry, CyberGhost continues to upgrade to match latest security and privacy best practices. A 256-bit encryption is employed in addition to a kill switch and DNS leak protection, for security. It also records no logs of your IP address or internet activities.
With an industry-high 45-day money back guarantee, CyberGhost gives you plenty of time to try out the service and decide if you wish to continue. And its allowance for 7 simultaneous connections is one of the highest around.
ExpressVPN
Few VPNs match the impressive speeds produced by ExpressVPN. Its same-location servers barely shave off up to 3% off your original internet speeds. For you this translates into a seamless, buffer-free streaming experience in HD or 4K as you please.
But ExpressVPN goes beyond just providing lightning-fast speeds. It consistently unblocks Netflix’s tough geo-blocks. Indeed, it also reliably unblocks other streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, among others.
With about 3,000 servers across over 94 countries, ExpressVPN unblocks a variety of Netflix libraries, including those of US, Canada, UK and Japan.
ExpressVPN also boasts very impressive security and privacy measures. It uses a military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, combined with perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch and DNS plus IP leak protection for maximum effect. And with no logs recorded at all, it’s just perfect for privacy.
NordVPN
Currently boasting over 5,500 servers in 59 countries, NordVPN’s server network is second only to CyberGhost. This large server network works greatly to its favor as it’s able to reliably unblock several Netflix libraries, including US Netflix, and those of Canada, Japan, Germany, France, UK, India, etc.
From a security point of view, NordVPN is unrivalled. It boasts a solid 256-bit encryption that’s paired with a 2048-bit DH key encryption for maximum protection. Throw in a kill switch, perfect forward secrecy, and DNS leak protection, and this is as solid as they come.
NordVPN also boasts impressive speed levels – with only ExpressVPN leaving it behind. This means you can stream your 4K or Ultra HD content without any restrictions. For assured speed and unblocking while streaming, you’d love the SmartPlay feature which automatically picks out the best servers.
Surfshark
Surfshark is the ideal VPN for families with its allowance for an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. Its 24-month (2 years) plan is also the cheapest on the market.
However, we don’t simply love Surfshark for its budget-friendly nature. The VPN has 1,700 servers in 62 countries. It takes advantage of this sizeable server network to consistently unblock Netflix US, as well as Canada, France, Japan and UK Netflix – among over 15 other libraries.
Well protected with a 256-bit encryption and a kill switch, Surfshark is fast enough to get you through your movie uninterrupted. And by enabling Camouflage Mode you can disguise your network as regular traffic – essential for getting past geoblocks from Netflix and its peers.
SaferVPN
With a growing server network currently standing at 1,300 in 53 countries, SaferVPN is fast rising to the top of the VPN pile. Like CyberGhost it labels the best servers for different streaming services so you don’t have to contact support for this.
SaferVPN successfully unblocks BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and multiple libraries of Netflix, including Netflix US and UK. Its speeds aren’t exactly brilliant, but they’re decent enough for quality, uninterrupted streaming.
SaferVPN also employs best practices in privacy and security. A 256-bit AES encryption is used alongside a kill switch and DNS leak protection. It also stores no logs and has reasonably priced plans.
Once considered a difficult idea, Netflix has come a long way. Shows like Stranger Things and Orange is the New Black have taken our airwaves by storm. But each country’s movie library remains vastly different.
With so many unique titles present in each country’s library, and with each country’s content tailor made for their audience, it’s hard to tell which country has the best library.
For many users who are big fans of Hollywood, Netflix US is unrivalled. It is typically the first place where Netflix Originals drop – no coincidence given Netflix is a US-based company. It’s also home to some of the biggest budget shows to hit Netflix (think Outlander, NCIS, etc.).
Considering the star-studded movies on display here, it’s no surprise that Netflix US ranks very highly for most. Oh, and if you’ve previously wondered how to get Netflix US, don’t worry, it’s the same process as any. Simply select a US server when connecting to your VPN.
While the selection of what makes the best Netflix library is mostly, conjecture, there’s one thing we can tell you for certain: which country has the most shows. No, it’s not the US it’s Japan.
Boasting over 6,000 unique movies and TV shows, Japan is home to Netflix’s largest streaming library. A trove of anime content, this library is a goldmine for anime lovers all over the world. But Japan also boasts an extensive library of local content from its thriving movie industry.
Considering the cost of VPNs, it’s no surprise that many seek out free VPNs to serve where possible. Unfortunately, a free VPN will be mostly useless against Netflix’ anti-VPN technology. Their associated IP addresses are easily identified and blacklisted.
This means you’re most likely to hit a proxy error warning on your Netflix account when using a free VPN. The reason is simple, Netflix wouldn’t want you streaming content not meant for you after promising the producers otherwise.
But free VPNs also fall short because of their limitations. Most free VPNs are limited to meagre server allocations which limits your chances of getting past Netflix’s blocks. Even so, if they somehow got through the Netflix block, you’d quickly run out of the meagre bandwidth you’re provided.
There are many reasons why you may wish to change your Netflix region. But with Netflix’s geo-blocks, this is an impossibility… except you’ve got a VPN. A quality VPN frees up your Netflix account to access content from anywhere.
You should know, though, that not all VPNs break through Netflix’s blocks. If you must invest in a VPN to get you past the Netflix block, it’s important that you get a VPN that reliably unblocks Netflix, boasts impressive speeds, and offer top level protection.
