Using a free VPN for Netflix to access international libraries might seem like a great idea, but it’s not that easy. The reality is that most free VPNs struggle to bypass Netflix’s geoblocks and can’t access region-locked titles.
The rare free VPNs that do work with Netflix come with their own set of problems, like slow speeds and data caps. Their server networks are also typically smaller, meaning they can only unblock a limited number of Netflix libraries. And even then, it’s hit or miss. That’s why it’s better to use a reliable premium VPN because they don’t have any limitations.
We recommend NordVPN because it can unblock more than 20 Netflix libraries, including the US, UK, and Japan. It offers a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you try it out risk-free. And its long-term plans are affordable. The cherry on top? You get fast speeds and unlimited data for uninterrupted Netflix marathons.
That being said, we regularly test dozens of free VPNs for Netflix and pick those that can access at least a few libraries while offering decent speeds and sufficient data. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at VPNs that can help you change your Netflix region safely.
What is the Best Free VPN for Netflix?
1. NordVPN — NordVPN is the best overall Netflix VPN that can unblock more than 20 Netflix libraries. It has fast speeds and unlimited data. It’s not free but offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. PrivadoVPN — 100% Free VPN that can access Netflix US. And it offers 10 GB of data.
3. Atlas VPN — Can access Netflix US but only offers 5 GB of data.
How to Unblock Netflix With a VPN for Free
1. Get a reliable Netflix VPN, like NordVPN.
2. Create an account following the on-screen instructions.
3. Open the VPN app, and choose a server in a country whose Netflix library you want to access. For example, connect to a US server if you want to access Netflix US.
4. Open Netflix, and access international Netflix libraries risk-free for 30 days.
Try NordVPN Risk-Free With Netflix
Best Free VPNs for Netflix
1. PrivadoVPN — Reliable Free VPN That Can Access Netflix US
If you’re looking for a free VPN that can get you access to Netflix US, PrivadoVPN is a decent option. In our latest tests, we found that its free Miami server successfully unblocked the US library. However, it’s important to mention that the other three server locations didn’t yield the same results. You may need to play around with different servers to find one that works.
In our previous tests, the free version of PrivadoVPN was able to access the Netflix UK library, but it didn’t manage to do so in our latest round of tests.
However, the paid version of PrivadoVPN worked smoothly with Netflix UK and 5 more libraries we tested it with. We used its Manchester server and could access It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a show you can only find on Netflix UK.
The free plan offers 11 server locations. However, it comes with a data limit of 10GB, which isn’t sufficient if you like to stream content in HD.
Additionally, we experienced significant speed drops of up to 55% when using the free plan, and sometimes it took up to 30 seconds for a Netflix episode to load.
That said, the paid plans provide users with unlimited data, faster speeds, and access to additional server locations. Overall, PrivadoVPN’s free plan is a decent option for Netflix US, as long as you’re willing to put up with slower speeds and the data limit.
Pros
- Access to Netflix US
- 11 Server Locations on the free plan
- Beginner-friendly interface
Cons
- Slow speeds
- 10 GB data
2. Atlas VPN — Free VPN for Netflix That Doesn’t Require Signup
Atlas VPN is a solid free Netflix VPN that offers servers in 2 locations: the Netherlands and the US. When we put it to the test, we were able to access Netflix US but it couldn’t unblock Netflix Netherlands.
The free version of AtlasVPN doesn’t require any sign-up, making it incredibly convenient to use. And when it comes to speed, we experienced a speed loss of only 32%, which is acceptable for a free VPN.
During our tests, we did face a small issue with AtlasVPN’s free version — sometimes it took a bit longer to connect to a server, which was a bit annoying. However, once we were connected, the VPN worked smoothly.
If you want access to more Netflix libraries, AtlasVPN also offers a paid version. With the paid version, we were able to access over 10 Netflix libraries. The best part is, the paid version is affordable, providing excellent value for your money.
So whether you stick with the free version or decide to upgrade for more Netflix options, AtlasVPN offers a reliable and user-friendly VPN experience.
Pros
- Decent speeds
- No signup required
- Can access Netflix US but you may experience difficulties
Cons
- Only 2 server locations on the free plan
- Some servers take a while to connect
- Only offers 5 GB of data
3. Windscribe – A Free VPN That Can Access Netflix UK
Windscribe offers a decent free plan with a data limit of 2 GB per month that extends to 10 GB when you sign up using an email address. The free plan offers servers in 11 countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK.
In our latest tests, Windscribe was able to unblock 2 Netflix libraries: the UK and France. We were able to watch Harry Potter movies on the UK Netflix library.
The free version has plenty of servers in the US, but none of them worked with the American library. We tested 7 free US server locations in total and even experimented with different VPN protocols, but it didn’t help. That said, you can access Netflix Originals that are available in the US, like Stranger Things and Wednesday.
The speeds were good for the most part, but we did experience occasional slowdowns.
If you decide to upgrade to Windscribe’s paid plan, you’ll have access to servers in over 110 cities across 63 countries. This also includes Windscribe’s “Windflix” servers, which are optimized for streaming Netflix and other services.
With the paid plan, we could even access Netflix US, Germany, and Turkey. Also, we found faster speeds and more reliable connections on the paid plan.
Overall, Windscribe offers a good free plan with access to a handful of Netflix libraries, but the data cap and slower speeds are limiting.
Pros
- Can access 2 Netflix libraries
- Server in 11 countries
Cons
- Slow speeds
- Only 2 GB data
4. TunnelBear: User-Friendly Free VPN With Tons of Servers
Unlike other free VPNs that limit the number of servers or locations you can use, TunnelBear offers unrestricted access. This means you’ll enjoy faster speeds, no overcrowding, and access to several Netflix libraries.
During our tests, it unblocked 4 Netflix libraries, including the UK, Germany, and Canada. This is pretty good for a free VPN. However, it couldn’t access Netflix US in our most recent tests, even though it managed to do so in our previous tests (June 2023).
Another standout feature of TunnelBear is its user-friendly interface. It’s very easy to use, making it a great option for beginners or anyone who wants a VPN that’s quick and simple to set up.
However, one downside to the free version is its data cap. It only offers 2 GB of data, which can be quite limiting. To put this into perspective, streaming one hour of HD video on Netflix uses around 3 GB of data. If you’re looking to stream in HD, 2 GB will not even last 1 hour.
To overcome this limitation, you can either switch to TunnelBear’s paid version or try other low-cost VPN providers such as Surfshark or NordVPN. That’s because its paid version isn’t very cost-effective.
Plus, it doesn’t unblock that many libraries. Surfshark, on the other hand, is incredibly cheap and offers unlimited data, making it a great alternative for users on a budget who want to access multiple Netflix libraries.
Pros:
- Can access 4 Netflix libraries
- Access to its entire server network even with the free plan
Cons
- Inconsistent at accessing Netflix US
- Only 2 GB of data
Best Cheap Netflix VPNs With Risk-Free Trials
As we mentioned above, most free VPNs can only unblock a limited number of libraries. On top of that, they offer limited data and slow speeds, which can lead to buffering and interruptions while watching your favorite shows.
To avoid these issues, we recommend opting for a cheap VPN with a money-back guarantee. That way, you can enjoy faster speeds, unlimited data, and more Netflix libraries. We have done the research and found the best Netflix VPNs that offer a risk-free monthly trial.
1. NordVPN: Best Netflix VPN That Can Unblock 20+ Netflix Libraries
If you’re looking for a reliable and high-performing VPN for Netflix streaming, NordVPN is one of the best options out there. While it is a paid VPN, its excellent performance makes it worth considering over a free VPN.
First off, it’s the most reliable VPN for Netflix out there. In our tests, NordVPN was able to access more than 20 Netflix libraries, including the UK, US, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, and Australia. We could even access less popular Netflix regions, like Argentina, South Africa, Colombia, South Korea, and Turkey. No other paid or free VPN could unblock as many libraries as NordVPN.
With NordVPN, you also won’t have to deal with buffering or lags when streaming your favorite shows on Netflix. It’s the fastest VPN we’ve tested. With free VPNs, we experienced a speed loss of up to 80%. But with Nord, the average speed loss using nearby servers was only 8%. But even on faraway servers, we recorded speeds of 85 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which is pretty good.
NordVPN’s SmartPlay technology allows you to easily bypass geoblocks and access restricted content without needing to manually select a server. It’s seamlessly integrated into the app and doesn’t require any setup or activation. All you need to do is connect to a VPN server, and you can securely access all kinds of content.
While NordVPN isn’t a free VPN, it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can try NordVPN risk-free and see if it’s the right VPN for you. Getting your money back is super easy and straightforward. Just contact support and ask for a refund.
2. Surfshark: Cheap Netflix VPN That Can Access Over a Dozen Libraries
Surfshark is a VPN provider that offers a unique selling point that’s hard to beat — unlimited simultaneous connections on one account. This allows you to use the VPN on as many devices as you want, making it a great choice for families or those with multiple devices.
But it’s not just about the number of connections. Surfshark also has some great features for streaming fans. For one, it’s pretty good when it comes to accessing Netflix libraries.
In our tests, we were able to access over a dozen libraries, including popular ones like Netflix UK, US, France, Japan, and South Korea. You can stream your favorite content with fast speeds and unlimited data, without worrying about buffering or hitting any data caps.
Surfshark also has a unique feature called Camouflage Mode, which makes it an excellent choice for users in restrictive countries or networks like China and Iran. This mode makes your VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic, making it much harder to detect and block.
While Surfshark isn’t free, it’s incredibly cheap, making it a great option to consider over a free VPN. With Surfshark, you won’t have to deal with the issues that come with free VPNs, like a limited number of servers, slow speeds, or limited access to Netflix libraries.
In addition, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you test it for free and get your money back if you’re not satisfied.
Best Free VPNs for Netflix Compared
| VPN Service | No. of Netflix Libraries | Monthly Data Cap | Speeds | Money-back Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 20 | Unlimited | Very Fast | 30 days |
| Surfshark | 16 | Unlimited | Very Fast | 30 days |
| PrivadoVPN | 2 | 5 GB | Average | Free |
| Atlas VPN | 2 | 5 GB | Average | Free |
| TunnelBear | 4 | 2 GB | Fast | Free |
| Windscribe | 2 | 2 GB | Average | Free |
How We Tested the Best Free VPN for Netflix
Choosing the best free VPN for Netflix can be a daunting task with so many options out there. We used the following criteria to rank our VPNs.
- Price: The VPN must be 100% free or at least offer a free trial or money-back guarantee, so you can test the VPN with no financial risk. We’ve shortlisted both free and paid options.
- Access to Netflix libraries: A good free Netflix VPN should reliably and consistently unblock at least some popular Netflix libraries. Netflix US has the biggest content catalog, however, not all truly free VPNs can access it. We regularly test VPNs to ensure they can bypass the Netflix VPN ban and access at least a couple of libraries.
- Speed: Slow speeds can ruin the streaming experience. To ensure the VPN doesn’t affect your connection speeds, we conduct manual and automated speed tests. It’s true that you’ll encounter slowdowns with truly free VPNs, but we only recommended VPNs that we found better than most.
- Data: It doesn’t matter how good a VPN is if it doesn’t offer enough data for Netflix streaming. That’s why we made it a point to only recommend VPNs that offer 2 GB of monthly data or more.
- Device compatibility: The best free VPNs for Netflix should be compatible with a variety of devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It’s a plus if your VPN also has a dedicated app for Firestick. All the free Netflix VPNs we chose are compatible with most modern devices.
- Customer support: Good customer support is essential when it comes to VPNs. We selected VPNs with accessible and helpful customer support services.
Related: How to Watch Netflix UK in the US
Free Netflix VPNs to Avoid
Using a free VPN can put your data and privacy at risk. Some free VPNs that you should avoid are:
- Hola VPN: This VPN has a history of selling user bandwidth and using it for botnets, allowing others to use your device as a proxy for their own activities. It also doesn’t offer good enough security features and doesn’t work with Netflix.
- YogaVPN: This VPN logs user data and sells it to third-party advertisers. Additionally, it’s slow and doesn’t work with Netflix.
- Opera Free VPN: This VPN only encrypts browser traffic. Moreover, it keeps your connection and usage logs. Plus, in our tests, it didn’t work well with Netflix libraries.
FAQs on Best Free VPNs for Netflix
A VPN can help you access Netflix content that is not available in your region. By connecting to a server in a different country, you can trick Netflix into thinking you are located in that region, giving you access to its library. It does so by masking your real IP address and replacing it with the IP address of the server you connect to.
Yes, it’s okay to use a free VPN to stream Netflix, but only the best ones. But all free VPNs have limitations such as data caps, speed throttling, and limited server locations.
It’s better to opt for a low-cost premium VPN like Surfshark that offers unlimited data and access to multiple Netflix libraries.
Free VPNs can collect user data and share it with third parties, infect devices with malware, and display unwanted ads. However, the VPNs we recommend in this article are all safe and protect user privacy.
It is not illegal to use a VPN to access Netflix content, but it does go against Netflix’s terms of service. Netflix doesn’t ban users for using VPNs, but it may block VPN servers from time to time. And you may find that your VPN no longer works with the service, especially if you’re not using a top-quality VPN.
If VPN usage is illegal in your country, you should not use it. We recommend checking your country’s laws regarding VPN use if you’re not sure.
Yes, Netflix can block VPNs. Netflix uses sophisticated technology to detect and block VPN servers. However, the VPNs we recommend have proven time and again that they can bypass Netflix blocks and are quite reliable.
If your VPN is not working with Netflix, you can troubleshoot it by changing servers, clearing cache, disabling IPv6, choosing between various VPN protocols, and ensuring that your VPN app is updated. You can also contact customer support for assistance.
Final Thoughts
Finding a free VPN that works with Netflix can be a challenge. However, we’ve done the hard work for you and found some safe and reliable options. While free VPNs come with their own set of limitations, the ones we’ve highlighted offer reasonable speeds and can successfully unblock some Netflix libraries.
TunnelBear stands out as the only free VPN that gives you access to its entire server network, making it an excellent choice for streaming Netflix without any overcrowding. However, with only 2GB of data, it won’t be enough to cover your streaming needs.
If you need more data or access to more Netflix libraries, we recommend checking out Surfshark or other affordable premium VPNs. With the right free VPN for Netflix, you can enjoy high-quality streaming without any restrictions, all while keeping your online activities private and secure.