Updated on: November 1, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Watch Netflix US From Anywhere in 2024:
- Download and install a VPN that works with Netflix US. I recommend ExpressVPN for its fast speeds, ease of use, and also because it works with other popular US streaming sites like Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and Max.
- Connect to a server. Open the app and pick a server. It’s best to select a server closest to you to get the best streaming speeds.
- Log into your Netflix account. Launch the Netflix app or site, look up your favorite US shows and movies, and start binging them!
The Netflix US library is only available to people who are in the US. Netflix blocks users from outside the US from watching titles in the Netflix US library because it has to comply with the copyright agreements it signed for the shows and movies it licenses from third parties.
A VPN replaces your IP address with an IP address from a different location, like the US. When you connect to a US VPN server, you’ll get a US IP address, which will allow you to access Netflix from anywhere.
There are some great VPNs out there for securely watching Netflix US. ExpressVPN is my top choice due to its top-notch security and privacy, super-fast speeds on both local and distant servers, and excellent streaming support.
Editor’s Note: The VPNs listed below have strong no-logging policies, meaning they won’t monitor or log your online actions. You are responsible for how you use a VPN, so make sure to follow all the necessary rules and regulations. Please note that neither I nor anyone at SafetyDetectives condones copyright infringement.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Watch Netflix US Content on Any Device
1. Choose a VPN that works well with Netflix US.
I recommend ExpressVPN. It’s the best VPN for watching Netflix US, as it has a large server network in the US that can access the US library on the site and the app, and it offers the fastest speeds for streaming in HD and 4K.
2. Download the VPN to your device.
Download the appropriate app for your device from the VPN provider’s website or your device’s app store. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
3. Open the app, choose a server, and start watching Netflix US.
Once the VPN connects to a server, you can start streaming Netflix US content securely.
Best VPNs for Watching Netflix US Content in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for Netflix US in 2024:
- 1.🥇 ExpressVPN — Best VPN for watching Netflix US in 2024 with the fastest speeds.
- 2.🥈 Private Internet Access — Excellent US server network (in all 50 states).
- 3.🥉 CyberGhost VPN — Dedicated servers for Netflix US + user-friendly apps.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Streaming Netflix US Titles
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix US — it works with Netflix US 100% of the time, and it provides blazing-fast streaming speeds, so the movies and shows you watch will load instantly and won’t buffer.
What’s more, ExpressVPN offers servers in 15+ cities across the US, and it has more than one server in 4 different locations, including New Jersey, Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas — so you’re covered coast-to-coast. This way, you can always connect to a server in the city that is closest to you to get the fastest speeds.
I also like that ExpressVPN has apps for almost every major device, including multiple smart TVs, like Firestick and Apple TV. It even has a dedicated router app that’s really intuitive to use — setting up the VPN on your router is easy. And this way, every device in your household is protected by the VPN using a single connection, which is super convenient.
ExpressVPN starts at $4.99 / month — it’s a bit pricier than other VPNs, but I think the extra cost is worth it because ExpressVPN provides the best overall value. ExpressVPN backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Largest US Server Network for Netflix US
Private Internet Access (PIA) has servers in all 50 states, more than any other VPN. It also has 2 US streaming servers located on each coast, so you can get the best possible speeds no matter where you’re based. These servers are better for streaming since the IP addresses are frequently refreshed to avoid VPN blocks by streaming platforms, which flag VPN shared IPs.
The VPN also has a great split-tunneling tool. Rather than only applying to apps, like most VPNs, PIA also lets you tunnel websites (like the Netflix US site). This means all your other traffic follows your normal internet connection, which lets you access location-sensitive sites like food delivery services, while also providing slightly faster speeds for streaming.
Private Internet Access’ pricing is very affordable (its plans start at $2.19 / month). All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Dedicated Netflix US Streaming Servers + Great for Beginners
CyberGhost VPN consistently works with Netflix US thanks to its dedicated streaming servers that are strictly optimized for Netflix in the US. Plus, it has servers in 10+ different cities in the US, and all of its regular US servers also work with Netflix US, so you can connect to a server in a city closest to you if you need faster speeds.
I really like how beginner-friendly CyberGhost VPN is — there are different server categories so it’s extremely simple to manually find the Netflix US servers. Also, all settings have easy-to-understand explanations. And the Smart Rules feature lets you customize CyberGhost VPN’s launch settings — for example, you can configure the app to automatically connect to the Netflix US server when you open the CyberGhost app.
CyberGhost VPN has several reasonable paid plans, which start at $2.19 / month. I also like how CyberGhost VPN backs its long-term plans with a very generous 45-day money-back guarantee (most VPNs have 30-day money-back guarantees). And CyberGhost backs its shortest plan with a 14-day refund.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
When making my list of the best VPNs for Netflix US, I put each one through a series of tests according to our rigorous testing methodology for VPNs. I paid special attention to streaming support, speeds, and of course, US server locations. Here’s a broken-down list of the criteria I assessed:
- I found VPNs that consistently work with Netflix US. All the VPNs on this list work with Netflix US 100% of the time.
- I considered streaming support on other platforms. Good VPNs also work with other regional streaming sites — for example, ExpressVPN, my top pick, works with 100+ streaming services.
- I made sure the VPNs provide quick speeds for streaming. VPNs might impact streaming speeds because of traffic encryption, but leading brands reduce this deceleration and guarantee quick speeds on all servers. All VPNs mentioned in this list offer speedy and continuous streaming, with ExpressVPN delivering the quickest speeds.
- I selected VPNs with user-friendly apps. Each of my choices has great apps for all major platforms, ensuring smooth installation and navigation. You’ll have no problem finding and connecting to a US server with any of the VPNs on my list.
- I prioritized VPNs with top-notch security and privacy features. The VPNs highlighted here protect user data with industry-standard security features like military-grade 256-bit AES encryption (makes your data unreadable), a strict no-logs policy (ensures the VPN doesn’t log any data), strong leak protection, and a kill switch (which disconnects you from the internet when your connection to the VPN drops to prevent leaks).
- I chose VPNs that offer good value. I only recommend VPNs that also come with extra features like split-tunneling (lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which apps use your local network), allow multiple simultaneous connections (Private Internet Access allows unlimited connections), have affordable plans, and back all purchases with money-back guarantees.
Common Issues When Using a VPN for Netflix US (And How to Fix Them)
Netflix Blocking The VPN
Netflix actively blocks VPN IP addresses to uphold regional licensing agreements, which can lead to error messages when you try to stream if it detects a VPN’s shared IP. To fix this, try switching to a different server in the same country. Many VPN providers also have dedicated servers for streaming, so choosing one optimized for Netflix can help you bypass these blocks. Clearing your cache and cookies may also help, as well as checking that leak protection is enabled since leaks can reveal your true IP address and location.
Buffering Issues
Buffering often happens due to slower VPN speeds or high server loads. Switching to a less busy server or using a closer location can improve speeds. Additionally, enabling split-tunneling can optimize your connection for smoother streaming since it uses less bandwidth.
Connection Drops
If your VPN connection keeps dropping while watching Netflix US, try switching to a different VPN protocol, as each protocol offers different levels of stability and performance. For example:
- OpenVPN is highly secure but only offers decent speeds.
- WireGuard is a newer, faster protocol known for its efficiency and often provides more reliable connections than older protocols.
- IKEv2/IPsec is particularly resilient to network changes, like switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data, making it a great choice for mobile streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best VPN to watch Netflix US?
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for watching Netflix US — it consistently works with the US library, has some of the fastest streaming speeds on the market, is easy to use, and also works with 100+ other streaming sites like Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Can I watch Netflix US with a free VPN?
Most free VPNs don’t work with Netflix, but there are a few good free VPNs that actually work with Netflix US. That said, free VPNs usually limit how much data you can use each month — for example, free VPNs like Windscribe and hide.me limit you to 10 GB, which is only enough for around 3 hours of HD streaming.
Instead, I recommend getting a premium Netflix VPN like ExpressVPN — it works with Netflix US, has very fast speeds, comes with unlimited data, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why does Netflix US have different content?
Netflix licenses the content it doesn’t own from third parties. Most of the time, Netflix can only get licensing rights for a movie or TV show from one country (like the US) — in that case, Netflix only makes the movie or TV show available in that country and doesn’t include it in content libraries in other countries. Otherwise, it would breach the licensing agreements it signed with the third party.
That said, Netflix does own some of the titles on its site and most of these titles are available in other international content libraries.
Do all VPNs Work with Netflix US?
No, a lot of VPNs don’t work with Netflix. If your VPN isn’t compatible with Netflix, you’ll see a proxy error message or just a random error message on your screen. The VPNs I recommend in this piece all work with Netflix US.
