How to watch U.S. Netflix with a VPN

Secure, throttle-free solution for Netflix’s largest library. Get set up and working in under five minutes.

Stream U.S. Netflix TV and movies* on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, and more.

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Get a VPN and watch American Netflix in 3 quick steps

Step 1

Step 2

Select a secure server location in the U.S.

Step 3

Get ExpressVPN

Selecting Speed Test on the ExpressVPN interface.

Get the fastest speeds for Netflix streaming

The ExpressVPN apps for Windows and Mac feature the Speed Test, which checks the latency and download speed of each VPN server location and ranks them by speed index.

To find the fastest VPN server location for Netflix streaming, run the Speed Test and choose the U.S. server location with the highest speed index.

Different download speeds when connected to a VPN can result in different Netflix video qualities.

Here are Netflix’s speed recommendations:

500 kbps: Minimum quality
1,500 kbps: Normal quality (less than 480p)
3,000 kbps: SD quality (480p or better)
5,000 kbps: HD quality (720p or better)
25,000 kbps: Ultra HD quality (1080p or better)

Learn more about Netflix speeds and the ExpressVPN Speed Test.

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FAQ: How to watch Netflix on a VPN

Does ExpressVPN work with Netflix?

Yes. ExpressVPN’s servers have fast, throttle-free access to Netflix streaming. If you’re seeing an error, chat with ExpressVPN Support to get back online.

Do I need a VPN for Netflix?

A VPN could help you watch Netflix if…

Your school or public Wi-Fi network is blocking access to Netflix
Your internet service provider has been throttling your streaming traffic
You don’t want third parties to see your Netflix activity

Is Netflix free with a VPN?

No. We’re assuming you already have a subscription, or that you will sign up for one yourself. ExpressVPN does not come with a Netflix account, and it is not a replacement for Netflix. Rather, it complements your existing Netflix account to help you watch content at blazing-fast speed.

On what devices can I watch Netflix?

You can watch Netflix in the following ways:

On your laptop/desktop using our ExpressVPN app for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
On your smartphone/tablet using our apps for iOS and Android.
On your streaming media console, such as Apple TV or Fire TV Stick.

Will a VPN slow my Netflix streaming?

All VPNs have the potential to slow your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and users rarely notice a difference.

In fact, using a VPN might actually improve your connection if your ISP has been throttling Netflix traffic. In any case, if you do notice a drop in video quality, make sure you’ve selected the U.S. server closest to your actual location.

If you’re using a streaming media device like an Apple TV, you may want to try watching Netflix with MediaStreamer, which is included with every ExpressVPN subscription.

Learn more about using ExpressVPN for smart TVs and streaming devices.

Can I use free DNS codes or proxies for Netflix?

Probably not a good idea. Free DNS codes found on the internet often don’t work, and they might send your traffic to a server that could log your data and expose you to attacks. Proxy servers, meanwhile, are slow, unsecure and prone to interrupted connections. When it comes to Netflix, you’re much better off with ExpressVPN, which works reliably for streaming.

What else can I do with Netflix?

Tons! Using a VPN is the best way to expand your Netflix experience, but it isn’t the only one. Learn about Netflix secret codes and how they can unlock more movies that you’d want to watch.

Check out this handy guide to Netflix secret codes.

What else can I do with ExpressVPN?

With ExpressVPN, you can bypass censorship in certain countries that block access to sites like YouTube, Twitter, and Google. You can also browse the web privately and securely, including services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Go.

You can also use ExpressVPN on streaming media consoles like Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, and Roku. To connect other Wi-Fi-enabled devices like gaming consoles or smart TVs, try ExpressVPN for your wireless router.

Netflix is not working. What should I do?

For problems with securely accessing a specific website, please contact our Support Team.

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* ExpressVPN is a VPN service not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention. Please read the ExpressVPN Terms of Service and Netflix Terms of Use for more details.

What is throttling: Diagram showing an ISP throttling the bandwidth of a laptop streaming Netflix.

Unblock Netflix throttling by your ISP

As video streaming services like Netflix have gotten more popular, some internet service providers (ISPs) have started inspecting data packets and intentionally restricting customers’ bandwidth if they see Netflix traffic.

A VPN solves this problem by hiding your traffic in an encrypted tunnel. ISPs can’t read your traffic, so they can’t discriminate based on content. The result is faster download speeds and no buffering.

Learn about how to unblock Netflix bandwidth throttling with a VPN.

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ExpressVPN for PC, Mac, iPhone, Android, and more

Protect yourself on every platform.

VPN for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, and routers.

A single ExpressVPN subscription includes software solutions for every device in your home, including gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox and smart TV systems like Apple TV and Amazon TV Fire Stick.