VPNs have really come a long way over the past years. They’re pretty mainstream nowadays, and we think it’s safe to say that at least half of people who use Netflix use VPNs with it.

These services are so popular in fact, that we received tons of messages from people asking us all sorts of questions about using VPNs with Netflix.

Instead of replying to everyone, we decided to add all the questions in this article and answer them all. It’s much easier this way. Plus, you’ll have a great guide to share with people whenever someone asks you stuff about VPNs.

So, let’s get started!

Do VPNs Actually Unblock Netflix?

Yes – they trick Netflix into seeing a different IP address instead of your own: the VPN’s IP. That way, the site won’t see what country you are from. Without that data, Netflix can’t geo-block your access to its titles.

Basically, if you use a VPN server from the US to visit Netflix, the site will think you are physically located in the US. Due to that, Netflix will let you watch titles only available in that country.

How Do You Know Which VPN to Use?

This is a tricky one since there are hundreds of VPNs on the market. And they all say they’re awesome Netflix unblockers. So it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Some obvious signs to look for include fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, easy-to-use apps for most devices, and good pricing & refund policies. But here’s the most important part – whether or not the VPN can successfully unblock Netflix.

By that, we mean you shouldn’t see the Netflix proxy error when using the VPN. Or at the very least you shouldn’t see it very often. If you do, it means Netflix is detecting your VPN.

The best way to find a VPN that can bypass that error is to use ProPrivacy’s StreamCatcher tool. It tells you exactly which server locations from which VPN providers can unblock a specific title.

For example, StreamCatcher accurately told us that to unblock Demon Slayer, we needed to use a Japanese or Indian server from NordVPN, or a Japanese server from PrivateVPN.

The suggestions were accurate, as we had no problem unblocking the anime with those specific VPNs.

Can Netflix Block VPNs?

Yes. Like we already said, the site can detect VPN IPs, which is why you might see the Netflix proxy error. The company likely detects them by using geo-location services which give them access to databases that contain proxy and VPN IP addresses.

Then, Netflix just sets up automated scripts to focus down connections from those IPs and block them.

To avoid that, VPN providers need to refresh their servers’ addresses. And they have to do it often. Otherwise, Netflix will block them pretty quickly.

Can VPNs Stop Netflix Throttling by ISPs?

Yes. To throttle your Netflix speeds, your ISP has to analyze your data packets. That way, it sees how much data you consume, and it knows you’re exchanging it with Netflix. So selective bandwidth throttling is easy-peasy to perform.

Here’s how a VPN stops that:

• It encrypts your traffic, making it impossible for ISPs to spy on your data packets.
• It hides the IPs you connect to. Your ISP will only see that you’re connected to a VPN, not Netflix.
• Finally, it encrypts your DNS queries. ISPs can’t see that you’re looking up Netflix in your browser’s URL bar anymore.

Your ISP will still know how much data you’re using, but they won’t know you’re using it on Netflix.

How Much Will Your Netflix Speeds Slow Down with a VPN?

That depends on many factors:

• What speeds you have
• What VPN you use
• Which servers you connect to
• What VPN protocols you use
• How strong your device’s CPU is
• How strong the WiFi signal is

While testing the top ten providers on the market, we only saw a 30-40% slowdown on average. We used remote servers (the US and Japan) and the OpenVPN protocol (known to be slower). The slowdowns weren’t noticeable when using Netflix since we still had over 25 Mbps (the minimum speed for streaming in 4K).

If your speeds are too slow while using a VPN, however, we recommend doing these three things:

1. Try to connect to a server that’s close to you.
2. Use WireGuard since it’s very fast. If not available, try L2TP/IPSec or IKEv2.
3. Try using wired connections instead of WiFi. Weak signals won’t lower your speeds anymore.

Do VPNs Work on All Devices?

VPNs on their own work on tons of devices. But when it comes to commercial VPNs, it depends on the provider (whether or not they developed cross-platform compatible apps). Most of the top VPNs on the market have working apps for the most popular platforms:

• Windows
• Linux
• iOS
• Android
• macOS

Some providers even develop apps for smart TV operating systems – like Fire OS.

Even if you can’t find an app for your device, you can use a VPN through the router. If you set up the VPN on it, any device that uses the Internet through that router will automatically use the VPN. So yes, you can (indirectly) use a VPN to watch Netflix on gaming consoles, for example.

Will Using a VPN with Netflix Result in a Ban?

That shouldn’t happen. While Netflix’s ToS page says that circumventing their “content protections” (that term includes geo-blocks) is against the rules, you won’t get in trouble if they catch you using a VPN.

If you heard of that happening to someone or you experienced that yourself, please tell us about it in the comments.

Is Using a VPN with Netflix Legal?

Yes, of course. Unless you live in a country where using VPNs is illegal, you’ve got nothing to worry about.

Have Any Other Questions?

If you need more answers, please leave your questions in the comments below. We’ll do our best to reply to them as fast as we can.