Netflix’s tough geoblocks stop many VPNs from accessing the service, but not NordVPN. It has a SmartPlay feature that’s specifically designed to bypass geoblocks and keep you secure at the same time. It combines DNS with VPN technology to easily evade blocks, but always maintain your security.
This makes it impossible for services that could support thousands of customers streaming at a time by only forwarding the geolocation packets through their servers. ExpressVPN is one of the fastest and most reliable VPNs in the world, and it’s extremely easy to use, as well.
Mullvad is a good VPN with a strong focus on privacy, but it isn’t necessarily the best choice for reliable Netflix access. Consider one of the recommended VPNs in the following section for better streaming resources. Each provider is fast and easy to use, making them perfect to unblock all of your favorite movies on Netflix with just a few clicks. The sad truth is that Netflix is usually better at blocking VPNs than VPNs are at bypassing the blocks.
Is Mullvad VPN good?
Mullvad is a genuine pleasure to use. It is secure and the speeds are great. It is one of the only VPNs that offers a completely anonymous account. You don’t need to provide a name, email, or even a password.
After Netflix blocked connections from most VPN servers, many users switched to these services instead. A smart DNS proxy is a server that monitors any DNS requests sent from your device. DNS requests are a means of looking up which domain names (e.g. “netflix.com”) are associated with which servers. If it detects a DNS request for Netflix, it sends all the browser traffic for that request through the server to an American Netflix server, thereby changing both your IP address and DNS server.
You also get 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, an automatic kill switch, and a zero-logging policy that covers time stamps, DNS requests, IP addresses, and traffic when you join. It’s extremely easy to set up NordVPN and use it on all of your devices, as well, making it the perfect choice for unblocking Netflix.
Most of NordVPN’s servers can unblock Netflix, although the majority will redirect you to the US version even if you’re connected to another country. Thanks to a low monthly price and the option to connect up to six devices at one time, NordVPN is a great budget option especially if you share an account with friends or family. Despite its low price, NordVPN doesn’t skimp on security or privacy. It’s pretty good at unblocking other popular streaming services as well, like BBC iPlayer and Hulu.
All VPN companies say they don’t log whatever you’re doing online, but inevitably they collect a little data. Some services record the day your account logged on, the amount of data you used, and delete anything else when the session closes. Others add items like your incoming IP address and the server you used, and keep the data for months, even years. If you’re concerned, check the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service to find out more.
I put it to the test to see how easily I could access Netflix US. Once you’re past any multi-device issues, VPN Unlimited performs very well. It runs on almost anything (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Apple TV, even Windows phone), and unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer with ease. Torrents are supported on some servers, but whatever you’re doing, high performance servers mean it won’t take very long.
To assist you in your decision, Comparitech has conducted the most comprehensive study to date of which VPNs unblock Netflix in which countries. We tested 59 VPNs in 30 countries with Netflix in a desktop web browser and the Netflix iOS and Android apps. In all, our team ran more than 5,000 manual tests on real devices.
This provider operates a sturdy network of about 100 servers in 59 different countries–not as extensive as some, but singularly well-equipped to unblock U.S. It’s the perfect solution for streaming movies to your favorite devices.
It is compatible with all devices, does not retain logs, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee (it’s real, we checked). With a price so low, it’s no wonder NordVPN is the most popular VPN out there, used by technology experts all around the world. A few VPNs bundle smart DNS proxies with their subscriptions, and some of those DNS proxies can unblock Netflix (e.g. Ironsocket DNS, Keenow Unblocker, ExpressVPN MediaStreamer). Due to time constraints and practicality, however, we elected not to test smart DNS services and instead solely focus on VPNs. ExpressVPN and NordVPN will unblock the Netflix app on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
Mullvad is an incredible VPN with a strong stance on digital privacy rights. The service can’t always access Netflix, however, due to the frequent IP address blocks enacted by the streaming giant. With these 2019 workarounds for Mullvad VPN on Netflix, however, you might be able to break through those restrictions and watch any movie you want, any time. NordVPN’s software comes with everything you need to stay safe on any device, from PC to Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and more.
The service offers lightweight apps that instantly connect you to a fast server on a variety of devices, keeping you safe and secure on PC, Mac, iPhone, Android, and more. With ExpressVPN you can sign in and start streaming Netflix in a matter of seconds with some of the highest rates of unblocked servers around. ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix on every platform tested, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Linux, and certain wifi routers. Plus, every ExpressVPN subscription comes with the MediaStreamer smart DNS proxy. MediaStreamer can unblock Netflix on devices that don’t normally support VPNs, such as Apple TV, PS4, and Xbox One.
A VPN that unblocks Netflix in a web browser might not unblock the Netflix app on your mobile device, set-top box, or smart TV. That’s because a web browser must use the DNS servers specified by the operating system. Most VPN apps take care of this for you and route all DNS requests to their own in-house DNS servers, which ensures that DNS requests match the location of your VPN server. When using a Netflix native app, however, the app can override the DNS routing used by a VPN and send requests to your nearest public DNS server.
- Despite its low price, NordVPN doesn’t skimp on security or privacy.
- Most of NordVPN’s servers can unblock Netflix, although the majority will redirect you to the US version even if you’re connected to another country.
Mullvad
Morgan says Netflix probably isn’t targeting isolated VPN providers. He believes a combination of techniques is used to block them. One of those techniques, says LiquidVPN CEO Dave Cox, is by identifying connections coming from data centers instead of residences. He goes on to explain that the Netflix apps combat SmartDNS services by forcing you to use a public DNS server and frequently change the URLs that do geolocation for their content.
The company has its own zero-knowledge DNS service, for instance. Its proprietary Chameleon protocol could help you get online even in VPN-blocking countries like China and Iran. And platform support covers everything from the regular Windows, Mac, Android and iOS apps, to routers, Android TV, QNAP, Blackphone, Anonabox and more.
Given time, however, services like Mullvad can find workarounds. If you’re unwilling to switch to a different VPN and the above tricks don’t work, all you can do is try back at a later time. The battle between Netflix and VPNs of the world will never be won. As soon as new IP addresses and servers open up, Netflix will try and blacklist them. As soon as that happens, the VPNs will find another way to break through.
Users who want access to the Belgian version of Netflix have the smallest choice of VPN providers; it can only be unblocked by one of the 59 VPNs we tested (ProtonVPN). Unblocking Netflix in countries like Belgium and Turkey is probably not at the top of the priority list for most VPNs, and many of the VPNs we tested don’t have servers in those countries at all.
Is Mullvad Good for Torrenting?
These VPNs work with Netflix, but for one reason or another, they don’t make the top seven cutoff. This may be due to inconsistent service, privacy concerns, speed, or inability to unblock Netflix on mobile devices. Netflix frequently blocks VPNs, so we also favor those with a proven track record of bypassing the proxy error. Erring on the side of caution, we don’t want to recommend VPNs that work today but not tomorrow.
Opening Netflix while connected to any other country through NordVPN will return the US version. And though Surfshark users can access Netflix on any server, they all redirect to the US version except France, India, Japan, the Netherlands, and the UK. Similarly, AirVPN redirects many international users to US Netflix regardless of their VPN server’s IP address.
This means Netflix can determine the user’s true location and block them accordingly, even with a VPN app switched on. ExpressVPN and NordVPN have figured out how to overcome this behavior, so they both work with the iOS and Android Netflix apps so this won’t be a problem for if you are using one of these two VPNs. The VPNs we recommend can all bypass Netflix’s ban using at least one server or location. It’s not that these VPNs never get blocked; it’s just that they are prepared with both the resources and manpower to quickly replace blacklisted servers and IPs with ones that haven’t been blocked yet.
But other devices–Roku, Chromecast, smart TVs, game consoles, Fire TV, etc–do not support any VPNs. For those devices, you need to configure a router or buy a pre-configured one. Smart DNS proxies like Unotelly, Overplay, Unlocator, and Unblock-US were a flash in the pan during Netflix’s war on proxies.
Is Mullvad free?
Mullvad offers its own client software for Windows (Windows 7 or newer), Mac (OS X 10.7 Lion or newer) and Debian-based Linux (including Ubuntu 16.04 or newer). Mullvad doesn’t provide its own apps and recommends OpenVPN for Android and OpenVPN Connect for iOS.
IPVanish recently added servers for users who want to unblock US and UK Netflix. We have tested it and confirmed it works on both desktop browser and Netflix’s mobile app on Android and iOS. We recommend you contact IPVanish’s customer support to ask which server to use and troubleshoot any issues you might have connecting. IPVanish is built with privacy and security in mind while also offering decent speeds to stream in HD.
CyberGhost delivers an amazing VPN experience for newcomers, and it delivers enough customization for advanced users to appreciate the service, as well. CyberGhost is fast, easy to use, extremely secure, and runs on nearly every device imaginable, from iPhones and iPads to Android devices and laptops. As soon as you sign up you’ll be able to access CyberGhost’s massive network of over 3,300 servers in 60 countries, all with unlimited data and no restrictions on download speeds. Some VPNs redirect users to the US version of Netflix regardless of server location. NordVPN, for example, can unblock Netflix when connected to any country, but uses a DNS proxy to route Netflix requests to the US version, except for Australia, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, and UK.