Small server list focused on Europe
We’re unsure why each client performed differently, but one explanation might be that they’re using different servers within the same country, and some of these help bypass geo-blocks, while others don’t. That’s why using a Chrome VPN is highly recommended for privacy-conscious users. Also, using a VPN can help you when streaming content through any service, since your ISP won’t be able to know about it. This is especially important for downloading and streaming since ISPs often throttle network bandwidth when they find users doing either. Free VPN services can use shoddy privacy practices to pay for operation costs, like collecting usage data to sell to third parties for advertising.
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. 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.
Smart DNS proxies like Unotelly, Overplay, Unlocator, and Unblock-US were a flash in the pan during Netflix’s war on proxies. 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.
While we can’t speak for Netflix, the company appears to be blacklisting the IP addresses of known VPN servers. It can even block an entire range of IP addresses from a data center known to host VPN servers, which is why most VPNs are unable to combat Netflix’s firewall. 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.
While there are some safe free VPNs, using a money-back guarantee to test a trusted service like NordVPN is always a safe option. Plus, you get unlimited data, speed, and bandwidth, which wouldn’t be accessible on a free VPN unless you bought a subscription (maybe not even then). 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).
Do We Recommend Touch VPN?
MediaStreamer can unblock Netflix on devices that don’t normally support VPNs, such as Apple TV, PS4, and Xbox One. ExpressVPN and NordVPN will unblock the Netflix app on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
If you are using Chrome VPN extension, uninstall it and try to use the desktop app. This will help you to confirm the problem is with the VPN server side or on Chrome browser side. 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.
Due to time constraints and practicality, however, we elected not to test smart DNS services and instead solely focus on VPNs. Some VPNs redirect users to the US version of Netflix regardless of server location.
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.
- 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.
It’s pretty good at unblocking other popular streaming services as well, like BBC iPlayer and Hulu. 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. 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 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.
Torrents are supported on some servers, but whatever you’re doing, high performance servers mean it won’t take very long. 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.
You can’t go wrong with a simple app
If you’re concerned, check the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service to find out more. The apps aren’t always as easy to use as we’d like, but they’re strong on the security fundamentals and have plenty of expert-level extras. The Android app doesn’t have a Favorites system, for instance, which means it takes fractionally longer to find commonly-used servers. What you don’t get with the Windows client, unfortunately, is any form of DNS leak protection.
What is touch VPN?
TouchVPN Security Wrap UP TouchVPN security measures are simply not up to par even according to the low standards of free VPNs. Summing it all up, TouchVPN is not a safe VPN and you should stay away from it.
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. “18% of the VPN apps implement tunneling protocols without encryption despite promising online anonymity and security to their users. 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. This means Netflix can determine the user’s true location and block them accordingly, even with a VPN app switched on.
Touch VPN Pros & Cons
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. This approach worked for a few months until it caught the attention of Netflix, and a subsequent crackdown blocked most smart DNS proxy users. Today, a handful of smart DNS proxy services can still unblock Netflix, but the only one that’s consistently worked for us is ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer service. MediaStreamer is a smart DNS proxy service that comes with every ExpressVPN subscription. It’s used by default when you connect to the VPN, or you can set it up separately so that it’s used on its own.
And platform support covers everything from the regular Windows, Mac, Android and iOS apps, to routers, Android TV, QNAP, Blackphone, Anonabox and more. That means the service can only work on devices where you can run its Windows, Mac, Android or iOS apps. Touch VPN’s website unblocking results saw the Android app allowing access to BBC iPlayer, but not allowing us to view Netflix or protected YouTube clips.
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. 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. Most of the popular VPN services like ExpressVPN offers Chrome browser extension for Windows and Mac.
Is touch VPN safe?
Touch VPN is a popular free VPN for iOS and Android. The VPN has average speeds, an intrusive logging policy and barely any customer support. It fails to unblock streaming services and uses outdated encryption protocols like PPTP. Touch VPN is not a secure service and we recommend you avoid it at all costs.