During our extensive analysis, we looked for free VPNs with a large data allowance and good speeds. We also sought out VPNs with a wide variety of server locations. PrivadoVPN ranks highest, thanks to its free 10 GB data. However, 10 GB of monthly data isn’t nearly enough for a full season of your favorite Netflix series. If you want unlimited viewing, you’ll need unlimited data bandwidth. We recommend Surfshark VPN for this purpose, as it’s cheap, fast, and reliable. Free VPNs often come with limitations, including data caps and slow speeds, and most of them can’t give you access to Netflix. But not to worry. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you by researching and testing dozens of free VPNs to find the best free VPN for Netflix. Read on to discover our three best free VPNs to stream blockbuster Netflix movies regardless of where you are and if you’re using a PC, Mac, or mobile device. Note: Netflix has announced they will roll out more stringent controls on account sharing in “early 2023.” The idea is to prevent users from sharing their accounts outside of their “household.” The tips and instructions included in the article are currently working but could be affected by these changes. We will continue to review and test Netflix VPNs to ensure we provide the most current information.
Top 3 Best Free VPNs for Netflix
Below, we’ll share our three best free VPNs for unblocking Netflix libraries. It’s worth noting that, with free VPNs that work with Netflix, unlimited streaming is not a given. Some require several tries before they work with Netflix, while others come with data and bandwidth limitations. Before discussing our picks in detail, we’ll present you with a table comparing their main features. Now, let’s dig into our best free Netflix VPNs, starting with our winner, PrivadoVPN.
1. PrivadoVPN: The overall best free VPN for Netflix
Features:
Free monthly data allowance of 10 GB Free servers in 10 countries, including the US, the UK, and Mexico Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Hotstar, and other streaming platforms Offers apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android Very user-friendly and easy to use for binging your favorite Netflix movies
PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN for Netflix, period. During our testing, this VPN service consistently unblocked Netflix libraries without trouble. We were particularly impressed with the fact that it was able to reliably unblock Netflix USA. The free version of PrivadoVPN offers servers in 12 cities and 10 GB of data each month, although you can only connect one device at a time. You also get military-grade AES-256 encryption alongside an automatic kill switch, which is rare among free VPNs. PrivadoVPN’s only drawback is that, if you exhaust the data offer, you’ll be limited to 1 Mbit speeds and only one server. This won’t work well if you intend to stream high-definition movies. Still, PrivadoVPN consistently excels in our VPN tests and tops our list of the best truly free VPNs. You can read our full PrivadoVPN review to learn more about this top-rated VPN.
2. Windscribe: Free VPN for Netflix with good speeds
Features:
Free 2 GB monthly data allowance, which you can upgrade to 10 GB Access to 10 free server locations Fast connection speeds Offers servers in the US, the UK, Germany, and France. Has applications for Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, FireTV, and Linux
Windscribe is another contender for the best free VPN for Netflix, although it can be hit-or-miss. We had to try several servers before the VPN was able to unblock Netflix libraries for us. However, if you must use a completely free VPN for Netflix, Windscribe is a handy option. You get 2 GB for free each month, but when you hand over your email address, Windscribe upgrades the offer to 10 GB monthly — just as much as PrivadoVPN. Windscribe is also one of the best free VPNs for Android devices. What’s more, this free VPN provider gives you access to servers in over ten countries, including countries with impressive Netflix libraries, like the US, UK, Netherlands, Canada, France, and Germany. Finally, Windscribe is decked with an impressive lineup of security features to protect you while you stream Netflix. You get a kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and the ever-secure WireGuard protocol. Not sure yet if you want Windscribe as your VPN for Netflix? Free and premium VPNs alike are subjected to our tests. Read how Windscribe fares.
3. TunnelBear: Free Netflix VPN with plenty of server locations
Features:
Free 2 GB of data every month Free access to over 40 server locations Users in some countries with anti-censorship measures enjoy 10 GB per month Offers apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac Has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox
In our tests, TunnelBear had a bit of a harder time unblocking Netflix libraries. We had to tweak some settings, including switching servers and protocols, to access Netflix libraries in the United Kingdom and Germany. Even then, we didn’t get consistent results. Apart from the tweaking it requires, its default free data allowance of 500 MB is also an issue. As such, we wouldn’t recommend this VPN service for unblocking Netflix long-term, but it’s worth a shot if you’re out of options. However, TunnelBear is one of the more reliable and secure free VPNs. You get military-grade AES-256 encryption, which is near-impossible to break. Even on a free account, you’ll be able to connect to servers in several countries, including Germany, Spain, Japan, the USA, France, and Canada. You can learn more about this free Netflix VPN provider in our full TunnelBear review.
How We Chose the Best Free VPNs for Netflix
Most free VPNs that work with Netflix come with significant limitations, so it’s crucial to scrutinize your options to ensure you’re picking the best one. When deciding on our top three, we tested our VPNs on different fronts. Below you’ll find the main criteria we looked at.
Ability to stream Netflix: Some free VPN services can unblock Netflix in Europe, but very few VPNs can access Netflix USA. That’s why it’s vital to confirm which Netflix libraries your VPN can unblock. Speed: Most free VPNs for Netflix cap your speeds and throttle your bandwidth. If your free VPN service is slow, you’ll experience lags, buffering, and poor video quality while watching Netflix. Luckily, any free VPN for Netflix is easy to test for speed and security. No-logs policy: Because many VPNs log and sell your data to advertisers, it’s essential to find out if the free VPN offers a strict no-logs policy. Security: Your VPN is as good as the security features it offers. Free VPNs generally come with limited security features, but AES-256 encryption and strong protocols are must-haves. Customer support: Some VPNs give customer support priority to paying customers. So if you’re using a free VPN, you might not be able to get the help you need. At the very least, your chosen VPN should have exhaustive knowledge bases and user forums.
What to Do If Your Free Netflix VPN Isn’t Working
You might be tempted to call it quits when you notice that even the best free VPN for Netflix isn’t unblocking any streaming sites. Before you throw in the towel, here are a few troubleshooting tips to get your free Netflix VPN working again.
1. Select a different VPN server
Chances are, the free VPN server you’re using is blocked by Netflix. It might also be leaking information about your location. Whatever the case, if your free VPN is struggling to access Netflix, choose a different server location. You might have to sift through several servers before finding one that can unblock Netflix libraries. We recommend using streaming-optimized VPN servers to access Netflix. These usually have obfuscation features that can outwit Netflix’s geo-blocks. PrivadoVPN is the only free VPN we recommend that has obfuscation features.
2. Clear your cache and cookies
Your browser’s cache and cookies improve your browsing experience by making pages load faster. However, this comes at a cost: these cookies keep track of addresses and locations and may reveal those to websites you visit. Even if your free VPN is working, Netflix might know that your location and IP address don’t match. As a result, it can block you from watching geo-specific Netflix content altogether. Clear your cache and cookies periodically to remove any hint of your location. Alternatively, you can change your browser or use incognito mode to browse anonymously.
3. Make sure your VPN is up-to-date
While software updates may be easy to ignore, they often add essential security fixes and unblocking capabilities to your VPN. These updates are essential because Netflix is also constantly trying to outsmart VPNs. In general, we recommend that you check for available updates for your VPN at least once a month. Another helpful option is to restore your VPN to its default settings, especially if you’ve tampered with them repeatedly. In exceptional cases, you may have to uninstall and reinstall your free VPN to get it working properly. Usually, however, you’ll simply be shown a popup asking you to update the software.
4. Contact customer support
If the above measures don’t work, contact your VPN’s customer support. However, most VPNs limit the support options for free users. Start with knowledge bases found on their websites. If you don’t find what you need there, you can email, call, or use live chat to contact support. Of the three VPNs on this list, Windscribe has the best customer support.
The Challenges of Using Free Netflix VPNs
In a world full of “freebies,” it’s tempting to simply choose a free Netflix VPN and be on your way. However, free VPNs often have lots of limitations that make them unsuitable as Netflix VPNs. Below, we’ll discuss some of these.
Free VPNs might log and sell your data. If you’re not paying for the VPN, then these free services have to find a different way to make money. Some free VPNs log your data and sell it to advertisers. Some VPNs contain malware. In 2017, researchers from the University of NSW and UC Berkley in the US studied 238 VPN apps on the Google Play Store to determine if they had any malware. The results were shocking: over 38% of VPNs studied contained some form of malware, spyware, or adware. Free VPNs might have ads and pop-ups. Free VPNs often bombard you with ads and pop-ups. These ads are often targeted, meaning that free VPNs likely share your internet traffic data with advertisers. Data limits might interrupt your Netflix experience. According to Netflix, users will burn through 3 GB per hour when they set their video quality to High Definition. For comparison, most free VPNs don’t offer more than 10 GB per month, while some only offer less than 1 GB per month. Free VPNs could slow down your internet. Some free VPNs intentionally throttle your bandwidth and slow down your internet traffic. They do this to nudge free users to upgrade to a paid plan.
Does your free VPN have enough data to stream Netflix?
The best free VPNs for Netflix, like PrivadoVPN and Windscribe, give your around 10 GB of data each month. However, free VPNs at the lowest rung of the ladder give you just 500 MB. For Netflix streaming, these data caps are inadequate. Here are Netflix’s video quality settings to help you understand how much data they take up on average. If you want to watch more than just a few hours of Netflix, you’ll need a VPN service that provides unlimited bandwidth.
Surfshark: Most Affordable VPN for Netflix with Unlimited Data
There are VPNs that can help you watch Netflix without leaving a dent in your budget. The best cheap VPN that works with Netflix is Surfshark.
Surfshark can unblock Netflix libraries in at least 15 countries, including the US, France, Germany, Turkey, and the UK. If you connect to servers that are not in any of those countries, you’ll automatically be directed to Netflix US. It also has camouflage mode, which keeps your VPN use under wraps so you can easily get around VPN blocks. Surfshark’s apps are simple and intuitive, so even if you’re new to VPNs, installing and setting up Surfshark should be a breeze. Their browser extension also works flawlessly with Netflix. On top of that, each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can take it for a test run before taking the plunge. Read our extensive Surfshark review to get a better picture of this handy virtual private network. And best of all, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
Free Netflix VPNs to Avoid
Unfortunately, not all free VPNs can unblock the American Netflix library. Others have substandard privacy practices that can put you in danger. Below, we’ve listed some free VPNs we think you should avoid for streaming Netflix.
Final Thoughts: The Best Free VPNs for Netflix
Because of Netflix’s anti-VPN technology, many free VPNs draw a blank when they try accessing Netflix. Based on our extensive research and testing, here are the best free VPNs for Netflix: Even the best free VPNs come with severe data and bandwidth limitations, making it hard to enjoy your Netflix experience. If you don’t want to deal with those limits and shortcomings, we recommend Surfshark, our best cheap VPN. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out. You can even use a Netflix VPN like Surfshark to save money on your Netflix subscription. Want to watch content on other streaming platforms? Here are a few guides on unblocking popular streams from all over the world:
How to Watch Hulu from Anywhere in the World Unblock YouTube Videos: Six Ways to Watch YouTube Anywhere How to Watch Disney Plus (and Star) Safely Watch the Most Popular BBC Programming on iPlayer Outside the UK
Note that if a particular VPN server doesn’t unblock Netflix, you can try other servers until you find one that does.
