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While Netflix has content libraries in 190 countries, they are geo-restricted. That means even if you subscribe to Netflix in Australia, you won’t have access to the same range of TV shows and movies as, for example, in the US. To bypass Netflix’s restrictions to watch a documentary, movie or show from another country or keep up with shows whenever abroad, you’ll need the best VPN for Netflix. The best Netflix VPNs also bypass strong firewalls in countries that restrict content, allowing you to stream a wide range of Netflix libraries with good speed without exposing your data to governments or hackers.
We’ve compiled the best VPNs for Netflix to show you those that have secure servers, optimum speed and allow you to stream Netflix on different devices. Of course, speed is a vital part of streaming so if you’re after the fastest VPN in the market, read our guide to the best VPNs for speed.
Note: The below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice. For more information on how Forbes Advisor ranks and reviews products, including how we identified our top category picks, read the methodology selection below.
Related: Are VPNs Legal? The Worldwide Guide
For a smooth streaming experience, consider factors such as security, streaming compatibility, speed and performance and device compatibility when choosing a VPN for Netflix streaming.
These are the features to look out for when considering a VPN’s features in regards to streaming.
Related: Best VPNs For Streaming In Australia
VPNs will always degrade the speed of your internet connection somewhat. However, it shouldn’t slow it down too much, especially since you need the VPN for streaming and won’t want to experience a lot of buffering. Now, VPN providers are hardly truthful about their speed, so use a speed tester such as Speedtest to see how well a VPN performs when you’re streaming Netflix. If the difference is much, consider another provider.
An intuitive interface makes it easy to use a VPN to stream Netflix, especially if you’re using a VPN for the first time. To consider how easy a VPN is to use, ask questions such as these:
The cost of a VPN varies, depending on features, add-ons, contract terms, ongoing promotions and billing types. Weigh the cost against the privacy and security offerings and of course, its streaming capability. Also, consider the differences between initial and subsequent payments.
Related: Our Pick Of The Best VPNs In Australia
NordVPN is a fast and secure VPN service with a range of additional security features that add plenty of value for Australian users.
On Nord VPN’s Secure website
To determine the best VPNs for Netflix, our team at Forbes Advisor tested 16 VPNs and scored them on eight primary factors. We considered each VPN’s privacy and security features, streaming capability, speed and performance, server capacity and compatibility with various systems and devices. We also examined their costs, how many device connections they allow on each account, users’ experience with them, how well they support users who need help and what experts have to say about them. We weighted these metrics to score each Netflix VPN.
Here’s how we determined the best VPN for Netflix streaming.
For pricing, we examined each VPN’s yearly prices and the discounts available for new users and long-term commitments, plus whether they offered a monthly payment plan. We also considered whether or not users need to pay more to access a smooth streaming service. Next, we compared the availability of a free version, free trial or money-back guarantee that allows users to explore a VPN before buying it. This factor accounted for 15% of our weighted scoring.
We examined the VPN providers’ security, performance and compatibility with Netflix. We checked how robust their security provision is, whether or not they offer must-have features such as multiple security protocols and reliable servers for streaming and nice-to-have features such as dedicated IPs and dedicated streaming servers. Plus, we looked into their compatibility with desktops and mobile devices, which allows you to stream Netflix from anywhere.
We also considered how fast they are since Netflix requires a minimum speed of 5 Mbps for high-definition videos and 25 Mbps to watch in 4K. We examined the VPNs’ average download speeds and found them adequate to stream Netflix. These factors account for 47.5% of the total score.
In our examination, we also considered the presence of VPN qualities that enhance streaming on Netflix. For example, the VPNs that got our attention are those with over 400 servers in more than 50 countries, especially with servers across continents.
Other helpful features are the no-logs policy, independent audits and simultaneous connections allowed. We also looked at how much support they give, whether or not they provide live chat, a rich knowledge base, support over the phone, or are available 24/7. These features account for 17.5%.
Our team further considered the experiences of other users when it comes to streaming Netflix with these VPNs. We turned to third-party review sites, including Trustpilot and ProductReview. We then interviewed some users to form 10% of our scoring.
Not only did we test these VPNs to get hands-on experience to determine the best VPNs for Netflix, but we also interviewed international cybersecurity and IT experts from different organisations to tell us what they’ve observed using these VPNs. Our experts considered additional criteria, such as the VPNs’ standout features, ease of use, popularity and value for money. Altogether, the expert analysis forms 10% of the total score.
These experts included:
About Star Rankings
You will note that we have included a star rating next to each product or provider. This rating was determined by the editorial team once all of the data points above were considered, and the pros and cons of each product attribute was reviewed. The star rating is solely the view of Forbes Advisor editorial staff. Commercial partners or advertisers have no bearing on the star rating or their inclusion on this list. Star ratings are only one factor to be considered, and Forbes Advisor encourages you to seek independent advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to your own financial circumstances and investments before you decide to choose a particular financial product or service.
Our pick of the best overall virtual private network for streaming Netflix is NordVPN. NordVPN has a reputation for being secure and offering fast speeds, making it a reliable option for Netflix users. You can use it on your personal computer, mobile device, smart TV and other streaming devices. Also, NordVPN offers 24/7 customer support, so you can’t get stuck if you need help streaming with the VPN.
VPNs including NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, PIA, and Proton bypass Netflix’s restrictions, allowing you to watch your favorite shows, movies and documentaries. Others such as TorGuard and hide.me also bypass Netflix, but they either require you to buy streaming servers separately or subscribe to higher plans to enjoy a reliable streaming service, which means more cost and not necessarily better speed, performance or privacy.
Netflix can detect VPN use by checking a user’s IP address. If several users log in from an IP address, Netflix detects it’s from a VPN. That’s why you need VPNs with larger server fleets if you want to bypass Netflix’s geo-restrictions better. Even if a server is caught and blocked, you can choose from other servers in that country.
Yes, it is legal to use a VPN to stream international Netflix libraries while in Australia—although Netflix itself doesn’t like it due to its licensing agreements, which means it is trying to stop users from being able to do so. However, using a VPN is perfectly legal in Australia as long as you are partaking in legal activity.
How much Netflix AU costs will depend on the plan you choose, such as whether you need simultaneous access or want better high-definition streaming. Forbes Advisor Australia has highlighted the different costs of Netflix plans, as well as other streaming services, here.
That depends. If you’re happy to access Netflix in your own home geo, then you will just need a Netflix subscription. However, if you are keen to access the Netflix libraries in other regions—which will be different from your home country’s content—then you will need a VPN.
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