The Best Free VPNs for Netflix 2024

Netflix is at war with the VPN industry, trying to stop subscribers from accessing regional and geo-restricted content, but a good VPN can help you get around the barriers.
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Best free server locations

4.4
Editorial Rating
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On PrivadoVPN's website

PrivadoVPN
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Best for unlimited data

4.9
Editorial Rating
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On Proton VPN's website

Proton VPN
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Best for a free trial

4.9
Editorial Rating
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On NordVPN's website

NordVPN
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PrivadoVPN, Proton VPN, and NordVPN are some of the best free or no-commitment virtual private network (VPN) services available for watching Netflix content and unblocking geo-restricted content.

PrivadoVPN provides the best selection of free server locations. Proton VPN impressed us by offering unlimited data and no speed limits. And NordVPN is the best option for a free trial, offering a 30-day money-back guarantee to test its services. 

It’s worth noting that paid VPNs for Netflix provide more powerful servers. These VPNs often employ obfuscated servers, which hide your VPN usage and let you bypass Netflix’s restrictions with more ease. You’ll need to be careful, though, that you don’t use a VPN that logs and sells your data.

In this article
The best free VPNs for Netflix 2024
PrivadoVPN: Best free server locations
Proton VPN: Best for unlimited data
NordVPN: Best for a free trial
Honorable mentions
Best free Netflix VPNs FAQs
Bottom line: The best free VPNs for Netflix

The best free VPNs for Netflix 2024

Netflix is notorious for blocking VPN usage and even has a policy against it, warning that you can lose your account if you violate the rule. If you’re willing to risk it, but maybe can’t commit to a paid VPN plan at the moment, these options will help you watch for free.

Top 3 VPN services for Netflix compared

VPN
Free plan data limit 10 GB/30 days UnlimitedUnlimited
Free plan speed limit Up to 1 Mbps after data cap is reached Unlimited Unlimited
Length of free trial Unlimited Unlimited 30 days
Unblocks Netflix Most of the time Most of the time Most of the time
Headquarters Switzerland Switzerland Panama
Paid plan starting price $1.11/mo $4.49/mo $3.99/mo
Learn more Get PrivadoVPN

Read PrivadoVPN Review

Get Proton VPN

Read Proton VPN Review

Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

PrivadoVPN: Best free server locations

4.4
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On PrivadoVPN's website
PrivadoVPN
  • Affordable pricing and a free plan option
  • Fast speeds and unblocks Netflix
  • Low server count

Who it’s best for

PrivadoVPN is best for anyone who is looking for a higher data cap but still wants to use a free VPN. Privado offers 10 GB every 30 days as well as fast download speeds, which is more than a lot of its competitors.

When we streamed “Game of Thrones” back in the day, we noted that each episode had around 1 GB of data. That’ll add up fast, so having at least 10 GB of data means you’ll be able to cover most to all of your light traffic needs without needing to pay for a VPN.

PrivadoVPN unblocked Netflix UK when we connected to a London server.

What we liked

Privado offers surprisingly fast speeds and good privacy features for a free VPN. During our speed tests, we clocked speeds similar or slightly slower than our regular internet with just our internet service provider (ISP). It’s so close you won’t notice a difference.

We were impressed that Privado was able to unblock Netflix. There’s a disclaimer on Privado’s website that it may not be able to unblock streaming services like Netflix, so it doesn’t guarantee access to any streaming platform. In our testing, however, we did have success, so we wanted to pass on that knowledge to you.

We were also impressed with the clean, minimalistic design of Privado’s dashboard. We found its VPN app easy to install and user friendly. Privado offers a tutorial when you first install it that takes you through the dashboard and lets you know where everything is located.

Privado even allows for up to one connection on unlimited devices with the free plan. It also offers free VPN servers in countries worldwide, including Canada, France, Germany, and more.

What we didn’t like

We wish Privado offered more VPN servers. The free version comes with 12 available servers, which is a lot for a free VPN, but the paid plan offers only 48 countries and 65 cities worldwide. It’s good for beginners, but may frustrate someone who’s used to more VPN connection options. It definitely doesn’t offer the most server locations, but it does get the job done.

PrivadoVPN specs

Free plan data limit 10 GB/30 days
Free plan speed limit Up to 1 Mbps after the data cap is reached
Length of free trial Unlimited
Unblocks Netflix Sometimes
VPN protocols OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard
VPN headquarters Switzerland
Kill switch Yes
Split tunneling Yes
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
Learn more Get PrivadoVPN

Read PrivadoVPN Review

Proton VPN: Best for unlimited data

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Proton VPN's website
Proton VPN
  • Easy to use
  • A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
  • More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

Who it’s best for

Proton VPN is another service that offers a completely free VPN product. Although the services are limited, but you can upgrade to the paid version if you like its service and want the full benefits. Unlike some other free VPNs, Proton offers unlimited data and speed limits, even with its free plan. 

A screenshot of a TV show on Netflix with the Proton VPN dashboard in the foreground.

What we liked

Proton VPN offers one of the best free VPNs on the market. Its website mentions that you may not be able to stream Netflix with the free plan, but we didn't have any issues during our testing. We connected to servers in the U.S. and in the Netherlands and Netflix kept running as usual.  

As far as free server locations, Proton's list includes the U.S., the Netherlands, Poland, Japan, and Romania. And unlike other free services, it doesn't bombard you with intrusive ads or collect your data.

What we didn’t like

We were Proton annoyed by some of the limititations on Proton's free plan. There's no option to select from the free servers, you'll just have to hit the Change server button. If you want to change your server again, you'll have to wait a minute and a half before doing so.

If you opt for a paid plan, Proton is more expensive than other providers like NordVPN and Surfshark. However, it does come with some handy features like servers optimized for streaming and NetShield ad blocker

Proton VPN specs

Free plan data limit Unlimited
Free plan speed limit Unlimited
Length of free trial Unlimited
Unblocks Netflix Sometimes
VPN protocols OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth
VPN headquarters Switzerland
Kill switch Yes
Split tunneling Yes
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
Learn more Get PrivadoVPN

Read PrivadoVPN Review

NordVPN: Best for a free trial

Customizable Coverage That is Simple to Use
4.9
Editorial Rating
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On NordVPN's website
VPN
NordVPN
Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra
  • Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
  • Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
  • 3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
  • Too many confusing plans

Who it’s best for

NordVPN is best if you want to try out a premium VPN with unlimited data without commiting to a year or multi-year subscription. Nord offers a lot of features and functionality, but it may not be for everyone. 

If you’re on the fence, NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee is the way to go, especially if you sign up month-to-month, as the initial cost will be low.

NordVPN connected to an AU server while streaming Netflix.

NordVPN unblocked Netflix Australia


What we liked

There’s not much to dislike about NordVPN. It offers fast servers, a multitude of security features, and the ability to stream without interruption. It keeps you protected on public and private networks, and it allows you to stream Netflix libraries from around the world with obfuscated servers that hide the fact you’re using a VPN in the first place.

NordVPN offers SmartDNS, which gives you the ability to access regional content outside of your area on your smart TV. In addition, it offers a large server network of over 5,800 servers in 60 countries, so you’ll be able to change your Netflix region to plenty of places worldwide. Premium subscriptions like NordVPN offer you a lot, and we’ve always been happy with the products and services we receive from the Nord family of products.

What we didn’t like

We weren’t in love with the fact that customer support took Netflix support off its list of options for streaming services. Netflix can be tricky, but a VPN encrypts your traffic, and NordVPN’s obfuscated servers should make it easy to watch it. At least Nord still lists other streaming services, like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

Choosing which NordVPN plan you want can be confusing, since there are a lot to choose from. But they don’t have a free VPN plan. NordVPN does offer a 30-day free trial for new users. Couple that with the 30-day money-back guarantee, and you could likely use the service for free for 2 months, but not indefinitely.

NordVPN specs

Free plan data limit Unlimited
Free plan speed limit Unlimited
Length of free trial 30-day money-back guarantee
Unblocks Netflix Sometimes, but doesn’t guarantee it
VPN protocols IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN
VPN headquarters Panama
Kill switch Yes
Split tunneling Yes
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more
Learn more Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

Honorable mentions

If you’re still unsure about which VPN to choose, check out our honorable mentions. They’re all fast, private, and completely legal (yes, using a VPN is almost always legal unless your government says otherwise.) Each product below is either free or offers a money-back guarantee, so you can try them risk free. If you want to test them out, we suggest signing up for the monthly subscription and canceling before the cutoff to receive your money back.

  • Surfshark: We’ve watched Surfshark go from the new, impressive VPN on the market to a security powerhouse. It offers an entire security suite, making it one of the best VPNs available, and it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee means you can test out all the features without fear of losing money. It’s definitely worth a try.

    Get Surfshark | Read Our Surfshark Review
  • ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is one of the most powerful VPN options available. It offers fast servers as well as the ability to unblock streaming services and bypass geo-restrictions. ExpressVPN even offers a proprietary router preinstalled with the VPN to complement your service and blanket your entire household in protection. While there is no free product, the 30-day money-back guarantee means you can try ExpressVPN out for a month and get a full refund if you aren’t satisfied.

    Get ExpressVPN | Read Our ExpressVPN Review

Want to try a premium VPN risk-free? Check out the best VPN free trials and take advantage of money-back guarantees that have you covered for 30 to 45 days.

Best free Netflix VPNs FAQs


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Is there a free VPN that works with Netflix?

In our testing, PrivadoVPN and Proton VPN have all shown the ability to work with Netflix. If you find you can’t access Netflix with the VPN active, you may want to try switching servers. Since Netflix is constantly on the hunt for VPN usage, a VPN that works today may not work tomorrow, and vice versa.


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What is the cheapest VPN that works with Netflix?

The cheapest VPN that works with Netflix, excluding any free VPNs, is Surfshark. Surfshark offers a low monthly fee for a basic subscription, which will get you access to all of its servers. Surfshark uses obfuscated servers so you don’t look like you’re using a VPN, which will help trick Netflix.


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Can I watch Netflix for free if I have a VPN?

You may be able to watch Netflix for free using NordVPN’s Meshnet technology. Meshnet is a free service offered by NordVPN that allows you to mesh your network (see what they did) with someone else. If your parents are 2,000 miles away, you can look like your device is right there in the house with them. This will help you get around Netflix’s password-sharing restrictions. As far as regular VPN usage, however, you’ll still need a Netflix account to watch the streaming service.


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What is the best VPN for Netflix?

The best VPN for Netflix is a toss-up between several of the best VPN services. However, we would argue that NordVPN and Surfshark are best for Netflix, as you’ll be able to get around the VPN blockers while paying a reasonable price.

Bottom line: The best free VPNs for Netflix

We believe PrivadoVPN, Proton VPN, and NordVPN are the best free VPN providers for Netflix. Our two completely free options are safe and secure, unlike many free products, and you can trust them to keep your data encrypted. Your personal data is also protected with NordVPN, which offers a variety of features for streaming as well as unlimited data transfer.

3 best free VPNs for Netflix 2024

Best for Free plan data limit Length of free trial Learn more
Best free server locations 10 GB/30 days Unlimited free plan Get PrivadoVPN

Read PrivadoVPN Review

Best for unlimited data Unlimited Unlimited free plan Get Proton VPN

Read Proton VPN Review

Best for a free trial Unlimited 30-day money-back guarantee Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review


4.4
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On PrivadoVPN's website
PrivadoVPN
  • Affordable pricing and a free plan option
  • Fast speeds and unblocks Netflix
  • Low server count
Author Details
Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.