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Best unlimited data
Best free trial
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Netflix thanks to its unlimited data caps, high speeds, generous free server count, and open-source security.If you want to unlock more Netflix libraries than a free plan allows, Surfshark is our top paid pick. It comes with a seven-day free trial at no cost and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free before paying anything. If you run into issues with either, PrivadoVPN is a solid free backup with additional server countries to try.
All three are reputable companies with strong security features, so you don't have to worry about paying with your data.
Learn more about why we selected Proton VPN, Surfshark, and PrivadoVPN as the best VPNs for Netflix.
Compare the best free VPNs for Netflix
Proton VPN: Best for unlimited data
Surfshark: Best free trial
PrivadoVPN: Best server variety
Bottom line: The best free VPNs for Netflix
FAQs
The best free VPNs for Netflix 2026
Compare the best free VPNs for Netflix
| VPN |
|
|
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| Best for | Unlimited data | Free trial | Server variety |
| Free plan data limit | Unlimited | Unlimited (with free trial) | Unlimited (uncapped speeds for 10 GB every 30 days) |
| Free server availability | 2,300 servers in 5 server locations | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries (with free trial) | 13 server locations |
| Average download speed drop | 14% slower | 8% slower | 21% slower |
| Passed Netflix tests | |||
| Paid plan starting price | $2.99/mo | $1.99/mo | $1.11/mo |
| Learn more | Get Proton VPN | Get Surfshark | Get PrivadoVPN |
How we test and rate VPNs
Every VPN in this guide is hands-on tested by our team using a consistent process. We evaluate each product across seven areas:
- Features (30.5%): We review every VPN for inclusion of a working kill switch, split tunneling, multiple VPN protocols, multi-hop servers, and the option to add a dedicated IP. We also review the size of the server network and number of server countries available.
- Test results (20%): We run download and upload speed tests with no VPN as a baseline, then connect to servers in four regions (U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia) to calculate the VPN's impact on our speeds. We also connect to each region's Netflix library to verify streaming access, and run WebRTC and DNS leak tests using BrowserLeaks to confirm our real IP and DNS data remain masked.
- Editor's score (15%): We use each VPN ourselves, evaluating interface clarity, feature accessibility, and anything else that affects day-to-day use that isn't captured by our other criteria.
- Value (11%): We evaluate each product's value based on starting price, money-back guarantee length, and the number of simultaneous connections allowed under a single subscription.
- Privacy and security (9.5%): We verify each VPN's no-logs policy, check whether it has been independently audited, review its encryption standards, and note its headquarters jurisdiction.
- Customer service (5%): We evaluate how thorough the customer support is based on how many ways there are to contact human support.
- Compatibility (3%): We review each VPN's availability across desktop, mobile, browsers, routers, and smart devices.
We test VPNs at least twice a year. Testing has been carried out across Windows, macOS, and mobile, so our results reflect real-world performance across devices.
To learn more about how we test, read our full VPN methodology here.
Proton VPN: Best for unlimited data
What we liked
Proton VPN offers one of the best free VPN services on the market. Its website mentions that you may be unable to watch 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 streamed without interruption.
Proton's list of free server locations includes the U.S., the Netherlands, Poland, Japan, and Romania. Unlike other free services, it doesn't bombard you with intrusive ads or collect your data.
Proton doesn't even limit you on speed or data, so you can stream without worrying about data limits.
What we didn’t like
We were annoyed by some of the limitations on Proton's free plan. There's no option to select from the free servers; you 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 can be 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 |
| Free server availability | 2,300 servers in 5 server locations |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth |
| VPN headquarters | Switzerland |
| Kill switch | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox |
| Learn more | Get Proton VPN |
Surfshark: Best paid option with a free trial
What we liked
Surfshark is our top pick if you want to go beyond what a free VPN can offer. It doesn't have a free plan, but it comes with a seven-day free trial at no cost and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it for up to 37 days without committing to anything.
In our testing, Surfshark unblocked Netflix in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia without any errors or streaming interruptions. That's a big step up from free VPNs, which are limited to just a handful of server countries. With 4,500+ servers, you have several more options to test if Netflix blocks a server, and with 100 countries, you have access to far more Netflix libraries.
The app itself is one of the cleanest we've used. Connecting takes one click, and shortcuts like "fastest location" and "nearest country" make it easy to find a good server fast. It's clearly labeled when you're connected vs. disconnected, which newer users will appreciate.
What we didn’t like
Surfshark doesn't offer a permanently free plan, so you'll need to pay after the trial and money-back guarantee period ends. However, it's our top pick for a cheap VPN, so it could be worth investing in a two-year subscription for $1.99/mo.
Note that there are no dedicated streaming servers, though this didn't affect performance in our tests.
Surfshark specs
| Data limit | Unlimited |
| Speed limit | Unlimited (full speed for first 10 GB every 30 days) |
| Length of free trial | 7 days |
| Server availability | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth |
| VPN headquarters | Netherlands |
| Kill switch | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox |
| Learn more | Get Surfshark |
PrivadoVPN: Best server variety
What we liked
PrivadoVPN offers surprisingly fast speeds and good privacy features for a free VPN. During our speed tests, we clocked speeds similar to or slightly slower than our regular internet. It’s so close, you won’t notice a difference.
We were impressed that PrivadoVPN could unblock Netflix. There’s a disclaimer on PrivadoVPN’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 succeeded, so we wanted to share that finding.
PrivadoVPN also has a clean, minimalistic dashboard design. We found its VPN app easy to install and user-friendly. When installing it, PrivadoVPN offers a tutorial that takes you through the dashboard and explains where everything is located.
With the free plan, PrivadoVPN allows one active connection at a time, though you can install it on unlimited devices. It also offers free VPN servers in countries worldwide, including Canada, France, Germany, and more.
What we didn’t like
Though you get unlimited data, only the first 10 GB you use every month have uncapped speeds. After that, you'll be limited to slower speeds. TThough this is fine for light activities like securely accessing online banking, streaming will use up your 10 GB quickly.
To put that into perspective, each episode of “Game of Thrones” has around 1 GB of data.
PrivadoVPN specs
| Free plan data limit | Unlimited |
| Free plan speed limit | Uncapped for first 10 GB per month, up to 1 Mbps after the data cap is reached |
| Length of free trial | Unlimited |
| Free server availability | 13 server locations |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard |
| VPN headquarters | Switzerland |
| Kill switch | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Get PrivadoVPN |
Bottom line: The best free VPNs for Netflix
Proton VPN is the best free VPN provider for Netflix. It's safe and secure, unlike many free VPNs, so you can trust Proton to keep your data encrypted.
If you want access to more Netflix libraries, Surfshark is worth trying. Its seven-day free trial and 30-day full money-back guarantee give you up to 37 days to test it with no financial risk. PrivadoVPN rounds out the list as a strong free backup, especially with its 13 server locations for worldwide streaming.
Free VPNs are convenient, but you need to be careful about products that log and sell your data. That's why we selected Proton VPN, Surfshark, and PrivadoVPN.
FAQs
Can a free VPN unblock Netflix?
Free VPNs can unblock Netflix, but it's not guaranteed. Netflix has filters to detect VPN use, and it often blocks IP addresses belonging to free servers.
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.
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.
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.