Watch “Friends” Online From Anywhere in the World

"Friends," the classic sitcom that first aired on NBC in 1994, has remained a fan favorite for decades, thanks to its enduring humor and iconic moments that continue to resonate with fans old and new.

“Friends” is available to stream online — no matter where you’re located — with a virtual private network (VPN). If you aren’t in a location where “Friends” is available, a VPN can help you bypass those geo-restrictions.

The best VPN services offer obfuscated servers and a variety of servers to choose from, so you’re always connected. We’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the world of streaming with a VPN to ensure you can watch “Friends” whenever and wherever you want.

How to watch “Friends” online in the U.S.

“Friends” is available to stream in the U.S. on Max (formerly known as HBO Max). Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month with ads. If you don’t have a Max subscription but do subscribe to Netflix, you can use a VPN to connect to a U.K. server where “Friends” is still found on the streaming giant.

If you’re in the U.S., you don’t have to worry about geo-restrictions. Still, you may have an issue with your internet service provider (ISP) throttling your connection during high-traffic times or when you’ve gone over a certain amount of data — even if it claims not to have data caps.

VPNs work by masking your online activity from your ISP and others. It will also keep you protected if you’re accessing publicly shared internet, like Wi-Fi in a hotel or a coffee shop like Central Perk, while watching your favorite episode of “Friends.”

How to watch “Friends” online in the U.K.

Even in 2024, “Friends” is still the most streamed Netflix show in the U.K. If you’re outside of the U.K. and are worried about Netflix blocking you or just want a cleaner streaming experience, using a VPN is an easy solution.

You need to make sure you’re using a premium VPN subscription to bypass Netflix’s VPN blockers.

Netflix costs £10.99 per month in the U.K. and can be used on up to two devices simultaneously. Netflix subscribers who are outside the country can use their VPN to connect to a U.K. server and continue to stream “Friends” from anywhere.

How to watch “Friends” online in Canada

Canadian fans can catch up on every episode by streaming it on Crave, which starts at $9.99 per month with ads. If you aren’t in the country or want to watch on Netflix in the U.K., you’ll need a VPN to access those streamers.

There are some top VPNs for streaming that work better than others, and no matter where you are, you’ll get the best results from a premium VPN subscription.

How to watch “Friends” online from anywhere

While American, Canadian, and U.K. audiences are among the most loyal “Friends” fans, the show is known around the world. If you want to watch it, a VPN can give you access to any of these countries.

If you have a VPN service with streaming-optimized servers, like CyberGhost, you can search for a server in your country of choice that is also optimized for that streaming service. For example, CyberGhost offers a searchable list of streaming-optimized servers in various countries.

To watch using a VPN, follow these steps:

1. Choose a VPN service and sign up for an account
2. Download and install the VPN on your device
3. Open the VPN and sign in with your account details
4. Connect to a server in a country where “Friends” is available for streaming
5. Sign in or sign up to a streaming platform where “Friends” is available and start streaming

We suggest accessing streaming platforms through web browsers rather than apps because browsers tend to respond better to VPN services.

If you experience issues while trying to stream, reach out to your VPN’s customer support team. Premium VPN providers usually offer 24/7 support and staff who specialize in streaming support.

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• High-speed global servers offering industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption and no data logs
• Unlimited bandwidth, DNS and IP leak protection, and automatic kill switch available for up to 7 devices
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• No split tunneling feature on desktop

Best VPNs for watching “Friends”

If you’re new to VPNs or just want a suggestion about which to choose, we’ve included some of our favorites below. All three options are great for streaming and offer a host of other security features.

Price	$3.39–$15.99/mo	$2.19–$17.95/mo	$2.03–$12.99/mo
Free version
Max # of connected devices	10	Unlimited	7
# of servers	6,300+ servers in 111 countries	3,200 in 100 countries	Servers in 100 countries
VPN protocol	NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Encryption	AES-256-GCM	AES-256-GCM	AES-256
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs	No logs
Headquarters	Panama	The Netherlands	Romania
Netflix access
Learn more	Get NordVPN	Get Surfshark	Get CyberGhost

FAQs

Is “Friends” still on Netflix?

“Friends” is available on Netflix in Australia, the U.K., and some other countries in Europe. In the U.S., you can find the show on Max. It’s streaming on Crave in Canada.

Is “Friends” on Peacock?

No, even though “Friends” ran on NBC, the show is not available on Peacock’s streaming service. To stream the show in the U.S., you’ll need to grab a Max subscription. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can use a VPN, and then watch “Friends” on Australian or U.K. Netflix.

Can I get a free trial of Max?

Max itself doesn’t usually offer free trials, but you may be able to find a Max free trial bundled with another service. If you do find a free trial of the service, you will have access to the entire Max catalog, including “Friends.”

Bottom line

The popularity of “Friends” isn’t going to slow down any time soon. Using a VPN to rewatch the show or stream it for the first time will help you bypass geo-restrictions, thwart ISP throttling, and keep you secure online.

The best VPNs not only allow you to watch from anywhere, but they’ll also keep you more secure while you do. From “Miss Chanandaler Bong” to “PIVOT,” you don’t have to miss a single one of your favorite moments.

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AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

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On NordVPN's website

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Ryan L. Clancy

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Ryan Clancy is a freelance writer and blogger. With 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience, he's passionate about all things engineering and tech. He loves bringing engineering (especially mechanical) down to a level that everyone can understand.

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