All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
Best free server locations
Best for unlimited data
/images/2022/10/20/vpn-logowordmark-black-purple-transparent-bg.png)
More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Best for a free trial
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.
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 can’t commit to a paid VPN plan now, these options will help you watch for free.
| VPN | 
|
|
|
| Free plan data limit | 10 GB/30 days | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 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 | $1.48/mo (billed every two years) | $2.99/mo (billed every two years) | $2.99/mo (billed every two years) |
| Learn more | Get PrivadoVPN | Get Proton VPN | Get NordVPN |
We complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.
Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.
Affordable pricing and a free plan option
Fast speeds and unblocks Netflix
PrivadoVPN is best for anyone looking for a higher data cap but still wants to use a free VPN. It offers 10 GB every 30 days and fast download speeds, which is more than many 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.
/images/2023/05/12/privadovpn-review_09.jpg)
Privado 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 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 succeeded, so we wanted to pass on that knowledge to you.
We were also impressed with Privado's clean, minimalistic dashboard design. We found its VPN app easy to install and user-friendly. When installing it, Privado offers a tutorial that takes you through the dashboard and explains where everything is located.
With the free plan, Privado allows up to one connection on unlimited devices. It also offers free VPN servers in countries worldwide, including Canada, France, Germany, and more.
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.
| 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 |
Easy to use
A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
Proton VPN is another service that offers a completely free VPN product. Although the services are limited, 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.
/images/2024/03/29/the_best_free_vpns_for_netflix_proton_vpn.png)
Proton VPN offers one of the best free VPNs 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 kept running as usual.
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.
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 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 blockers.
| 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 |
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
NordVPN is best if you want to try out a premium VPN with unlimited data without committing to a year or multi-year subscription. It offers many 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. While Nord is not a free VPN, you can test out this premium VPN option without any risk.
NordVPN unblocked Netflix Australia /images/2023/04/12/netflix_nordvpn_us-to-au.png)
There’s not much to dislike about NordVPN. It offers fast servers, many 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 allows you to access regional content outside of your area on your smart TV. In addition, it offers a large server network of 6,800+ servers in 111 countries, so you can 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.
We weren’t in love with the fact that customer support removed Netflix support from its list of streaming service options. Netflix can be tricky, but a VPN encrypts your traffic, and NordVPN’s obfuscated servers should make it easy to watch. At least Nord still supports other streaming services, like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.
Choosing which NordVPN plan you want can be confusing since many options exist. NordVPN doesn't offer a free VPN plan, but it 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 two months, but not indefinitely.
| 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 | NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN |
| VPN headquarters | Panama |
| Kill switch | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 fast speeds, various streaming features, and unlimited data transfer.
Affordable pricing and a free plan option
Fast speeds and unblocks Netflix
/images/2024/01/12/best_vpns_for_fanduel.jpg)
/images/2023/08/17/vpn-disadvantages.jpeg)
/images/2024/11/15/streaming_concept_selecting_a_show_from_hulu.png)
/images/2024/10/31/cyberghost_alternatives.png)
/images/2024/10/30/privadovpn_alternatives.png)
/images/2024/10/28/cyberghost_vpn_prices.png)
/images/2024/10/26/proton_vpn_alternatives.png)
/images/2024/09/18/woman_watching_tv_in_a_hotel_room.png)
/authors/mary-james_allaboutcookies-author.jpg){kind=small}
/authors/steph-trejos-allaboutcookies-editor.jpg){kind=small}
/images/2023/05/12/privadovpn_horizontal_color.png)
/images/2022/05/26/logo-nordvpn.png){kind=logo}
/authors/mary-james_allaboutcookies-author.jpg)