5 Best Free VPNs for Netflix That Actually Work in 2024

Finding a free VPN that actually works with Netflix is harder than ever. Netflix's advanced VPN detection tools keep getting better at finding and blocking free services. A select few VPNs that do work often have limited data, fewer servers, and slow speeds, making HD streaming virtually impossible.

After months of rigorously testing 50+ services, we identified the few free VPNs that still work with Netflix. These VPNs can securely access at least a few Netflix libraries and maintain good speeds for HD streaming from anywhere. But keep in mind that all free options have some restrictions, whether it's limited data allowances or fewer server locations. That’s why it’s better to use a premium VPN instead.

My top recommendation for Netflix is ExpressVPN. It’s not free, but it offers everything that free VPNs lack. For instance, it works with 20+ Netflix regions, delivers fast speeds for 4K streaming, and unlimited data for binge-watching. You can test it risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, it’s easy to get a full refund. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free VPNs for Netflix in 2024

Best Free VPNs for Netflix — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Most Reliable Netflix VPN With Fast Speeds for 4K Streaming

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2024

Available on:

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Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN for Netflix we tested out of any free or paid option. During our tests, it could securely access over 20 Netflix libraries, while free VPNs only worked with 3–4 regions at best. We easily streamed content from popular libraries like the US, UK, and Japan, as well as regional catalogs like Argentina and South Korea. Plus, we rarely had to switch servers — all its connections are reliable.

All its UK servers work seamlessly with the UK Netflix library

It's also the fastest Netflix VPN we tested. On ExpressVPN’s nearby servers, we had a minimal speed drop of only 4%. In comparison, even the fastest free VPN we tested caused a 14% speed drop on similar connections. We watched Cinderella Chef on Netflix Japan in full HD without any buffering or quality drops. You’ll be able to stream in lag-free HD (or better!) from anywhere.

ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer feature also sets it apart from free alternatives. This Smart DNS service lets you stream Netflix on devices that don't normally support VPNs, like smart TVs and gaming consoles. Setting up MediaStreamer is straightforward and quick. We followed the guide on ExpressVPN's dashboard and had it working on a large-screen TV in under 5 minutes.

The only drawback is that ExpressVPN isn't free. However, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free and get a refund if you’re not satisfied. I tried the refund process myself through the 24/7 live chat. The agent asked a few questions, and I received a full refund in just a few days.

Useful Features

• Lightway protocol. ExpressVPN's proprietary protocol delivers fast streaming speeds while being much more battery-efficient than free VPNs. You can enjoy longer Netflix sessions on a single charge since Lightway uses fewer system resources than traditional protocols.
• Automatic obfuscation. This feature disguises your VPN traffic as regular web traffic, helping you bypass VPN blocks on restrictive networks like school or work WiFi. This means you can stream Netflix securely from anywhere, even on networks that usually block VPN connections or streaming services.
• Browser extensions. The VPN offers easy-to-use Chrome and Firefox extensions that let you stream Netflix securely right from your browser.

2. Proton VPN — Unlimited Free Data for Non-Stop Netflix Streaming

Available on:

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Try Proton VPN >

protonvpn.com

Proton VPN is one of the few truly free VPNs without data caps for uninterrupted Netflix streaming. This means you can watch your favorite shows securely from anywhere without worrying about running out of data mid-episode. During our tests, we binge-watched Six Feet Under in HD on Netflix without any restrictions or slowdowns.

None of the servers we connected to were overcrowded

The free plan includes servers in 6 locations, including the US, Romania, and Japan. But you can't manually choose your server location — instead, the app automatically connects you to what it considers the optimal server based on factors like server load. There's a Change Server button, but it comes with a cooldown timer that restricts how often you can switch. This means you might not get connected to your desired location.

These server restrictions aside, we were impressed with Proton VPN's streaming capabilities. In our tests, we were connected to either its US or Japanese servers, and both worked seamlessly with their respective Netflix libraries. Our average speed drop was around 26%, which, while not as fast as ExpressVPN, was still fast enough for lag-free HD streaming.

Like most free VPNs, Proton VPN's free plan limits you to one device at a time and only a few Netflix libraries. However, you can upgrade to its premium plan for multiple simultaneous connections and use its entire network for secure access to more Netflix regions.

Useful Features

• 10 Gbps servers. This VPN offers high-speed servers, even on the free plan, which explains its fast streaming speeds for Netflix. There are a lot of paid VPNs that still don’t use 10 Gbps servers, so this goes to show that Proton VPN is continually investing in its product.
• Router support. Proton VPN can be installed directly on your router, which is rare for free VPNs. This means you can securely stream Netflix on your smart TV or gaming console. This also lets you bypass its single-device restriction.

3. Avira Phantom VPN — Large Server Network on Mobile Devices to Stream Netflix Securely

Available on:

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Try Avira Phantom VPN >

www.avira.com

Avira Phantom has the largest server network of all free Netflix VPNs on this list, with servers in 37 countries — but only on mobile apps. This means you can easily connect to your preferred Netflix region when streaming on your phone or tablet. However, if you’re a desktop user, you’re automatically connected to the nearest server with no option to choose.

The connection remained stable throughout the stream

It also performed well in our Netflix streaming tests. Avira could securely access popular libraries like Netflix US, UK, and Japan on most servers. However, it failed to work with less popular regions (like Argentina and Brazil), either because Avira Phantom VPN lacked servers in those locations or was detected by the platform.

Avira maintained strong connection speeds with only a 35% average speed drop. Many free VPNs we tested had an average loss of up to 70%, which puts this VPN among one of the strongest options. With these speeds, we could watch Seinfeld in full HD without any buffering, even on the free ad-supported tier.

The biggest limitation is the restrictive 1GB monthly data cap. This only gives you about 2 hours of standard-definition streaming or less than 1 hour in HD quality. Desktop users face an additional restriction of accessing only one server location. To remove these limitations, you’ll have to upgrade to the paid version.

Useful Features

• 7-day free trial. Avira Phantom also offers a 7-day free trial of its premium plan, which gives you unlimited data and access to its entire server network, even on desktop. It’s worth trying if you’ve got a Netflix TV show you want to binge-watch, but overall, even its paid version can’t compare to our top recommended VPNs.
• Quick setup process. You can start streaming Netflix right after downloading the app — no registration or account creation is needed. Just install, connect, and start watching your favorite shows. But you’ll only get 500MB of monthly data if you don’t create an account with an email.

4. hide.me — Completely Free VPN That Lets You Optimize Your Connection for Netflix

Available on:

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Try hide.me VPN >

www.hide.me

With hide.me, you get extensive customization options to optimize your connection for HD Netflix streaming from anywhere. For instance, you can switch between protocols like OpenVPN for security, IKEv2 for stability, and WireGuard for faster connections. The VPN also lets you choose between IPv4 and IPv6 connections to improve performance. We found IPv6 delivered slightly smoother playback.

The service offers free servers across 8 locations, including in the US and UK. During our tests, hide.me worked with several major Netflix libraries without issues. We securely streamed shows from Netflix US, UK, Germany, and France. However, it didn’t work with Netflix Switzerland and Netherlands in our tests.

It took us 3 seconds to connect to its French server

Data restrictions won't interrupt your Netflix sessions with hide.me. Similar to Proton VPN, the free plan comes with no data limits. This means you can keep streaming your favorite shows without running out of data.

Speed performance is where hide.me falls short. We experienced a speed loss of over 40% on its nearby connections, with our highest speed drop being a massive 75%. Our high-speed base internet connection could handle these drops, but it would be a problem if you have a slow baseline connection.

Useful Features

• 24/7 support. In case you encounter any issues with the VPN while streaming Netflix, you can contact the support and get immediate help. This is really rare for a free VPN (it’s expensive to run always-on live chat!).
• SoftEtherVPN. This protocol disguises your VPN traffic as normal internet traffic and lets you stream Netflix safely on restrictive networks. You’ll always be able to enjoy your breaks at work or school by relaxing with your favorite TV.

5. Hotspot Shield — Hydra Protocol for Fast Connections Over Long Distances

Available on:

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Try Hotspot Shield >

www.hotspotshield.com

Hotspot Shield's proprietary Hydra protocol delivers fast speeds and stable connections, letting you stream Netflix in HD with no interruptions from anywhere. During our tests on US servers, we only had an 18% speed loss. This performance was slightly better than Proton VPN, for a quick comparison.

With Hotspot Shield, each episode loaded within seconds

With Hotspot Shield’s free plan, you get servers in the US, UK, and Singapore. During our tests, we could stream Netflix US without issues. All of Hotspot Shield’s US servers maintained reliable connections to the platform throughout our testing period. Unfortunately, we couldn't get it to work with Netflix libraries when connected to UK or Singapore servers.

Setting up Hotspot Shield for Netflix streaming couldn't be simpler. The VPN requires no registration, and the intuitive dashboard displays useful metrics like server load, connection speeds, and data usage. These help you find the fastest servers for smooth streaming — particularly useful if you're on Netflix's ad-supported plan, where poor connections could mean extra loading times between shows and ad breaks.

The biggest downside is that its mobile apps are ad-supported. You’ll have to constantly watch annoying ads to continue streaming Netflix. However, we didn’t encounter any ads on its desktop apps.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. This feature allows you to choose which applications send their data through the VPN and which connect directly to the internet. For Netflix viewers, this means you can watch Netflix through a VPN securely while other apps on your device operate outside the VPN, which might boost your streaming speeds.

Quick Comparison Table: Free Netflix VPN Features

The table below compares key features of the best free VPNs for Netflix. We've compared essential features like speeds, server availability, data allowances, and other key factors that affect your streaming experience.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Our Methodology for Testing Free VPNs for Netflix

Our testing process focuses on factors that can impact your Netflix streaming experience. We conduct extensive speed tests across different servers to identify which free VPNs can maintain smooth connections for HD streaming and which ones struggle with buffering or quality drops.

We thoroughly evaluate each VPN's streaming capabilities with different Netflix libraries. Our tests examine video quality across various regions, connection stability throughout entire episodes, and whether you'll encounter issues like poor resolution or constant buffering. For complete transparency about our testing approach, you can check out our VPN testing methodology page.

Expert Tip: Most Free Netflix VPNs Aren't Safe

While free VPNs can be tempting for Netflix streaming, many pose serious privacy and security risks. During our testing, we discovered numerous free VPNs that not only failed to work with Netflix but also compromised user data. The VPNs we recommended in this article underwent extensive security verification to protect your streaming activity.

Here are the main risks we found with many free Netflix VPNs:

• Data collection and selling. Many free VPNs monitor your viewing habits and sell this data to advertisers. For example, UFO VPN was caught logging user data despite claiming a no-logs policy.
• Poor security standards. Services like Cross VPN have leaked users' IP addresses and viewing data. Without proper encryption and leak protection, your Netflix activity remains exposed.
• Malware distribution. Research found that apps like Betternet contained malicious code designed to steal user information. Some free VPNs even inject ads that can install malware on your device.

We’ve done extensive research and testing on this subject — read our guide on free vs. paid VPNs to find out more.

VPN Not Working With Netflix? Try These Troubleshooting Tips

Sometimes, Netflix detects that you’re using a VPN and either only shows you Originals or the following error message:

I get this error message often while connected to free VPN services

Try the following steps if you see this message:

• Choose another VPN server. It’s possible that Netflix blocks the server you’ve chosen, and switching to another server may solve the issue.
• Make sure your VPN is up-to-date. Make sure you're using the most up-to-date VPN version to ensure that any bugs or issues have been resolved.
• Try another web browser. Try switching to Firefox or Chrome, as they’re usually the best options to watch Netflix on.
• Contact customer support. Try contacting the VPN’s customer support to ask which server works best for Netflix.

If none of these tips work, consider whether it’s worth investing in a dedicated IP address. Netflix’s anti-password-sharing measures use your IP, device ID, activity, and other data points to ensure everyone using your account is from the same household.

Fortunately, you can prove you’re part of your Netflix household by verifying your device, but this can be annoying. And, if you don’t verify in time, you could get locked out of your account.

To avoid this, a dedicated IP address might help. In most cases, these tend to be cheaper than the price Netflix charges for adding extra members to your account.

Feel free to check out this article on how to fix Netflix’s proxy error code.

FAQs on Free VPNs for Netflix

Do free VPNs work with Netflix US, UK, Japan, and other libraries?

Most free VPNs struggle to work with Netflix due to the platform's strong VPN-detection system. They often get blocked, resulting in proxy errors or access limited to Netflix Originals only. However, all the free VPNs on this list consistently work with Netflix US.

Some can also stream content from other popular libraries, though you might find that one service works with Netflix UK while the other with Netflix Japan. That said, the #1 VPN on this list works with over 20+ Netflix libraries, but it's a paid VPN.

Which free VPN doesn't require a credit card to sign up?

None of the free VPNs on my list ask for payment details when you sign up, and most of them don’t even require that you create an account. This way, you can start using them right away and don’t have to worry about getting surprised by any hidden charges.

On the other hand, the paid VPN on this list does need a valid form of payment. However, you don’t have to use a credit card. It accepts alternative payment methods, such as PayPal — or even cryptocurrency, for extra privacy. In addition, it’s backed by a legitimate money-back guarantee, so you know you can get a full refund if you’re not satisfied.

Will a free VPN give me fast speeds for Netflix?

Most VPNs on this list deliver good speeds for HD streaming on Netflix. During our tests, the shortlisted VPNs rarely gave us a speed drop of over 35% on nearby connections. The only exception is our #4 recommendation, which showed speed losses of over 40%.

However, our recommended premium Netflix VPNs can offer even better performance — our #1 choice only reduced speeds by 4% on nearby servers, significantly outperforming all free options.

Why does Netflix detect and block VPNs?

Netflix's content licensing agreements require the platform to restrict shows and movies to specific regions. Content creators and distributors sell streaming rights on a country-by-country basis, which means Netflix can only show certain content in countries where it owns the rights. So, if it blocks a VPN server, it may prompt a proxy error.

Unless you use a reliable Netflix VPN, your private data is up for grabs, and the platform collects a lot of data about its users. However, with a VPN, you can stream securely and without handing your data over to the platform and its advertisers.

Will I get banned for using a free VPN for Netflix?

No, Netflix won't ban your account for using a VPN. When Netflix detects a VPN connection, it simply shows an error message and limits you to Netflix Originals content until you disconnect from the VPN.

However, free VPNs can pose other risks — many collect user data or have weak security. That's why it's important to only use reliable VPNs with strong privacy features and clear security policies.

What’s the best free VPN Chrome extension for watching Netflix?

Most VPNs on our list offer free VPN Chrome extensions, but our #2 pick stands out. Unlike typical browser extensions that only change your location, this extension works as a remote control for the desktop app. This means you get all the security features and streaming capabilities of the full VPN right from your browser.

On which devices can I use a free VPN to secure my Netflix streaming?

Most free VPNs can be downloaded on laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones. In addition, our top premium VPN offers apps for some smart TVs and streaming devices.

Even VPNs that are compatible with several devices usually have a limit to how many connections you use at once. So, a VPN with router compatibility is helpful, so you can cover all the devices on your home network.

Here’s a breakdown of the best free VPNs for Netflix and which devices you can use them on for streaming:

Get the Best FREE VPN for Netflix

Free VPNs often fail to deliver consistent Netflix performance. Many lack the resources to regularly update their IP addresses, leading to frequent blocks and streaming interruptions. The free services in this list work with Netflix, but they also have limitations like small server networks or slow speeds.

I recommend ExpressVPN for the best Netflix streaming experience due to its reliable server network and consistently fast speeds. Though it requires a subscription, its 30-day money-back guarantee provides plenty of time to test its streaming capabilities risk-free. If you’re not satisfied with the service, it’s easy to get a refund.

Can't find a suitable free VPN? Here are the best premium alternatives…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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