Over the last few years, Netflix has greatly expanded its international presence. It’s now available in 190 countries. Every country not only has access to Netflix content, but also a wide range of shows and movies from their own country.
Unfortunately, because of geo-restrictions on specific content, some countries have access to less content than others. For example, US subscribers have more than 5,000 options to choose from whereas France has a little more than 1,800 and Norway just over 2,000 just to give a couple of examples. This guide will walk you through the essential steps in getting a US VPN that you can use to gain access to all the content you’ve ever wanted.
VPN vs. Proxy
Many people want the simplest solution possible to work around geo-restrictions. That’s why some try to just use a proxy. Proxies are great quick workarounds for bypassing network restrictions and taking basic steps to improve your privacy. However, they are very simple and don’t do much more than hide your IP address. You often can’t choose which location they are in. Even if they do happen to be in the US, proxies typically are quite slow. Besides, Netflix is smart. They can tell when someone is using a proxy and will block you from accessing the site.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) work differently. With a VPN, you connect to a third-party server, which hides and encrypts your connection and then connects to Netflix. If you select a US server, Netflix will only see a connection coming from the US. There are many advantages to VPNs. Top tiered VPNs are designed to be Netflix compatible. This means they connect easily and quickly, so you don’t have to deal with long loading times.
What to Look for in a VPN?
None of the free VPNs will offer the performance and geo-restriction bypassing you need to access US Netflix. However, you don’t need to spend too much money. A high quality US VPN should only set you back around $3-9 a month. Be sure to look for annual discounts as well. When selecting a VPN, you’ll want to run speed tests to ensure it is fast. Some of the other essential features include:
A large Number of Servers
The higher the number of servers, the more options to get the fastest VPN speed. Some VPN services even offer dedicated servers solely for streaming Netflix. Likewise, the more servers there are, the more traffic can be spread out across them. This is why proxies are often slow as too many people are on one connection.
Many Server Locations
The total number of servers is just as important as the number of different server locations. The best VPN companies offer a wide selection so that users have the flexibility to choose a wide array of different places to suit all of their browsing needs.
Strong Privacy and Security
If you are going to pay for a VPN, it should also come with strong security and privacy features. These days, data breaches and hacks are increasingly common so be sure to select a US VPN that uses a strong security protocol to protect all of your browsings.
Multi-Device Compatibility
The best thing about Netflix is that you can access it anywhere you go. If you want to stream all your favorite US content, then you’ll need to make sure the VPN is compatible with your desktop, smartphone, tablet, and more. Be sure that your service includes at least five devices.
Steps to Accessing US Netflix
Here are the essential steps you need to follow to get the US content you want.
- Choose a VPN that supports bypassing Netflix and other geo-restrictions.
- Download the VPN onto your device.
- Launch the Client and Choose a US VPN server.
- Visit Netflix’s website or open the app and enjoy!
Here are the more detailed articles to setup VPN on Android and Chromebook.
Bonus: More Content and Different Regions
By using a VPN, you not only have access to US Netflix content, but other streaming apps like HBO Go, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more. You can also take advantage of changing server locations to open up content like BBC iPlayer and other things from around the world. Every country has its own unique Netflix content along with other platforms.
Get the Content You Want from Anywhere
No matter where you are, you should be able to access the content you want. By using a top-tiered VPN provider, you’ll be able to access more than 5,000 titles on US Netflix from anywhere. Best of all, you can take advantage of additional security and other features to protect your computer from a wide range of threats. So take advantage of free trial periods and find the best VPN for you.