PrivateVPN is a secure Swedish VPN provider that is great for unblocking Netflix US. It has servers all over the US and the rest of the world, so you will be able to unblock a number of different Netflix catalogs. We love the zero logs policy, which, coupled with well implemented OpenVPN, is a winner. Servers are located in over 29 countries. PrivateVPN is speedy and has excellent clients across numerous platforms. It can also be used on six simultaneous devices, so you can unblock Netflix on your PC and tablet (for example). Finally, it offers a seven-day money-back guarantee so that you can test out the service for yourself.
5th place
- PROS
- Zero logs
- Five simultaneous devices
- Seven-day money-back guarantee
- P2P: yes
- Unblocks Netflix
- CONS
- Younger VPN firm
VPNArea is a firm that hasn’t been around as long as some others. However, it is doing a blinding job and does unblock Netflix US. Servers are lightning fast and located in over 50 countries. In addition, users can get a dedicated server for Netflix – ideal! The VPN keeps no usage logs and, in addition, is based in Switzerland. Encryption is provided via strong OpenVPN. The VPN software is fully featured, with DNS leak protection and a kill switch. Finally, it has a seven-day money-back guarantee. A very worthy option for Netflix in 2017.
Why Do Different Countries Have Different Netflix Content?
Netflix is popular the world over, so why do different countries have different content?
The answer: licensing restrictions are forced onto Netflix by the creators of the TV shows and movies in its catalogs.
If a show isn’t licensed for a particular geographic region, there is nothing that Netflix can do about it. The content is simply not accessible in that location.
Netflix isn’t the bad guy here. Indeed, it would no doubt prefer to have the same menu of content worldwide. Sadly, its hands are tied when it comes to the matter. This is actually one of the major reasons why the company invests so heavily in creating exclusive content, such as House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black. Content that it owns can be shown across its service – regardless of location!
Netflix Proxy Error – Fix Proxy Blocks
Back in the day it was possible to unblock US Netflix with a proxy site. However, people that proxy Netflix have long given up because Netflix developed a proxy blocker. A Netflix proxy used to be a great way to access the US Netflix catalog, nowadays this isn’t true anymore and even new proxy sites won’t work to unblock Netflix.
If you used to proxy Netflix and love how much extra content you used to be able to access, the good news is that the VPNs in this guide are the modern day equivalent of a proxy that works. These VPNs have proven that they can get pass the Netflix proxy block, so that while other people still get a proxy error or proxy blocked message, you, instead, will be able to unblock Netflix successfully.
Can Using a VPN to Unblock Netflix Get Me into Trouble?
Short answer:
According to Netflix’s terms of service (ToS), if you’re caught using a VPN to access a foreign catalog, your service will be terminated. However, in the two years since this clause has been added to Netflix’s ToS, no one has been cut off or prosecuted for using a VPN.
Long answer:
If it’s written in the ToS, why isn’t Netflix actually axing customers who it knows are using a VPN?
The most common theory is that, while Netflix has to do its best to assure producers that it’s doing everything it can to stop people from watching unlicensed content, it doesn’t want to ban any of its valuable customers.
Banning customers would mean less revenue, and because Netflix costs a set price, it doesn’t make any difference to Netflix’s bottom line whether users unblock content or not. As such, the majority of people agree that Netflix only added the clause to please its content producers (Hollywood in particular, as its production houses sell the licenses to their movies at varying costs to different locations, with richer countries having to pay more, and less wealthy countries frequently missing out).
By adding the clause regarding VPNs but not actually enforcing it, Netflix has created a win-win situation: it keeps both Hollywood and its customers happy, while not losing a dime in revenue.
Is It Illegal?
Even if Netflix is not actively prosecuting subscribers for unblocking the content of other countries, if the content isn’t licensed in your region, accessing it is considered piracy, and you could be prosecuted.
