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The five VPNs TechRadar currently recommends for Netflix are NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA). In TechRadar’s regional testing, Surfshark, Proton VPN and PIA worked in all five countries it checked, NordVPN failed only in Japan, and ExpressVPN failed in Australia/New Zealand and Japan. Treat those results as a dated snapshot rather than a guarantee. Netflix can detect VPN IP addresses, and providers have to keep adapting, so a service that works in your library today can stop working without notice.
Which library you want decides the pick
The table below shows TechRadar’s pass and fail results for the five regions it tested, as its guide appeared in late September 2026. It covers only those five countries, so it does not tell you how a provider performs in the rest of the world.
| Provider | US | UK | Canada | Australia/New Zealand | Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Fail |
| Surfshark | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Proton VPN | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| ExpressVPN | Pass | Pass | Pass | Fail | Fail |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
If Japan is your target, the regional results leave Surfshark, Proton VPN and PIA. For Australia or New Zealand, ExpressVPN is excluded. For a US, UK or Canadian library, all five picks passed in this testing, so the choice comes down to price, privacy and setup.
The five picks, one by one
NordVPN: overall pick
TechRadar names NordVPN its overall pick and says its tested locations loaded Netflix, with speed highlighted as a strength. Its Japan failure is the main limitation in the regional results. NordVPN’s own support article advises checking for DNS leaks or trying a different server when playback fails.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Surfshark: budget pick
TechRadar chose Surfshark as its budget option, citing straightforward apps, server coverage in 100 countries and successful test playback in every region tested. It is the only pick in this list that passed all five regions while also being positioned on cost, which makes it the natural starting point if Japan is on your list and budget matters.
Proton VPN: privacy pick
TechRadar positions Proton VPN as the privacy-focused choice and reports Netflix access with the premium plan, backed by a wide server footprint. One UK connection needed a second attempt during testing, so expect the occasional retry. The free plan does not carry the same Netflix access as the premium plan, so check which tier you are buying before you rely on it.
Rank #2
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
ExpressVPN: beginner-friendly pick
TechRadar calls ExpressVPN the beginner-friendly option, highlighting its easy apps and streaming capability. Its regional results are weaker than its reputation suggests: it failed in Australia/New Zealand and Japan. ExpressVPN also lists router support, which is covered in the router section below.
Private Internet Access (PIA): budget and security-oriented pick
TechRadar positions PIA as a budget and security-oriented alternative and reports successful Netflix playback in all five regions tested. Its detailed review text reports measured speeds that were slower than leading rivals. At the time of publication, the guide reported a 30-day money-back guarantee; confirm the current refund terms on PIA’s site before you buy.
Rank #3
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
What Netflix says about VPNs
Netflix’s Help Center states the restriction directly: “VPNs aren’t supported for watching Live events on Netflix or if you’re on an ad-supported experience.” It also explains why the proxy error appears: VPN apps or services can make your device or network look like it is connecting from somewhere other than your physical location, and that can cause this error or other issues.
- Live events: Netflix does not support VPN use for them, so a VPN will not fix playback of a live event.
- Ad-supported plan: Netflix does not support VPN use on its ad-supported experience, so changing servers there is not a fix.
- Location mismatch: the error is triggered when the apparent location of your connection does not match where you actually are, which is why a server switch sometimes helps and sometimes does not.
Fixing “You seem to be using a VPN or proxy”
Netflix’s Help Center recommends the following checks for this error, in roughly this order:
Rank #4
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
- Check whether the VPN is active on the device that shows the error. Turn it off to see whether playback recovers.
- Run Fast.com on a device connected to the same network as the affected device, as Netflix suggests.
- Compare the Client country shown in the error with your actual location. A mismatch points to the VPN’s apparent location.
- If the problem persists, turn off the VPN, reset the network settings on the device and contact your internet service provider.
These steps come from Netflix’s own guidance. Provider fixes below are supplementary and are not guaranteed to restore access.
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Provider-specific fixes
NordVPN
- Run NordVPN’s DNS leak test. A leak can cause Netflix to detect the VPN.
- If the VPN connection is not confirmed, restart or reconnect the app.
- Try another server in the same country.
- Avoid switching Netflix regions repeatedly on one profile, because NordVPN warns that this can lock the region visible on that profile.
Surfshark
- Surfshark’s support article, updated April 22, 2026, says a proxy error can mean Netflix suspects VPN or proxy use, or that DNS is leaking.
- Try other servers first.
- Clear the browser cache or reinstall the app.
- If the error appears only on one Netflix profile, test with a different profile.
ExpressVPN
- US users are told to try the server locations listed on ExpressVPN’s page in order. The list is specific to that page and may change, and the page was last updated July 21, 2026.
- If playback still fails, force-close and reopen the app, or sign out and sign back in.
- If those steps fail, try playback in a browser, then contact ExpressVPN support. Device-specific steps are available on its site.
Choosing among the five
- Japan is your target: choose Surfshark, Proton VPN or PIA, since NordVPN and ExpressVPN did not pass there in testing.
- Australia or New Zealand is your target: avoid ExpressVPN; the other four passed in testing.
- Lowest cost: Surfshark.
- Privacy is the priority: Proton VPN, on the premium plan.
- Simplest setup, with the caveat about its regional results: ExpressVPN.
- Speed is the priority: NordVPN was highlighted for speed, while PIA’s measured speeds were reported slower than leading rivals.
Before you subscribe
- Plan tiers, prices and refund windows change. The comparison does not treat them as stable, so check each provider’s current pricing page.
- Confirm which plan includes Netflix access before you pay. The Proton VPN free plan does not match premium-plan access.
- Read the refund terms yourself. PIA’s 30-day guarantee was reported at the time of publication only.
Do you need a VPN router?
A VPN router can send traffic from a television or other device without a VPN app through an encrypted connection, which is why ExpressVPN lists router support. A router does not guarantee Netflix access and does not lift Netflix’s restrictions on live events or the ad-supported plan. If you set one up, the troubleshooting steps above still apply.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Essential 4K streaming – Get everything you need to stream in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+ (HDR10+).
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Make your TV even smarter – Fire TV gives you instant access to a world of content, tailor-made recommendations, and Alexa, all backed by fast performance.
- All your favorite apps in one place – Experience endless entertainment with access to Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. Easily discover what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes (subscription fees may apply), including free, ad-supported content.
- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
