Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The five VPNs TechRadar names among its best Netflix VPNs in its 2026 guide are NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA). In that guide NordVPN is the overall pick, Surfshark the budget choice, Proton VPN the privacy choice and ExpressVPN the beginner-friendly option, with PIA as the fifth. Those positions and performance descriptions come from TechRadar’s reported testing; we have not run these tests ourselves. Treat them as a starting shortlist that reflects one review at one point in time, not a permanent ranking.
A VPN can help you reach a catalog you want, but it cannot guarantee access. Streaming services actively block VPN traffic, and Netflix limits what it supports when a VPN is in use.
The five picks at a glance
The table below separates what TechRadar reports from what each provider says about itself. Where a detail is not established by either source, the cell says so.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
| Pick | Role in TechRadar’s 2026 guide | Netflix access and speed (as reported by TechRadar) | Provider-stated details | Device and setup notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Overall pick | Reported as accessing the Netflix libraries tested; its NordLynx protocol is described as consistently quick. | Its website lists server locations, tested speeds, device limits and a money-back guarantee. The figures are not stated in this article; check current terms before subscribing. | Not stated in the guide. |
| Surfshark | Budget pick | Described as a quick, budget-oriented service. | TechRadar reports a 100-country server network. Check current price and plan conditions before buying. | Not stated in the guide. |
| Proton VPN | Privacy pick | Reported as giving successful Netflix access on its premium plan; server coverage described as broad. | Proton’s support page says a paid plan is required for streaming, and lists Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+. | Proton’s support page gives setup instructions for desktop, mobile, Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV. |
| ExpressVPN | Beginner-friendly pick | Described as having a straightforward app, with streaming speeds suitable for HD and 4K in TechRadar’s assessment. | ExpressVPN’s own page says it has servers in 113 countries, warns that it is not intended as a means of copyright circumvention, and says streaming subscriptions must be bought separately. | Not stated in the guide. |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | Fifth option | TechRadar reports no problems checking Netflix libraries, but describes it as less quick than NordVPN and Surfshark. | Not stated. | Not stated. |
How to choose among the five
Match the provider to the places and services you actually use, and then weigh the rest of the criteria below.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
TP-Link ER605, Wired Gigabit VPN Router
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
- Your countries and services. TechRadar’s access findings reflect the libraries it checked. Catalogs differ by country, so a result for one location does not show that every title is available in every location. Before you subscribe, confirm that your target country and service work with the provider’s current servers.
- Speed for HD or 4K. If raw speed is the priority, TechRadar ranks NordVPN and Surfshark as quicker than PIA. It describes ExpressVPN as suitable for HD and 4K streaming. Speed depends on your connection, server and time of day, so treat these as reviewer observations rather than guarantees.
- Privacy focus. Proton VPN is TechRadar’s privacy pick. It requires a paid plan for streaming, so the free tier is not the right choice for Netflix.
- Budget. Surfshark is TechRadar’s budget pick. Confirm the current monthly or multi-year price and what the plan includes, because promotional rates often change.
- Your devices. If you stream on Fire TV, Android TV or Apple TV, check the provider’s current app and setup instructions for that exact device. Proton’s support page covers these platforms; for the other providers, the sources reviewed here do not establish device coverage.
- Refunds and limits. Read the refund policy and device limits before you pay. NordVPN’s site describes a money-back guarantee and device limits, but those terms are not restated here.
What a VPN cannot promise on Netflix
Set expectations before you pay for a VPN. The limits below come from Netflix’s own guidance and from the review.
- Titles outside your region may disappear. The Netflix Help Center says: “With a VPN, you may only be shown TV shows and movies Netflix has worldwide licensing for, like Squid Games or Stranger Things.” It also says you may need to turn the VPN off to see titles available in your region.
- Live events and ad-supported plans are excluded. Netflix says VPNs are unsupported for watching live events and on its ad-supported experience. A VPN will not make those work.
- Access can stop working. TechRadar notes that VPN providers must keep adapting to streaming services’ geoblocking and can temporarily lose access. A provider that worked during the review may not work on the day you need it.
- The VPN does not include the streaming account. ExpressVPN states that subscriptions to streaming services must be purchased separately.
If Netflix says you appear to be using a VPN or proxy
Netflix may show a message saying you seem to be using a VPN or proxy. Work through these steps in order.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 2
SaleBestseller No. 3
Best Value
Sale
TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Gigabit Internet Router for Home
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Rank #4
Sale
GL.iNet GL-BE3600 Slate 7 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router Touchscreen 2.5G
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Rank #3
Sale
ASUS RT-AX1800S Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router, Subscription-Free Network Security, Parental Control, Built-in VPN, AiMesh Compatible, Gaming & Streaming, Smart Home
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Rank #2
GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 Opal Travel Router, AC1200 Dual-Band Wi-Fi
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
- Open the Fast.com speed test on the same device and check the country it reports. If it shows a country other than the one you expect, your VPN is probably changing your apparent location.
- Check your plan. VPN use is not supported on Netflix’s ad-supported experience, so switching plans may be the fix if that is what you use.
- If the message persists, turn off your VPN service and try Netflix again. This is the step Netflix’s error guidance recommends first when the problem continues.
- Reset your device’s network settings as described in Netflix’s troubleshooting instructions, then sign in again.
- If the message still appears with the VPN off, the cause is probably something other than the VPN. Netflix’s guidance covers other network diagnostics, so follow those next.
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.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
