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NordVPN and Proton VPN are among TechRadar’s top picks for Netflix in its current 2026 comparison, but neither guarantees access: Netflix blocks VPN connections, results vary by region, and the ranking reflects one reviewer’s tests. TechRadar reported successful access in all five regions it tested for Proton VPN, while NordVPN did not pass its Japan test. Check your Netflix plan and the device you use before choosing or troubleshooting a VPN.
How the two VPNs compare for Netflix
The table summarizes TechRadar’s reported comparison, not an independent test or a promise that a VPN will work for you. Its results may change as Netflix and VPN providers update their services.
| VPN | TechRadar ranking | Reported regional results | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | #1 | Passed US, UK, Australia/New Zealand and Canada; failed Japan. | NordVPN publishes a Netflix troubleshooting guide. NordVPN’s Netflix troubleshooting guide. |
| Proton VPN | #3 | Passed all five regions listed by TechRadar. | TechRadar specifies that its Netflix test used Proton VPN’s premium plan; the finding should not be applied to its free tier. |
TechRadar’s comparison also ranked ExpressVPN fourth and reported failures in Australia/New Zealand and Japan. Top10VPN’s separate guide favors ExpressVPN, illustrating that rankings depend on test dates and criteria rather than establishing a universal winner. TechRadar’s Netflix VPN comparison; Top10VPN’s Netflix VPN guide.
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A provider’s overall position does not tell you whether it worked with the Netflix catalog you want. In TechRadar’s reported tests, the Japan result differed from the other four listed regions for NordVPN, while Proton VPN passed each of the five regions listed. These are reviewer-reported results from a particular comparison, not guarantees of future or universal access. Netflix and VPN providers can change their systems, so a result can become outdated or vary by server, location, app and time.
#1 Best Overall
- 【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
Check your Netflix plan before troubleshooting
Netflix says VPNs are unsupported on its ad-supported experience. Its Help Center explains that the E121 “You seem to be using a VPN or proxy” message means an ad-supported experience is likely connected through a VPN or proxy. If you see that message, first check which Netflix plan you have rather than assuming a VPN server is the problem. Netflix Help Center: “Netflix says ‘There’s a problem’”.
For other cases, Netflix says a VPN can make your device or network appear to connect from a different physical location. It recommends checking whether a VPN is active and turning it off if the issue persists. Netflix Help Center: VPN and proxy troubleshooting.
Rank #2
- 【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.
Choose based on region, plan and device
- Target region: Use the reported regional results as a starting point if a specific country matters to you; do not treat a broad ranking as proof that every location works.
- VPN plan: Proton VPN’s cited Netflix result applies to its premium plan, not automatically to the free tier.
- Streaming device: Netflix supports apps on many televisions, streaming players, phones, tablets, computers and consoles, but that does not mean every device supports every VPN app. Check the VPN provider’s device-specific instructions before subscribing. Netflix Help Center: supported devices.
- Setup and total cost: Compare the provider’s setup options for your device and the subscription’s current price and renewal terms. Current prices and renewal values are not established by the cited comparison, so check each provider’s terms directly before buying.
What to try when Netflix detects a VPN
Start with Netflix’s plan and VPN checks. If you are not on an ad-supported experience and the problem continues, provider-specific troubleshooting may help identify a connection issue, but it cannot ensure Netflix access.
- Check your Netflix plan and confirm whether a VPN or proxy is active, following Netflix’s VPN troubleshooting guidance.
- For device-specific setup, consult the VPN provider’s instructions. ExpressVPN documents support for selected streaming devices and router setup; availability depends on the device and setup. ExpressVPN setup guides.
When a router or MediaStreamer setup is relevant
A router setup may be an option when a streaming device does not support a VPN app, but compatibility and configuration depend on the provider and router. ExpressVPN separately describes MediaStreamer as a DNS service, not a VPN: it does not provide the same security and privacy benefits, does not let you change location, and supports only US Netflix. ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
- 【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
- 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.
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.
