Best free VPN for Netflix that works in 2025

Netflix is one of the biggest streaming services on the market, but its users often encounter the same issue – the movies and shows they want to watch on Netflix are unavailable in their location. These geo-restrictions significantly increased the popularity of VPNs. Still, not everyone can afford an additional subscription just to watch the content they’re already paying for.

Free VPNs rarely provide a solution, either. Most of them cannot bypass strict Netflix trackers, and those that can usually have very few servers available for free. However, our team and I reviewed 41 41 VPNs to find the best free VPN for Netflix that is either free or provides a free trial and can mask your location to allow unrestricted streaming.

Best VPNs for Netflix

Does Netflix allow VPNs?

No, Netflix does not permit the use of a VPN for several reasons. The main reason is broadcasting rights, as Netflix has agreements with show creators about which countries they can show their content in. That’s why you might be able to watch the same movie in one country but not in another.

Another reason is Netflix’s account policies. If you have an account that shows ads, then Netflix tries to block the use of a VPN to prevent you from blocking those ads. There are other reasons, but the fact remains that Netflix generally does not support using VPNs and would try to block access if it detects their use. However, in most countries, it is perfectly legal to use a VPN to watch Netflix.

Should I use a free VPN for Netflix?

Free VPNs for Netflix have their advantages and disadvantages. A notable advantage is, of course, that they are free, so you don’t have to spend extra on top of the paid Netflix subscription. Also, some free VPNs can offer a pretty good service, with several security features and enough servers to unblock other regions’ content libraries.

However, there are multiple disadvantages, too. Most free VPNs are slower, potentially causing lag and buffering. They also have a monthly data cap, which might not be enough for unrestricted streaming, and don’t allow you to choose servers, so your content unblocking capabilities might be severely limited.

If you want to stream without any speed, data, or server restrictions, a free trial of a paid VPN is a better option. You get an abundance of premium features for unrestricted streaming, but you still don’t have to pay for them. Keep in mind that to get a free trial, you sometimes need to enter your credit card details. Also, free trials tend to be short-term.

How I tested free VPNs for Netflix

Our team and I looked at 41 VPNs to find the best free options for streaming Netflix. The tests were conducted on a Lenovo ThinkPad with Windows 11 and a MacBook Air M2 device. I then further tested and rated the top 4 free Netflix-compatible VPNs based on the following criteria:

1. Server location (35%). Each free VPN provider was rated based on its ability to bypass VPN blocks and Netflix geo-restrictions. I tested this by trying to access the most popular Netflix locations – the US, Japan, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, and France. I investigated whether the connection remained stable or if Netflix detected the use of a VPN after I had already connected to a foreign library.
2. Data limits (25%). Those free VPNs that had no limits on bandwidth and data or high data limits were rated higher than those that had limited bandwidth and low data caps.
3. Speed and performance (20%). I tested if any of the select free Netflix VPNs caused significant lag or buffering, and how consistent the overall performance was.
4. Security and privacy (20%). I checked what encryption protocols each free VPN provider offers and if it has a verifiable no-logs policy to ensure secure and private VPN use.

Best free VPNs for Netflix – detailed list

Below, you can find free VPNs that performed best with Netflix and rated highest on our testing criteria.

1. Proton VPN – the best free VPN for Netflix

Netflix unblocking and general performance

Overall, I’d say Proton VPN does the job of unblocking Netflix very well. I could access servers in the US and Japan, and the streaming quality remained high quality with no noticeable drops in speed. There was slight buffering when skipping episodes, but it only happened once on a Japanese server. Unlimited bandwidth definitely helped, as I could stream as if I weren’t using a VPN at all.

However, Proton VPN is not completely flawless. Its free version is designed to automatically connect you to the fastest location, and there is a reconnection limit. So, manually switching between different locations after you’ve already been assigned one might make you wait.

Proton VPN free version locations	Netflix locations that free Proton can unblock
United States Japan Netherlands Poland Romania	United States Japan

Data limit, security, and privacy

Unlike most free VPNs, Proton VPN does not have a data cap. This means that you can use this VPN to stream or do other daily online activities without any limitations or additional cost. Proton VPN also has an audited no-logs policy, so the provider does not store any activity data that it could share with third parties.

Proton VPN is also very secure. It has no history of known data breaches and supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and its Stealth protocol across various platforms. However, OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec are not supported on macOS and iOS. Proton VPN protects user information with AES-256 encryption, which is highly secure and used by such notable VPNs as NordVPN.

2. Hide.me – a free, unlimited bandwidth VPN for Netflix

Netflix unblocking and general performance

Compared to Proton VPN, Hide.me did not perform as well, but I still could access other Netflix libraries. At first, I could only access Netflix in the US and the UK, but after trying for a while, I was able to access the Finnish Netflix library too. However, German and French Netflix servers remained unavailable.

Hide.me does not limit data or bandwidth, but I noticed minor quality issues, especially compared to Proton VPN. Hide.me’s free version also has restricted speed, and although I did not notice impaired performance, that’s something you should be aware of, as it might cause lag or buffering.

Hide.me free version locations	Netflix locations that free Hide.me can unblock
United States United Kingdom Finland France Germany Netherlands Switzerland	United States United Kingdom Finland

Data limit, security, and privacy

Hide.me VPN does not have any data caps or bandwidth restrictions. So, you can stream and use this free VPN endlessly. It also has a confirmed no-logs policy, so your activity is completely private, even from the VPN provider itself. In terms of security, Hide.me works perfectly. AES-256 data encryption is highly secure and used by top-notch VPNs, such as NordVPN. Additionally, Hide.me users can choose which encryption protocol they want to utilize – WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, or SSTP.

3. Hotspot Shield – a highly secure VPN for Netflix

Netflix unblocking and general performance

Hotspot Shield is a great free VPN for streaming. Despite its limited location options (and even fewer that support Netflix), it works without any faults. The speed is great – I didn’t notice any difference in video quality or loading times when using this VPN. However, Hotspot Shield does limit its bandwidth to 500MB/day, which does not permit long binging sessions. Overall, if limited Netflix locations and bandwidth do not bother you, Hotspot Shield will not disappoint.

Hotspot Shield free version locations	Netflix locations that free Hotspot Shield can unblock
Los Angeles, USA New York, USA Singapore United Kingdom	Los Angeles, USA New York, USA United Kingdom

Data limit, security, and privacy

While Hotspot Shield limits the free plan’s bandwidth to 500MB per day, there are no additional data caps beyond that limit. Hotspot Shield also never had a data breach, and independent audits confirmed its no-logs and security policies. Hotspot Shield also uses the Hydra tunneling protocol that includes traffic obfuscation – a feature that hides the use of a VPN. That, in return, makes Hotspot Shield perfect for streaming.

4. Windscribe – best free VPN with unlimited connections

Netflix unblocking and general performance

Using Windscribe’s free VPN to access Netflix has been a mixed bag. Despite the decent allowance of 10GB/month upon email verification, which is fairly ample for light streaming, the actual performance across various Netflix libraries has been inconsistent. I successfully accessed Netflix in the US, the UK, Canada, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. However, attempts to reach Netflix in Germany, Norway, and France were unsuccessful. Given the challenges free VPNs often face with streaming services, this was not entirely surprising.

That said, Windscribe offers unlimited connections, allowing me to stream across multiple devices. However, the data cap is still really restraining for streaming purposes, especially when high-definition content quickly consumes data.

TunnelBear free version locations	Netflix locations that free TunnelBear can unblock
United States Canada Germany France Netherlands Norway Romania Switzerland United Kingdom Hong Kong	United States Canada United Kingdom Switzerland Hong Kong

Data limit, security, and privacy

Windscribe’s security features remain robust even with the free plan, including strong encryption and a strict no-logs policy. R.O.B.E.R.T., the customizable ad and tracker blocker, further protects against unwanted content and potential threats, which is a commendable feature for a free service. That said, Windscribe is based in Canada and is a member of the Five Eyes alliance.

Overall, Windscribe’s free VPN offers a decent service, but it has significant limitations in data and unblocking capabilities that place it at a disadvantage compared to other free VPN services on my list. For casual users, this might suffice, but for those looking for extensive streaming capabilities, the limitations might be frustrating.

How to watch Netflix from another country for free

You can try using a free plan of a freemium VPN to unblock different Netflix libraries. However, success is unlikely, which is why I recommend using a free trial Netflix VPN, such as NordVPN. Here’s what the entire process is like for Android devices:

1. Choose a free trial VPN that works well with Netflix. My top recommendation is NordVPN and its 3-day free trial on the Google Play Store
2. Open the Google Play Store and search for NordVPN
3. Download the NordVPN app
4. Open NordVPN and sign up for its 3-day free trial
5. Create a new account by following the on-screen instructions
6. Choose your preferred subscription plan and enter payment details to qualify for the trial
7. Click Start 3-day free trial and enjoy NordVPN for free
8. Connect to a VPN server abroad
9. Open Netflix and watch foreign content for free

Watch Netflix with NordVPN

If you're not using an Android device, you can try NordVPN risk-free for an entire month with its 30-day money-back guarantee and enjoy one of the fastest VPNs on the market.

Conclusion

Netflix has a complex tracker system that ensures that you can’t bypass its geo-restrictions by using a VPN. As a result, most free VPNs and even some premium ones cannot access Netflix in other locations. However, there are exceptions.

Proton VPN, Hide.me, and Hotspot Shield can unblock Netflix in at least a couple of global locations, so you can keep streaming without spending any money. Free VPNs, particularly Proton VPN, can also cover your daily online security and privacy needs. For example, if you wanted to watch your home’s Netflix while on holiday abroad, a free VPN could both protect your activity while using public Wi-Fi and access your native Netflix servers.

However, to fully access Netflix in any global location, use it without restrictions, and get the ultimate security and privacy guarantees, I recommend NordVPN, the best free trial VPN for Netflix. While temporary, it allows you to experience a high-quality VPN’s full potential without spending any money.

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