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Best free VPN for Netflix that works in 2025

With the research team, I reviewed 41 VPNs to find the best free VPN for Netflix, offering fast and uninterrupted streaming experience.

Netflix is one of the biggest streaming services in the market, but its users always 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 VPNs to find the best free and free-trial ones that can change Netflix’s location and permit unrestricted streaming.

Does Netflix allow VPNs?

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 the other.

Another reason is Netflix’s account policies. If you have an account that shows ads (go to your account page to find out if that’s your plan), then Netflix tries to block the use of a VPN to prevent you from blocking those ads. There are several other reasons, but the fact remains that Netflix generally does not support using VPNs and would try to block access if it detects its use. However, it is perfectly legal in most countries 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 foreign content libraries.

However, there are multiple disadvantages, too. Most free VPNs are slower, potentially causing lag and buffering, 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. This way, you get the 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 card details. Also, free trials tend to be short-term.

Top 3 free-trial Netflix VPNs

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How I have tested free VPNs for Netflix

Our team and I reviewed 41 VPNs to find the best free options for streaming Netflix. The tests were conducted on a Lenovo ThinkPad with Windows 11 and MacBook Air M2 devices. I then further tested and rated the top 6 free Netflix-compatible VPNs based on the following criteria:

  • Server location (35%). Each free VPN provider was rated based on its ability to bypass VPN blocks and Netflix geo-restrictions. This ability was tested by trying to access the most popular Netflix locations – the US, Japan, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, and France. Most of these locations also represent their regions. I investigated if, throughout testing, the connection remained stable or if Netflix detected the use of the VPN after I already connected to its foreign libraries.
  • Data limits (25%). Those free VPNs that had no limits of bandwidth and data or high data limits were rated higher than those that had limited bandwidth and low data caps.
  • 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.
  • 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. NordVPN – the best free-trial VPN for Netflix

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NordVPN is the best free-trial VPN for Netflix in 2025, offering unlimited bandwidth, blazing-fast speeds and an extensive server network. While not free, it provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for Google Play store users, allowing you to explore its capabilities without immediate commitment.

Read NordVPN review

Netflix unblocking and general performance

NordVPN is included in this list because it offers exceptional unblocking performance compared to free VPNs. It has the most extensive server fleet of 7100+ servers in 118 countries and, with it, can unblock the most comprehensive selection of foreign content. Plus, connection speeds are excellent across all regions. You’ll be able to stream in 4K and greater quality without any buffering issues.

During our NordVPN tests, we had no trouble unblocking American, Japanese, Canadian, Australian, British, and various European libraries. Some regions, such as South Korea, took more attempts to unblock, so don’t expect perfect results. But overall, you shouldn’t encounter any issues most of the time.

NordVPN free version locationsNetflix locations that free NordVPN can unblock
All 118 countries from the premium versionthe US
the UK
Australia
Canada
Japan
and EU
NordVPN and Netflix testing picture
NordVPN and Netflix tested on a laptop

Data limit, security, and privacy

As expected from a premium VPN, NordVPN doesn’t include any data caps that would interfere with your streaming experience. Even the 7-day free trial for Android doesn’t include any data or speed limitations. The only drawback is that you can only test NordVPN’s Basic tier, which lacks some security features like Threat Protection Pro.

Speaking of security, NordVPN is one of the best regarding online protection and overall privacy. For starters, the service is based in Panama, where the government doesn’t meddle too much in business affairs. Secondly, it has a strict no-logs policy that was independently audited four times as of January 2025. Naturally, you get all the other standard security features included in all high-quality VPN services, such as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and multiple tunneling protocols. Crucially, all of NordVPN’s subscription plans include basic Threat Protection, which blocks ads and malicious domains to improve your online experience.

2. Proton VPN – the best free VPN for Netflix

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Proton VPN offers the best completely free VPN for Netflix streaming. Offering unlimited bandwidth, no data caps, fast speeds, and a reliable no-logs policy for security.

Read Proton VPN review

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 HD with no noticeable drops in speed and loading. There was slight buffering when skipping episodes, but it only happened once on the Japanese server. Unlimited bandwidth definitely helped, as I could stream as if I wasn’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 locationsNetflix locations that free Proton can unblock
The United States
Japan
The Netherlands
Poland
Romania
The US
Japan
Proton VPN and Netflix testing picture
Proton VPN and Netflix tested on a laptop

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 also has an audited no-logs policy, so this 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 data breaches and has WireGuard and OpenVPN encryption protocols, as well as IKEv2 and Stealth for macOS and smartphone devices. Proton VPN protects user information with AES-256 encryption, which is highly secure and used by such notable VPNs as NordVPN.

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

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Hide.me is one of the best free VPNs for Netflix due to its unlimited bandwidth and 8 server locations. Its no-account-required setup and ad-free interface is simple to use, although it lacks specific server selection and extra features.

Read Hide.me review

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 it, that’s something you should be aware of, as it might cause lag or buffering.

Hide.me free version locationsNetflix locations that free Hide.me can unblock
the US
the UK
Finland
France
Germany
Canada
Singapore
Switzerland
the US
the UK
Finland (after a few tries)
Hide Me VPN and Netflix testing picture
Hide Me VPN and Netflix tested on a laptop

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 is faultless. 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.

4. Hotspot Shield – a highly secure VPN for Netflix

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Hotspot Shield provides a robust free VPN, ideal for secure Netflix streaming. Despite ads, it offers unlimited data and decent speed.

Read Hotspot Shield review

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 a day, which does not permit long binging sessions. Overall, if limited Netflix locations and bandwidth do not bother you, Hotspot Shield should not disappoint.

Hotspot Shield free version locationsNetflix locations that free Hotspot Shield can unblock
The United States
Japan
Philippines
Norway
The US
The UK
Hotspot Shield and Netflix testing picture
Hotspot Shield and Netflix tested on a laptop

Data limit, security, and privacy

While Hotspot Shield does limit the free plan’s bandwidth to 500MB a day, there are no data caps. Hotspot Shield also never had a data breach, and independent audits confirmed its no-logs and security policies. Interestingly, Hotspot Shield uses quite an unusual encryption protocol for a VPN, having TLS-256 over the standard AES-256.

This by no means makes it less secure, as Hotspot Shield equips Hydra protocol that includes Traffic Obfuscation – a feature that hides the use of a VPN. That, in return, makes Hotspot Shield perfect for streaming.

5. TunnelBear – best free VPN with a great country selection

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TunnelBear stands out as a top free VPN for Netflix due to its vast selection of countries and servers accessible to free users. Though limited by a 2GB monthly data cap and random city connection within the selected country, it's decent for streaming diverse Netflix libraries.

Read TunnelBear review

Netflix unblocking and general performance

Although TunnelBear has an excellent selection of foreign servers on its free tier users, our tests yielded mixed results. This isn’t surprising because even TunnelBear’s paid tier isn’t super effective at unblocking Netflix. Still, it’s great that the free version wasn’t entirely disappointing. We could even access Netflix Japan, which is excellent for Anime fans. Additionally, Canada worked, but other English libraries like the US and the UK didn’t budge.

Connection speeds were pretty good throughout our TunnelBear tests, and we didn’t run into any stuttering issues. After all, TunnelBear offers WireGuard, which is famous for delivering speedy connection. Plus, the vast server variety means more users can connect to servers near their area.

TunnelBear free version locationsNetflix locations that free TunnelBear can unblock
All 45 countries from the premium versionJapan
Canada
TunnelBear and Netflix testing picture
TunnelBear and Netflix tested on a laptop

Data limit, security, and privacy

TunnelBear’s free tier is significantly held back by its 2GB monthly data cap. It means you’ll have a difficult time binge-watching TV shows or long movies with this VPN. However, it’s an understandable limitation considering that you get much more country options than with all other free VPNs for Netflix. The free version also includes a fair number of security features to keep your activities private. For example, you get split tunneling (named SplitBear), which allows you to limit the VPN connection to specific apps. This has the added benefit of allowing you to optimize the data limit use.

There’s also VigilantBear, which is the VPN’s kill switch for preventing IP leaks. Moreover, when GhostBear is enabled, it makes your VPN traffic appear as regular traffic to bypass VPN blocks. A potential downside for privacy enthusiasts is that TunnelBear is based in Canada, a member of the Five-Eyes alliance.

6. Windscribe – best free VPN with unlimited connections

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Windscribe's free VPN offers 10GB monthly, enough for light streaming but performance is inconsistent across Netflix libraries. It excels with unlimited device connections but falls short in regions like Germany and France, typical for free VPNs.

Read Windscribe review

Netflix unblocking and general performance

Using Windscribe’s free VPN to access Netflix has been a mixed bag. Despite the decent allowance of 10GB per 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, 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 locationsNetflix locations that free TunnelBear can unblock
US
Canada
Germany
France
Netherlands
Norway
Romania
Switzerland
UK
Turkey
Hong Kong
US
Canada
UK
Switzerland
Hong Kong
Windscribe and Netflix testing picture
Windscribe and Netflix tested on a laptop

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, similarly to TunnelBear, it is based in Canada, which 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 freemium VPN’s free tier to unblock different Netflix libraries for free. However, success is unlikely, which is why I recommend using a free trial Netflix VPN, such as NordVPN. Then you’re much more likely to have great results. Here’s what the entire process is like:

  1. Choose a free trial VPN that works well with Netflix. My top recommendation is NordVPN and its 7-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 7-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 7-day trial and enjoy NordVPN for free
  8. Connect to a VPN server abroad
  9. Open Netflix and watch foreign content for free

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 have shown the ability to unblock Netflix in at least a couple of global locations, so you can keep streaming without spending any money. They, 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. Then you can see it’s worth investing in a premium VPN for a frustration-free streaming experience.

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