Is Norton Secure VPN Good for Netflix?
Norton VPN Secure is not a good VPN for Netflix. If you already have access to Norton VPN Secure via a Norton 360 subscription, you might find it can sometimes unblock US Netflix.
But beyond that, it doesn’t work with any other Netflix libraries, has a very small server network, offers slower speeds than competitors, collects excessive amounts of data (like your real IP address and device information), and doesn’t make contacting support easy.
There are other streaming services that Norton Secure VPN works with, including: Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Max. But it doesn’t reliably work with Disney+, Hotstar, ITVX, or Channel 4.
![Norton VPN fails to work with Netflix](https://www.top10vpn.com/images/2024/07/norton-secure-vpn-netflix-fail-p.webp)
Netflix detects a Norton VPN Secure connection and doesn’t let us log in.
Here are some of the limitations of Norton Secure VPN that we came across when testing it for Netflix:
Fails to Unblock International Netflix Libraries
Norton VPN Secure simply doesn’t work with many Netflix libraries. There are far better VPNs for Netflix like NordVPN, Windscribe, and ExpressVPN, which offer lightning-fast speeds and work with dozens of libraries.
Here’s a quick comparison of the top-rated VPNs for Netflix versus Norton Secure VPN:
Netflix Libraries | US Netflix | UK Netflix | International Speed (100Mbps baseline) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
ExpressVPN | 18 | Yes | Yes | 85Mbps |
Windscribe | 32 | Yes | Yes | 86Mbps |
NordVPN | 17 | Yes | Yes | 86Mbps |
Norton Secure VPN | 1 | Yes | No | 88Mbps |
In contrast to other VPNs, unblocking streaming services isn’t a priority for Norton because its main business is providing antivirus software and cybersecurity bundles.
Most cybersecurity companies that offer VPNs don’t actually create the VPN themselves, and instead offer a white-label version of another VPN. For example, both Kaspersky VPN and Bitdefender VPN are rebranded versions of Hotspot Shield, even containing the same proprietary protocol (Hydra) and app design.
In researching Norton Secure VPN, we found that it doesn’t seem to be a white-label version of another VPN. However, it suffers from the same drop in quality, as it doesn’t focus solely on its VPN software.
Small Server Network
To reliably unblock Netflix, you need a VPN with a large server network. Norton Secure VPN has servers in only 29 countries, which is much less than competitors like NordVPN (111 countries) and ExpressVPN (106 countries).
You can see how Norton VPN stacks up against some leading competitors in the table below:
Countries | Server Count | City Servers | |
---|---|---|---|
ExpressVPN | 106 | 3,000 | Some |
Windscribe | 69 | 120+ | Many |
NordVPN | 111 | 6,328 | Many |
Norton Secure VPN | 29 | 2,000+ | None |
This greatly reduces the number of Netflix libraries you can access, just due to the fact that there aren’t servers in that location. Currently, the VPN has servers across North America and Europe, but provides very few options in Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania.
Norton Secure VPN also doesn’t offer any city-level servers, which are great back-up options if a country server isn’t working with Netflix.
Norton desperately needs to increase the size of its VPN server network to become a more reliable option for Netflix. But this seems unlikely to happen given that Norton’s main product is not its VPN service, but its antivirus software.
Device Compatibility Issues
Norton Secure VPN offers custom apps for all the major desktop and mobile platforms, including: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. However, that’s where its device compatibility ends.
Norton Secure VPN doesn’t have native apps for the following devices:
- Linux app
- Amazon Firestick app
- Fire TV app
- Smart DNS feature
- Router compatibility
- Chrome extension
- Firefox extension
- Edge extension
On its cheapest plan, you can use Norton Secure VPN on up to 5 devices, which is less than average.
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN have higher device allowances, apps for smart TVs, smart DNS, and router compatibility.
Subpar Customer Support
For most VPNs, contacting customer support is a great way of finding which VPN servers will actually work with Netflix.
However, we found Norton’s customer support to be subpar. The website is needlessly difficult to navigate, making it hard to access the 24/7 live chat, and you’re required to fill in a long form before chatting with an agent.
Once you’ve overcome this hurdle, Norton’s customer support agents are polite but can misunderstand your query, which is frustrating when you just want to quickly watch something.
Overall, we find disappointing customer support to be a common thread among major cybersecurity companies — Kaspersky VPN and Bitdefender VPN have the same issues.
Other VPN services that focus solely on their VPN service offer much more accessible, quick, and specialized VPN support.