Is Norton Secure VPN Good for Netflix?
Norton Secure VPN still unblocks Netflix US, which is the most popular Netflix library.
The VPN service delivers good connection speeds and is one of the cheaper VPNs on the market.
That said, we don’t recommend Norton VPN for streaming. Norton even states on its website that unblocking streaming services is not one of its priorities.
While some VPNs create dedicated resources to help get around Netflix blocks, Norton shows little desire to keep its service working. Instead, it encourages you to use split tunneling to avoid using the VPN for streaming activity.
Norton Secure VPN is not a reliable choice for unblocking Netflix
Netflix is always finding new ways to identify and block VPN access. Norton’s lack of commitment to unblocking streaming platforms, combined with its small server network, makes us doubt it will continue to work with Netflix for much longer.
For the time being, however, Norton VPN does work with Netflix US.
Below is a detailed look at whether or not Norton Secure VPN is a good VPN for Netflix:
Small Server Network Size Is Problematic
To reliably unblock Netflix, you need a VPN with a large server network. Unfortunately, Norton Secure VPN’s offering is relatively small compared to other VPN providers we’ve tested.
Norton offers servers in just 29 countries, with no city-level choice in any of them.
For context, our recommended VPN for Netflix, ExpressVPN, has 3,000 servers in 106 countries and 160 locations.
A VPN can only access Netflix libraries in countries where it has servers.
The VPN’s US servers still work with Netflix’s American library, however it’s only a matter of time until Netflix identifies and blocks them.
Norton needs to increase the size of its VPN server network to become a more reliable option for Netflix. However, this seems unlikely given the company’s apparent lack of commitment to streaming.
We also want to see Norton improve the global coverage of its network. Currently, the VPN has servers in many popular locations in North America and Western Europe, but provides very few options in Asia and Oceania.
Moreover, there’s only one server in South America (Brazil) and one in Africa (South Africa). Without a server in these countries, you are unable to access Netflix content exclusive to that region.
Fast Local Speeds but Slower on International Connections
Finding a workaround for Netflix’s geographical restrictions is only the first step. You also need a VPN with fast enough speeds for high-quality streaming and minimal buffering.
Netflix recommends a minimum of 3Mbps for standard-definition content and 5Mbps for 1080p Full HD content.
To stream in 2160p 4K (the highest quality available), you’ll need at least 25Mbps.
If you have at least a 50Mbps connection then any good VPN should be fast enough for you to stream in 4K.
Using a VPN always comes with a degree of speed loss, because your internet traffic has to make a longer round-trip. However, the speed performance drop is minimal with high-quality VPN.
Norton Secure VPN is very fast on local connections. In our latest speed tests, we saw a speed loss of only 11%, which is very good.
The VPN is just as impressive on long-distance connections, which are more important for streaming Netflix overseas.
Our connection speed dropped 9%, from 100Mbps to 91Mbps, connecting from the US to the UK.
These speeds are fast enough to stream in Ultra HD, but they may become an issue when downloading videos to watch later or when you’re on a slower connection.
Here’s how Norton Secure VPN compares to some other popular VPNs when connecting from the US to the UK:
VPN Provider | US to UK Speed | Speed Loss |
---|---|---|
CyberGhost | 83Mbps | 17% |
ExpressVPN | 93Mbps | 7% |
Hotspot Shield | 99Mbps | 1% |
NordVPN | 90Mbps | 10% |
Norton Secure VPN | 91Mbps | 9% |
You can read more about our speed tests in the fastest VPNs in 2023.
Needs to Improve Device Compatibility
Norton Secure VPN has a pleasantly clean, simple app on mobile.
Norton Secure VPN offers custom apps for all the major desktop and mobile platforms:
- Microsoft Windows
- Apple macOS
- Apple iOS
- Google Android
Unfortunately, that’s where support ends. There are no apps for Linux-based systems, game consoles, smart TVs, or Amazon Fire TV Stick. There aren’t any workarounds available to support these platforms either, so you won’t be able to use Norton Secure VPN to stream Netflix on your TV.
The cheapest subscription plan, normally costing $2.50 per month, only allows you to use one device. More expensive plans are available which cover up to five or 10 devices.
SUMMARY: Norton Secure VPN is an okay VPN for streaming Netflix US. But there are similarly-priced options with faster international connections speeds, stronger security, and better device-compatibility than Norton Secure.