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Proton VPN works with Netflix. In our tests, the VPN streamed American Netflix in high definition in every US server location. However, the free version of Proton VPN doesn’t unblock Netflix, and the paid VPN plans are expensive. All in all, Proton VPN is a good VPN for Netflix, but it’s not the very best.
EXPERT ADVICE: Proton VPN is a very good Netflix VPN, but it’s not the best. We recommend using ExpressVPN, instead.
ExpressVPN unblocks 18 Netflix regions, including the UK, Canada, and Japan, at faster speeds and on more devices than Proton VPN. Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days.
We tested Proton VPN’s Netflix access in every single server location it offers. We found that it works to access geo-restricted Netflix libraries in the US, France, India, Italy, South Korea, and Switzerland.
Sadly, Proton VPN didn’t work with Netflix in other popular regions, such as the Netherlands, Australia, and Mexico.
Best Netflix servers: US-NY#138, FR#73, KR#13 & IN#27
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How to Watch Netflix with Proton VPN
How to Unblock US Netflix with Proton VPN.
Here’s how to stream Netflix using Proton VPN:
Subscribe to Proton VPN and install the app. You’ll need a Plus or Visionary account. You can’t watch Netflix or other streaming services using Proton VPN’s Free or Basic tiers.
Subscribe or log in to Netflix. Proton VPN enables you to watch US Netflix from another country, but you’ll still need to be a Netflix subscriber.
Connect to a Plus Server. Find a server by searching for your chosen country in the Search box. To unblock Netflix US, search for ‘United States’ and click Connect. Or, find a working server in the section below.
Launch Netflix.
Watch Netflix. To change your Netflix region, connect to a server in a different country and relaunch Netflix.
EXPERT TIP: The Profiles feature in Proton VPN enables you to bookmark VPN settings. When you find a server that works well with Netflix, you can create a Profile so you can quickly connect to it next time.
Which Proton VPN Servers Currently Unblock Netflix?
Here are the Proton VPN servers that work with Netflix:
Netflix Library
Proton VPN Server
France
FR#73
India
IN#8
Italy
IT#29
South Korea
KR#13
Switzerland
CH#6
US
US-NY#138
Make sure to connect to one of the Proton VPN servers listed above, otherwise, the VPN might not work with Netflix. We test these servers daily to ensure our information is always accurate and up-to-date.
Proton VPN Not Working with Netflix?
Netflix doesn’t have the licensing agreements to distribute all TV shows and movies in every country. As part of these contracts, Netflix only allows users to stream content from their local region.
As they allow you to change your IP address and location, you can use a VPN to access Netflix titles from other countries. In response, Netflix is always finding new ways to detect and block VPNs.
Proton VPN is one of the more reliable VPNs for Netflix, but it still fails sometimes.
When the VPN is not working with Netflix, you’ll either only see Netflix originals, or you’ll encounter the Netflix proxy error:
Netflix’s ‘Pardon the interruption’ streaming error message.
Here are some simple ways to bypass the Netflix proxy error with Proton VPN:
1. Use a Different VPN
Netflix’s VPN detection and banning techniques are extremely effective.
Proton VPN has responded to the Netflix VPN ban better than most VPNs, but it’s certainly become less reliable than before.
Every Proton VPN server has a unique IP address. If one server in a country is not working, there’s a chance that another server has not been blocked yet.
Just click ‘Connect’ on the country in the Proton VPN app to get a new IP address. You can verify this by checking the address listed on the app’s home screen. You might have to try this multiple times before finding a Proton VPN server that works with Netflix.
If this doesn’t work, we recommend manually connecting to a server with the largest number next to it. We’ve verified with Proton VPN that these are the latest servers, so Netflix will have had less time to block them. We’ve also listed the Proton VPN servers that currently work with Netflix below.
3. Disable WebRTC
If you’re trying to access Netflix on a web browser, WebRTC may be leaking your true IP address. In this circumstance, it’s possible to block WebRTC and prevent Netflix from seeing your real location.
Sadly, unlike some other VPN services, Proton VPN does not allow you to disable WebRTC in the VPN’s settings.
Instead, you will have to do it manually in your browser’s settings. You can learn how to fix WebRTC leaks in our dedicated guide.
4. Clear Your Browser’s Cache
Some websites temporarily store location data. Consequently, if you change the VPN server location, your Netflix library may not update with it.
To clear the browser’s cache in Google Chrome, click ‘More’ at the top right of the screen. Then, select ‘More tools’ and click ‘Clear browsing data’. Choose ‘All time’ and ensure the ‘Cookies and other site data’ and ‘Cached images and files’ checkboxes are ticked.
Once your browser’s cache has cleared, reload Netflix. You should see the updated Netflix library of your chosen country.
5. Contact Customer Support
One of the above methods should get Proton VPN working with Netflix. However, if you are still encountering the error message, contact Proton VPN’s customer support.
The customer support team can provide you with up-to-date working servers, and check to see if there is a general problem with your internet connection.
To do this, click the ‘Support’ tab on Proton VPN’s website. Then, click ‘Contact Our Support Team’ and submit your request.
Is Proton VPN Good for Netflix?
Proton VPN is a great VPN for Netflix. It unblocks 6 regions, including Netflix USA, and it’s a top VPN for Italian Netflix.
The VPN is available on all popular platforms, including Windows and Fire TV. Proton VPN is also fast enough for HD and 4K international video streaming.
Proton VPN works well with US Netflix.
After testing Proton VPN with Netflix, here’s a summary of the VPN’s streaming strengths and weaknesses:
PROS
CONS
Works with 6 Netflix libraries
Fast download speeds for HD streaming
Apps for Android TV & Fire TV Stick
Large server network
Unblocks Prime Video, HBO Max & Hulu
Other VPNs unblock more Netflix libraries
No Smart DNS
No VPN browser extensions
Live chat support isn’t 24/7
More expensive than alternative VPNs
In the following section, we’ll detail all the benefits and drawbacks of using Proton VPN with Netflix.
Unblocks 6 Netflix Libraries
Proton VPN claims you can watch Netflix on its servers in almost every country. After using the VPN extensively, we found this isn’t true.
Following our latest streaming tests, the VPN works with Netflix in 6 countries.
Our tests found that Proton VPN works with the following Netflix libraries:
France
India
Italy
South Korea
Switzerland
United States
To find this, we tested Proton VPN with Netflix in every server location. We were only able to stream exclusive movies and TV shows from the regions listed above.
As the screenshot below shows, we were able to watch Forrest Gump when connected to a Proton VPN server in France.
Proton VPN works with Netflix in several countries outside the US.
Our research also confirmed Proton VPN is a very reliable VPN for Netflix. Other VPNs we tested would work one day, but not the next. Although we sometimes had to switch between servers, Proton VPN worked every time.
However, other VPNs unblock far more Netflix regions than Proton VPN. For instance, ExpressVPN can access 12 more Netflix libraries, and NordVPN works with 11 more.
In addition, Proton VPN can’t access many of the most popular Netflix libraries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, and Japan.
Fast Speeds Using WireGuard
It’s not enough for a VPN to just unblock Netflix. It also needs to have sufficient speeds to stream content in high-resolution, without buffering or picture degradation.
Our latest speed tests reveal that Proton VPN’s long-distance connection speeds have increased exponentially. Connecting to the US cut our download speed by just 9%, from 100Mbps to 91Mbps.
These speeds are far above the 5Mbps speed bandwidth that Netflix recommends for streaming in HD and the 25Mbps needed for 4K streaming.
You can see the full results we recorded when connected to Proton VPN servers in popular Netflix locations:
Server Location
Download Speed
Starting Speed
100Mbps
Australia
76Mbps
Germany
89Mbps
Japan
83Mbps
USA
87Mbps
Across every location, our connection using Proton VPN was fast enough for 4K video. Even if your connection is slower than ours to begin with, Proton VPN will be fast enough.
EXPERT ADVICE: To get the fastest speeds from Proton VPN, use the WireGuard protocol and enable ‘VPN Accelerator’ in the app’s settings.
Large Server Network
Proton VPN operates 4,874 servers in 91 countries.
It’s a large-sized network overall, but what matters most for Netflix is the number of servers in countries that Proton VPN unblocks.
More servers mean there’s likely to be less congestion. As a result, you’ll be more likely to connect to a fast server that’s not overloaded with users. Check server loads in the Proton VPN app by hovering over the information icon with your cursor.
Proton VPN’s servers in the iOS app.
Moreover, when Netflix identifies a VPN server, it’ll block it. Having more servers in a country increases your chances of finding one that works.
Here’s the number of servers that Proton VPN has in each Netflix region:
Country
No. of Servers
Australia
32
Canada
44
France
45
Germany
66
India
10
Italy
16
Japan
48
Switzerland
12
UK
36
US
331
This is no guarantee all servers will work, but clicking ‘Connect’ in any supported country will usually connect you to a server that unblocks Netflix.
Good Range of Device Support
Proton VPN can unblock Netflix on its Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV and Fire TV applications. The user interfaces aren’t the most eye-pleasing or intuitive, though.
Sadly, Proton VPN is lagging behind other Netflix VPNs, like ExpressVPN, by not offering Smart DNS functionality.
Smart DNS lets you easily spoof your location to unblock Netflix on Smart TV and games consoles.
While you can install Proton VPN on your router to use it on devices that don’t support VPN applications, it’s a trickier process.
You’re better off using an alternative VPN with Smart DNS support, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.
Proton VPN Free Can’t Stream Netflix
Sadly, Proton VPN’s free plan doesn’t work with Netflix. The VPN service blocks access to Netflix for non-paying users to encourage upgrades to its premium plan.
However, if you want a completely free VPN that works with Netflix, we recommend Windscribe. It gives you access to 6 Netflix libraries, including the UK and Germany.
EXPERT ADVICE:ExpressVPN is a superior VPN for Netflix. It’s faster, more reliable, and comes with Smart DNS functionality. Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days.
How Does Proton VPN Compare Against Other Netflix VPNs?
Proton VPN is a good VPN for Netflix, but it’s outperformed by other top VPNs when it comes to streaming.
By choosing another VPN you can unblock more Netflix libraries, use the VPN on more devices, and save money.
Proton VPN
ExpressVPN
Windscribe
Surfshark
Netflix Libraries
6
18
32
9
Smart DNS
No
Yes
No
Yes
Number of Connections
10
8
Unlimited
Unlimited
Cheapest Monthly Price
$4.99
$6.67
$5.75
$2.21
US-UK Download Speed Loss
11%
7%
16%
12%
Server Network
4,874
3,000
Undisclosed
3,200
What is the Best VPN for Netflix?
ExpressVPN is our top recommendation For Netflix because:
It’s reliable. In many years of testing, ExpressVPN has always unblocked Netflix, on every platform.
ExpressVPN is incredibly fast. The other services are all fast enough for HD streaming, but you only want to install one VPN and you’ll notice the difference when doing other activities online.
ExpressVPN works on Smart TV and games consoles using Smart DNS. Proton VPN doesn’t have Smart DNS, so you can’t use the VPN on devices that don’t support VPN apps unless you install it on your router.
ExpressVPN unblocks a large selection of libraries. That includes the US, UK, Netherlands, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. Proton VPN is decent, but you get access to 12 more Netflix libraries with ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN costs a bit more than other VPNs, but we think it’s worth it.
However, Windscribe Free limits you to 10GB of bandwidth per month, which doesn’t go far when you’re watching HD movies. Nevertheless, it consistently works well to unblock UK Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
For most viewers who are budget-sensitive, we recommend Surfshark because:
It’s cheap. If you can afford to prepay for two years, you can save 83% and bring the monthly price down to just $2.21 (a total of $59.76). This is 62% cheaper than Proton VPN on a similar paid plan.
Surfshark unblocks many popular Netflix libraries. That includes the US, UK, Brazil, Canada, France, India, Italy, and Mexico.
Surfshark works on devices that don’t support VPN apps using Smart DNS. Proton VPN’s lack of Smart DNS means you can’t easily unblock Netflix on all of your devices.
