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Does Proton VPN Work with Netflix?

Updated Sep 5, 2023

Callum Tennent oversees how we test and review VPN services. He's a member of the IAPP, and his VPN advice has featured in Forbes and the Internet Society.

Additional Research by Luke Williams

Our Verdict

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 10 Netflix regions, including USA, at faster speeds and on more devices than Proton VPN. Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days.

Proton VPN is a highly secure VPN that unblocks geo-restricted video content in 10 Netflix regions.

We tested the VPN’s streaming access in every single server location. In our latest Proton VPN tests, we accessed the US, UK, India, Italy, Germany, Canada, France, Japan, Australia, and Switzerland libraries.

Sadly, Proton VPN didn’t work with Netflix in some popular regions, such as the Netherlands, South Korea, and Brazil.

We also tested Proton VPN Free, however it couldn’t unblock any Netflix library.

In this guide, we’ll share the results of our extensive VPN streaming tests to help you decide whether you should use Proton VPN to unblock Netflix.

We’ll also detail which Proton VPN servers are currently working with Netflix, and recommend suitable VPN alternatives.

Proton VPN Key Netflix Statistics:

Netflix VPN ranking: #3 out of 65 VPNs tested
Netflix regions unblocked: 10
Works with US Netflix? No
Best Netflix servers: US-NY#52, CA#26, JP#77, UK#52 & AU#19

How to Watch Netflix with Proton VPN

How to Unblock US Netflix with Proton VPN.

Here’s how to stream Netflix using Proton VPN:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Launch Netflix.
5. 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
Australia	AU#19
Canada	CA#26
France	FR#25
Germany	DE#60
India	IN#8
Japan	JP#77
Switzerland	CH#6
UK	UK#52
US	US-NY#52

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 VPNs change your IP address and location, you can use them to access 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:

Screenshot of the image that Netflix displays when it detects a VPN or proxy service.

Netflix’s M7111-5059 streaming error message.

Here are some simple ways to bypass the Netflix proxy error with Proton VPN:

1. Use a Different VPN

Since the new VPN ban in August 2021, most VPNs no longer work with Netflix. The streaming service blocked access from all non-residential IP addresses, making it much harder to access the service using a VPN.

Proton VPN has responded to this new ban better than most VPNs, but it’s certainly become less reliable than before.

Our latest streaming tests have found that ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN for US Netflix. Make sure to connect to the New York server and select the Lightway protocol.

2. Connect to a Different VPN Server

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 10 regions, including Netflix USA, and it’s our 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 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 10 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 10 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 10 countries.

Our tests found that Proton VPN works with the following Netflix libraries:

Australia
Canada
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Switzerland
United Kingdom
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.

Streaming the French Netflix library using Proton VPN

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.

Proton VPN unblocks more Netflix regions than many other top VPNs. For instance, CyberGhost and Private Internet Access only work with 13 libraries.

It’s also a dramatic improvement over Proton VPN’s previous performance. Until recently, it could only access five Netflix libraries.

That said, Proton VPN can’t access some popular Netflix libraries, like the Netherlands or South Korea, which is disappointing.

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 2,970 servers in 68 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.

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.

A map showing the global spread of Proton VPN's servers

Proton VPN has servers located around the world.

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.

Proton VPN’s app for Android TV and Fire TV Stick.

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 Apple 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.

Furthermore, Proton VPN doesn’t offer browser extensions, which are a quick way for streamers to change server location.

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.

Instead, we found that Proton VPN Free unblocks streaming services that are easier to access. Using Proton VPN Free, we were able to stream YouTube, Tubi, and Crunchyroll.

To try the premium version of Proton VPN for free, you can sign up and get a risk-free refund within 30 days.

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	10	10	32	10
Smart DNS	No	Yes	No	Yes
Number of Connections	10	5	Unlimited	Unlimited
Cheapest Monthly Price	$4.99	$6.67	$5.75	$2.21
US-UK Download Speed Loss	11%	7%	16%	12%
Server Network	2,970	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. Nearly all of its servers unblock Netflix. With Proton VPN you might need to try a few servers.
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 Apple 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, Israel, Germany, France, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. Proton VPN is fine, but you get access to nine more Netflix libraries with ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN costs a bit more than other VPNs, but we think it’s worth it.

What’s the Best Cheap Alternative to Proton VPN?

In our recent Windscribe analysis, we confirmed it’s still one of the best free Netflix VPNs.

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, South Korea, Japan, Italy, India, Canada, and Australia.
Surfshark works on Apple TV and games consoles using Smart DNS. Proton VPN’s lack of Smart DNS means you can’t easily unblock Netflix on all of your devices.