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Does Windscribe Work with Netflix?

Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.

Additional Research by Luke Williams

Our Verdict

Windscribe is an excellent VPN for Netflix. The paid version works with more Netflix regions than any other VPN, successfully unblocking 32 libraries in our tests. Plus, its free version reliably unblocks Netflix in the UK, though it struggles to bypass restrictions in the US, Australia, India, and several other key regions.

a roll of film branded with the Windscribe VPN logo

Using a VPN with Netflix is the best way to unblock its entire catalog of TV shows, documentaries, and movies.

A high-quality VPN changes your IP address and lets you bypass Netflix’s M7111-5059 error code, to stream videos unavailable in your country.

Windscribe is a popular VPN service available in two versions: a free VPN, known as Windscribe Free, and a premium VPN, known as Windscribe Pro.

We regularly test and review Windscribe, and we can confirm both its free and paid versions work well with Netflix.

EXPERT ADVICE: Windscribe’s speeds are slower than other top Netflix VPNs. For UHD 4K streaming, we recommend ExpressVPN, which unblocks 18 Netflix regions including Netflix US. Try ExpressVPN for free for 30 days.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the results of our streaming tests using Windscribe Pro and Windscribe Free. We’ll also explain how to use Windscribe with Netflix, with tips if Windscribe isn’t working with Netflix.

Windscribe Key Netflix Statistics:

  • Netflix VPN ranking: #2 out of 65 VPNs tested
  • Netflix regions unblocked: 32
  • Works with US Netflix? Yes
  • Best Netflix servers: Boston – MIT (US), Toronto – Mansbridge (CA), Tokyo – Kaiju (JP), London – Crumpets (UK) & Adelaide – Lofty (AUS)

Why Trust Us?

We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our advice is based on our own testing results and is unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.

Is Windscribe a Good VPN for Netflix?

Windscribe with Netflix on macOS

We unblocked 32 Netflix libraries using Windscribe.

Windscribe’s premium app is one of the best available for unblocking Netflix. It works with 32 Netflix libraries, which is more than any other VPN we’ve tested.

The VPN also delivers fast and reliable connection speeds, and works well on a range of devices.

Costing just $5.75 per month, Windscribe Pro is an excellent choice for Netflix and it won’t break the bank.

Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of using Windscribe for Netflix:

PROS CONS
  • Secure, reliable VPN for unblocking Netflix
  • Unblocks more Netflix regions than any other VPN
  • Easy to install and use on many popular devices
  • Windscribe Free is one of the best free Netflix VPNs
  • Allows unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • Windscribe Free only allows 10GB of data per month
  • Based in Canada, a Five Eyes nation
  • No direct support for Apple TV or games consoles
  • Not the fastest VPN we’ve seen for international connections
  • No live chat support

The rest of this section takes an in-depth look at the features that make Windscribe Pro both good and bad for streaming.

However, skip to the next section to read more about Windscribe Free.

Unblocks More Netflix Libraries Than Any Other VPN

We put together a list of what we consider the most desirable Netflix regions, and Windscribe Pro unlocked nearly all of them. The only notable failures were Belgium and Israel.

Our tests show you can use Windscribe to access 32 Netflix regions from abroad, including:

  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • Germany
  • France
  • India
  • Italy
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • South Korea
  • Thailand
  • UK
  • US

It’s rare for a VPN to unblock so many international Netflix libraries. Many VPNs work with American and British Netflix, but it’s uncommon to see access to South Korea, Thailand, and India. Norton VPN only unblocks the US Netflix Library, for example.

On a similar note, Windscribe Pro is the only VPN we’ve tested capable of changing your Netflix region to New Zealand and Portugal.

EXPERT TIP: Visit uNogs.com to see where a movie or TV show is available. With access to 32 Netflix regions, chances are you can use Windscribe to watch it.

Very Fast Local Speeds But Slower on International Connections

Windscribe Pro is fast enough for high-quality buffer-free streaming, but its international connection speeds lag behind competitors.

For reference, Netflix recommends a bandwidth of:

  • 3Mbps for SD quality
  • 5Mbps for HD quality
  • 25Mbps for Ultra HD quality

Here’s how Windscribe performed in our latest longer-distance speed tests:

Country Avg. Download Speed Avg. Speed Loss
UK 84Mbps 16%
Germany 87Mbps 13%
Japan 85Mbps 15%
Australia 84Mbps 16%

We were often able to stream in HD or Ultra HD quality connected to servers in Europe or North America. However, speeds did fluctuate at times.

Loading times and video quality were worse for Asian and Australian content, though.

Ultimately, Windscribe’s international speeds can’t compete with the speeds of the best Netflix VPN, ExpressVPN.

On the plus side, you can use Windscribe on as many devices as you want, so it’s a good option for households with multiple devices. Be aware that the more devices you connect, the greater the strain on your internet connection.

Windscribe Easily Streams Netflix On a Range of Devices

Windscribe Pro streams Netflix on computers, smartphones, and smart TVs.

The VPN offers easy-to-use, custom apps for all major devices and platforms, including Windows, macOS, iPhone, and Android.

Windscribe VPN's apps for Android and iOS

Windscribe also has native apps for Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick and Nvidia Shield. Although they’re less user-friendly, they aren’t difficult to set up and use on your TV.

Using a VPN is trickier if you want to stream Netflix on your Apple TV, PlayStation 4 or 5, or Xbox Series X|S. Below are two workarounds:

  • Install the VPN on your router: You can protect your entire home network’s web traffic by installing Windscribe directly onto your router. It works, but it’s not easy to set up a VPN on a router.

  • Use Smart DNS: Smart DNS re-routes your traffic through a DNS server that spoofs your location. It hides your true location, but doesn’t change your IP address or encrypt your traffic. Sadly, Windscribe doesn’t support Smart DNS. We recommend using ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) service.

Windscribe Free Unblocks Multiple Netflix Regions

Using Windscribe Free to unblock UK Netflix

Windscribe Free reliably unblocks UK Netflix.

Windscribe Free is one of only a few free VPNs that reliably work with Netflix. It unblocks UK Netflix and 5 other Netflix regions.

This is extremely impressive given its rarity. To put it into perspective, PrivadoVPN and Atlas VPN are the only other free VPNs capable of unlocking any Netflix libraries, yet they only support 2 and 1 regions respectively. However, it’s worth noting that, unlike Windscribe, they do offer access to US Netflix.

Out of Windscribe Free’s 10 server locations 6 of them are able to unblock Netflix. They are:

  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Romania
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey

In theory, Windscribe’s free service should also offer the same fast speeds that premium customers enjoy.

In practice, however, Windscribe Free’s smaller network means that servers are often more congested, which can lead to slower speeds.

Our tests show that the speed drop can reach up to 30% at peak times. Nevertheless, we were always able to stream movies in HD using Windscribe Free.

Using the app is simple: just connect to one of those 6 VPN locations and you can start streaming its Netflix library.

There are no ads in the Windscribe Free apps, either. It is highly unusual to find a service this good that’s both free to use and doesn’t pester you with ads.

The downside is a 10GB monthly data limit. It’s generous, considering the software is free, and it’s one of the highest allowances among free VPNs.

But, 10GB only amounts to approximately four hours of HD streaming per month – roughly two average-length movies.

If you streamed Titanic, The Wolf of Wall Street, or other long movies, it would consume almost all your monthly data allowance in one sitting.

How to Use Windscribe for Netflix

To stream Netflix with Windscribe, you’ll need to:

  1. Get a Netflix account. The VPN enables you to view Netflix content from different countries, but it doesn’t give you free access.

  2. Create your Windscribe account. You need to provide a username and password. An email address is optional, but if you don’t provide one and confirm it, you won’t get enough data allowance to stream a film (just 2GB)

  3. Download and install Windscribe on your device.

  4. Start Windscribe. You may be asked to log in.

  5. Choose your server. By default, you’re connected to the fastest nearest server. Click this server to open a menu, where you can choose a different server location. Locations with stars beside them are reserved for paid subscribers.

  6. Turn on the VPN. Click or tap the big round ON button to switch on Windscribe.

  7. Log in to Netflix. Start streaming.

EXPERT TIP: To optimize Windscribe for Netflix, check the Unlock Streaming option is enabled within the My Account section of your app.

Windscribe Not Working with Netflix? Try These Tips

Based on our Windscribe tests, both Free and Pro versions reliably work with Netflix in 2024.

The streaming service is always working to try to enforce its VPN ban, though, so some servers may be identified and blocked from time to time.

The M7111-5059 Netflix error message means Netflix has spotted your attempt to spoof your location. “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy,” it says.

Netflix Error Code on macOS

Netflix’s ‘Pardon the interruption’ streaming error message.

To get around the Netflix VPN ban, try these workarounds and fixes:

1. Use a 10Gbps server

While all Windscribe servers are compatible with Netflix, we’ve observed better performance with servers marked with a ’10Gbps’ icon.

The vast majority of these servers are only accessible with a paid Windscribe subscription, meaning fewer users have access to them. This reduced usage makes it harder for Netflix to identify and block these server IP addresses, enhancing their likelihood of circumventing VPN detection.

2. Connect to a Different Server

Re-connecting to any new server may also solve the problem. Netflix generally blocks VPNs by identifying and blacklisting their servers’ IP addresses. While your current server has been blocked, it’s possible that others in the same region might still be working.

3. Disable Third-party Firewalls

Third-party software, such as firewalls, may be interfering with your connection. Navigate to your device’s settings and turn these off. Then try again to access Netflix.

4. Change the Connection Protocol

In the Preferences menu of your Windscribe app (under the Connection settings) you’ll be able to change which is being used. We found that WireGuard is the most effective for streaming.

5. Contact Customer Support

Windscribe’s customer support doesn’t include a live chat feature, which is a shame. But you can submit a ticket and wait for a reply.

We’ve found we usually get a response within a day, but we’re hoping Windscribe will improve its support service in the future.