Tested: Surfshark with Netflix US and 13 Other Countries – Updated in 2023
I really like using Surfshark to stream Netflix. It easily unblocks the service and allows you to access the content that you paid for even while traveling abroad. Plus, with support for unlimited devices, it was easy to protect all of my favorite streaming devices at once without having to compromise.
Surfshark was able to successfully unblock Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more. In addition, it unblocks a total of 10 different Netflix libraries in Australia, India, Italy, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Mexico, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Don’t take my word for it though. Surfshark is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee so if you’re not satisfied, you can get a full refund within 30 days. When I tested it myself, I got my refund approved in minutes and the money returned in just 5 days.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Netflix From Anywhere in 2023
- Get a VPN like Surfshark for Netflix. Surfshark can regularly avoid Netflix’s proxy detection (in most cases), plus its fast speeds and unlimited device connections make it ideal for streaming.
- Connect to a VPN server. When abroad, you can access your local Netflix account by choosing a server in your home country.
- Go to the Netflix app or website and log in. Now you’re ready to start streaming your favorite shows and movies from anywhere!
Which Netflix Libraries Can Surfshark Access?
As Netflix has improved its proxy-detection technology, more and more of Surfshark’s servers are blocked from the service. But this is the case with even the top VPNs on the market. Surfshark regularly improves its servers and ensures that it adapts to any changes in detection that Netflix makes.
Surfshark has had problems in the past with accessing Netflix, but I was pleased to find that it was able to access the vast majority of local libraries that were tested. Surfshark’s servers in Poland, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan had intermittent success with Netflix.
Some servers would connect while others were detected by Netflix. This is likely due to a handful of blacklisted IP addresses that Netflix automatically recognizes as coming from a VPN. However, Surfshark did reliably access libraries in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
The good news is that if your household enjoys streaming as you won’t have to worry about significant drops in quality. Even if your speed drops with a lot of simultaneous connections, you should still be able to stream UHD-quality videos.
Is Surfshark Fast Enough to Watch Netflix?
According to Netflix, the speed requirements for streaming content are:
- 0.5Mbps — Required broadband connection speed
- 1.5Mbps — Recommended broadband connection speed
- 3Mbps — SD quality
- 5Mbps — HD quality
- 25Mbps — UHD quality
When I first tested Surfshark, I was a little suspicious about its claim to support an unlimited number of devices. What you’ll often find is that speeds significantly slow down when you connect more devices to the VPN.
But I was surprised — Surfshark’s speeds remained fast even when I connected 3 devices at once. I first connected my Windows laptop and ran a speed test. Then I connected my iPhone and iPad and ran the speed test again. My speed dropped by 20%, which is a relatively small decrease and won’t make a huge impact on your overall speed.
Even with these speed drops, I had a stable and fast enough connection to stream my favorite content in UHD without issues.
What If Surfshark Stops Working with Netflix?
If you can’t unblock Netflix or Surfshark is giving you the Netflix proxy error message, here are a few suggestions you can try:
- Connect to a different server. This often solves the problem straight away.
- Contact customer support. Ask for a list of the latest servers that work with Netflix.
- Change your VPN protocol. Protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 are fast, secure, and suitable for streaming.
- Clear your cache. Then relaunch your browser or the Netflix app.
- Get a Netflix VPN. If you’re still struggling with Surfshark, it’s probably time
- Get another VPN that’s proven to work with Netflix. In my tests, ExpressVPN consistently connects to Netflix, as well as CyberGhost and Private Internet Access.
Stream Netflix with ExpressVPN
The Best VPNs for Netflix — Full Test Results in March 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Blazing-Fast Speeds on Global Server Network for Netflix
Key Features:
- Access to 18+ Netflix libraries
- 3000+ servers in 94+ countries
- Super-fast speeds and unlimited data to stream as much as you want
- Stream Netflix on 5 simultaneous devices
- 24/7 customer service over live chat and email
- 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is the top VPN for Netflix and can access libraries in more than 18 countries. My team and I tested multiple regions, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, and the US. ExpressVPN could easily access Netflix in all of these countries with no proxy error messages.
I was particularly impressed with ExpressVPN’s fast speeds, which allowed for smooth, lag-free Netflix streaming on all connections. I used ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol for every connection as it gave me the fastest speeds with the highest level of security and anonymity. Using ExpressVPN, speeds never dropped more than 21% from my base speed of 115Mbps — my slowest speed connected to Australia was 89Mbps, more than enough for Ultra HD streaming.
ExpressVPN has excellent device compatibility so you can stream Netflix from anywhere. You can use the service Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, and also configure ExpressVPN with your Smart TV, streaming devices like Roku, and compatible routers.
There’s even a MediaStreamer feature for devices that don’t support VPN apps, which lets you change your DNS settings to access Netflix in other locations. I found it easy to configure with my router so I could start streaming Netflix straight away.
While it’s a little more pricey than other options at $6.67 on the 1-year + 3 months plan, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for reliable connections to Netflix US, Japan, the UK, and other popular locations. You’ll get fast speeds, top-tier security, and total data privacy with every connection.
If you’d like to try the service yourself, you can test ExpressVPN with Netflix risk-free for 30 days. ExpressVPN is backed by a money-back guarantee, so if you’re not satisfied for any reason you can get a full refund. I was surprised by how easy the process was — I contacted the 24/7 live chat and the agent arranged my refund in less than 3 minutes. I had my full refund back in just 5 days.
ExpressVPN also unblocks: Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, HBO Max, Showtime, Discover Plus, Peacock TV, CBS All Access, ESPN, DAZN, NFL Network, and more.
ExpressVPN works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Samsung TV, LG Smart TV, Apple TV, Roku, Kodi, and more.
March 2023 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan (you can save up to 49%) + 3 months free! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — Dedicated Netflix Servers Guarantee Reliable Connections Worldwide
Key Features:
- Unblocks Netflix in more than 7 locations
- 9736+ servers in 91+ countries
- Unlimited data and bandwidth, with reliable speeds for smooth streaming
- Supports up to 7 devices at the same time
- 24/7 customer support with live chat, email, knowledge base, and FAQs
- 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost’s optimized Netflix servers make it so easy to connect to the service without getting the proxy error message. These dedicated servers are available in 7 locations — France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden, the UK, and the US — for quick access to Netflix’s most popular streaming regions. During tests, my team and I had no issues connecting to these servers and streaming with our local Netflix accounts.
I was pleased to find CyberGhost supports the WireGuard protocol on all of its apps, as I’ve found this protocol often provides the best speeds for streaming. When using CyberGhost’s optimized servers and WireGuard, I had speeds of around 70Mbps on average, which is a drop of 39%. My speeds were fast enough for buffer-free Netflix streaming on all CyberGhost server connections.
CyberGhost supports up to 7 connections at the same time, so the whole family can stream Netflix easily. Its apps are easy to download and install on multiple devices, and it supports most Smart TVs, including Samsung, LG, and Apple TVs. I could also configure CyberGhost with my router so I could connect devices that don’t support VPNs and stream Netflix.
While CyberGhost’s speeds are mostly solid for smooth Netflix streaming, I noticed a significant slowdown when connecting to distant servers. My speeds dropped by 60% when using an Australian server — this didn’t cause an issue for me, but if your regular ISP speeds are slower you could notice a big decrease in stream quality. Make sure you connect to the closest physical server in your chosen location and use the WireGuard protocol for the best speeds.
I recommend you sign up for CyberGhost’s 2-year + 3 months-plan for only $2.11 per month. It’s the most affordable monthly plan and you’ll be protected by the [VDS: MBG]-day money-back guarantee, which only applies to subscriptions of 6 months or more.
The money-back guarantee is a great way to stream Netflix with CyberGhost risk-free for up to 45 days. If you change your mind later, you can get a full refund. I tested the refund process and it only took a couple of minutes to arrange with a customer support representative over 24/7 live chat. I had my money back in a week.
CyberGhost also unblocks: Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, HBO Max, Showtime, Discover Plus, Peacock TV, CBS All Access, ESPN, NFL Network, and more.
CyberGhost works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Samsung TV, LG Smart TV, Apple TV, Roku, Kodi, and more.
March 2023 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.11 per month + get extra 3 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Private Internet Access — Huge Server Network for Quick and Easy Netflix Connections
Key Features:
- Reliable access to Netflix in 6 locations
- Huge network of 35000+ servers in 84+ countries
- Good speeds for most servers — unlimited bandwidth and data
- Supports up to unlimited simultaneous device connections
- 24/7 live chat and email support, with FAQs and setup guides online
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Private Internet Access (PIA) has an enormous network of servers, with more than 35000 connections to choose from. Many servers are in the US, making it a top choice for Netflix US content. During tests, my team and I could also stream Netflix in Canada, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the UK. It was as simple as choosing the Netflix country and clicking connect — there were no issues with server congestion.
I was pleased to find PIA’s speeds were good for smooth, lag-free Netflix streaming on most connections. I used the WireGuard protocol with Netflix, as this is a lightweight option that keeps speeds fast and is less likely to be detected by proxy technology. My speeds dropped on average from 115Mbps to 63Mbps — around 45%, which is a bigger drop than other VPNs. PIA can struggle to keep speeds above 30Mbps over long distances, so I recommend choosing the closest server for the best stream quality.
PIA supports Netflix streaming on up to unlimited devices at the same time. All of these connections can be to different servers, giving you global access to your favorite content and your local Netflix account. However, I found PIA isn’t natively supported on most Smart TVs, Amazon Fire devices, or streaming devices like Roku. This makes streaming Netflix on your TV trickier, as you have to configure your router instead of using a plug-and-play app. It took me a little time to set up my PIA router connection, but streaming on Netflix was easy once setup was complete.
That said, PIA is the cheapest Netflix VPN at only $2.11 a month on the 2-year + 3 months plan. It’s a great deal if you want to save on a VPN.
To try PIA with Netflix for yourself risk-free, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. When I tested the process, the 24/7 live chat agent asked if I wanted to reconsider before canceling — I confirmed that I wanted a refund and it was arranged promptly. I had my money back in less than a week.
PIA also unblocks: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Showtime, Discover Plus, Peacock TV, CBS All Access, ESPN, NFL Network, and more.
PIA works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Kodi, routers, and more.
March 2023 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as 2.11$ per month + get extra 3 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 82%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here!
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
Key Features:
- Short and long-term subscriptions available
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 5456+ global servers in 60 countries
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Protect up to 6 devices at once
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly.
I was particularly impressed with the high performance of every server I tested. Just because a VPN has thousands of servers doesn’t mean they all work. Servers can still struggle to unblock local sites — and some can even fail to connect completely. However, I easily unblocked Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max on multiple servers in the US and UK.
I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.
NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
- AES 256-bit encryption
- A kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly
- Built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker
- Fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server.
With plans that cost as little as $3.29 per month, it's easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days.
NordVPN unblocks: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, SkyTV, HBO Max, SHOWTIME, DAZN, ESPN, YouTube TV, and more
NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
FAQs: Watching Netflix With a VPN
Is Surfshark any good for Netflix?
Surfshark used to be good for Netflix, but recently the service has been struggling to bypass Netflix’s proxy detection. There are a few Netflix servers Surfshark still works with, but many locations are unavailable. It can also take several attempts to connect to the working servers, which is frustrating.
Instead of spending time trying multiple connections, I suggest using a VPN that consistently connects on the first attempt. ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming Netflix, with reliable access to more than 18 Netflix libraries. ExpressVPN also has top speeds for lag-free streaming, plus it can unblock other services like Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
Why am I getting the Netflix error with Surfshark?
As Netflix updates its proxy-detection technology, more of Surfshark’s servers are blocked from the service — meaning you get the Netflix error message more often. There are a few ways you can fix this issue with Surfshark, but sometimes Netflix has already detected and blocked the IP addresses Surfshark uses.
If you find you’re continuously getting the Netflix error with Surfshark, I recommend trying a different VPN instead. A service like CyberGhost has dedicated Netflix servers that are regularly tested by CyberGhost staff to ensure smooth, reliable connections to the site — with no Netflix error messages.
Surfshark Is Good for Netflix
While Surfshark can reliably stream Netflix, it also has several features that secure and protect your online activity:
- AES-256-bit encryption and data leak protection, plus RAM-based servers
- Multi-hop and static IP options
- Ad and malware blocker
- Unlimited device connections
- 24/7 customer support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
However, ExpressVPN includes all the features above plus it can more reliably accessNetflix. You can try ExpressVPN with Netflix risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, it’s quick and easy to get a full refund.
If you want to read more about other great VPNs for Netflix, check out this list of the best VPNs in 2023.
