🎬 LIVE RESULTS · TESTED MARCH 2026

Best VPN for Netflix UK 2026

We test every week. Netflix actively blocks VPNs β€” but these ones reliably unlock US Netflix, Netflix Japan, Netflix Australia and more from the UK.

βœ… Last tested: 7 March 2026 β€” NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark confirmed working
10
VPNs tested
5
Libraries unlocked
4
Currently reliable
Weekly
Test frequency
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Netflix πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Netflix Japan πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Netflix Australia πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Netflix Canada πŸ‡°πŸ‡· Netflix Korea

March 2026 Test Results

Tested from UK β€” accessing US Netflix and other libraries

βœ… RELIABLE
NordVPN
US, JP, AU, CA, KR
All libraries Β· 4K streaming βœ“
βœ… RELIABLE
ExpressVPN
US, JP, AU, CA
Lightway protocol Β· 4K βœ“
βœ… RELIABLE
Surfshark
US, JP, AU
Best value Β· unlimited devices
⚠️ VARIABLE
Proton VPN
US works (Stealth servers)
Other libraries inconsistent
❌ BLOCKED
CyberGhost
Error M7111-5059
Netflix detects all IPs
❌ BLOCKED
Free VPNs
100% blocked
Netflix blocks all free VPN IPs

⚠️ Getting error M7111-5059? Your VPN is detected

Netflix error M7111-5059 means Netflix has detected your VPN connection. This happens when your VPN's IP address appears on Netflix's blocklist β€” usually because too many accounts are streaming from the same IP. Only VPNs with regularly-rotated, premium IP pools can avoid this. Switch to NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.

Our Top VPNs for Netflix UK

These three consistently unblock Netflix libraries and maintain fast enough speeds for 4K. We've used them ourselves β€” they work.

πŸ† #1 Pick β€” Most Reliable
NordVPN
From Β£2.99/mo Β· 30-day money-back guarantee
βœ…
Netflix Status
820 Mbps
UK Speed
5+
Libraries
6,400+
Servers
76% Off
Current Deal

NordVPN is our top pick for Netflix in 2026. It unlocks more Netflix libraries than any other VPN we've tested β€” US, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and more β€” with consistent 4K playback and no buffering. NordVPN dedicates entire server clusters to streaming, with IP addresses that rotate out of Netflix's blocklist before they can be flagged.

What makes it different: NordVPN has a dedicated SmartDNS feature (NordVPN SmartPlay) that routes only your streaming traffic through their servers. This means your full broadband speed is used for video β€” no throttling, no speed loss. On a 100 Mbps connection, you'll stream 4K Netflix without dropping a frame.

  • βœ“ Unlocks: US, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, Italy
  • βœ“ SmartPlay DNS automatically optimises for streaming services
  • βœ“ Works on Smart TVs, Apple TV, Fire Stick, PS5, Xbox via SmartDNS (no app needed)
  • βœ“ Obfuscated servers in case Netflix tightens detection further
  • βœ“ 6 simultaneous connections β€” covers all your household devices
  • βœ“ 24/7 live chat support specifically trained on Netflix troubleshooting
πŸ₯ˆ #2 Pick β€” Fastest Speeds
ExpressVPN
From Β£5.52/mo Β· 30-day money-back guarantee
βœ…
Netflix Status
750 Mbps
US Speed
4+
Libraries
3,000+
Servers
49% Off
Current Deal

ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol delivers the fastest streaming speeds of any VPN we've tested. If you're streaming 4K HDR Netflix content, raw speed matters β€” and ExpressVPN consistently delivers 600–750 Mbps on US servers, more than enough for multiple simultaneous 4K streams.

  • βœ“ Unlocks: US, Japan, Australia, Canada β€” consistently reliable
  • βœ“ Lightway protocol: fastest streaming protocol available in 2026
  • βœ“ MediaStreamer SmartDNS for devices without VPN app support
  • βœ“ Servers optimised by usage β€” Netflix servers flagged and maintained separately
  • βœ“ Chrome, Firefox, Edge browser extensions for quick country switching
πŸ’š #3 Pick β€” Best Value
Surfshark
From Β£1.69/mo Β· 30-day money-back guarantee
βœ…
Netflix Status
500 Mbps
US Speed
3+
Libraries
Unlimited
Devices
82% Off
Current Deal

Surfshark is the best-value option if you have a large household or multiple devices. Unlimited simultaneous connections means every phone, tablet, laptop, and TV in your home is covered under one subscription β€” at a price that undercuts every competitor. Netflix US, Japan, and Australia all work reliably.

  • βœ“ Unlimited simultaneous connections β€” best for families or multiple devices
  • βœ“ Unlocks US Netflix, Netflix Japan, Netflix Australia consistently
  • βœ“ Nexus technology routes through multiple servers for more reliable IPs
  • βœ“ CleanWeb feature blocks Netflix pre-roll ads on supported browsers
  • βœ“ 82% off current deal β€” lowest price per month of any reliable Netflix VPN

Which Netflix Libraries Does Each VPN Unlock?

Netflix has different content libraries in each country. US Netflix has the largest selection β€” around 5,800 titles vs the UK's 5,400. Japan has exclusive anime and K-drama. Here's what each VPN unlocks:

VPN πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Netflix πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Japan πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada πŸ‡°πŸ‡· Korea Avg Speed
NordVPN βœ… Reliable βœ… Reliable βœ… Reliable βœ… Reliable βœ… Reliable 820 Mbps
ExpressVPN βœ… Reliable βœ… Reliable βœ… Reliable βœ… Reliable ⚠️ Variable 750 Mbps
Surfshark βœ… Reliable βœ… Reliable βœ… Reliable ⚠️ Variable ❌ Blocked 500 Mbps
Proton VPN ⚠️ Variable ❌ Blocked ⚠️ Variable ❌ Blocked ❌ Blocked 320 Mbps
CyberGhost ❌ Blocked ❌ Blocked ❌ Blocked ❌ Blocked ❌ Blocked –
Free VPNs ❌ Blocked ❌ Blocked ❌ Blocked ❌ Blocked ❌ Blocked –

Note: Library availability changes. Netflix actively updates its blocklists, and VPNs adapt to stay ahead. We update this table weekly based on live testing. If a VPN you're using has stopped working, it's likely been added to Netflix's blocklist β€” try a different server or switch to one of our top picks.

Full VPN Comparison β€” Netflix Features

VPN Price/mo Netflix US 4K Support SmartDNS Devices Guarantee
πŸ† NordVPN Β£2.99 βœ… Yes βœ… Yes βœ… Yes 6 30 days
ExpressVPN Β£5.52 βœ… Yes βœ… Yes βœ… Yes 8 30 days
Surfshark Β£1.69 βœ… Yes βœ… Yes βœ… Yes Unlimited 30 days
Proton VPN £3.99 ⚠️ Variable ⚠️ Variable ❌ No 10 30 days
CyberGhost £1.99 ❌ Blocked ❌ No ❌ No 7 45 days
IPVanish £3.00 ❌ Blocked ❌ No ❌ No Unlimited 30 days

How to Watch US Netflix from the UK β€” Step by Step

Once you've signed up for NordVPN (or your chosen VPN), unblocking US Netflix takes less than 2 minutes:

1

Download the NordVPN app

Available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV Stick, Android TV. Log in with your account details.

2

Connect to a US server

In the app, click "United States" or use the search bar to find US servers. Any US server will give you access to US Netflix β€” try "United States #1" for best speed from the UK.

3

Open Netflix in your browser or app

Go to netflix.com or open the Netflix app. You should see the US Netflix homepage with American titles. If you still see UK Netflix, clear your browser cookies and try again.

4

Search for what you want to watch

Browse the US library or search for the specific show or film you want. US Netflix has around 5,800 titles β€” considerably more than the UK library.

5

Switching libraries

To switch to another library (Japan, Australia, etc.), simply disconnect from the US server and connect to a server in the target country. Netflix will show that country's library automatically.

πŸ’‘ Pro tip: Use SmartPlay for Smart TVs

If you want US Netflix on a Smart TV, Apple TV, or gaming console that doesn't support VPN apps, use NordVPN's SmartPlay SmartDNS feature. Configure it in your router or TV DNS settings β€” no VPN app required, and it doesn't slow down your connection at all.

Getting error M7111-5059 even with a VPN?

This error means Netflix has flagged your VPN's IP. Try these fixes:

Why UK Viewers Use a VPN for Netflix

The UK Netflix library is good β€” but it's not the same as what's available elsewhere. There are a few common reasons people in the UK use a VPN with Netflix:

Access US Netflix's larger library

US Netflix has around 5,800 titles. UK Netflix has around 5,400. The gap isn't huge, but it's enough to matter β€” particularly for American originals, older films, and certain TV series that have regional rights restrictions. Shows like The Office (US) are still only on US Netflix in some regions.

Watch anime on Netflix Japan

Netflix Japan has the best anime catalogue of any Netflix region. Titles that haven't been licensed for international release β€” or have limited availability elsewhere β€” appear first (and sometimes only) on Netflix Japan. If you're an anime fan, this alone is worth the VPN.

Access earlier release dates

Netflix sometimes staggers releases across regions. US Netflix often gets new seasons or films 24–48 hours before the UK version. With a VPN, you don't have to wait.

Use Netflix while travelling abroad

The most common use case β€” if you're on holiday and want to access UK Netflix, you need a VPN to connect to a UK server. Without it, you'll get the local country's Netflix library, which may have different (and fewer) titles.

πŸ“‹ Is using a VPN with Netflix against the rules?

Netflix's terms of service say you should only access content available in your region. Using a VPN technically violates this. In practice, Netflix has never banned or sued an individual user for using a VPN β€” the worst that happens is the error M7111-5059 message. That said, it's worth being aware of the terms you've agreed to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Netflix ban accounts for using a VPN?
No. Netflix blocks VPN IP addresses, not accounts. If your VPN's IP is detected, you get error M7111-5059 β€” but your account is untouched. Switch servers or switch to a reliable VPN like NordVPN and you're back online in seconds.
Why does Netflix block VPNs in the first place?
Content licensing. Netflix licenses shows and films on a country-by-country basis. A studio might sell Netflix the rights to show something in the UK but not in the US (or vice versa). If anyone anywhere could access any library, those regional licensing agreements would be worthless β€” and studios would stop selling to Netflix at all. So Netflix is contractually obligated to try to enforce geo-restrictions.
Will a VPN slow down Netflix streaming?
A good VPN causes minimal speed loss β€” typically 10–20% on a premium VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. If your broadband is 100 Mbps, you'll still have 80–90 Mbps after connecting through the VPN. Netflix 4K requires around 25 Mbps, so even with speed loss you'll have more than enough for 4K HDR streaming.
Can I use a free VPN to access Netflix?
No. Netflix blocks all free VPN IP addresses β€” their ranges are well-known and permanently blacklisted. Free VPNs also typically cap speeds at 2–5 Mbps, nowhere near enough for HD streaming. Don't waste time on free VPNs for Netflix; they won't work.
Does NordVPN work on my Smart TV?
Yes β€” in a few ways. NordVPN has a native app for Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and some Samsung TVs. For Apple TV, older Samsung TVs, and other smart TVs, you can use NordVPN's SmartPlay SmartDNS feature β€” configure it in your TV's DNS settings (no app needed). Alternatively, you can install NordVPN on your router and all devices on your network are covered automatically.
Do I need a subscription to watch US Netflix from the UK?
Yes β€” you still need your existing Netflix subscription. A VPN changes your apparent location so Netflix shows you a different library, but it doesn't bypass the paywall. You pay for Netflix as normal; the VPN just lets you switch between regional libraries.
Which Netflix library has the most content?
US Netflix typically has the largest library with around 5,800+ titles. Japan is second for anime content specifically. The UK library is around 5,400 titles. Canada, Australia, and other regions typically sit between 4,500–5,000 titles. Content changes monthly as licences expire and new ones are negotiated.

Ready to Unlock Every Netflix Library?

NordVPN unlocks US Netflix, Netflix Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and more. 30-day money-back guarantee β€” no risk.

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