Even if you have a Netflix subscription, you won’t be able to access its US catalog unless you’re located in America. The streaming giant has to comply with licensing agreements, due to which every country has its own library of content.
Netflix is available in 190+ countries worldwide, but the most popular catalog belongs to the US – it has the best movies and TV shows for your viewing pleasure! Fortunately, you can easily solve this problem with the right tool.
Proxies and VPNs are the most commonly used solutions for bypassing geo-restrictions, but which one is the best for US Netflix? Read on to find out more:
What is a Proxy?
A proxy serves as a middleman between your device and the internet. It partially anonymizes your online activity by masking your IP address and location but isn’t as secure as a VPN. You can click here for more info regarding proxies and VPNs.
That’s because proxies don’t secure your data using top-of-the-line encryption and lack the must-have security features you get with a VPN.
Once you connect to a proxy, your traffic is transmitted to its server, which obtains the data from the website you’re attempting to access, and transmits it back to your device.
Can I Watch US Netflix with a Proxy?
Although proxies are often used to circumvent geo-restrictions and access streaming services, they’re not capable of bypassing the anti-proxy measures employed by companies such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu.
Premium VPNs are always finding clever ways to get around VPN blocks, but the same can’t be said about proxies. They lag behind by a great margin, and it’s difficult to come across any that can still unblock US Netflix.
Pros & Cons of Using a Proxy
Pros:
- Proxies don’t require client software and won’t impact the performance of your device, making them ideal for outdated systems with limited resources.
- Proxies conceal your real IP address and location for better online anonymity.
Cons:
- Due to Little or no encryption and limited security, you can’t rely on proxies to access US Netflix and other streaming services.
- Your real IP address could leak as proxies lack essential features like DNS leak protection and an internet kill switch.
- Setting up a proxy and switching server locations requires some technical know-how.
What is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) conceals your true IP address and makes it appear as if you’re accessing the internet from another location.
When you connect to a VPN, it encrypts your traffic and routes it via a tunnel to a remote server, which then routes it to your intended destination.
This not only prevents your online activities from being traced back to you but also stops third parties like governments, ISPs, and hackers from seeing what you’re doing on the internet.
Pros & Cons of Using a VPN
Pros:
- VPNs use robust encryption and other security features to protect your data and provide unrestricted, private access to streaming services like US Netflix.
- VPNs enable you to bypass ISP throttling for a faster streaming experience.
- Unlike proxies, VPNs can easily be set up on most devices (including routers for network-wide protection).
- VPNs reliably mask your IP address, DNS queries, and traffic for greater online anonymity.
Cons:
- You’ll have to pay for a subscription every month or yearly, depending on the contract you choose.
- The encryption process might slow down your speed, but the difference is barely noticeable with top-tier VPNs.
Can I Watch US Netflix with a VPN?
VPNs are the best way to bypass the geo-restrictions imposed by streaming services. Though VPN blocks are used to prevent users from accessing content they’re not allowed to, VPN providers offer plenty of options to circumvent these roadblocks without raising any red flags.
Besides giving you the ability to change servers, ports, and protocols, some VPNs offer dedicated IP addresses and obfuscated servers to help you bypass blockers and unblock US Netflix and other platforms. Others have dedicated servers available for each streaming service.
Final Word
If you want to stream US Netflix from anywhere in the world, using a VPN rather than a proxy is your best bet. However, not all VPNs are created equally, which is why you should do your due diligence research before signing up for any service.
