How to watch Netflix USA in India

The US Netflix library has many new TV shows and movies you can’t get in any other country. US subscribers get a few hundred more movies and TV series than their Indian counterparts, despite paying a similar amount per month. So if you want to stream Netflix USA from India, you’ll need to convince Netflix that you’re in the US.

To do this, you’ll need a reliable VPN service that is capable of providing secure access to Netflix USA. I have compiled a list of VPNs that can do this below. However, if you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary of the best VPNs to watch Netlix USA in India:

  1. NordVPN: NordVPN is my top pick for providing access to Netflix USA. Its fast and secure and will let you stream without experiencing buffering. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee as well, ensuring that you can try the service risk-free.
  2. SurfsharkThis is a great budget option that can provide secure access to the US Netflix library. Its affordable and has servers in approximately 63 countries.
  3. ExpressVPNA solid streaming option that works with services like Netflix USA and Amazon Prime Video. Its fast and has strong security measures in place.
  4. CyberGhostHas a huge server network that is comprised of over 8,900 servers. It can effectively provide access to Netflix USA.
  5. PrivateVPNA newer service but it is very adept at providing secure access to a wide range of streaming services, including the US version of Netflix.
  6. IPVanish: Comes with advanced encryption and cloaking features. Its excellent speeds also make it a good contender for accessing Netflix securely.

How to securely access Netflix US with a VPN

You can change your location with a VPN, which encrypts all your internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server. By routing all your internet traffic through a VPN server in the US, Netflix will think you’re in the US and let you stream the American library. Using a VPN is easy. Just follow the steps below.

Here’s how to watch Netflix US in India with a VPN:

1. Sign up with a VPN provider. NordVPN is my top recommendation.
2. Download and install the VPN app onto your device.
3. Run the app and choose a server in the USA.
4. Connect to the server.
5. Open Netflix and you’ll automatically be directed to Netflix USA.

You should now be able to watch your favorite content. However, if you followed the above steps and are still finding an error message, try clearing your cache and cookies then reloading the page.

Not all VPNs work with Netflix. Netflix blacklists known VPN servers to prevent users from region-hopping. If you attempt to watch Netflix through a VPN that doesn’t work, you’ll get a proxy error message:

proxy error

“Whoops, something went wrong. Streaming error. You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”

Only a handful of VPNs can bypass Netflix’s anti-VPN policy. To help you avoid the proxy error and stream without any issues, I’ve selected the six best VPNs for watching Netflix USA from India based on the following criteria:

  • Works with Netflix
  • Fast speeds for HD streaming
  • Quick, helpful customer support
  • Strong security and no logs
  • Comes with a money-back guarantee

Note that even for the VPNs I recommend, not every server in the US will let you access Netflix USA. You may need to check with the provider’s customer support team or on its website to find out which specific servers to use.

You can find out more information about my methodology testing process further down in this article.

Best VPNs to watch Netflix USA from India

Based on the above criteria, here is my list of of the best VPNs to watch Neflix USA in India:

1. NordVPN

nordvpn

NordVPN is my top choice for accessing US Netflix in India. No matter which NordVPN server you connect to, all of them provide secure access to Netflix. If you connect to a server in a country whose Netflix library NordVPN can’t provide access to, the VPN will usually redirect you to the US version of Netflix. This makes watching US Netflix from India easier than ever. In addition to providing secure access to Netflix, NordVPN unblocks Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, among others. Speeds are the fastest I’ve seen, making this an excellent choice to stream in HD without buffering.

NordVPN doesn’t store any logs of what you do online. You get strong encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and even access to a few specialty servers for added security and anonymity.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. You can connect up to six devices at a time.

Pros:

  • Almost all servers provide secure access to Netflix
  • Superfast speeds
  • Strong security and no logs
  • Huge server network
  • 24/7 support

Cons:

  • The desktop app could be updated

BEST US NETFLIX VPN:NordVPN is the best VPN for providing secure access to multiple versions of Netflix. It’s incredibly fast and highly secure, plus you get a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a risk-free option.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark best VPN

Surfshark is a budget-friendly alternative that reliably provides secure access to Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. No matter which server you connect to in any country, it will enable access to Netflix. Many of them will automatically redirect you to Netflix USA, although over a dozen other local libraries are available. Speeds are plenty fast enough to stream in HD.

24/7 live chat support stands at the ready should you encounter any issues. The service doesn’t store any logs, and the app uses strong encryption combined with a kill switch to prevent any unencrypted traffic from leaking outside of the secure tunnel.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Surfshark is the only VPN on this list to allow an unlimited number of devices per account.

Pros:

  • All servers provide secure access to Netflix
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Strong security
  • Round-the-clock live support

Cons:

  • Customer service could improve

BEST BUDGET PICK:Surfshark is a low-cost alternative that provides secure access to Netflix US with ease from anywhere in the world. It includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. ExpressVPN

expressvpn

ExpressVPN operates several servers in the US that can reliably provide secure access to US Netflix from India. 24/7 live chat support is available to let you know which servers to pick. Subscribers get plenty of bandwidth for HD streaming and no buffering. Besides American Netflix, ExpressVPN also provides secure access to BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, and many other streaming services from abroad.

If the device you want to stream Netflix on doesn’t support VPN apps, you can alternatively use ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer smart DNS service. You can quickly set it up in the settings of game consoles, smart TVs, and some media streaming boxes.

Aside from streaming, ExpressVPN offers excellent security, including unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and robust leak prevention. It stores no identifying logs, so everything you do while connected stays private.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Linux, and certain wifi routers. You can connect five devices at a time.

Pros:

  • Works with Netflix and other streaming services
  • Fast enough to stream in HD
  • Great round-the-clock live chat support
  • Strong security

Cons:

  • Slightly more expensive than the competition

SECURE AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is a great all-round VPN that provides secure access to Netflix with ease. It’s backed up by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost privateVPN.

CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly option. When you first open the app, instead of a list of countries, you choose how you want to use the VPN. One of those options is streaming, and from there you can select a specific streaming service that you want to securely access. Netflix is among the many choices, which means you don’t have to guess at which servers work or ask customer services which to use. You can even leave simple thumbs up, thumbs down feedback on whether you were able to access the service.

CyberGhost gets a thumbs up all around from us. It has excellent security and it’s blazing fast, with even enough bandwidth to stream 4K HD on some servers.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android, and you can connect up to seven devices at the same time.

Pros:

  • Netflix servers are clearly labeled
  • Very fast
  • Top-tier security
  • Live chat support

Cons:

  • Apps can be a bit awkward

FAST AND SECURE:CyberGhost gets better every time I use it and it works great with Netflix. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN best private VPN

PrivateVPN is remarkable when it comes to unblocking. In fact, I haven’t found much geo-restricted content that it can’t unblock. It provides access to more local Netflix libraries than any other VPN on this list, Netflix USA included. It also works with BBC iPlayer and Hulu, among many other streaming sites. Speeds are great, so you should have no problem watching buffer-free HD streams.

The simple apps are locked down tight to keep your activity private and secure. The best servers for streaming video are clearly labeled in the app, so there’s no need for trial and error or querying customer support, although live chat is available should you need it.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. You may connect up to 10 devices at a time on a standard plan.

Pros:

  • Provides secure access to Netflix USA and many other Netflix libraries
  • Fast enough to stream in HD
  • Strong security and no logs
  • Simple, lightweight apps

Cons:

  • Smaller server network

UNBLOCK EVERYTHING:PrivateVPN is adept at unblocking geographically restricted content. Get a 30-day money-back guarantee when you join.

6. IPVanish

ipvanish

IPVanish is a secure platform with servers in 75 locations, including the US where it is based. It is great for streaming and has therefore been embraced by the Kodi community for several years. Its server speeds are also fast and it can successfully access Netflix US in India.

It includes solid security features such as 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. There is also an included traffic scrambling option. No logs are stored by this provider either.

IPVanish has apps available for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick, and Amazon Fire TV. Users can set it up manually on some routers and on Linux machines. You also have the option of connecting an unlimited number of devices with this service. There is a 24/7 live chat support service available too.

Pros:

  • Fast connection speeds
  • Unlimited number of connections allowed
  • No logs stored
  • Great option for Kodi users

Cons:

  • Some servers don’t work well with Netflix
  • Apps don’t work in China

GREAT CLOAKING ABILITY:IPVanish incorporates reliable location-evading technology without compromising on speed. Supports an unlimited number of simultaneous connections and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Testing methodology: the best VPNs for Netflix USA in India

There are many different VPN services available on the market. However, not all of them are up to the task of providing secure access to Netflix for users in India. I reviewed many different VPNs in order to identify one that is up to scratch and can provide secure access to the US Netflix library for users in India. Here are some of the factors that I considered when making my VPN choices:

  • Server location: To be able to bypass Netflix, the VPN must have US servers. Withouth this, acccess to the US Netflix library is impossible.
  • Ability to provide secure access to Netflix: The VPN services I chose can provide secure access to Netflix successfully. However, this isn’t possible with every VPN service out there. Some VPN services are unable to do this because of Netflix’s stringent measures against the use of VPNs to access the library of another country. Only top VPNs such as the ones that I recommended above are able to provide secure access to Netflix.
  • Speed: Fast connection speeds are necessary to make sure that users are able to stream Netflix without buffering. All of the VPNs that I recommended are fast enough to facilitate streaming shows from Netflix.
  • Security: In addition to accessing streaming services, VPNs are great security tools since they protect you while you’re online by encrypting your connection and ensuring that your browsing history is kept private. All of my recommended VPNs have 256-bit AES encryption and other security features such as kill switches to ensure the safety of users while they browse online.

Find out more about my VPN testing methodology.

FAQs: streaming Netflix USA in India

Can I use a free VPN to provide secure access to Netflix from India?

The vast majority of VPNs don't work with Netflix and will result in a proxy error in the video player. Even if you find one that works, it probably won't last long, as Netflix routinely adds known VPN servers to its blacklist. Paid providers can afford to stay a step ahead with fresh servers and IP addresses that haven't been blocked.

In addition, free VPNs are also slow due to high demand and server congestion. Many of them impose data caps or bandwidth limits, which result in frequent buffering and low-quality video. Some will require you to wait in a queue before connecting.

Free VPNs are also bad for privacy. They don't make money through subscription fees, so many free VPNs harvest usage data from users and sell it to third-party advertisers and data brokers. Some even carry malware that will damage your device or steal private data.

Stick to reputable paid VPNs if you want solid service without hassle or stress. There are several good cheap VPNs you can use if you're on a tight budget.

Netflix India vs Netflix USA: what's the difference?

As of Q4 2018, Netflix India has a total of 5,255 titles:

  • 1565 TV shows
  • 3690 movies

Netflix USA has 5,839 titles:

  • 1,716 TV shows
  • 4,123 movies

Some of the Netflix USA exclusives that you can't find on Netflix India include:

  • Avengers: Infinity War
  • The Seven Deadly Sins
  • Shameless
  • NCIS
  • Black Panther
  • American Horror Story
  • Death Note
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story
  • Dexter

Netflix is slightly cheaper in India. The most basic plan costs INR 500 (US$6.91) per month at the time of writing. In the US, prices start at $7.99 per month.

Are VPNs legal?

Yes, using a VPN is completely legal. However, using a VPN for illegal acts is not. Breaking the law while using a VPN doesn't get you off of the hook. With that being said, don't take anything in this article as legal advice.