Netflix is among the best-known streaming services. It offers a vast library of movies and shows, and despite not being perfect, the platform is usually the first choice when you feel like catching a flick.
But what happens when you set out to watch a certain title and can't find it on Netflix? But then you search to see where it's available, and you discover it is, in fact, on Netflix, just not in your region.
Do you look for it elsewhere, or do you use a VPN? How do you do that, and is it even legal? Let's explore.
You Can Use a VPN With Netflix
First off, if you already know what VPNs are, you probably already know you can use them with Netflix, but it isn't as easy as you may think.
In 2016, Netflix declared it no longer supported its users turning to VPNs or virtual private networks. So it implemented certain blocks to ensure its users don't bypass geo-blocking and stay in their own country's library.
You should avoid using free VPNs for Netflix, as they don't work as well. Even some paid ones fail to get the job done. If you're looking for the best VPN for Netflix, which would let you switch between countries and view their Netflix content, try ExpressVPN. It offers the best service for the task, and you won't be disappointed.
To switch between countries, all you have to do is launch your VPN, select the country, and then load Netflix. That's it.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN With Netflix?
At the time of this writing, the US has no laws that make it illegal to use a VPN with Netflix. So although some people equate the use of a VPN to piracy, that's not the case at all.
Piracy would be if you downloaded copyrighted material illegally. By using a VPN with Netflix, you're accessing geo-blocked content that you'd otherwise not been able to access. Is it illegal? No. Is that morally questionable? We'll talk about that in just a moment.
You should note that though that's the case in the US, other countries' laws can differ. So, be wary when you're outside of the US and trying to use Netflix with a VPN.
Is It Moral to Use a VPN With Netflix?
For content to get used and be available for viewing in a specific region, it must be licensed. Netflix pays to have certain content available for viewing in certain countries. That's why the platform's catalog differs from country to country.
But what if you want to watch something that's not licensed in the US? If you want to watch a show that's only available outside the US, you'd have to bypass geo-blocking and trick your account that you're actually in a different country, so you'll get that country's Netflix library.
Is that wrong? Maybe it's a bit questionable, but you're not doing anything illegal as established. Using VPNs is still a much better option than resorting to piracy, which is, in fact, illegal.
What Happens if You Get Caught Using a VPN With Netflix?
Looking at the platform's terms of service page, section 4.3. and 4.6. are the most relevant to the prospect of using VPNs with your Netflix account and the direct consequence of getting caught.
Section 4.3. states that you should only view the content available in your own account's geographic location, where said content is licensed. And section 4.6. declares your agreement not to try to ‘‘circumvent, remove, alter, deactivate, degrade or thwart any of the content protections in the Netflix service’’ for fear of losing access to your account.
Yes, Netflix states in its terms and conditions that a consequence of using a VPN with your account would be the termination or restriction of your account ‘‘if you violate these Terms of Use or are engaged in illegal or fraudulent use of the service.’’
Has Netflix executed its threat and done that before? The web says no. Could they do that? Technically, yes, though it's unlikely. Netflix would much rather retain a paying customer than lose out on a subscription for any reason that's not piracy.
While nothing may happen if you use a VPN, Netflix still has the right to deny you access to your account if it wants to.
There’s More Than One Way to Netflix
Whether you feel guilty about it or not, using a VPN for Netflix is perfectly legal. You may use it to expand your viewing choices or catch a specific feature that's not available in your country's library anymore. Either way, you are legally allowed to do it. Whether it's morally okay is up to you.
You do need to consider that using a VPN to bypass the platform's geo-blocking puts you in direct opposition to Netflix's terms of service. You agreed to those terms and conditions, and by breaking them, Netflix will be within its right to punish you.
If that's a risk you're willing to take, take it, and if it's not, you have to find another way to watch geo-blocked videos without a VPN.