If you live in Canada or are traveling there, you have access to an impressive catalog of movies and shows on Netflix. However, this catalog isn’t as comprehensive as the one you’d have access to if you were south of the border. Even worse, you’re stuck with the local flavor due to licensing agreements. As a result, you cannot watch Netflix US in Canada.
That’s because the streaming service places geographical restrictions on the selection of titles available in each country or region. It’s why shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and American Horror Story are missing on Netflix Canada.
Luckily, the best VPNs open up access to Netflix’s exclusive libraries, including the US one, so you can watch all the content you’re interested in. All it takes is a quality provider and a few simple steps. This article will show you how to access Netflix’s American library from Canada.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch Netflix US in Canada
Many assume that the United States has the most extensive Netflix catalog in the world. In fact, it’s not in the top 20 libraries in terms of movies and TV shows combined. And yet, the American Netflix library is the most desired, thanks to its diverse array of exclusive titles and critically acclaimed originals.
What sets the American Netflix apart? It’s all about the variety. The collection is a true range of entertainment, from blockbuster movies that dominate the box office to niche indie films that cater to every cinematic taste.
But here’s the catch — this enticing catalog is reserved exclusively for viewers within the United States. It remains out of reach and locked behind geographical barriers for Netflix users in Canada or anywhere else outside the country. While Canada’s library is impressive, it falls short of its southern neighbor and lacks some widely followed movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
That’s where a VPN comes in. When you connect to a VPN server in the United States from Canada or anywhere else, it masks your actual IP address and gets you an American IP address.
You can access the country’s Netflix website or app if it’s a top provider. Seeing your virtual location as within the US, the streaming service grants you access to its full catalog there.
How to Watch Netflix US in Canada (In-Depth Tutorial)
Unlocking the content on Netflix US while in Canada is simpler than you might think. Follow this 4-step guide to start streaming your favorite American content:
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN
Begin by selecting a reputable VPN service that offers servers in the United States. You want a provider known for its speed, security, and device compatibility. Many VPNs offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee to help you get started. We recommend ExpressVPN.
Step 2: Install and Set Up Your VPN
Visit the VPN provider’s website and select a subscription plan that suits your needs. Create an account and complete payment for the plan. Download and install the VPN app on your device by following the provided link and on-screen instructions.
Step 3: Connect to a US Server
Launch the app and connect to a server located in the United States. This will assign you an American IP address and establish an encrypted connection. Make sure the VPN is active before proceeding.
Step 4: Access Netflix US from Canada
Visit the Netflix website or app with your virtual location set to the United States. Log in to your account as usual, and you can now access the complete Netflix US library while in Canada.
The Best VPNs to Watch Netflix US in Canada
There are many different VPN services available, but they are not all created equal. When choosing a VPN to watch Netflix US in Canada, you need to make sure that it has an extensive network of servers, can bypass Netflix’s geo-blocks, offers fast and reliable speeds, and is easy to use.
Netflix is known for its usually successful efforts at blocking VPNs. However, these four providers get you past those geo-blocks and let you enjoy Netflix US in Canada.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is not only the best VPN to watch the American version of Netflix from anywhere; it’s arguably the best provider on the market overall.
With over 3000 servers in more than 94 countries overall, it ensures you have a plethora of options to connect to, guaranteeing excellent streaming speeds and minimal lag.
That includes a sizeable network of servers strategically located across the United States.
ExpressVPN has no specialized streaming servers, but that’s no big deal on this VPN. It allows effortless access to Netflix US on its regular servers located in the country. Connecting to any of them lets you through to exclusive content immediately.
But ExpressVPN is just as capable with other Netflix libraries, as well as those on other major streaming services, like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. Thanks to breakneck connection speeds, you can binge-watch your favorite content in 4K resolution and higher without experiencing any lags.
Bypassing Netflix blocks is all well and fine, but privacy and security are the paramount concern — and ExpressVPN doesn’t disappoint. It employs AES 256-bit encryption, the industry standard for protecting your data from prying eyes. It also features a strict no-logs policy, an automatic kill switch, leak protection, and several other advanced tools.
ExpressVPN offers user-friendly apps for various devices, making it easy to set up and use. If you have any issues or questions, there’s 24/7 customer support through live chat.
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2. NordVPN
NordVPN is a powerhouse in the VPN industry, and for good reason. It offers a massive network of servers, comprising 5,800+ in 60 countries.
Its American collection is impressive, with nearly 2,000 servers in 16 locations nationwide, so you’ll have no shortage of options for watching US Netflix from Canada or anywhere else.
The provider is a master at bypassing geo-restrictions. Its servers consistently bypass geo-restrictions, allowing you to seamlessly access the entire Netflix US library without hiccups.
And when you decide to stream videos from other libraries, you’re only a few clicks away. Watching videos on Netflix UK, Korea, or Australia is just as easy as switching to a server in those countries. When you travel overseas, NordVPN lets you follow your favorite content from home on Netflix Canada, even when you’re very far away.
In addition, it provides a gateway to movies, shows, and more on global streamers like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max.
NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN services on the market. Thanks to high-bandwidth infrastructure and a custom protocol, you can expect smooth connections when you hop on a US server from Canada.
While it’s excellent at other aspects, keeping your online traffic safe and private is NordVPN’s bread and butter. It implements military-grade encryption to protect your data and comes with a kill switch and IP/DNS protection. RAM-only servers wipe clean after each reboot, erasing any traces of your internet session.
NordVPN has broad compatibility, supporting all the major platforms and devices. This will come in very handy, as you’ll be able to watch Netflix US from Canada on any of your devices. Finally, NordVPN provides 24/7 customer support to address streaming-related concerns or general queries.
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is another great VPN to watch Netflix US in Canada, offering affordable pricing and easy-to-use apps. It also comes with a monster of a server network with more than 9,600 in 91 countries. Of that, 1284 are spread across 11 locations in the United States.
The provider offers dedicated servers for torrenting, online gaming, and streaming. Some of those servers are optimized for US Netflix. Connecting to any of them lets you watch exclusive videos from Canada or anywhere else in the world.
The American version aside, it also has optimized servers for a bunch of other Netflix libraries, including Canada, the UK, France, Japan, India, and Australia. And if you decide to switch to Prime Video, Hulu, or other streaming platforms, you’ll have no hassles bearing the geo-fences on them, too.
Thanks to 10 Gbps servers and protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, CyberGhost’s speeds are sufficient to stream content in HD quality and higher.
Security-wise, it has your online traffic covered. Bank-level encryption, an airtight kill switch, and advanced features come along to keep your data secure while you stream. Plus, its no-logs policy has undergone third-party audits, so there’s no chance it stores identifiable logs on its servers.
CyberGhost has user-friendly apps for computers, smartphones, streaming devices, and more. It offers comprehensive support around the clock to assist with inquiries and issues. Support will be of great help if you ever have trouble getting the VPN to work on Netflix.
4. Surfshark
It’s the budget VPN to watch Netflix US in Canada — but Surfshark is much more than cheap long-term pricing.
For instance, its extensive global coverage encompasses 100 countries, more than any other provider on this list. Surfshark has 3,200+ servers overall, and more than 600 of them are spread across 25 American cities.
In addition, Surfshark is a quality streaming VPN. The provider breezes past the geo-restrictions on high-profile streaming services like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and HBO Max.
It also lets you switch your Netflix region from Canada to the US so you can enjoy the wide range of content available there.
Surfshark doesn’t make a huge dent in your internet connection speed. You can binge-watch your favorite show in HD or higher quality, with little to no buffering.
The provider prioritizes your data’s privacy and security. AES 256-bit encryption scrambles your data so hackers cannot read it. It also comes with a kill switch to prevent exposure. And while it may be affordable, there are many advanced features in Surfshark’s toolkit.
Surfshark supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and streaming devices and places no limits on simultaneous connections. You can contact customer support 24/7 through live chat and email.
Can You Watch Netflix US in Canada With a Free VPN?
The idea of enjoying premium content without spending a dime is enticing. However, the chance of a free VPN unblocking Netflix US from Canada or anywhere else is quite slim.
We don’t like to recommend free VPNs due to the drawbacks in usability and privacy. But that’s not the issue here. Even the decent free providers are limited in terms of bypassing geo-restrictions on major streamers like Netflix.
If Atlas VPN, ProtonVPN, Hide.me, or other top free VPNs manage to unblock Netflix US, it doesn’t last long before the platform’s anti-VPN technology identifies and blocks them. Lesser unpaid providers can’t even get that far.
In any case, free VPN services are too limited and unreliable. You’re better off using any other Netflix VPN instead.
Conclusion
Netflix Canada contains an extensive library of blockbusters and highly-rated movies, shows, and documentaries. That said, while it’s impressive, the catalog still falls short of that available to United States residents.
Luckily, a virtual private network presents an avenue to watch Netflix US in Canada by providing an American IP address when you connect to a server there. The catch: only a few VPNs can bypass the geo-blocking technology employed by the streaming service. Of those, ExpressVPN is our #1 recommendation.
