Complete VPN Streaming Guide: Unblock Netflix, Disney+, and More

Published 29 January 2026 · by VPN Free UK

Streaming services have transformed the way we watch television and film, but geo-restrictions mean that the content you can access depends entirely on where you are. A UK Netflix subscriber travelling abroad will find that their library changes the moment they cross a border. Equally, certain shows available on American Netflix, Japanese Netflix, or other regional catalogues are simply unavailable in the UK. A VPN is the most effective way to bypass these restrictions and access the content you are paying for, wherever you happen to be. In this guide we cover how geo-blocking works, which VPNs perform best for streaming, and practical tips for a smooth, buffer-free experience.

How Geo-Restrictions Work

Streaming platforms license content on a country-by-country basis. A film studio might sell the UK streaming rights for a title to Netflix but license the same title to Disney+ in France and to a cable network in the United States. To enforce these agreements, streaming services check your IP address when you connect. Your IP reveals your approximate location, and the service uses this to determine which content library to display.

A VPN routes your traffic through a server in another country, replacing your real IP address. Connect to a US server and Netflix serves the American library; connect to a UK server while abroad and BBC iPlayer treats you as though you are at home. Streaming services actively try to detect and block VPN traffic, which is why choosing a provider that stays ahead of these blocks is crucial.

Testing Results: Which Services Work with Which VPNs

We regularly test the leading VPN providers against the most popular streaming platforms available to UK viewers. Here is a summary of our most recent findings:

Netflix (UK and US) — ExpressVPN and NordVPN both reliably unblock Netflix in multiple regions including the UK, US, Japan, and Canada. ExpressVPN was fractionally faster in our tests, delivering 4K streams without buffering on a 100 Mbps connection. NordVPN matched this on most servers but occasionally required switching to a different server in the same region.
Disney+ — Disney+ has aggressive VPN detection, but both ExpressVPN and Surfshark consistently bypassed it during our testing window. Surfshark is a particularly cost-effective option here, as its plans support unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for families.
Amazon Prime Video — Prime Video is notoriously difficult to unblock. NordVPN and ExpressVPN were the only two providers in our test group that reliably accessed US and UK Prime catalogues without errors.
BBC iPlayer — If you are a UK licence-fee payer travelling abroad, you will want a VPN that unblocks iPlayer. NordVPN and ExpressVPN both worked flawlessly, with NordVPN offering dedicated UK streaming-optimised servers that made the process effortless.
ITVX and Channel 4 — These UK free-to-air streaming platforms are less aggressive with VPN blocking than the larger services. All three of our recommended providers — ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark — unblocked both platforms without any issues.

Smart DNS vs VPN for Streaming

Some VPN providers offer a feature called Smart DNS as an alternative to a full VPN connection. Smart DNS reroutes only the DNS queries that reveal your location, rather than encrypting all of your traffic. The advantage is speed: because your data is not being encrypted and routed through a remote server, there is virtually no impact on your connection speed or latency.

The disadvantage is security. Smart DNS provides no encryption and does not hide your IP address from other services or your ISP. It is a tool purely for bypassing geo-restrictions, not for privacy. If all you want to do is watch US Netflix on your smart TV (which may not support VPN apps natively), Smart DNS is a practical solution. For anything beyond that, a full VPN connection is the better choice.

Both ExpressVPN (MediaStreamer) and NordVPN (SmartPlay) include Smart DNS features with their subscriptions at no extra cost.

Tips for Buffer-Free Streaming

Even the best VPN can deliver a poor streaming experience if your setup is not optimised. Follow these tips to get the smoothest playback:

Connect to the nearest server in the target country. If you want US Netflix, choose a server on the US East Coast rather than the West Coast if you are based in the UK. The shorter the physical distance, the lower the latency.
Use a wired Ethernet connection where possible. Wi-Fi introduces variability in speed and latency. A wired connection to your router provides a more stable foundation for HD and 4K streaming.
Select the fastest protocol. WireGuard-based protocols like NordLynx (NordVPN) and Lightway (ExpressVPN) are significantly faster than older protocols like OpenVPN. Make sure your VPN app is configured to use them.
Close background applications. Cloud sync tools like OneDrive or Google Drive can consume bandwidth silently in the background. Pause them while streaming.
Clear your browser cache and cookies before switching regions. Streaming services sometimes use cached location data to enforce restrictions even when your IP has changed.

Choosing the Right VPN for Streaming

The best VPN for streaming depends on which platforms you use most and how many devices you need to connect. ExpressVPN offers the fastest speeds and the most consistent unblocking across all major platforms, but it comes at a premium price. NordVPN provides an excellent balance of speed, reliability, and value, with streaming-optimised servers that take the guesswork out of choosing the right connection. Surfshark is the budget pick, with unlimited device connections and solid unblocking performance at roughly half the price of its competitors.

To see how these providers stack up across speed, streaming reliability, security, and price, use our side-by-side VPN comparison tool. It is the fastest way to find the provider that matches your streaming needs and budget.