Have you ever tried to access Netflix US or other US-based streaming services like Fubo TV, DAZN, Hulu, etc. while traveling abroad? If yes, you might have got an error message saying the content is currently not available in your region or the service is coming soon to your region. In Netflix’s case, you will be directed to your region’s Netflix version with content limited to your country. In this case, you will not have access to the whole Netflix library. This is an example of geoblocking, which is the process of limiting access to content based on the users’ locations. Streaming services, websites, and other businesses implement geo-restrictions due to copyright restrictions.
What is Geo-Blocking?
Some streaming services restrict certain content to only certain regions. For example, movies and series available on Netflix US will not be available on Netflix India or Australia. This is due to licensing and copyright agreements. Likewise, geo-blocks are implemented due to price discrimination, as well. Streaming services like Amazon and Netflix make available different content specific to different locations.
How Geo-Blocking Works?
Streaming services and websites restrict users from certain regions based on their IP addresses. When you visit a website using an IP address from a country where the content is unavailable, you will not be able to access it. That is because the streaming service will recognize your location by your IP address. Using your IP address, the streaming service, the website, or any other third party can easily track you.
Streaming services and websites use your IP address and location to determine whether or not to give you access to their content. This way, if you try to access US-based content from a foreign country, you will be blocked as your IP will not be in the list of IP addresses allowed to access it.
Even if you are subscribed to the specific streaming service, you will not be able to access it as you are accessing it from a location from where it is unavailable. For instance, if you are subscribed to Netflix US, you will not be able to access it while traveling abroad. You will perhaps be allowed to access content available in the foreign country to which you have traveled.
How Do I Bypass Geo-Blocking?
To bypass geo-restrictions, you will need a different IP address from a different location to connect to the internet. You will also need to hide your original IP address so that you cannot be tracked back.
While you can try using proxy servers and or the Tor browser network to evade geo-restrictions, these services may not offer security and privacy. The other best and the most secure way to get around restrictions of all kinds is by using a VPN. A VPN can help you get around any sort of restrictions and it will also encrypt your data so that no one can see what you are doing online. By using a trustworthy VPN, you can send and receive data through the VPN’s encrypted tunnel. A VPN will hide your IP address and provide you with a different IP address from the location you choose. So your IP address will be hidden and no one can see it and the services and websites you visit will only see the new IP address the VPN assigned you.
The following is a list of VPN services that are great at bypassing geo-blocking.
Best VPNs to Bypass Geo-Blocking
- NordVPN
- Surfshark VPN
- ExpressVPN
- VyprVPN
- IvacyVPN
NordVPN – #1 VPN with consistent speeds to evade geo-blocks
The #1 all-rounder VPN, NordVPN is our top pick for bypassing geo-blocks. It has a global server network of over 5000 servers and by connecting to one of those servers, you can quickly evade all regional blocks.
It offers dedicated IP addresses, no-logs policy, Double VPN, automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection for enhanced security. You can choose to go for dedicated IP addresses to get around the anti-VPN technology. Its double VPN technology will make sure your data is completely unreadable by offering double encryption. Likewise, its strict no-logs policy will make sure your browsing data will never be stored or recorded.
NordVPN offers super-fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth for streaming and torrenting. You can access its whole network and access any geo-blocked content of your choice. It is one of the top recommendations for unblocking Hulu, Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO GO, DAZN, Disney+, Showtime, and more.
- 5200+ servers in 62 countries
- Use up to 6 devices
- Next-generation Encryption
- Double VPN Feature
- Strict no-logs policy
NordVPN is compatible with iOS, Windows, Mac, Chrome, Firefox, Android, Linux, and more. It also supports routers, as well. You can try the services for a 30-day period using its 30-day money-back guarantee. To know more about its features, we recommend reading our full review of NordVPN.
Surfshark VPN – Budget-friendly VPN for unlimited connections
Surfshark VPN with servers in over 60 countries offers military-grade encryption for secure browsing, streaming, and all your online activities. It allows unlimited connections so that you can use just one subscription for all your devices.
It also comes with a malware blocker, military-grade encryption, kill switch, DNS leak protection, and more for additional security. Surfshark VPN does not limit the number of devices you can connect to the VPN at a time so that you can connect any number of devices to the VPN at a time.
Surfshark VPN is compatible with Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Sky Go, DAZN, HBO GO, and more. No matter what device or platform you use, be it Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, or iOS, this VPN supports it all. It comes with easy to use apps that come with malware ad and malware blocker.
- Connect unlimited Devices
- AES-256-GCM encryption
- IP & DNS leak protection
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Free Browser Extensions
- Strict no-logs policy
Surfshark VPN’s vast server network will make it easy for you to unblock any streaming service or website. Using its 30-day money-back guarantee policy, you can test the VPN’s services for free for 30 days. If you have more questions and would like to know more about Surfshark VPN, we recommend reading our full review.
ExpressVPN – Fast speeds for streaming and bypassing geo-blocks
One next top pick for bypassing geo-blocks is ExpressVPN, the fastest VPN. It offers efficient and reliable service. It has servers in over 160 VPN locations across the globe. Its vast server network makes it an ideal choice for evading geo-restrictions. You can connect to any of its super-fast servers to access any content you wish.
For seamless VPN connections, ExpressVPN offers fast speeds. While being able to unblock any content of your choice, you can also have a lag-free streaming experience. Likewise, this VPN promises strong security and privacy.
ExpressVPN offers DNS leak protection and comes with a kill switch, which will protect against IP leaks in case the VPN connection drops. Its strong security features will make sure your personal information does not leak at any cost.
- 160 server locations
- Network Lock kill switch
- Zero-knowledge DNS
- VPN split tunneling
- Stream Sports online
With apps for different devices and platforms, ExpressVPN will offer you a great streaming experience no matter which device you use. Likewise, you can access all blocked content, including blocked games like PUBG, Fortnite, etc, and streaming services like Netflix US, Hulu, Disney+, HBO GO, Sling TV, FuboTV, and more.
ExpressVPN lets users test its services by offering a money-back guarantee so that you can use the VPN for 30 days, risk-free. If you are satisfied, you can continue to use the service after the 30-day period; else, you can get your money back.
We recommend checking out our in-depth ExpressVPN review to know more about its features.
VyprVPN – Secure and easy to use VPN for evading geo-restrictions
To evade geo-restrictions, you will need a VPN with a good network of servers across the globe. VyprVPN is one such VPN service that comes with a good network of servers across the globe.
With VyprVPN, you can quickly evade geo-blocks implemented by streaming services as well as websites. You just have to connect to a server in the location where the desired streaming service is available. This applies to streaming services like Hulu, HBO GO, Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, Sky Go, beIN Sport, and more.
This way, you can access sporting events and games unavailable in your region. Even if you are traveling abroad, you can quickly access all your favorite streaming services by connecting to VyprVPN.
- 160 server locations
- Network Lock Kill switch
- Zero-knowledge DNS
- VPN split tunneling
- Stream Sports online
Apart from efficiently unblocking blocked streaming services, VyprVPN will strengthen your privacy and security. It comes with top-notch security features like DNS leak protection, Chameleon technology, kill switch, and public WiFi protection.
You can test VyprVPN’s premium features for a 30 day period using its 30-day money-back guarantee. To know more in detail about its money-back guarantee and its features, we recommend reading our extensive review.
Ivacy VPN – Feature-rich and secure VPN to get around restrictions
Ivacy VPN is one of the best VPNs to protect your privacy online. Likewise, it is one of the top choices for unblocking geo-blocked services. This VPN will help you access any foreign content without any restrictions. You can access any content from anywhere by connecting to its global server network of over 2000 servers.
With 256-bit encryption, Ivacy VPN makes it impossible for anyone to gain access to your personal information. Likewise, its security protocols and security features like no-logs policy, public WiFi protection, split tunneling, IP leak protection, DDoS protection, etc, will make your connection secure.
Ivacy VPN has a strong track record of unblocking blocked streaming services like Netflix US, Hulu, Disney+, HBO GO, Sling TV, and more. While being able to unblock blocked games, websites, and streaming services, Ivacy VPN will also keep your connection secure and keep cyber threats at bay.
- 3500+ Servers in 100+ Locations
- 10 Devices Simultaneous Logins
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Malware Protection
- P2P Support
With five multi-logins, you can connect five different devices to the VPN at a time. Be it Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, or your router; you can connect it to the VPN. Ivacy VPN follows a 30-day money-back guarantee policy so that you can test the service for a 30-day period.
Other Ways to Bypass Geo-blocks
Proxy Servers to Evade Geo-blocks
When you connect to the internet through a proxy, the proxy server will assign you a different IP address and you will visit the streaming service or website using that IP address. The proxy server will act as a separate computer in between your computer and the website or streaming service you are trying to access.
While a proxy will help you evade geo-restrictions and access a blocked website, it may not secure your internet connection as a VPN does. A VPN, on the other hand, will encrypt your internet connection and make sure no one can access any of your personal information.
Likewise, proxies come with bandwidth limitations and may not be as fast as VPNs. There are a lot of free proxies out there, but if you would like to secure your connection, you need to go for a paid service. Instead, you can go for a premium VPN service to stay secure and gain access to the open internet without any limitations.
Tor Browser to Bypass Geoblocks
The other way to bypass geo-blocks is by using the Tor browser. The Tor browser is just like the other browsers like Chrome or Safari we commonly use. Using the Tor browser, you can access other websites and .onion websites that cannot be accessed using other browsers.
For example, ExpressVPN has a .onion site, Expressobutiolem.onion, that you can access anonymously through the Tor browser. However, Tor is not as secure as a VPN. Likewise, it is slow, so that you may not be able to enjoy a lag-free streaming experience. However, for fast and secure connections, you can use a VPN over Tor. VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark VPN are a few of the best VPNs for Tor.
Summary
The easiest way to bypass geo-blocking is by using a trustworthy VPN service. The VPN you choose must be capable of bypassing VPN blocks that the streaming services implement as not all VPNs come with strong unblocking capabilities. We hope this article helped you understand what geoblocking is and how to get around geo-restrictions of all kinds with a VPN.
