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How to Watch American Netflix in Canada? 2024 Guide

U.S. travelers can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to watch American Netflix in Canada. In this article, I'll introduce you to the best VPN to use to access U.S. Netflix from Canada.

At a Glance

As of 2022, Netflix Canada offered 5,730+ titles (movies and TV shows). Meanwhile, Netflix in the United States offered 5,879 titles. (The numbers can fluctuate on a regular basis.) This highlights that the U.S. Netflix library has at least 100+ titles that are not available in its Canadian collection. That means that if you’re visiting or working in Canada, you don’t have access to all of that sweet American Netflix content. Why can’t you view it?

You can. In this article, I’m going to show you how to use a VPN to unlock all of that sweet American Netflix content while traveling or working abroad, and also tell you which VPN is the best one for the job.

The easy way to access U.S. Netflix in Canada...

​​You don’t need to relocate to access the U.S. Netflix library. All you need is a VPN, ​but not all VPNs will work.

I’ve tested a lot of VPNs, and I find NordVPN to be the most reliable for access to Netflix USA and many other countries.

​​It’s really fast as well, so you can binge in HD without extended buffering.

​NordVPN​ has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ​it risk-free.

Why American Netflix Can’t Be Accessed in Canada

No matter where you travel, your Netflix login will gain entry to the local flavor of Netflix. But, if you’re looking to access your favorite shows and movies from stateside, you are going to be sorely disappointed.

If you fire up your Netflix app or type “https://netflix.com” into your browser, you will be automatically routed to the local version of the service. You’ll likely notice the available content doesn’t quite match the selection back home.

Netflix isn’t being a jerk when they do this – they’re simply keeping in line with the commitments they made when they signed their content licensing agreements.

Why Is American Netflix Content Inaccessible in Canada?

The movies and TV series you enjoy on Netflix (as well as those you don’t) are all supplied by movie studios, television networks, and other providers.

Netflix signs contracts with each provider, which allows the service to stream the content to its subscribers. Those contracts designate exactly which regions the content is allowed to be viewed.

Those agreements are the reason why the shows and movies you watch in the U.S. aren’t available just a few short miles away in Canada. If Netflix doesn’t prevent access, they’ll get unwelcome correspondence from entertainment industry lawyers. And that’s never good.

How Does Netflix Stop Non-Residents From Viewing American Netflix Content?

When your computer or another type of connected device logs on to the internet, it’s assigned an IP address. The address acts as a point of reference for the information sent and received by the device (much like your home’s mailing address helps the post office know where to deliver the mail).

All countries are assigned a range of IP addresses to identify connected devices inside their borders.

Netflix knows the IP addresses used by each country. It uses that information to identify the originating point of each viewer’s connection and to route that connection to the properly licensed content for that country.

How a VPN Gets Around Netflix’s Barriers

What Is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an excellent tool for protecting a user’s privacy, keeping their online antics and the associated personal and business-related information undercover from third parties who would love to get their greedy paws on such info.

A VPN can also “spoof” a user’s location, making it appear that the user’s connection is originating from a country other than the one they are physically located in. This feature makes a VPN the perfect tool for opening up access to Netflix content, no matter where it’s stored.

How a VPN Enables Access to American Netflix Content

As I mentioned in the previous section, a VPN can be used to open up access to Netflix in other countries due to its ability to “spoof” a user’s IP address.

When a user is looking to access the American Netflix library, they do the following.

They load a VPN app on their device, connect to a VPN server located in the U.S., and then either visit the Netflix website or load the Netflix app.

Netflix sees that the viewer’s connection appears to be coming from the U.S. and therefore routes the user’s connection to their U.S.-based servers.

For an all-too-short period of time, this was an almost foolproof method for accessing Netflix from outside the U.S. However, Netflix finally caught on to what was happening. The streaming provider then quickly became adept at detecting when a VPN was being used to access their servers.

If Netflix sees a large number of users coming into their servers via the same IP address, the streaming service detects this as VPN activity and stops that IP address from accessing their service.

Netflix has become so good at doing this that VPN providers with limited resources have given up on offering access to Netflix. Luckily, some continue to fight the good fight. The best of this group of VPN providers is NordVPN.

Best VPN to Use in Canada to Access American Netflix: NordVPN

NordVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is the best VPN provider around if you’re looking to access American Netflix content from outside of the U.S. The provider makes use of its impressive resources to keep access to Netflix open for its users.

The provider offers fast connections, top-notch privacy protections, and comprehensive customer support. Its above-average global server coverage ensures that its customers can access Netflix content, no matter where it’s located.

NordVPN also supplies a nice bit of Netflix-focused information to users, including FAQs, and links to browser extensions, all intended to enhance your streaming activities.

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1. Connection Speed

With its super-fast connection speeds, NordVPN’s connections should be more than up to matching Netflix’s recommended connection speeds.

2. Multi-Platform Support

No matter which connected device you use, it’s a good bet that you can view Netflix on it. NordVPN has you covered, with excellent multi-platform support, including options for Windows, macOS (with native M1/M2 Mac support), iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Linux, and Android TV devices. Browser extensions are available to protect your Chrome, Edge, and Firefox viewing and browsing sessions.

Router support is also available, and you can connect up to six devices at once on one set of login credentials.

3. Customer Support

If you ever have an issue with NordVPN’s servers, you can get support any time of day via the provider’s handy 24/7 support chat option. A trouble ticket tracking system and a searchable support library are also available.

4. Global Server Coverage

Canadian Netflix viewers can access their favorite movies almost anywhere around the globe thanks to NordVPN’s global server coverage of 5,600+ servers stationed in nearly 60 countries. Servers are, of course, available in the U.S.

5. Security and Privacy

No worries about your online activities being inadvertently exposed, thanks to the provider’s use of bank-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection.

The provider keeps no logs of any kind that track their customers’ online travels. A Bitcoin subscription payment option protects your payment information. The provider is currently moving its server network to an owned-and-operated model, which keeps third-party contractors away from your data. Plus, all servers are operated solely from RAM, meaning no data is ever written to a physical hard drive. All data is securely wiped when a NordVPN server is rebooted or shut down.

6. Additional Services

For an additional fee, the provider offers a “Complete” level of service offering additional protective services, including tracker and ad blocking, a password manager, dark web monitoring, malware protection, and more.

7. Pricing

NordVPN is a bargain-priced provider, with its multi-year subscriptions offering an especially good deal.

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Methodology for Assessing a VPN for American Netflix in Canada

Many of my readers have likely discovered that not all VPNs are capable of streaming American Netflix from inside Canadian borders. That’s why I had to consider multiple key factors when I mulled over which VPN to recommend for accessing U.S. Netflix in Canada.

These are those key factors and why they’re important:

  • Streaming: Netflix subscribers are likely to subscribe to other streaming sites as well. NordVPN offers reliable access to numerous video streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and more.
  • Connection speed: Download speed is an incredibly important factor to consider for streaming. Without fast connections, you may be faced with long buffering times and low-resolution playback. The VPN I recommend here, NordVPN, scored one of the fastest connection speeds in my most recent connection speed tests.
  • Server network: American servers are required if you want to access American Netflix content, and most VPNs have plenty of servers based in the US. However, you should also look for a provider with a large server network, as it comes in handy if you want to access content from services based in other countries. A large number of servers in a specific country is also a plus, as it should mean better server performance, as no single server will likely be overloaded with users.
  • Value: Always weigh the features offered by any VPN provider against the price that it charges. NordVPN offers excellent value for the money, asking a reasonable price in return for its top-notch services.
  • Ease of use: Any VPN worth its salt should offer easy-to-use apps for as many popular device platforms as possible. NordVPN offers easy-to-use apps for a wide array of devices.
  • Security and privacy: If you’re online, your privacy is at risk. And guess what? It’s an always-connected world. Banking-level encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection should be the least that a quality VPN should offer. Plus, look for a strict no-logs policy that will keep your online travels incognito. NordVPN offers all of the above protections and more.

The factors listed above are just a small portion of my comprehensive VPN testing methodology. The data-driven approach I use helps me to better understand the VPN’s service offerings, so I can recommend only those that are a good fit for your needs.

American Netflix in Canada FAQs

How to Change Netflix to Canada?

If you want to watch Canadian Netflix from the U.S. or elsewhere, just do the following:

  1. Subscribe to a reputable VPN provider with servers in Canada. (My top pick is NordVPN.)
  2. Download the app(s) onto your device(s).
  3. Log into the service.
  4. Connect to a VPN server in Canada.
  5. Visit the Netflix website. You will be routed to the Canadian version of the service.
  6. Voila! Canadian Netflix will now be available.

What Is the Difference Between American Netflix and Canadian Netflix?

Netflix Canada vs. Netflix U.S.: American Netflix offers 5,879+ titles, while Canadian Netflix offers 5,730+ titles. Remember, the numbers can fluctuate on a regular basis. American Netflix's content offerings clearly outnumber Canada's, making accessing U.S. Netflix an enticing proposition.

Which Free VPN is Best for Accessing American Netflix in Canada?

None. There, wasn’t that simple. While there are plenty of free VPNs, none of them are good for watching American Netflix in Canada. You see, free VPNs not only throttle their users' connections, they also impose daily or weekly data caps on their users. Neither is copacetic with streaming.

Plus, free VPNs aren’t exactly good at protecting your privacy. Many not only log their users’ online travels, selling it to advertisers and other Nosy Nellies, but they have also been caught inserting unwanted tracking cookies and ads into their users' browsing sessions.

Will Netflix Ban Me If I Use a VPN?

While Netflix can certainly ban you if they like, as using a VPN is a violation of the streamer's Terms of Service, they very likely won't cancel your account for using a VPN. However, they will block the VPN-provided IP address you used to access Netflix.

How Do I Switch Back to Canadian Netflix From the American Version?

When you're inside Canada it is simple. Simply do not use your VPN to connect to a US VPN server. This will mean you'll be using a Canadian IP address, so Netflix will see that you are located in Canada and will provide the Canadian menu of content.

Conclusion

When the hockey season is over, and you’re down to your last cheese curd, it’s time for a Netflix binge. And if your favorite movies and TV shows are based outside of Canadian borders, NordVPN will come to the rescue.

The provider offers speedy connections, excellent global server coverage, optimal privacy protection, top-level customer support, and extensive multi-platform support.

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Roundup - best VPNs for speed

Position Our Score Verdict
1.
4.5/5
Verdict: Our top rated VPN
Get NordVPN »
2.
4.5/5
Verdict: Best budget option
Get Surfshark »
3.
4.0/5
Verdict: Great privacy options
Get ExpressVPN »
4.
4.0/5
Verdict: Highly versatile
Get CyberGhost »
5.
3.0/5
Verdict: Up to 10 devices
Get PrivateVPN »

PRIVACY ALERT: Websites you visit can see these details about you:

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.

By using a VPN you can hide these details and protect your privacy.

I recommend NordVPN - the top provider in my testing. It offers outstanding privacy features and there is currently a discounted rate available through this link.

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