Netflix made inroads into Russia in 2016 as part of its international expansion program. But lovers of Netflix in the country do not have access to the whole catalog of movies and TV shows that America does.
Russian Netflix offers approximately 3,000 movies and 1,500 television shows, while its American counterpart offers more than 4,000 movies and over 1, 800 shows. This is a massive difference, considering the monthly subscription fee in each country is about the same.
There are many Russian natives, expats, and visitors who would wish to access the full Netflix content library and get their money’s worth.
The Easy Way to Watch US Netflix While in Russia
If you’ve explored Russian Netflix to your satisfaction and want to see what else is out there, or you simply want to mix up your streaming experience, the good news is: you can.
To access the full content as Americans would, you need a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Now there are a lot of VPNs in the market, but not all will provide you with a seamless and reliable streaming experience.
ExpressVPN is a virtual private network that has phenomenal speeds, off-the-charts support, and an impressive number of servers. It also comes with a 30 day trial period with a refund guarantee, so you remain in total control over your purchasing decision.
- Unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee
- No activity logs and no connection logs
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
Why American Netflix Is Not Available In Russia
The rights to stream movies and TV shows are sold by country. To win the rights to stream content in a particular country, Netflix has to compete with other streaming service providers-and it doesn’t always win the bid. Thus, it ends providing different content for different countries.
If you’re a Netflix subscriber, the service permits you to view content in any country. The caveat is, you have to be in a country to view the content available for that particular country. So if you are in Russia, you can only stream Russian Netflix.
Why You Can’t Access American Netflix in Russia
Under the terms of buying the rights to stream content in a particular country, Netflix cannot make content available in a country where it does not hold the rights to do so. It can only avail content where film studios or television networks license it.
Also, when you log in to the Netflix platform while you’re in a specific country, you’ll notice that you can only stream content available in that country, as opposed to the country where you signed up. Thus, American Netflix content is not available in Russia, and vice versa.
How American Netflix Restricts Non-residents from Accessing its Content
To restrict people from accessing content not licensed in their country, Netflix uses a technology called geo-blocking. Simply put, geo-blocking involves locating the geographical location when you access Netflix on your browser or via the mobile app.
It does this by identifying your IP address – which is like your online home address, only this time it tells Netflix where you are logging from. If you are in Russia, you will thus be redirected automatically to the content library of Russian Netflix.
How a VPN Can Help You Bypass the Restriction
While geo-blocking is a smart system to prevent unauthorized access to Netflix content, you can still circumvent it. All you need is a VPN.
A VPN is a tool that is used to protect an internet user’s experience by encrypting your online data so no one can detect what you are doing online. It will then redirect all your information through an external server.
When you’re connected to a VPN server, all your data passes through it, so your IP address will read as the IP address of the VPN. For this reason, a VPN masks your IP address, so it appears as if you’re accessing the site from a different location than the one you’re at.
Note that, connecting to an American server lets your internet traffic be seen as originating from the American IP address. This is the IP address that Netflix will recognize when your traffic reaches its site. So with this “virtual network,” you will be able to access American Netflix catalog.
For a while, millions of users used this trick to access out-of-country Netflix content. However, the company has since discovered this and moved to block VPN-supported IP addresses. This has phased out many fledgling VPN providers. Thankfully, some VPN providers have been able to survive this crackdown and are still thriving – providing users with unlimited and reliable access to Netflix. And the best among them? ExpressVPN.
The Best VPN to Watch American Netflix in Russia
ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable virtual network providers in the industry. The network serves customers wherever they are in the world, including proving uninhibited access to out-of-country Netflix.
Apart from fast connection speeds, the service has consistently proved to have impressive device support, highly secure, and it also has a consistent worldwide connection.
Additionally, the provider always keeps you in the know when it comes to all info related to Netflix. From an FAQ section to streaming insights to links to the ability to add new features that will enhance your streaming experience every single time.
Features
Here are more reasons why ExpressVPN is the best VPN with which to stream American Netflix in Russia:
Fast Connection
Every VPN user wants the quickest server, no matter their browsing purposes. When it comes to video streaming, this need is even direr.
Data streaming on average consumes a lot of data, and a slow connection can cause buffering, stuttering, and other connection problems. While some VPNs create slow connections, ExpressVPN provides fast connection speeds; taking out any of these problems.
This is thanks to its unlimited data transfer capability and more than 3,000 servers in over 90 countries. Also, the VPN’s app is equipped with an inbuilt test feature to test the speeds of the servers, ensuring you have the most seamless experience.
Range of Devices
ExpressVPN is available for use on most modern platforms, including Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, routers, etc. Besides, you can use it on up to 5 devices concurrently.
All you need is to activate it through an easy-to-use downloadable app, and you’re up and running within minutes. Plus, you get instant access to unlimited data bandwidth, and the ability to switch servers to whichever address you like.
Water-tight Security
ExpressVPN is equipped with OpenVPN AES 256-bit encryption with RSA-4096 and SHA-512 HMAC authentication. This military-grade encryption does not allow a user to customize it to their personal preferences – a factor that would render it vulnerable to malicious actors.
Even more, the network protects your data by not storing your history logs. This ensures your privacy is guaranteed in case of a future security breach. Also, it uses shared IPs, ensuring a single IP can never be traced back to you.
Easy to use User Interface
Most people would be unnerved by the very mention of the term “Virtual Private Network,” which suggests a very complicated thing to use. ExpressVPN has taken care of that. It has a very user-friendly interface, providing you with an effortless user flow every time. And, the app is very straightforward to use, ensuring you stream content with the utmost ease.
Global Coverage
ExpressVPN boasts over 3,000 servers located in more than 90 countries, and they keep adding more. For Russian Netflix fans, this means being able to stream content – No matter its origin.
Apart from providing countless options, the numerous servers support a superior performance and a guaranteed running time every time you log in.
Pricing
The network charges USD 99.95 ($ 6.67 per month) billed the first 15 months, which is pretty fair offer considering their superior service. There’s also the less-friendly option; a $12.95 monthly subscription. Plus, you can as well subscribe for 6 months.
Client Support
Customers can reach the provider for assistance via their round the clock chat option. Or take advantage of their searchable support center for the more common problems.
Being in Russia doesn’t mean you can’t watch the rich catalog of American Netflix and get the best out of the service. With its speedy connection, stellar security, multi-device support, global server location option, and more, ExpressVPN is a top VPN to watch what you want, anywhere.
