Netflix users in the UK are sadly getting less for their buck compared to US customers - but thankfully there's now a way to fix it!

An investigation last year showed Brits pay £7.49 for a choice from 3,000 releases, compared to 5,600 films and TV shows for the £7.05 per month the Americans pay.

The good news is you don't really need to suffer with less. Here's how to get more bang (or TV) for your buck.

Why are you getting less?

It's down to the way that international licensing works. Netflix has different catalogues of programmes and films in each country.

The good news is that you can trick it into thinking that you're somewhere else, which means you automatically get new titles from that country.

If you trick Netflix into thinking that you're in America, you'll find that you've suddenly got access to a lot more content than we get in the UK.

JustWatch search engine lets you search for content by country and service, meaning you can find the differences.

How can you trick Netflix into thinking you're in America?

First you need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN is a clever tool that 'tunnels' its way into another country. It gives you a new IP address making your computer look as if it's located there rather than in the UK. Clever, right?

That's all Netflix needs! It checks your location by examining your IP address, so it's fooled, unlocking a new catalogue of shows for you.

You can use a variety of VPNs, from free options to paid-for. What you use also depends on the type of device that you're using. The best way to do this is to sign up for a smart VPN service, which will work with pretty much any device.

One such VPN service is ExpressVPN, which has apps for iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, and works on streaming devices like Chromecast, Apple TV, and RokuStreaming Stick.

Wait, won't Netflix try to stop me?

It is legal to watch Netflix over a VPN, but it's worth noting the company's Terms of Service says it may terminate or restrict your account without compensation or notice if you are engaged in "improper" use.

If you're wondering what that means, Netflix also says users "may view a movie or TV show through the Netflix service primarily within the country in which you have established your account and only in geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such movie or TV show".

So using a VPN to trick Netflix into thinking you live somewhere else would be "improper" use of the service. Is it worth the risk? That's up to you, but, so far, nobody's account has been terminated for using a VPN.

What is Netflix doing about it?

Netflix has said that it will block VPNs and proxies from accessing the service.

It's cracking down in an attempt to stop people from watching content outside of their usual area.

Why the change? It's mostly down to the fact it has expanded so much recently and is under increasing pressure to recognise and support local licensing deals.

For example, often a show will be on Sky (paid for) so not on Uk Netflix, but on the USA version.

Also worth noting is many people are getting an error message when using Netflix proxy servers and VPNs. The message usually says: "You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again."

Yes, it's annoying, but the main Netflix smart VPN services are finding ways around the problem...Netflix will always be one step behind.

Netflix probably won't be able to stop you watching your favourite foreign shows, tech experts claim

So what do I need to do?

First thing to do is to sign up for a smart VPN service.

They don't require you to install any software, you just have to change your device's DNS network settings so they'll work with most devices. (Domain Name Servers (DNS) are basically the address books of the internet)

Your computer then 'chats' to a DNS server and hands it a web address.

The DNS server hands back the website's unique IP address, which it then connects to.

The VPNs we've suggested are pretty clever. When you want to connect to Netflix, rather than handing your computer Netflix's real IP address, the service sends it back the VPN's IP address.

Your computer then connects to the VPN, routing its traffic to the US and the American version of Netflix and you don't even need to install a client.

Ta da! You can use practically any device to get US Netflix now including games consoles and smart TVs.

Instructions - your how to guide

How to use Express VPN:

1. Sign up for a VPN service

ExpressVPN, which has multiple servers in the US. On the ExpressVPN order page you can choose the VPN plan that’s right for you.

2. Download the VPN app for the device you want to watch Netflix on

The instructions will lead you to a page where you can download the right VPN software for you. If you’re going to watch Netflix on the same device you’re using right now, you’re almost done.

If you’re going to be watching on a smart TV or streaming console, find your device further down the page and follow the setup instructions.

3. Make sure that your VPN service is set to the USA

Open your VPN app and select a US location. This will give your device a US IP address. Now when you browse the internet, sites like Netflix will think you’re actually in the US.

4. Sign into Netflix

Visit Netflix online or load your device's Netflix app, and there; you've got access to American Netflix.

Note: Sometimes you might see an error message that reads, “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy,” meaning Netflix has temporarily blocked traffic from that VPN server location.

If that happens, contact your VPN’s support team via live chat and they’ll point you to a server location that works for US Netflix.

How to use Unblock-Us:

1. Sign out of Netflix on all devices

Go to Netflix and sign in.

See the top-right of the screen? Hover over your Profile image and click Your Account.

Under Settings click Sign out of all devices and click the Sign Out button to continue.

2. Change your device's DNS server address

Go into network settings on your device and change the DNS server address to your chosen VPN provider.

Try Unblock-Us, which uses the DNS servers 208.122.23.22 and 208.122.23.23, and costs $4.99 CAD a month.

3. Make sure that your VPN service is set to the USA

Go to www.unblock-us.com (or whatever VPN provider you're using) sign in, pick your Netflix region and click Update.

4. Sign back into Netflix

Visit Netflix online or load your device's Netflix app, and there you've got access to American Netflix.

5. Troubleshooting

If you still have a problem, repeat the above, but use these DNS server addresses: 64.145.73.5 and 209.107.219.5

You can use either.

WARNINGS!

Be careful of free Netflix DNS codes

Unblock-us is reliable and trustworthy, but there are free services out there called US Netflix DNS codes. Other sites may recommend these.

They can work for a bit, but they stop working regularly and hackers have been know to put out their own DNS server addresses, redirecting people to dangerous sites or simply using them to steal information. Do not use them.

AirPlay - important step

If you want to use AirPlay to send video from your iPhone, iPad or Mac to your Apple TV, then all of your devices need to be connected to a VPN.

For example, if only your iPhone was, then the Apple TV would be unable to connect to the video stream that you send it.

The best way is to use a smart VPN service on everything.

For Android users

For Android users, you may have to downgrade to Netflix version 3.7.1, which isn't blocked from accessing US Netflix.

1. Uninstall your current version of Netflix

2. Download the Netflix 3.7.1 APK file

3. Go to Settings, Security and enable the option to install from Unknown Sources

4. Go to your phone's App drawer and select Downloads

5. Tap the APK file that you downloaded and tap the Install button