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How & Where to Watch Friends

How and Where to Watch Friends in 2024: Streaming All Seasons & Episodes Wherever You Are

If you want to watch Friends online, there are a few ways you can do that. That said, geoblocks might get in your way, and that’s where a VPN can help. In this guide, we’ll show you how and where to watch Friends online.

Mauricio PreussAleksander HougenEugenie Tiu

Written by Mauricio Preuss (CEO & Co-Founder)

Reviewed by Aleksander Hougen (Co-Chief Editor)

Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu (Editorial Assistant)

Last Updated: 2024-09-30T17:16:36+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: Where to Watch Friends
  1. Browse to nordvpn.com and grab a 73% discounted plan.
  2. Connect to a Server — it has to be a server where Friends is available, like the U.K.
  3. Go to Netflix — enjoy binge-watching Friends!

Best VPNs for Streaming Friends:

  1. NordVPN — Premium protection and a wealth of features. NordVPN is available at a 73% discount and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  2. Surfshark — Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited connections. Surfshark’s two-year plan offers 86% off on the first two years with three months free.
  3. ExpressVPN — Intuitive protection for VPN newcomers. Get 49% off the first year with ExpressVPN, covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Facts and Expert Analysis – Here’s What to Watch Friends On

  • All 10 seasons of Friends are available on Netflix in the U.K. and Australia.
  • Max also has all 10 seasons available in the U.S., plus Friends the Reunion.
  • If you’re outside those countries, you can use a VPN to access Friends, and NordVPN is the best VPN for the job.
Best VPN for Streaming Friends

The hit sitcom Friends — produced by David Crane and Marta Kauffman — first aired on NBC in 1994 and ran 236 episodes over 10 seasons. If you have never seen the show before or just want to rewatch it for nostalgia, then keep reading as we’re going to show you where to watch Friends.

The TV show Friends follows a group of six young adults living life in New York City, and it turned a group of unknown actors (Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Aniston) into household names. 

Some of the Friends episodes feel dated and have that ’90s vibe to them, but the show remains so popular today that networks and streaming services still allow you to stream it, including Netflix and Max.

However, regional restrictions narrow your options to stream Friends, but we will show fans how to use a VPN to access all 10 seasons of these six friends — Rachel, Monica, Ross, Joey, Phoebe and Chandler — navigating life around the Central Perk and more.

Not available in your country?

Watch Friends now on Netflix

Status checked 2024/09/29:

  • 10/01/2024

    We refined the rankings to reflect evolving industry standards and user needs.

Where to Watch Friends Series in the U.S. and Abroad

With 10 seasons of Friends to get through, there are enough episodes to have multiple binge-watching sessions. If you are wondering where to watch the Friends episodes in the U.S., then Max has all 10 seasons of Friends available, but you should read our guide on how to watch Max, as there are a few hoops to jump through if you plan to use a VPN, including needing an ad-free account.

friends max
All 10 seasons of Friends are available on Max.

You can also get access to Friends on Netflix U.K. and Netflix Australia. Netflix U.S. used to be an option, but it stopped streaming Friends in early 2022. 

To get entry to these streaming platforms outside these represented countries, you will need to use a VPN. If you don’t know what a VPN does, then check our VPN guide.

How to Watch Friends on Netflix With a VPN

By using a VPN, you can connect to a country that is showing content that you want to watch. The steps below show you how to watch Friends online with a VPN.

  1. Sign Up for a VPN Service

    First, head over to NordVPN’s website and choose a plan. You can get up to a 73% discount, risk-free because it’s covered by the 30-day money-back guarantee.

    nordvpn step 1
  2. Install the VPN

    Download and install the NordVPN app onto your device of choice. Then, launch the app and sign in.

    download nordvpn
  3. Connect to a U.K. Server

    Open the server list, then, scroll through the list or use the search bar to find a U.K. server.

    NordVPN connecting to the UK
  4. Sign Up or Log In to Your Netflix Account

    If you already have an account, log in to Netflix as usual. If not, sign up for the service.

    netflix log in
  5. Find and Stream Friends

    Search for Friends on Netflix and enjoy streaming it.

    how to watch friends netflix

The Best VPN to Watch Friends Online in 2024

If you’re outside the U.S., U.K. or Australia, Friends fans will need a VPN with excellent speeds and unlimited bandwidth. It also needs to have the ability to get past geoblocks and VPN bans. 

You can read our guide on the best VPN for streaming and pick the one that best suits your needs. However, our top recommendation is NordVPN, followed by Surfshark and ExpressVPN.

1. NordVPN— The Best VPN to Watch Friends

nordvpn uk servers
NordVPN has thousands of servers, including some in the U.S., Australia and the U.K.
Best VPN for Streaming Friends

Pros:

  • Fast NordLynx protocol
  • Excellent security features
  • Affordable long-term plan

Cons:

  • Less-than-intuitive interface

Access your favorite shows from anywhere — try NordVPN risk-free for 30 days and save 73%.

Download
89 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
7 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 09/08/24 to 10/06/24
Data for region:

NordVPN is our top pick to watch Friends because it has everything you need from a VPN. Its lightning-fast speeds give you the best streaming experience and unlimited bandwidth so you don’t hit any limits. It’s also very easy to use, as well as secure.

NordVPN’s downside is the mobile map. It’s rather crammped and not easy to navigate, though it comes with extra features like a malware and ad blocker to make up for it. but don’t think because NordVPN is relatively cheap, that you get shortchanged — it doesn’t skimp on features.

You can read our NordVPN review for a full break down, but if you want to try it out, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee

Basic
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes
Plus
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes
Ultimate
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes

2. Surfshark – Affordable VPN for Watching Friends Online

surfshark app
Surfshark is a cheap VPN with plenty of servers, as well as extra VPN features.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Feature rich
  • Unlimited data & devices

Cons

  • Poor latency

Expand your streaming library — sign up for Surfshark and enjoy 86% off your first two years.

Download
96 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
111 ms
Good
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 09/08/24 to 10/06/24
Data for region:

Surfshark is a great VPN for the price, especially the two-year plan. Although it’s a newcomer to the VPN game, it has a great collection of servers throughout the world, with Australia having 91 servers in five cities.

For some reason, Surfshark doesn’t disclose how many servers are in the U.K. All we know is that it covers four cities. There are also more than 600 U.S. servers to get into Max.

It also has camouflage mode, which will mask your IP so it can’t be detected (read more in our Surfshark review). Surfshark’s standout feature is that there are no limitations — you have unlimited data and bandwidth, which is essential for streaming shows. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark Starter
  • Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $231.75 for one year, $417.15 for two years
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
  • Yes
Surfshark One
  • Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $239.25 for one year, $430.65 for two years.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
Surfshark One+
  • Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited

3. ExpressVPN— Easiest VPN to Watch Friends

expressvpn connected uk
ExpressVPN has servers in the U.S., Australia and the U.K. so you can watch Friends easily.

Pros:

  • Large server network
  • Fast connection speeds
  • 30-day money-back guarantee 

Cons:

  • Expensive

Access any content, anytime — join ExpressVPN now and save 49% on your first year.

Download
91 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
4 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 09/08/24 to 10/06/24
Data for region:

If ExpressVPN’s prices aren’t a turn off, it’s a great option for your streaming needs. ExpressVPN has decent download speeds to match its security and privacy. Plus, its extensive server network is optimized for fast streaming, making it a great choice to watch Friends. If you want to compare it with our top pick, take a look at our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN article.

ExpressVPN server network boasts over 440 servers in the U.K., while Australia has over 190 servers in five locations, making it easy for you to switch servers if one is too slow to stream Netflix. Plus, there are almost 2,000 U.S. servers in case you decide to go with Max. 

ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, and our ExpressVPN review goes into even more detail.

Final Thoughts: Stream Friends Online

Now you are all set to start watching Friends, whether that’s from the very first episode where Rachel comes into Central Perk wearing a wedding dress or just watch one of your favorites and hear Joey ask, “How you doin’?” 

With NordVPN’s risk-free 30-day refund period, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving the service a try.

Which streaming service will you use to enjoy Friends episodes? Are you a Friends fanatic or someone who has never watched the show before? Do you know of another way to stream Friends online? Did you use a VPN to stream Friends, and if so, which one? Let us know in the comments below and, as always, thanks for reading.

FAQ

  • No, Friends is not free with an Amazon Prime account. A single episode will cost $2.99, while one season costs $19.99.

  • No, Friends is not available to watch on Disney+ at the moment. Currently, Friends is only available on Netflix in the U.K. and Australia and on Max in the U.S.

  • Netflix Australia and Netflix U.K. are currently showing all 10 seasons of Friends. The same goes for Max, which is available in the U.S., as well as a few other countries. If you’re not in any of those countries, you will need to use a VPN.

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