With the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Spotify, ownership of media is fading in favor of subscriptions. However, regional licensing limits Netflix's catalog based on your location. While originals like House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, Narcos, and Master of None are global, other titles vary by country.
Important Update (October 22, 2016): Smartflix is no longer operational. The website states: “Following Netflix's aggressive VPN/proxy crackdown, we cannot provide the same quality of service. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
VPNs offer a workaround to access full libraries regardless of location, but they come with drawbacks:
Smartflix was a user-friendly desktop app for Windows and Mac (Linux version planned) that aggregated Netflix content worldwide without manual region switching.
No VPN setup required—handled backend. Sleek interface with poster grids, categories (Popular, Top Rated, Originals, Family, etc.), IMDb synopses/ratings, trailers, and IMDb links.
Maintains "Watch Later" and recent views lists. Global search finds titles across regions instantly. Auto-subtitles from OpenSubtitles.org; upload custom ones.
Max 720p (Chrome-based limit; no 1080p/4K). No Chromecast support—screen mirroring lags. TV shows reset to Season 1 Episode 1; manual selection needed, no episode details.
Despite flaws, Smartflix expanded libraries massively with an intuitive interface. As a former VPN user, I found it far simpler for seamless global browsing.
At $13 total (Netflix + Smartflix), the value was clear—until discontinuation.
Via Smartflix, I discovered Korean films like The Chaser and hidden gems like The Man from Earth on Netflix Netherlands.
What's your favorite regional Netflix title? Share recommendations or Smartflix experiences in the comments!
