How to get an IP address for South Africa from Anywhere

Are you tired of the constant ‘Content Not Available in Your Region’ messages on your screen? Do you dream of unrestricted access to popular South African TV channels like SABC 1, SABC 2, and e.tv from anywhere in the world? This is a struggle faced by expatriates, globetrotters, and digital nomads everywhere. Luckily, a proven solution to this irritating problem is a robust Virtual Private Network (VPN). This can provide you with a South African IP address at the click of a button.

We’ve conducted exhaustive research and rigorous testing to handpick the best VPN services tailored for South Africa. Why? Because not all VPNs are created equal. The right VPN will not only cloak your actual IP address, but also encrypt your data end-to-end, shielding you from prying eyes and intrusive tracking. This allows you to surf the web anonymously, unlocking geo-restricted content as if you’re physically present in South Africa — even when you’re miles away.

In a rush? Scroll down for a summary of the top VPN services for a South African IP:

1. NordVPN: Our top choice for a South African IP. Incredible speeds, strong security, and no logs. Lots of servers in South Africa. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for South Africa.
2. Surfshark: Best budget option for an IP address in South Africa. Works with streaming sites and secures connections on an unlimited number of devices.
3. IPVanish: Great for Kodi users who want to access SA content. Use it on any number of devices at once and enjoy market-leading security features.
4. ExpressVPN: Fast servers are great for unblocking most South African sites. Internet privacy and security is very good.
5. CyberGhost: Reliable service and robust security. Large network of servers, including plenty of South African options for a local IP.
6. PureVPN: Simple, reliable service with a strong focus on ease-of-use. Delivers impressive speeds and works with a huge range of streaming platforms.
7. ProtonVPN: Quick and secure provider operating nearly two dozen servers in South Africa. A great choice for streaming, using public wi- fi safely, or torrenting.
8. PrivateVPN: Low-cost VPN for streaming Netflix and other South African platforms. Easy-to-use apps for beginners and advanced users.

How to get an IP address for South Africa

Don’t worry, it’s quick and easy to get an IP address for South Africa. Simply follow these proven simple steps.

Based on our real-world testing, here’s how to get a South African IP address:

1. Choose a VPN service provider. We strongly recommend NordVPN as it has plenty of servers South Africa for a local IP address.
2. Download and install the VPN software for your device.
3. Clear your browser’s cookies and device cache.
4. Open the VPN app and select a server in South Africa.
5. You now have an IP address for South Africa! If you’re having any issues unblocking content, be sure to try another server. For persistent problems, you will need to contact customer support.

The best South African IP VPNs compared

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for getting a South African IP.

How we choose the best VPNs for a South African IP address

To objectively evaluate which VPNs were the best for providing a South African IP address, we tested them in five key areas:

• Network suitability: We started by looking for VPNs with servers in South Africa. We then checked how many countries they supported overall. Finally, we tested them with popular South African and international streaming services.
• Speed: There’s not much point getting a South African IP address if the VPN makes your connection too slow to use. We found the fastest providers by speed-testing their South African servers.
• Security and privacy: VPNs are first and foremost designed to protect your connection from third-party interference. The providers best-placed to do this scored highly against our 16 security and privacy metrics.
• Ease of use: We like to ensure that we only recommend VPNs suitable for non-technical users. To do this, we evaluated them against 10 different ease-of-use metrics.
• Value for money: Nobody wants to overspend on a subscription service, which is why we looked for VPNs that offered good overall value for money. We did this by evaluating them against eight related criteria.

The above is just a summary. We provided a detailed account of our testing methodology later in the article.

The best VPNs to get a South African IP address

Based on our testing. Here’s our list of the best VPN service providers for getting a South African IP address:

1. NordVPN

May 2025

NordVPN is our top choice for a South African IP address. It has 50+ high-speed servers in South Africa and more than 7,400 in total. These are spread across 118 countries.

Unblocking geo-restricted content with NordVPN is very easy indeed. NordVPN has consistently found a way around anti-VPN measures and still successfully unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

This is the fastest VPN we’ve tested, and makes streaming South African TV shows and movies in HD an enjoyable experience — without all of the annoying buffering and lag. Overall, NordVPN achieved an average speed of 183.67 Mbps, which is all the more impressive considering we were connecting to its South African servers from the UK. 

NordVPN is one of the best value Virtual Private Networks on the market. You can use a single subscription on up to 10 devices, making it a great choice for families. What’s more, it offers excellent live customer support, 24/7. If you’re still not convinced, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out with no risk.

Of course, security is also important and NordVPN doesn’t disappoint. 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch and DNS leak protection and a strict no logs policy all serve to enhance your online security. Specialty servers include Onion Over VPN and Double VPN.

You can download NordVPN for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Linux while browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. There’s also an app for Android TV.

BEST VPN FOR SOUTH AFRICA:NordVPN is our #1 recommendation. It has 50+ servers in South Africa and is fast and reliable. It unblocks Netflix and offers an extremely high level of security. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a great budget alternative. It’s a fast, reliable VPN with around 3,000 servers in 100+ countries (including South Africa). In our speed tests, the provider achieved an impressive average download speed of 177.03 Mbps. 

As a rough guide, this is fast enough for streaming South African content in 4K on seven devices simultaneously.

With these fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and the ability to unblock platforms like SuperSport and DSTV, Surfshark is a strong choice for anyone looking to stream.

Further, unlike many of its rivals — which have strict connection limits — this service allows you to connect as many devices as you like.

This service uses 256-bit encryption, automatic ad-blocking and malware-scanning features, a kill switch, and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks to keep you safe at all times.

Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable information and allows you to sign up almost completely anonymously using a disposable email address and paying in cryptocurrency.

Surfshark provides MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, and Linux apps. It can be manually configured to work with wireless routers.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark offers a solid service and doesn’t restrict the number of devices you can connect. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is a reliable VPN service that offers several advantages. It’s popular with Kodi users due to its ease of use and ability to unblock geo-restricted content in South Africa and around the world. During testing, we had no issues access the South African content libraries of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus.

IPVanish currently has six servers in Johannesburg, South Africa, and more than 2,400 servers in over 140 worldwide locations. Unusually, the provider allows users to choose between individual servers. Decision-making is easy thanks to the displays of each server’s relative load and ping time.

If you’d rather IPVanish choose for you, simply connect by clicking on a location on the map (found on the app’s dashboard).

We tested the speed of IPVanish’s South African servers — which are located roughly 5,000 miles from our test machine. Even so, speeds were consistently quick, with an average download speed of 152.67 Mbps.

One of the biggest selling points of IPVanish is that it allows you to have unlimited simultaneous connections —  most VPNs permit 10 or less. Combined with 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s a great value VPN to consider.

IPVanish offers a high level of security thanks to its use of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection and a kill switch. It has a zero logs policy so you can surf the net with your privacy intact.

IPVanish apps are available for the following: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Amazon Fire TV. Linux and routers can be manually set up with IPVanish.

USE ON UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish can be used on all of your devices simultaneously. It’s great for Kodi and has an audited no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN operates over 3,000 servers spanning 105 countries, letting you browse from almost anywhere. It works with a huge number of streaming platforms and we were able to access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video without issue.

We speed-tested ExpressVPN while connected to one of its servers in Johannesburg. The results were remarkably consistent, with a difference of just 3.17 Mbps between the slowest and fastest results. Overall, the provider averaged a download speed of 115.51 Mbps.

Based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN is outside the intelligence alliance of Five Eyes (as well as 9 Eyes and 14 Eyes). It states that it doesn’t keep any online activity or connection logs. Information such as your IP address and browsing history are not collected, protecting your privacy.

Other security features of ExpressVPN include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch and split tunneling, making it one of the more secure VPNs on the market.

ExpressVPN’s apps are available for Windows, Mac and Linux as well as on mobile for Android and iOS. An app is also available for routers. Consoles and smart TVs can connect to ExpressVPN via the service’s MediaStreamer smart DNS proxy. ExpressVPN browser extensions can be downloaded for Chrome, Firefox and Safari.

RELIABLE VPN:ExpressVPN is fast and reliable with user-friendly apps. It unblocks Netflix and has a high level of security. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost offers more than 10,000 servers in more than 100 countries (including South Africa). It has low-cost subscriptions and a 45-day money-back guarantee, making it one of the best value VPNs available today.

Our testing of CyberGhost was very positive as we found it to be a fast VPN for both browsing and streaming movies and TV shows. It worked with national South African services such as SABC+ and eVOD, as well as big-name platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Connections are also consistent with steady speeds and no downtime. In our tests, the provider averaged 120.59 Mbps. This makes it suitable for high resolution streaming as well as gaming and video calling. 

You can have connections on up to seven devices simultaneously with CyberGhost. The apps are quick and easy to use, allowing you to sort by country and specific server. Various toggle buttons allow you to customize your experience by blocking ads, and routing select apps and websites through the VPN tunnel.

CyberGhost is based in Romania where there are no mandatory data retention laws. It uses 256-bit AES encryption, has DNS and IP leak protection, an automatic kill switch and a strict no logs policy, making it a safe VPN to use.

CyberGhost offers apps for desktop (Windows, Mac and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS) as well as Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick. While there are no apps for routers, these can be configured manually. If you encounter any issues, CyberGhost offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email.

VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is a strong all-rounder since it’s fast, consistent and very secure. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PureVPN

PureVPN has more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries, including South Africa. In addition to its main list of server locations, the provider has a list of streaming platforms that link to the servers that work best with them.

Speed-wise, the provider averaged 117.78 Mbps while we were connected to one of its servers in South Africa. This means that you’re unlikely to notice any performance issues when streaming South African TV or performing other data-intensive tasks.

If you do run into problems, customer support is available 24 hours per day via live chat (though sometimes staff take a minute or two to respond). With low prices and a high connection limit, this service delivers exceptional value.

It’s no slouch on the security front, either. PureVPN follows a true no-logs policy and has proven it by undergoing four independent audits. Its apps keep you safe using 256-bit AES or ChaCha20 encryption (depending on whether you’re using OpenVPN or WireGuard), leak protection, and a kill switch.

Finally, this service works perfectly in countries with extreme censorship, so you’ll be able to stay safe even in places like China.

PureVPN has its own apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and MacOS. Further, it provides manual configuration instructions in case you’d like to install it on a router instead.

SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE:PureVPN is a fantastic choice for novices. Its apps are beginner-friendly yet secure, and its speeds are solid. Still not sure it’s right for you? That’s fine: all plans come with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Interested? Read our complete review of PureVPN.

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7. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has more than 34 servers in Johannesburg and in excess of 12,000 more in a further 116+ countries. It works with all manner of stubborn streaming platforms so you’ll be able to watch SuperSport, Netflix, and Disney+ from just about anywhere.

This service also blocks ads and delivers fast speeds — which is a great combination for streaming. While connected to one of its servers in South Africa, we measured speeds averaging 121.83 Mbps. 

This VPN goes above and beyond on security. It keeps you safe using uncrackable encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and a kill switch, but that’s just the beginning. Advanced users will appreciate its split tunneling and port forwarding functionality, its tracker-blocker, and the multi-hop Secure Core servers.

ProtonVPN has a strict no-logs policy in place and has been audited to prove its privacy claims are true. It accepts cash and Bitcoin, too, giving you a way to sign up without providing any personally identifiable information. Users can connect 10 devices at the same time and speak directly with support staff if they need help.

ProtonVPN offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Additionally, it supports the most popular router firmware, allowing you to secure an entire network.

STREAM SAFELY:ProtonVPN is a security-first provider that nevertheless provides first-class speed and streaming ability. Plenty of servers in South Africa and 24/7 customer support. Paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why not read our in-depth ProtonVPN review?

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8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a great choice for streaming thanks to the fast and reliable speeds offered. It’s able to unblock everything from Netflix to Amazon Prime Video to BBC iPlayer, and offers unlimited bandwidth.

Although PrivateVPN has a smaller network of approximately 200 servers, the fact that they’re spread across 63 countries helps make up for it. To find out what sort of speeds users might expect, we tested the provider server in South Africa. As you can see from the chart below, PrivateVPN was slower than the other providers in this list. Despite this, it still comfortably exceeds the Netflix and Amazon minimum speed requirement of 15 Mbps for 4K streaming.

This Sweden-based VPN service allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously on one account. Having tested out PrivateVPN’s apps, we can say that they are extremely easy to use. The presence of simple and advanced menus means all levels of users are catered to.

We’re impressed by the security offered by PrivateVPN, which includes military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a built-in kill switch and DNS and lPv6 leak protection. PrivateVPN states it has a zero data logging policy and doesn’t know what you’re doing online.

You can use PrivateVPN on Windows, Android, Mac and iOS while Linux and routers require manual setup.

LOW COST SUBSCRIPTIONS:PrivateVPN is cheap and great for streaming Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It has user-friendly apps but fewer servers overall. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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Our VPN testing methodology: How we found the best South Africa IP address VPNs

To work out which VPNs were best for getting a South African IP address, we tested them in five key areas. Barring the speed measurements, these tests involving objectively evaluating providers against a series of fixed criteria.

Network suitability

As a starting point, all of the VPNs selected for this post had to have servers in South Africa. Specifically, we scored them on the number of server locations in the country. We then scored them on the number of countries they supported overall. Finally, we tested them with a set of South African and international streaming services — and scored them accordingly.

These scores were weighted and combined to generate an overall Network Suitability score out of 10. This makes a side-by-side comparison much easier.

NordVPN’s score of 9.8 was highest. The provider has plenty of servers in South Africa and a further 117 countries. If you also take into account its superior streaming ability, then you have a winning combination. ExpressVPN took second place with a score of 9.6. This provider is great at streaming, but has servers in 13 fewer countries than NordVPN, and less servers in South Africa.

Speed

If you want to enjoy using your South African IP address, it’s vital that your chosen VPN is fast enough for browsing, streaming or any other online activity that you’re partial to. To find which providers were fastest, we carried out three speed tests for each of them while connected to one of their servers in South Africa.

We rate-limited our base connection speed to 250 Mbps in an effort to mimic the conditions of the average users in the US (where the majority of our readers reside). Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app.

The three results for each provider were averaged and converted to a score out of 10 relative to the other providers.

As you can see from the chart above, NordVPN was the fastest provider overall — though Surfshark wasn’t far behind. Either provider is a great choice if you plan on using a South African IP address for streaming, gaming, torrenting, or all three at the same time.

Security and privacy

At the very least, a VPN should use 256-bit AES encryption and offer a kill switch and DNS leak protection. This secures you from cybercriminals and other shady characters (like ISPs — which are required to keep logs in SA). We look for all of this in a VPN as well as extras such as ad-blockers and Double VPN servers. You can see which providers offer what features in the table below.

If the terms in the above table don’t mean much to you, don’t worry. As part of our process, we scored each of the metrics and combined them to create a handy chart for direct comparison.

NordVPN and Surfshark each scored 9.5, putting them at the top of their game for security and privacy. Both providers use effectively uncrackable encryption, RAM-only servers and have obfuscation that works in China. If you’re not trying to access South African sites from restrictive countries, then ProtonVPN is an excellent alternative.

Ease of use

A VPN needn’t be complicated to use, particularly if it offers user-friendly apps that are quick and easy to navigate. These apps should be available for desktop and mobile at a minimum. You should also be able to find 24/7 live chat and email support as well as a variety of setup and troubleshooting guides. Use the table below to get an idea of which providers go the extra mile for user convenience.

If you’re table-averse, use the chart below instead. This combines the metrics used above into scores out of 10 for each provider.

NordVPN’s score of 9.6 was highest overall. The provider combines user-friendly apps with responsive customer support and a hassle-free sign-up and cancellation process. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are great alternatives if you’re new to VPN software.

Value for money

Just because a VPN offers the above, it doesn’t mean that it has to be expensive. The top providers offer a variety of ways to save on the price of a subscription. Scan the table below for details.

If you’re more interested in a general overview of each provider’s relative worth, we combined the above metrics to create a chart showing the overall scores out of 10 for each VPN.

Surfshark was the top-scoring provider this time — primarily thanks to its two-year introductory deals and lack of device connection limit. IPVanish, NordVPN and CyberGhost are good quality — and fairly priced — alternatives.

Can I use a free VPN to get an IP address for South Africa?

Many people use free VPNs to obtain a South Africa IP address. While a free service may be tempting, we advise against it for a few reasons. In particular, a free VPN has to make money one way or another. If they’re not charging you for a subscription, they’re likely selling your data (everything from your personal information to your online activity) to third parties. Some free Virtual Private Networks even carry malware or pester you with inappropriate spam adverts.

VPN security is obviously very important but so is performance. Free VPNs are usually slow, which makes streaming movies and TV shows a difficult task. Aside from all the buffering and lag, few free VPNs are actually able to unblock Netflix due to its anti-VPN measures. On top of this, free VPNs throttle your speed and bandwidth due to the high number of users. If you want an IP address for South Africa, you’re best off with a quality paid VPN.

Why do I need an IP address from South Africa?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address from South Africa allows you to browse the internet as if you were in South Africa. This means you’ll be able to access South African websites and services, no matter where you’re actually located. You’ll also be able to watch South African TV channels and access popular South African subscription services.

Indeed, a quality VPN with servers in countries all over the world will let you browse from almost anywhere such as the US or Japan. This means you’ll be able to unblock popular streaming services including Netflix, BBC iPlayer and ESPN. Because a VPN hides your true IP address and location, it can also provide you with greater online security.

How can I watch South African TV abroad with a VPN?

Whether you’re traveling outside South Africa, you can unblock South African TV with a VPN. All you have to do is connect to a server in South Africa via your VPN and the geo-restricted content should be unblocked. If not, try clearing your browser’s cookies to ensure any changes you’ve made are allowed to take effect.

Using a South African IP address, you’ll be able to watch content on South African TV, no matter your location. This includes terrestrial channels such as SABC 1, SABC 2 and e.tv. It also allows you to access subscription services such as Showmax, DStv and SuperSport – all of which are region-restricted and otherwise inaccessible.

Are VPNs legal in South Africa?

VPNs are legal in South Africa. Fortunately, there’s little to no internet censorship in South Africa. Freedom House has classed South Africa’s internet freedom as “free”. However, the likes of the Cybercrimes and Cyber Security Bill and Films and Publications Amendment Bill have been criticized for their potential to threaten people’s privacy and freedom of expression.

South Africa IP Address FAQs

See also

• How to get Netflix USA in South Africa
• How to watch Disney Plus in South Africa