To get an IP address for South Africa, you’ll need a good VPN. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, hides your true IP address and provides you with an African IP address of a VPN server in a location of your choice. It does this by encrypting your device’s internet traffic and routing it through one of its own servers. This allows you to browse the web anonymously and unblock geo-restricted content as sites will think you’re browsing from another location. VPNs are by far the easiest way to get a South African IP, as they are easy to install and allow you to change your IP address and encrypt your traffic, making it unreadable to any third-party observers.
Fortunately, internet access in South Africa has few restrictions, which means residents in South Africa can access online content freely. However, if you’re overseas and want to access popular South African tv channels like SABC 1, SABC 2 and e.tv, you’ll need a South African IP address.
If you’re too busy to read the full article, here’s a quick summary of the best VPN services for South Africa to get an IP address:
- 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.
- Surfshark Best budget option. Works with streaming sites and secures connections on an unlimited number of devices.
- ExpressVPN Fast servers are great for unblocking most SA sites. Internet privacy and security are top-notch.
- CyberGhost Reliable service and robust security. Large network of servers.
- IPVanish Great for Kodi users. Use it on up to 10 devices at once.
- Hotspot Shield Servers in 80 countries including South Africa. Good speeds and strong security with encryption and a password manager. 24/7 support.
- PrivateVPN Fast VPN for streaming Netflix. Easy to use apps.
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 simple steps.
Here’s how to get a South African IP address:
- Choose a VPN service provider. We strongly recommend NordVPN for South Africa.
- Download and install the VPN software for your device.
- Clear your browser’s cookies.
- Open the VPN app and select a server in South Africa.
- You now have an IP address for South Africa! If you’re having any issues unblocking content, be sure to try another server.
The best VPN to get a South African IP address – at a glance
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.
The best VPN to get a South Africa IP address
The hardest part of getting an IP address for South Africa is deciding which VPN service provider to use. We’ve attempted to make this easier for you by researching the many South Africa Virtual Private Networks. We have discussed our ranking methodology after the following reviews.
Here’s our list of the best VPN service providers for getting a South African IP address:
1. NordVPN
Jan 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- Background
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is one of the best value Virtual Private Networks on the market. You can use a single subscription on up to six 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.
NordVPN speed test data
BEST VPN FOR SOUTH AFRICA:NordVPN is our #1 recommendation. It has 21 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.
Pros:
- 21 servers in South Africa and over 5,000 worldwide
- Servers are fast and allow for high-quality streaming
- Use NordVPN on up to 6 devices
- Plenty of security features including encryption
- Apps for Linux and Android TV
Cons:
- The desktop app is a little cumbersome
Our score:
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Surfshark is a great budget alternative. It’s fast, reliable VPN with around 1700 servers across 60+ countries (including South Africa). With unlimited bandwidth and the ability to unblock platforms like Netflix US, SuperSport, and BBC iPlayer, 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.
Surfshark speed test data
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.
Fast enough for flawless live streaming
Strong focus on security
Zero-logs provider
No connection limit
Still has the occasional slow server
Read our full review of Surfshark here.
3. ExpressVPN
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
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.
ExpressVPN speed test data
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.
Fast VPN with lots of servers worldwide
Excellent at unblocking restricted content including Netflix
Risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Apps are well-designed and easy to use
Slightly more expensive than some VPNs
Could offer more customizable features
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost offers more than 5,700 servers online (10 of which are in South Africa server network) and a 45-day money-back guarantee, making it one of the best value VPNs available today. This provides you with plenty of time to try it out for yourself, risk-free. 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. Connections are also consistent with steady speeds and no downtime. If you do encounter any issues, CyberGhost offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email.
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, enforcing HTTPS, and compressing data. 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 speed test data
VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is a strong all-rounder since it’s fast, consistent and very secure. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Lack of configuration options will frustrate power users
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. IPVanish
Website: www.IPVanish.com
One of the biggest selling points of IPVanish is that it allows you to have 10 simultaneous connections on multiple devices – far more than most VPNs permit. Combined with 24/7 customer support and a 7-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 speed test data
USE ON 10 DEVICES:IPVanish can be used on up to 10 devices simultaneously. It’s great for Kodi and has a no logs policy though is based in the USA. 7-day money-back guarantee.
Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth
Easy to use with Kodi
Use IPVanish on 10 devices simultaneously
Reliable access
Based in the US which is a member of the Five Eyes alliance
Unreliable when it comes to unblocking Netflix
Read our full IPVanish review.
6. Hotspot Shield
Website: www.Hotspotshield.com
Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.
Hotspot Shield provided an average download speed of 63 Mbps in our speed tests. This makes it a reliable choice whether you’re browsing, streaming, or torrenting. Aside from offering unlimited bandwidth, it has more than 1,800 servers in 80 countries. This makes it highly suitable not only for getting an IP address for South Africa but for accessing a wide range of geo-restricted websites and services.
When you connect to a Hotspot Shield server, your data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also a kill switch feature as well as protection from DNS leaks. As Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep logs by which you can personally be identified, it’s well worth considering if you’d like to stay anonymous and protect your privacy. Last but not least, you’ll have access to 24-hour support via live chat and email.
SERVERS IN 80 COUNTRIES:Hotspot Shield offers fast, unthrottled connections an servers in 80 countries, South Africa included. Lots of security features such as auto wifi protection and a password manager. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Servers in 80 countries including South Africa
No bandwidth throttling so you can stream without lag or buffering
Strong security thanks to encryption and auto wifi protection
Offers 24/7 support via live chat and email
Quite expensive month-to-month plan
Doesn’t accept Bitcoin/cryptocurrency
Read our full Hotspot Shield review.
7. PrivateVPN
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
This Sweden-based VPN service allows you to connect up to six 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.
PrivateVPN speed test data
Offers fast speeds for streaming TV shows and movies
Unblocks most major streaming services including Netflix
Apps are very easy to use
Reliable access
Smaller network of servers
Live chat support is rarely available
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for getting a South Africa IP address
You may be wondering how we came up with our list of the best VPNs for getting a South African IP address. After all, there are so many VPN providers to choose from! Our methodology takes a number of factors into account as outlined below:
- Servers in South Africa: As a starting point, all of the VPNs selected for this post had to have servers in South Africa. By connecting to one of these servers, you can get a South Africa IP address. Their server networks stretch far beyond this however. Indeed, thousands of servers are available across dozens of countries worldwide.
- Speed: There’s little more frustrating than slow server speeds preventing you from your online activities, be they streaming or downloading. Our speed tests have revealed the fastest VPNs, all of which include unlimited bandwidth. If you’re suffering from ISP throttling, you may even experience faster speeds than before.
- Unblocking: A lot of online content may be unavailable in your location. This may be due to copyright restrictions or even government censorship. Some VPNs simply aren’t very good at bypassing these blocks. However, those listed in this post consistently find ways around them (and have thousands of IP addresses to do so!).
- Security: 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. We look for all of this in a VPN as well as extras such as ad blockers, Double VPN servers, and password managers. As such, these VPNs offer more comprehensive protection.
- Privacy: There are some concerns in South Africa regarding government surveillance powers. Furthermore, ISPs are required to keep logs. This is why it’s so important to use a VPN that properly encrypts your data and which operates a no-logs policy. To find those that protect you, we’ve analyzed some 140 VPN logging policies.
- 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.
- Value for money: Just because a VPN offers the above, doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. Indeed, our VPN discount coupons can help you save on the price of a subscription. Better still, the very best VPNs for getting an IP address for South Africa even come with a money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them out risk-free.
If you like, you can find out more about how we test and analyze VPNs using our VPN testing methodology. Our hands-on testing of each VPN ensures that it’s given a fair and honest appraisal.
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.
See also
- Best VPNs for South Africa
- How to get Netflix USA in South Africa
