How to get a USA IP address – 4 ways to access US websites abroad

Struggling to access your favorite US websites while traveling abroad? Maybe your online banking platform is refusing to let you login from a foreign country or perhaps you’re just looking to continue streaming your favorite shows on vacation. The good news is that there are four main methods of getting an American IP address, and we’ll cover each of them below, explaining the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Here are the methods we cover to help you gain a US IP address:

• VPN (recommended)
• Proxy
• Tor
• DNS server

Now, it’s important to understand that some of these methods are simply “better” than others. A VPN, for instance, can change your IP address while also hiding your online activities from snoopers like the government or your Internet Service Provider. However, there are some situations where one of the other methods may be suitable, so we’ve listed them just to be thorough and make you aware of your options.

The quickest, easiest, and overall best way to get a US IP address is to use a VPN. Our team carefully researched and tested more than 70 leading providers to find out which were the most reliable. You’ll find a short description of the best VPNs for getting an IP address from American below.

The best VPNs to get a US IP address:

1. NordVPN The best VPN for a US IP address. Has over 1,000 servers in the US alone. Works with just about any streaming platform. Strong on security, with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for a US IP.
2. Surfshark Best budget VPN for getting an American IP address abroad. Boasts high speeds, powerful privacy, and a total lack of connection limits.
3. Total VPN This reliable, speedy service has a large presence in the US and works with a wide range of region-locked platforms. Strict no-logs policy too.
4. ProtonVPN This well-respected VPN boasts a proven no-logs policy and some of the highest speeds we’ve seen. Works with American streaming platforms.
5. ExpressVPN A reliable VPN with US servers. Works almost anywhere and offers novice-friendly apps, as well as strong security and 24/7 live chat.
6. IPVanish A zero-logs VPN offering dozens of US server locations. Can protect all of your devices and unblock almost any American streaming platform.
7. CyberGhost Quick, easy to use, and ideal for streaming. With a strict no-logs policy, lots of US servers, and strong security, this VPN can handle anything.
8. PureVPN A beginner-friendly service with a large network, generous connection limit, and 24/7 support. Strong streaming abilities.
9. PrivateVPN Security comes first with this VPN but it’s also great for streaming and torrenting. Customizable privacy tools and a strict zero-logs policy.

How to get a US IP address with a VPN

Here’s how to get a US IP address:

1. Sign up for a Virtual Private Network (VPN). We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app on any device you use regularly — most providers allow at least five simultaneous connections.
3. Log into the app and choose a server in the United States. This will change your IP address, making websites think that you’re actually there and allowing you to access geo-blocked platforms while abroad.
4. Visit your preferred streaming site and try watching something. In theory, you should now be able to watch as normal.
5. If you encounter any issues, try clearing your cookies and restarting your device to remove old location identifiers. If problems persist, you will need to reach out to your chosen VPN provider’s support team.

See also: Best USA VPNs for Speed and Security.

How we chose the best VPNs with American servers

It’s a buyer’s market out there, with thousands of VPNs to choose from. Most people don’t have the time or inclination to manually research all of these though, which is why we’ve done the hard part for you. Our expert reviewers scored different VPNs on their performance in five key categories, as laid out below:

• Speed: Slow speeds cause stuttering, buffering, and random disconnection from the VPN. Conversely, the faster your VPN is, the fewer problems you’re likely to have when watching your favorite shows abroad.
• Security and privacy: There’s no point using a VPN that can’t keep you safe. Our team scores providers on more than a dozen security-related criteria including which protocols they support and how strong their encryption is.
• Network features: To see how suitable VPNs were for this task, we looked into how many US server locations each had. Then, we tried each VPN against a series of tricky streaming services to see which were the most versatile.
• Ease of use: We’re big fans of any service that makes day to day operation as seamless as possible. That’s why our experts reward VPNs with quality of life features like 24/7 live chat, no connection limits, and task-specific servers.
• Value for money: Finally, we verify that VPNs are priced fairly for what they offer. We also look into their lowest monthly price, how often they go on sale, and whether they offer student discounts. There is one requirement: VPNs must offer a money-back guarantee to even be eligible for recommendation.

Want to know more? Check out the methodology section, where you can see the extent of our testing process and the results of those tests. For now, let’s take a closer look at the providers we recommend.

Best VPNs for a USA IP: At a glance

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Do you prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for getting a US IP address.

Best VPNs to get a US IP address

Based on real-world experience, here’s our list of the best VPNs to get a US IP address:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2025

NordVPN is our top choice for getting an IP address from the USA. Not only does it offer servers in 22 American cities, its network is one of the largest around (8,000+ servers in 120 countries). Better still, this VPN works flawlessly with most major streaming services, allowing you to stream Paramount+, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and more while traveling abroad. There’s a 10 simultaneous connection limit, plus 24/7 assistance is available over live chat.

To see how fast NordVPN was, we decided to test its US servers three times: once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the afternoon. We used a 45 Mbps connection to better replicate the experience of the average internet user. With an average speed of of 39.3 Mbps, this was actually one of the fastest VPNs tested, and significantly faster than is required for streaming.

This VPN has a fairly intuitive interface, with a server list on the left and various connection metrics on the right. There are also multiple types of specialty server, including multi-hop (which encrypt your data twice), obfuscated (for beating censorship), and Tor over VPN (for more anonymous access to the Dark Web).

NordVPN doesn’t disappoint from a security perspective either. It keeps your online activities private using unbreakable AES-256 encryption, a kill switch that stops sending data when your connection drops, and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. There’s also an audited no-logs policy, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and a custom protocol called NordLynx that offers the speed of WireGuard while addressing some of that protocol’s security issues.

There are more advanced tools as well. For instance, NordVPN also supports split tunneling, an auto-connect feature that’ll keep you safe on public networks, and the ability to beat country-wide censorship in places like China or the UAE.

This service has its own Android, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Linux apps. Its website also provides step by step instructions for installing NordVPN on your home router.

BEST VPN FOR A US IP ADDRESS:NordVPN is our first choice VPN for getting a US IP address. It’s extremely fast, has a major security focus, and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. Best of all, it keeps no logs and has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for getting an IP address from America. Despite its low price, this provider has more than 4,500 servers in 100+ countries and 20+ locations in the US alone. Whether you’re hoping to play online games, stream Netflix USA, torrent safely, or call people back home, this VPN would be a great choice. There’s 24/7 customer support over live chat and best of all, Surfshark is one of the only providers that lets you connect every device you own at the same time.

Our next task was to make sure that Surfshark was actually suitable for streaming. Our team was able to access platforms like ABC, NBC, Peacock, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, and Max without any issues. Further, with an average speed of 37.2 Mbps, this is actually one of the faster providers on the market. Let’s take a closer look at those results:

Surfshark boasts a robust set of privacy features including unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands and has been independently-audited to prove that it doesn’t keep any logs of your activities. Users can block ads and trackers automatically, plus there’s a new content blocking feature that can also restrict access to various types of aduly content.

Believe it or not, there’s more. This VPN can also change your IP address periodically to make you even harder to track. It also boasts split tunneling functionality, a NoBorders mode capable of beating the world’s strictest online censorship, and a tool that generates a fictional persona so you can sign up for websites without providing any of your real personal information. It’s even possible to set up a forwarding email so that any messages to your fake persona are sent on to your actual inbox, without requiring you to hand over your real email address.

Finally, Surfshark has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. It can also be manually installed on most routers; just check the website’s help section for configuration instructions.

BEST BUDGET PICK:Surfshark is our low-cost pick. It’s fast, versatile, and secure, with the ability to protect every device you own at the same time. Best of all, this no-logs VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN is another great option for anyone hoping to get a US IP address. This provider has servers in over 20 different States and in total, its network covers 80+ countries. Further, it can reliably access popular streaming services like Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and Max, so you’ll never run out of things to watch. Up to five devices can be connected at the same time, and there’s 24/7 email support in case anything goes wrong.

If you’re trying to get an IP address from a specific country, you’re likely interested in streaming, which is a high-bandwidth activity. As such, you’ll need a quick and consistent VPN. Our experts tested Total VPN’s American servers at various points throughout the day, using a connection that had an average base speed of 45.3 Mbps. Let’s take a look at the results:

Total VPN managed to deliver an average speed of 35.3 Mbps. That’s a highly competitive result and means this is one of the fastest services on the market. In real terms, it’s enough to play two 4K videos simultaneously, and you shouldn’t have too much trouble if you’re someone who likes to multitask either.

When it comes to security, there’s a lot to like here. Total VPN keeps you safe using 256-bit AES encryption (which is currently considered unbreakable) and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. There’s also a kill switch on Android, with plans to bring this to other platforms in the near future. Most importantly, Total VPN refuses to keep any logs, meaning your activities can’t be traced back to you. We would like to see this service undergo an independent audit for additional peace of mind, though.

Total VPN apps are available for Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS.

SECURE US SERVERS:Total VPN has lots of American servers to choose from, plus excellent streaming capabilities. Takes your security seriously and comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee on short plans and a 30-day guarantee if you sign up for a year or more.

Check out our complete Total VPN review for more details.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has a rock-solid reputation, partly because its parent company created the secure email service, Proton Mail. However, the VPN is impressive enough in its own right: there are 15,000 servers to choose from, spanning 120 countries and 19 US cities. You’ll be able to access just about any major streaming platform including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or sidestep NFL and NBA blackouts with ease. Up to 10 devices can be connected at once and customer support is available 24 hours per day over live chat.

This is a freemium service, so it’s technically possible to get a US IP address without paying anything. However, free users can’t choose a desired location, so it’s really down to luck. Upgrading also raises your connection limit, unlocks faster servers, grants access to one on one support, and lets you unblock streaming platforms.

To see how quick and consistent ProtonVPN’s American servers were, we tested them at three different times of day, using a home broadband connection. Note that paid users get access to faster servers, so if performance is a priority, we’d strongly suggest upgrading. ProtonVPN delivered an average speed of 35.2 Mbps, which was only 10 Mbps slower than our base connection. No matter what you have in mind, this service is up to the challenge. See for yourself:

ProtonVPN has everything you’ll need to browse the web safely. For instance, it shields you from snoopers using uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. There’s also a Stealth protocol that can help you get around some kinds of VPN-blocking (though it isn’t strong enough to beat China’s Great Firewall, unfortunately). This service refuses to keep any logs of your activities and has been audited several times.

That’s not all. ProtonVPN is one of the only providers with port forwarding support, which can be extremely helpful for torrenting and playing online games. Additionally, it offers split tunneling functionality (letting certain apps or websites bypass the VPN’s encryption), supports multiple industry-approved protocols, and is capable of blocking ads and trackers automatically.

You can connect to ProtonVPN using its custom apps for iOS, MacOS, Windows, Linux, and Android. Manual setup instructions are available on its website in case you’d rather install it on your router.

ADVANCED VPN:ProtonVPN takes your security seriously and works with most American streaming platforms. It delivers high speeds, doesn’t keep any logs, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Check out our complete ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is an exceptionally versatile, easy to use service. Not only does it have RAM-only servers in more than 60 American cities (including New Jersey, LA, and San Francisco), it works effortlessly with streaming platforms like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Netflix. All in all, ExpressVPN’s network covers 105 countries, making it a strong choice for watching geo-restricted content, torrenting, gaming, or video calling. You can secure up to 10 devices on the Basic plan and support staff are available, day or night, via live chat.

This provider boasts an intuitive app that makes it perfect for VPN beginners. The home screen is devoted to getting you connected as quickly as possible, plus both its server list and settings menu are neatly grouped into different tabs for easier navigation. We also really liked that each option explains exactly what it does, since this reduces the chance of you changing something important without noticing.

Our team of experts ran three speed tests on ExpressVPN’s US servers (once in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon) on a 45 Mbps connection. This approach allowed us to better simulate the average users’ experience and measure the VPN’s consistency during busier periods. ExpressVPN’s average download speed was 35.72 Mbps, making it a solid choice for data-intensive tasks like torrenting or watching 4K video.

ExpressVPN has plenty of security features, with most of them enabled by default. These include 256-bit AES encryption, a custom Lightway protocol, a kill switch (which it calls “Network Lock”), and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. This VPN can also block ads, trackers, and adult content automatically. There’s a strict no-logs policy in place (backed up by several independent audits), as well as split tunneling functionality and support for Bitcoin payments so you can sign up anonymously.

ExpressVPN has rolled out a new tiered pricing model with three options — Basic ($3.49), Advanced ($4.49), and Pro ($7.49). This gives you the flexibility to choose the plan that fits your budget and security requirements, while delivering higher connection limits and lower prices than ever before. 

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. ExpressVPN even has proprietary firmware for routers, which is unique to this provider and makes it easier to set up on VPN-compatible routers.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable choice. Great for streaming. Strong privacy features, a no-logs policy, not to mention a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our in-depth ExpressVPN review.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish operates more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries and has clusters in 22 US cities including LA, New York, Dallas, and Chicago. Not only that, this VPN works flawlessly with most major American streaming services; we’ve had great results watching Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube TV from abroad. IPVanish doesn’t impose any bandwidth or connection limits and offers around the clock customer support via live chat. Not bad considering its extremely affordable pricing!

IPVanish’s apps are extremely easy to use and actually let you see each server’s current load, allowing you to quickly find whichever is least busy. Once you connect, the main page will display a real-time graph showing data-transferal metrics, your chosen protocol, and your current IP address. The settings menu is simple too, with options spread across five different tabs. As such, finding a specific setting is quite straightforward.

To get a better understanding of IPVanish’s performance, we tested its US servers at three times over the course of a day. So how did it do? Well, with an average speed of 36.48 Mbps, it’s one of the fastest VPNs we’ve seen, and more than capable of handling everyday tasks like streaming, torrenting, or making video call. The table below shows IPVanish’s speeds in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon:

We’re pleased to reveal that this service is a great option for keeping you safe online too. IPVanish uses unbreakable AES-256 encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default (though there’s also WireGuard support), blocks DNS and IPVanish leaks, and uses a kill switch to make sure you’re always protected. This VPN doesn’t keep any logs and has been audited to prove it, so don’t let the fact that it’s based in the US put you off.

IPVanish also offers an automatic connection feature that’ll protect your privacy while using public wifi hotspots, plus a traffic-scrambling feature, multi-hop servers, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and a tool that verifies whether links are safe to open. As such, it’s one of the most security-conscious providers on the market, and a fantastic choice for anyone worried about staying safe while on vacation abroad.

This VPN recently introduced a new subscription tier, the Advanced plan. This costs a little more each month but includes the VPN itself, a terabyte of cloud storage, and a cloud-based sandboxed browser. During our testing, we found that this browser was a little slow, though we can’t deny it’s an excellent way to browse safely while away from home.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also connect manually on Linux and compatible routers, with detailed setup guides available on the IPVanish website.

SIMPLIFIES SECURITY:IPVanish takes the stress out of streaming American TV abroad. With impressive speeds, 24/7 customer support, and a strong privacy focus, you’ll be ready for anything. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our comprehensive IPVanish review.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another strong option for anyone hoping to watch US TV channels from abroad. It has a vast network spanning 100+ countries and even offers servers optimized for accessing stubborn streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Max, NBC, and ESPN. Just be aware that these are often cross-compatible: we’ve been able to stream using general-purpose servers and access ABC while connected to the Netflix server, for instance. Up to seven devices can be connected simultaneously plus there’s 24/7 customer support over live chat.

Given this VPN’s strong focus on streaming, we expected competitive speeds and thankfully, weren’t disappointed. CyberGhost managed to achieve an average speed of 36.53 Mbps, placing it among the quicker providers we’ve tested. Whether you want to stream American TV while traveling or play online games, this service is fast enough to keep up. Take a look at our full test results:

When it comes to security, CyberGhost has everything you could possibly need. This includes unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks. It supports several industry-approved protocols including Wireguard and refuses to log any personally-identifiable information (something confirmed via external audit). These features all come pre-enabled but there’s plenty for more experienced users who need a bit more customization.

For instance, CyberGhost is one of the only major providers that lets you adjust MTU size (potentially improving speeds on some networks). It also offers a Smart Rules feature that tells the VPN to pick a specific server, open apps, and connect on its own in certain situations. This VPN blocks ads and trackers automatically too, which can only ever enhance your streaming experience. Just be aware that this service doesn’t support port forwarding and only has split tunneling in its Android app.

Finally, CyberGhost has Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV apps, which means you can get an American IP address on most popular devices. It also has setup guides for routers that support OpenVPN.

BEST FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost has a simple set up and is easy to use. Streams HD video reliably. Streaming-optimized servers for 15+ US streaming platforms. Secure enough to bypass blocks at work. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

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8. PureVPN

PureVPN offers a decent choice of servers worldwide. It provides subscribers with more than 6,000 servers spread across 65+ countries, including 13 cities across the US. This is a strong choice for anyone interested in streaming too, since it works perfectly with NBC, CBS, Netflix, and many more platforms. You can connect a maximum of 10 devices at the same time, and if you have any problems, customer support staff are ready to help, 24 hours per day, over live chat.

The apps are fairly intuitive, though we’d rather PureVPN’s streaming-optimized servers weren’t tucked away in the Shortcuts menu. Still, we liked that you can see the current ping of each server and that the settings menu is neatly-organized. Being able to favorite locations for quicker access was a nice bonus too. For added transparency, PureVPN provides a list of its virtual server locations too.

To make sure PureVPN has what it takes to stream 4K video without any stuttering or buffering, our team tested its New York servers three times throughout a typical day. PureVPN delivered an average speed of 35.14 Mbps, outpacing most of its rivals and allowing you to perform any data-intensive task. There was only around 7 Mbps of variance too, so it’s not just quick, it’s also very reliable.

This service takes your privacy seriously and it shows. To begin with, PureVPN uses 256-bit AES or ChaCha20 encryption, depending on which protocol you select (both are currently considered uncrackable). There’s also DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection, a customizable kill switch, and a strict no-logging policy. Unlike most other providers, this one has an “always-on” audit policy, meaning it could be audited at any time.

Let’s talk a little about this provider’s more advanced features. It’s able to block trackers and automatically obfuscates OpenVPN traffic, making it a strong choice for users in countries with extreme censorship, like China. There’s also split tunneling functionality in case you’d like to stream US TV without losing access to services that are only available in your current location.

The apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, all featuring a consistent user interface. Alternatively, check out PureVPN’s website for an explanation of how to install this VPN directly on your router.

EASY TO USE:PureVPN has a simple design that makes it perfect for novices. It is one of the quickest and most versatile services on the market. Comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee to test it.

Read our full review of PureVPN to learn more.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a well-respected, versatile service based in Sweden. It has a fairly small-scale network (200 servers in 60+ countries) but puts privacy at the heart of everything it does (no surprise, given it was created by torrenting advocates). We’ve had great results using this VPN to stream Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Disney+, and fuboTV to name but a few services. Up to 10 simultaneous connections are permitted, plus you can speak with staff using this VPN’s live chat service — it’s not available 24/7 but staff do offer remote assistance (with your consent, of course).

This provider has two different views: Simple and Advanced. The former is easier to use but essentially locks off all functionality except for location selection and the qucik connect button. The Advanced view, however, provides more information and access to the settings menu (more on this later). Besides, even if you’re brand new to the world of VPNs, PrivateVPN’s Advanced mode shouldn’t overwhelm you so we’d suggest just sticking with it.

Next, we wanted to get a better understanding of PrivateVPN’s speeds. As such, our team tested its New York server speeds at three times of day. With an average speed of 35.9 Mbps, PrivateVPN wasn’t the quickest around but is still significantly faster than is needed for watching 4K streams, downloading torrents, or playing online games safely. Here’s a breakdown of our test results:

This provider acts as its own ISP and owns its entire network outright, greatly limiting who has access to your traffic. Further, PrivateVPN’s apps have everything you’ll need to stay safe online. There’s adjustable encryption (128-bit or 256-bit AES), for instance, plus DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. This service also includes a kill switch that can close specific apps when your connection drops, a stealth mode capable of beating extreme digital censorship in places like China or the UAE, and port forwarding support. You can even get a dedicated IP address at no extra cost.

PrivateVPN is a cheap VPN, especially considering that it includes port forwarding as a standard with every subscription. You can get an account for just US$2.00 per month, which is a good enough reason to take it for a test run using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

PrivateVPN has custom Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV apps. It can be manually installed on Linux systems and most home routers.

SOLID PERFORMER:PrivateVPN is based in Sweden and has bare metal servers in 63 countries, including the US. Works with around two dozen Netflix regions. Excellent connection speeds. Allows torrenting. Easy to use. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

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How to get a dedicated US IP address

Normally, everyone using a particular VPN server shares the same IP address. However, these change periodically for anonymity reasons and any time the servers are reset during maintenance. The problem is that some networks, devices, and systems require users to log in with the same IP address every time. For example, maybe your bank finds it suspicious that you’re logging in from multiple locations or perhaps you’re trying to connect to a friend’s online game server.

This is where dedicated IP addresses (sometimes called static IP addresses) come in handy. Unlike most other VPN servers, dedicated IP servers do not ever change their IP addresses. This means you can take advantage of the VPN’s privacy features while still being able to use systems that struggle with users who have constantly-changing IP addresses.

Now, not every provider offers dedicated IP addresses. For instance, IPVanish dislikes that they can theoretically make users easier to track. Most other providers in this list do offer this functionality, but since this it’s a pretty niche feature that not everyone will need, you’ll usually have to pay a little extra each month for the privilege.

• NordVPN: Optional addon, prices starting at $3.69 per month
• Surfshark: Optional addon, prices begin at $3.75 monthly
• ExpressVPN: Included with Pro plan, otherwise optional addon with prices starting at $3.99 monthly
• CyberGhost: Optional addon, costs $5 per month
• PureVPN: Optional addon, prices start from $4.45 monthly
• PrivateVPN: Dedicated IP address servers are included for free

VPNs to avoid

If you’re trying to obtain a US IP address, it’s pivotal that your privacy and anonymity are always secured. The VPNs mentioned in this list have a proven history of protecting users’ data and privacy, but providers without such scruples exist. One such provider is:

HolaVPN

Israel-based Hola, a popular VPN extension for Chrome, used its sizable user base of almost 50 million for illegal purposes. The company turned this critical mass into a massive botnet in 2015, leveraging individual user bandwidth to engage in distributed denial of service attacks and distribute copyrighted material. Users were completely in the dark.

Another VPN choice that we recommend avoiding is:

Free VPNs

Free VPNs are heavily advertised online, and some users may be tempted to sign up. However, many such services have a poor track record of impinging on users’ rights by stealing their data and selling it to third-party advertisers.

After all, even free VPNs are registered businesses. Hence, they need to make money to pay for staff salaries, server maintenance, and general office overheads. That’s why the route for monetization becomes users themselves.

Even if your data isn’t stolen, expect bandwidth throttling, weak encryption standards, and data caps. So it’s likely that you’ll be booted out if you stream Netflix for an hour or so. Tons of invasive advertisements are also common, with the real risk of contracting a malware infection. We recommend you avoid the random free VPNs on the web.

Other ways to gain an American IP Address

Getting a US IP address with a proxy server

If you’re looking for a free alternative to a VPN for an American IP, you might consider using a US proxy server. These work similarly to a VPN, routing your traffic via a server in America, but they lack the privacy and security benefits.

Not only do proxies not encrypt your web traffic, but some often collect user data to monetize their offering and keep the service free, so proceed with caution.

It’s also worth noting that the servers aren’t as robust, so you will likely encounter issues if you want to log into your US Netflix or Hulu account and stream from abroad.

If you want to connect to the US through a proxy, check out our best proxy provider list to get started.

How to use a proxy to get a US IP

On Windows:

1. Go to: Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection > Preview Builds.
2. Update settings with your chosen proxy details
3. Apply and connect

On Mac:

1. Go to: Safari > Preferences > Advanced > Change Settings.
2. Update settings with your chosen proxy details
3. Connect to the proxy in System Preferences

On Android:

1. Go to: Settings > wifi> Your Network > Modify Network > Advanced > Manual.
2. Update settings with your chosen proxy Hostname and Proxy port.
3. Save and connect.

On iPhone:

1. Go to: Settings > wifi> Network Information > Configure Proxy > Manual > Manual.
2. Enter the proxy Hostname and Proxy port.
3. Turn on Authentication
4. Save and connect.

Getting an American IP address with Tor

Tor is a free internet browser that encrypts users’ traffic, not once, but three times! It can also conceal your IP address in favor of a US alternative.

This may sound like a great option, but it’s important to note that Tor will not be able to handle anything that requires a fast connection, such as video streaming, gaming, or VoIP. There’s also a high technical barrier to entry, so it’s not for the faint-hearted.

But if you are looking to access news sites from home, aren’t put off by technical issues, and don’t mind a slow connection, Tor could offer a free alternative solution.

Read more in our guide to using Tor with a VPN.

Use an American DNS server when gaining a USA IP address

Nearly as important as your public IP address is the server your device uses to look up the IP addresses of different web pages and other online content. DNS, or Domain Name System, works like a phone book in which names (domains) match phone numbers (IP addresses). When attempting to access geo-locked content, many websites check where you’re calling from and where the phone book is located.

Even when you have an American IP address, if a DNS request is sent to a server outside of the US to look up a public IP address, the website or app can see this and still block you. Therefore, your DNS server must be in the same country as your IP address. In this case, you need a DNS server inside the US.

All VPNs in the above list have apps that take care of this for you. When you connect to the VPN server, your DNS requests are sent through the encrypted tunnel. Good VPNs, like the ones we recommend, operate their own private DNS servers, so your DNS requests cannot be used to track which websites you visit by your Internet Service Provider or another DNS server provider. You might need to toggle this option in your VPN app’s settings.

Some mediocre VPNs send DNS requests through the tunnel but then use a public DNS service like Google DNS on the other side. This will let you use DNS servers in the US, but Google can record which websites you visit and when, which is not ideal for privacy. Other VPNs fail to tunnel DNS requests altogether.

If your VPN provider doesn’t tunnel DNS traffic for you, you can manually configure DNS servers on most devices. We recommend a service like OpenNIC, which offers free DNS servers in specific countries, including the US. The exact process for changing DNS servers varies between devices, but you can usually add primary and secondary DNS servers somewhere in your network configuration settings.

Windows 10 users, in particular, should be aware that their operating system often sends such requests in tandem, one over the IPv4 protocol and one over IPv6. Windows uses whichever comes back faster. However, IPv6 requests are often sent outside the VPN tunnel. If your VPN doesn’t offer IPv6 leak protection, you may need to disable IPv6 altogether in your wifi settings.

How to get an American IP Address: FAQ