How to watch Netflix USA content in South Africa with a VPN

Netflix is available almost everywhere in the world, but the library of content changes based on your location. In fact, there’s often a major disparity between regional libraries. For instance, Netflix USA has almost 2,000 more titles than Netflix South Africa. Luckily for Americans traveling in South Africa, there is a way to access the same content you’d see back home — just use a VPN.

When you connect to an American VPN server, you’re given a temporary US IP address, which can help you regain access to your home Netflix library. VPNs have another major benefit: they greatly increase your online privacy. Once connected, all of your network traffic is encrypted, meaning it can’t be read by snoopers like your Internet Service Provider (ISP), employer, or government. Further, as your data is routed through servers elsewhere in the world, VPNs enable you to bypass government-imposed blocks easily.

We’ll be examining each of the following services in greater detail later, but if you’re in a rush, take a look below to find our list of the best VPNs for watching Netflix USA content in South Africa.

Best VPNs to watch American Netflix in South Africa

1. NordVPN: Our first choice for South Africa. With over 1,900 superfast US servers and a strong focus on privacy and security, NordVPN is ideal for streaming US Netflix. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The best budget choice. A fast, security-conscious VPN that’s able to access Netflix US from South Africa securely. Allows you to connect as many devices as you like.
3. ExpressVPN: A reliable VPN with over 3,000 servers in 90+ countries. Works well with American Netflix in South Africa includes powerful security features, and offers consistently high speeds.
4. CyberGhost: Versatile yet simple enough for beginners to use. Offers high speeds, one-click secure access for platforms like Netflix USA, and pre-configured security features.
5. IPVanish: A fast VPN with a proprietary network of servers in 50+ countries, including South Africa. Kill-switch and obfuscation features. Allows torrenting and works to stream US platforms.
6. PrivateVPN: Works with more than a dozen Netflix libraries and provides very fast connections. Boasts a no-logs policy and a strong commitment to your security.

How to stream Netflix US in South Africa using a VPN

New to VPNs and not sure how to get started? Don’t worry, VPNs make it easy to securely access your usual Netflix library as you travel. Just follow the steps below:

Here’s how to get Netflix USA in South Africa:

1. Start by signing up for one of the VPNs above (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the software. All of our recommended services have dedicated apps for mobile and desktop platforms, so be sure to get the right version for your device.
3. Connect to one of your VPN’s American servers. This will give you a US IP address.
4. Log in to Netflix and play a video. It should start right away, but if you’re still getting a proxy error (“You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again”), try clearing your cache and cookies and then refreshing the page.
5. Still can’t watch anything? Try contacting your VPN’s support team for further assistance.

The best VPNs for US Netflix in South Africa – 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 US Netflix.

Best VPNs for watching US Netflix in South Africa

Choosing a VPN doesn’t have to be an ordeal. While there are dozens of VPNs to choose from (and new ones appearing all the time), we’ve narrowed the list to VPNs that meet all of the criteria below. This means they’re all highly versatile services, capable of handling just about anything you throw at them.

Criteria for selecting the best VPNs

• Has servers able to securely access Netflix US abroad
• Provides consistently high speeds
• Logs no personally identifiable information
• Offers apps for all of the most popular operating systems
• Uses effectively uncrackable encryption and includes various other security features

You can read more about our process for selecting the VPNs we recommend below. But for now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made the grade.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching American Netflix in South Africa:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2023 works with Netflix USTested Mar 2023

NordVPN is our top recommendation for watching US Netflix in South Africa. It’s the fastest VPN we’ve tested and has a huge network, with over 5,500 servers in 60+ countries (and more than 1,900 in the US alone). This VPN is great for securely streaming Netflix USA, and with reliable connections, you’ll be able to watch without any noticeable buffering or lag. Better still, NordVPN allows up to six simultaneous connections.

This service enables you to create your ideal security setup. There’s 256-bit encryption, protection against IPv6, WebRTC, DNS, and port forwarding leaks, an app-specific kill switch, a malware scanner, and an ad-blocker. This VPN even has specific servers for use in countries with strict internet censorship. NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, so your privacy is guaranteed. If you need help, support is available over live chat 24/7.

NordVPN provides Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android apps. It also works with network routers but must be configured manually.

BEST VPN FOR US NETFLIX:NordVPN is our top choice. This powerful VPN has several advanced security features, works well with US Netflix, and has over 5,500 high-speed servers to choose from. What’s more, NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee making it a risk-free option.

Read our review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

works with Netflix USTested Mar 2023

Surfshark is a budget-friendly provider with over 3,200 servers across 100 countries, including the US. This service not only lets you watch American Netflix in South Africa, but it also works with platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. The main attraction of this VPN is that it has no connection limit, meaning it offers excellent value and is a particularly good choice for households with lots of devices.

This service takes your privacy seriously. It has a zero-logs policy, so details of your activities can’t be revealed, even if requested. Users can also pay with Bitcoin for added anonymity. Surfshark uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection to secure your data. Live chat-based support is on hand 24/7 in case you run into any problems.

Surfshark has Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV / Fire Stick apps. It works on routers too, although it must be installed manually.

BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark is a fast, security-conscious VPN that works well with Netflix US. With no connection limit and a no-logs policy, you can stream safely on as many devices as you like. This service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our complete Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

works with Netflix USTested Mar 2023

ExpressVPN has a network of over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, including the US. It provides consistently high speeds and can securely access a wide range of streaming services, including Netflix USA, Hulu, and Sling TV from abroad. With five connections permitted, you can protect all of your most commonly-used devices simultaneously.

This VPN keeps your traffic safe from prying eyes using DNS and IPv6 leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption, and a kill switch that automatically stops all data transferal whenever your connection drops suddenly. There’s also the option to pay with Bitcoin, but ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, so your activities can’t be traced back to you either way. Need help? You can reach customer support 24/7 via live chat.

ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS devices. There’s also custom firmware designed to make it easier to install ExpressVPN on select internet routers.

SECURE AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is a great choice for watching Netflix US in South Africa. It’s fast, reliable, and secure, plus it offers access to more than 3,000 servers worldwide. ExpressVPN also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

works with Netflix USTested Mar 2023

CyberGhost currently has over 9,000 servers in 90+ countries, roughly 1,400 of which are in the US. This service is excellent for streaming as it’s fast, offers unlimited bandwidth, and allows you to search for the best server by latency, load, or the service it’s best suited for. CyberGhost allows you to stream safely on up to seven devices simultaneously.

There’s no need to configure anything since all of CyberGhost’s security features are enabled by default. These include 256-bit encryption, an always-on kill switch (in every version), DNS and IPv6 leak protection, an ad-blocker, and a malware-scanner. Best of all, this service doesn’t log any information that could identify you. In case of any issues, customer support is available over live chat 24/7.

CyberGhost offers apps for MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. It must be manually installed on Linux-based systems and wireless routers.

COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY:CyberGhost provides fast, reliable connections, advanced security and privacy features, and the ability to stream US Netflix from almost anywhere. This VPN has over 1,400 US servers and includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our in-depth CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish is a US-based VPN that is secure and private. It offers strong AES encryption and reliable privacy-protecting features, including obfuscation, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch.

It has servers in over 60 countries, including servers in South Africa. It works well to access streaming platforms such as Netflix US and Amazon Prime Video from South Africa. However, it doesn’t always work with streaming services outside of the US. Thus, we recommend testing it with services like  SuperSport and ShowMax using its money-back guarantee.

A no-logs policy means the company does not store any of your online activities. This makes up for it being based in the US, which isn’t the best. Note that split tunneling is available for Android and Firesticks only. Best of all, you can use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices.

SUPER FAST:IPVanish has a proprietary network of servers that make it secure and fast. Works to access US streaming services from South Africa. Has AES encryption, a no-logging policy, and obfuscation. Allows unlimited connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

works with Netflix USTested Mar 2023

PrivateVPN might not have the largest network (around 200 servers in 63 countries), but it does offer higher speeds than many other VPNs. Additionally, this service has no problems securely accessing multiple Netflix libraries from abroad. This makes it perfect for international travelers. With up to 10 simultaneous connections allowed, you can stream on whichever device you prefer.

This VPN uses a combination of 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks to keep your data secure. PrivateVPN has a strict no-logs policy, although you can sign up anonymously by paying with Bitcoin and using a throwaway email address. If you need help, you can contact support via live chat between 3 PM–1 PM PST every day.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS. This VPN can be manually configured to work with Linux systems and home routers.

FLAWLESS STREAMING:PrivateVPN boasts exceptionally high speeds and access to servers in multiple US cities. A no-logs policy and strong focus on security keep you safe at all times. PrivateVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Take a look at our full PrivateVPN review.

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Methodology – How we find the best VPNs for Netflix USA in South Africa

Not every VPN with US servers will let you watch Netflix USA in South Africa. THey may not be capable of unblocking the geo-restrictions, streams may be choppy due to unreliable connectivity, and some VPNs lack the technology needed to enjoy 4K streaming. To help us develop a list of the best VPNs for the job, we’ve collated a list of what we look for to separate the best from the rest.

• Server availability: To stream US Netflix from South Africa, the VPN you choose must have servers in the United States. Some VPNs have a minute number of server locations per country, which isn’t beneficial if one of the servers goes down and there’s no backup to switch to. To ensure you’re not in this position, the VPNs on our list have a decent range of servers for each location.
• Performance: Streaming content online is resource-heavy, so choosing a VPN that offers impeccable speeds is vital. Fortunately, we keep up with the latest VPN speeds by running several speed tests.
• Streaming capability: Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus have restrictions in place to block VPN usage, so it’s important each VPN can bypass detection. We test VPNs on various streaming platforms to ensure they can evade restrictions when you’re streaming from abroad.
• Security: To ensure your connection remains private to you and out of sight of prying eyes like your ISP, it’s crucial to select VPNs with a clear no-logs policy, and those that use 256-bit encryption offer a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Although we never shy away from added privacy tools!
• Usability: When you’re looking to stream a TV show, there’s nothing more frustrating than having a screen full of confusing settings. The VPNs we choose have apps for all major platforms and will have you set up in a couple of clicks.
• Value: We compare the VPNs on our lists to ensure they offer pricing that reflects the range of features included with a subscription. They stay off our lists if they overcharge for basic features without adding anything extra. We also include providers with a money-back guarantee, with most consisting of at least 30 days to cancel for a full refund.

Check out our VPN testing methodology if you’d like to learn more about how we test each VPN.

US Netflix in South Africa FAQs

See also:

• Best VPNs for South Africa
• How to change your Netflix country
• How to get a South African IP address