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 the American 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 easily bypass government-imposed blocking.

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:

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:

Best VPNs to watch American Netflix in South Africa

  • NordVPN: Our first choice for South Africa. With over 1,900 superfast US server and a strong focus on privacy and security, NordVPN is ideal for streaming US Netflix. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: The best budget choice. A fast, security-conscious VPN that’s able to securely access Netflix US from South Africa. Allows you to connect as many devices as you like.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • PrivateVPN: 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.

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

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

  • Start by signing up for one of the VPNs above (we recommend NordVPN).
  • 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.
  • Connect to one of your VPN’s American servers.
  • 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 then refreshing the page. Still can’t watch anything? Try contacting your VPN’s support team for further assistance.

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 down to just five. The best VPNs for streaming American Netflix in South Africa meet all of the criteria below, meaning that they’re all highly versatile services, capable of handling just about anything you throw at them.

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.

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

Best VPNs for watching US Netflix in South Africa

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

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

works with Netflix USTested Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

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 5.000 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 5,000 high-speed servers to choose from. What’s more, NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee making it a risk-free option.

Pros:

  • Incredible speeds
  • No issues with Netflix US
  • Excellent security and encryption standards
  • Huge network of servers
  • Keeps no logs whatsoever
  • 24/7 support

Cons:

  • Desktop app can be awkward to use, needs updating

Read our review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

works with Netflix USTested Jan 2023

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

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.

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.

  • Allows unlimited devices

  • Great for securely accessing sites like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer

  • Strong encryption

  • No logs at all

  • Solid customer support

  • Some slow speeds

Read our complete Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

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.

  • Fast speeds for streaming and torrenting

  • Lets you securely access Netflix US in South Africa

  • Solid privacy and security

  • Pay anonymously with Bitcoin

  • More expensive than other providers on this list

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost currently has over 7,200 servers in 90+ countries, roughly 1,200 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 almost 1,000 US servers and includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • All security features enabled by default

  • Fast, reliable service

  • Apps are easy to install and use – a good option for beginners

  • Less suitable for power users

Check out our in-depth CyberGhost review.

5. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

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 six 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.

  • Fast and reliable servers provide consistent connections

  • Zero-logs provider

  • Works with popular streaming sites including US Netflix

  • Doesn’t have 24/7 live chat

  • Small number of servers to choose from

Take a look at our full PrivateVPN review.

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

You probably know that almost any VPN with US servers lets you watch Netflix USA in South Africa, but that’s not to say they’re the best option. While some VPNs may be capable of unblocking geo-restrictions that prevent you from watching US Netflix from South Africa, 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.

Image credits: Wikipedia map of USA CC BY-SA 3.0 “map of Africa” by Shosholoza CC BY SA 3.0

Also, there’s no guarantee you’re actually using a legitimate free VPN. A recent study of over 280 free VPN apps found that almost 40% were infected with malware. Further, the virus-free services weren’t necessarily safe, with over 80% leaking data over IPv6 and 18% using no encryption at all. Unfortunately, even well-known services pose a risk to your security, as we discovered when Hola was caught selling idle user bandwidth to help run a botnet.

The best way to stay safe online is to use a reputable VPN service with a clear-cut privacy policy and a history of standing up for its users’ privacy.

If you’re on vacation in a foreign country, you’ll almost certainly use public wifi at some point. However, these networks usually aren’t very secure, meaning they’re a prime target for hackers. Further, the hotspot owner almost always keeps records of user activity. When you connect to a VPN, though, your traffic is encrypted. This prevents anyone from seeing personal information like the sites you visit, login credentials, or online banking details.

  • Black Mirror
  • Terrace House
  • When They See Us
  • Always Be My Maybe
  • The Chef Show
  • Aggretsuko
  • Russian Doll
  • Dead to Me
  • The Good Place
  • The Society

See also:

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