Are you planning on streaming US Netflix abroad? This guide will show you how to watch US Netflix in South Africa or anywhere else in the world with the best VPN for it. Sounds good? Keep reading!
TLDR; Best VPNs to watch US Netflix in South Africa
Short on time? Need to know how to watch US Netflix in South Africa? These top 5 VPNs will give you that access. They are:
- Surfshark – top choice for US Netflix in South Africa. Unlimited device connections, numerous US servers, fast speeds, high-end security features and offers Smart DNS.
- NordVPN – offers 1970+ US servers to watch US Netflix in South Africa. Strong security and encryption, SmartPlay feature and free trial.
- ExpressVPN – Fastest speeds to watch US Netflix in South Africa. Unblocks other streaming services too with MediaStreamer technologies.
- IPVanish – US-based VPN to watch US-Netflix in South Africa, good speeds, and no-logs policy.
- CyberGhost – unblocks US Netflix in South Africa with dedicated servers, user-friendly app and 45-days money-back guarantee.
Now, below you’ll find a detailed yet simple tutorial showing you how to access the US Netflix library in South Africa. Keep in mind that this tutorial can also be used in other countries around the world, apart from South Africa.
How to watch US Netflix in South Africa in 2021
With this tutorial, you won’t have to worry about regional blocks or geo-restrictions while in South Africa, and can easily access the US Netflix library in no time. Here’s how:
- Subscribe and sign up with one of the best VPNs recommended in the list above.
- Download and install the VPN app on a supported streaming device. All the VPNs for Netflix mentioned above, support numerous operating systems and offer apps for various devices.
- Once installed, launch the VPN app.
- Sign in to your account and connect to the best US server.
- Clear the cookies and cache.
- Download the Netflix app if you don’t have it already, or sign in to your Netflix account.
- You should now be able to see and watch the US Netflix library in South Africa.
If you require switching back to the South African Netflix library, simply disconnect from the VPN, and connect with a South African IP address.
Why do I need a VPN for it?
Here’s the thing, most of you who are familiar with Netflix have probably already heard about its geo-restrictions and license agreements laws.
Netflix is available mostly in the United States of America, and a couple of other territories around the world. You will find Netflix libraries ranging from US-content, Indian libraries, and even South African libraries.
However, regardless of Netflix being broadcast in South Africa, the most that you’ll be able to access is the SA Netflix library. The US Netflix library has more than 1800+ titles as compared to others, and if you’d like to watch Netflix in South Africa, you’re going to need a VPN for that.
For instance, it’s the same for the South African library. If you travel outside the country, you’ll have to use the best South African VPN to access its Netflix library or SA content.
So, in short, if you’re living outside the US, and want to access Netflix, it has to be through only the best or most reliable VPN for it.
The best VPN to watch Netflix US in South Africa
If you take a look below, I’ve highlighted details on what each US Netflix VPN has to offer and how it performed throughout my testing. We’ll first start with my top choice:
1. Surfshark – Best VPN for US Netflix in South Africa
- 3200+ servers in 65 countries, including coverage in the US
- Optimized for streaming and torrenting
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Good speeds
- Unlimited device connections
- Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Routers, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
- NoBorders and Camouflage Mode, GPS Spoofing, Smart DNS
- Unblocks US Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Kodi, Sky Go
- Best price –$2.49/mo.
Surfshark is usually considered one of the best VPNs for streaming, torrenting, or gaming in general, and is the best to watch Netflix USA in South Africa and for a good reason. During tests, I was able to access the US Netflix, and 16 other libraries.
Surfshark updated its server list to 3200+ servers in 65 countries, which also includes numerous servers in the US. Connecting to any one of their US servers, you’ll be able to access US Netflix in South Africa. Apart from Netflix, Surfshark unblocks Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, ESPN, HBO Now, Sky Sports and the list goes on.
Not too sure? Then run some tests of your own using the free trial or 30-day money back guarantee. You’ll be able to get a complete feel of the app.
If you’re worried more about bypassing the online restrictions or surveillance issues in SA, rather than accessing the US library, then read ahead.
You will be able to bypass ISP throttling and geo-blocks in South Africa, and go about undetected, especially since Surfshark operates using AES 256-bit encryption to secure your connection. Its apps even come with a Kill Switch, Split-Tunneling, and a CleanWeb feature for ad and malware blocking.
What’s more is there are features called NoBorders and Camouflage mode. These features will allow you to watch US Netflix in South Africa and other countries that limit online freedom. To top this off, Surfshark follows a strict no-logs policy and is headquartered in a safe jurisdiction called the British Virgin Islands.
All this and more is what makes Surfshark a favorite among users, and the best for watching the US Netflix in South Africa.
2. NordVPN – Access US Netflix in South Africa with 1970+ US servers
- 5400+ servers in 59 countries, with over 1970+ servers in the US
- Optimized for streaming and torrenting
- Multi-connections up to 6 devices
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Extremely fast speeds
- Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
- SmartPlay, Obfuscated servers, CyberSec feature, Leak protection
- Unblocks Sky Sports, Netflix, Kodi, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ESPN, Amazon Prime
- Best price – $3.30/mo.
If tight security and privacy is what you’d like to pair with great unblocking abilities, then NordVPN is a sure bet! NordVPN is known among many users worldwide, and makes one of the best VPNs to watch US Netflix in South Africa.
NordVPN offers around 5400+ servers in 59 countries, which also includes 1970+ servers in 15 US locations. That’s ample of US coverage for you to connect to, avoiding overcrowded servers, and ensuring the best speeds. What’s more is, you can connect to multiple devices with one subscription since NordVPN allows up to 6 multi-device connections.
If you’re worried about online privacy when trying to access the US Netflix library in SA, the NordVPN apps come equipped with top of the line AES 256-bit encryption. It even includes other features like a Kill Switch and a CyberSec feature that gets rid of ads or malware. Even if you encounter geo-restrictions, you can use NordVPN’s Smart DNS feature called SmartPlay.
Other than that, NordVPN is located in a privacy-friendly location called Panama, which is far away from the 14-eyes regions. The service even abides by a strict no-logs policy and has been through several independent audits in the past.
You could always use the trial or money-back guarantee to test the VPN and see how it performs for you. Either way, NordVPN performed exceptionally well when trying to access US Netflix in South Africa, which is only one of the few reasons why it’s popular among users.
3. ExpressVPN – Fast speeds and unblocks US Netflix in South Africa
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries, with servers in 14 US locations
- Optimized for streaming and torrenting
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Fast speeds
- Simultaneous connections up to 5 devices
- Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
- MediaStreamer feature, Split-tunneling, Perfect Forward Secrecy
- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Sky Go, HBO GO, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, ESPN.
- Best price – $6.67/mo.
ExpressVPN is known as one of the fastest VPNs in the industry, and that’s what’s required for streaming on geo-restricted services! Other than speeds, there are plenty of other reasons why ExpressVPN landed up on the top list to watch the US Netflix library in South Africa.
The ExpressVPN apps come with a large network coverage of over 3000+ servers in 94 countries. In this list you’ll find many servers in 14 US locations. That’s more than enough US coverage to get you access to the US Netflix and many other streaming services in South Africa. My team and I tested multiple of these US servers, and almost all worked great with the service.
Other than the US Netflix, I was able to access the UK, CA, Indian and multiple other libraries. It even unblocked other platforms like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Sky Sports, ESPN, Amazon Prime and others.
In the security and online protection area, ExpressVPN has much to offer. Firstly, it’s located in the British Virgin Islands, free from any surveillance and data retention laws. You don’t have to worry about data storage since ExpressVPN follows a strict no-logs policy. Additionally, they use TrustedServer technology, which means your data is only stored on RAM, meaning deleted after every session.
Other features include AES 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, leak protection and a Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer.
The MediaStreamer feature can be used on devices or gaming consoles that don’t support VPN apps. You will also be able to make simultaneous device connections on up to 5 devices. Either connect to your Windows during the free trial or refund period, or on your Android, simultaneously, the performance will work stably.
All-in-all, ExpressVPN makes a robust VPN app, and manages to get great user reviews. This is also why it’s landed up on the best Netflix VPN list to watch the US library in South Africa.
4. IPVanish – Unblocks American Netflix and other US services
- 1600+ servers in 75+ countries, with 888+ servers in the US
- Servers optimized for streaming and torrenting
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Stable speeds
- Unlimited device connections
- Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
- Scramble OpenVPN traffic feature, leak protection, Kill Switch
- Unblocks Sky Sports, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO GO, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer
- Best price – $3.75/mo.
Most users are a little hesitant when it comes to IPVanish VPN, and this is mostly to do with the VPN’s location. IPVanish is located in the United States, marked as an unsafe jurisdiction, but it still makes one of the best VPNs to watch US Netflix in South Africa.
Firstly, because it’s located in the US, it means access to a large platform of US services other than Netflix. IPVanish has around 1600+ servers in 75+ countries, with over 888+ servers in the United States. When I tested this VPN, I was able to access much more than the US Netflix library. For starters, I got access to BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Sky Sports, Disney Plus and more.
The speeds weren’t as stable as Surfshark, NordVPN, or ExpressVPN, but they were fast enough for HD streams. Plus you won’t experience buffering issues.
For security and online protection, the IPVanish apps come with AES 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch feature, DNS / IP leak protection, and a Split-Tunneling feature (for Android and macOS apps) If you’d like to add another layer of anonymity, from going undetected with your VPN, IPVanish offers a Scramble OpenVPN traffic feature on the apps.
I tested and reviewed the app entirely to make sure IPVanish worked efficiently, but you can run tests on your own too, using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. CyberGhost – Offers servers to unblock US Netflix library in South Africa
- 6000+ servers in 59 countries, including over 1413 servers in 11 US locations
- Optimized for streaming and torrenting
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
- Good speeds
- Simultaneous connections up to 7 devices
- Kill Switch, Military-grade encryption, DNS / IP leak protection
- Unblocks US Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Sky go
- Best Price – $2.25/mo.
CyberGhost is another great VPN that offers not only great speeds for HD streams on almost all its servers, but offers US servers assigned specifically for unblocking Netflix. Diving straight into its network coverage, CyberGhost offers around 6000+ servers in 59 countries, out of which 1413 servers are in 11 US locations.
What’s also good is the fact that users don’t need to test all US servers to get the best one. Each of the CyberGhost servers are labeled according to the streaming service or torrenting platform it works the best with. For instance, if you need to watch the US Netflix in South Africa, there will be a particular server labeled with the service against it.
When I tested the CyberGhost apps, I also checked to see if it unblocked other streaming services. To name a few, I got access to Hotstar, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime and others.
CyberGhost is pretty great even in the security area. The CyberGhost apps are run with AES 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, Split-Tunneling, and DNS/IP leak protection.
You’ll be able to test CyberGhost on your own using its free trial and refund period of 45-days. Only then you’ll see why this user-friendly VPN made it to my top 5 list.
How to choose a VPN that can unblock Netflix USA in South Africa?
The VPNs mentioned on this list weren’t just chosen out of popularity among many users. Each of the software was tested for overall performance and certain features that are necessary. Here’s what I looked for apart from testing their unblocking abilities:
- Each VPN was chosen on the basis of offering numerous servers in US locations. Only then will you be able to watch US Netflix in South Africa.
- They needed to offer apps for multiple popular operating systems and devices. The VPNs I chose all offer apps for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Firestick, routers, and a couple of others. Additionally, they all offer simultaneous multi-device connections.
- Logging policies are so important, which is why I made sure to check each provider to ensure that they are a true no-logs VPN.
- Speed tests were conducted to make sure all the US servers and more offered stable connection speeds.
- The security base needed to be top-notch.
- Unblocked not just the US Netflix, but multiple other services.
To conclude
You now know how to watch US Netflix in South Africa! Just remember that there aren’t severe online restrictions in South Africa, but, there are many things to stay clear of.
For instance public WiFi, external malicious attacks, and ISP throttling. This is why using a VPN to watch US Netflix in South Africa, or in general, is so important.
So now, all you have to do is simply connect to any of the recommended VPNs and follow the tutorial above, showing you access to Netflix USA in South Africa!
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