Anyone living in or traveling to South Africa will find a Virtual Private Network (VPN) incredibly useful. Not only will a VPN protect your online privacy when browsing online by encrypting your internet traffic, but it will also allow you to unblock your favorite streaming services from back home.

We reveal the best VPNs for South Africa based on our rigorous testing process, plus we explain exactly how to use your VPN in South Africa.

If you don’t want to read the rest of this article, here’s our list of the best VPNs for South Africa:

  • NordVPN: Our top VPN for users in South Africa! Very fast provider with a huge server network. Zero logs and impeccable security. 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: Best budget VPN for South Africa. Secure service that keeps no logs and easily bypasses geo-restriction measures and government blocks.
  • ExpressVPN: Unblocks both South African and international streaming sites. Strong security, no logs, and you can even purchase it anonymously.
  • CyberGhost: A cheaper alternative with great security, fast speeds, and no logs. Makes it easy to unblock sites.
  • IPVanish: No-logs service with a lot of servers and the option to change your IP address at specific time intervals.
  • Private internet access: Boasts strong security and fast speeds, servers in over 70 countries, and also supports WireGuard.

Wee recommend internet users in South Africa use a VPN while browsing the web. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN encrypts all the internet traffic flowing to and from your device and routing it via an intermediary server. It helps maintain privacy and anonymity on the internet and makes it difficult for hackers and government agencies to spy on your activity.

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.

A VPN is also an excellent choice for foreign expatriates living in South Africa as well as local residents traveling abroad. A South Africa VPN allows you to access online content such as DST, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, BeIN Sports, MTN, Sky Go and Super Sports.

The best VPNs for 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 South Africa.

The Best VPNs for South Africa

Our ranking of the best VPNs for South Africa is based on the following factors:

  • Fast speed and reliable service
  • Strong security and no logs
  • Unblocks geo-restricted African content with ease
  • Servers in South Africa for local residents traveling abroad
  • Large number of servers across the world for foreign expatriates living in South Africa

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for South Africa:

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

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

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN has a stellar reputation in the VPN business because it’s been around for over a decade and offers a product that packs a punch. It’s fast, doesn’t store any data, allows multiple VPN connections, and has a robust selection of servers.

NordVPN simply declines to hold any data about its users. This means there’s no metadata about browsing habits, timestamps, or choice of servers. The policy has thwarted attempts by authorities to force Nord to hand over customer data. The company is also based in Panama – which means it doesn’t fall under the purview of Western agencies and has no mandatory data retention laws to comply with.

NordVPN operates 5,000+ servers in 59 countries – with options to connect depending on your specific requirement – such as downloading, P2P file sharing, video streaming, or anonymity. There are multiple servers in South Africa.

All internet traffic is secured by 256-bit AES encryption, which comes as standard. It’s coupled with 2,048-bit SSL keys and DNS leak protection.

There’s support for Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST VPN FOR SOUTH AFRICA:NordVPN is our top choice. A solid all-round performer in South Africa. Accesses Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. A great choice for security and privacy. Use up to 6 devices at once with great internet connection speeds. Offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Great VPN for downloading and streaming from abroad
  • Unblocks most popular geo-locked streaming services
  • The fastest VPN on the market
  • Top-notch security and privacy protection
  • Keeps no logs whatsoever

Cons:

  • Desktop app can be awkward to use

Our score:

Here’s our full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark currently operates around 1,700 servers in 60+ countries including South Africa. This service provides high speeds and boasts excellent unblocking ability, meaning it’s ideal for live streaming region-locked content abroad. Best of all, Surfshark has no connection limit. As such, it allows you to secure all of your devices at once.

This VPN takes your security seriously. It uses effectively uncrackable 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (in all versions), and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks to keep your activities private at all times. There’s also automatic ad-blocking and malware-scanning, as well as a strict no-logs policy which ensures your online activities can’t be traced back to you.

Surfshark apps are available for iOS, MacOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. Manual installation is required for use with network traffic routers.

Surfshark speed test data

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

  • Makes it easy to get a South African IP address

  • High speeds and strong unblocking ability

  • Powerful security and privacy features

  • No bandwidth limits

  • Connect as many devices as you like

  • Some servers are faster than others

  • Small (but growing) network

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is an inexpensive service that lets you connect as many devices as you like, so you can stream and browse securely at home or on the go. 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN is one of the best all-round VPNs out there. Not only does it offer fast speeds, it combines that with military-grade encryption protocols and a rustic design. It’s easy to install and works just right.

The company operates over 3,000 VPN servers spread across 94 countries including a few in South Africa. Hence local residents traveling abroad can use these servers to access local content like MTN and Super Sports.

If you’re worried about privacy and anonymity, then ExpressVPN’s policy of not storing any user logs should ease your concerns. The only minimal information the company stores is metadata pertaining to the “date (not time) of connection, choice of server location, and total bandwidth used”. Your individual IP address will never be logged.

As for encryption parameters, ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES-CBC protocols as well as HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. There’s an internet kill switch included, which the company calls a ‘network lock’. This feature means all web traffic will be temporarily halted if the connection drops unexpectedly. That’s an additional layer of security – ensuring there are no momentary open doors for prying eyes to enter.

ExpressVPN speed test data

SPEED AND SECURITY:ExpressVPN is a quick, privacy-conscious VPN that works great in South Africa. Hard to beat on privacy and security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Fast speeds for streaming and torrenting

  • Best in class security and privacy features are built-in

  • Access a large range of geo-locked sites, e.g. Netflix

  • Easy to use apps for most platforms are beginner-friendly

  • Not the cheapest provider on this list – use coupon provided

  • May not be flexible enough for advanced users

Here’s our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost will appeal to beginner users because it’s relatively inexpensive, offers decent speeds and strong encryption, and is easy to set up.

The company is headquartered in Romania and privacy advocates will be pleased with the fact that it has a stated policy of not storing any user data. Having said that, there was a bit of management shuffle recently – CyberGhost was acquired by an Israeli firm headquartered in the UK. There’s a slight chance this could change the logging policy so we’ll keep our readers updated on this front.

Let’s come back to service standards. The company has been adding new server locations at a voracious speed – right now there are 5,700+ servers online. They’re spread across 89 countries – with 10 in South Africa.

Encryption standards are robust – the company deploys 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default along with 2,048-bit RSA keys and MD5 HMAC authentication. These are considered to be top-tier standards. An internet kill switch is also included.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Windows, MacOS and Linux. One paid account allows for seven devices to connect at a single time.

CyberGhost is a solid option for streaming and will allow you to watch US Netflix in South Africa.

CyberGhost speed test data

Beginner friendly:CyberGhost is easy to use. Great privacy and security. A good option for the price conscious. Reliable in South Africa. Unblocks BBC iPlayer and most other popular streaming sites. 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Budget priced provider with impressive streaming speeds

  • Apps are easy to use and great for new users

  • Good range of servers in South Africa is great for unblocking content while abroad

  • No issues unblocking BBC iPlayer, and more

  • Doesn’t work in China

  • Doesn’t provide much control over advanced features

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish is another supremely reliable VPN service that prioritizes strong encryption, stringent privacy, and blazing speeds. It’s a completely logless VPN which means there’s absolutely no data retention of any kind.

To secure web traffic, IPVanish uses 256-bit encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. The lattermost feature means that your past data will remain encrypted even in the unlikely scenario of a hacker gleaning access to your account.

There’s an internet kill switch embedded within the system architecture – similar to ExpressVPN. The company allows any number of devices to be connected simultaneously, setting it apart from most other VPNs on the market.

Servers are spread out all worldwide and don’t compromise on any aspects of the web experience. Currently, there’s an option to connect to over 850 possible choices, including six servers present in South Africa.

IPVanish isn’t a good choice for people looking to access Netflix or Hulu. However, it does work very well with BBC iPlayer.

There are apps for both iOS and Android as well as desktop support for Windows and MacOS.

IPVanish is popular with Kodi users because it allows them to download the Android APK directly to their device. The interface is also remote control friendly for Kodi devices that lack a keyboard and mouse.

IPVanish speed test data

SECURE EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Great for families and multiple connections. Reasonable speeds for streaming. Solid security and privacy. Works well with Kodi but look elsewhere if you want to access Netflix. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Provides a secure, encrypted connection on all apps

  • Impressive streaming speeds

  • Offers 24/7 live chat

  • Use any number of devices

  • Customer support is a little slow

  • Apps don’t work in China

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a reliable no-logs provider that offers good speeds and robust security. As its name implies, the company strives to protect user privacy with extra measures like IP address masking, port forwarding, DNS leak protection, SOCKS5 proxy server connections, and more.

It’s not as powerful as ExpressVPN in unblocking content abroad, but it still works well with BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, and other popular streaming services. It can also access geo-restricted content from networks like Netflix US and HBO Max.

It has servers in South Africa that produce some excellent speeds. The overall number of PIA servers across the world totals over 32,000, which means you can access content from almost any corner of the world.

It also provides apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chrome and Firefox extensions. And if you’re using Kodi or Firestick devices, there are dedicated versions for those as well. Support is on hand day and night via a chat facility. You can try PIA for 30 days risk-free thanks to its money-back guarantee.

SUPPORTS WIREGUARD:Private Internet Access includes a 10-simultaneous device limit, a network kill switch, and operates over 30,000 servers globally.

  • Can connect up to 10 devices at the same time

  • Tweak encryption for faster speeds

  • Doesn’t collect logs

  • Apps available on desktop and mobile

  • Struggles with some streaming services

  • Based in a Five Eyes Alliance Country

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

Can I use a free VPN for South Africa?

People who don’t think VPNs are worth the money might opt for a free VPN service. But it’s better to know the full truth before embarking on an option you might regret later.

The fact is that several free VPN and proxy providers have been caught mining and selling user data (more about this in the next section). An additional point to consider is that there will definitely be download caps, bandwidth throttling, and an extremely poor selection of servers. Such services aren’t out there to zealously guard your privacy either, so don’t expect world-class standards.

Free VPN companies have to monetize too. You’ll definitely be bombarded with invasive advertisements and migraine-inducing popup windows. This means you’re the product now. Our recommendation is to stay safe on the internet and cough up a few dollars each month – otherwise, you might just incur thousands of dollars in losses if your device contracts a malware infection or your data is exposed.

One VPN to avoid in South Africa

One of the principal caveats of opting to use a VPN to browse the web is an implicit understanding that the service will do all it takes to protect your privacy and anonymity. After all, that’s why they were designed in the first place. The recommended VPNs in this list have no documented cases of handing over customer data but there are a few that don’t value this commitment as much. We recommend you avoid them. Here’s such a case:

HolaVPN

Israel-based Hola once had a gigantic user base of almost 50 million – with people attracted to its free proxy extension for the Chrome browser. Unfortunately, it chose to leverage this for illegal activities and turned it into a huge botnet army.

Hola users saw a part of their bandwidth bifurcated for attacks on other websites, distribution of pornography, and other notorious online activities. And it all happened without their consent. We firmly believe it’s best if you avoid Hola or uninstall it if already downloaded.

Will Smart DNS change my location to South Africa?

There are a few things to consider when answering this question. The first is that Smart DNS does not encrypt your traffic the way a VPN does, so your location could potentially be discovered by someone looking closely at your traffic. The second thing to consider is that not all Smart DNS services work with South African broadcasters.

If you’re looking for a way to change your location to South Africa, then I would recommend using a VPN service instead of Smart DNS. A VPN will encrypt your traffic and ensure that your location remains hidden, and there are many VPN services that have servers in South Africa.

How do I use a VPN in South Africa?

Access US Netflix and other services from home

In this section, we’ll take you through two examples of how to use your VPN. Follow these steps if you’re a foreign expatriate and would like to obtain a non-South African IP address while physically located in the country. These steps also work to protect your online anonymity and security, simply select any server location and your data will be secure.

Here’s how to unblock streaming services in South Africa:

  • Browse through our recommended list of VPN services and decide on a plan that works for you. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
  • Register and pay for the service
  • Once that’s done, download the companion apps (for your phone) or software (for PC or MacOS)
  • Clear your cookies and cache in all web browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer) to remove old location identifiers
  • Restart your device
  • Open the VPN companion software and log in
  • Select a server from the country you’re trying to obtain an IP address – such as the US or Great Britain
  • Allow a few seconds for the connection to be established. Once that’s done there should be a green notification icon in the taskbar
  • Browse the web like you normally would.

You’ll notice that the host websites will assume your location is in the country you’re currently connected to. This will open up things like streaming media content and local online banking services, including DST and Netflix US.

Access South African TV, sites and apps from abroad

Another way you can use your VPN is for South African residents that are traveling abroad and need a local South African IP address. A VPN could be for streaming content, accessing online banking, or finding cheaper airline deals.

Here’s how to unblock South African websites from abroad:

  • Browse through our recommendations and settle for an option that has servers in South Africa
  • Register and pay for the VPN- select either a monthly or annual plan depending on how frequently you’d like to use a VPN
  • Once that’s done, get the apps for your phone or computer from the VPN download page
  • Clear your cookies in all web browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer) to remove old location identifiers
  • Restart your device
  • Open the VPN companion software and log in
  • Select a server in South Africa and click connect
  • Allow a few seconds for the connection to be established. Once that’s done there should be a green notification icon in the taskbar
  • Browse the web like you normally would

Finding the best VPNs for South Africa: our methodology

We know that browsing the web from South Africa comes with some challenges. For starters, you’ll come across geo-blocked websites and services. Second, you may have some concerns about government surveillance. This means that you need a versatile VPN that offers not only strong performance but comprehensive privacy protection. Below, we outline the methodology we used for finding the best VPNs for South Africa:

  • Unblocking: Thankfully, there’s little in the way of online censorship in South Africa. However, like other countries, you will come across region-locked websites. For this reason, it’s important to have a VPN with strong unblocking ability. This includes being able to access streaming services such as Netflix (many VPNs fail to do this).
  • Speed: It may be that you’re experiencing slow speeds due to ISP throttling. If this is the case, you may find that a VPN actually improves your connection. That’s because aside from offering high-speed servers, the best VPNs include unlimited bandwidth so you can stream and torrent as much as you like without restriction.
  • Network size: The size of a VPN’s network is important. The more countries it has servers in, the more content you can access! All of the VPNs listed have servers in dozens of countries including the US, UK, and Australia. Most have thousands of servers which means a low number of users on each for improved performance.
  • Security: Security threats are everywhere, regardless of location. A VPN encrypts your data, securing it from hackers. The best VPNs for South Africa are adding to their security features over time. Some now even offer Double VPN servers which offer an extra layer of encryption. Others even include password managers.
  • Privacy: According to the Freedom on the Net 2020 report for South Africa by Freedom House, there are some concerns over “potentially unchecked government surveillance”. We’ve analyzed VPN logging policies to find those that truly don’t keep identifying logs so you can browse the web anonymously.
  • Ease of use: We only recommend VPNs that are beginner-friendly. This means it should provide easy-to-use apps for desktop and mobile platforms. You should be able to connect to a server or adjust your settings in seconds. Furthermore, live chat and email support should be available to you 24 hours a day.
  • Value for money: With so many VPNs on the market, you just don’t need to spend significantly. While there are other VPNs that tick some of the boxes above, some are simply too expensive. We’ve looked for those that we feel are priced fairly. Further, we’ve also included VPN discount coupons to help you save even more.

Of course, all of the above is just a small part of our comprehensive VPN testing methodology. We fully test each VPN for ourselves so we can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information available. That way, you’re more likely to find the VPN that best fits your needs, be it for streaming or security reasons.

You shouldn’t have any issues attempting to log into your Standard Bank, FirstRand, or Absa accounts while using a VPN. In fact, doing so may even help you avoid automated security systems that would otherwise lock you out for trying to log in from abroad. 

Second, public networks are rarely well-secured, and as such, are prone to attack. A knowledgeable attacker could spoof a hotspot, steal your personal information (including passwords), and leave within a few minutes and you’d be none the wiser. 

Some VPNs are faster than others, particularly those that use the WireGuard protocol. We also recommend that if you want the fastest possible speeds while in South Africa, you connect to a VPN server within the country. The closer the server to your physical location, the faster the speeds are likely to be because data doesn’t need to travel as far.