Best VPN for South Africa in 2024 | Top 5 Picks

There was a time when the internet in South Africa was free and unrestricted. You’ll even find South Africa listed as a country that promotes internet freedom in the 2018 Freedom on the Net index by Freedom House.

However, in recent times, things have taken a different turn. For instance, to access the internet freely in this country, you’re going to need the best VPN for South Africa, and here’s why:

The South African government was believed to be in favor of the right to internet freedom, but things did take a turn when the Film and Public Amendment Bill (FPAB) was approved by the National Assembly of South Africa in 2018.

The bill enforced regulations circulating around the censorship and blocking of a number of websites, apps, and much more. The FPAB was given full rights to control movements on the internet, in the belief that they were protecting children from obscene amenities.

So, to protect your online freedom within South Africa, you’re going to need the best South African VPN. You’ll also be able to keep in touch with your roots and access local content when traveling abroad. The South African VPN services that we chose are capable of providing you access to blocked content from anywhere in the world.

5 Best VPNs for South Africa

1. Surfshark – Best VPN for South Africa
2. ExpressVPN – Fastest South Africa VPN
3. NordVPN –  Secure VPN for South Africa
4. CyberGhost – Best South Africa VPN with User-Friendly Apps
5. IPVanish – Best Encrypted VPN for South Africa

Best VPN for South Africa – Detailed List

If you’re within South Africa and want to access unlimited geo-restricted content, while maintaining your online privacy, then only the best VPN services will help with that! However, not every VPN provider can work well for SA, which is why we’ve shortlisted, tested, and finalized only the services for South African users.

1. Surfshark – Best VPN for South Africa

Servers — 3200 servers in 100 countries.

Unblocks — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more.

Torrenting — Offers P2P optimized servers for Torrenting.

Simultaneous connections — Offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

Logs — Strict no-log policy

Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy.

Visit Surfshark

If you are wondering how to get South African IP address, then Surfshark is by far one of the best VPN services in the industry and makes an equally remarkable app for users in South Africa. In a nutshell, it offers a user-friendly app, that unblocks numerous international and local South African content, all while being affordable.

However, there’s much more that makes this provider the absolute best for the people of South Africa, as well as for those traveling abroad.

Just like ExpressVPN, Surfshark is also located in the British Virgin Islands, which is free from any data retention or surveillance regions. It doesn’t log any data by following a strict policy. That’s a great start for users in South Africa to feel safe while using VPN services and to maintain their privacy online.

This provider offers around 3,200 servers in 100 counties and includes coverage in South Africa. This means users will be able to access numerous international services within South Africa and at the same time would be able to access local content when traveling abroad.

During testing, we were able to unblock Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Zee5, Voot, SonyLiv, Hulu, and much more. We even tested the South African servers to see whether they unblocked local channels and managed to access SABC, eNCA, and more.

A few of the Surfshark servers are also optimized for P2P file sharing and worked well with Popcorn Time.

The Surfshark security features are great for South African users since it offers optimum protection. It runs on AES 256-bit encryption, which is the highest standard in the industry, and OpenVPN protocol for safe and speedy access. The app also comes with an in-built Kill Switch to protect your data soon after the VPN connection fails, and DNS/IP leak protection to prevent any data leaks.

Surfshark offers unlimited device connections, which means you’ll be able to connect multiple supported devices within South Africa and while traveling.

A few of the platforms that Surfshark is compatible with include Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Firestick, browser extensions, and Linux. This VPN is known as one of the best VPNs for multiple devices.

Just in case you want to give the app a test run, Surfshark offers a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you’ll be able to test all its VPN features or unblocking abilities. You can invest in Surfshark using its most affordable price of $2.49/mo for the 2-year plan.

You can check our detailed review of Surfshark if you’re thinking of getting this affordable VPN.

Servers in South Africa: Surfshark offers 9 servers in South Africa.

2. ExpressVPN – Fastest South Africa VPN

Servers — VPN Servers in 105 Countries.

Unblocks — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more.

Torrenting — Offers Network Lock for secure Torrenting.

Simultaneous connections — Offers 12 simultaneous connections.

Logs — Strict no-log policy

Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy.

Visit ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the top provider that offers the best VPN for South Africa and worldwide. It’s one of the few that deliver the fastest speed results, offer the best security features, and unblock unlimited services worldwide.

This provider, is also headquartered in the British Virgin Islands. This means that the people of South Africa won’t need to worry about privacy over the internet. Adding to that, ExpressVPN is also a strict log-free VPN. So, regardless of what website or streaming service you’re trying to access in South Africa, this provider will not log your data.

ExpressVPN offers a large coverage of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries and also includes South African servers within its list. This is best for all those who are trying to unblock a service within the country or to gain access to local content or bank accounts while traveling out of South Africa.

We put the ExpressVPN servers to the test, to check if they unblocked the most popular yet geo-restricted platforms. This VPN paved access to the US, UK, and South African Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime, Showtime, Disney Plus, Hulu, and more.

We even tested its South African servers and unblocked a couple of its channels like SABC-SABC 1, and Cape Town TV.

Since it has strong unblocking capabilities, ExpressVPN is the best choice for those countries where internet is restricted like Iran, China, etc. Also, it is a top-picked VPN for countries like Hong Kong, Turkey, the USA, and more.

This provider operates on AES 256-bit encryption, with OpenVPN protocol as default on most of its apps. This is best for internet users in South Africa, allowing them the utmost security online through an encrypted connection.

ExpressVPN offers a Kill Switch feature on most of its apps that’ll protect your data even after the VPN connection stops. Other features include Split-Tunneling which lets you choose the apps or websites you require to pass through the encrypted tunnel, DNS and IPv6 leak protection to make sure all private information doesn’t leak, and more!

If you’d like to protect more than one device or run the VPN app on multiple streaming devices, you should know that ExpressVPN allows simultaneous multi-connections on up to 8 devices! A few of its supported platforms include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Firestick, Smart TVs, and browser extensions.

Lastly, you’ll also be able to test ExpressVPN within South Africa or anywhere abroad using its South African servers, on its 30-day money-back guarantee. The most affordable ExpressVPN price is the 1-year plan of $2.49/mo. With ExpressVPN’s free trial, you can take the VPN for a free spin before buying it.

Check out our full review of  ExpressVPN so you’ll get to know more about this fast VPN.

Servers in South Africa: ExpressVPN offers multiple servers in South Africa, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria.

3. NordVPN – Secure VPN for South Africa 

Servers — 8,353 servers in 127 countries.

Unblocks — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more.

Torrenting — Offer obfuscated and P2P optimized servers.

Simultaneous connections — Offers 10 simultaneous connections.

Logs — Strict no-log policy

Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy.

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN is quite well known in the VPN industry, having been one of the best VPN services to date, and now makes one of the best for users in South Africa. It makes a great VPN app mostly because of its robust security features, obfuscation technologies to access restricted content, and its privacy policies.

This provider is located in Panama, known for being one of the more privacy-friendly regions away from the 14-eyes countries. This means added anonymity and privacy for users in South Africa. NordVPN also respects its user’s rights to privacy by following a strict no-logs policy.

Whether you’re trying to access unlimited international content or access local South African services while traveling abroad, you’ll have plenty of servers to choose from.  NordVPN offers around 6,343 servers in 111 countries, with 53 of its servers in South Africa.

To test out its unblocking abilities, we connected to a few of the international servers like the US and UK, and unblocked Netflix, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and much more! Using the South African servers, we accessed SABC, UBN TV, and eNCA quite easily. NordVPN also produces fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth.

As mentioned above, NordVPN is known for its security features. It protects the users in South Africa offering the highest military-grade AES 256-bit encryption with OpenVPN protection on all apps. This enhances online security, to dodge the government or surveillance agents in South Africa.

NordVPN offers a Kill Switch to secure your online privacy at all times, and Double VPN protection allowing you to shield your identity and location behind two encrypted servers. There are also options to get a dedicated IP address if you want your internet roaming a hundred percent risk-free.

You won’t have to worry about annoying ads that spread malware using the NordVPN CyberSec feature. Other than that, there’s DNS and IPv6 leak protection and much more!

Where device compatibility is concerned, NordVPN supports all the major apps for multiple devices and operating systems. A few of its supported platforms include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Android TV, and browser extensions.

Additionally, you’ll also be able to connect the VPN on more than one device since NordVPN offers simultaneous multi-device connections on up to 10 devices.

If NordVPN interests you, you’ll be able to test the app out using its 7-day free trial for Android, or directly jump into its 30-day money-back guarantee. Either way, NordVPN offers affordable prices with the most discounted package being the 2-year plan for $3.49/mo.

Check our in-depth review of NordVPN before purchasing this VPN.

Servers in South Africa: NordVPN has 50+ servers in South Africa in Johannesburg.

4. CyberGhost – Best South Africa VPN with User-Friendly Apps 

Servers — 7700+ servers in 90+ countries.

Logs — Passed the Security Audit by QSCert in 2012

Unblocks — Can unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime & more.

Torrenting — Optimized servers for Torrenting.

Simultaneous connections — Offers 7 simultaneous connections

Money-back guarantee — 45-day money back guarantee.

Visit CyberGhost

CyberGhost is also one of the best VPN services for South Africa, particularly because of its ability to unblock unlimited streaming services, all while offering reliable privacy and security features. It allows users to maintain their anonymity while experiencing online freedom.

CyberGhost is located in Romania, which is far away from any surveillance territories. A safe jurisdiction of a provider is necessary if users in South Africa are mainly looking for privacy over the internet. The plus point is that the service doesn’t log any user data.

It has one of the largest server coverage in the VPN industry, offering around 7700+ servers in 90+ countries, with the inclusion of 10 South African servers. A great aspect of CyberGhost is that the app comes labeled with all the streaming services or platforms that particular servers unblock. This saves a lot of time.

During testing, we unblocked the US Netflix and a few other libraries, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more. The South African servers were also tested to see whether they worked with accessing local content when traveling abroad. A few of the local channels accessed were SABC-1, Cape Town TV, kykNET Musiek, and others.

Jumping to the CyberGhost in-app features, it protects users in South Africa with AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, which is the safest! It has a Kill Switch on the majority of its apps. This is necessary to protect your identity whenever your VPN connection fails midway or stops working. Other than that it is DNS and IPv6 leak protected, making sure your data or search history goes undetected.

Just in case you’re looking to protect multiple devices in one go, then you’re in luck because CyberGhost allows simultaneous connections on up to 7-devices! A few of the supported devices include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, browser extensions, routers, Linux, and more.

You’ll be able to test the VPN since CyberGhost comes with a 24-hour free trial and a 45-day money-back guarantee. The most affordable CyberGhost package is 2 years plan of $2.11/mo.

If you are interested in buying this VPN, then check our detailed review of CyberGhost.

Servers in South Africa: CyberGhost has 39 servers in Johannesburg, South Africa.

5. IPVanish – Best Encrypted VPN for South Africa

Servers — 2000+ servers in 75+ locations.

Unblocks — Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more.

Torrenting — Offers SOCKS5 proxy for Torrenting.

Simultaneous connections — Offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

Logs — Strict no-log policy

Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy.

Visit IPVanish

Next, we have IPVanish, whose unblocking abilities is one of the main reasons this VPN is the best for South Africa, and abroad. Accessing unlimited US-based services shouldn’t be an issue anymore for users within the country, with the addition of fast speeds that this provider delivers.

IPVanish is located in the United States and is within the 14-eyes regions. However, this provider strictly abides by its no-logs policy and collects extremely basic information, like your email ID used for creating your account.

Since IPVanish is a US-based provider, this means easier access to the US or international content from within South Africa. It offers around 2400+ servers in 75+ locations, with around 6 servers in South Africa (Johannesburg).

When put under testing, we managed to unblock many international streaming services, websites, and apps. Some of these include Comcast, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, and more. We even connected to a South African server to test it out with local channels. We unblocked SABC-1, UBN TV, kykNET Musiek, News24, and others.

IPVanish is built with reliable security features and allows you to use its obfuscation technologies within the app’s settings. This is perfect for users in South Africa to add extra anonymity to their digital footprints all while allowing access to geo-restricted services.

It runs with AES 256-bit encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy ensuring a secure connection online. Additionally, it offers a Kill Switch, Split-Tunneling, and DNS leak protection further strengthening your online presence and data.

In the updated version, IPVanish now offers unlimited device connections and supports all the major devices and operating systems. A few of the supported platforms include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Android TV, Linux, routers, and more.

IPVanish doesn’t offer a free trial, but it does include a reliable 30-day money-back policy. This is as good as a free trial, allowing you a set number of days to test the service, and if you find any faults along the way simply ask for a refund. IPVanish now offers a huge discount on its 2-year plan at $2.19/mo.

You can check the full review of IPVanish before getting this incredible VPN.

Servers in South Africa: IPVanish has 3 servers based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Best South Africa VPNs Comparison

Rank	VPNs for SA	Money-Back Guarantee	Multiple Logins	Price
#1	Surfshark	30-days	Unlimited multi logins	$2.49/mo
#2	ExpressVPN	30-days	10 multi logins	$2.49/mo
#3	NordVPN	30-days	10 multi logins	$3.49/mo
#4	CyberGhost	45-days	7 multi logins	$2.11/mo
#5	IPVanish	30-days	Unlimited multi logins	$2.19/mo

How to Choose the Best VPN for South Africa

It’s clear that a good VPN for South Africa should have servers within the country, but that’s just the beginning. Below is a brief guide to help you select the best VPN for South Africa:

• Unblocking Capabilities: Whether you’re in South Africa or abroad, the ability to bypass geo-restrictions is crucial. Look for a VPN that can unblock your favorite streaming platforms, apps, and websites. Reading reviews and checking with customer support can help verify these capabilities.
• Performance: A VPN should provide a fast and stable connection, allowing you to stream or browse without lag. To achieve this, the provider should use advanced tunneling protocols like WireGuard or NordLynx and manage a large network of servers.
• Security and Privacy: A trustworthy VPN for South Africa should offer top-tier security and privacy features. Ensure the VPN you’re considering uses AES-256 encryption, has a reliable kill switch, and adheres to an independently audited no-logs policy.
• Ease of Use: When traveling or trying to access streaming services, it’s important that your VPN is easy to navigate. Choose a VPN for South Africa that offers a user-friendly interface.
• Price: In today’s economic climate, the cost of a VPN subscription is an important factor. Look for a provider that offers a good balance between price and quality.

Why Do You Need a VPN in South Africa?

Whether you need a VPN in South Africa depends on your personal needs, but it is highly recommended. Whether you’re a resident or just visiting South Africa, a VPN is essential for protecting against data breaches. A strong VPN like Surfshark employs advanced security measures that make your data inaccessible, even to the most skilled hackers.

Surprisingly, a VPN can sometimes enhance your internet speed, especially if your ISP is throttling it. By masking your online activities, a VPN prevents your ISP from slowing down your connection.

While South Africa offers a variety of streaming content, some platforms are still unavailable. A VPN for streaming allows you to access services like BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more.

The South African government has banned many torrenting sites, making it difficult to download files without extra tools. A VPN is one of the safest and most effective ways to bypass these restrictions. However, be aware that violating copyright laws in South Africa is illegal.

Internet Censorship in South Africa

South Africa ranks among the top countries in Africa for internet freedom, but that doesn’t mean users don’t face any online censorship.

The South African government has the technical capability to monitor its citizens’ online activities extensively. Intelligence agencies use tools to track social media usage, reporting their findings to the government.

Activists, journalists, and human rights defenders have been particular targets of government surveillance. In 2018, it was revealed that South Africa was one of 45 countries using Pegasus spyware to covertly collect data from iOS and Android devices.

Cyber attacks are also a concern, with critical infrastructure, such as Life Healthcare, being targeted. South African online banks have faced DDoS and ransomware attacks.

Additionally, many torrenting websites are banned in South Africa, as downloading copyrighted material is considered piracy. As a result, torrenting in South Africa is largely illegal.

To maintain online freedom in South Africa, using a robust VPN is essential. VPNs like Surfshark and ExpressVPN offer extensive server networks, including servers in South Africa, along with advanced security features and strict privacy policies.

However, it’s important to note that our team does not endorse using VPNs for illegal activities.

To Conclude

The internet in South Africa is restricted, and though a few may think it’s not as bad compared to many other countries around the world, it doesn’t mean that online security should be brushed under the rug. There’s still heavy censorship and a large platform of blocked websites in South Africa, only the best VPN can get you past these issues.

We’ve provided around 5 South African VPN services that offer the best performance, but if we were to recommend one, it would be Surfshark for South African users.