How to get a USA IP address – 4 ways to access US websites abroad

If you’re one of the many struggling to access your favorite US websites while abroad, this guide is for you. We’ll explore the various methods to obtain a US IP address, a crucial step in maintaining your online presence.

Here are the methods we cover to help you gain a US IP address:

• VPN (recommended)
• Proxy
• Tor
• DNS server

It’s important to understand that the methods discussed in this guide are not equal. While some are free, opting for a premium service can significantly enhance your browsing experience with improved speeds and privacy. And we highly recommend opting for a VPN.

After exhaustive research and testing, we found that using a VPN in the US is the most reliable way of obtaining a US IP address. But we’re not suggesting using just any VPN; it needs plenty of US servers, fast speeds, and reliable security.

In this article, we’ll explain exactly how to gain a US IP address with a VPN, list the best providers for the job, and give detailed reviews of each. If you’re short on time, we’ll start with a quick summary.

The best VPNs to get a US IP address:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for a US IP address. Dozens of superfast servers in multiple US states. Lets you stream a huge range of content abroad. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for a US IP.
2. Surfshark: A cost-effective VPN for getting a US IP. Steady speeds, no connection limit, and plenty of American servers to choose from.
3. IPVanish: A quick and cost-effective service with almost two dozen locations in the US. Works with plenty of American streaming services. The cheapest monthly subscription of any provider on our list.
4. ExpressVPN: A reliable VPN with US servers. Reputable VPN boasting real versatility, high-speed American servers, and top-notch security features.
5. CyberGhost: The beginner’s choice to get a USA IP address. Offers hundreds of US servers. Apps are easy to install and use. Excellent at geo-unblocking.
6. Private Internet Access: Fast US-based VPN with servers in 20 US cities. Highly customizable security options. No logs policy. Works with Netflix USA.
7. PureVPN: Quick, reliable, and great for streaming. Lots of servers in the US, plus a generous connection limit and 24/7 customer support.
8. ProtonVPN: This well-respected VPN boasts a proven no-logs policy and some of the highest speeds we’ve seen. Works with American streaming platforms.
9. PrivateVPN: A secure VPN pick for an American IP. Great for torrenting. Works with Netflix US, Hulu, and many more American streaming services.

How to get a US IP address with a VPN

Here’s how to get a US IP address:

1. Sign up for a Virtual Private Network (VPN). We recommend NordVPN.
2. Register for the service and download the VPN software or app.
3. Log in to your VPN provider and connect to a server in the US, this will change your IP address to the US.
4. Access your US site like you normally would, you should now be able to watch as normal!
5. If you encounter any issues, try clearing your cookies and restart your device to remove old location identifiers. If problems persist, you will need to reach out to your chosen VPN provider.

See also: Best USA VPNs for Speed and Security.

How we chose the best VPNs with American servers

We go into more detail on the exact criteria used for testing a VPN with American servers to get a US IP address later, but here is a quick rundown of a few key areas we look at:

• Large range of server locations in the US
• Speed and stability of the connection
• Rigid encryption protocols so your location remains hidden
• Excellent geo-unblocking abilities for restricted sites and streaming platforms
• Ease of use, even for beginners
• Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS
• Value for money, with discounts and a money-back guarantee

Want to know more? Check out our detailed methodology explanation later in this article. For now, let’s take a closer look at the providers we recommend.

Best VPNs for a USA IP: At a glance

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Do you prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for getting a US IP address.

Best VPNs to get a US IP address

Based on real-world experience, here’s our list of the best VPNs to get a US IP address:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024

NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs for getting an IP address in the USA. It operates servers in sixteen cities across the US, and the NordVPN app includes a map that makes it easy to quickly switch between these options.

The map pictured above will be your go-to feature if you need a US IP address to watch US TV from abroad or to access other home services! It also makes it easy for US residents to quickly switch their IP address to a different city or state – perfect for avoiding blackout games on popular services like MLB TV or NFL Game Pass.

Besides location switching, there are many other advantages to using the NordVPN apps. The settings menu gives you access to a wide variety of useful features (that you don’t always find with its competitors).

The split tunneling feature lets you pick which apps to include or exclude from the VPN tunnel. This is helpful if you want to use the VPN to stream Netflix US at work or abroad while allowing other apps to use your regular internet connection.

NordVPN’s kill switch is more advanced than most other providers. The standard kill switch disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops out. You can also specify which apps to disconnect if the VPN connection is lost – which is useful if you prefer to keep some things running at all times.

Using a kill switch guarantees that you don’t leak your location to US services, which might get suspicious if you access your account from various IPs within a short period. Freelance working platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, for example, are known to suspend accounts for “suspicious behavior” if the user appears to be in 2 different locations. Some games and popular US services, such as sports betting or casino sites, have similar security systems, making a kill switch invaluable.

If you’re traveling outside of your home, NordVPN offers an auto-connect feature that you can set to connect to the VPN anytime you encounter an unknown public wifi network. This is a nifty way to ensure you never transmit data over public hotspots without protection.

NordVPN lets you manually choose the connection protocol that best suits your needs. The well-known OpenVPN protocol is available, as well as NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol (enabled by default), which is optimized to deliver faster speeds for activities like streaming, downloading, and gaming.

Despite its relatively low asking price, NordVPN offers many options for customizing your connection. This makes it a valuable option for users who need a truly versatile, workhorse VPN.

Users seeking the highest levels of privacy can opt to connect to NordVPN obfuscated servers. These servers prevent ISPs from detecting VPN use, making it easier to connect in countries that enforce VPN blocks, such as China and Iran.

The Double VPN feature lets you bounce traffic through two locations for added protection. This encrypts your data twice and helps protect against time correlation attacks. The VPN also offers Tor over VPN, allowing access to the Dark Web without the knowledge of local area networks or ISPs.

Features like Double VPN, obfuscation, and Tor over VPN can be extremely beneficial for privacy purposes. However, they all slow down your internet speeds. So, unless you specifically need these features, we would advise sticking to a standard VPN connection, which will give you optimal performance.

To check the VPN’s performance firsthand, we tested NordVPN’s US server locations to check how they perform.  We used a standard home internet connection to replicate the experience of an average home internet user.

Our average connection speed without a VPN was 45.3 Mbps. Routing our traffic through a US NordVPN server only slowed our internet to an average of 39.3 Mbps across all three tests, which is still more than fat enough for all your streaming needs.

These results mean you’ll have no problem buffering while streaming geo-restricted US content on vacation.

Next, we used NordVPN’s US servers to watch many popular services, including NBC, ABC, CBS, Netflix US, Hulu, Peacock, and HBO Max. Our tests revealed that NordVPN works seamlessly with all these platforms, putting it ahead of most other streaming VPNs on the market.

In terms of privacy, NordVPN is highly effective. The service has been subjected to full independent security audits that verified its apps, servers, and its no-log policy. This means you can trust NordVPN never to keep any records of your activities or the servers you use. NordVPN is also based in Panama – a country without data retention laws.

The VPN provides watertight AES 256-bit encryption using the OpenVPN protocol and ChaCha20 when you connect using its proprietary WireGuard fork, NordLynx. Both these encryption methods are robust, which means the VPN never reveals your browsing habits to your ISP or local networks.

We ran leak tests to confirm that NordVPN always prevents websites from detecting your home IP address. We checked for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV, with an intuitive design that makes them easy to navigate. Even the command-line interface for the Linux app is straightforward to learn. The software is also compatible with certain routers, allowing you to stream US TV on devices that don’t natively support VPNs. Detailed setup guides are provided on the NordVPN website, and their live chat support can direct you to these resources if needed.

BEST VPN FOR A US IP ADDRESS:NordVPN is our first choice for getting a US IP address. It’s extremely fast, has a major security focus, and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. Best of all, it keeps no logs and has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a high-quality, low-cost VPN provider with an impressive reputation among consumers. The VPN is easy to use and fast enough for streaming and gaming on US servers. This makes it perfect for watching your US Netflix account on vacation or playing US Call of Duty servers from abroad.

In addition to maintaining an enormous global server network, you can pick from 600+ US servers in 21 different US cities. These servers are all optimized for streaming, making Surfshark ideal for bypassing blackout games and uninterrupted sports streaming.

To check that Surfshark will meet user needs, we tested its US servers to watch ABC, NBC, Peacock, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, and HBO Max. The results were fantastic; not only could we stream, but we also suffered no buffering or picture quality issues.

If you’re trying to sign up for US TV streaming services from abroad, you might need to register for some of them. To simplify this process, Surfshark has created a tool that generates an “alternative persona” for you to enter. This comes with a US address that you can use to register.

You can also set up a forwarding email for your persona. This will forward messages to your actual email address, which means you no longer need to hand over your real email address to online services – a boon for online privacy and to more easily pretend to be from the US.

Another feature that impressed us is Surfshark’s unlimited connection allowance. This lets you protect every device in your home, which means you can use the VPN on mobile devices, take it to work, and even share your account with friends and family.

If you intend to use US services that could get suspicious if you regularly connect from different IP addresses, Surfshark can help by renting a dedicated IP. (Freelance work websites, game servers, online casinos, and other services use automated systems to block users suspected of VPN use.)

A dedicated IP address is reserved for your use only and gives you the same static IP address every session. This makes you appear to be a regular residential IP address. Surfshark’s static IPs are affordable and available in many locations – including the US.

Other notable features include Surfshark’s Rotating IP feature, which changes your IP address automatically at set intervals to confuse tracking systems further.  The No Borders mode provides obfuscation and helps connect in countries that use sophisticated firewalls, such as China.

The split tunneling feature (Bypasser) can be set to exclude or include apps or domains from the VPN tunnel. You also get a system-level kill switch that prevents traffic from escaping the encrypted VPN tunnel.

For a VPN to be a decent choice for streaming, gaming, and torrenting in the USA, it must provide decent speeds. We tested its US servers three times per day and found that the VPN only reduced our average download speed to 37.2 Mbps, which is ideal for HD streaming and other daily tasks.

As you would expect from a leading privacy service, Surfshark is based in a country that lacks Mandatory Data Retention directives (British Virgin Islands). This allows it to maintain a rock-solid no-logging policy. The VPN has completed a full thyroid party audit to further bolster trust.

Users can pick from OpenVPN or WireGuard, which provide 256-bit AES encryption or ChaCha20, respectively. These world-class security standards guarantee your data is always safe against eavesdroppers.

We verified that the Surfshark VPN tunnel is completely secure by performing IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests. The image below shows the results of our tests, which confirm that my home IP address was completely hidden.

Surfshark didn’t leak my home IP address while connected to a server in the US.

Finally, Surfshark has custom apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. This means you can use the VPN to get a US IP address on any device you happen to own.

BEST BUDGET PICK:Works to get a US IP on an unlimited number of devices. Surfshark is fast, affordable, and offers outstanding security features. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is a US-based VPN provider that stands out from many competitors by owning its physical servers. It operates over 1,000 servers across 18 different cities in the United States, including LA, New York, and Chicago. Each server location displays the server load, allowing users to easily select the server that is least congested with other users. For example, the image below shows Dallas as the best option.

After connecting, users can view a real-time graph displaying useful upload and download activity information, along with the public IP address and protocol used. This lets you quickly identify which IPVanish protocol you have selected. You can also see exactly where you have connected on the illustrative connection map.

To check whether IPVanish meets modern internet users’ needs, we carried out speed tests three times over the course of a day. We tested using the WireGuard protocol and concentrated on its US servers for this guide. You can find out more about its international speed test results by checking out our guide to the fastest VPNs.

We tested this USA VPN’s speed using a regular home broadband setup rather than our test server to give you an idea of how it will perform under normal usage. Here are the results of our US speed tests:

These results are fantastic. The fastest speed was in the morning when it reduced our speed from the baseline of 45.3 Mbps to 43 Mbps. The other results were just as impressive, with speeds of 33 Mbps at noon and 34.3 Mbps in the PM. This is more than fast enough for HD streaming and playing games.

Across all three tests, the average speed was a solid 36.8 Mbps.

Next, we connected to a server in the US to check how the VPN would fare for streaming. We tested it with a selection of US cable TV networks and were able to stream on NBC, ABC, and CBS, as well as leading streaming platforms such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

Split tunneling is available in the IPVanish Windows, Android, and FireOS apps. This lets you choose which apps and domains are routed through the VPN. This means you can torrent or stream via a US IP address while handling other tasks with your regular IP address. This is perfect for multitasking and getting the fastest speeds available to you at all times.

Whether you’re on vacation or simply out and about in your hometown using public wifi hotspots to save on mobile data, you can use IPVanish’s auto-connect feature. It automatically secures your connection by connecting to the VPN anytime it detects an untrusted network.

IPVanish also has a kill switch that hides your IP address even if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops out. This is essential if you use US platforms that may get suspicious if your IP address suddenly changes (online casinos, poker sites, bookies, freelance work sites, game servers, etc).

IPVanish comes with DNS leak protection, which is activated by default. We tested the VPN for leaks to check it works as advertised on the US servers. Below, you can see the results of our tests using browserleaks.com.

In the Settings menu under the Protocol tab, you’ll find a variety of useful options. You can choose from three available VPN protocols, with WireGuard being the fastest. However, if you opt for OpenVPN, you can activate the Scramble feature, which provides obfuscation for your connection.

This makes your VPN traffic appear as regular HTTPS traffic bound for a website, which prevents ISPs from detecting VPN use and allows you to connect in countries that enforce strict VPN blocks. That said, you may struggle to get a subscription in China because ISPs have blocked its domain on behalf of the government.

One of the best advantages of IPVanish is that it allows unlimited connections. This means you can share your VPN with your entire family and friends. It is also worth noting that you can save big by opting for the two-year subscription plan, which reduces your costs to US$2.19 per month.

The Advanced plan has a lot going for it and is well worth considering in our opinion. It provides unlimited VPN, a full terabyte of secure cloud storage, and a cloud-based browser that keeps your browsing sandboxed for strong protection from malware and trackers.

In our tests, the browser was reliable for private browsing, though it struggled with HD and 4K streaming quality and required frequent captchas. Despite these issues, its ability to offer secure browsing through a remote server is a huge benefit for users in highly censored regions.

Even better, the Advanced plan is priced extremely low, especially considering it includes both VPN and cloud storage—a rare find. This means you get all three services for cheaper than some of the other VPNs in this guide, which is impressive value for money.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also connect manually on Linux and compatible routers, with detailed setup guides available on the IPVanish website. Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat on its website, but you do need to chat with the bot for a few seconds and ask to be passed to an agent, which is a slight annoyance.

SIMPLIFIES SECURITY:IPVanish takes the stress out of streaming American TV abroad. With impressive speeds, 24/7 customer support, and a strong privacy focus, you’ll be ready for anything. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our comprehensive IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has diskless (RAM-only) servers in 105+ countries around the globe. This includes the USA, which has servers in 18 cities, including New Jersey, LA, and San Francisco.

Now, to the critical stuff! We could access every streaming platform we tested using the US server in Los Angeles. Standalone cable TV streams like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX (limited free shows available on its site without logging in with cable provider details) worked without buffering. We could also watch Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and Peacock. This makes ExpressVPN a fantastic option for US residents on vacation.

When we tested ExpressVPN, we could stream US TV in HD without buffering or frustrating quality drops. Despite this positive experience, we wanted to test its US servers using a regular home broadband connection. We tested ExpressVPN three times at 4-hour intervals.

This home-based test gives you an idea of how the VPN performs under normal circumstances, which is exactly the kind of real-world data we wanted to provide for this US-specific guide. If you also want to know about Express VPN’s international speed test results, we recommend reading our complete ExpressVPN review. Here are the results of our US tests:

As you can see, ExpressVPN performed well throughout the day. The average download speed was 34.4 Mbps, compared to our baseline connection speed (without a VPN) of 45.3 Mbps. Even though this makes ExpressVPN the slowest provider on our list, it’s still a decent option for data-intensive tasks like torrenting or playing US game servers on data-hungry games like Call of Duty Warzone.

The ExpressVPN app has an intuitive design that makes it easy for VPN beginners to become acquainted with its features and establish a connection. By selecting the Smart Location feature, the app will automatically connect you to the fastest server, usually the one closest to your current location. You can use this server if you are already in the US and want to bypass web restrictions on campus or at work. If you are abroad, you will need to manually select a US server from the list to switch your IP address.

Clicking the three dots below the connection button will open the list of locations. You can search for this list by region or type in a specific US city.

If you want to route some of your apps through the VPN and others using your usual home internet, you can make use of the split tunneling feature. You can locate this feature by heading to: Options > General > Split Tunneling.

If you want to customize your connection, you can switch between two protocols: OpenVPN and Lightway. Its proprietary Lightway protocol has recently been updated to DTLS 1.3. This gives it better performance, improves security (with better authentication), and paves the way for post-quantum support. It is also worth noting that Lightway has been open-sourced, so independent security researchers can analyze it anytime they want (and it has been officially audited by the security company Cure53).

To ensure data never leaks outside of the VPN tunnel, you can enable a system-level kill switch (which ExpressVPN calls Network Lock).

Under the Advanced Protection tab, you can opt to turn on DNS-based filtering that blocks ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult content. This helps save mobile data, improve page load times, and add another layer of protection. Blocking adult content can also help provide parental controls for minors, particularly if you install the VPN on a router.

ExpressVPN is highly regarded for its commitment to security and privacy. The company has undergone multiple independent audits to verify its strict no-logs policy and maintains rigorous control over server access and the software it runs on those servers.

The VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which means ExpressVPN is not subject to data retention laws. When using the OpenVPN protocol, the service employs reliable 256-bit AES encryption and obfuscation by default.

For the purpose of this guide, we tested the tunnel to its US servers and found them to be leak-free:

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. It even has a proprietary app for routers, which is unique to this provider and makes it easier to set up on VPN-compatible routers.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable choice Great for streaming. Strong privacy features, a no-logs policy, not to mention a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our in-depth ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost operates a vast network of more than 10,000 servers, including servers strategically placed in 11 different US cities. This includes a list of US servers optimized for accessing popular US streaming platforms (as well as for gaming and torrenting). These use-specific servers make CyberGhost an excellent option for beginners in need of a US IP address for streaming:

We recommend using a server highlighted for the streaming platform you want to use to get the best possible performance. That said, when we tested CyberGhost, the streaming servers were often cross-compatible. For example, I could watch ABC and CBS while connected to the Netflix server in Los Angeles – so don’t be afraid to connect to any US streaming server to watch a platform that isn’t listed – it should still work!

As you would hope, with a VPN that lists US servers optimized for streaming, we had superb results when testing CyberGhost’s geo-unblocking abilities. We used the VPN to access the US Netflix catalog and to watch Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, ESPN, and Prime Video. This is awesome, considering this VPN starts at just US$2.19 per month.

In addition to streaming in HD without buffering, we decided to run US-specific speed tests. We carried out these tests on a regular home broadband setup to give you an idea of what to expect when using the VPN in your own home.

Below, you can see how CyberGhost performed in our tests:

CyberGhost’s average speed on the day of testing was 37.5 Mbps, which puts it ahead of most of our other recommended VPNs for getting a US IP address. This makes CyberGhost easy to recommend for playing games and streaming in HD.

If you experience slower speeds, consider testing a different server location or switching to the Wireguard protocol, which is designed to give you better speeds. CyberGhost also provides OpenVPN and IKEv2, which serve as valuable alternatives if you feel you’re having issues using WireGuard.

CyberGhost also offers the option to adjust the MTU size, which can help improve VPN performance on networks with non-standard configurations. (You can try changing this setting to see if it improves your VPN’s performance; however, regular home Wi-Fi networks use the standard MTU of 1500 bytes, so it shouldn’t make a difference.)

It is worth noting that CyberGhost has less advanced features than many of its competitors. You will not find multi-hop, Tor over VPN, split tunneling, or port forwarding features. If you need these features, you will probably prefer to shop elsewhere.

On the other hand, if you are unlikely to use these additional features and would prefer a VPN targeted at users who want to do everyday tasks such as streaming and gaming, CyberGhost VPN is well worth considering.

The most advanced feature of CyberGhost is its “Smart Rules.” This feature lets you pick apps that cause the VPN to connect automatically when they are launched. This ensures that as soon as you launch a streaming app (such as Netflix) or your torrent client, the VPN will connect.

Smart Rules can also be set to connect when you encounter an unknown or unprotected wifi network. This ensures you never access unknown public wifi networks without your VPN and improves your protection against Evil Twin attacks.

CyberGhost has an independently audited no-logs policy. It also publishes quarterly transparency reports so that users can see any third-party data requests from the VPN. Users can also enable a system-level kill switch and DNS-based ad, tracker, and malware blocking for added protection. This makes the VPN very well-rounded despite being easier to use.

Finally, we tested the US CyberGhost VPN servers for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests. We were happy to find that the VPN tunnel is reliable and securely proxies DNS requests to its own servers.

If you are concerned about IPv6 data escaping the tunnel, you can use the “Disable IPV6 connections” feature to block all IPv6 traffic when the VPN is on (this feature is turned on by default to protect users with an IPv6 connection against leaks).

Finally, CyberGhost has Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV apps, which means you can get an American IP address on most popular devices. It also has setup guides for routers that support OpenVPN.

BEST FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost has a simple set up and is easy to use. Streams HD video reliably. Streaming-optimized servers for 15+ US streaming platforms. Secure enough to bypass blocks at work. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

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6. Private Internet Access

PIA is a US-based VPN service popular with VPN enthusiasts on Reddit. Although the VPN is based in the US, which isn’t ideal due to the presence of the NSA and warrants, PIA has a proven track record for providing user privacy (which it has proven in court on more than one occasion).

A big benefit of PIA is its network of servers in 52 different US cities. You also get access to servers in 91+ countries, which makes it a decent all-rounder for accessing international services and alternative regions on Netflix and other platforms.

To check how Private Internet Access performs for streaming, gaming, and other data-intensive tasks, we tested its US servers three times over a day. We have included the results below:

As you can see, PIA performed extremely well. The average download speed across all tests was 35.3 Mbps, making it a decent HD streaming option. Another advantage of PIA is that the speeds remain consistent throughout the day, which results in a better user experience.

In terms of its ability to access streaming services, this USA VPN did pretty well. We used it to watch Netflix US Hulu, and HBO Max. However, it had issues accessing Hulu – so keep that in mind. We were also able to stream ABC, NBC, and CBS without issues.

An advantage of PIA is that it has a couple of streaming-optimized servers in the US (US East Streaming Optimized and US West Streaming Optimized). This eliminates the need to cycle through all 52 server locations to find a server that works with your streaming platform, which could be pretty time-consuming.

However, the benefit of having so many US servers to pick from is that you can more easily switch your IP address to a specific state to bypass blackout games on platforms like NFL Game Pass and MLB TV. You can also easily access regional betting sites like DraftKings, BetMGM, or other state-level US internet services.

One of our favorite things about PIA is its many customization options in the apps. You can fiddle with OpenVPN’s encryption strength based on your needs. If you are bypassing streaming blocks, you can lower the encryption to AES-128 to get faster speeds. If you need stronger privacy levels, simply switch to AES-256. Just bear in mind that PIA comes set to AES-128 by default, so you may want to turn it up when you install it the first time.

To give you even more control over the VPN, PIA lets you change the MTU size, pick which router port you want to connect with, and select between DHCP and Static configurations. Controlling these settings can help you connect to the VPN and improve its performance if you encounter a network with an irregular configuration or blocked ports.

Another benefit of this North American based VPN VPN is that it provides extensive connection information each time it establishes a connection. This allows you to check which protocol you are using and how the connection is implemented (port, cipher, handshake, and authentication method), which is useful for advanced users who like this level of detail.

Torrenting is permitted throughout PIA’s network, and you can set the VPN to request a port for forwarding. However, port forwarding is not available on all servers, so you may need to contact support or try a few locations to find one that opens a port.

The VPN includes a Shadowsocks proxy for obfuscation that you can use in combination with its Multi-Hop feature. This bounces your traffic through a Shadowsocks proxy en route to the VPN, ensuring you can connect in countries that enforce VPN blocks.

As you would expect from a market-leading VPN, PIA provides a system-level kill switch that cuts your internet connection anytime the VPN connection fails.

Finally, we tested the VPN for leaks while connected to its New York server. We can confirm that PIA is free of IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks – meaning it provides a completely secure connection that provides watertight online privacy.

PIA costs $2.03 per month, which is mind-blowing considering the level of protection it provides. Those plans allow you to connect unlimited devices, which means you can easily share your account with friends and family. Plus, apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Firestick, and Linux – meaning you can use it on any device you own.

HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE:Fast and secure. Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices. No logs policy. Over 10,000 servers in 91+ countries, including servers in 52 US cities. WireGuard and OpenVPN protocol. Robust AES encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PIA.

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7. PureVPN

PureVPN offers a decent choice of servers worldwide. It provides subscribers with more than 6,000 servers spread across 65+ countries, including 13 cities across the US. To view the available servers, click the Location menu on the left side of the dashboard. You can choose from the list of server countries or search for the location you need. The server list shows the ping to the server next to the location, allowing you to pick the server that will give you the best performance.

You can view “All” available servers or those optimized for torrenting, port forwarding, or with quantum resistance (for added protection in any circumstances that require the highest possible levels of privacy).

For added transparency,  PureVPN provides a list of its virtual server locations. These are IPs provided using clever DNS routing rather than a physical server in the target country. We appreciate the inclusion of virtual servers in the app because it allows users to know when they are using a server hosted elsewhere (though the app doesn’t tell you where the physical server is – so there is still room for improvement).

We ran speed tests on its New York server over a day to check how useful PureVPN will be for watching US streaming services or playing US game servers. On the day of testing, my baseline internet speed was 45.3 Mbps.

As you can see, the VPN provided a download speed of 38.07 Mbps at noon, a drop of only around 10 Mbps, and an average speed of 35.1 Mbps. Overall, these results impressed me. PureVPN is one of the fastest options for streaming US TV despite being one of the cheapest.

I also confirmed its ability to stream US TV services by testing it with various popular services. First, I tried to watch NBC, ABC, and CBS while connected to the New York server. NBC and CBS worked great, but I tested New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle and could not stream ABC.

Next, I used the New York server to access the US Netflix catalog and was happy that the catalog updated to reveal US exclusives. The VPN also worked to watch Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Amazon Prime (US), and other smaller services like Crackle and Tubi. This makes PureVPN an extremely impressive option for users wanting to stream US platforms abroad or on restricted networks.

PureVPN prioritizes privacy, with its no-logs policy having been independently audited. The company also claims that audits can be conducted at any time without prior notice, which helps create additional trust in its server setup and logging practices. The apps provide AES-256 (OpenVPN) and ChaCha20 (WireGuard) encryption and include features like a tracker blocker and a customizable kill switch.

By default, the VPN is set to automatically select the most suitable protocol, which in our testing typically switched to IKEv2. After noticing this, we manually switched the protocol to WireGuard and disabled the “Connect to fallback” option to ensure the VPN exclusively used WireGuard, our preferred protocol. You also have the option to select OpenVPN (UDP and TCP).

The app offers split tunneling, allowing you to direct certain apps and traffic through the VPN while leaving other traffic outside of it. This feature is handy if you want to torrent securely through the VPN while simultaneously streaming content from a local service on your regular connection.

We tested the PureVPN connection to ensure it does not suffer from IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. The provider passed all three, which means it provides stable connections that ultimately prevent local networks and ISPs from being able to track your web visits.

PureVPN is also suitable for bypassing VPN blocks in countries like China and the UAE. The VPN provides obfuscation for OpenVPN by default, so if you travel to a country that restricts VPN traffic, we advise switching to TCP or UDP in the app.

The apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, all featuring a consistent user interface. This ensures an easy transition if you need to switch between platforms.

Finally, it is worth noting that although you can get a 5-year subscription, at the time of writing the monthly cost is slightly cheaper when you get a 2-year plan. For this reason, we’d recommend this option to ensure you get the best price and an extra three months for free:

EASY TO USE:PureVPN has a simple design that makes it perfect for novices. It is one of the quickest and most versatile services on the market. Comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee to test it.

Read our full review of PureVPN to learn more.

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8. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has a rock-solid reputation, partly due to its history of providing secure email services (Proton Mail). The VPN is based in Switzerland and has more advanced features than most. It also has open-source apps, a fully audited no-logs policy, and self-implemented “Secure Core” servers in hardened locations such as underground bunkers. These factors make Proton VPN popular with privacy enthusiasts around the world.

When it comes to getting an IP address in the US, ProtonVPN has a few advantages. Firstly, it has a basic free plan with a US IP address. Thus, if you want to get a US IP from abroad without paying, this will be the best option. However, please remember that the free server is much slower than the paid servers and does not allow you to use advanced features like port forwarding and multi-hop. The free server also does not work with popular streaming services such as Netflix (to force you to upgrade).

The paid VPN gives you more options. You get access to 4000+ servers in 14 different US cities. This is perfect for bypassing blackout games and accessing regional US services like game servers or gambling sites.

As you can see in the image above, you can connect to the US by clicking the triangle on the map or searching for the specific city in which you need an IP address. This makes switching to a different state easy during blackout games in your favorite sports, like the NFL or NBA.

The top left of the app shows some important connection details. It tells you which protocol you are using, your new IP address, and the current load of the server you are using. If the server becomes congested, simply pick one with a lower load by looking for a VPN with more capacity (displayed as a circle that fills up with green to indicate how busy it is).

A primary benefit of this VPN is that it works with popular American streaming services. Plus, you can instantly tell if a US server location is good for streaming by looking for the triangle “Play” symbol:

We tested the US servers and were able to watch Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, CBS, NBC, and ABC. This makes it a great option for vacations. What’s more, this VPN has one of the cheapest monthly subscription plans, so if you need a travel VPN, we recommend checking out Proton.

Another huge advantage of ProtonVPN is that it includes port forwarding. If you want to use this feature, click the symbol of an arrow bouncing off a line and turn it on (the symbol will change to let you know it has been enabled successfully). A random port will now be opened each session, which you can add to your torrent client. You will see the port number in the top left of the app alongside the server’s name and IP address.

To see how Proton’s US servers compare to its competitors, we tested it three times using a home broadband setup over the course of a day. You can see the results below:

On the paid plan, Proton’s speeds were excellent—we had an average download speed of 35.2 Mbps which puts it in league with the fastest VPNs on this list.

Remember that my baseline speed without a VPN was 45.3 Mbps in the AM, and when I connected to the VPN this dropped to just 41.6. That is the kind of speed we’re talking about! Making Proton an outstanding option for watching HD TV or accessing US game servers on popular games like Warzone or Roblox.

A kill switch can be toggled without opening the settings menu (look for the switch symbol). Once enabled, the VPN will cut your internet at the system level to prevent any data leaking outside of the VPN tunnel. You also get a tool called NetShield, which uses DNS-based filtering to block ads, trackers, and malicious websites.

If you want to send some traffic outside of the VPN tunnel, you can enable the split tunneling feature – which lets you include or exclude apps and domains from the VPN tunnel.

In terms of security, you get a solid no-log policy, a choice of protocols (OpenVPN or WireGuard), obfuscation, and multi-hop. You can also set up a custom DNS resolver. Tor over VPN is also available.

Finally, we tested Proton VPN for leaks to ensure it was working as advertised. The VPN completely concealed our home IP address with no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. This means your true location is always hidden, and your ISP has no idea what you are doing online.

You can connect to ProtonVPN using its custom apps for iOS, MacOS, Windows, Linux, and Android. And ProtonVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections with each account. The only real drawback is that this VPN is a touch more expensive on the longer subscription plans (it doesn’t have such big discounts).

ADVANCED VPN:ProtonVPN takes your security seriously and works with most American streaming platforms. It delivers high speeds, doesn’t keep any logs, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Check out our complete ProtonVPN review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a smaller VPN provider based in Sweden. It was launched by activists who support consumers’ right to torrent privately. True to its name, the VPN continues to provide robust privacy and the features needed for torrenting.

PrivateVPN’s network has a relatively low server count compared with some of our other recommendations. It has around 250+ servers in total. Despite this modest total, PrivateVPN gives users access to IPs in 63 different countries, including 12 cities across the US.

To check the US server performance, we tested its New York server three times during the course of a day. Below, you can see the results:

The average download speed across all three tests was 35.9 Mbps. This is not the fastest speed we recorded, but it is still more than enough for even the most demanding games and HD streaming.

PrivateVPN is pretty awesome in terms of its ability to access streaming services. The support agent instructed us to use the New York Dedicated IP for streaming. I tested this server to watch NBC, ABC, and CBS with success.

Next, I tested it to watch Netflix US, Hulu, and HBO Max. Again, the VPN worked without any error messages. My Netflix catalog has been updated to show US exclusives, which is exactly what the doctor ordered! This makes PrivateVPN useful for anybody wanting a US IP address for streaming.

Another positive aspect of this VPN is that it is effortless to use. The app is laid out so that it is easy to locate all the settings and features.

We particularly enjoyed getting a secure IP address in the US that offers port forwarding (we used the dedicated IPs and were able to forward any port). This makes it an outstanding VPN option for users who want to torrent, and it is impressive considering the relatively low cost of a subscription.

The dashboard is intuitively designed, making it easy for beginners to navigate. For those seeking more in-depth information, an Advanced View option provides details such as your current public IP address, the protocol in use, and the level of encryption being applied.

Note that although you can change the connection type in the app, we recommend sticking with AES-256-CBC for encryption. This will give you the best privacy levels.

That said, if your main aim is to access US game servers (or for any other activity that needs a US IP Address but not the highest privacy settings), you may want to lower this to AES-128-CBC to get slightly faster speeds. You can use PrivateVPN to play Fortnite, Roblox, and many other games.

Unfortunately, WireGuard is not available in the apps. Instead, you can choose from OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), PPTP, or L2TP. This is pretty limited by today’s standards. We recommend using OpenVPN (avoid PPTP at all costs because it is no longer suitable for privacy purposes).

PrivateVPN also offers a Stealth VPN protocol:

Both stealth VPN port options make traffic appear to be regular HTTPS. This makes PrivateVPN suitable for users traveling to China and the UAE – where ISPs use firewalls to block VPNs – and Deep Packet Inspection to pinpoint VPN users.

PrivateVPN has a reliable kill switch that cuts your internet if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops out. It also includes an “Application Guard” feature that lets you choose programs to terminate if the VPN connection fails.

PrivateVPN has custom Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV apps. These all come with built-in DNS and IPv6 leak protection. We tested the US server in New York and were happy to find no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. This means the VPN is working as advertised to provide an IP address in the USA that is completely secure in terms of privacy.

PrivateVPN is a cheap VPN, especially considering that it includes port forwarding as a standard with every subscription. You can get an account for just US$2.00 per month, which is a good enough reason to take it for a test run using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Each plan lets you connect up to 10 devices, which is usually enough for power users and families. If you need to connect more than ten devices – you can install PrivateVPN on a compatible router. Setup instructions for routers are available on its website.

The website also offers 24/7 live chat support, and we found the agents extremely helpful. Support staff never leave an ongoing conversation, are willing to keep helping you for a prolonged period, are happy to wait while you run tests, and will keep helping until your issue is resolved: Truly outstanding support.

SOLID PERFORMER:This Swedish VPN has bare metal servers in 63 countries, including the US. Works with around two dozen Netflix regions. Excellent connection speeds. Allows torrenting. Easy to use. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

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Finding the best VPNs to get a US IP: Our methodology

If you’re interested in learning how our experts test and recommend VPNs for this guide, you’ll find all the detailed information you need below. You can also read our in-depth guide to learn more about our carefully crafted VPN testing methodology.

Speed

For this guide, we focus on measuring the download speeds that users can expect when connected to each VPN’s US servers. We conducted our speed tests to simulate a typical user experience using a home broadband connection. On the day we tested all of these VPNs, we had an average download speed of 45.3 Mbps. You can see the baseline speed (without a VPN) for each testing session below:

• AM: 48.85 Mbps
• Noon: 41.53 Mbps
• PM: 45.5 Mbps

Our tests were conducted from the UK, which is a reasonable distance from the US-based servers we tested. Generally, the farther you are from a VPN server, the more lag you will likely experience. This means that users closer to the US can expect even better performance.

NordVPN has the fastest average download times, with CyberGhost, Surfshark, and IPVanish coming closely behind. What these tests showed, more than anything, is that every VPN on this list was in the 34 – 40 Mbps range, which is exceptional performance.

To provide a clearer comparison between providers, we averaged the results and assigned each a score out of ten. You can see those results below:

The chart makes it easier to see that NordVPN is much faster than the other providers when it comes to these US-specific tests. However, it was a close race in which all our chosen providers performed exceptionally. You can feel confident picking any of the VPNs in this guide, but if speed is your biggest necessity, go for NordVPN because it will give you the best chance of preserving your base connection speed while giving you the desired US IP.

Streaming ability

To evaluate the streaming capabilities of the best US IP providers, we tested how consistently they could access popular American streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max. Next, we assessed their performance with major international platforms, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the widest number of international services. Finally, one of our streaming experts provided a rating based on their personal experience using each VPN – taking into account video quality, buffering, and ease of use. You can see our results below.

To simplify side-by-side comparisons, we combined the results into a single overall score out of 10.

If you want the best streaming experience, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN tie for the top spot. IPVanish and PIA are solid alternatives if you prefer a US-based provider.

Security & privacy

A reliable VPN should prioritize user privacy and data security above all else. First and foremost, a VPN is a privacy service designed to prevent online tracking and let you use the Internet anywhere without local networks or ISPs monitoring your habits. We’ve identified 15 crucial standards that we consider necessary to achieve this. The criteria we used to score VPNs are in the table below.

We rate each benchmark and then combine those scores to create an overall score out of 10. This approach allows for easier direct comparisons between providers.

The chart demonstrates that all of our top recommended VPN providers effectively safeguard users’ data and online activities with robust security features. Among them, NordVPN and Surfshark stand out for offering protection that goes beyond what most competitors provide, making it a standout choice for privacy-conscious users. ExpressVPN, PIA, and Proton VPN are also excellent choices.

Features

Every VPN is different, so it pays to carefully consider how you plan to use the service. For instance, some only allow you to secure a handful of devices while others are happy for you to connect every device you own simultaneously. Our team assigned a score out of 10 based on each entry in the table below, weighted and normalized these, then combined them to get a more complete understanding of how versatile each is. Take a look at our findings below:

As you can see, several contenders delivered scores in excess of nine points. Surfshark scored a near-perfect 9.9, followed by PIA at 9.7 and NordVPN at 9.6. Conversely, PrivateVPN had the lowest result due to its lack of a Smart DNS service and split tunneling functionality.

Value for money

Everybody wants to find that unicorn VPN that offers watertight privacy, fast speeds, and impeccable accessibility at an unbeatable cost. Luckily for you, cost is not always a signifier of excellence when it comes to VPNs. Some expensive VPNs are terrible, and there are low-cost VPNs that are formidable (of course, there are also plenty of cheap VPNs that are lousy!).

We make it part of our mission to help you snag the best deal possible. To determine which providers represent good value, we score them according to eight metrics. You can see our results in the table below:

Next, we aggregate these scores to give our readers a comprehensive understanding of how each provider ranks in terms of value for money. You can use this factor to pick a VPN that strikes the best balance between cost and features.

As you can see, Surfshark represents the best overall value for money, closely followed by IPVanish, NordVPN, and CyberGhost.

VPNs to avoid

If you’re trying to obtain a US IP address, it’s pivotal that your privacy and anonymity are always secured. The VPNs mentioned in this list have a proven history of protecting users’ data and privacy, but providers without such scruples exist. One such provider is:

HolaVPN

Israel-based Hola, a popular VPN extension for Chrome, used its sizable user base of almost 50 million for illegal purposes. The company turned this critical mass into a massive botnet in 2015, leveraging individual user bandwidth to engage in distributed denial of service attacks and distribute copyrighted material. Users were completely in the dark.

Another VPN choice that we recommend avoiding is:

Free VPNs

Free VPNs are heavily advertised online, and some users may be tempted to sign up. However, many such services have a poor track record of impinging on users’ rights by stealing their data and selling it to third-party advertisers.

After all, even free VPNs are registered businesses. Hence, they need to make money to pay for staff salaries, server maintenance, and general office overheads. That’s why the route for monetization becomes users themselves.

Even if your data isn’t stolen, expect bandwidth throttling, weak encryption standards, and data caps. So it’s likely that you’ll be booted out if you stream Netflix for an hour or so. Tons of invasive advertisements are also common, with the real risk of contracting a malware infection. We recommend you avoid the random free VPNs on the web.

Getting a US IP address with a proxy server

If you’re looking for a free alternative to a VPN for an American IP, you might consider using a US proxy server. These work similarly to a VPN, routing your traffic via a server in America, but they lack the privacy and security benefits.

Not only do proxies not encrypt your web traffic, but some often collect user data to monetize their offering and keep the service free, so proceed with caution.

It’s also worth noting that the servers aren’t as robust, so you will likely encounter issues if you want to log into your US Netflix or Hulu account and stream from abroad.

If you want to connect to the US through a proxy, check out our best proxy provider list to get started.

How to use a proxy to get a US IP

On Windows:

1. Go to: Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection > Preview Builds.
2. Update settings with your chosen proxy details
3. Apply and connect

On Mac:

1. Go to: Safari > Preferences > Advanced > Change Settings.
2. Update settings with your chosen proxy details
3. Connect to the proxy in System Preferences

On Android:

1. Go to: Settings > wifi> Your Network > Modify Network > Advanced > Manual.
2. Update settings with your chosen proxy Hostname and Proxy port.
3. Save and connect.

On iPhone:

1. Go to: Settings > wifi> Network Information > Configure Proxy > Manual > Manual.
2. Enter the proxy Hostname and Proxy port.
3. Turn on Authentication
4. Save and connect.

Get an American IP address with Tor

Tor is a free internet browser that encrypts users’ traffic, not once, but three times! It can also conceal your IP address in favor of a US alternative.

This may sound like a great option, but it’s important to note that Tor will not be able to handle anything that requires a fast connection, such as video streaming, gaming, or VoIP. There’s also a high technical barrier to entry, so it’s not for the faint-hearted.

But if you are looking to access news sites from home, aren’t put off by technical issues, and don’t mind a slow connection, Tor could offer a free alternative solution.

Read more in our guide to using Tor with a VPN.

Use an American DNS server when gaining a USA IP address

Nearly as important as your public IP address is the server your device uses to look up the IP addresses of different web pages and other online content. DNS, or Domain Name System, works like a phone book in which names (domains) match phone numbers (IP addresses). When attempting to access geo-locked content, many websites check where you’re calling from and where the phone book is located.

Even when you have an American IP address, if a DNS request is sent to a server outside of the US to look up a public IP address, the website or app can see this and still block you. Therefore, your DNS server must be in the same country as your IP address. In this case, you need a DNS server inside the US.

All VPNs in the above list have apps that take care of this for you. When you connect to the VPN server, your DNS requests are sent through the encrypted tunnel. Good VPNs, like the ones we recommend, operate their own private DNS servers, so your DNS requests cannot be used to track which websites you visit by your Internet Service Provider or another DNS server provider. You might need to toggle this option in your VPN app’s settings.

Some mediocre VPNs send DNS requests through the tunnel but then use a public DNS service like Google DNS on the other side. This will let you use DNS servers in the US, but Google can record which websites you visit and when, which is not ideal for privacy. Other VPNs fail to tunnel DNS requests altogether.

If your VPN provider doesn’t tunnel DNS traffic for you, you can manually configure DNS servers on most devices. We recommend a service like OpenNIC, which offers free DNS servers in specific countries, including the US. The exact process for changing DNS servers varies between devices, but you can usually add primary and secondary DNS servers somewhere in your network configuration settings.

Windows 10 users, in particular, should be aware that their operating system often sends such requests in tandem, one over the IPv4 protocol and one over IPv6. Windows uses whichever comes back faster. However, IPv6 requests are often sent outside the VPN tunnel. If your VPN doesn’t offer IPv6 leak protection, you may need to disable IPv6 altogether in your wifi settings.

How to get an American IP Address FAQ