Not all VPNs are reliable, though. Testing over 50 VPN providers, I picked the best ones for getting a US IP address. I analyzed speeds, security, privacy, server coverage, and each VPNs’ ability to unblock apps like Netflix US, Hulu, and other services. ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for getting a US IP address. Its fast, streaming-optimized servers let you rightfully access your US-based accounts from overseas. Plus, you can buy ExpressVPN with confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get a US IP address with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Get an IP Address in the US From Anywhere
Browse the US web with ExpressVPN
The Best VPNs to Get a US IP Address (Tested in 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN to Get a US IP Address and Unblock US Content From Overseas
Key Features: ExpressVPN is my #1 recommendation to get a US IP address from anywhere. It has dozens of servers across at least 25 locations in the US, so you can access your US bank account while traveling overseas. It also provides seamless access to US-locked streaming platforms, including Disney+ and: The proprietary Lightway protocol is designed for high-bandwidth activities in and outside the US such as UHD streaming, online gaming, and torrenting. It uses fewer device resources than other protocols, minimizing speed loss across large distances. Lightway gave me speeds of 98Mbps on nearby servers in the US and 94Mbps on an Australian server — that’s just a 4% speed difference, considering the network was 10,000 miles away from me. Testing its network in New York with Counter-Strike, there was never any lag that could get you killed during a match. The VPN passed my DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak tests on 30+ US, UK, Japan, and Australia servers and proved it keeps your real IP address and location hidden. It also blocks IPv6 traffic, preventing a leading cause of data leaks. Its other top-shelf security and privacy features on US IP addresses include:
Military-grade encryption — uses a 256-bit cipher to hide your browsing data from all third parties so that no one can trace your online activities on US IP addresses. Kill switch — automatically disconnects you from the internet if your computer goes into sleep mode and the VPN connection drops. TrustedServer network — runs on RAM-based servers that aren’t capable of storing your data in the first place, while other VPNs use hard drives that have to be manually erased. No-logs policy — ensures that none of your personal information is accessible to anyone, including ExpressVPN’s staff.
I used US IP addresses on ExpressVPN’s limit of 5 devices at once and connected seamlessly on my Windows PC, Macbook, iMac, iPhone, and iPad. You can also set up ExpressVPN on your smart TV or router. There’s also a MediaStreamer feature that unblocks content even on devices that don’t support the VPN, like PS4. However, this location-spoofing feature won’t encrypt your internet traffic or protect you from hackers. One small downside of ExpressVPN is that it’s more expensive than the other VPNs on this list. However, it’s easily worth the investment since ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds during my tests. It also has top-grade security and privacy features to keep you safe and anonymous, even on IP addresses from a Five Eyes Alliance country like the US that monitors internet users. You can get ExpressVPN at a 49% discount by subscribing to its 1-year plan. It’s backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can buy it confidently. To test its refund policy I submitted my request to the 24/7 live chat agent, who approved it in 2 minutes — I got my money back after 4 days. Get a US IP address with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers Unblock US Streaming Platforms Instantly
Key Features: There’s also a menu of torrenting servers in the US under the “For downloading” tab. During my tests, CyberGhost’s P2P servers in the US averaged 9% faster than the regular, location-based servers. I never got drops from my baseline speeds of 100Mbps without a VPN — I streamed MKBHD’s Galaxy S23 review on YouTube in UHD with zero buffering. The smart WiFi rules were a great privacy bonus since the US is known for web surveillance. With these enabled, CyberGhost automatically connects on start-up, when you open certain apps, or when your device joins new networks. This keeps you anonymous even if you forget to start the VPN. It also has these other essential security and privacy features:
Military-grade encryption — uses state-of-the-art 256-bit standard to make your internet traffic unreadable to anyone but you. Solid leak protection — ensures your private data doesn’t sneak past the VPN’s encrypted tunnel and expose your actual IP address. Kill switch — cuts all connectivity if your device going to sleep or there are unexpected issues, but CyberGhost’s US-based servers were 100% reliable during my tests.
Out of 9.500 servers in 91 countries, CyberGhost has a very impressive 1,300+ servers in the US. As a result, I didn’t experience slowdowns due to an overcrowded network throughout my tests. I prefer having a large selection so that if one goes down, I can switch to another. This also makes CyberGhost ideal for accessing US and global platforms, such as: One small issue with CyberGhost is that it provides a shorter money-back window on its monthly plan. You can get around that by subscribing to its long-term plans, which also cost less per month than the monthly one. I recommend you sign up for CyberGhost’s 2-year + 3 months subscription to get a 84% discount and a full refund window of 45 days. Therefore, you can get your money back if you change your mind. I requested my refund via CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat and got repaid after just 5 business days. Get a US IP address with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access — The Most Servers With Options in Every US State to Access Content Reliably
Key Features: Private Internet Access has servers in 50+ locations in the US for fast and reliable access to most US-based content from anywhere. Since it’s constantly updating its networks with new IP addresses in each US state, the VPN can access most geo-restricted platforms in the US and across the globe. This includes: Formerly using 1Gbps network cards, PIA has switched to 10Gbps networks that give you better speeds than most VPNs according to my tests. It also has a feature that reduces your data packet size, which moves information in smaller chunks so it moves faster between the server and your device. My speeds averaged 80Mbps on 35+ different US servers, plenty for streaming UHD shows like The Last of Us on HBO. PIA’s servers run on RAM disks instead of hard drives so your online activities aren’t stored on any database. To ensure complete anonymity, PIA offers the following security and privacy features:
Military-grade encryption — lets you switch between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption. The former is sufficiently secure and may boost connection speeds by nearly 10%. MACE — blocks ads, trackers, and malware while surfing US websites like Forbes, Buzzfeed, and The Washington Post. 100% leak-proof — prevents IP and DNS leaks to ensure your real IP address remains hidden.
I got US IP addresses on 12 different devices and didn’t experience any slowdowns — the VPN allows Unlimited connections and performs well even with many at once. Testing PIA’s user interface, I liked that it can be expanded to see detailed information like server latency, which tells you how long your data takes to travel to be encrypted. You can even mark fast, low-latency servers as favorites for fast access later. I had just one concern with PIA, which was that it’s a US-based VPN. This is a 5 Eyes Alliance country that collects your online data and shares it with other nations. However, I was relieved that PIA has a strict no-logs policy verified by Deloitte. It proved the policy works in 2015 and 2017 during 2 legal cases where it didn’t have any information on its users to hand over despite an official request for information about PIA users. After researching its subscriptions, I recommend the 2-year + 3 months plan to get PIA for a low monthly price of $2.11. You can also try it risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. I emailed my refund request to customer support and heard back with a confirmation within 2 hours. I got my money back in 5 business days. Get a US IP address with PIA
4. NordVPN — SmartPlay is Custom-Built to Bypass Geo-Blocks on US Streaming Sites
Key Features: NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature makes streaming on US platforms easy. It’s a Smart DNS service that intercepts your DNS requests and redirects them through a proxy server in the US. It still encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address like a VPN, unlike many proxies that don’t make you anonymous on the web. Therefore, NordVPN can safely unblock: With over 1,900 servers in the US alone, I had a lot of flexibility in choosing the nearest one from my location. NordVPN also owns, operates, and maintains its colocated servers to avoid the risk of third-party mismanagement and interference. It also offers a lot of security and privacy extras to protect your online activities with a US IP address:
Obfuscation — makes your VPN activities appear like normal traffic to get past geo-restriction detectors on US streaming services. Military-grade encryption — ensures that your online activities with a US IP address remain invisible to third parties. Kill switch — provides a fail-safe mechanism to prevent your IP address from getting exposed in case of a lost VPN connection.
I found NordVPN’s interface user-friendly and consistent across both mobile and desktop apps. It supports 6 simultaneous device connections, so you can switch around devices easily. I immediately noticed its specialty servers on NordVPN’s dashboard, making it super easy to find a connection based on what I wanted to do. A small problem with NordVPN is that its Double VPN servers significantly reduce speeds because it hides your data behind 2 encrypted tunnels than just one. However, I still got speeds fast enough for fast downloading and bufferless streaming. If you have slow internet, you can use SmartPlay to further minimize speed loss. You can get the best deal with NordVPN’s 2-year plan, which offers a 66% discount. It also gives you a window of 30 days to try it out risk-free with its money-back guarantee. I got my money back in 5 business days after submitting my request via NordVPN’s live chat. Get a US IP address with NordVPN
5. Surfshark — High-Bandwidth Servers in the US Give Blazing-Fast Speeds for Lagless Streaming
Key Features: Surfshark’s 20Gbps US servers provide plenty of bandwidth for streaming US platforms. This prevents overcrowding, which means stable and fast connections for lag-free streaming. During tests, multiple UHD episodes of Game of Thrones played without buffering on HBO Max so you won’t miss a single one of Tyrion Lannister’s snarky one-liners. With Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature, you can get rid of ads on US sites. I browsed marketing-heavy sites like Forbes, Buzzfeed, and Daily Mail without any pop-ups. Since the usual irritating auto-playing video ads didn’t load, I noticed these sites opened a few seconds faster in my browser. Its Camouflage Mode can access US sites in restrictive countries like China and the UAE with powerful firewalls that block VPNs. It makes your data look like regular internet traffic, so third parties can’t know if you’re using a VPN. Plus, this bypasses geo-restrictions on sites that block VPN IP addresses. Besides that, Surfshark has:
RAM-only servers — can’t record any information so your activities on US sites and platforms are never logged and can’t be seen even if servers are physically accessed. IP address rotation — changes your IP address periodically without disconnecting the VPN for better privacy online. Military-grade encryption — hides your data with a powerful cipher, so no one can compromise your connection or access your personal information.
I liked that you can get a US IP address on Unlimited devices with Surfshark. Plus, I had no problem navigating through Surfshark’s apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android despite being heavy on features. They share a similar interface, making each intuitive to use. Its extension for Chrome and Firefox allows you to quickly access US sites without having to open a separate app. One small annoyance I found was that Surfshark didn’t have an in-built speed test to give you an instant measure of each US server’s performance before you connect. It wasn’t a big issue as I prefer running tests on Ookla anyway, and you can just select “US” in the server menu to let Surfshark find the fastest one. Although Surfshark is among the most affordable monthly VPNs, its 2-year subscription offers the highest discount of 82%. You can try it risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee to make sure you like it. I got my money back in 5 business days after submitting my refund request via live chat. Get a US IP address with Surfshark
6. PrivateVPN — Dedicated US-Based IP Addresses Avoid Anti-VPN Blacklists on Sites
Key Features: PrivateVPN’s dedicated IP addresses avoid VPN filters to access to US content reliably without being added to proxy blacklists. You get a unique IP address that isn’t shared with other users, so all its bandwidth also belongs entirely to you. Plus, it never gets crowded and slows down. This is among the few VPNs that give you dedicated IP addresses in the US at no extra fee. The dedicated US IP address was also 10% faster than regular servers during my tests. The US servers were the fastest because I live in the country, but even distant connections didn’t give me speed drops of more than 14%. I streamed Stranger Things in HD on my Netflix US home library and played Call of Duty: Warzone with my friends for over 2 hours without any noticeable frame drops. With its obfuscation feature, PrivateVPN is one of the few VPNs with US IP addresses that work in China. It uses the Shadowsocks proxy to add a fake location behind the VPN connection and safely bypass the Great Firewall of China. It reduced speeds by 4%, but this didn’t affect any apps during tests and is essential for safely using US IP addresses in countries with filtered internet. Some other essential safety features include:
Military-grade encryption — hides your data using a virtually impenetrable cipher so that no one can link your online activities to your identity. Kill switch — immediately cuts your internet if a network becomes unsteady, but none of the 30+ servers I tested ever had connectivity issues during my tests. Leak protection — IPv6 protection keeps you anonymous by stopping any data from escaping the encrypted tunnel during certain types of connections
A small issue with PrivateVPN is its small server network. However, with 10+ locations in the US you still have plenty of choices that worked with geo-restricted content. Streaming tests showed that PrivateVPN can unblock most US-based and global platforms, including: You can get PrivateVPN at a 85% discount with its 3-year plan. If you still aren’t sure, its 30-day money-back guarantee makes it risk-free to try. After testing it I submitted my refund request via email, and it took 4 hours for someone to respond with a confirmation. and I got my money back 6 days later. Get a US IP address with PrivateVPN
7. IPVanish — Get US IP Addresses on All Your Devices at Once
Key Features: IPVanish’s unmetered connections let you get a US IP address on unlimited devices. You don’t have to ration devices when traveling outside the US for work or leisure. While traveling outside the US, I wasn’t worried about running out of connections. I installed IPVanish on 6 of my devices and even used it on a PC in an internet cafe. With all 2,000 servers managed in-house, IPVanish directly manages its servers. I didn’t get any downtimes while testing 20+ servers in the US for 4 hours. Its robust national network of over 1,000 servers means you won’t encounter congestion or connection errors, and testing proved these could easily access: The Scramble IP feature hides that you’re using a VPN, so accessing US content in restrictive countries isn’t a problem. However, this isn’t obfuscation, and IPVanish can’t bypass nationwide firewalls. Still, you can rest assured that your online activities are thoroughly protected by IPVanish’s top-of-the-line security and privacy features:
Multiple protocols — Choose between WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec, and L2TP to customize performance and security to your liking Military-grade encryption — Prevents anyone from accessing your online activities while using a US IP address
I didn’t experience major slowdowns while using IPVanish’s US servers on multiple devices. My ping increased to 70ms from 18ms (ping is how long it takes for your data to transfer to the server). However, this caused no problems during fast-paced Dota 2 battles. Unfortunately, IPVanish reduced my speeds the most out of all the VPNs on this list. However, it was still enough to play online games, stream shows on Netflix, and listen to music on Pandora on multiple devices simultaneously. In comparison, ExpressVPN never gave me significant drops even on distant connections. The 2-year plan is my top pick because it gives you a 72% discount at a low price of $3.33 per month. Plus, you can take advantage of IPVanish’s 30-day money-back guarantee to test it risk-free. If you want a refund, hit the “Cancel now” button on the dashboard. My request went through instantly and I had the money back in my PayPal account within an hour. Get a US IP address with IPVanish
How Does a VPN Get a US IP Address?
When you visit a website that only works in the US, it checks your IP address to determine your location. VPNs send your traffic through a server in another location, giving you a temporary alternate IP address that can access the content there. For example, you can’t access US-locked shows or movies on Netflix without a VPN server in the US. Your real IP address can be used to track your online activities and location, especially if you’re on public WiFi. Using a top VPN encrypts your data to make you invisible and maintain your right to online privacy while you use US IP addresses. It also keeps you safe from hackers and poorly-secured networks. Access US content with ExpressVPN
Research Methodology: How I Tested the Best VPNs for a US IP Address
To find the top VPNs for unblocking Us-based content and apps, I evaluated them using the following criteria:
Servers in the US — A VPN without servers in the US can’t give you an IP address there. All VPNs on my list have multiple servers in the US for reliable connections. Ability to access local content — I picked VPNs with a powerful enough server network to easily access geo-restricted American content. Fast speeds — The VPNs on my list deliver excellent performance on nearby and distant servers in the US, with minimal speed loss across large distances. Strong security and privacy — I ensured that my selected VPNs had military-grade 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, data leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. Apps for popular devices — I looked for options with compatible apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, and other devices. Customer support — I tested each contender’s support options and evaluated them based on the speed of their response times and how thorough their answers were.
Access US sites with ExpressVPN Get an American IP address with CyberGhost Remember to check your country’s rules so that you’re not breaching any laws, and keep in mind that streaming services and apps can ban you permanently with no refund if you break rules by unblocking location-restricted content. ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for accessing Netflix US since it worked 100% consistently and had the fastest speeds for UHD shows like Stranger Things during tests. The VPN constantly updates its IP address to avoid blacklists. Another problem with proxies is that you don’t know who’s collecting your data, or if a proxy service hosts malware. Personal information including your passwords could be stolen and sold on the dark web, putting you at serious risk. To avoid your real IP address being exposed make sure your VPN has IPv6 and DNS leak protection, military-grade 256-bit encryption, and a kill switch. If you have one of the top VPNs for a US IP address and still have problems, try reconnecting or reach out to customer service via 24/7 live chat. Hola VPN logs your browsing activities and sells your personal information to advertisers. It lacks encryption and simply spoofs your location — you’re better off using a proxy. It’s also missing crucial VPN privacy features like a kill switch and data leak protection. I suggest using a server closest to your location to get the fastest speeds. The farther away a server is, the more time it takes for the data to reach you. ExpressVPN minimizes drops even on distant connections on its servers throughout the US. My tests showed that a top provider like ExpressVPN has US IP addresses that work with banking apps reliably. You never have to worry about hackers seeing your login information. Plus, you won’t get locked out from accessing your money due to fraud alerts triggered by trying to log in from a foreign country. Using a VPN almost always reduces your speeds slightly, but in some cases, VPNs can bypass speed throttling on a network. If an ISP tries to reduce internet performance, a VPN gets past throttles by hiding data. Some free VPNs are safe and reliable but have limited networks with either no IP addresses in the US, data limits, time restrictions, or slow servers. I tested them rigorously and found them safe to use. Other free VPNs may sell your data to third parties. Worse yet, some infect your device with data-stealing malware so thieves can hack into your online accounts. It isn’t worth the risk when you can just use top VPN providers like CyberGhost temporarily for free.
Start Browsing the Internet in the US With a VPN
To stay safe from spying, you need a top VPN with military-grade encryption and powerful privacy features. A kill switch, data leak prevention, and a verified no-logs policy keep your data hidden from illegal warrantless surveillance practices in the US while using IP addresses based there. A premium VPN is also the best way to rightfully access your usual US content while traveling outside the country. However, not all VPNs are equal. After testing dozens of options, my top picks are the best all-rounders. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for getting a US IP address. It gives you a choice of dozens of servers across the country with the best speed, security, and privacy features of all the VPNs I tested. Even better, you can buy ExpressVPN with confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you don’t like it, you can get a refund easily.
