South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the region. Kilometers of asphalt combined with beautiful forests and countryside make this country a sight to be seen, especially for tourists.
When it comes to internet freedom in South Africa, it’s not as alarming as it’s the case in some other countries. For example, in my discussion about the best VPN for the United Arab Emirates, I talked about harsh censorship in this country.
Here, the government is, so far, mild, but you will encounter snoopers and hackers on public WiFi networks. In addition, geo-restrictions are a normal part of the internet in the country, making it hard to access foreign TV channels and streaming platforms.
The good news is that the best VPN for South Africa can help you out. It’ll encrypt your connection and make it untraceable by snoopers and hackers while letting you bypass geo-blocks and enjoy streaming to the fullest.
The real question is – what is THE best VPN for South Africa in 2024? That question will be answered in today’s article, as I give you the top 5 providers for people living in this country AND for those abroad wanting to get a South African IP address.
Top 5 VPN picks for South Africa in 2024:
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost VPN
- NordVPN
- Surfshark VPN
- Private Internet Access
Table of Contents
Best VPN for South Africa: The Top 5 Providers
If you want a quality, dependable, and reliable provider, you’ll need a premium VPN. I will talk about some free providers later on, but as they’re far from the best choices, I will focus primarily on paid providers with affordable prices and special discounts.
This way, I ensure your satisfaction, no bandwidth limits, and excellent performance which paid providers are usually known for. Without further ado, here’s my list of the best South Africa VPN services in 2024.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the epitome of reliability and quality with its 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. Needless to say, apart from dozens of servers in South Africa, the provider has numerous fast-speed servers across all other continents, ensuring good server coverage.
I found this provider to be the fastest of all of the choices on the list, which is valuable if you’re looking to use a VPN for downloading torrents or streaming on Netflix in 4K. What’s more, ExpressVPN works with a lot of Netflix catalogs in conjunction with platforms like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max.
This will ensure you can still enjoy some of the greatest movies and shows even in a country like this. ExpressVPN is among the safest providers as well. With features like AES-256 encryption and an automatic kill switch for IP leak prevention, you’ll never have problems with it.
Important to mention is ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol. This new protocol comes straight from the company’s woodwork, promising – and delivering blazing-fast speeds, impeccable security, and uncompromising privacy, further backed by a no-logging policy.
While using ExpressVPN, you can be sure your browsing activities and personal data aren’t stored. Besides, it has this TrustedServer technology, which is a fancy name for servers based on RAM (Random Access Memory) that deletes each bit of information upon each restart.
ExpressVPN even offers its private DNS and a SmartDNS functionality for use on gaming consoles. Speaking of which, this provider works on all devices and systems, offering 8 simultaneous connections on one subscription.
Its 24/7 support is the best around and is known for fast and concise responses that scream helpfulness. This best VPN for South Africa comes with a currently available 49% discount and 3 free months for the 12-month plan. Every plan yields a 30-day money-back guarantee too.
As a result, you can test this provider risk-free and claim the cheapest deal using the button below. I’m more than sure you’ll want nothing more after you test it!
Visit ExpressVPN
Pros
- Lots of servers in South Africa
- Lightway VPN protocol for blazing-fast speeds
- AES-256 bit encryption
- TrustedServer technology
- Excellent streaming & torrenting capabilities
- SmartDNS functionality for gaming consoles
- 24/7 live chat support
Con
- Not the best choice for users on a budget
2. CyberGhost
If you don’t want to use ExpressVPN, another great VPN for South Africa in 2024 is CyberGhost. It offers 9,500+ servers in 100 countries, so it offers more servers than ExpressVPN. However, it does come with 5 countries less, which you won’t notice in practice.
Nevertheless, its 10 Gbps servers are pretty fast and you get 29 physical servers in Johannesburg. Thus, if you’re traveling abroad, you can always get a South African IP address and watch local TV channels like SABC, Soweto TV, and Channel O.
While I’m talking about that, I should also mention its dedicated streaming and torrenting servers. Streaming servers are awesome, as they let you unblock a myriad of foreign TV channels in different countries. Torrenting servers are welcome for those engaging in P2P activities.
A nice addition is the presence of NoSpy servers. They’re operated by CyberGhost directly and because they’re based in Romania, you can enjoy the highest level of privacy. The same can be said about CyberGhost in general, thanks to its audited no-logging policy and transparency reports.
In terms of features, CyberGhost offers bank-grade encryption, split tunneling, a kill switch, and an ad-blocker for kicking out annoying ads. I also like that it supports WireGuard, which boosts the performance and makes connection times a lot shorter.
CyberGhost even offers you the option to get bonus features like antivirus and Security Updater to keep your apps and security up to date. However, the biggest selling point of this VPN for South Africa is the price. First, it comes with cheap long-term plans that make the price drop far below $2.5 a month.
Not only that, but each long-term plan has a 45-day money-back guarantee, which not a single provider on this list will give you. The downsides are negligible, as the only thing I can complain about is a mildly unintuitive Windows app, while the fact that it’s not working in China isn’t relevant for this case.
Visit CyberGhost
Pros
- Servers optimized for speeds and security
- A no-logging policy with transparency reports and audit from Deloitte
- Includes an ad blocker
- Works with Netflix
- Short connection times thanks to WireGuard
- Cheap long-term plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- The Windows app could be more intuitive
- It won’t work in censored countries like Iran and China
3. NordVPN
If you’re looking for a VPN for South Africa that’s affordable and quality, you might want to check out NordVPN. As one of the most prevalent names in the industry, NordVPN is known for a huge server park of 5,500+ servers in 60 countries, covering even South Africa.
In South Africa, you get 50+ servers in Johannesburg that are ready to fulfill your expectations and make your online security a real deal. Speaking of which, NordVPN’s focus is online security with a strong accent on privacy through its 3-times-verified no-logging policy.
Its applications are feature-rich, offering a wide selection of specialty servers. For instance, I like P2P servers for torrenting, as well as Onion over VPN servers that you can use with Tor for accessing the dark web. Double VPN servers will double your encryption while obfuscated servers are great for China.
Additionally, my experience shows that this is a great provider for streaming. You can use it to unblock some streaming platforms which NordVPN can be proud of. It is also very good for bypassing the blocking of any site. In fact, I even found out that this VPN will unblock Omegle if you get banned or it’s not available in your country.
Plus, it has this Threat Protection feature that includes functionalities like malware protection, antivirus, and CyberSec, an ad-blocker that works flawlessly. Its modern-looking apps also have something called Dark Web Monitor, which is crucial for informing you of leaked personal data.
NordVPN has a proprietary NordLynx protocol based on WireGuard, which means its performance is above average. Indeed, it’s a great choice for gaming, streaming, and downloading due to its ability to fully utilize your internet speed in each scenario.
Much like the best VPN in South Africa, it supports each device, although it offers “just” 6 simultaneous connections. Be aware of value-added taxes in some countries (15% in South Africa) that’ll slightly bum up the price. However, you get a 30-day refund period, so if you’re dissatisfied, a refund is always an option.
Visit NordVPN
Pros
- Stringent no-logging policy audited by PwC/Deloitte
- Onion over VPN servers for accessing the dark web
- Threat Protection functionalities
- NordLynx VPN protocol based on WireGuard
- Fast speeds for bandwidth-hungry activities
Cons
- 15% VAT in South Africa
- Expensive short-term subscription plans
4. Surfshark
Surfshark is one of those VPNs with an insane value for the money. It manages to give you 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including South Africa while keeping its price ridiculously low. Not only that but the provider is known for extraordinary qualities that reflect in its apps and overall security.
For one, the provider offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which is great knowing that it has apps for iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and many other platforms. Second, it’s vital to talk about its features like 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and an ad blocker that make this provider top-grade.
WireGuard support is here too, but Surfshark also supports OpenVPN and IKEv2, which adds to the variety. Moreover, this VPN for South Africa has something called NoBorders, which is a special feature for bypassing censorship if you ever find yourself in China or Turkey, for example.
Surfshark has MultiHop servers too, and they function like Double VPN in NordVPN, doubling your encryption by routing your traffic through multiple servers. You can use Surfshark for streaming as well because it works with Netflix US and a variety of geo-restricted TV channels and platforms.
Based in the Netherlands, Surfshark stores absolutely no logs and it has an audit from Cure53 & Deloitte to back these claims up. Besides, it allows you to buy Surfshark One, a slightly more expensive plan consisting of antivirus, true incognito mode, and Alert, which is another name for Dark Web Monitor.
Overall, this provider is impressive and easily stands shoulder-to-shoulder with more expensive providers. However, keep in mind its average performance compared to CyberGhost, NordVPN, or ExpressVPN, as well as occasional issues with a kill switch that fails to work in some cases.
As said, though, its price is very low if we talk about a 2-year plan that, along with other plans, comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I’m sure South Africans are going to love it, especially users on a limited budget.
Visit Surfshark
Pros
- It doesn’t limit your simultaneous connections
- Surprisingly good for unlocking geo-restricted streaming platforms
- 3,200 servers in 100 countries
Cons
- Average speeds
- The kill switch fails to work in some instances
5. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access takes the fifth spot on the list of the best VPNs for South Africa in 2024. It’s by no means inferior to its competitors, especially keeping in mind its 30,000 servers in 80+ countries. Does it have servers in this country? Absolutely!
This US-based provider is one of the oldest and is known for a stern no-logging policy which it proved several times in court. Furthermore, it boasts a set of advanced security features, some of which are made for experienced users who want to get more out of it.
The selection of protocols is limited to WireGuard and OpenVPN, but you can also use its advanced kill switch, PIA MACE (ad blocker), split tunneling, and Multi-Hop with obfuscation. All of this makes PIA VPN an extremely good choice for staying safe online or while using public WiFi networks.
In terms of streaming, PIA isn’t the best choice and it isn’t unblocking some Netflix libraries successfully. Its performance is average as well, but you’ll never experience unstable connections that will impact your experience negatively.
After all, this provider is torrent-friendly, so you can use it for P2P activities through various torrent clients. Recently, PIA improved its device compatibility, allowing you to use it even on routers, Smart TVs, and Fire TV Stick, which is a nice addition for a VPN this cheap.
Sure, its desktop apps are a bit clunky and slow to respond, but that isn’t a problem knowing that it’s one of the most secure VPNs. With unlimited simultaneous connections and 24/7 live chat support, PIA remains among my favorite VPNs for South Africa for security and privacy.
It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans as well, and it’s even cheaper than CyberGhost and Surfshark, which is perfect for a country like this. I invite you to check out my PIA VPN review here to see my extended analysis and test of this provider.
Visit Private Internet Access
Pros
- It’s very affordable
- Offers nearly 30,000 worldwide servers
- MultiHop with obfuscation technology
Cons
- Clunky and unresponsive desktop clients
- Not the best speed and performance
- Isn’t the best choice for unblocking Netflix
How to Choose a South African VPN?
With so many great VPNs on offer on this list, selecting one might be harder than it meets the eye. So, how to choose the best VPN for South Africa for your needs? Here’s what we took into account – it might help you during your selection process.
- Servers in SA. We wanted every VPN to have South African servers. They’re useful if you’re abroad or you don’t live in this country and you need to access its local content. This doesn’t have to do only with streaming platforms but banking sites and bookies as well.
- Fast connection speed. Every service on this list is fast – some more and some less. We ensured you can get a discount on ExpressVPN, the fastest option, as well as CyberGhost and NordVPN. While Surfshark and PIA are a tad slower, they’re all good performers as a whole.
- Security. Each SA VPN should have bank-grade encryption, IP leak protection, a kill switch, and RAM-only servers. Well, that’s surely the case with the providers from our list. Their security is top-notch for sure.
- Privacy. In South Africa, you’ll benefit from a VPN that keeps no logs. In this case, you can choose any of the 5 VPNs, as all have certified no-logging policies. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the most audited, with 3 audits so far.
- Ease of use. All South African VPNs for today are easy to use. They work on all popular platforms too, with at least 6 simultaneous connections. If you’re opting for more connections, consider Surfshark or PIA with unlimited simultaneous connections per account.
- Affordability. Let’s not forget this factor. Each service we present offers a special discount that you can claim through our site. You can save a lot on every provider, yet, get up to 45 days of risk-free use thanks to a money-back guarantee.
Free VPNs for South Africa: Are They Any Good?
With providers like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost offering tons of exciting features and functionalities, is it worth looking for a free VPN service for South Africa in 2024? Well, from my point of view, it isn’t, especially knowing how limiting these services are.
Free VPNs are famous for typical downsides like limited monthly bandwidth, slow performance, and the lack of certain security features. Some free providers use a lower level of encryption and many of them lack a kill switch, which is essential for preventing unwanted IP leaks.
Since I mentioned limited bandwidth, I should be precise in how limited it is. Usually, we’re talking about a couple of gigabytes a month, with TunnelBear going as low as giving you just 500 MB monthly. While Windscribe gives you 10 GB, it’s still far from enough.
One concerning fact is that free providers have small server networks with just a few “popular” VPN locations. In other words, you will not get any South African VPN servers, so if you want to access local TV channels or banks abroad, know that this won’t be possible.
Providers like Hola VPN or Betternet which are free and with limited bandwidth are known for storing logs and selling your personal data to third-party companies. Therefore, I simply can’t recommend free VPNs like this as they’ll jeopardize your privacy.
Lastly, it’s crucial to mention that free providers lack P2P and streaming capabilities, both of which are easily accessible through paid providers. With free providers, you can forget about unblocking Netflix or downloading torrents through uTorrent or BitTorrent.
Free VPN That We Recommend: Atlas VPN
However, there’s some light at the end of the tunnel and there’s one free VPN for South Africa that we can proudly recommend – Atlas VPN. If you don’t have high expectations, Atlas VPN is a pretty good choice for a free service, with a cheap premium plan as a welcome addition.
The provider is under NordVPN’s ownership (read my review of Atlas VPN for more information), so you can expect great security features like 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and WireGuard support. Moreover, the provider has a no-logging policy, and even in its free version, it will NOT collect or sell your personal data.
It has native clients for platforms like iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, offering easy-to-use applications that you can get into quickly. But, as we’re talking about its free version, it offers a limited bandwidth of 5 GB a month, as well as just a few server locations to choose from.
Being free also means you lose on some advanced security features like Multi-Hop and dedicated streaming servers. Plus, instead of unlimited connections on a paid plan, you get just one connection per account, which is typical for free providers.
The reason I recommend Atlas VPN is that it’s safe, secure, and dependable. Despite limited bandwidth, it’s not as slow as you’d expect it to be, so it’s somewhat useful if you’re not too demanding. Keep in mind, though, that even its paid version has no servers in South Africa.
Therefore, instead of paying for it, just get any of the top 5 South Africa VPNs above if you need servers in this country.
Summary
With the 5 best VPNs for South Africa in 2024, I think you’ll have no doubts about which one to select. ExpressVPN is an obvious choice for those who don’t want any compromises and don’t mind paying slightly more for top-grade quality.
CyberGhost and NordVPN are ExpressVPN’s close competitors with slightly cheaper prices that still retain the safety, security, and superb streaming capabilities. But if you want to go down the even cheaper route, Surfshark and Private Internet Access surely have a lot to offer.
Luckily, South Africa isn’t a heavily censored country with lots of blocked websites and ever-present surveillance. However, due to unsafe public WiFi networks and geo-restrictions, I’m sure you’ll want a VPN service that can help you ensure online privacy and regain internet freedom in South Africa or elsewhere.
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FAQ
To finish things up, let me answer a few important questions related to the subject.
Are VPNs legal in South Africa?
Yes, of course. They’re completely legal and you can use them without any problems to protect your privacy, bypass geo-restrictions, and avoid cyber-attacks on public WiFi networks.
The South African government will never prosecute VPN users for using this service for benign activities. However, those who take advantage of anonymity to sell drugs online or perform any form of illegal activity should definitely be worried.
VPNs should NEVER be abused and should be used strictly according to the laws and legislation of your country.
Can I find South African VPN servers in free providers?
In 99% of the cases, you won’t find any South African servers in free VPNs. However, TunnelBear is one free provider that offers some servers in this country if you need them. Just keep in mind, once again, that this provider offers 500 MB of monthly data and isn’t going to work with Netflix.
Therefore, it’s great only if you plan a short visit to the internet without the need for daily browsing or watching YouTube videos. Otherwise, you’ll spend 500 MB of data in about 20 or so minutes.
Which VPNs should I avoid in South Africa?
You should avoid free VPNs in South Africa that covertly earn money on behalf of your privacy and security. These include Hola VPN, Betternet, NinjaVPN, SuperVPN, EasyVPN, and even Hotspot Shield which is known for logging practices even in the paid version.
Free VPNs that we recommend include Atlas VPN and ProtonVPN, but as always, a much better solution is to go for ExpressVPN or any of the best VPNs for South Africa that I presented.
