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How to get a US IP address with a VPN

People want a US IP address for many reasons. Some love watching sports like Major League Baseball or the NFL. Others want to access their online banking while on vacation. Some even want to access US streaming services.

A USA VPN service is by far the best way to get a US IP address. However, in this article, we will explain three different methods for getting an IP address in the USA. 

Best VPNs to get into the USA IP

These are the best VPNs to use to get a US IP address

  1. ExpressVPN - The best VPN for US IPs. It's super fast, has great apps for all OS, and servers in many US cities – a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  2. TIP

    In our testing we checked that all ExpressVPN plans work for Netflix. The one year plan is the best value: three months free and a 30 day risk-free trial.

  3. NordVPN - The best value-for-money VPN service with lots of US IP addresses. Modern apps for all platforms and advanced privacy features.
  4. Surfshark - A popular way to get a US IP address. It's loved by users, has servers in many US cities, and is packed with features.
  5. Private Internet Access - A secure VPN with US IP addresses. It has highly customizable apps, a proven no-logs policy, and it's based in the US.
  6. CyberGhost VPN - The easiest way to get a US IP address. It has great VPN apps, servers in 11 US cities, and it's great for streaming.

How to get a US IP address?

While there are more ways than one to get an IP address in the US, using a VPN is the quickest and easiest way. Keep reading to find out how you can have a US IP address on all your core devices.

  1. Subscribe to one of the VPNs in this guide. To get an IP address in the USA we recommend ExpressVPN. However, if you want more choices, scroll down for in-depth summaries about each recommended provider.
  2. Download and install the VPN software.
  3. Connect to a server located in the US.
  4. Navigate to the US-restricted website or service you want to use.
  5. Get comfortable and enjoy complete access to US geo-restricted content.

The best VPNs for a USA IP address in 2020

These are the best VPNs to use to get an American IP address.

1. ExpressVPN
Editor's Choice | March 2024

ExpressVPN is the best way to get a US IP addresses. It has a fast servers across US cities including L.A., Washington D.C., and New York. It works with a plethora of websites, and it's secure.

  • Pricing

    • 12 months + 3 months FREE + Backblaze backup: $6.67/mth
      49% OFF
    • 6 months: $9.99/mth
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Works with all major streaming platforms, including Netflix
    • Super fast - great for streaming!
    • Numerous server locations
    • TrustedServer tech runs in RAM only
    • Audited zero-logs policy
  • Cons

    • Expensive but comes with premium features
    • No port-forwarding, not ideal for torrenters
    • Only five simultaneous connections
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

ExpressVPN Demo

ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN Demo


ExpressVPN is a secure provider based in the British Virgin Islands. This puts the company well out of reach of the NSA and the US government, which is great in terms of privacy.


ExpressVPN has servers in 104 countries worldwide, including servers in different cities across the US. This makes it ideal for getting a US IP address, particularly if you need one in a specific state. And ExpressVPN is one of the few providers that consistently provides access to popular US services like Netflix US, Hulu, SlingTV, and YouTube TV. 


This VPN service comes with apps for all platforms that implement strong OpenVPN encryption. This stops your ISP from knowing what you are doing online. Plus, ExpressVPN has a kill-switch, and DNS leak protection.


We love that this VPN has 24/7 live chat to help you at any time of day, and that it lets its subscribers install the VPN on up to 5 devices simultaneously. It's a super-fast and reliable service that you can test risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN provides an excellent value for money. It's a fast VPN with a large choice of server locations on both the East and West coasts of America.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $3.69/mth
      70% OFF
    • 12 months: $4.99/mth
      59% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Based in Panama (great for privacy)
    • Consistently fast service
    • Works with US Netflix and BBC iPlayer
    • Highly customizable
  • Cons

    • IPv6 leak in macOS IKEv2 app
    • No port forwarding
    • No free trial
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

Nord Demo

Nord Demo Nord Demo


NordVPN is a no-logs VPN provider based in Panama that is strong on privacy. It is a reliable service with apps for all popular platforms that will easily let you bypass local censorship, access internationally geo-restricted content, or unblock content restricted by an admin at work, at school, or on public Wi-Fi. The VPN has servers in 61 countries worldwide, including an impressive choice of servers right across the USA. This makes it perfect for getting an IP address in a range of different US states.


NordVPN offers a wealth of market-leading security features that make it a good option for just about anybody. It also has rare privacy features such as double-hop connections, VPN over Tor, DNS-based malware protection, Smart DNS, and more, all at a very reasonable price point. Plus, this VPN works with services like Netflix to let you stream more content. A great all-rounder that you can try using its 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Surfshark is a cheap VPN with lots of US IP addresses. It has servers in many US cities and is packed with features, including Smart DNS and an Ad and malware blocker.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.3/mth
      83% OFF
    • 12 months: $3.99/mth
      70% OFF
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Jam-packed with advanced privacy features
    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
    • P2P Allowed
  • Cons

    • Single month sub is not the cheapest
    • No free trial for iOS devices
    • Lacks port-forwarding
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

Surfshark Demo

Surfshark Demo Surfshark Demo


Surfshark is a VPN service that is often reviewed positively by consumers worldwide. It is a no logs VPN with apps for all platforms, and it can be installed on an unlimited number of devices. This makes it great for families or people who own a lot of devices. It is also a no-logs VPN, which means it will always give you watertight digital privacy levels.


This VPN represents outstanding value for money, and because of its servers in the USA – and over 100 countries – you can easily use it to get a US IP (or an IP address elsewhere in the world).


Considering the low cost of a subscription, this VPN provides super-fast speeds. This makes it great for streaming in HD, and this VPN can unblock Netflix US and all other US services. It also permits torrenting and has a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation to let you access content securely. Plus, Surfshark also throws in a SOCKS5 proxy!


We think this VPN is hard to beat, and if you need something cheap, this should definitely be your first choice. It even has amazing 24/7 live chat support to help you when you most need it. Well worth testing using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access is secure VPN with plenty of US IP addresses. It's US based and has servers in over 50 US cities, strong encryption, and has proven in court that it doesn't keep logs.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.19/mth
      82% OFF
    • 6 months: $7.5/mth
      38% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Lots of encryption options (including OpenVPN, our recommended protocol)
    • Cheaper than most similar VPNs
    • Great for privacy and security
  • Cons

    • Not the best VPN for beginners who need hands-on support
    • Not as feature-rich as the the VPNs above
    • Slower than ExpressVPN and NordVPN
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

PIA Demo

PIA Demo PIA Demo


Private Internet Access is a VPN provider based in the USA. It is a highly reliable service that is often praised by Reddit users. The VPN has servers in 84 countries , with the biggest choice of servers in the US (in over 50 different cities). And where this VPN shines, is in its secure apps and no-logs policy.


This VPN has proven its no logs claims in court, which makes it highly trustworthy. And it is one of the few VPNs that has a large number of advanced VPN features, such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, OpenVPN encryption, obfuscation, port forwarding, split tunneling, and a SOCKS5 proxy.


What's unique about PIA is that you can also alter the encryption strength inside the settings, which makes this VPN great for advanced VPN users. Plus, this VPN has excellent servers that provide lightning-fast speeds for streaming in HD. In addition, this VPN can unblock popular services like Netflix US and Hulu.


We love that this VPN has live chat support to help you when you need it. And that you can install it on up to 10 devices simultaneously. Overall, this is a superb VPN that you can compare to our other options yourself by using its 30-day money-back guarantee. It's an outstanding all-rounder that you should consider if you want a large selection of advanced features. 

CyberGhost is an easy to use VPN with US IP addresses. It has great apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It's fantastic for streaming and will keep you private online.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $2.11/mth
      83% OFF
    • 6 months: $6.99/mth
      42% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Based in Romania so no government spying!
    • Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting allowed
    • Private: Strong no logs policy
  • Cons

    • WebRTC IPv6 leak in macOS
    • Not independently audited
    • Lacks stealth servers
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

CyberGhost Demo

CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost Demo


CyberGhost VPN is a provider based in Romania - a location that is considered superb for digital privacy purposes. The VPN is perfect for beginners, thanks to its easy-to-use apps and stress-free setup guides. With this VPN, you get all the features you need to keep your online habits private. And, because it is a no-logs service, your privacy is assured both now and in the distant future. 


CyberGhost VPN has apps for all platforms that come with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and strong OpenVPN encryption. Better yet, this VPN is extremely fast considering the relatively low cost of a subscription. We love that this provider lets its subscribers install and use the VPN on up to 7 devices; which makes it great for families or people with a lot of devices.


In addition to having servers right across America, CyberGhost VPN has servers in 91 countries. This makes it ideal for unblocking content from all over the world. And, if you want a VPN for streaming, CyberGhost will unblock Netflix US, Hulu, and any other US services you are interested in. A reliable VPN that is well worth taking for a test run using its lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee.


 

How does a VPN give me a US IP Address?

When you use the internet normally, all the websites and online services you connect to can instantly see your home's IP address. This digital address lets websites see exactly where you are. If you are outside of America, the website knows - and it can use geo-restrictions to prevent you from loading any data.

A VPN uses specialist software to connect you to a VPN server, which acts as a middleman between you and the internet services that you want to use. When you connect to a VPN server in the USA, your real IP address is concealed and replaced with a US IP. As a result, you can unblock websites and services as they believe you are actually living in the US.

What can you do with a US IP?

Once you have connected to a VPN server in the USA, you can do everything online that a real US citizen can do. Below we have included a list of the kinds of things you can do with a US IP address:

Other ways to get a US IP address

A VPN is by far the most effective, secure, and private way to get a US IP address. In 2020 there really is no better way to get a US IP address. However, to give you complete transparency we have included all the methods available for getting a US IP address:

Using SmartDNS to get a US IP

SmartDNS is a technique in which your DNS requests are spoofed to make it seem like you are in a different country. While SmartDNS can be effective for pretending to be in the US, it does not provide any of the added privacy and security benefits you get with a VPN.

SmartDNS does not provide encryption, meaning your ISP knows that you are using foreign services. This makes VPNs a much better option, because it stops the websites you visit from ever being able to detect your real identity.

The good news is that some of the VPNs we have recommended actually include a SmartDNS service for free with their subscription plan. This means that you can get the protection of a VPN and the ability to do DNS spoofing all bundled with your VPN. This gives you extra options for bypassing restrictions if a web service is being a little stubborn.

US IP address with a Proxy - Can you still use a proxy to get a US IP?

Proxy services used to be the most popular way to get a US IP address. However, as time has gone on, VPNs have completely eclipsed both website-based and browser-extension proxies. This is because VPNs provide much higher levels of privacy and security, that you do not get with a regular proxy.

What's more, there used to be a massive choice of proxies available on the market - many of which were free. This has become much rarer - with a good proxy service often hard to find (or just as costly as a VPN).

Even if you find one, a proxy could potentially be tracking the websites you visit to sell that data on to third parties. This makes old-school proxies a threat to your digital privacy.

Anybody wanting to get a US IP address can use a proxy service if they want to (and can find one that works). However, it is important to remember that these proxies are far less secure than a VPN - which is why 99% of internet users stick to a VPN for getting a US IP address. 

Can you get a US IP address with a Free VPN?

Although there are some free VPN services available on the market, it is vital to take great care when choosing a service.

Studies have shown that most free services have dubious privacy policies, weak (or no) encryption, critical data leaks, and even apps that contain adware and spyware. This kind of free service is a massive risk to your digital health, which is why you must avoid them at all costs.

The good news is that there are some free VPNs available that provide secure apps and data policies. Those VPNs offer a limited free plan to advertise their premium subscription plans - without putting your data at risk.

IP Address for USA: Conclusion

In this guide, we have explained the best methods for getting a USA IP address. In our opinion, ExpressVPN is the best option because it consistently has some of the fastest speeds we have ever recorded. And it has a large choice of servers right across the USA.

Despite this being our favorite option, however, it is worth noting that all of our recommendations have outstanding server networks that will let you connect at top speeds on all their US servers. This makes those servers ideal for doing data-intensive tasks like online gaming, streaming, or video conferencing.

And all our recommendations have risk-free money-back guarantees. This means that you can try each VPN yourself to experience the service, before making your final purchase.  Getting a US IP address is an excellent way to gain huge amounts of added freedom online, so go ahead and try a VPN!

From $6.67/month

The best VPN for US IPs. It's super fast, has great apps for all OS, and servers in many US cities – a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
10 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
8
Server locations
160
Free trial
No

From $3.69/month

The best value-for-money VPN service with lots of US IP addresses. Modern apps for all platforms and advanced privacy features.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.9 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
6
Server locations
84
Free trial
No

From $2.30/month

A popular way to get a US IP address. It's loved by users, has servers in many US cities, and is packed with features.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.8 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
Unlimited
Server locations
140
Free trial
Yes

From $2.19/month

A secure VPN with US IP addresses. It has highly customizable apps, a proven no-logs policy, and it's based in the US.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.7 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
Unlimited
Server locations
84
Free trial
No

From $2.11/month

The easiest way to get a US IP address. It has great VPN apps, servers in 11 US cities, and it's great for streaming.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.6 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
7
Free trial
Yes
Server locations
126

How to get a US IP address with a VPN – FAQs

Written by: Ray Walsh

Digital privacy expert with 5 years experience testing and reviewing VPNs. He's been quoted in The Express, The Times, The Washington Post, The Register, CNET & many more. 

2 Comments

Irfan ahmed
on July 20, 2017
Hello sir I try to best downloading and installing to some vpn in free in achieve a USA ip address.some help and guideline require to some work in survey on line.thanks and regards
https://cdn.proprivacy.com/storage/images/2024/01/douglas-crawfordpng-avatar_image-small_webp.webp
Douglas Crawford replied to Irfan ahmed
on July 20, 2017
Hi Ifran, Using a VPN should allow you to connect to a US survey service, but a free VPN is unlikely to provide the bandwidth or data allowance you will require. More importantly, if you wish to get paid for filling in surveys from a US site, you will almost certainly a US bank account.

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