Millions across the world are captivated by American media, including many US citizens who live abroad. If you’ve found you cannot access certain websites, streaming services, or online content, you’re not alone. Luckily, there’s a simple solution: obtaining a US IP address.
Without one, you would struggle with frustrating roadblocks while trying to view US-exclusive videos on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. What’s more, from sports to music and the news, many websites are restricted to residents of the United States.
This article will walk you through the steps of getting an IP address located in the United States using the most reliable approach — a VPN. We’ll even provide a list of the best providers to use.
Let’s get down to it.
How to Get an American IP Address With a VPN: Step-by-Step Tutorial
A virtual private network (VPN) is the clear champion when it comes to acquiring a US IP address.
Sound complicated? It really isn’t. Here’s a quick guide outlining the process.
- Pick a Reliable VPN: You want a VPN with servers in the United States. On top of that, it must be trusty, providing fast connection speeds and robust security and privacy features. Our #1 recommendation for getting a US IP address from anywhere is NordVPN, as it meets all the requirements.
- Subscribe and Install: Visit the VPN website, select a subscription plan, and pay using one of the available methods. Download and install the VPN app for your device.
- Connect to a US server: Launch the app and log in. Select a server located in the United States and connect to it.
That’s all there is to it. You can now access American sites and content without the hassle of geo-restrictions. Well, as long as you choose a capable VPN service. You may need to clear your browser cookies first.
The Best VPNs to Get a US IP Address
With countless VPN providers offering US servers, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, many providers don’t always live up to their claims. Landing one of these will leave you vulnerable to slow speeds, unreliable connections, or even security risks.
So, we set out to curate the best options by testing and comparing dozens of VPN services based on their features and reliability.
Here are 5 providers you should be considering in order to obtain an IP address in the US.
6300 servers
111 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
9.1 /10
27000 servers
91 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
9 /10
3000 servers
100 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
8.7 /10
12000 servers
100 covered countries
45 days money-back guarantee
7 simultaneous connections
8.4 /10
1. NordVPN
NordVPN has a massive network comprising 6,300+ servers in 111 countries. A whopping 1,970+ of those are distributed across 16 locations in the United States. It’s immediately clear that you’ll never run out of options to snag a US IP address from abroad.
They are high-performance servers, too. With NordVPN, US-only websites load instantly and you can stream videos buffer-free, even if they’re in HD or 4K, thanks to its 10 Gbps servers. Its NordLynx custom protocol does a great job of providing lightning-fast connection speeds.
Moreover, NordVPN offers instant access to locked US libraries on services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. You can also rely on him to watch any American TV channel abroad.
The provider’s strong suit is security and privacy. It implements AES 256-bit encryption to scramble your data and offers a kill switch, DNS leak protection, anti-malware capabilities, Double VPN, and more. Your online sessions are confidential, thanks to its strict zero-logs policy.
NordVPN works with most platforms and devices. With its installation and set-up process taking only a few minutes, you’ll find it easy to get an American IP address with NordVPN. But just in case, customer support is available around the clock.
A 30-day money-back guarantee comes with all NordVPN plans. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you’re free to claim a refund.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another excellent choice for obtaining a US IP address from abroad. It comes with more than 3,000 servers in 105 countries. Need a VPN for a particular American city? The VPN offers servers in 16 cities across the country.
It goes neck and neck with NordVPN when it comes to connection speed, which we find really impressive. Its proprietary Lightway protocol runs faster than traditional protocols and is secure to boot. ExpressVPN’s constantly optimized servers ensure you’re not stuck with lags and interruptions while online.
What’s more, ExpressVPN easily bypasses geo-restrictions on US-exclusive websites and online apps. It works really well with streaming platforms, unblocking American content on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Crackle, Crunchyroll, and more.
The VPN keeps unauthorized entities out while you browse or stream. It uses bank-level encryption to protect your data, with perfect forward secrecy regularly changing encryption keys to minimize risk. There’s protection from IP and DNS leaks, and the provider’s kill switch prevents exposure when the connection drops.
ExpressVPN is pretty user-friendly and supports most popular operating systems, and support is available 24/7. The only significant downside is its rather expensive pricing. That said, you have 30 days to try the VPN out risk-free after purchasing a subscription.
3. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access has more servers in the United States than most VPNs have in their entire networks. If you want more than a few US locations, this may be the option for you, as it has servers in every American state. Now you know why it’s one of the best VPNs for obtaining an American IP address in 2024.
The VPN’s next-gen 10 Gbps servers prevent steep drops in performance when you connect to a US server from elsewhere, especially if you’re in a nearby country.
It doesn’t measure up with NordVPN or ExpressVPN when it comes to bypassing geo-restrictions. Still, PIA bypasses geo-restrictions on most US-only websites and works well with several streaming services. It can unblock Netflix US and some other libraries, for instance.
Security-wise, the VPN is stacked. You can choose between AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit encryption to keep snooping ISPs and prying eyes in the dark. It also offers a customizable kill switch, leak protection, split tunneling, and an ad and malware blocker.
After carefully reviewing PIA, we confirmed that it stores no details of your browsing sessions, regardless of its US headquarters — a claim that independent auditors have verified.
Even though PIA is highly customizable, it’s also intuitive, so beginners won’t have a hard time using it. It has a dedicated support team available 24/7 should you have questions or issues.
If you need more convincing, the VPN’s risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee can come in handy. You can claim a full refund if you’re not happy.
4. Surfshark
It’s pretty easy to snag a US IP address with Surfshark, considering the relatively young VPN has more than 600 servers across 25 cities in the United States. They make up part of its 3,200+ server network in 100 countries.
Surfshark’s servers may not all be 10 Gbps, but you’re more likely than not to enjoy fast connection speeds for your browsing and other online activities. Expectedly, you’ll get the best results from WireGuard, but OpenVPN and IKEv2 also perform decently.
The VPN has strong content unblocking capabilities and is a solid option for frequent streamers. In our tests, it efficiently overcame the geo-restrictions on several US-based websites and streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu libraries.
Surfshark is stacked with features which we find impressive for a budget VPN. It implements AES 256-bit encryption, so unauthorized entities have no chance of looking in. CleanWeb clears pesky and intrusive ads and pop-ups. There’s also a kill switch to secure your data against accidental leaks. What’s more, Surfshark adheres to a strict no-log policy.
You shouldn’t have any issues installing or using the provider’s apps, but it has a support team on standby. If you’re not satisfied with the service, you may request a refund within the first 30 days, and you’ll get your money back.
5. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has over 12,000 servers spread across 100 countries. You can get an American IP address by connecting to any of its servers in 11 American cities.
The VPN offers fast enough speeds for stable connections, providing several protocols, including WireGuard. Given no data caps or bandwidth limits, you needn’t worry about constant buffering, lagging, or interruptions while browsing or streaming.
Speaking of which, CyberGhost is a smart choice for using exclusive on-demand video services from outside the US. Thanks to streaming-optimized servers, it offers instant access to your favorite shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN+, Paramount+ (see our tutorial on how to watch Paramount+ outside the US), and more.
CyberGhost’s Romanian headquarters is privacy-friendly, so it doesn’t have to hand over user data to authorities. Not that it would have anyway, as it operates a strict no-log policy.
The VPN’s automatic Wi-Fi protection feature protects your traffic if you’re connecting to a US server with a public network. CyberGhost includes military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection. It also clears pesky ads while you browse.
CyberGhost is one of the most user-friendly providers we’ve tested, which is great if you’re new to VPNs. It offers responsive customer support, with experts available whenever you need them. Choose a six-month or longer plan, and the VPN gives you up to 45 days to make up your mind.
Other Methods for Getting a US IP Address
We’ve focused on VPNs because they’re the most trusted way to get an IP address in the United States. However, other options exist.
For instance, there’s Tor, a free, open-source network that anonymizes your internet traffic by routing it through multiple relays. It can mask your actual location and grant access to US-based websites. However, using Tor results in significantly slower connection speeds.
Proxy servers are another option. They act as middlemen between your device and the internet, potentially masking your IP address and allowing access to geo-restricted content. But not very reliable access, unfortunately, as they struggle with tough geo-blocks. Plus, they lack encryption, so your traffic is exposed to lurking internet actors, and your ISP can see what you’re doing online.
Can You Get a US IP Address With a Free VPN?
Yes, you can — most free VPNs offer US servers. However, we don’t generally recommend doing so because crippling limitations and privacy/security issues plague that category.
For instance, most free providers have small networks with only a handful of American locations. Those servers are almost always overcrowded, leading to sluggish connection speeds that are bound to frustrate you.
Data caps and bandwidth limits are also common and can cut you off mid-stream. Besides, you can’t trust free VPNs to bypass tough geo-restrictions.
Performance aside, there are security and privacy concerns to worry about. They may extensively collect details of your online activities for profit — they’re businesses, after all. Some even use outdated or weak encryption protocols, and may be malware risks.
For the most part, you’re better off getting your US IP address with a premium VPN service like those discussed above.
Conclusion
A virtual private network (VPN) with American servers is the easiest and most reliable way to get a US IP address from anywhere else. With one, you can use websites and services restricted to residents in the United States. It also protects your online identity and data while you do so.
The VPNs on this list provide you with an American IP address in a few clicks. NordVPN stands out as our favorite, thanks to its feature-packed toolbox, blazing-fast connection speeds, and ability to bypass even the toughest blocks.
Its subscription plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to cancel and claim a refund if you’re not 100% satisfied.
Get a US IP address with NordVPN
FAQs
How do I get a real US IP Address From Abroad?
Use a VPN service. It reroutes your internet traffic, masks your original IP address, and assigns you an American IP when you connect to a US server.
Is getting a US IP address legal?
Yes, it is. Your ISP assigns your device an IP address, but there’s no legal requirement to stick to that one. With tools like VPNs, Tor, and proxy servers, you may switch to an IP address in the United States without breaking any laws.
If you want to learn about the legal aspects of using a VPN, we recommend reading our report on the subject.
Which VPN has the most USA servers?
Private Internet Access has widespread US coverage, with servers in all 50 states. If you’re looking for an IP address in any US state, this is the best choice. NordVPN isn’t far behind. It has almost 2,000 servers spread across 16 cities.