Key Takeaways: These Are the Best VPNs for South Africa
- ExpressVPN — Best VPN for South Africa
- NordVPN — Fast and secure VPN for South Africa
- Surfshark — VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
- Private Internet Access — Best cheap VPN for South Africa
- TunnelBear — Free VPN with South African server
Facts & Expert Analysis About VPNs for South Africa:
- Surveillance law: The Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act1 (RICA) is South Africa’s surveillance law and requires law enforcement and intelligence agencies to obtain special permission to intercept communications.
- Instances of illegal surveillance: The government has used Section 205 as a loophole to track thousands of mobile phones and access data.2 Moreover, a recent joint study by the Institute of Development Studies and the African Digital Rights Network showed that South Africa and other nations have used digital surveillance to illegally monitor citizens.3
- VPNs ensure security and privacy: A VPN helps protect your privacy. It encrypts your data, making it unreadable to anyone who manages to intercept it. VPNs also help access geoblocked content on websites like Netflix.
- Choosing the right VPN is critical: The caveat here is that not all VPNs you see on the market are reliable — this guide helps you find the best South African VPN.
South Africa doesn’t impose any major restrictions on internet usage. However, there have been instances of surveillance in the past.4 Moreover, streaming services generally impose geo-restrictions on content. Using one of our recommendations will ensure complete privacy and access to all geoblocked content with the best VPN for South Africa.
Of course, VPNs also help secure your connection while on public WiFi or downloading content via torrents. If you want to unblock geoblocked content on streaming platforms, stay anonymous while surfing the web or secure your connection, this guide is for you. We dive deep into why you should use a VPN. In short, we recommend ExpressVPN — it’s the best VPN overall.
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06/04/2024 Facts checked
We updated the article to reflect changes in the performance and feature sets of recommended VPNs. We also ran fresh tests to confirm there are no DNS or IP leaks in the services we recommend in this guide.
Cloudwards Editor’s Choice: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN offers military-grade encryption to protect you against government surveillance and hackers. It unblocks all popular streaming platforms, offers top-notch speeds for uninterrupted streaming and has a beginner-friendly user interface. If that sounds interesting, try ExpressVPN for free using the 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to Choose the Best South African VPN
There are plenty of VPNs on the market, each with a unique set of features and performance. Here are five factors to consider when selecting the best South African VPN to avoid getting lost in the details:
- Security: Look for best-in-class VPN protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard and encryption ciphers like AES-256 and ChaCha20.
- Unblocking capability: Ensure the VPN can unblock popular streaming platforms with ease.
- Speed: Slow VPNs translate to a poor streaming and browsing experience. Look for high-speed VPNs.
- South African servers: A South African server is not strictly a necessity, but it is if you want to access South African content while on a protected VPN connection.
- Feature set: When selecting a South Africa VPN, features are another critical aspect to consider. More features give you more control over how you use the VPN. Look for critical features like a kill switch and split tunneling.
The 5 Best South Africa VPNs
| VPN | Price | South Africa Server | Netflix | Speed | No-Logs Policy | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
$6.66 per month | 30 Mbps | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
|||
 |
$3.09 per month | 31 Mbps | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
|||
 |
$2.19 per month | 28 Mbps | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
|||
 |
$2.19 per month | 27 Mbps | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
|||
 |
$3.33 per month | 20 Mbps | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for South Africa
90 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
6 ms
Very Fast
ExpressVPN is a leader on almost every front, including security, speed, feature set and ability to unblock streaming services. The VPN offers 256-bit encryption combined with security protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Lightway (ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol) to protect you against any potential surveillance from the South African government or hackers on public WiFi.
If you like to spend weekends binge-watching Netflix, ExpressVPN will enable you to access content available in almost any Netflix region, including the U.S. and the U.K. The fast streaming speed ensures you don’t have to sit in front of the screen while the video loads a few dozen times during a single episode.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
ExpressVPN is lightning fast and has unlimited bandwidth. If you’re ever hungry for more while streaming content in 4K or 8K, consider switching to the Lightway protocol for better overall performance. You can also use MediaStreamer, ExpressVPN’s smart DNS service, to improve performance — just remember that your connection isn’t encrypted while using MediaStreamer.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Security Analysis
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | |
| IKEv2 | AES-256 | |
| Lightway | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
|
We tested ExpressVPN for DNS leaks with OpenVPN and it came out clean. In addition to securing your connection, ExpressVPN offers security features like a kill switch and split tunneling. The app also houses features like “threat manager,” which blocks access to malicious websites, and a built-in password manager to store details like a Facebook login or crypto keys.
ExpressVPN Pricing & Value
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN and is priced as such. If you don’t mind spending those extra dollars, go ahead with ExpressVPN’s best deal (the annual plan), which costs $6.66 per month. Shorter-term plans include the six-month and monthly plans, available for $9.99 per month and $12.95 per month, respectively.
You can try ExpressVPN firsthand risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not fully satisfied, you can claim a full refund, no questions asked. If you want to learn a little more about ExpressVPN, read our comprehensive ExpressVPN review.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN — Fast and Secure VPN for South Africa
91 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
4 ms
Very Fast
NordVPN offers exceptional performance and unblocking capabilities, and it’s not as expensive as ExpressVPN if you go for a long-term plan. The service offers an extensive security feature set and a massive server network of more than 6,000 servers across 111 countries, including South Africa.
The app is quite extensive, with six sections to navigate using the left-hand sidebar. The server selection screen lets you choose the type of server and the server location. An interactive map makes it easier to find servers in or close to South Africa.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
NordVPN tops our list of the fastest VPNs. It offers the perfect combination of top-notch speeds, unlimited bandwidth and great unblocking capability, which translates to an excellent streaming experience.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Security Analysis
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | |
| NordLynx | ChaCha20 | |
NordVPN has never failed our DNS leak tests, and this time was no exception. We used OpenVPN, but other options are just as secure — choose from OpenVPN and NordLynx (NordVPN’s proprietary protocol, based on WireGuard). The app offers multiple security features with real-time protection against malware, trackers, ads and malicious downloads.
NordVPN Pricing & Value
NordVPN’s best deal (the two-year plan) costs $3.09 per month. That’s an attractive price given the VPN’s performance and feature set. Shorter-term plans include the annual and monthly plans for $4.59 per month and $12.99 per month, respectively. The VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. Learn more about it in our NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Surfshark — VPN with Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
93 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
131 ms
Good
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can share your Surfshark account with as many friends and family members as you want. Sharing your account has no impact on Surfshark’s performance thanks to its unlimited bandwidth.
Surfshark can unblock all the popular streaming websites and has excellent connection speeds — an excellent combination for streaming high-definition content without lag. Surfshark also offers great security via three encryption protocols and extensive security features.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, closely trailing behind NordVPN and ExpressVPN. It’s a great service for streaming your favorite South African TV channel or local content on Netflix while traveling outside the country.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Security Analysis
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | |
| IKEv2 | AES-256 | |
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | |
We used the OpenVPN protocol during the DNS leak test, and Surfshark passed. Surfshark is a secure VPN with an extensive security feature set, including features like “camouflage mode,” which is an obfuscation feature, and “invisible LAN,” which hides your device from other devices connected to the same LAN.
Surfshark Pricing & Value
Surfshark is an affordable service. The best plan (the two-year plan) costs $2.19 per month. If you prefer a shorter-term plan, consider the annual plan for $2.79 per month or the monthly plan for $15.45 per month. There’s no risk in trying Surfshark — you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee for a full refund. Learn more in our comprehensive Surfshark review.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $231.75 for one year, $417.15 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $239.25 for one year, $430.65 for two years.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
4. Private Internet Access — Best Cheap VPN for South Africa
92 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
4 ms
Very Fast
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a cheap VPN but still offers great performance. It’s fast, secure and unblocks most streaming platforms. The app includes various advanced features. Moreover, it is fully open-source, so you can inspect the code to verify that it’s secure.
PIA offers unlimited bandwidth and unlimited simultaneous connections. Feel free to share your account with others — you never have to worry about poor performance even with simultaneous connections thanks to the unlimited bandwidth.
Notes From the Lab: Private Internet Access Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
PIA is a fast VPN. You’re unlikely to experience any significant buffering when streaming while connected to a PIA server. However, speeds vary across geographic locations. We also noticed the latency remained high for the most part, so it’s not a great pick if you frequently make video calls or play games.
Notes From the Lab: Private Internet Access Security Analysis
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN (UDP) | AES-128, AES-256 |
|
| OpenVPN (TCP) | AES-128, AES-256 |
|
| IKEv2 | AES-128, AES-256 |
|
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | |
PIA offers OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols. The app uses AES-128 by default, so you may want to manually change it to AES-256 if you’re using OpenVPN. PIA also includes additional security features such as an ad blocker called MACE, port forwarding and obfuscation.
Private Internet Access Pricing & Value
PIA is the cheapest VPN on the list. The two-year costs $2.19 per month. Short-term plans include the 6-month plan for $7.50 per month and the monthly plan for $11.99 per month, and there’s also a 3-year option.
All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the VPN risk-free. You can claim a full refund if you’re not fully satisfied. Learn more about PIA in our extensive PIA review.
- **$56.94 for the first two years, and yearly thereafter
- 10
- Yes
5. TunnelBear — Free VPN for South Africa
Unlike most free VPNs, TunnelBear offers great security and a user-friendly interface. The generous free plan offers access to servers in more than 40 countries, with no city-level server access in the U.S. or Canada. You get 2GB of free data every month. It’s not much, but it works fine if you occasionally use public WiFi or need a South Africa IP address while abroad.
TunnelBear has multiple encryption protocols and an “auto” mode that automatically selects the best protocol for your connection. The VPN offers great privacy but does collect data. The data stays within the Canadian border per the country’s data protection laws and includes information like your email and Twitter ID. TunnelBear’s privacy policy claims it keeps the data safe.
Notes From the Lab: TunnelBear Speed Test Results
| Location | Ping ms |
Download Mbps |
Upload Mbps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unprotected | 22 | 10.14 | 10.01 |
 South Africa |
142 |
9.26 |
8.35 |
 United Kingdom |
326 |
9.19 |
8.03 |
 Singapore |
321 |
7.9 |
7.66 |
 Brazil |
738 |
5.09 |
6.08 |
 Australia |
867 |
6.54 |
6.63 |
 United States |
471 |
7.63 |
8.51 |
| Average |
478 |
7.6 |
7.54 |
TunnelBear offers good connection speeds. However, you might experience higher load times and occasional poor video quality during a video chat if you connect to a distant server.
Notes From the Lab: TunnelBear Security Analysis
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | |
| IKEv2 | AES-256 | |
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | |
TunnelBear offers three encryption protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2, all of which will adequately secure your connection. However, there aren’t any other security features on the app except VigilantBear (a kill switch), GhostBear (an obfuscation feature) and TCP override.
TunnelBear Pricing & Value
If you like TunnelBear and want access to the full service, which includes unlimited data, unlimited connections, city-level server selection and more, consider switching to the paid version.
The individual plan costs $3.33 per month if you opt for an annual or three-year subscription. The short-term monthly plan costs $9.99 per month. If you want to learn more before trying TunnelBear, give our TunnelBear review a read.
- 2GB
- 2GB
- Unlimited
- Unlimited GB, unlimited devices, priority customer service *Price for the 1-year and 3-year plans are only billed for the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Unlimited GB, centralized billing, account manager, price per user per month
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
Can You Use a Free VPN for South Africa?
Yes, you can use a free VPN like TunnelBear, which has a South African server. This is a reputable VPN with a free plan. It’s best to avoid any free VPNs you find through ads, via a Google search or in the Play Store.
Most free VPNs are slow and unreliable, and many don’t work at all. They may collect personal data or even infect your computer with malware.
How to Use a VPN Service for South Africa
If you’ve never used a VPN before, we have an easy, three-step guide. Here’s how to set up and start using a VPN.
- Download and Install a VPN
Download and install a VPN app on your devices. For example, once you’ve signed up for a VPN service like ExpressVPN, download the app and install it on all the devices you plan to use it on.
- Connect to a VPN Server
Launch the VPN app on your device. Find and connect to a VPN server. For example, connect to a U.S. server if you want to access Netflix U.S., or a search for a different country based on your preference.
- Use the VPN
Use the VPN to securely access geoblocked content or your bank account.
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Is a VPN Legal to Use in South Africa?
Yes, VPNs are legal in South Africa. Like in any other country, encrypting your data and masking your IP address is legal. However, using VPNs for illicit activity such as distributing copyrighted content is still illegal. For example, South Africa caught its first internet pirate in 2013 and has since made multiple arrests for piracy.
Are There VPNs to Avoid in South Africa?
Avoid the junk VPNs you find in the Play Store. Many VPN providers lure in unsuspecting users with “free forever” plans. The VPN continues to collect data while the user keeps browsing. These VPNs are more likely to fail at unblocking major streaming sites, and they may harm your device in worse cases. Some might not even protect your connection.
Which Other VPNs Work in South Africa? VPNs with a South African Server
CyberGhost has a South African server. However, though CyberGhost is a great VPN overall, we found DNS leaks during our tests on its South African server. Proton VPN is another great choice. Note that South African servers are only available on Proton VPN’s paid plans, and they’re a bit expensive.
Final Thoughts
Using a VPN secures your connection, protecting your data against the prying eyes of the government and hackers lurking on public networks. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for South Africa thanks to its extensive feature set, user-friendly interface and fast connection speeds. NordVPN, Surfshark and PIA are also great options.
Have you used a South African VPN before? Which VPN did you use? Were you able to unblock geoblocked content with it? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, thank you for reading.
FAQ: South African VPN
-
ExpressVPN works the best in South Africa. It secures your connection, unblocks all the popular streaming services and offers lightning-fast connection speeds. NordVPN is a great option if you’re looking for something more affordable. Surfshark and PIA are worthy options further down the price range.
-
TunnelBear has a free South African server. However, the free plan comes with a data cap of 2GB per month. If you’re looking to use a VPN for the long term, we recommend ExpressVPN.
-
Yes, NordVPN (and VPNs in general) are legal in South Africa. VPNs encrypt your data and offer various ad-hoc security features — there’s nothing illegal about that. However, using a VPN for illicit activities is illegal.
-
A VPN is necessary in South Africa if you want complete data privacy. Though the South African government isn’t nearly as invasive as the Chinese government, there have been instances where citizens’ privacy has been compromised. A VPN ensures your data is always encrypted. Even if the government manages to intercept encrypted data, they won’t be able to read it.
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Sources:
- https://www.gov.za/documents/regulation-interception-communications-and-provision-communication-related-information–13#
- https://intelwatch.org.za/2023/05/30/rica-reform-205-loophole/
- https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/20.500.12413/16893/Roberts_Surveillance_Law_in_Africa.pdf
- https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20190903-south-africa-mass-surveillance/
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