How to Get a US IP Address from Any Country (2024) – American IP Address
There are numerous reasons to want a US IP address, but getting one takes the right tools and know how. Today, we show you how to pick and use the right VPN to spoof your IP address to appear inside the United States in order to unblock American streaming sites, accounts, and other goodies.
The proliferation of the internet has made more content available to a wider range of people almost overnight. You don’t have to be in Japan to watch sumo wrestling or in Pakistan to watch cricket, and you don’t have to live in the America to watch movies, TV shows, and sporting events made in the United States.
Although it’s possible to access all varieties of media from around the globe, content restriction laws often stand in the way. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get around this frustrating limitation, the most common of which is to change your IP address to one located in the US.
This simple measure is all it takes to trick content blockers into thinking you moved, allowing you to keep up with your favorite shows and sports no matter where you live or where you travel.
These are the best VPNs for an US IP
- NordVPN Best VPN for the US. Reliably gets you a US IP address protecting your privacy at the same time. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark Best budget option. A reliable way to securely get yourself a US server.
- ExpressVPN A fast, privacy-conscious service with great speeds.
- CyberGhost Good service, more than decent speeds. Apps are easy-to-use for beginners.
- PureVPN Very fast with a huge network of servers. Works well for streaming.
- IPVanish Unblocks US and UK Netflix on desktop, Android and iOS.
- VyprVPN Known for privacy, owns their own network.
Below, we’ll be taking a look at how you get a US IP address free from outside the United States of America. We’ll also explain how a VPN provider can help get one, and the PROs and CONs of each service so that you can make an informed choice.
Editor's Pick July 2024
What is an IP address and why you need to change your address?
“IP” stands for “Internet Protocol.” Your IP address functions as a sort of “mailing address” for you on the internet. It has two parts: a network ID (think: your neighborhood) and your device’s host ID (think: your street address). With your IP address, your ISP – and just about anyone else – can locate and identify you online. This means you can be found and your activity tracked and recorded.
And more to the point, it also means that IP addresses can be identified as coming from certain locations. If a website or network can see that your IP address doesn’t originate in the US., for example, it may block you from seeing US. content, or limit or change what you can view based on your IP address’s origination. Thankfully, you can “spoof” your IP address, hiding the actual IP and pretending you have a different one.
How to get a US IP address anywhere?
The easiest, the most reliable, the most secure, and the most feature-rich way to get an IP address based in the US is to use a VPN. Virtual private networks are services set up to help protect users privacy while browsing. They act as sort of a tunnel between your computer and the internet, encrypting data so that ISPs and hackers won’t be able to identify the source or the content of the traffic. With a VPN server’s IP address attached to your encrypted information, you can browse the internet safely and securely.
The best side benefit of using VPNs for an IP address is location variability. VPN providers run networks of hundreds of servers located around the world. You can access these servers with just a few clicks, changing your virtual location from Portugal to Paraguay in an instant. Each server has its own dedicated IP address that will identify your device as being in that region. So, if you need access to content in the United States, simply open your VPN software, find a fast server in the US., connect, and suddenly you have a U.S. IP address, just like that.
How to get a FREE VPN for 30 days
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
Comparison Of The Best VPNs For An American IP Address
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Yes
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
How to best choose the VPN for an American IP address
Finding the best VPN for an IP address requires a little research. There are a number of sub-par providers on the market that will charge too much money, offer poor support or server selection, and endanger your privacy more than they’ll protect it. For every shady VPN there’s a reliable one, however. We used the criteria below to find the best VPN services that offer U.S. IP addresses no matter what country you live in.
- Server distribution – If you want a US IP address, you need servers located in the U.S. Most good quality VPN providers have dozens of servers located throughout the United States. Any of these will provide the IP address you need, but if there are more options closer to your physical location, you’re likely to have a faster connection.
- Logging policy – If you’re using a VPN, you’re sending all of your data through another company’s servers. Those companies can keep logs of user activity and store them indefinitely, making it easier for hackers or government agencies to get their hands on the information. The best way to ensure your privacy is to only use VPNs with zero-logging policies. If no logs are kept, no data can be leaked.
- Kill switches and DNS leak protection – An often overlooked area of VPN security are small data leaks that can happen when connecting to the service or if you forget to open your VPN software. The best VPN providers check for this, and they also have built-in kill switches to stop any data from escaping in case of an outage.
- Speed – The U.S. is an ocean away from most of the world, making latency and server speed a serious issue when connecting from another continent. Good VPN providers compensate for this by fine tuning their network to deliver faster connections.
- Business jurisdiction – Although U.S. IP addresses offer a number of content availability advantages, servers located in America do have a serious drawback: government oversight. Laws in the U.S. do very little to prevent digital surveillance or protect user privacy, which can put your data at risk. A simple workaround is to use VPNs that aren’t based in the U.S. but who still operate servers inside the country. This allows them to be governed by foreign regulations while gaining the benefits of U.S. IP addresses. All of the providers below are based outside of the United States but still have dozens of servers within the country’s borders.
Best VPNs for an American IP address with fast, secure servers in the United States
These are the best VPN providers you can use to get an American IP address from anywhere in the world.
1. NordVPN
- Unblocks American Netflix
- No bandwidth caps
- Torrenting/P2P explicitly allowed
- Retains no metadata of your browsing
- 24/7 Chat Support
- Some servers can be unreliable
- Can’t specify City or Province in App
NordVPN has one of the strongest encryption features of any VPN. Everything that passes through certain nodes in their network is double encrypted, wrapped in 2048-bit SSL protection the company claims even a supercomputer can’t break. When combined with kill switch and DNS leak protection features, along with NordVPN’s stellar zero-logging policy, you’ve got the makings of an extremely secure and privacy-aware VPN.
NordVPN also prides itself on a massive and ever-expanding server network. At the time of writing, there are 5,800 servers in 59 countries on six continents (sorry, Antarctica). As for the company’s North American offerings, there are nearly 400 servers in the U.S. alone, covering both east and west coasts along with plenty of locations in-between. You certainly won’t have a difficult time finding a fast, secure U.S. IP address for all of your Netflix and Hulu needs.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
- Robust servers blast through geoblocks to access your favorite streaming sites
- Server selection is dead simple and quick
- Clean, dead-simple app interface makes constant security a no-brainer
- Favorable BVI jurisdiction guarantees no logs kept
- 24/7 live chat ensures maximum uptime
- Connection speeds won’t impress users of other high-end VPNs
- Apps may be too simplistic for power users
Surfshark may not have the largest server network (just over 800 nodes in 50 countries worldwide), but it is nevertheless still one of the best VPNs to spoof a US IP address. This is because they maintain a battery of servers across 20 major American cities, each of which is loaded with privacy provisions you won’t find in many other VPNs.
For example, their network is comprised of diskless (aka RAM-only) servers, which wipe all data when they shut off. Combined with an independently audited logging policy, and you’ve got a VPN which never leaves a scrap of evidence behind to betray your identity and activity online.
Need more? Consider Surfshark’s three multi-hop connections to US servers (via Australia, Canada, or the Netherlands), or the whopping five static IPs (located in New York). It’s enough just to have these highly sophisticated methods of spoofing an American IP; but Surfshark goes beyond the call of duty to give you options.
3. ExpressVPN
- Unblocking Netflix USA, iPlayer, Amazon Prime
- Super fast servers (minimal speed loss)
- Torrenting allowed
- No logs for personal data
- Live Chat Support
- Expensive month-to-month plan
ExpressVPN is an extremely fast, highly secure VPN provider.
The service has a network of over 3,000 servers in 148 locations in 94 countries, offering plenty of options for finding the right IP address for your surfing needs.
The ExpressVPN privacy policy is aimed at keeping users safe with strict zero-logging, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch for its desktop programs. You’ll also enjoy a complete lack of bandwidth limitations and file type restrictions with ExpressVPN, making it a fantastic way to get your U.S. IP address with a ton of extra benefits.
Speaking of nodes in the United States, the ExpressVPN network includes 19 server locations within the U.S. borders, covering both coasts with plenty of options in-between. Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco are some of the stand-outs that are fast, easy to connect to, and support a large number of users.
ExpressVPN is a quick and easy way to get a U.S. based IP address. The service keeps its prices low and offers a 30-day money back guarantee (absolutely no questions asked) on all purchases.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
- SPECIAL OFFER: 79%OFF
- Affordable plans
- 2,048-bit RSA keys and SHA256 authentication
- No logs policy
- 45-day no-quibble money back guarantee
- Sometimes experiencing average speeds
CyberGhost is the creator of one of the world’s most reliable privacy and security solutions. Throughout its constantly expanding network of 3,000+ servers located in 60 countries all over the globe, the company secures and anonymizes the online presence of over 15 million users. They are fully secure and private VPN thanks to the bulletproof no-log policy that the company has abided by since day 1.
The CyberGhost apps (for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux or for routers directly) are extremely versatile and user-friendly. They use top-of-the-line 256-bit AES encryption that enables the best possible private data protection, and their strict no-logs privacy policy keeps users safe with DNS and IP leak protection, support for OpenVPN, L2TP-IPsec and PPTP protocols and an automatic kill switch in case you need it.
Speaking of servers in the US, CyberGhost provides plenty of diversity: users can choose to connect to Los Angeles, New York, Washington or Chicago, to name just a few. Add to all these, servers which provide the highest possible speed and up to 5 simultaneous devices. It’s a solid choice for an IP address in America with a great price.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. PureVPN
PureVPN is the go-to service for fast and unrestricted access to the internet. The company has an enormous network of 2,000+ servers in 140+ different countries, covering nearly every corner of the globe, including the U.S.. Behind the speedy connections are strong encryption practices, a zero-logging policy, unlimited bandwidth, DNS leak protection, and a quick kill switch to make sure your data always stays safe.
For its U.S. servers and U.S. IP addresses, PureVPN hits a pretty good sweet spot. The network has 13 server locations within the borders of America, including cities like Los Angeles, Tampa, New York, and Seattle for a wide dispersal. In total there are 85 servers distributed throughout those cities and more, giving you tons of options for snagging a U.S. IP address with a fast connection.
Read our full PureVPN review.
6. IPVanish
IPVanish is all about simplicity. The service works to deliver fast speeds and maximum security without complicating the whole process, making it one of the more accessible VPNs on the market. IPVanish operates 40,000+ IPs on 1,300+ servers in 75+ locations, each using strong 256-bit AES encryption that keeps your data private and unreadable no matter what. This is backed by unlimited bandwidth, no speed caps, no restrictions on P2P or torrent traffic, and an easy to understand zero-logging policy.
IPVanish has servers in nearly a dozen locations throughout the U.S., covering both coasts as well as a several cities along the southern border. This wide dispersal helps anyone from outside the country find a node that’s physically closer to their location, which helps cut down latency. There are over 370 servers in the United States alone, meaning you’ll always be able to find a U.S. IP address with a fast, reliable, and uncrowded connection no matter what time of day you log in.
Read our full IPVanish review.
7. VyprVPN
VyprVPN is known for its unique privacy features. The company owns its entire network of servers, over 700 spread across 70 locations. This means data is never accessed by an outside company, and it also lets VyprVPN customize its hardware to deliver superior speed and encryption, all without sacrificing privacy. Users get unlimited bandwidth, a great zero-logging policy, and both DNS leak and kill switch support.
VyprVPN has fewer than ten locations in the U.S. with installed servers. They’re strategically located around the coast for maximum speeds, however, including Seattle, San Francisco, Miami, Washington D.C., and Austin. This, combined with the company’s unique privacy features, make it a good choice for using a U.S. IP address to watch content from abroad.
Read our full VyprVPN review.
8. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN, at first glance, looks small in comparison to the others listed here: they have just over 150+ servers in 60+ countries. But they have the two things you want in a VPN, compressed into a small package: speed and security. Despite its small size, PrivateVPN’s network is robust and reliable with low latency, so you get steady and fast connection speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and zero speed caps. With servers located in the U.S.
Regarding security, they give you two options: 256-bit AES, and 128-bit AES. In either case, you have multiple protocols you can play with for balancing security with speed. But with the first option, you get a nice balance and best-of-the-best encryption; the 128-bit still provides excellent encryption – enough for most casual users – and gives you a generous boost in speed. These variations make an excellent provider for the everyday user, especially if you like streaming video services like Netflix.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
Alternatives to VPNs to get an ip address
While we primarily discuss VPNs as a way to get a U.S. IP address, there are other methods to do so. Each does have their downfall, however, as you’ll see:
Smart DNS
A Smart DNS is similar to a VPN, in that it masks your IP address and can help you access geo-blocked content. However, it lacks encryption and is not as effective at obtaining a “fake” IP address for you.
Proxies
A proxy acts as a “middle man” between you and whatever site you want to access. Essentially, you visit a proxy website located in the U.S., which then “forwards” you to the geo-blocked site you want to visit. Again, however, you end up with zero encryption – it can easily be hijacked en route.
Tor
Tor is an open-source, free web browser that masks your real IP address. It’s actually an excellent program when you want to be completely anonymous online, as its extremely secure. It’s downfall, however, is that it is typically very slow due to its heavy encryption process. Trying to stream video or music is a challenge.
Why VPNs are better for a US IP address?
VPNs are simple, inexpensive, easy to use, and offer a number of fantastic benefits aside from quick access to U.S. based IP addresses. Because VPNs encrypt traffic leaving your devices, they have a clear advantage over other methods of changing your IP. Take smart DNS, for example: it won’t unblock Netflix or encrypt your data – two things that many VPN users deem essential. Encryption helps protect your privacy by making it nearly impossible to trace activity back to your location, an essential feature when you’re bypassing censorship and geo-restricted content laws.
Avoid free services when trying to get an ip address based in the US
Free VPNs and free proxy services are everywhere. Search any browser extension marketplace or mobile apps store and you’ll find dozens of them promising free, fast, and unlimited service, all you have to do is download and start streaming. As is often the case with free offers like this, however, there’s a catch. And this one’s a pretty big catch.
Any business operating proxy servers or a virtual private network needs income to maintain its hardware. Workers need to be paid, as well, meaning the company has to have some sort of income. If its customers aren’t paying them, chances are they’re making up the difference somewhere else. More often than not that translates to ads injected into user’s browsers, or even selling the very data they promised to keep safe.
Although it’s tempting to use a free VPN or free proxy service to get a U.S. IP address, in the long run you’re better off investing in a good paid service. The marketplace for both services is highly competitive, which keeps prices surprisingly low.
Instead, find a way to get access to a paid service for free
There is a way to get access to the full services offered from the top VPN providers, including an IP address, for free. Two ways, in fact:
- Use their free trials; or
- Sign up for at least a month the regular way, then request a refund within the specified time.
The problem with the free trial option is a matter of time, money, or device. ExpressVPN offers a free version only to iOS users, for 7 days. The others offer free versions for as little as 1 day, up to 7. We’d argue that that’s not enough time for most users – and, most of the providers require you to input payment information, which automatically begins billing at the end of the free trial. That means, that if you decide to stick with them, you’re going to pay their regular full price for the duration of your subscription.
In contrast, the latter option – signing up, then refunding later – can give you anywhere from 30 to 45 days of ultimately FREE, best-of-the-best VPN service. That’s perfect for a long trip outside the U.S.. Of course, the catch here is that you wind up paying some money up front – at least a month’s worth of subscription – but you get it back when you cancel your account and request a refund. 7 days versus 30 or more? We know what we’d choose.
Can I get a US IP address for Netflix? Yes.
Having your internet-connected device identify as being located in the U.S. has a number of benefits, both for citizens abroad as well as residents of other countries. With the right IP you can surf the internet as if you were sitting in the U.S., opening up a massive amount of content to download and stream.
Here are some of the advantages of using a IP address based in the US:
- Access streaming videos blocked in your area – It’s frustrating using a service like Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu, or YouTube and seeing a message that the content isn’t available in your country. International laws restrict when and where movies and TV shows can be shown, making worldwide content availability a tricky feat to pull off. If you’re interested in streaming Netflix or Hulu content, you should be aware that NordVPN, ExpressVPN and VyprVPN all provide this possibility. The majority of popular streaming media comes out of the U.S., however, which means you can easily access it with a U.S. based IP address.
- Download games not available in your region – The U.S. gets a lot of games before other regions of the world. Timed releases are usually set to deliver content to North America first, followed by Europe, Asia, and Australia at a later date. Some online games run servers that restrict access to certain countries, but if you have a U.S. IP address, you can simply change your virtual location and download whenever you please. This works for many online game marketplaces, including some mobile app stores.
- Circumvent censored websites – Many governments, universities, and businesses restrict certain sites on their network, making it nearly impossible for people to access common resources like Google or Facebook. By switching to a U.S. IP address, you can identify your device as being from another area and use whatever websites you want.
- Access accounts while abroad – Some U.S. based banks only allow online access from IP addresses located in the United States. If you’re traveling and need to check your transactions, you’ll have to switch virtual locations before signing in.
Conclusion on US based IP Addresses
Were you able to get a US based IP address? Let us know how this worked for you, as we’d love to hear your experiences. Read here to better understand your private ip address.
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
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I use NordVPN. When I’m in a foreign country I use NordVPN for an IP address in Ontario Canada to play online OLG lottery. Even than OLG is capable of detecting that I’m not in Ontario, Canada and doesn’t allow me to login to play the lottery that can be only played by an Ontario, Canada residing in the province. So in this case NordVPN is good for nothing..do you have a way of getting around that. How can OLG detect that I’m not in Ontario even when I’m using a VPN ?
i can’t afford to get vpn but not all vpns are free you know!
Thank you not pc literate but I think I can now chose and make an informed choice.
Fed up with my data popping up all over the world without me knowing.
Thanks Again Vs.