How to get a US IP address safely in 2024

A US IP address allows you to access streaming platforms and other geo-blocked services while away from home. The easiest solution to getting an American IP is by using a VPN.

Have you ever wondered how to get a US IP address? The answer is simple – use a virtual private network (VPN) to route your internet traffic through a US-based server. This gives you a US IP address that you can use to access US-only services that would otherwise be off-limits. While this is easy enough, it’s important to only use VPN services that are willing – and able – to protect your data.

This guide will explain how to get an American IP address and highlight the very best VPNs for doing so. We’ll get into more detail about each provider later in this article. In the meantime, here’s a rundown of our top choices.

Best VPNs to get a US IP address:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN to get a US IP address. More than 1,970 servers spread across 15+ US cities, with options to obtain a static IP address or use extra-private connections. Great value and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best budget option to get a US IP address. Allows unlimited device connections and has servers in 25+ US cities. Fast connection speeds and works well with US streaming services.
3. ExpressVPN: Servers in 16+ US cities and excellent security and privacy credentials. Provides access to most US-based streaming services.
4. Proton VPN: Provides access to more than 300 US servers. Strong on privacy, with speed-boosting tools if you’re connecting to the US from far away.
5. IPVanish: US-based provider with 20+ US server locations comprising more than 1,100 servers. Fast, but not the best for streaming.
6. Atlas VPN: Offers unlimited device connections and servers in seven US cities. Great for accessing US streaming services.

Summary Table

Choosing a VPN isn’t easy, which is why – before we made a decision about which to recommend – we assessed potential candidates against the following criteria: 

• Number of US-based servers
• Ability to access US streaming services
• Connection speeds
• Value for money
• Privacy and security
• Ease of use

To be included in our top three providers, VPNs must have networks comprising diskless servers, as well as independently audited logging policies and independently audited infrastructure. You can find more information about the criteria we used in the testing methodology article as well as further down this article.

How to get a US IP address from anywhere

Here's how to get a US IP address from anywhere:

1. Choose a VPN that has servers in the US and adheres to a no-logs policy. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Sign up for a subscription – longer terms are normally cheaper overall.
3. Download the relevant apps for the devices you wish to use with a US IP address.
4. Restart all devices when the installation is complete.
5. Open one of the apps and choose the US from the list of available countries.
6. Choose a location within the US – servers nearer your current location will tend to be faster.
7. Click the “connect” button.
8. The app will let you know when a connection has been established.
9. You now have a US IP address and access to US-specific websites and services.

Best VPNs for getting a US IP address

So, without further ado, here are the best VPNs to use for getting an IP address in the US.

NordVPN has good server coverage in the US, with more than 1,970 servers spread across 15+ cities. These provide access to a wide range of US-based streaming services, such as Netflix USA, ABC iView, and Hulu. Connections are secure, private, and fast – perfect for using public WiFi securely in any location.

For those seeking yet more privacy, NordVPN has US-based Double VPN servers. As their name suggests, this routes your traffic through two VPN servers, thus providing double the encryption. Alternatively, you can obtain almost complete anonymity by connecting to Onion Over VPN servers. This routes your traffic through a network of volunteer-operated Onion servers.

When you connect to a VPN in the US, you normally receive a different IP address each time. As an optional extra, NordVPN offers subscribers the opportunity to order a static IP address in the US that they can use over and over again.

If you’re trying to connect to the US from a country where internet use is restricted, NordVPN has obfuscated servers located in the US that you can use to mask the fact that you’re using a VPN. It also allows torrenting throughout its network, making it super versatile.

NordVPN has an independently audited no-logs policy and all of its servers are RAM-only. Internet traffic is protected using 256-bit AES channel encryption together with SHA384 authentication and a 3072-bit DHE-RSA key exchange. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV.

BEST VPN FOR A US IP ADDRESS: NordVPN is our #1 choice for getting a US IP address. It has a huge number of US-based servers and provides access to a range of streaming services. Plans include a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN with servers in 25+ US cities. It’s, therefore, a good option if you want to connect to somewhere specific that isn’t available with other providers. Surfshark allows unlimited connections and provides easy access to streaming services such as Netflix USA, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO.

Features include split tunneling, which allows some apps to bypass the VPN tunnel, a kill switch, and an ad-blocker. Surfshark can also hide the fact that you’re using a VPN and help you obtain access to the internet in countries where its use is restricted.

Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means it doesn’t monitor or record what you do online. All of your internet traffic is protected using essentially uncrackable AES-256-GCM encryption. Android users can additionally opt to use ChaCha encryption, which sometimes works better with mobile devices.

All DNS requests are handled by Surfshark’s own servers, and the apps are free from IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. Like other established VPNs, Surfhsark’s server network is RAM-only. This makes for improved efficiency and increased privacy.

Surfshark works with all major platforms and offers consistently user-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV.

BEST BUDGET OPTION: Surfshark is a low-cost provider for getting a US IP address. It has servers in a large number of US cities, fast connection speeds, and good access to US streaming services. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN has a strong presence in the US, with servers in 16+ US cities. Connections are notably fast and secure, and enable access to a range of US streaming services such as Hulu, HBO, ESPN, and Netflix USA.

When connecting, you can choose a server in a specific US city or allow ExpressVPN to select the fastest US server for you. All ExpressVPN servers are RAM-only, which means they can’t permanently store any data and have all been configured to run at optimal speeds.

Features of the service include a kill switch that stops the flow of internet traffic if the VPN connections drop out; split tunneling, which allows you to select which apps connect via the VPN; and a threat manager, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware.

If you have a device that can’t support VPN apps, you can still stream content using ExpressVPN’s Media Streamer tool. This allows you to change the default DNS server IP address on your device, thus spoofing your location. Note, however, that it doesn’t encrypt your internet traffic. For that, you’ll need to use one of the apps available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Kindle fire, and routers.

ExpressVPN protects your online privacy using AES-256 data encryption. It also runs its own private DNS on every server, which means your DNS queries are never exposed. The provider adheres to a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited by both KPMG and PwC.

In addition, its apps and security infrastructure have been audited by cybersecurity firm, Cure53. In 2022, we reported that ExpressVPN was offering a one-time $100,000 bug bounty to anyone able to compromise its systems.

ROBUST SECURITY: ExpressVPN provides reliable, private connections to a range of US IP addresses. It combines top-notch security features and a solid server network. You can try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Proton VPN is a security-focused provider with some 300+ servers in the US. It’s a solid choice for those who want to safely access US-based popular streaming services. Features include a VPN Accelerator, which provides a boost to speeds when creating long-distance connections.

A kill switch is available for all apps, which can provide peace of mind when using unsecured WiFi networks. The same can be said for the ad blocker and protection against malware.

Connections with the OpenVPN protocol use AES-256 encryption, RSA-4096 keys, and HMAC SHA-384 hash authentication. Those made with WireGuard use an amalgam of advanced cryptographic tools, such as the ChaCha20 symmetric key cipher, Poly1305 MAC authentication, and a Curve25519 Diffie-Hellman key exchange.

ProtonVPN uses its own private DNS servers and offers both Tor over VPN and Double VPN. The former routes your traffic through the Tor volunteer-run network, while the latter routes it through two VPN servers rather than one.

Apps are available for all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Linux. All subscription plans allow up to 10 simultaneous device connections.

Proton VPN is owned by Proton Technologies AG, which also provides the much-loved ProtonMail service. However, in 2021, ProtonMail was compelled by a Swiss court to begin logging the IP addresses and browser fingerprint information of one of its users. It has since changed the wording of its privacy policy, which now doesn’t promise to not log IP addresses.

In light of this, ProtonMail is encouraging users to connect via the Tor network. Alternatively, ProtonMail users can first connect to Proton VPN. Note that, unlike email providers, VPNs in Switzerland cannot be forced by the country's courts to log IP addresses. This means that the changes to its policies (and the events of 2021) have not affected the VPN service or its users in any way.

SECURE UNITED STATES IP ADDRESS: Proton VPN makes it easy to get a US IP address thanks to a decent number of US-based servers. Connections are highly secure and receive a boost over long distances. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

IPVanish is a notably fast US-based provider. It has 1,106+ servers in its home country, which are spread across 20+ cities. The company is one of the few VPN providers that owns all of its servers rather than renting them.

Although IPVanish is able to access Netflix USA without issue, it struggles with some other providers, such as Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video.

Features include a kill switch, built-in DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and split tunneling – though only for Android and Fire TV apps. IPVanish also provides access to a SOCKS5 proxy server, which can be used to give you a different IP address without sacrificing speed. Note, however, that SOCKS5 traffic is unencrypted.

For an encrypted connection, you’ll need to use one of IPVanish’s apps, which are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Note that there’s no dedicated Linux app, though you can configure it manually.

IPVanish uses 256-bit encryption in conjunction with SHA512 for authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2048 key exchange supports perfect forward secrecy. This ensures that past sessions cannot be decrypted even if the current decryption key is compromised.

IPVanish keeps no traffic or usage logs on its customers, which is important given that it’s based in the US. In 2022, cybersecurity firm, Leviathan Security Group, independently verified the company’s privacy policy.

However, the news isn’t all good. In 2016, IPVanish – then owned by Highwinds Network Group – came under fire after allegedly providing user data logs to US Department of Homeland Security investigators. At the time, its website claimed it kept no logs.

IPVanish and its parent company changed hands a year later when bought out by US tech firm, StackPath. StackPath says that it performed an independent audit prior to acquisition and found no history of logging. In addition to there being “no record of the incident,” it also says that “the management that was involved in the incident is long gone”. In 2019, IPVanish was acquired by J2 Global and added to its NetProtect business.

FAST CONNECTIONS: IPVanish is a US-based provider with plenty of servers for a US IP address. It has a no-logs policy and some of the fastest connections on the market. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

Atlas VPN is a relatively small US-based VPN provider with servers in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, Phoenix, and New Jersey. It offers decent speeds and is notably good at accessing US streaming services such as Netflix USA, Prime Video US, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max.

If you’d rather not use a single US IP address, Atlas VPN allows you to have a changing selection of IP addresses, all the while connected to a single VPN server located in Los Angeles. This makes it a bit more difficult for third parties to track your activity.

Atlas VPN blocks adverts and websites known to host malicious content as standard. It also provides a data breach monitor that notifies you if your personal information appears online.

Other features include split tunneling, which enables you to route selected apps through the VPN, and a kill switch to prevent IPv6 and DNS leaks.

As with the other providers in this list, Atlas VPN doesn’t collect details of customers’ online activities, DNS queries, or other personally identifiable information. All internet traffic is protected using AES-256 encryption and SHA-384 hash authentication.

Apps are available for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV.  There’s also an app for Linux Ubuntu, though this uses a command-line interface as opposed to a Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Atlas VPN was acquired by Nord Security in 2021. While this in itself isn’t bad – after all, NordVPN is a great product – we do find the consolidation of the VPN market to fewer companies a little disconcerting. That said, AtlasVPN has improved its service since it was acquired, which is good news for its users.

GREAT FOR STREAMING: AtlasVPN works with most US streaming services and can provide a US IP address in six cities. Fast connection speeds and a no-logs policy. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Atlas VPN.

Methodology for choosing the best VPN to get a US IP address

Whether you’re a US citizen trying to avoid ISP throttling or live outside the country but want to access a US service, it’s important to choose the right VPN to keep yourself safe. While there’s no magic feature that makes a good VPN, there are several indicators that we consider in our rigorous testing methodology before recommending any one provider:

• Number of US-based servers: If you want a US IP address, you’ll need to connect to a server in the US. The more options there are, the better the connection you’re likely to get. For example, if you’re connecting from the UK, a provider with servers on the Eastern Seaboard will likely provide better connections than one that only has servers in California.
• Ability to access US streaming services: Content providers are getting increasingly adept at blocking VPNs, which is why we value those that can access streaming services in the US – particularly the major players such as Netflix US, Amazon, Disney+, and HBO Max. It should also work with other US based services like financial institutions.
• Connection speeds: It’s all very well being able to get a US IP address, but if the connection is patchy, then you’re not going to want it for long. We search out those providers that don’t noticeably affect your base connection speed. At the very least they should enable you to stream HD content with buffering, ideally via a long list of server locations. 
• Value for money: A VPN’s subscription fees should reflect its quality of service. We check that each VPN can justify what it charges. If it can’t, then we don’t include it.
• Privacy and security: Servers in the US that are used to provide IP addresses for VPNs could potentially be seized by the US authorities. To ensure your personally identifiable information isn’t ever stored in them, you should only use a VPN with strong security and privacy credentials. We only recommend providers that use the strongest available encryption, adhere to a strict no-logs policy, and also aim to provide additional privacy and security features such as double VPNs, internet kill switches, and leak protection. It must not leak your actual IP address, and should help to keep you anonymous online.  
• Ease of use: When most people first use a VPN app, they just click on the “connect” button and let the VPN choose a server for them. However, if you want to specifically get a US IP address, then there’s a bit more to it. That said, this process should still be intuitive. Good quality apps – like those found in our list – make tasks like this easy.

Bonus points

As well as the criteria above, we also award bonus points to VPN companies that provide any of the following:

• Proven track record in China: The Chinese government has spent years perfecting its ability to block VPN use, to the point where it’s now exceptionally good at it. Providers that have previously worked in the country are now discovering they’ve been blocked. Indeed, all but a few VPNs can successfully breach the Great Firewall. Ideally, this will be via virtual servers found in Hong Kong or elsewhere. 
• Diskless servers: Traditional servers store information that can be compromised if the servers are either hacked or physically seized. By contrast, RAM-only servers are wiped at every reboot. Furthermore, as these networks are centrally managed, it means more control and less risk of a security lapse. From a customer perspective, it means that users don’t need to worry about whether a VPN that claims to be a no-logs provider is, in fact, a some-logs provider or a we-might-have-logs-depending-on-who’s-asking provider. Diskless servers cannot permanently store user information.
• Based outside the scope of intelligence alliances: A huge number of countries share intelligence amongst themselves, with the best known being the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes intelligence alliances, which have at their core the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. These alliances circumvent laws prohibiting governments from spying on their own citizens, by receiving intelligence from other countries spying on their citizens for them. The best VPNs place themselves outside the remit of known intelligence-gathering alliances. Countries such as Panama and the British Virgin Islands have strong domestic privacy laws as well as not being members of any publicly-known intelligence alliance.
• Audited software and infrastructure: It’s not enough to make grand claims about no-logs policies and military-grade security. Integrity only really comes when a reputable firm has independently audited a provider’s software and infrastructure. The former helps ensure that the apps that a user runs on their device have no exploits that could be used to unmask their activity or otherwise compromise their hardware. The latter establishes whether the VPN’s infrastructure inadvertently collects data that would disprove no-logging claims, whether the servers have any major vulnerabilities, and whether security best practices are being followed.

Why privacy is important for US IP addresses

Only three US states have comprehensive data privacy laws: California, Virginia, and Colorado. Elsewhere, data privacy is protected by a mixture of laws that are often overly specific or outdated. For example, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) limits the government’s ability to wiretap telephone calls but doesn’t protect against access to data stored on servers.

It’s, therefore, essential to only use VPN providers that mask your internet traffic and never store personally identifiable information on their servers.

Can I use a free VPN to get a US IP address?

It’s perfectly possible to get a US IP address using a free VPN, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Free VPNs that operate as standalone services tend to rely on advertising for funding. While this normally takes the form of in-app adverts, some will also sell your data to third parties. Trackers are common, as is some form of logging policy.

Free VPNs tend to attract too many users for the number of servers at their disposal. This results in congestion and reduced connection speeds. Worse still, some can make your devices vulnerable to attackers due to badly configured application permissions.

Can I get a US IP address without a VPN?

If you don’t want to use a VPN, it’s possible to connect to a US server using a proxy. The SOCKS5 (Socket Secure) proxy allows you to fake your virtual location by routing your traffic through a proxy server, thus creating an arbitrary IP address. While there are benefits to using SOCKS5 – such as the ability to bypass firewalls – it doesn’t encrypt your traffic. In practice, you’re much better off routing your traffic through a VPN server rather than a SOCKS5 server.

US IP address VPN: FAQs

Is it legal to use a VPN to access a US IP address?

It’s perfectly legal to use VPN services in the US – whether you’re a citizen or not. What isn’t acceptable is using a VPN to conduct illegal activity, such as pirating copyrighted content or using it to access services you don't already subscribe to.

How can I get a free US VPN?

If you’re not willing to pay for a VPN subscription, some of our recommended VPNs offer pared-down versions of their main services for free. These give you a restricted choice of servers and fewer features, but they’re still a better choice than the majority of standalone free VPNs (see above for why). Free versions are available from Proton VPN, CyberGhost, and Atlas VPN – all of which will enable you to get a US IP address.

What is the Five Eyes surveillance alliance?

The Five Eyes Alliance (FVEY) is an intelligence-gathering and sharing alliance between the security agencies of five countries: the US (NSA), the UK (GCHQ), Australia (ASD), Canada (CSEC), and New Zealand (GCSB).

If you’re using a VPN based in the US (or any of these countries), you should ensure that it expressly states that no personally identifiable information is collected. Authorities in the alliance have been known to seize VPN servers in order to extract data from them

How can I change my phone IP to the US?

First, you need to find a VPN provider with servers in the US. Then it’s just a matter of signing up for the service and downloading the relevant app for your phone. All of our recommended VPNs have dedicated apps for Android and iOS. After opening the app, you can select the US from the server list and connect to any server from the available options.

Can you set your IP address to another country?

You can’t normally pick and choose particular IP addresses. When you connect to a server in another country, you will be assigned an IP address, which is typically shared with other people. In most cases, you will have the same IP address until you end the session. Some VPN providers allow you to connect to a static IP address every time, but this is only available on some servers. Alternatively, other VPNs allow you to rotate through IP addresses within a session.

How can I get an international IP address?

If you’re using a VPN, you can change your IP address to anywhere that your chosen provider has servers. If you want to connect to a particular country, check in advance that the VPN under consideration has a server presence there before signing up.

How do I check my IP address?

Your VPN provider will tell you your new IP address when you connect. If you want to independently verify it, you can use a website such as www.whatismyip.com. This will tell you your 32-bit IPv4 address, together with your approximate physical location and your ISP.

Can I watch US TV with a VPN?

Yes. When you connect to a VPN server in the US, you get a valid IP address in that country. This allows you to log in and stream American TV services and streaming platforms while traveling abroad. This is perfect if you are on vacation, traveling for work, or even if you are an expat who has moved overseas but still wants to carry on watching your home streaming services. 

Below, we have included a list of US platforms that you can watch by connecting to a VPN server in the US:

1. Netflix
2. Amazon Prime Video
3. Hulu
4. Disney+
5. HBO Max
6. Apple TV+
7. Peacock
8. YouTube TV
9. Sling TV
10. ESPN+
11. CBS All Access (now Paramount+)
12. NBC
13. ABC
14. FOX
15. The CW
16. fuboTV
17. NFL Game Pass
18. NBA League Pass
19. MLB.TV
20. NHL.TV
21. UFC Fight Pass
22. WWE Network
23. PGA Tour Live
24. Tennis Channel Plus
25. NBC Sports Gold
26. ESPN Player
27. FloSports
28. beIN SPORTS
29. Fox Sports Go

The only caveat is that most VPNs have now been blocked by popular US services. This means that you must stick to recommended VPNs like the ones in this list, which have all been tested for watching popular American streaming platforms.

Do I need a fast VPN with a US IP address?

Yes. If you want to access American streaming services, play US game servers, or do any other data-intensive tasks while connected to an IP address in the US, you will need a fast VPN. 

The vast majority of VPNs that have servers in the US do not invest in quick servers and speedy protocols, such as WireGuard and OpenVPN UDP. This means that you need to pick your VPN carefully if you want to avoid disappointment. 

The VPNs we have recommended in this article all have large networks designed to prevent server congestion during peak times. They also have well-implemented apps with a choice of fast protocols that are perfect for torrenting, gaming, and streaming HD TV or on-demand content without buffering or lag.