Best VPN for South Africa: Try These 5 Awesome Providers

South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the region. Kilometers of asphalt combined with lovely forests and countryside make this country a sight for tourists, especially tourists. Internet freedom in South Africa is less alarming than in other countries.

For example, in our discussion about the best VPN for the United Arab Emirates, we mentioned the country’s harsh censorship. The government is mild here, but you will encounter snoopers and hackers on public WiFi networks. In addition, geo-restrictions are a regular part of the internet in the country.

This makes it hard to access foreign TV channels and streaming platforms. The good news is that the best VPN for South Africa can help you. It’ll encrypt your connection and make it untraceable by snoopers and hackers while letting you bypass geo-blocks and enjoy streaming to the fullest.

The real question is, what is the best VPN for South Africa in 2025? Today’s article will answer that question, as we give you the top five providers for people living in this country and those abroad wanting to get a South African IP address.

Best VPN for South Africa: The Top 5 Providers

If you want a quality, dependable provider, you’ll need a premium VPN. We will discuss some free providers later, but as they’re far from the best choices, we will focus primarily on paid providers with affordable prices and special discounts.

This way, we ensure your satisfaction, no bandwidth limits, and excellent performance, which paid providers are usually known for. Without further ado, here’s our list of the best South Africa VPN services in 2025.

1. NordVPN

If you’re looking for an affordable and quality VPN for South Africa, you might want to check out NordVPN – the best option in 2025. One of the most prevalent names in the industry, NordVPN is known for its huge server park of 8,100+ servers in 125+ countries, including South Africa.

In South Africa, you get 50+ Johannesburg servers ready to fulfill your expectations and make your online security a real deal. Speaking of which, NordVPN’s focus is online security with a strong accent on privacy through its few-times-verified no-logging policy.

Its applications are feature-rich and offer a wide selection of specialty servers. For instance, we like P2P servers for torrenting and Onion over VPN servers that you can use with Tor to access the dark web. Double VPN servers will double your encryption, while obfuscated servers are great for China.

Additionally, our experience shows that this is a great streaming provider. NordVPN can be proud of its ability to unblock some streaming platforms. It is also perfect for bypassing site blocking. In fact, we even discovered that this VPN will unblock Omegle if you get banned or if it’s unavailable in your country.

Its Threat Protection Pro feature includes functionalities like malware protection, antivirus, and an ad-blocker that works flawlessly. Its modern-looking apps also have something called Dark Web Monitor, crucial for informing you of leaked personal data.

NordVPN has a proprietary NordLynx protocol based on WireGuard, which means its performance is above average. Indeed, it’s an excellent choice for gaming, streaming, and downloading because it fully utilizes your internet speed in each scenario.

As the best VPN in South Africa, it supports each device and offers ten simultaneous connections. Be aware of value-added taxes in some countries (15% in South Africa), which will slightly increase the price. However, you have a 30-day refund period, so a refund is always an option if you’re unsatisfied.

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2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the epitome of reliability and quality with its 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. Apart from dozens of servers in South Africa, the provider has numerous fast-speed servers across all other continents, ensuring good server coverage.

We found this provider among the fastest on the list, which is valuable if you want to use a VPN for downloading torrents or streaming Netflix in 4K. Moreover, ExpressVPN works with many Netflix catalogs and platforms, such as Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max.

This will ensure you can still enjoy some of the greatest movies and shows even in a country like this. ExpressVPN is also among the safest providers. With features like AES-256 encryption and an automatic kill switch for IP leak prevention, you’ll never have problems with it.

Important to mention is ExpressVPN’s Lightway Turbo protocol. This new protocol comes straight from the company’s woodwork, promising and delivering blazing-fast speeds, impeccable security, and uncompromising privacy, further backed by a no-logging policy.

While using ExpressVPN, you can be sure your browsing activities and personal data aren’t stored. Besides, this TrustedServer technology is a fancy name for servers based on RAM (Random Access Memory) that delete each bit of information upon each restart.

ExpressVPN even offers its private DNS and SmartDNS functionality for gaming consoles. This provider works on all devices and systems and offers eight simultaneous connections on one subscription.

Its 24/7 support is the best, and it is known for fast and concise responses that scream helpfulness. This is one of the best VPNs for South Africa, and it comes with a currently available 61% discount and four free months for the 24-month plan. Every plan yields a 30-day money-back guarantee, too.

As a result, you can test this provider risk-free and claim the cheapest deal using the button below. We’re sure you’ll want nothing more after you test it!

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3. CyberGhost

If you don’t want to use NordVPN or ExpressVPN, another great VPN for South Africa in 2025 is CyberGhost. It offers 12,000+ servers in 100 countries and more servers than ExpressVPN. However, it does come with five fewer countries, which you won’t notice in practice.

Nevertheless, its 10 Gbps servers are pretty fast, and there are thirty servers in Johannesburg. Thus, if you’re traveling abroad, you can always get a South African IP address and watch local TV channels like SABC, Soweto TV, and Channel O. While we discuss that, we should mention its streaming and P2P servers.

Streaming servers are awesome because they let you unblock many foreign TV channels in different countries. Torrenting servers are also welcome for those engaging in P2P activities. A nice addition is the presence of NoSpy servers, which are operated by CyberGhost directly.

Because they’re based in Romania, you can enjoy the highest level of privacy. The same can be said about CyberGhost, thanks to its audited no-logging policy and transparency reports. In terms of features, CyberGhost offers bank-grade encryption, split tunneling, a kill switch, and an ad-blocker for kicking out annoying ads.

We also like that it supports WireGuard, which boosts performance and shortens connection times. CyberGhost even offers bonus features like antivirus and Security Updater to keep your apps and security up to date. However, the most significant selling point of this VPN for South Africa is the price.

It offers cheap long-term plans at far below $2.5 a month. Each long-term plan has a 45-day money-back guarantee, which not a single provider on this list offers. The downsides are negligible, as we can only complain about an unintuitive Windows app. The fact that it’s not working in China isn’t relevant to this case.

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4. Surfshark

Surfshark is one of those VPNs that offers insane value for the money. It offers 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including South Africa, while keeping its price ridiculously low. The provider is also known for its outstanding qualities, which are reflected in its apps and overall security.

For one, the provider offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which is great, considering it has apps for iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and many other platforms. Second, it’s vital to mention its features like 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and an ad blocker, which make this provider top-grade.

WireGuard support is here too, but Surfshark also supports OpenVPN and IKEv2, which adds to the variety. Moreover, this VPN for South Africa has something called NoBorders, a special feature for bypassing censorship if you ever find yourself in China or Turkey, for example.

Surfshark also has MultiHop servers, which function like DoubleVPN in NordVPN, doubling your encryption by routing traffic through multiple servers. You can also use Surfshark for streaming because it works with Netflix US and various geo-restricted TV channels and platforms.

Based in the Netherlands, Surfshark stores no logs, and it has an audit from Cure53 and Deloitte to back these claims up. Besides, it allows you to buy Surfshark One, a slightly more expensive plan that includes antivirus, proper incognito mode, and Alert, another name for Dark Web Monitor.

Overall, this provider is impressive and easily stands shoulder-to-shoulder with more expensive providers. However, remember its average performance compared to NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost, as well as occasional connection issues that can spoil the fun.

As said, though, its price is very low for a 2-year plan that, along with other plans, comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. We’re sure South Africans will love it, especially users on a limited budget.

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5. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access takes the fifth spot on the list of the best VPNs for South Africa in 2025. It’s not inferior to its competitors, especially considering its 30,000 servers in 90+ countries. Does it have servers in this country? Absolutely!

This US-based provider is one of the oldest and is known for a stern no-logging policy, which it has proved several times in court. Furthermore, it boasts advanced security features, some of which are made for experienced users who want to get more out of it.

The selection of protocols is limited to WireGuard and OpenVPN, but you can also use its advanced kill switch, PIA MACE (ad blocker), split tunneling, and Multi-Hop with obfuscation. This makes PIA VPN an excellent choice for staying safe online or using public WiFi networks.

Regarding streaming, PIA isn’t the best choice, and it doesn’t successfully unblock some Netflix libraries. Its performance is also average, but you’ll never experience unstable connections that will negatively impact your experience.

After all, this provider is torrent-friendly so that you can use it for P2P activities through various torrent clients. Recently, PIA improved its device compatibility, allowing you to use it even on routers, Smart TVs, and Fire TV Sticks, which is a nice addition for a VPN this cheap.

Its desktop apps are clunky and slow to respond, but that isn’t a problem considering it’s one of the most secure VPNs. With unlimited simultaneous connections and 24/7 live chat support, PIA remains among our favorite VPNs for security and privacy in South Africa.

It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans. It’s even cheaper than CyberGhost and Surfshark, which is perfect for a country like this. We invite you to check out my PIA VPN review here to see our extended analysis and test of this provider.

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How to Choose a South African VPN?

With so many great VPNs on this list, selecting one might be more complicated than it seems. So, how do you choose the best VPN for South Africa? Here’s what we considered—it might help you during your selection process.

• Servers in SA. We wanted every VPN to have South African servers. They’re helpful if you’re abroad or don’t live in this country and need to access its local content. This doesn’t only apply to streaming platforms but also to banking sites and bookies.
• Fast connection speed. Every service on this list is fast—some more and some less. We ensured you can get a discount on NordVPN, the fastest option, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost. While Surfshark and PIA are a tad slower, they’re all good performers overall.
• Security. Each SA VPN should have bank-grade encryption, IP leak protection, a kill switch, and RAM-only servers. The providers on our list certainly have that, and their security is top-notch.
• Privacy. You’ll benefit from a VPN in South Africa that keeps no logs. In this case, you can choose any of the five VPNs, as all have certified no-logging policies. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the most audited, with over twenty audits.
• Ease of use. All South African VPNs today are easy to use. They also work on all popular platforms with at least seven simultaneous connections. If you opt for more connections, consider Surfshark or PIA, which offer unlimited simultaneous connections per account.
• Affordability. Let’s not forget this factor. Each service we offer offers a special discount that you can claim through our site. You can save a lot on every provider, yet you can get up to 45 days of risk-free use thanks to a money-back guarantee.

Free VPNs for South Africa: Are They Any Good?

With providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN offering tons of exciting features and functionalities, is it worth looking for a free VPN service for South Africa in 2025? Well, from our point of view, it isn’t, especially knowing how limiting these services are.

Free VPNs are famous for typical downsides like limited monthly bandwidth, slow performance, and the lack of certain security features. Some free providers use a lower level of encryption, and many lack a kill switch, essential for preventing unwanted IP leaks.

Since we mentioned limited bandwidth, we should be precise about its limitations. Usually, we’re talking about a couple of gigabytes a month, with TunnelBear going as low as giving you just 2 GB monthly. While Windscribe gives you 10 GB, it’s still far from enough.

One concerning fact is that free providers have small server networks with just a few “popular” VPN locations. In other words, you will not get any South African VPN servers, so if you want to access local TV channels or banks abroad, know this won’t be possible.

Providers like Hola VPN or Betternet, free and have limited bandwidth, are known for storing logs and selling your personal data to third-party companies. Therefore, we can’t recommend free VPNs like this as they’ll jeopardize your privacy.

Lastly, it’s crucial to mention that free providers lack P2P and streaming capabilities, both of which are easily accessible through paid providers. With free providers, you can forget about unblocking Netflix or downloading torrents through uTorrent or BitTorrent.

Free VPN That We Recommend: Proton VPN

However, there’s some light at the end of the tunnel, and there’s one free VPN for South Africa that we can proudly recommend – Proton VPN. If you don’t have high expectations, Proton VPN is a good choice for a free service, with a cheap premium plan as a welcome addition.

The provider is based in Switzerland and owned by Proton, so you can expect great security features like 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and WireGuard support. Moreover, the provider has a no-logging policy, and even in its free version, it will not collect or sell your personal data.

Use Proton VPN for Free

It has native clients for platforms like iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, offering easy-to-use applications that you can get into quickly. But, as we’re talking about its free version, it’s not the fastest, even though it offers unlimited traffic, which is atypical for a free VPN service in 2025.

Being free also means losing out on advanced security features like Secure Core and dedicated streaming servers. Plus, instead of unlimited connections on a paid plan, you get just one connection per account, which is typical for free providers. We recommend Proton VPN because it’s safe, secure, and dependable.

Because of its unlimited bandwidth, Proton VPN blocks torrenting, meaning you can use it only for streaming and occasional content consumption. Proton VPN’s free plan lacks South African servers, but you can rectify that by purchasing Proton VPN. Or you can pick one of the top five options above – your call!

Summary

With the five best VPNs for South Africa in 2025, you’ll have no doubts about which one to select. NordVPN is an obvious choice for those who don’t want compromises and want affordable prices. ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are NordVPN’s close competitors, and they still retain their safety, security, and superb capabilities.

But if you want to go the even cheaper route, Surfshark and Private Internet Access surely have much to offer. Luckily, South Africa isn’t a heavily censored country with many blocked websites and surveillance.

However, due to unsafe public WiFi networks and geo-restrictions, we’re sure you’ll want a VPN service that can help you ensure online privacy and regain internet freedom in South Africa or elsewhere.

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FAQ

Let us answer a few critical questions to finish things up.

Are VPNs legal in South Africa?

Yes, of course. They’re completely legal and you can use them without any problems to protect your privacy, bypass geo-restrictions, and avoid cyber-attacks on public WiFi networks.

The South African government will never prosecute VPN users for using this service for benign activities. However, those who take advantage of anonymity to sell drugs online or perform any form of illegal activity should definitely be worried.

VPNs should NEVER be abused. Use them according to the laws and legislation of your country.

Can I find South African VPN servers in free providers?

In 99% of the cases, you won’t find any South African servers in free VPNs. However, TunnelBear is one free provider offering some servers in this country if needed. Just keep in mind, once again, that this provider offers 2 GB of monthly data and isn’t going to work with Netflix.

Therefore, it’s great only if you plan a short visit to the internet without the need for daily browsing or watching YouTube videos. Otherwise, you’ll spend 2 GB of data in about 20 minutes.

Which VPNs should I avoid in South Africa?

You should avoid free VPNs in South Africa that covertly earn money on behalf of your privacy and security. These include Hola VPN, Betternet, NinjaVPN, SuperVPN, EasyVPN, and even Hotspot Shield, which is known for its logging practices even in the paid version.

We recommend Proton VPN and Hidie.me as free VPNs, but as always, NordVPN or any of the best VPNs for South Africa we presented are a much better solution.