BEST VPN SERVICES
In a hurry?
The best VPN for South Africa in 2023, as found in our independent testing, is NordVPN!
Are you visiting South Africa for work or leisure? Have important information online and want to keep it safe?
Or want to stream on online streaming sites but don’t have access to series from back home?
Plenty of VPNs out there claim they have what you want.
We have got the best ones for you. They are verified for the ease of your choosing.
Best VPN for South Africa in 2023
1. NordVPN
NordVPN has earned its space as the best VPN for South Africa as it has all that a great VPN should have.
Be it security, safety, or coverage, NordVPN will not disappoint.
Headquartered in Panama, which is away from surveillance laws, NordVPN ensures that its customers do not feel uncomfortable about the government prying on their online doings.
From security to speed, let’s see what NordVPN offers.
- NordVPN is the industry leader (by a long way)
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Superfast speeds
- 5,442+ servers in 60+ countries
- Strict no-logs policy
- Next-generation military-grade encryption
- DoubleVPN, double privacy
- 6 simultaneous device connections
- Great for: Safety, security, anonymity & peace of mind
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad & iOS, Linux, routers, Apple TV, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
Security should always be the best, especially in VPNs, and NordVPN gives us that.
With AES 265- bits encryption, which is military-grade, NordVPN ensures the best security for its customers, just like all other VPNs on this list.
Moving on, NordVPN has excellent speed, one of the best in the market right now.
An excellent protocol they have is the Nordlynx protocol which they have created, giving the best speed out of all other protocols.
Besides Nordlynx, they have other protocols to work with too.
Another plus is that they have more than 5000 servers across 60 countries, which means better speed; the closer you are to the server, the better speed you get.
Their no-log policy is legit and is audited, making them fully secure.
NordVPN only keeps track of the basics like email, payment information, and customer service interactions, which is essential because all information goes to the VPN, so having a no-log policy means that they do not save any private information of their customers.
Other features are Killswitch, Multi-hop, and split-tunneling. They also assure that there is no DNS leak, a must-have.
Streaming services are also available at NordVPN, with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Hotstar, and Hulu all working well.
Access to geo-restricted content is also possible, which opens up lots of scope for its customers.
Their subscriptions are straightforward enough. The more extended subscription you take, the better price you’ll get.
And they offer a 7-day free trial and 30 days of payback guarantee, so you want to test the waters before committing to it.
The one drawback is they only have 5 simultaneous connections.
2. Surfshark
Launched in 2018 and now based in the Netherlands, Surfshark is a reasonably new VPN.
It is impressive as it has found itself in the top leagues.
Originally based in The British Virgin Islands, Surfshark has changed its base since but has assured that the change doesn’t affect its no-log policy.
They have stated that The Netherlands does not require information from the online world to be stored, so that’s great for them and us.
They have got their basics straight, with AES 265-bits security and the no-log policy.
- Surfshark is the best budget VPN
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Strict no-logs policy
- 3200+ servers in 95 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: private browsing on a budget
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone & iOS, Linux, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
Surfshark has also recently launched Surfshark One, which offers the standard VPN features, Avira-powered antivirus, data breach monitoring, and privacy-friendly internet search.
It’s extra security for just $1.49 a month, and if you have the information you want to keep very safe, you might as well avail it.
Other handy features for extra security are Killswitch, Split-tunnelling, and multi-hop.
Though there is some space for improvement in the Killswitch, the other features are great.
Surfshark is a fast VPN, with WireGuard protocol getting the fastest speeds.
They also have OpenVPN, but we recommend using Wireguard protocol as it gives the best speeds.
It has over 3000 servers in 65+ countries, keeping in mind that it is a very recently launched VPN.
With speed comes streaming platforms, and Surfshark is hardly lacking.
Surfshark can unlock mainly all regions, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
Other streaming platforms working with Surfshark are Amazon Prime, Disney Hotstar, BBC Iplayer, and more.
Subscription-wise, it has good enough options, monthly, yearly, and bi-yearly.
The price gets cheaper the longer the subscription. You should also keep in mind that after the initial subscription, the price increases.
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, a perk we don’t get in all VPNs.
3. Atlas VPN
Despite one of the newer VPNs in the market, Atlas VPN has found itself in the top names, especially after being bought by Nord.
And that is why we have included it as the best free VPN for South Africa, as one of the most redeeming points Atlas VPN has is its free version.
Unlike other VPNs with 7-day free trials, Atlas VPN offers an entirely usable free version with the same security but limited data usage.
For Windows, it is 10GB per month, and for Mac, it is 2GB daily. It also limits servers and other features, but with it being free, it has plenty to offer.
- Atlas VPN is the best free VPN
- Privacy Pro servers
- 750 servers in 40+ locations
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: people seeking a freemium VPN
- Compatible with: Windows, MacOS, Android, iPhone & iOS, Android TV, Fire TV Stick
Let’s talk about the paid version. Security is excellent. With AES 265-bits and a no-log policy, we are happy with what they offer in terms of security.
Their feature, SafeSwap, allows you to hop from multiple IP addresses simultaneously.
Have you gone to South Africa for vacation and want to stream from the series back home? that is possible with a good VPN, and Atlas VPN does the job.
It can unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and Disney+. With streaming comes the question of speed.
Atlas VPN has recently got Wireguard protocol which gives impressive speed compared to the other protocols offered.
A downfall for Atlas VPN is that they have 750+ servers across 27 countries which is relatively less than other leading VPNs in the market.
We hope that with Nord taking over, this number will increase.
The subscriptions offered by Atlas VPN are moderate and not expensive. Like other VPNs on this list, the longer the subscription, the lower the price.
Atlas VPN does not have split-tunneling, which means it’s all or nothing in terms of VPN usage on devices.
It does offer unlimited simultaneous connections, which is a plus point for them.
4. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands. Launched in 2009, for years, it has given premium quality features to its customers.
Let’s jump to the crucial points, security, speed, and service. As far as privacy is concerned, ExpressVPN has it covered.
With AES-265 bits encryption, a no-log policy that has been audited, and many protocols, security is not lacking.
Like all the other VPNs on this list, ExpressVPN’s servers are all RAM-only which means that all the data collected will be deleted automatically, making it a very secure place.
ExpressVPN has more than 3000 servers in over 90 countries, covering a lot of space in the world.
ExpressVPN gives its customers above-average speed. Though not the fastest, its speed is better than most other VPNs.
It has its in-house protocol, Lightway, which provides excellent speed, but it also has other protocols.
If it’s streaming that you’re wondering about, ExpressVPN has this covered too.
With incredible speeds, it’s excellent for unblocking almost every streaming provider – regional Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more.
The subscriptions that ExpressVPN offers can be expensive, but if you choose the longer subscriptions, they will be less expensive.
Also, unlike other VPNs, ExpressVPN does not change the price of subscriptions after the first time.
The most recent updates on ExpressVPN are Threat Manager blocks ads, malware-infected sites, and trackers, which are available on iOS, Mac, and Linux.
A drawback is that it only allows five simultaneous connections, which seems disappointing because of the high subscription rates.
5. Private Internet Access
The last but not in any way least on the list is Private Internet Access (PIA).
One of the oldest VPNs and one with a vast number of servers, PIA deserves a spot on the list.
PIA was founded in 2009, making it one of the oldest VPNs established; it has from then kept a good reputation and has earned many faithful users.
Let’s get to know it better.
Security is top-notch with AES 265-bits, and security features are also legit. Killswitch works perfectly, and they have split tunneling and multi-hop.
As PIA is situated in the USA, there can be questions about their no-log policy.
But, it has been asked for subpoenas requesting information on its users.
They have never given anything over from one of these requests (because there’s nothing stored to hand over in the first place), effectively proving that it has a full-proof no-log policy.
Streaming platforms such as Netflix, BBC iplayer, Disney Hotstar, and Amazon Prime are all available, though Netflix has limited regions available.
But most of it is good enough for streaming in most countries.
Private Internet Access offers good enough speed with protocols such as Wireguard and OpenVPN.
Though other VPNs are faster, there are none with a large number of servers like PIA, with over 20,000 servers(yes!) In more than 80 countries around the globe, PIA comes second to none in coverage.
Why Should I Use VPN in South Africa?
There are plenty of reasons to use a VPN in South Africa.
If you live there, you can protect your online information from prying eyes and have loads of options to stream online.
Some streaming platforms do not work in South Africa, and geo-restrictions are also in place.
By using a VPN, you’ll be able to access whatever you wish to form an ample amount of platforms in different regions.
Suppose you are there for work or leisure.
In that case, a VPN will keep everything you have online safe from hackers and also let you stream material from back home at incredible speeds.
Wherever you are, using the internet won’t be an issue regarding safety and speed.
FAQs
Is My Data Safe without A VPN?
When someone feeds information online, anyone with hacking experience and the government can find it as the information is now there for anyone to get.
A VPN ensures that the information does not get into the wrong hands.
A VPN(a virtual private network) is used to keep information online safe, from business secrets to photos and bank information. Using a VPN is a safety measure against hacking of any sort.
Simply put, your data is not safe without a VPN because it can be found by anyone who wants to look for it.
That is why we recommend using a VPN. Along with keeping your information safe, you also get to stream online with good speed.
Do All VPNs Have Access to Different Regions of The World?
VPNs access different parts of the world by having servers; some have physical servers, and some have virtual.
The more servers in a country, the more coverage you get. It also affects the speed of the VPN.
Having fewer servers in a country can sometimes affect the speed too.
All VPNs have a different number of servers across the world, which means they have access to those areas.
Depending on the VPN, you get different areas.
Some have access to highly censored countries, like China and Japan. It mostly depends on which VPN you choose. We have mentioned the VPNs that have the best coverage across the globe.
Many VPNs claim to have a good reach, but sometimes the speeds disappoint because the servers are far, affecting the speed.
That is why we always ensure that all the VPNs we recommend are the best.
Are Free VPNs the Same as Paid VPNs?
No, free VPNs and paid VPNs are different for various reasons.
Firstly, most free VPNs have minimal features, which is understandable as it does not have enough funding to have the best of everything. For the same reason, paid VPNs are better.
Paid VPNs always try to have everything at the top level. Because they are paid, there is always competition in the market, which is why they keep updating their features.
Using a free VPN would be a good option if you want to have a go at VPNs before using them permanently; some VPNs also have free 7-day trials, for that matter, as do all of the VPNs we have listed above.
Furthermore, if security is the prime reason for VPN use, we recommend a paid and audited VPN.
In Summary, the best VPNs in 2023 are;
| Rating | VPN Service | Get Offer |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Top Rated#1 | NordVPN - #1 VPN in the industry | FREE Trial |
| #2 Top Rated#2 | Surfshark - top budget VPN | Start Now |
| #3 Top Rated#3 | Atlas VPN - best free VPN | Start Now |
Conclusion
We have listed down the best South Africa VPNs, whether it’s for streaming or safety, these are the best ones.
But don’t take our word for it. Try them out and choose one for yourself.
All of the above VPNs are audited, so security is no issue with any of them. The one we recommend from them is NordVPN.
Though all of the above are great VPNs, NordVPN has the best features out of them all.
Be it security, safety, or streaming, NordVPN will keep you satisfied.
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Written by Trevor Cooke
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