How to Watch Netflix US in South Africa – A 2024 Guide

Many Netflix enthusiasts in different countries around the globe, especially in South Africa, cannot watch US Netflix in their country. It is also a significant problem for streaming enthusiasts who live in the US because they can’t access the US Netflix content library when they travel to South Africa or another country.

Some people in South Africa know how to unblock Netflix US in South Africa but still face difficulties accessing it because there’s no proper guide to resolve this problem.

As a Netflix enthusiast, I can understand the pain of South African Netflix users because US Netflix offers 2500 more titles than Netflix South Africa.

Fortunately, we have a method to help Netflix South Africa users to access US Netflix in South Africa. All you need is a premium VPN like ExpressVPN.

A VPN can easily trick the Netflix geo-blocking technology by masking your IP address and showing you are in the country.

Let’s dive deep into our guide and discuss how to watch Netflix US in South Africa using a VPN in detail.

How to unblock US Netflix in South Africa – Quick guide

Here are a few easy steps to help you access American Netflix in South Africa:

Why is US Netflix content not available on Netflix South Africa?

Most of the content available on Netflix is not owned by this platform. It only owns 10% of its content library and has licenses from different production houses to serve its content on its platform.

Many production houses don’t allow Netflix to show licensed content in other countries except the USA because they want to sell the licenses of other countries to other streaming platforms at higher rates.

Some of the production houses allow Netflix to pay extra for licenses and show their content in other countries, but Netflix doesn’t pay extra because it doesn’t see it as profitable as in the US.

That’s why Netflix US and Canada have more titles than Netflix South Africa because 35% of the service users are from these countries, generating more profit.

Therefore, Netflix offers more titles in these countries to keep engaging the members.

Why does a VPN need to get US Netflix in South Africa?

As we discussed above, US Netflix offers more titles than Netflix in South Africa. Hence, streaming enthusiasts in South Africa and people from the US to South Africa for visits or business reasons want to access US Netflix.

But, they can’t access US Netflix in South Africa because of the geo-restriction policy of the company.

The geo-restriction technology of Netflix identifies your IP address and shows you the version of Netflix accordingly. However, a premium VPN like ExpressVPN can help you unblock American Netflix in South Africa by changing your IP address.

When you connect your device to the US server of the VPN, it masks your IP address and shows Netflix that you are in the country, which results in accessing US Netflix in South Africa.

In addition, you can use a VPN to watch US Netflix in other countries as well.

Quick overview of the best VPNs to watch Netflix US in South Africa

Here is the quick overview of the top VPNs to watch Netflix US in South Africa:

Best VPNs to unblock Netflix US in South Africa – Detailed list

Here are a few best VPNs to unblock Netflix US in South Africa:

1. ExpressVPN

A premium VPN provider with impressive features and state-of-the-art encryption that provides seamless access to US Netflix content anywhere in South African.

Visit ExpressVPN

Pros

• Defined no-logs policy
• Ultra-fast connectivity
• Simple to set up and install
• A dedicated customer support team
• Supports a wide range of devices and platforms

Cons

• Costly as compared to other VPNs
• Occasional connection drops

ExpressVPN is the top-rated VPN in the industry for Netflix. It has 3,000 servers worldwide, in 25 US cities and 94 countries. The service has a unique MediaStreamer tool that helps you watch movies unavailable in your region. You can connect up to 8 devices with one account without a data limit.

During a speed test, ExpressVPN was fast, with a download speed of 92.26 Mbps and an upload speed of 89.45 Mbps, even on a 100 Mbps connection. It is safe because it has features like Split Tunneling, 256 encryption, and a Kill Switch.

It costs US$ 6.67 per month, and you can get three extra months free if you buy a one-year subscription. In addition, if you don’t like it, you can get a full refund within 30 days.

Moreover, they have 24/7 customer support. If you have any queries or trouble accessing Netflix US, you can ask them, and they will help you.

App Available: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Chrome, Android, Linux

2. Private Internet Access (PIA)

A multi-functional VPN provider that fluently bypasses geo-restrictions in South Africa and other countries with its dedicated unblocking capabilities.

Visit PIA

Pros

• Supports torrenting and P2P file sharing
• Built-in tracker-blocking and ad-blocking
• A structured and dedicated privacy policy
• Affordable pricing and plans
• A kill switch feature with high effectiveness

Cons

• No dedicated IP options available
• Limited customization options

PIA offers diverse features, making it an excellent option for watching Netflix. It has advanced encryption technology, which is a notable highlight, as it ensures that all data remains confidential and impervious to cyber threats such as hackers.

The service also maintains a no-logging policy, ensuring that your online activity is not documented or recorded.

Furthermore, PIA provides a rapid and steadfast connection and operates servers in over 78 countries worldwide. This allows users to bypass Netflix geo-restrictions and have high-quality streaming without buffering.

It provides a robust shield against unnecessary ads, trackers, and malware. Its advanced security measure ensures your online traffic remains confidential, which will help enhance your browsing experience by removing extra content.

VPN seamlessly operates on multiple operating systems, ranging from Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux, Chromecast, Apple TV, and Kodi, and also provides an intuitive interface, making it easy to install the app on your device and connect to the preferable server.

3. IPVanish

A reputable VPN service offers a wide range of servers worldwide, delivering reliable speed and adequate protection to effectively stream content in South Africa.

Visit IPVanish

Pros

• Robust AES-256 data encryption
• Huge server network scattered all around the world
• User-friendly interface and easy to set up
• Unlimited simultaneous for each account
• Unlimited bandwidth and impressive speed

Cons

• Concerns related to data logging policy
• Slow customer support actions

IPVanish is a premium VPN for Netflix that protects your online activities from cyber threats. When you’re browsing, streaming, or downloading, this service sets up a super safe tunnel that stops anyone from accessing your data. 

In addition, it provides multiple servers in the US and other countries, which are suitable for accessing US Netflix in South Africa. It provides 256-bit encryption, a top-notch method that keeps all your data secure. They don’t even record what you’re getting up to online, so you’re in clear hands.

It provides fast-speed connections with unlimited data so that you can watch Netflix in high-quality without annoying buffering.

The interface is super easy to use and compatible with various devices like Windows, macOS, Linux, and Routers, so you can start getting your VPN on no matter what you’re running.

Criteria for selecting the best VPN for US Netflix in South Africa

Here are some features that every VPN should have to get US Netflix in South Africa:

• It should provide high-speed servers and connections to help you stream American Netflix without buffering.
• Multiple servers in the US and other countries like Canada, Japan, the UK, Denmark, etc., to access different versions of Netflix effortlessly.
• 256-bit encryption is mandatory to protect your data from third parties like hackers or ISPs.
• It should offer a money-back guarantee policy that helps users to take the risk of subscribing to it.
• The VPN should offer 24/7 chat support to help users unblock geo-restricted sites or versions of Netflix.

Can I watch US Netflix in South Africa with a free VPN?

You can watch US Netflix in South Africa with a free VPN, but we firmly recommend not using them.

The reason why we are against free VPNs is that many of them don’t offer basic features which are mandatory. Some free VPNs are advertisements and malware platforms that provide users’ data to third parties instead of saving them from privacy breaches.

Free VPNs offer a few US servers to watch Netflix in South Africa, and if they get caught by Netflix, you can’t use them anymore to unblock the US version of Netflix.

Overall, using a Free VPN is not safe. Using a free VPN, you must compromise your data and privacy to unblock US Netflix in South Africa.

Therefore, we recommend you use a premium VPN like ExpressVPN, which provides security, leak protection, and multiple US servers to access US Netflix in South Africa.

Is it illegal to stream American Netflix in South Africa?

No, it’s not illegal to watch US Netflix in South Africa. However, watching geo-restricted content using a VPN may lead to legal action against you. In addition, it may also result in blocking your Netflix account permanently.

However, if you use a premium VPN like ExpressVPN, you don’t need to worry about anything because all your information is safe, and your IP address is masked. As a result, you will never get caught. So, enjoy streaming US Netflix in South Africa.

Will a VPN slow down my Internet speed?

It is just a myth that VPNs slow down the internet speed. VPNs like ExpressVPN provides fast connections and servers with unlimited data, which results in streaming high-quality on Netflix with no buffering.

However, using a free VPN can slow down your internet speed.

What else can I gain from using a VPN in South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is considering legislation making it mandatory for internet users to adhere to the standards established by the Films and Publications Board. This law would effectively prohibit individuals from posting content online that is against governmental policies.

To bypass any web filtering or surveillance measures the government utilizes, individuals may use virtual private networks (VPNs) to protect their online activities.

If anyone travels abroad, access to public wifi networks may be necessary. However, those networks can get hacked quickly, and all your private stuff is up for grabs.

In addition, the people running the network can see what you’re doing online. So, a VPN is a way to go if you want to keep your personal data safe. It’ll encrypt all your data, so nobody can see what you’re browsing or your account details.

Netflix US vs. Netflix South Africa

American Netflix is often better than Netflix South Africa regarding content quality and quantity. The US Netflix content library has 1157 shows and 4593 movies. On the other hand, Netflix South Africa offers 201 shows and 446 films, which is not enough for streaming enthusiasts. The significant comparison between these two Netflix versions is given below:

What devices does Netflix support?

Here are some devices that support Netflix:

• Smart TVs
• Laptops
• Setup boxes
• Computers
• Android
• Gaming Consoles
• Firestick
• iOS
• PlayStation or Xbox
• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Blu-ray players
• Streaming Media Players

How to unblock American Netflix on iPad & iPhone

Here are a few steps which you can follow to watch Netflix on iPad & iPhone:

• Subscribe and Download any extraordinary VPN like ExpressVPN on your iOS device.
• Go through Apple’s official website and make a new US Apple id.
• Open Amazon and buy a US Apple store gift card.
• Remove your old Apple id from your iOS device and enter your new Apple id credentials.
• To redeem your Apple store gift card, you need to open your account settings, and from there, you can redeem it.
• Install the Netflix app from the Apple store.
• Make an account on Netflix and use the gift card as your payment method.
• Select a title and enjoy streaming US Netflix in South Africa.

How to stream US Netflix on Android

Here are a few steps that you can follow to watch Netflix on an Android device:

• Select any title and enjoy streaming American Netflix on Android in South Africa.
• Subscribe and Download a dependable VPN like ExpressVPN on your Android device.
• Touch the VPN app and connect your phone to the US.
• Change the location of the Google Play Store to the USA.
• Log in to the Netflix app on your device.
• Enter the login credentials if you already have a Netflix subscription.

How to watch Netflix US on Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire Stick

Here are a few steps that you can follow to watch Netflix on Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire Stick:

• Log in and Download any top-notch VPN like ExpressVPN on your Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire Stick.
• Open the VPN app and connect your device to a US server.
• Subscribe to the Netflix app from the Amazon App Store if they don’t already have it built into your Amazon Fire TV app.
• Touch the login credentials if you already have a Netflix subscription.
• Select any title and enjoy streaming American Netflix on Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire Stick in South Africa.

How to watch US Netflix on your PlayStation or Xbox

Here are a few steps that you can follow to watch Netflix on PlayStation or Xbox:

• Log in credentials if you already have a Netflix subscription.
• Download the Netflix app from the App Store.
• Subscribe and download any top-recommended VPN like ExpressVPN on your PlayStation or Xbox.
• Open the VPN app and connect your device to a US server.
• Select any title and enjoy streaming US Netflix on PlayStation or Xbox in South Africa.

Other methods to watch Netflix US in South Africa

The best way to access US Netflix in South Africa is by a top-notch VPN like ExpressVPN. However, there are a few other ways that you can use to watch Netflix US in South Africa.

How to access American Netflix in South Africa using a DNS

You can use a DNS server to watch American Netflix movies and shows in South Africa. It helps all the devices in your network use a DNS and share information.

You can use a SmartDNS proxy or DNS to make it look like your information is coming from a different country than it actually is.

DNS proxies work like VPNs, but they don’t check if your traffic is real, so they aren’t safe to use if you want to get US Netflix in South Africa.

Watching American Netflix in South Africa may be possible by using special services that can give you a different DNS address.

After getting a DNS address, follow these steps:

• Consult your VPN provider for US DNS server addresses.
• Open your device’s Network Settings.
• Type the DNS server addresses in the “Custom and Manual” section
• Start your network connection again to activate DNS settings.
• Touch the Netflix app, select a title, and stream US content in South Africa.

Use a Browser Extension for American Netflix in South Africa

You can get Netflix US in South Africa by downloading a browser extension of a top-notch VPN like ExpressVPN. However, it is for those watching Netflix on their devices through browsers. Here are a few steps to use this method:

• Open the browser and install an extension of a multi-functional VPN like ExpressVPN.
• Select the American servers and click on the ‘connect’ option.
• Open the Netflix site and enjoy streaming.

What are the best American Netflix titles to watch in South Africa

There are many quality titles available on Netflix US, but here are the best ones we found:

• Killer Sally
• From Scratch
• The Good Doctor
• Inside Man
• Big Mouth
• Love is Blind
• The Watcher
• Manifest

Conclusion

As a streaming enthusiast, if I get Netflix’s South Africa content library, I will go for the US Netflix content library because of more quality and quantity of content.

With the help of this guide, you can easily access US Netflix in South Africa or other countries. All those VPNs we discussed are qualified to unblock geo-restricted versions of Netflix without keeping your data.

Therefore, use these VPNs instead of free VPNs and enjoy streaming Netflix US in South Africa.

FAQs