How to Get a US IP Address in 2020, the Easy & Safe Way

There are many benefits to getting a U.S. IP address, for both Americans abroad and residents of other countries. From accessing sports events to streaming services to financial accounts, getting an IP address in the U.S. can be your ticket to the land of the free — at least online — and in this article, we’ll show you how to get one.

We’ve listed three VPN options that’ll get the job done, including accessing American Netflix, but for our skimmers, your best bet is to use ExpressVPN. Once you’re connected, the U.S. internet is your oyster; you can get past annoying geoblocks and access services as if you’re actually there. Read on to find out more, but also check out our best VPN for the U.S. piece.

How to Get a US IP Address

You might not know it, but changing your IP address to a U.S. one is easy. By using a proxy service, you can be connected to an American IP address in minutes. 

However, we strongly recommend you ditch that option. Proxies have no security, which means you are left to fend for yourself in a world of cybercrime and surveillance. We’ll leave all the details to our VPN vs proxy vs Tor guide, though.

We recommend using a virtual private network instead. It’s a much safer option because you get built-in security and privacy. Plus, you benefit from all the other bundled features, too. Our best VPN list has some great options, but before you dive in, the VPN will need to have servers in the U.S. and be able to get past the Netflix proxy error to be any good.

1. ExpressVPN

We’ve chosen ExpressVPN as the best choice to get a U.S. IP address. It has servers in many different states around the country, such as New York and California, so you’re bound to find a suitable one. 

You get excellent security with ExpressVPN and the company doesn’t keep logs. It’s also easy to use and can be used on iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, with up to five simultaneous connections.

ExpressVPN comes with unlimited data and lightning-fast speeds. It can also get into any streaming service, including Netflix. All of these features help it top both our best VPN for streaming and best VPN for Netflix roundups. You can read more in our ExpressVPN review, or just take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself.

2. NordVPN

You can also use NordVPN to access American content, with over 1,800 U.S. servers to choose from. It has great security with the option to use double-hop servers for even better protection, and also comes with a no-logs policy. NordVPN is easy to use, and it’s compatible with iOS, Android, Windows and macOS. Plus, you can connect up to six devices at a time.

NordVPN’s speeds are mostly good, but you might have to switch servers to get the best performance. You get unlimited data, and it’s capable of getting into streaming services, including Netflix. Our NordVPN review has more details.

NordVPN’s longer plans make it a more affordable option than ExpressVPN, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you don’t like it.

3. CyberGhost

Last but not least, we recommend using CyberGhost. You get to choose from over 1,000 American servers, and you’ll be protected by its great security and no-logs policy while you’re connected. Its apps are easy to use and can be installed on iOS, Android, Windows and macOS. It also lets you connect up to seven devices at the same time.

CyberGhost has good speeds but, like NordVPN, there’s some inconsistency. You get unlimited bandwidth, and it’s capable of accessing streaming services because it includes dedicated streaming servers, such as for Netflix and Hulu. You can read more about those in our full CyberGhost review.

CyberGhost is an inexpensive service, especially on longer plans. It also has a free VPN trial you can use to test it. Mobile users get seven days and desktop users get 24 hours. There’s also a long money-back guarantee in place.

The Benefits of an American IP Address

Having a United States IP address can bring lots of benefits. For Americans abroad, connecting to a U.S. IP address means you’re able to access content and services, such as your U.S. bank account online as usual. 

For many non-U.S. citizens, though, it’s like opening the wardrobe doors to Narnia. There’s a ton of content and services that are only available to the United States audience.

Take Netflix as an example. Although it’s available in 190 countries, Netflix U.S. has the largest content library. Plus, the streaming service Hulu is only available in the U.S. (check out our best VPN for Hulu piece). 

If you’re a gamer, connecting to an American server could mean you’re one of the first to get access to a downloadable game. It could also grant you access to games that aren’t available outside of the good ol’ USA. 

You might also want to keep up with live sports events on ESPN, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL) or the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The Dangers of Using a USA IP Address

Now that we’ve mentioned the benefits of getting an IP address in the U.S., we should also point out any vulnerabilities, too. 

The U.S. is known for its intrusive surveillance measures, and it’s fair to say that as soon as you’re hooked up to a U.S. line, that IP address is being monitored and your sensitive information is at risk. You probably won’t even realize that it’s happening, but that’s why it’s so important to have a VPN as your virtual bodyguard. 

With that in mind, it’s also a good idea to check where the VPN service is based. If you choose a VPN that is based in the U.S., it will fall under U.S. jurisdiction. Because the country is part of the Five Eyes alliance and has other eyeballs — such as the NSA — looking at you, there’s the worry of the VPN not being totally private.

For complete peace of mind, it’s best to choose a VPN service that’s based outside of the U.S. Our recommendations are based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama and Romania, respectively, which are all countries with the best cloud privacy laws.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a U.S. citizen abroad or you just want a taste of the American internet, getting a U.S. IP address can be very beneficial. The best way to get one is by using a VPN because you’ll be under its umbrella of security and privacy, and it will also provide you with the necessary tools for getting into streaming services.

With those features in mind, as well as the need for U.S. servers, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for the job. Why not take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee? There’s nothing to lose.

Have you used a VPN to get an American IP address? If so, tell us about your experience in the comment section. As always, thank you for reading.