How to Get a US IP Address in 2024, the Easy & Safe Way
Whether you’re looking to watch something on Hulu or Netflix U.S., or you just want to make your day-to-day online browsing a bit more secure, the easiest way to get an American IP address is to use a VPN that has servers in the U.S. Read this full article to learn how to get a U.S. IP address in three easy steps, plus which VPNs are the best for the job.
Written by Andrej Hadji-Vasilev (Writer)
Reviewed by Aleksandar Kochovski (Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-01-23T16:24:42+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways:
- You can get a U.S. IP address with both a proxy and a VPN, but a VPN is more secure and prevents route tracing from discovering your real IP address.
- ExpressVPN’s extensive list of locations in the U.S. and the blistering speeds make it the best VPN choice for an IP address in the U.S.
- If you prefer extra security, you could also consider NordVPN, or you could save all your money and opt for Windscribe’s free plan.
There’s a huge number of reasons why someone would want a U.S. IP address. Maybe you want to watch U.S.-exclusive content on American Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu or Max. Or maybe you’re looking to access websites that aren’t available outside the U.S. Regardless of the reasons, you need to know how to get a U.S. IP address, and this guide will show you how.
The solution you want is a VPN provider. While a proxy server might seem like a good idea at first, they’re actually not secure, and most of them won’t work with streaming services. To add to this, tracing your real IP address is a piece of cake if you’re only using a proxy. However, using a great VPN like ExpressVPN is easy and secure.
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09/07/2022
Updated Windscribe pricing: the paid plan increased to $5.75 per month from $4.08. The Build-a-Plan minimum purchase also increased to $3 from $2. Also updated Windscribe’s free data cap to 15GB due to it offering 5GB extra permanently when you tweet about the service.
Step by Step: How to Get a US IP Address
The best and most secure way to get an American IP address is to use a VPN, or virtual private network. Not only does it make websites think that you’re in the U.S., but it will also add a layer of security to everything you do, keeping your internet traffic away from the prying eyes of your internet service provider.
To show you how simple it is to use, here’s an example using ExpressVPN (other VPN services are very similar).
- Download and Install a VPN
Downloading ExpressVPN is as simple as heading to its website and downloading the app for the device or platform you’re using. It’s available for a vast variety of devices and operating systems, so just choose the one you need. Once the install wizard is downloaded, install ExpressVPN. The steps are simple, and the wizard will guide you through them.
- Choose a U.S. Server
Once you’ve installed ExpressVPN, launch it on your device. Right below the “on” button, you will find the location picker — it’s a button with three dots on the right. Click it, and use the search bar to find the USA. You’ll be presented with a list of locations for VPN servers throughout the U.S.
- Connect to Your Server of Choice
From the list, pick the location that’s most suitable for your needs. When you’ve selected the location, simply press the “on” button and give it a couple of seconds. That’s it — you should be connected to a U.S. server and have a United States IP address.
The 3 Best VPN Options to Get a US IP Address
When you’re looking at how to get a U.S. IP address, most of the VPN options out there will offer servers in various locations around the U.S. To make the most of it, you should find a VPN that has great speeds, is reliable in terms of online security and privacy, and can unblock Netflix and other popular streaming sites. Here are three VPN suggestions that do all of the aforementioned very well.
1. ExpressVPN
More details about ExpressVPN:
- Pricing: $6.67 per month, plus three months free on the yearly plan
- Provider website: www.expressvpn.com
Pros:
- The fastest VPN for American IP addresses
- Works with all streaming services
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Not the cheapest option
When it comes to speed, ExpressVPN takes the win for the fastest VPN out there. Plus, if you need an American IP address, it offers a very extensive list of server locations, with multiple data centers in the larger cities. It works very well with streaming services, too, and has unlimited data. You can find out more about it in our ExpressVPN review.
Its pricing is more expensive than other VPNs, but subscribing for a year will make it a bit better (and get you three free months). The reliable 30-day money-back guarantee is there in case you change your mind.
All things considered, if you want the fastest, most reliable way to get U.S. IP addresses, ExpressVPN is the VPN to go for. It takes the first spot, thanks to a combination of speed, features and U.S. servers.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $4.13 per month on a two-year plan
- Provider website: www.nordvpn.com
Pros
- Proprietary NordLynx protocol offers great security
- CyberSec ad blocker included
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Inconsistent speeds among locations
NordVPN’s strong suit is security, thanks to its NordLynx protocol that provides users with a double network address translation (NAT). NordVPN also has servers in multiple locations in the U.S., which makes it perfect for getting an American IP address. The included ad blocker is a neat addition, too, and you get solid speeds and unlimited bandwidth — perfect for streaming.
When it comes to the pricing, you’ll want to go for the two-year plan for the best value. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind, as well.
The robust feature set and focus on security make NordVPN a great way to get U.S. IP addresses, and the long-term commitment is worth it. If you want to find out more, check out our NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Windscribe
More details about Windscribe:
- Pricing: Free, or $5.75 per month on a yearly plan
- Provider website: www.windscribe.com
Pros:
- Free plan with 10 server locations (including the U.S.)
- A confirmed email gives you 15GB of data per month
- Tailored premium plans
Cons:
- No access to the R.O.B.E.R.T. ad blocker on the free plan
If you aren’t looking to spend any money at all, and don’t mind limited data, Windscribe is the best way to get a U.S. IP address for free. There is a generous data cap at 15GB per month if you confirm your email address and tweet about the service, and you get multiple locations in the U.S., even on the free plan. We go into more detail in our Windscribe review.
Windscribe is a free VPN, but there is also a Pro plan with a reasonable price. Or, you could build your own plan by adding servers of your choice for a $1 charge per location per month. Your data will be limited to 10GB per location each month, but you could add on unlimited data for an extra $1 per month.
Overall, even though it does have some limitations, Windscribe is the best free VPN for people who need access to a U.S. IP address, bar none.
- Up to 15 GB free with email confirmation and Tweet
- 15GB
- Unlimited
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
Honorable Mentions: Good VPNs for an American IP Address
Even though the three VPN providers above are the best for an American IP address, there is no shortage of VPNs that offer U.S. IP addresses, and there are some other VPNs that offer quite a bit of functionality but didn’t quite make the top three.
CyberGhost is a great example, but as seen in our CyberGhost review it fails to access streaming services like Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, which is why it didn’t make the cut.
Surfshark is another VPN that we like a lot, as you can tell in our Surfshark review, but the middling streaming speeds is why it’s not in our top three. Then there’s Private Internet Access, which, as you can read in our PIA review, has inconsistent speeds and doesn’t perform too well when it comes to streaming.
All the honorable mentions are part of our list of best VPNs, but when it comes to a U.S. IP address, there are better options (including free VPNs), for the reasons mentioned above.
How Can I Get a US IP Address Without a VPN?
An alternative to VPN software that you might be tempted to use is a proxy server. There are both free and paid proxy servers, but none of them are a good idea. They get you a U.S. IP, but that’s it. No kill switch, no split tunneling and don’t even get us started on things like encryption and DNS leak protection. Plus, they lack a no-logs policy, too.
If you use a proxy, any third party that can access your data stream — such as your internet service provider (ISP) — can see everything you’re doing, despite the fact that you’re using proxy servers. This also includes the streaming services you access and the websites you visit.
There’s also the fact that it’s incredibly easy for any basic tracing service to find your IP address, which is just bad for security reasons. Don’t experiment with proxy servers — instead, play it safe and go for a VPN. Even some free VPN services come with great DNS servers, a strict no-logs policy, the ability to access streaming sites and to get a U.S. IP.
Why Get an American IP Address?
Having United States IP addresses can bring lots of benefits. For Americans abroad, connecting to a U.S. IP address means you’re able to access your local content and services, such as your online U.S. bank account, 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 over 190 countries, Netflix U.S. has plenty of unique content, with a lot of shows being unavailable in other countries. 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). If you’re outside the U.S., you’ll need the best VPN for ESPN.
The Dangers of Using a USA IP Address
Now that we’ve mentioned the benefits of getting a U.S. IP address, 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 looking at you — such as the NSA — 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 the U.S. Our three recommendations are based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama and Canada, respectively, which are all countries with the best cloud privacy laws. We have a complete guide on British Virgin Islands (BVI) privacy laws.
Final Thoughts: How to Get a US IP Address
When everything is said and done, the answer to how to get a U.S. IP address is actually very simple — just opt for one of the VPNs we suggested above. Each provider will virtually move you to the U.S. within a few seconds, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
For similar articles, read our guides on how to get a Canadian IP address, how to get a Mexico IP address and how to get an Australian IP address.
Will you go for ExpressVPN’s incredible speeds and unlimited data, or do you prefer the added security of NordVPN? Or is it maybe Windscribe’s free plan that has your heart? Are there other free VPN services you prefer? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading.
FAQ
You can get a U.S. VPN by downloading any of the VPN providers that offer servers in the United States from their official websites. All you need to do is install the VPN and choose a U.S. server to connect to.
The easiest way to get an IP address anywhere in the world is to download a VPN service that has a large server network. You could also opt for a proxy service, but VPNs are a lot more secure and add a lot of privacy to your browsing.
Yes, there are currently no laws that prohibit you from getting an IP address from the United States and virtually moving your browsing session.
The best way to do this is to find a VPN provider that has servers in the specific city you need. Make sure the plan you opt for includes the servers you’re after, and just connect to the server once you’ve downloaded the VPN.