10 min read · Tested on Telkom, Vodacom and MTN
Top pick: Surfshark is the best value VPN for South Africans — affordable in Rands, fast servers in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and unlimited connections.
| # | VPN | Rating | SA Servers | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surfshark | ★★★★★ | ✅ Johannesburg | ~$1.99/mo | Get Deal |
| 2 | NordVPN | ★★★★★ | ✅ Johannesburg | ~$3.09/mo | Get Deal |
| 3 | Shielder VPN | ★★★☆☆ | ✅ SA-optimised | Free / Paid | Try Free |
* Rand pricing approximate based on current USD/ZAR rate. Check provider websites for exact ZAR pricing.
South Africans use VPNs for several reasons: protecting privacy on public WiFi, accessing geo-restricted streaming content (particularly Showmax and international Netflix libraries), securing WhatsApp on public networks, and bypassing ISP throttling on streaming services.
Surfshark's Johannesburg server delivers excellent local speeds, while its international server network lets you access US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more. Unlimited simultaneous connections make it great for households.
NordVPN has multiple servers in Johannesburg and delivers the fastest speeds of any VPN we tested in South Africa. Its large server network means you'll always find a fast connection internationally too.
Get NordVPNBD Net VPN and AM Tunnel Lite are popular free options among South African users. While they work for basic use, they lack the security, speeds and privacy protections of paid VPNs. See our full reviews: BD Net VPN review and AM Tunnel Lite review.