Best VPN for New York: How to get a New York IP address

Want to access a New York IP address from abroad or pretend to be in New York while in another state? We explain how to get a New York IP address using the best VPNs in the business.

When you're traveling outside of New York, you may encounter limitations in accessing certain New York-based online services and content. If so, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the best solution to the problem.

Whether you want to stream US TV networks or platforms like Hulu and Netflix, play on American game servers, use your internet banking abroad, or log into gambling services that are restricted in other US states, a New York IP address can be a huge lifeline. 

In this guide, we will explain how to pretend to be in New York no matter where you travel. Not all VPN providers offer servers in New York, so we've identified the top VPN services that let you get a New York IP address securely. 

Our recommendations provide watertight online privacy, to let you access American internet services without being tracked by ISPs, local networks, government entities, or hackers.

Best VPNs to get a New York IP address:

1. NordVPN: Best VPN with New York IPs. NordVPN lets you pick an IP address in 60+ countries, including IPs in New York and 15+ other US states. Robust security and a strict no-logs policy. Advanced features like split tunneling and Tor over VPN for enhanced privacy. Super-fast Lightway protocol for streaming and gaming. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Budget-friendly option. An affordable VPN with servers across the US, including New York. Unlimited device connections let you share your account with friends and family. Ad blocking and malware filtering to enhance your online security. Super-fast WireGuard protocol for streaming Netflix US or other US platforms.
3. ExpressVPN: Excellent all-rounder. Servers in 105+ countries, including the US and New York. User-friendly apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Seamless compatibility with popular streaming platforms. ExpressVPN makes it easy to securely access New York content from anywhere. 24/7 live chat support.
4. CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly VPN for New York. Has an extensive network including 1,300+ servers located in 11+ US states, such as New York. Access to US streaming platforms from abroad. Ad and tracker blocking is built in for added protection.
5. ProtonVPN: Highly advanced and secure. No-logs service with US servers, including New York. Secure Core servers add an extra layer of privacy to your connection. With advanced features such as port forwarding and split tunneling, ProtonVPN caters to users with advanced requirements. Comes with a basic free plan with US IPs (but not necessarily in New York).
6. PrivateVPN: Servers in 63+ countries, including the US. Ideal for watching popular streaming services like Hulu, HBO Max, ESPN, and Netflix from abroad. Has port forwarding, making it a fantastic choice for torrenting if you are on a budget. Solid no-logs policy and strong AES encryption. Secure connections. 

Summary Table

To find reliable VPNs for New York, we checked that each service has the following important features:

• Secure servers in New York that provide a local IP address there
• Apps for all popular platforms (Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS)
• Works to watch US streaming services and local New York TV networks
• Robust security to keep your browsing habits and personal data private
• A no-logs policy that ensures the VPN never tracks your web visits or data
• Reliable customer support 
• Strong security features, a no logs policy, and decent value for money
• Has servers all over the world to give you freedom of access, offering unlimited bandwidth 

In addition, our top three choices must have:

• Third-party audits. Our top three recommended VPNs have undergone comprehensive third-party audits. These audits check their privacy policies, network infrastructure, and applications. This ensures that the VPN services are living up to their claims to provide reliable online security free of potential vulnerabilities. For example, it won't leak your real IP address. 
• Diskless servers. Our top three recommendations all employ diskless servers that operate on RAM. This approach ensures that data stored on these servers is in a constant state of flux and that they can be wiped instantly in an emergency to delete all data. 

If you want to know more about how we test and recommend VPNs, you can check out our VPN testing methodology. Below, you’ll find detailed summaries about each of our recommended VPNs to get an IP address in New York.

The best VPNs with a New York IP

NordVPN is our favorite VPN to get a New York IP address. It's lightning-fast for seamless streaming, and its robust encryption ensures secure access to US services, whether at home, at work, abroad, or on public WiFi. It has a reliable no-logs policy, so it never retains records of what you do while connected.

NordVPN offers easy-to-use apps for various platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firesticks. These apps come loaded with advanced features like DNS leak protection, a kill switch, obfuscated servers, split tunneling, ad blocking, and tracker prevention. 

With 6,000+ servers in 60+ countries, NordVPN ensures smooth performance and speedy connections. Torrenting is allowed, and it accesses plenty of American services like Netflix US, Hulu, and HBO. The New York server is perfect for accessing local New York TV broadcasts while visiting other US states. The same goes for international alternatives like BBC iPlayer. 

24/7 live chat support is available, and it offers a free Smart DNS service to access US platforms on devices that won't let you install a VPN directly. Plus, NordVPN provides a Meshnet feature for remote linking to your home computer via the VPN. You can test it risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST VPN FOR NEW YORK: NordVPN is the best VPN to get a New York IP. It works with popular US streaming services and state-level TV broadcasts to access blackout games and other platforms. Fast and reliable speeds for gaming on New York-based game servers. Solid security features and a no-logging policy. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark is the best budget-friendly VPN to get a New York IP address. Starting at just $2.49 per month, you can share your account with multiple users, making it suitable for your whole family to get privacy at home, work, and on public WiFi.

With over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, Surfshark offers reliable access to region-locked TV services around the world. These include US services like ABC, Fox, ESPN, Hulu, HBO Max, and Netflix. Its New York IPs work to watch NBC New York, CBS 2 New York, ABC7 New York, or FOX 5 New York.

Surfshark ensures excellent speeds for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and video calls, thanks to its WireGuard protocol. Alternatively, you can opt for OpenVPN with trusted AES-256 encryption for added protection. A no-logs policy means that everything you do online stays completely private.

User-friendly apps cover all popular devices, including a full GUI app for Linux. These apps come with essential features like DNS leak protection, a kill switch, obfuscation, malware filtering, and ad blocking. A unique no-borders mode bypasses VPN restrictions while visiting countries like China or the UAE.

24/7 live chat support lets you ask questions at any time of day, and you can compare it to any of our other recommendations using its 30-day money-back guarantee. 

BEST BUDGET OPTION: Surfshark lets you get an IP address in New York, and many other cities and states in the US. Works to access US streaming platforms from abroad. Easy to use, fast, and excellent value for money. Allows unlimited connections. No logging policy and strong encryption. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support to help newcomers.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is a highly reputable VPN based in the British Virgin Islands. It is a fast service with servers in 105+ countries, including a choice of servers in New York, and 17+ other US cities. 

The service offers user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. These apps include a kill switch, default obfuscation (using OpenVPN UDP), DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and various protocol choices. ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol ensures superb speeds for streaming and gaming. It comes bundled with a free Smart DNS service called MediaStreamer for accessing US streaming platforms on devices that won't let you install a VPN directly.

ExpressVPN has a no-logs policy, ensuring your IP address and online activities remain private at all times. Robust encryption keeps your data secure and prevents anyone from tracking your activities online.

The biggest drawback is that ExpressVPN is slightly pricier than other options. But it offers exceptional reliability, high speeds, and access to numerous Netflix regions, Hulu, iPlayer, and various international services. You can test it with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

LONG ESTABLISHED: ExpressVPN is a highly trusted and fully audited VPN with diskless servers. Implements a strong kill switch, reliable encryption, and obfuscation for OpenVPN. Has a network of diskless servers in 105+ countries, including the US. Fast Lightway protocol is perfect for streaming and torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost VPN is a highly reliable VPN that is headquartered in Romania, a location that benefits from its lack of mandatory data retention laws and intrusive intelligence agencies. The VPN enforces a trusted no-logs policy and robust encryption to bypass restrictions and use the internet privately whether at work, at home, or using public WiFi.

CyberGhost has 10,000+ servers across 100+ countries, including servers right across the US and New York. The fast WireGuard protocol is suitable for streaming, gaming, and video calls.

User-friendly desktop and mobile apps cover all major platforms, and you can use the VPN on up to seven devices simultaneously. The apps are beginner-friendly, making it easy to access privacy features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection.

Considering its affordability, CyberGhost offers superb privacy and accessibility to popular services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video, ESPN, and others. It offers IP addresses all over the world. Live chat support is available 24/7.

OVER 10,000 SERVERS: CyberGhost has more servers than any other VPN on this list. It is fast, reliable, and very easy for beginners to use. Works to stream many popular streaming services, including Netflix. Provides robust privacy and helps prevent hacking on public WiFi. 45-day money-back guarantee to try it yourself.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

Proton VPN is based in Switzerland and was developed by the creators of ProtonMail, a highly trusted service with a great reputation. The VPN benefits from Switzerland's strong privacy laws. It has a robust no-logs policy, reliable encryption, and secure apps that come packed with advanced features.

Proton VPN can easily be installed on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Those apps come with a kill switch, obfuscation, Tor over VPN, MultiHop connections, and self-owned Secure Core servers for added privacy. You can connect to servers in 71+ countries, including plenty of servers in New York and other US states. You can even get a US IP address for free using its basic free plan.

The WireGuard protocol gives you blazing-fast speeds for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. The port forwarding feature makes it an excellent option for seeding torrents. It works with most US streaming services, but not all. We recommend you test it with any geo-restricted content using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

MANY ADVANCED FEATURES: ProtonVPN is a trustworthy VPN based in Switzerland. Advanced apps have many useful features suitable for techy users who want to torrent. Works with Netflix US but not all streaming services. Decent speeds and fantastic privacy protections no matter where you connect. 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of ProtonVPN.

PrivateVPN is a Swedish VPN service that is true to its name. The VPN was developed by hacktivists who support consumer privacy rights, and the right to share information freely.  With servers in over 63 countries, including New York and other cities, PrivateVPN makes it easy to get a New York IP address from anywhere in the world. It works to access Hulu, Netflix, ESPN, NBC, CBS, and most other US services. 

Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, PrivateVPN's apps feature reliable safeguards like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation (stealth), and AES encryption. It is the cheapest option for seeding torrents thanks to its port forwarding feature.

PrivateVPN's strict no-logs policy means it never retains any records of your online activities. It boasts a wholly-owned server network that is under its complete control, unlike most VPNs that rent out servers from third parties.

Admittedly, PrivateVPN isn’t the fastest option on this list. In our tests, however, it streamed HD Netflix videos without buffering. You can test it yourself using its risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. It allows up to 10 connections with a single account.

STRONG ALL-ROUNDER: PrivateVPN has servers located in 63+ countries. It can get you an IP address in New York and is a solid option for streaming. Easy to use and comes with port forwarding for torrenting. Allows 10 simultaneous connections and you can test it thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

New York IP VPN testing methodology

In a world of online surveillance, hacking, and a constant threat to your online privacy, VPNs are the best shield against tracking. However, many VPNs lack important security features and servers where you need them to get a New York IP.

At Bleeping Computer, we use a carefully crafted VPN testing methodology to find services that offer reliable protection for your data. You can use these VPNs to stop ISPs, local networks, and government agencies from monitoring everything you do online. 

Our rigorous evaluation process includes thorough performance tests, checking under the hood to ensure the encryption is rock solid, and checking that the apps and network are working without leaks – to guarantee your protection at all times. 

Below, we have included some of the main criteria we used to pick the best VPNs with a New York IP address.

• Servers in New York:  Our recommendations work to get a valid New York IP address from anywhere in the world to access US streaming services, game servers, or anything else that takes your fancy. 
• Fast tier-1 network: This ensures that the VPN will keep your internet running at optimal speeds for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and making video calls privately. Slow speeds will have an impact on any internet activity. 
• No logging policy: These VPNs don't keep any records of what you do while connected, and ensure that everything you do online stays private now and in the future.
• Feature-rich apps: We only recommend VPNs with a kill switch, obfuscation, MultiHop, split tunneling, and other useful security and privacy features.
• Compatibility with US streaming platforms: You can connect to servers in the US to watch Netflix and other platforms on vacation.
• Value for money: Many inferior VPNs are expensive, which makes it hard to get a reliable service. We recommend trustworthy VPNs that are secure and offer decent value for money.
• Strong encryption: We test the VPNs for leaks and check that the encryption works to properly protect your data against surveillance no matter where you use the internet.
• Third-party audits and diskless servers: Our top three choices have all been audited and have diskless servers that can be erased remotely. 

How to get a New York IP address with a VPN

If you are new to VPNs you may find them a little confusing. The good news is that they are extremely easy to learn, set up, and use. To help you out, we have provided a step-by-step guide that explains how to get a New York IP address from anywhere in the world:

1. Choose a reliable VPN: Start by selecting a trustworthy VPN from this list. We recommend NordVPN because it is fast, reliable, and has New York IPs that work with all popular US platforms. Alternatively, Surfshark is also perfect for the job and is an absolute bargain.
2. Subscribe to the VPN: Sign up for the chosen VPN service and complete the subscription process. Many providers offer a range of subscription plans to suit your needs, subscribing for longer will save you a lot in the long run. Check out our list of the best VPNs for USA to find out more.
3. Download and install the VPN app: Download the VPN app for your device. Our recommendations have apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Firestick, and even Linux.
4. Log in to your VPN account: Open the VPN app, and log in using your credentials.
5. Select a New York server: Within the VPN app, locate and select a server located in New York. Connecting to this server will get you a valid IP address in New York.
6. Browse and stream: You can now freely browse the internet, access New York-based websites, stream content exclusive to the region, and use the internet as if you were physically in New York.

As soon as your VPN connects to the server in New York, you appear to be physically located in that specific US state. This allows you to use any online services that are restricted to users there. Bear in mind that cookies in your browser can sometimes give away your real location. So, if you have any issues using your New York IP, clear the cookies and cache in your browser to refresh everything.

New York IP address FAQs

Can I get an IP address in New York using a free VPN?

No. Free VPNs do not allow you to pick a state-level or city-level server location. While free VPNs like ProtonVPN or AtlasVPN can get an IP address in a specific country (such as the US), you can’t specifically select a server in New York.

Free VPN plans from trustworthy VPNs have limited server options. Proton VPN for example, only provides free servers in the US, Japan, and Holland. This limits your options compared to a premium account, which lets you select not only servers in 60+ countries – but also specific cities within those countries – such as a server in New York.

Free VPNs limit what you can do on their free servers. For example, Proton VPN will not allow you to stream Netflix using the free US server. You will need to get a paid account to access popular streaming services on vacation.

Free VPNs enforce these limitations for two reasons. Firstly, they want to encourage people to upgrade to a paid plan. Secondly, the provider wants to avoid network congestion by limiting bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming and torrenting.

Dozens of risky free VPNs are available in app stores. Many of these track users and sell data to third parties. This is the opposite of what a reliable VPN is supposed to do. Besides this tracking, free VPNs are known to lack encryption, hide spyware in their apps, and suffer from vulnerabilities. Stick to our recommended free VPNs, and avoid the rest.

Can I improve my internet speeds in New York with a VPN? 

If you live in New York and are suffering from bandwidth throttling, then connecting to a VPN server in your own city or state can prevent ISP throttling. However, this will only work if a specific activity or service is being throttled, and not your entire connection. For example, if your ISP is throttling torrenting or Netflix, then a VPN can help. If you’ve hit your monthly data cap and the entire internet is being throttled, then a VPN won’t help.

When you route to a server in your city, the VPN can route your traffic as quickly as possible, which not only helps to bypass throttling but keeps your internet running at the highest speed available. 

Another benefit of using a local IP address in New York is that it will not alter how your internet behaves. You still appear to be in New York, which causes Google search results to provide you with tailored results that apply to your actual location. 

Why use a VPN in New York City?

Using a VPN in New York City has several practical advantages. First, some content is exclusive to New York, such as gambling sites, live sports, and online banking services. These require a New York IP address to access them when you travel, or if you want to gain privacy when accessing local services.

If you’re suffering from ISP throttling, then connecting to a server in proximity to your physical location ensures you get the fastest speeds available while concealing your online activities from your ISP.

Finally, we recommend using a VPN to gain online privacy. The US government is known to engage in high levels of surveillance and to share data with other countries via the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. Using a VPN in New York assigns you a local NY IP address, while also preventing local networks, ISPs, and governments from tracking your online activities.

Can I watch New York sports teams and streams with a VPN?

Yes. By connecting to an IP address in New York, you will be able to access local TV broadcasts, which increases the likelihood of you being able to stream local sports competitions and teams. A VPN can help you watch games from the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Giants. 

Blackouts can prevent you from streaming local sports games. A VPN can help you with those, too. Just connect to VPN servers in neighboring states where the games aren’t blacked out.

Which VPNs have servers in New York?

The vast majority of market-leading VPNs have servers in New York. Although this means you can pick from a wide choice of VPNs, it also makes it easier to subscribe to an inferior service. 

Many VPNs have lackluster apps, slow networks, and a lack of well-implemented security. Others provide an inferior service at an inflated cost. The VPNs in this guide are secure, fast, reliable, and provide their service at a reasonable cost.

Is using a VPN legal in New York?

Yes. Many businesses and individuals use VPNs to gain online privacy in the US. Subscribing to and using a VPN is not illegal in New York or any other US state. That said, it is important to note that using a VPN to engage in online harm or to attempt to conceal crimes is still illegal. You should never use a VPN to attempt to conceal criminal activities, and doing so can still lead to repercussions. 

Please note that we never condone the use of VPNs for criminal activities, and you always use a VPN at your own risk. Please do your own research to understand local laws, and remember that nothing in this guide should be taken as legal advice because we are not attorneys.