The Best Countries for VPN Server Locations in 2024

Choosing the right VPN server location can change how you browse the web. You might want to watch a show on Netflix but it’s not available in your country. Or, you might need fast speeds for downloading files.

In our article, we discussed how to pick the best VPN location for your needs. Here’s what you need to know:

Best VPN Server Locations to Connect:

• Best VPN location for privacy – Switzerland, Iceland, Romania, Panama.
• Best VPN location for torrenting – Switzerland, Spain, Romania, Mexico. 
• Best VPN location for streaming – the US, the UK, Germany, Canada, Japan. 
• Best VPN location for fast speeds – the nearest server location.
• Best VPN location for gaming with low ping – the nearest server location

Does the Location Matter When You Connect to a VPN Server?

Yes, the location of the VPN server you connect to can influence your browsing experience. Every country has different streaming libraries, data privacy laws, and data protection legislation.

Here’s why the server location you connect to matters:

It Unblocks Streaming Libraries

Want to watch a popular movie not streaming in your country? Don’t connect to a VPN server in Sudan or Georgia. These countries have the smallest Netflix libraries, so finding your favorite movies is unlikely.

But, some regions are great for unblocking Netflix content. Connecting to a VPN server from the US, UK, or Germany usually works well.

It Offers Better Internet Speeds

Connecting to a nearby VPN server means faster internet speeds. This is good for watching videos without buffering and playing online games smoothly.

Connecting to a distant VPN server can slow down web pages. This is because data takes longer to reach web servers from your device.

It Bypasses Online Censorship

Some countries block access to certain social media platforms or websites. For example, you can’t watch Netflix if you connect to a Chinese VPN server.

How to Choose the Best VPN Server Location

Here’s how to choose the best VPN server location based on what you need most:

• For streaming — the server in a country where your favorite movie is available
• For fast speeds — the nearest server. Use the VPN’s quick-connect feature to find the closest server.
• For gaming — a nearby server for fast speeds. Or a server in the same country as the gaming server to lower your ping.
• For torrenting — any server that supports P2P traffic.
• For bypassing censorship — any server in a country that doesn’t censor the internet.
• For privacy — any server since, with top VPNs, all servers use military-grade encryption so the traffic is encrypted.

Which Country Is the Best for VPN Headquarters

The best countries for VPN headquarters are those that don’t regulate personal data collection. Most are offshore jurisdictions outside the US. They have laws that protect consumers and support regular internet users. This makes it easy for VPN companies to follow their no-logs policies.

Here are the best countries for VPNs to be based in:

1. Panama: NordVPN’s headquarters  
2. The British Virgin Islands: ExpressVPN and Surfshark’s headquarters
3. Switzerland: VyperVPN’s headquarters 
4. Sweden: PrivateVPN’s headquarters
5. Romania: CyberGhost VPN’s headquarters 

1. Panama

VPNs based in this country	NordVPN
Member of the 14 Eyes Alliance	No
Internet freedom score	83 / 100

Panama doesn’t have data retention laws. This means VPN companies can promise a zero-logs policy. NordVPN is a well-known VPN provider based in Panama. It has been audited twice and proven to keep no logs.

2. The British Virgin Islands

VPNs based in this country	ExpressVPN, Surfshark
Member of the 14 Eyes Alliance	No
Internet freedom score	N/A

The British Virgin Islands have laws that let VPNs not log personal data. ExpressVPN and Surfshark are two VPNs there, both with strict no-logs policies.

ExpressVPNs’s no-logs policy has been checked by independent auditors. You can find the audit results online for anyone to see.

Surfshark’s no-logs policy has not been audited yet. But, they have checked their browser extensions and server setup.

3. Switzerland

VPNs based in this country	Perfect Privacy, VyprVPN
Member of the 14 Eyes Alliance	No
Internet freedom score	96 / 100

Switzerland has some of the toughest internet user data laws. It requires any data collection to inform the person first. This makes it a safe place to run a VPN.

Because of these strict privacy laws, it’s a great spot for VPNs. VyprVPN and Perfect Privacy VPN are two big names here.

4. Sweden

VPNs based in this country	PrivateVPN
Member of the 14 Eyes Alliance	Yes
Internet freedom score	100 / 100

Sweden is a country in the European Union with strict data retention laws.

But these laws only cover ISPs. This means VPNs in Sweden, like PrivateVPN, don’t have to keep logs or share user data with the government. 

5. Romania

VPNs based in this country	CyberGhost VPN
Member of the 14 Eyes Alliance	No
Internet freedom score	83 / 100

What Is the Optimal Location for a VPN?

A VPN’s best spot is the server nearest to you. This choice is based on a few things:

• Your location and distance
• The server with the fastest speeds
• The least crowded server and server load

Most times, the best spot is a server in the same country but a different city. The algorithm might also connect you to a server in a nearby country.

How Can You Choose the Best VPN Server Location?

Choosing the right VPN server location depends on what you need. Ask yourself what you want to do:

• Unblock geo-restricted content
• Browse the web without getting tracked
• Play games with low ping

The location you pick might change based on your needs.

How to Pick the Best VPN Server for Unblocking Content

To unblock a specific show or movie, you need to connect to a VPN server in the same country where that title is available. For example, if you want to unblock a US-only title on Netflix, you need to connect to a US VPN server.

What Is the Best VPN Location for Fast Speeds?

The speed of a VPN depends on two things: distance to the server and server load. If the server is far, it can slow down your internet. This is more noticeable in countries with slow internet, like India.

Server load means how much internet traffic it handles. It’s busier during rush hours.

The best server for speed is usually the closest one to you. This means connecting to a server in the same country or a nearby one.

Some VPNs show server ping or load. For example, Private Internet Access shows server ping. ProtonVPN and NordVPN show server load. If you can see these metrics, choose a server with low ping or load for faster speeds.

What Is the Best VPN Location for Privacy and Security?

VPN providers keep your data safe, no matter where you are. Top VPNs have strong encryption, a kill switch, and no-logs policy. They also have leak protection to prevent spying on your data. Some even offer extra security features like RAM-only servers or perfect forward secrecy.

The country where the VPN company is based also matters. Some countries require data collection, which can compromise your privacy. VPN providers might struggle to keep a no-logs policy due to these laws.

It’s best to choose a VPN with headquarters in countries with strong data protection laws, like Panama or the British Virgin Islands. But, this isn’t always possible.

For example, Private Internet Access is based in the US, a country that stores user data and is also part of the 14 eyes Alliance. Despite this, all of PIA’s apps are open-source. This means anyone can check the code for security issues. Their no-logs policy has been proven true in court many times.

What Is the Best VPN Server Location for Torrenting?

The best VPN server for torrenting is the one that allows P2P traffic. Usually, VPN providers mark their P2P servers, so they’re visible. If you can’t find these servers, just contact the support reps. They’ll give you a list of servers that support P2P traffic.

In addition, pick a P2P server that’s close to you for fast speeds. For better privacy, use a P2P server in a torrenting-friendly country like Switzerland or Romania.

Which VPN Providers Have the Most VPN Servers?

Here’s a list of VPN providers with the largest server networks:

• CyberGhost VPN — 7,000+ servers in 90+ countries
• PureVPN — 6,500+ servers in 90+ countries
• NordVPN — 5,500+ servers in 55+ countries
• Surfshark — 3,200+ servers in 90+ countries
• AtlasVPN — 700+ servers in 40+ countries

What Countries Should Use a VPN the Most?

Restrictive countries have a low net neutrality score and block tons of sites. If you’re traveling to China, Russia, Iran, or Vietnam, you won’t be able to stream certain content or use your favorite social media platforms. To bypass government censorship, you’ll have to use a VPN.

A VPN will change your IP address with a new one from another country. This new IP won’t have firewall restrictions. So, you can browse the internet and talk with your friends on social media even when you’re traveling to restrictive countries. You’ll also enjoy better security and privacy.

Should You Use a VPN Server Located in Your Own Country?

Yes, connecting to a VPN server located in your country is a great idea if you want fast speeds. Plus, using a server in your country is just as secure as in any other country. That’s because the VPN will encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address so no one can see what you’re doing online.

But, if your goal is to unblock a certain streaming show that’s not available in your country, you’ll need to connect to a VPN server in a country where that show is streaming.

Also, you should avoid using a server in your country if you live in a restrictive country. If you do that, your access to the web will still be censored. To circumvent government censorship, you need to use a server in a country that doesn’t restrict internet access.

Conclusion

Choosing the best VPN server is a matter of preferences and needs. If you want to watch geo-restricted content or bypass government censorship, you’ll have to connect to a server from a different country. If you want to have fast download speeds when you’re torrenting or gaming online, the nearest VPN server is the best choice.

Some countries have a high internet freedom score. The best VPN providers often come from places with strong data privacy laws. These include Panama, The British Virgin Islands, Romania, Iceland, and Switzerland.

These countries have laws that protect your online data. This means VPNs can’t be forced to log your personal info. They won’t share it with the government or your ISP.

But, it’s important to know that top VPN providers offer strong security. They encrypt your traffic, no matter the server you choose. This keeps your online privacy safe.

We’d love to hear about your favorite VPN server locations. Please share in the comments.