VPN services vary across providers in terms of the number of servers and locations available. Some VPNs offer large and diverse server networks, whereas others only a few servers and locations.
Besides the maximum number available with a certain VPN provider, subscription plans can also limit the number of locations and servers a subscriber has access to.
For example, free plans offer fewer servers, server locations, and countries. On the other hand, premium plans from top providers let you have access to their entire global network of servers.
As a result, if you want to get over limitations, you should opt for a premium plan from a reliable VPN service. This will allow you to connect to the fastest servers in the best VPN server locations.
More servers in multiple locations across different countries also mean faster connection speeds, as users will have more options to connect instead of crowding a few servers – which leads to a high server load.
In addition, having access to many servers all over the world means that you’ll be far more successful at bypassing geo-blocking, no matter what your current location is.
To make things easier for you, we created a list of 6 fast VPNs with the largest server networks available. We tested these products, and the results were incredible, both for speeds and unblocking potential.
Moreover, here you’ll also find information on how to choose the fastest and most secure servers in the best VPN server locations, regardless of whether you want to secure your devices while surfing, unblock and stream your favorite content, or play online games with your friends.
Which country server is best for VPN?
The best location for VPN depends on what you want to achieve. If you want to bypass geo-blocks, pick a VPN server from a country where the specific page you want to access is available.
You must also consider the privacy policies of each countries. There are places where the Internet is highly regulated and VPN companies are forced to log some user data (such as India).
The VPNs we recommend generally don’t have servers in those locations so they don’t have to give away any user data.
Which is the fastest VPN server in the world?
If you want Internet speed, we recommend you connect to a VPN locserver that’s located closer to your actual location.
The fastest VPN in the world that would work great for anybody, regardless of where they connect cannot really exist.
However, there are some locations that rank higher than others, thanks to the good Internet speeds in the respective countries:
- United States
- UK
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- South Korea
Distance and tunneling affect Internet speed, so it’s very much dependent on your location and what type of online activity you engage in.
Which VPN provides the fastest speed?
The best VPN for speed is a VPN that offers access to servers around the world so anybody can find a suitable location for their specific configuration.
Based on our experience, ExpressVPN is the best for high speed and online security. The VPN developed its own protocol, Lighway which is a modern protocol built around the wolfSSL cryptographic library.
It keeps a secure connection whilst offering great connection speed. It’s a great protocol for gaming, streaming, and other network-taxing activities.
What are the fastest VPNs with the largest server networks?
1. ExpressVPN – very fast and reliable
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands – the same location as Surfshark. This is excellent for privacy, as the country neither has data retention laws nor is it a member of the 5 Eyes or 14 Eyes signal alliances.
The company operating ExpressVPN was recently acquired by Kape Technologies, which also owns other VPNs that are already a household name in the VPN industry, including Private Internet Access (PIA), CyberGhost VPN, and Zenmate VPN.
When you look at the best overall VPNs on the market based on reviews and customer satisfaction, you’ll notice that ExpressVPN is always at the top, and for good reason.
The service has been around for quite some time now, has more than 3 million active users all over the world, and provides top-notch performance, which makes it a reliable and effective VPN option for many.
ExpressVPN has a very easy-to-use interface and includes native VPN apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire (Kindle Fire), and Chromebook, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Other supported devices include Apple TV (DNS setup), Android TV (app), Samsung Smart TV & LG Smart TV (MediaStreamer), Amazon Fire TV & Fire TV Stick (app), Nvidia Shield TV (Android APK file), as well as Roku and Chromecast (VPN router, virtual router, or mirror to TV).
Also, if you want to use it with your gaming consoles, you can do so on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch using MediaStreamer or a VPN-enabled router. Additionally, ExpressVPN offers apps and comprehensive setup guides for some supported routers.
ExpressVPN comes with a very large and diverse server network of 3,000+ servers in 160 locations across 94 countries. As such, you can rest assured that it won’t be hard at all for you to find the best VPN server locations and connect to the fastest servers there.
This VPN has proven to have strong anti-geoblocking capabilities and works seamlessly with most streaming platforms, many of which perfected their technology to detect and block VPN use.
No matter If you want to access geo-blocked content, surf anonymously and privately, protect your devices on public Wi-Fi, prevent bandwidth throttling, do online banking transactions, or get cheaper online deals, ExpressVPN is the go-to solution in each case.
ExpressVPN ensures your online privacy and protection using the AES with 256-bit keys (AES-256-GCM) encryption algorithm from the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
This is the most secure form of encryption currently available, and no hacker or threat actor stands a chance against it, not even by resorting to brute-force attacks.
The VPN protocols ExpressVPN uses are Lightway (UDP & TCP), OpenVPN (UDP & TCP), IKEv2, and, L2TP/IPSec. Lightway is its proprietary protocol and also the recommended one, being faster, more secure, and more reliable.
On top of that, ExpressVPN also provides other features, such as Network Lock, Split tunneling, TrustedServer technology, Speed Test (Windows & Mac), Private DNS on every server, MediaStreamer (SmartDns), and P2P support.
Network Lock is the name ExpressVPN uses for its kill switch, which works by stopping all Internet traffic going into and out of your device in case the VPN connection drops. Thus, it will prevent data leaks by keeping your sensitive info from prying eyes.
With Split tunneling, ExpressVPN lets you decide which apps will go through the VPN and which ones will have direct access to the open network. This way, you can access both geo-blocked sites and services with a VPN-assigned IP, as well as local content with your original ISP-assigned IP.
The TrustedServer technology increases security by reducing the risks of your data getting into hackers’ hands, who may seize the VPN server. More specifically, ExpressVPN servers run entirely on volatile memory (RAM), instead of hard drives. So, every time a VPN server powers off, it will wipe out all information.
Other ExpressVPN features:
- No activity and connection logs
- Allows 5 simulataneous device connections
- Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 help via email and live chat
ExpressVPN is a high-performing service that offers the best VPN server locations out there. But, when you combine that with strong security and privacy, as well as effective anti-geoblocking features, then this VPN is everything you need for a seamless online experience.
ExpressVPN
If you want a well-rounded VPN service with an impressive reputation that excels in terms of server availability, speed, and security, give ExpressVPN a shot.2. NordVPN – advanced obfuscation mode
NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN service from Nord Security – a company that offers solutions in the areas of digital privacy and security.
The fact that NordVPN has its headquarters in Panama and operates under that jurisdiction is very important for the privacy-focused since the country neither has any data retention laws nor does it take part in any intelligence-sharing alliances.
More than 14 million users worldwide trust NordVPN and it has become a powerful brand on the VPN market, frequently ranking at the top VPN based on its overall performance.
The service provides native VPN apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire, and Amazon Fire TV Stick, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Additionally, NordVPN also supports router configuration so that you may use it with other devices too, such as smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Among the things that primarily distinguish this VPN from others are its lightning-fast connection speeds. In fact, when you use NordVPN, you’ll not even notice the speed decrease.
If you want to connect to the best VPN server locations, NordVPN is all you need, as it offers 5,200+ ultra-fast servers distributed across multiple locations in 60 countries.
To make it easier for you to connect to the fastest servers when high connection speeds are necessary, such as for streaming or gaming, NordVPN gives you the option to connect to the fastest VPN server in each available location.
Consequently, whether you want to browse anonymously, privately, and safely at home or on public Wi-Fi, prevent bandwidth throttling, or get around geoblocking, NordVPN will take care of everything. All you need to do is connect to the right server in the appropriate location.
By masking your IP and encrypting your entire traffic, NordVPN ensures full anonymity, protection, and location spoofing. As a result, you’ll manage to access region-blocked content regardless of your actual location while also staying away from hackers and prying eyes.
In order to reroute and secure your traffic, NordVPN uses the industry-standard AES with 256-bit keys military-grade encryption, together with the OpenVPN (UDP & TCP), IKEv2/IPsec (Mac & iOS), and NordLynx VPN protocols.
These protocols are highly secure and fast. NordLynx is NordVPN’s proprietary VPN protocol, built around the newer WireGuard. Its main goal is to improve speed, privacy, and security.
NordVPN also offers other important privacy, security, and anti-censorship features. These include Kill Switch, Split tunneling, Dark web monitor, CyberSec (ad and malware blocker), Obfuscated servers, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Private DNS, Smart DNS, Dedicated IP, and P2P support.
The Kill Switch protects your device from data leaks when unexpected connectivity issues occur. It has two options: Internet Kill Switch and App Kill Switch. The first one disables all Internet when you’re not using the VPN, while the second only applies to certain apps you specifically add.
Obfuscated servers, also known as obfuscation, are a very unique feature that conceals VPN use from your ISP by disguising VPN traffic as regular Internet traffic.
This is especially useful if you want to circumvent VPN blocks and censorship in heavily-restricted areas or countries, such as China, Russia, Turkey, or the UAE.
Double VPN, also known as multi-hop, adds an extra layer of privacy and security by rerouting your traffic via two VPN servers instead of one, thus providing double encryption.
Other NordVPN features:
- Strict no-logs policy
- Connect up to 6 devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 live chat and email customer service
If you’re tired of annoying geo-restrictions or are concerned about your digital privacy and security, try NordVPN to connect to the best VPN server locations this top service offers.
NordVPN
Not only is NordVPN one of the fastest and safest VPNs on the market, but it also offers a very large network of servers across many locations globally.3. Private Internet Access – best for US
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of our top recommendations on the list since it tops the VPN market in terms of servers, server locations, and countries combined.
With 29,650 VPN servers in various locations across 84 countries, PIA has by far more servers available than any other VPN competitor in the industry.
Since PIA offers so many servers, this will significantly help reduce server load. In other words, these servers will be less crowded, as users will have far more options to choose from than with other VPN providers, thus enjoying faster VPN server speeds.
Therefore, with Private Internet Access, you can connect to the best VPN server locations worldwide with just a few clicks, no matter if you want to bypass geo-blocking, browse anonymously and privately, or secure your traffic from any third-party interference.
Moreover, if you want to watch Netflix, Hulu, Pluto TV, or others, outside the US, you can connect to the PIA streaming-optimized US servers, and you’ll manage to unblock geo-restricted content from these services in no time.
PIA supports all major platforms, providing user-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
You can also set it up on your Wi-Fi router so all the connected devices will use the VPN as well, or you can use its Smart DNS feature on your smart TV or console if all you want is to access geo-blocked content without encrypting your data.
Private Internet Access takes care of your online privacy and security with the most advanced encryption standard currently available: AES-128-GCM or AES-256-GCM, combined with the OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols, the second being newer, faster, and hyper-efficient.
With all this powerful security and privacy in place, you can rest assured that your online activity and sensitive information will be continuously protected. That is to say, when you connect to a PIA server, ISP monitoring, tracking, surveillance, and cyberattacks will all remain a thing of the past.
PIA is very feature-rich and provides plenty of unique features, such as Kill switch, PIA MACE, Split Tunnel, Multi-Hop and Obfuscation, Connection automation, Port forwarding, PIA DNS, Smart DNS, Dedicated IP, and P2P support.
The kill switch feature has two options: VPN Kill Switch and Advanced Kill Switch. They add extra security and prevent DNS leaks by blocking traffic when the VPN connection drops.
When enabled, the former stops traffic only when the VPN is turned on, whereas the latter blocks all Internet access even when PIA is turned off.
PIA MACE protects your privacy and security by returning and blocking unwanted domain names, such as ads, trackers, and malware. You can activate it directly from the client, and it’s more advanced and effective than regular ad blocker extensions.
Split Tunnel lets you surf the web using two different IP addresses. On the one hand, you can access local content with your ISP-assigned IP address; on the other, you can bypass geo-blocked content using the new VPN-assigned IP.
More specifically, the feature allows you to set up rules by adding specific apps or IP addresses that will use or bypass the VPN depending on your necessities.
Multi-Hop reroutes your traffic through a second proxy server (Shadowsocks or SOCKS5), in addition to the main VPN server, thus adding an additional layer of encryption.
The feature is more specifically called Multi-Hop and Obfuscation. So, when you enable it, you will hide the fact that you’re using a VPN, even from your ISP. This is a very useful feature since it circumvents VPN blocks, censorship, ISP snoops, and tracking.
Other PIA features:
- Strict no-logs policy
- Simultaneous access on up to 10 devices
- Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 live chat and email customer support
If you want a powerful and secure VPN that has the largest server network including the best VPN server locations all over the world, look no further than Private Internet Access.
Private Internet Access
PIA has more VPN servers than any other VPN rival. Don’t hesitate to give it a try, and geo-blocking will no longer be an issue, no matter where you live.4. CyberGhost VPN – beginner-friendly app
CyberGhost VPN is owned by Kape Technologies and based in Bucharest, Romania. This is a very privacy-friendly location for a VPN provider since it’s outside the jurisdiction of the 5 Eyes or the 14 Eyes signal intelligence alliances.
More than 36 million users across the globe tried and tested CyberGhost VPN. It has an outstanding reputation and is constantly among the top VPN recommendations based on customer feedback and positive reviews by cybersecurity experts.
CyberGhost boasts a top-notch global server infrastructure with more than 7,700 servers in 91 countries, which will allow you to connect to the best VPN server locations depending on your specific interests and online activity type.
The CyberGhost VPN servers are very fast and secure, have no bandwidth limits, and some of them are even optimized for streaming, gaming, or torrenting. As a result, it has you covered no matter where you’re located or what you plan to do on the Internet.
You can use CyberGhost on the most popular operating systems and platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Android TV by installing its native apps directly on your device.
Other devices such as Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Roku, Chromecast, Xbox, and PlayStation can also use the VPN by enabling its smart DNS feature or by configuring the VPN on your router.
Additionally, you can also add its browser extensions to Chrome or Firefox in case you want to use CyberGhost VPN on the browser level only.
Besides a diverse network of servers that afford fast connection speeds, CyberGhost VPN also uses advanced anti-geoblocking technology that will help you circumvent any geo-restrictions, no matter where you currently live.
And this isn’t all, as CyberGhost uses military-grade AES-256-bit encryption along with the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard VPN protocols to reroute your incoming and outgoing traffic via a secure tunnel so no one can spy on you or intercept your data.
This type of encryption is the most powerful in the world and is even used and recommended by top intelligence agencies, such as the NSA. Also, the protocols used are very fast and secure, WireGuard being the newest and having the potential for enhanced performance.
Consequently, when you connect to CyberGhost, you need not worry anymore about ISP monitoring, tracking, government surveillance, or hackers, as no one will know where you go or what you do online, nor will they be able to gain access to your sensitive information.
When it comes to other important VPN features, CyberGhost offers the following: Automatic Kill-Switch, Block content, DNS leak protection, App Split Tunnel, NoSpy servers, private DNS, Smart DNS, Dedicated IP, and torrenting support.
The Automatic Kill-Switch protects your data from accidental exposure when you have Internet issues or your VPN connection drops for whatever reason.
Block content protects your privacy and security by blocking domains used for ads, trackers, and malware, whereas Prevent DNS leaks does exactly what its name suggests, namely, it ensures DNS leak protection by using the CyberGhost VPN private DNS instead of the ones from your ISP.
With App Split Tunnel, you can create custom rules by which you decide how to use the VPN. For example, you can select certain apps that will use the VPN connection, while the others will have direct access to the Internet as usual. Unfortunately, this feature is only available for Android as of now.
Another unique CyberGhost VPN feature is its NoSpy servers, which take your privacy to the next level by keeping you protected from mass surveillance or unwanted third-party intrusion.
These servers are all located in Romania and independently managed by the CyberGhost team in order to ensure the highest security standards and reduce the risk of exposure or outside interference.
Other CyberGhost features:
- Strict no-logs policy
- Use 1 account on up to 7 devices
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 customer support via live chat or email
Did you know that CyberGhost is among the very few VPN services that offer a full-feature free trial? Try it out for 1 day to connect to the best VPN server locations and experience its performance first-hand.
CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost has very fast and secure servers, of which some are optimized for certain online activities, so no matter what you do, you’ll have the best options.5. Surfshark – budget friendly and resourceful
Surfshark is another reliable VPN that guarantees fast and secure connections by allowing you to choose from the best VPN server locations all over the world.
The VPN service is located in the British Virgin Islands. This means that the country’s laws don’t require it to keep and turn over user data to authorities or other parties.
Surfshark is owned by the company with the same name, which announced a merger this month with Nord Security – the company behind the well-reputed NordVPN.
Although the two decided two join forces to strengthen their stance on the VPN market, they will continue to operate as independent entities, each relying on their own infrastructure and development projects.
Surfshark is available as a downloadable client for all major operating systems and devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV Stick.
In addition, it also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, or you can set it up on your VPN-enabled Wi-Fi router to share the VPN connection with other devices connected to your home network.
Surfshark offers more than 3,200 servers spread across different locations in 65 countries worldwide. This is a very large network of servers that will give you plenty of options to choose from.
Whether you want to watch your favorite content from popular streaming platforms, play online games with your friends, or engage in P2P activities, you can do all of that in a both secure and efficient way.
Surfshark is very effective at bypassing geo-restrictions since it employs the most advanced unblocking technology. Thus, no matter where you are, you should be able to access content not available in your area hassle-free.
To ensure the best in terms of privacy and security, Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM bank-grade encryption when routing your traffic through the VPN tunnel.
This encryption algorithm is the strongest currently available and is resistant even to brute-force attacks. It’s no wonder that intelligence agencies and militaries around the world also use it.
In order to determine how the data routes between your device and the VPN server, Surfshark uses the OpenVPN (UDP & TCP), IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard VPN protocols. They are the fastest, most secure, and are the go-to solution for top providers in the VPN industry.
This combination of strong encryption and protocols is what makes Surfshark a very reliable service that will protect your connected devices from snoopers, trackers, hackers, and surveillance.
No one will know – not even your ISP – where you go or what you’re up to on the Internet. Moreover, you’ll no longer have to worry about your private conversations, photos, or login credentials ending up in the wrong hands.
Feature-wise, a premium Surfshark plan comes with the following VPN features: Kill Switch, Bypasser (split tunneling), CleanWeb (ad & malware blocker), Camouflage mode, NoBorders, MultiHop, Static IP, Private DNS & leak protection, Smart DNS, Speed test (Windows), and P2P.
Camouflage mode is Surfshark’s obfuscation feature. It runs automatically when you use the OpenVPN (UDP & TC) protocol and hides the fact that you’re using a VPN to reroute your traffic. As a result, it will help you bypass content filtering, VPN blocks, or censorship.
NoBorders helps you bypass government censorship and use Surfshark through network restrictions. For instance, when the VPN client detects someone trying to restrict your access to a network, it will activate this mode automatically and connect you to the closest server that works best under these restrictions.
Other Surfshark features:
- No-logs policy
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 live chat and email customer support
With such a large network of fast and secure servers, Surfshark will let you connect to the best VPN server locations right away. Plus, it also offers a 7-day free trial for Android, iOS, and macOS. So, if you own such a device, wait no more and test it out.
Surfshark
Connect to the many Surfshark VPN servers to unblock your favorite content and surf like a shark, without concern for hackers, snoopers, or surveillance.6. ProtonVPN – proven zero logs
ProtonVPN is owned by Proton Technologies AG – the company that also developed ProtonMail, which is a popular end-to-end encrypted email service considered the world’s largest.
ProtonMail was built in 2014 by a team of scientists working at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) with the purpose of providing online privacy to millions of people worldwide.
Subsequently, the ProtonVPN project came into existence as well, in order to protect the activists and journalists that were using ProtonMail.
ProtonVPN and ProtonMail started together as a crowdfunded project and were developed with community input. Ever since its inception, the company behind the two services kept its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland so that users will benefit from strong privacy laws.
Currently, the company operates with the help of scientists, engineers, and developers, all guided by the same core principles of fighting for online privacy and security.
In total, the two services protect more than 20 million customers globally, with ProtonVPN already becoming a top competitor on the VPN market too.
ProtonVPN offers user-friendly VPN clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Chromebook devices. Plus, you can also set it up on your Wi-Fi router to secure all devices.
With ProtonVPN, you can choose from 3 subscription plans: free (24 servers in 3 countries, 1 device), basic (400+ servers in 40+ countries, 2 devices), and plus (1,500+servers in 63 countries, 10 devices).
The plus plan – although more expensive – is all-inclusive and provides many other additional features. There’s also a visionary plan, but that one includes a ProtonMail subscription also.
Consequently, if you choose the Plus plan, you can enjoy more than 1,500 servers in 63 countries. This way, you can pick the best VPN server locations according to your needs.
ProtonVPN’s global servers are incredibly fast, and when you combine that with the advanced unblocking technology used, geo-blocking should no longer be an issue for you.
As such, with ProvonVPN, you will manage to surf privately and securely, unblock restricted content from popular streaming services like Netflix by connecting to its streaming-optimized servers, or play games on digital distribution platforms like Steam.
As mentioned before, the people at Proton Technologies take your digital privacy and security very seriously. That’s why ProtonVPN uses either AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption, both of which are highly secure.
For example, it will take billions of years for the most advanced computer system to break ASE-256 with a brute-force attack. ChaCha20 is also very secure and a bit faster.
ProtonVPN also uses the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard fast VPN protocols, with OpenVPN and IKEv2 using ASES-256 encryption when selected, whereas WireGuard will use ChaCha20.
The most important features ProtonVPN offers are Kill Switch, NetShield (blocks ads, malware, and trackers), Split Tunneling, Secure Core, VPN Accelerator, DNS & IPV6 Leak Protection, Allow Alternative Routing, Private DNS, and P2P support.
Secure Core works like multi-hop in that it is targeted at reducing the security and privacy risks associated with a compromised VPN server. In other words, it routes traffic via multiple servers located in countries with strong privacy laws, such as Iceland, Switzerland, and Sweden.
Other ProtonVPN features:
- Strict no-logs policy
- Connect up to 10 devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 friendly email customer support
All in all, ProtonVPN is a very reliable VPN option with more than enough fast and secure servers spread across the best VPN server locations in the world.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN takes care of your online privacy and security, and it also includes an extensive network of fast servers, which will let you surf the web without barriers.7. PureVPN – dedicated streaming servers
PureVPN is another great client that gives you access to a large server network whilst keeping your data completely private.
With PureVPN, you get access to over 6 500 servers from 90+ different locations in 75 countries around the globe.
This means that you will be able to bypass geo-blocks on video-on-demand and streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or HBOMax.
This many servers also means that you’ll be able to fix and prevent high ping and lag problems in online games and also protect your account against DDoS attacks.
VPN Protocols options are very generous. PureVPN secures your traffic and lets you pick from several VPN security protocols, including PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, IKEV2, IPSec, and TCP.
Each VPN protocol has its own benefits. All are great for speed and privacy, but it depends on what you use them for.
Having access to so many VPN locations and the possibility to pick the protocol lets you use the Internet as you please, without third parties tracking you.
PureVPN can successfully fight Internet censorship and protect your traffic data with its advanced, military-grade encryption.
Device compatibility is another big plus of this VPN. If you want to secure multiple devices to ensure all your online activity remains protected, PureVPN is a great choice.
The VPN clients let you connect up to 10 different devices at the same time.
On top of that, it is compatible with 20+ different types of devices, so you’ll certainly be able to install it on everything you need.
Compatible devices and operating systems include Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Android TV, Huawei, Amazon Firestick, Linux, and some routers.
The VPN also has dedicated extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Brave browsers.
It’s great for mobile devices, thanks to its lightweight and easy-to-install apps. Plus, it can even protect you on Public Wi-Fi so you can safely connect to airport or cafe networks.
The IKS feature (Internet Killswitch) ensures that all your information is safe even if you lose connection.
It’s similar to the killswitch feature in other VPNs on this list, blocking traffic data from being sent online until you are able to reconnect to VPN.
Another impressive feature is split tunneling. It lets you decide which apps on your device connect to VPN and which remain on regular traffic.
This gives you the freedom to browse locally and internationally at the same time.
It also lets you prioritize VPN traffic for a specific task such as gaming or streaming which can consequently increase Internet speed.
Other key features of PureVPN include:
- P2P support (add-ons)
- IPV6 protection
- Web RTC Leak protection
- Dedicated streaming servers
- 24/7 live chat support
PureVPN is available under several subscription plans and t also has a free version that you can try out, although it has limits in terms of server access and data. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
PureVPN
PureVPN secures all your devices with trusted VPN encryption and lets you bypass online barriers for complete Internet freedom.How do I connect to the best VPN server location?
When it comes to choosing the best VPN server location from which to connect, you have to take into account a few factors.
Firstly, speed is one of the most important aspects that define the overall quality and performance of a VPN service, as anyone wants to surf the Internet at fast speeds, and for good reason.
There are certain factors that influence VPN speed, such as the speed and bandwidth amount offered by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) with your current plan, the encryption and protocols used by the VPN, the level of server crowding (server load), and the distance to the VPN server location.
While the other factors are important as well, we’ll refer here to VPN servers and locations in particular, namely, how to connect to the fastest servers in the best VPN server locations.
Depending on the online activity you want to engage in while using a VPN, you have various options to find the fastest and most reliable servers and locations that will help you achieve your goals.
âž¡ General Browsing
For general browsing, speed, security, privacy, and circumventing geo-blocking are very important but not always equally.
For example, if all you want is to prevent bandwidth throttling and browse anonymously, privately, and securely at home and on public Wi-Fi at fast connection speeds, then the best way to achieve all of these is to connect to the closest server by using the quick connect option.
Most VPNs offer this option, which can be found under different names, such as Choose automatically (PIA), Quick Connect (NordVPN & ProtonVPN), Best server location (CyberGhost VPN), Fastest server (Surfshark), and Smart Location (ExpressVPN).
When selecting these options, the VPN will automatically pick the VPN server location that offers the optimal experience in terms of download speed, upload speed, ping, and latency.
If you want to protect your devices and sensitive data from tracking, monitoring, surveillance, and hackers without needing to get an IP in a certain location, just use this simple option, and the VPN client will take care of everything else.
Quick connect will ensure the same encryption level and the fastest speeds since the VPN server location will be closest to your actual location. Obviously, you can also change encryption type or protocols before, depending on the VPN you’re using.
In case you need to get an IP address from a specific location or country, that is, when you want to access geo-restricted (country or region) websites or apps, then there’s no other way around it than connecting to a VPN server in that location or country.
However, if possible, you should try to connect to a VPN server in a location that is as close to your physical location as possible. Of course, you can calculate or approximate the distance.
For example, if you live in Europe and need a US IP address to access a certain website, you should connect to a US server in New York instead of California, as the East Coast is closer to you.
On the other hand, if you have to connect to a server in a specific location and there’s not that much you can do about the distance, try at least to connect to a server with a low server load.
Some VPNs, such as NordVPN and ProtonVPN, show the percentage of the server load, thus helping you connect to the least crowded VPN servers in a certain location.
Also, some VPNs make it even easier for you to get the fastest speeds when you need a certain IP address in a specific location. For example, NordVPN gives you the option to connect to both the fastest server in the fastest location, or to the fastest servers in a specific location (city).
Fortunately, you have plenty of options to connect to the best VPN server locations for general browsing. As seen in the examples above, the VPNs on the list provide you with effective ways by which you can both protect your devices and get around geo-blocks without being affected by speed drops.
âž¡ Security and anti-censorship
Some VPNs use advanced security and anti-censorship technology to ensure your protection and let you use a VPN in the most restrictive environments.
Multi-hop is a feature that adds an extra layer of security and privacy by rerouting your traffic through a second VPN server, thus offering double encryption.
This feature is very useful when you need a higher level of protection, especially if you are traveling to or living in a country with strong censorship and government surveillance.
Only the top VPN providers, like the ones we recommended above, offer Multi-hop. The VPNs on the list offering multi-hop are Private Internet Access, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN.
Whenever you need extra security, enable Multi-Hop in the VPN client and connect to the pair of servers in the best VPN server locations available.
Private Internet Access uses multi-hop together with obfuscation (Multi-Hop and Obfuscation), the latter being a feature designed for fighting online censorship.
PIA lets you route your traffic through a second proxy server: Shadowsocks or SOCKS5 proxy. If you choose Shadowsocks, you can select an available server from the list, while for SOCKS5 you’ll have to enter the address and credentials manually.
NordVPN offers multi-hop with Double VPN, which is found under the Specialty servers category. Connecting to a Double VPN server is very easy.
All you have to do is go to the available countries and servers and connect to either the fastest country and fastest paired servers, or to the fastest paired servers in the chosen country.
Surfshark is another VPN on our list that includes multi-hop. The feature is called Multi-Hop and can be found under the search bar in the Surfshark app if you’re using a Windows device.
After you find MultiHop, you can pick a combination from the available pairs of countries, connect to the servers, and you’ll add double encryption to your traffic immediately.
ProtonVPN offers multi-hop with its Secure Core option, which allows you to reroute your traffic via a second server in Iceland, Switzerland, and Sweden – VPN server locations that are great for privacy.
In order to use multi-hop with ProtonVPN, you need to go to the Secure Core servers and select the country combination of your choice from the list.
Only a select few VPN services use obfuscation. From our list, only PIA, NordVPN, and Surfshark provide it. This feature is very useful in countries with strong censorship, such as China and Russia.
When you connect to an obfuscated server, it will change your data packets to make your VPN traffic look like regular traffic so no one can notice that you’re using a VPN, not even your ISP.
Therefore, if you happen to be in a country with strong online censorship, you’d better use obfuscation to circumvent VPN blocks, snooping, tracking, and surveillance.
As previously mentioned, Private Internet Access allows obfuscation along with multi-hop. Therefore, when activated, not only will you route your traffic via a second proxy server, but you will also obfuscate it.
You can also obfuscate your VPN traffic with NordVPN by enabling Obfuscated servers in the VPN client first and then going to the list of servers. NordVPN allows obfuscation with the OpenVPN (TCP) protocol only.
As with other NordVPN Specialty servers, you have the option of either connecting to the fastest obfuscated server in the fastest country or you can connect to the fastest obfuscated servers in a different country.
Surfshark also provides obfuscation via Camouflage mode. This feature conceals VPN use from your ISP and other parties by removing any VPN traces from your traffic to help you evade censorship, network restrictions, tracking, monitoring, and surveillance.
Unlike the previous examples, you don’t have to enable Camouflage mode manually. It will activate itself automatically when you connect to a Surfshark VPN server using the OpenVPN (UDP or TCP) protocol.
âž¡Streaming
Streaming has become increasingly popular nowadays, being a better alternative to traditional cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms.
Since streaming content is offered directly via the Internet (over-the-top), users with an Internet plan can more easily watch their favorite channels and shows without having to rely on additional infrastructure.
Although very appealing to most of us, streaming platforms also come with limitations in terms of both service and content availability.
For instance, if you want to access local channels, you have to be in the area where those channels are available. Also, if you’re traveling or living in a country where certain streaming services are unavailable, you won’t be able to access them since they block you based on your IP address (geo-location).
While some popular streaming services like Netflix have a global presence (190+countries), others are available in one country only (Hulu) or only in a select few countries (Disney+).
Even though Netflix is available almost everywhere (except in China, North Korea, Syria, and Crimea), it has different libraries for each country. There is plenty of content that is available across the board; however, the rest is targeted at specific audiences in different countries.
So, let’s say you want to watch Netflix shows from the US library outside the USA or HBO Max from a country where the service isn’t available.
When you go to streaming websites or apps, their systems will detect your geo-location and restrict your access. The only way around this is to use a circumvention tool, such as a VPN or proxy, to mask your IP address and spoof your location.
However, many top streaming services started realizing that users were trying to evade their geo-detection using VPNs, so they improved their technology to detect and block VPNs and proxies.
Fortunately, top VPNs like the ones on our list have strong unblocking features and somehow managed to keep up and still be able to unblock streaming platforms like Netflix.
Some VPNs even offer servers that are optimized for streaming, which will allow you to connect to the best VPN server locations to unblock your favorite content.
These servers are far more effective at circumventing VPN blocks and are also very fast. High speeds are very important for quality streaming, whereas lower ones lead to buffering and interruptions.
Private Internet Access (PIA) currently has streaming-optimized servers in the US (US East & US West), the UK, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Japan.
These servers work very well with Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and Crunchyroll, for those interested in watching US content, as well as with channels and streaming platforms in other countries, such as BBC iPlayer, Eurosport, etc.
If you want to connect to the best PIA VPN server locations for streaming, go to the country list, click on your preferred country, and find the Streaming Optimized servers.
Alternatively, you can type streaming in the search box, and you’ll see all the available streaming-optimized servers.
CyberGhost VPN includes streaming-optimized servers in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
The US streaming services and channels you can access with these servers are: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube TV, ESPN, Showtime, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Also, you can unblock platforms from other countries, such as BBC iPlayer (UK), CBC (Canada), Europe 1 (France), ZDF (Germany), RTS (Switzerland), and RaiPlay (Italy).
Just look for the best VPN server location that is optimized for the streaming service you want to unblock, connect to it, and start streaming without limitations or buffering.
ProtonVPN is another VPN on the list that offers fast streaming-optimized servers in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland.
With these servers, you can watch content from US streaming services and channels, such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video, Sling, Peacock, Pluto TV, fuboTV, ABC, CBS, ESPN, and more.
Other supported platforms and channels are: Spotify, BBC iPlayer (UK), ABC iview (Australia), france·tv (France), Hotstar (India), Rai.it (Italy), and RTS (Switzerland).
ProtonVPN’s streaming servers are part of its PLUS servers and are only available with the Plus plan. They are identified with the play â–¶ symbol, and you can find them in the Countries section.
âž¡ Gaming
If you’re into online gaming, using a VPN can come with some benefits. One is the fact that it allows you to evade geo-blocks in order to play games that aren’t available in your location.
Also, with a VPN, you can lower game prices on popular gaming platforms, such as Steam or Origin. These prices vary across countries. For example, prices are lower in developing countries like Argentina, compared to the USA or other countries in Europe.
Since you can conceal your actual location with a VPN, all you need to do is connect to a VPN server in a country where games are cheaper, and you’ll be able to benefit from better-price deals.
Using a VPN for gaming will also protect you from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, which are used by some gamers to slow you down, cause lag spikes, and even shut you out of the game entirely.
Given that a VPN masks your IP address, it will be more difficult for DDoS attackers to locate you and flood your IP with unwanted requests that can overwhelm your network.
Another reason for which you should use a VPN for gaming is to prevent bandwidth throttling. Your ISP can throttle your bandwidth for various reasons, including gaming.
However, since a VPN shields your IP and traffic via encryption, your ISP will no longer be able to see what you’re doing online, even when you’re playing games.
When it comes to gaming, speed is highly important for a hassle-free experience. High ping, jitter, latency, and packet loss can slow down your speed and ruin your gaming sessions.
They often lead to connection issues and are caused by various factors, such as network congestion, server load, the amount of available bandwidth, and the distance to the gaming server.
The most annoying is lag, which is caused by high latency and ping times. In turn, lag causes delays during gameplay and can greatly put you at disadvantage when playing against your opponents.
In addition, the distance between your physical location and that of the gaming server can also affect speed and ping. Therefore, with a VPN, you can connect to a server that is closer to the game server.
Although it is commonly accepted and proven that VPNs slow speeds because of encryption, you shouldn’t stay away from a VPN when playing online games, especially if you’re using a reliable service.
CyberGhost VPN has gaming-optimized servers in New York, London, Paris, and Frankfurt. These servers are very fast and will allow you to establish a more direct route with the gaming server.
Also, when you connect to a VPN server or, even more so, to one that is specifically optimized for gaming, you may expect to reduce ping and lag.
âž¡ Torrenting
All the VPNs on our list allow P2P sharing, including torrenting. Thus, if you’re interested in this type of activity, a VPN is the go-to solution for various reasons.
First off, torrenting is not illegal, except for copyrighted material. Therefore, as long as you download and upload content that isn’t copyrighted, you should have no problems whatsoever.
However, given that torrenting is very often controversial, you should take extra steps to ensure your privacy and security while sharing files with strangers on the Internet.
Consequently, a VPN will completely hide your IP and activity so no one can see who you are or pry into what you’re doing.
Not even your ISP will know that you’re torrenting, which is great. Since ISPs constantly monitor P2P traffic and may even throttle your bandwidth when they detect it, using a VPN when torrenting will also help you prevent ISP throttling and increase speed.
When torrenting, speed is also important, besides strong privacy and security. As such, you will need high download and upload speeds.
NordVPN allows P2P activities with BitTorrent or other clients but does not promote, condone, or endorse torrenting that circumvents copyright regulations
To help you get fast torrenting speeds, NordVPN offers hundreds of torrenting-optimized servers all over the world. These will allow you to download and upload files at fast speeds, securely, and without bandwidth limits.
You can find NordVPN’s P2P servers in the Specialty servers section. Once you get there, you may choose to connect to both the fastest country and server or to the fastest servers in a specific country.
CyberGhost VPN also offers servers optimized for torrenting in many countries. By connecting to them, you will be able to download torrent files at lightning-fast speeds and without compromising your privacy or security.
The servers are ordered according to distance, those closer to your physical location appear at the top of the list, while the farthest ones are at the bottom.
If you don’t necessarily need to connect to a certain country, you should choose one that is closest to the country in which you live to get the fastest torrenting speeds.
ProtonVPN allows P2P sharing with its Basic, Plus, and Visionary plans. However, it does not tolerate the illegal sharing of copyrighted material.
With ProtonVPN, you can use BitTorrent, uTorrent, or other torrenting clients privately and safely. No one – including your ISP – will be able to link your IP address with your torrenting activity.
ProtonVPN also offers torrenting-optimized servers in multiple countries so you can benefit from higher download speeds. You can identify these servers in the Countries section.
A two-arrow icon will appear next to each country that offers them. After you select a country, you will find the torrenting servers (P2P Server), which also have the same two-arrow icon next to them.
Concluding statements
All things considered, we hope that our list of VPNs will help you choose the right service if you plan to get a VPN or your current one is weak and doesn’t provide enough servers.
Also, the additional information presented should help you connect to the fastest servers in the best VPN server locations worldwide in accordance with your specific needs.
The products we described above were tested multiple times. They are very fast and offer advanced security and privacy features, which will ensure total online protection.
As you’ve already observed, these VPNs also have very large and diverse networks of servers across the globe, thus allowing you to choose from many available options.
The fact that some of them even have specialized servers for streaming, gaming, and P2P (torrenting) activities represents a major advantage over other competitors.
Therefore, no matter what you do online, by using an all-inclusive VPN like the ones we recommend, you will get everything you need from privacy and security to bypassing geo-blocking to ultra-fast speeds during your surfing, streaming, or gaming sessions.
In case you haven’t realized yet, except for two short free trials, the VPNs on the list provide all of the servers, server locations, countries, and features specified with a premium subscription only. On the other hand, you can try VPNs with long free trial periods for such an experience.
Although more expensive than other unreliable services, not a single VPN on the list will compromise your privacy and security in any way, shape, or form, nor will you have to deal with VPN detection errors and blocks while accessing content unavailable in your area.
Free plans are not even worth mentioning, except for the fact that you should fully avoid them because they keep logs, use poor infrastructures, have very few servers, impose bandwidth limits, and are easily detected by streaming and gaming platforms.