VPN companies offer thousands of servers around the world. The most important thing is to choose the right server location depending on your needs.
Using a VPN service is quite simple. But even experienced VPN users face the problem of finding the right server and connecting to it.
A universal nearest server may offer good speed, but a remote optimized server provides the best conditions for your specific use case.
In this article, we'll show you how to choose the right server if you want to play online games seamlessly, view geo-blocked content, or just want to maximize your privacy.
Why the location of the VPN server is so important
No matter what you do online, the location of your server will affect your overall Internet experience. This will affect download and upload speeds, latency, security, and privacy, as well as the range of content you can access using a VPN.
For a smooth, reliable and convenient Internet experience, the server location is the first thing to consider when using a VPN. Here, we'll show you how to choose the right server location for your specific use cases.
Best VPN location for fast and reliable connection
If you only care about the speed and reliability of the connection, it is best to connect to the nearest server. In this case, data packets from your device reach the VPN server and the desired web page faster, and then return back to your device faster.
The nearest server will have a fast connection that is not interrupted during operation. However, you need to consider several factors before connecting to the nearest server.
Best VPN server location for accessing geo-blocked content
In some countries, access to popular websites and social networks is blocked. In addition, some services, such as YouTube or Netflix, use your IP address to provide content that is only available in your region. This is due to the lack of broadcasting rights or copyright laws
To bypass local blockages or access content from a library in another region, you need the IP address of the desired location. A VPN allows you to do this by masking your real IP address and assigning a new IP address depending on the server you are connecting to.
Please note that some streaming services block users who use VPNs.
Best VPN Server location for privacy and security
VPN services increase your privacy regardless of the server you choose. They offer strong encryption, data leak protection, an emergency (emergency) switch, and a strict no logs policy, so no one can reveal your data and information about you.
Also, some VPN providers use RAM-only servers that store data only when you are connected to them. All data is erased at the end of the session or when the server is restarted.
However, in some countries, VPN services are required to track, register, or collect user data and turn it over to the authorities upon request. Therefore, when choosing a VPN server, it is best to choose one that is based in a country with strict data protection laws, such as Iceland or the British Virgin Islands. For example, countries that are part of the 5/9/14 Eye intelligence Alliances (Five
Eyes Alliance, Nine Eyes Alliance, and Fourteen Eyes Alliance) will share information about their citizens. Here is a list of countries that are members of these unions:
However, a VPN operating in Alliance countries can still protect your data. For example, some VPN providers may be based in the US but have a firm no-logs policy.
However, there is no guarantee that VPN services in other regions will not track your Internet activity. Several countries have anti-privacy policies that require VPN providers to log customer data. Therefore, you need to choose services that protect your users privacy.
Choosing the best VPN Server location
Choosing the right server location depends on your personal preferences and individual Internet needs. If your goal is a fast and reliable connection, you should choose a server closer to your physical location.
To bypass censorship or unblock content with geographical restrictions, connect to the server location where this content is available. This applies to both free websites and subscription-based services. And if data protection is your main goal, choose a server with strict data privacy rules.
The best VPN services are usually found in countries like Panama, Switzerland, Iceland, Romania, and the British Virgin Islands. These countries have strict laws that protect user privacy and prohibit companies from collecting and processing user data.
Using a VPN service is quite simple. But even experienced VPN users face the problem of finding the right server and connecting to it.
A universal nearest server may offer good speed, but a remote optimized server provides the best conditions for your specific use case.
In this article, we'll show you how to choose the right server if you want to play online games seamlessly, view geo-blocked content, or just want to maximize your privacy.
Why the location of the VPN server is so important
No matter what you do online, the location of your server will affect your overall Internet experience. This will affect download and upload speeds, latency, security, and privacy, as well as the range of content you can access using a VPN.
For a smooth, reliable and convenient Internet experience, the server location is the first thing to consider when using a VPN. Here, we'll show you how to choose the right server location for your specific use cases.
Best VPN location for fast and reliable connection
If you only care about the speed and reliability of the connection, it is best to connect to the nearest server. In this case, data packets from your device reach the VPN server and the desired web page faster, and then return back to your device faster.
The nearest server will have a fast connection that is not interrupted during operation. However, you need to consider several factors before connecting to the nearest server.
- The country's digital infrastructure affects internet speed and VPN connection. Regions with better connectivity and modern network equipment usually offer high speed and reliable connectivity.
- The number of VPN servers in a country can also affect the performance of your VPN connection. If your VPN servers are always full, chances are that you will experience slow speeds, packet loss, jitter, and increased latency.
Best VPN server location for accessing geo-blocked content
In some countries, access to popular websites and social networks is blocked. In addition, some services, such as YouTube or Netflix, use your IP address to provide content that is only available in your region. This is due to the lack of broadcasting rights or copyright laws
To bypass local blockages or access content from a library in another region, you need the IP address of the desired location. A VPN allows you to do this by masking your real IP address and assigning a new IP address depending on the server you are connecting to.
Please note that some streaming services block users who use VPNs.
Best VPN Server location for privacy and security
VPN services increase your privacy regardless of the server you choose. They offer strong encryption, data leak protection, an emergency (emergency) switch, and a strict no logs policy, so no one can reveal your data and information about you.
Also, some VPN providers use RAM-only servers that store data only when you are connected to them. All data is erased at the end of the session or when the server is restarted.
However, in some countries, VPN services are required to track, register, or collect user data and turn it over to the authorities upon request. Therefore, when choosing a VPN server, it is best to choose one that is based in a country with strict data protection laws, such as Iceland or the British Virgin Islands. For example, countries that are part of the 5/9/14 Eye intelligence Alliances (Five
Eyes Alliance, Nine Eyes Alliance, and Fourteen Eyes Alliance) will share information about their citizens. Here is a list of countries that are members of these unions:
- Five Eyes Alliance: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
- Nine Eyes Alliance: France, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and the Five Eyes Alliance countries.
- Fourteen Eyes Alliance: Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy and the countries that are members of the nine Eyes Alliance
However, a VPN operating in Alliance countries can still protect your data. For example, some VPN providers may be based in the US but have a firm no-logs policy.
However, there is no guarantee that VPN services in other regions will not track your Internet activity. Several countries have anti-privacy policies that require VPN providers to log customer data. Therefore, you need to choose services that protect your users privacy.
Choosing the best VPN Server location
Choosing the right server location depends on your personal preferences and individual Internet needs. If your goal is a fast and reliable connection, you should choose a server closer to your physical location.
To bypass censorship or unblock content with geographical restrictions, connect to the server location where this content is available. This applies to both free websites and subscription-based services. And if data protection is your main goal, choose a server with strict data privacy rules.
The best VPN services are usually found in countries like Panama, Switzerland, Iceland, Romania, and the British Virgin Islands. These countries have strict laws that protect user privacy and prohibit companies from collecting and processing user data.
