VPN server locations – which VPNs have the most and what you need to know
VPN server locations – which VPNs have the nearly and what you need to know
Just about every service on our best VPN guide boasts about how many servers it has and, on summit of that, how many VPN server locations it has. What can be tricky, though, is understanding why this number features so prominently in their marketing – and what it actually means to y'all.
At its near bones level, having access to more than VPN servers means you'll have more choice in which server you connect to. In plow, you're more likely to notice a quick, stable connection. Like so many things in life, though, it's not quite that uncomplicated...
Server number vs server locations
Right out the gate, if you're non hugely interested in the science behind it, you lot can skip down to our top picks for VPN server providers by post-obit this link.
When making your determination, i of the most of import things to pay attending to is the number of VPN server locations a provider offers. This is just as important equally the sheer number of servers – if a provider has a relatively narrow network, connecting to or from more 'unusual' locations could result in a astringent drop in connection speed.
This is often the example with smaller, more Europe- and US-focused VPNs, with users in Asia or Africa having to connect to servers several countries away.
A balance does need to be found, though. Providers with a huge amount of locations and but a few servers in each (HideMyAss: 1,000+ servers in 190+ countries) can end upward performing poorly compared to VPNs with a narrower network with plenty of servers in each location (Surfshark: iii,200+ servers in 65+ countries). In that comparison, HMA proves to be a poor choice equally a streaming VPN, while Surfshark is 1 of the all-time – non to mention one of the cheapest VPN services.
What y'all really want is a good selection of well-populated locations. This should make sure no single server becomes overloaded with users or is detected by streaming providers before some other tin accept its identify.
VPN servers for P2P and streaming
As you might accept guessed, for those using their service as a streaming or torrenting VPN, server number and location is going to exist important. For users who just want to stay protected during regular browsing it won't be such a huge selling indicate, only if you want to spoof your location, a broad network volition be very useful.
Streaming sites serve different libraries to different countries, and people on holiday and business trips (or those who just want to explore the world'south content) tin can virtually relocate themselves to access dissimilar shows. That might be because you tin't access your favorite series when on a trip to Italian republic, or you might just want to see what Brits tin lookout man that you lot can't. Either style, a wider VPN network usually means more than streaming options.
For torrenters, some VPNs don't support P2P on every server. Here, yous've got ii choices. For ease of use, you could become with a VPN that allows torrenting on any server like ExpressVPN, or otherwise y'all tin can pick a service like NordVPN that has a choice of dedicated P2P servers that are searchable in the app. Either manner, you'll accept a wide range of VPN server options for torrenting.
How we've chosen the best VPN server providers
The following five services provide what we recall are the best combinations of VPN server locations alongside sheer forcefulness in numbers. Ranking commencement is ExpressVPN which, while it doesn't accept the absolute maximum number of servers, has the widest network on the listing with enough servers to populate them.
And, if we're honest, after nigh three,000 or and then servers in that location's piffling true increase in performance, and the quality of the service is more downward to efficient server maintenance and excellent apps – both of which ExpressVPN has kept on top of for years, now.
Withal, if you want to look through the VPN server titans on the market place today, just curl down. You lot'll read what we love about these behemoths, and why they might be a nifty fit for you.
The all-time VPN server providers
If you're looking for a super-reliable VPN server network spread all over the world, ExpressVPN should exist your commencement choice. Whether you lot're in Boston, Birmingham or Beijing you'll have a bank of fast servers nearby, and no matter where you are y'all'll be able to get protected and scan on a quick, safe connection.
ExpressVPN's vast server network isn't the just reason it tops this listing, though. For those who are looking to stream or torrent information technology's the perfect tool, and no matter what you're doing you'll be covered by its stringent and audited privacy policy.
While it works direct out the box, Express also gives users some really useful in-depth tools, including the option to switch protocols, actuate a kill switch and turn on split tunneling. As well, y'all'll be protected by Perfect Forward Secrecy which uses a new cardinal every fourth dimension you log on and each hour thereafter.
Only, really, ExpessVPN's usability is thank you to its extensive network of well-maintained and secure servers all over the world – non just will you be able to get a great connection in any location, merely you can besides browse freely in the noesis that your data is beingness kept safe.
If we had any complaint about ExpressVPN, it'd be that the limit of five simultaneous connections isn't the most generous, but that'due south not a huge limitation (and many other providers offering the same).
Overall, if yous desire access to the best VPN server network on the marketplace, your all-time option is ExpressVPN.
CyberGhost has earned its second-identify spot thanks to its genuinely huge number of VPN servers. Almost no other provider comes close to its vii,500+ servers, and with that comes an inherent reliability and diversity.
The provider is besides an excellent option for those who love streaming and torrenting, as the apps have born filters that can help users select the best servers for P2P or, for example, United states Netflix. This is something nosotros'd love to come across in other VPNs as well.
Withal, while CyberGhost does take twice as many servers, information technology doesn't embrace as many countries as ExpressVPN (although still loads compared to whatsoever other service), and that'due south why it'due south placing second and not first.
Likewise, in our testing we found no tangible improvement in performance from having such a huge network, indicating that once a provider has enough to thoroughly cover the world, increasing its server number yields swiftly diminishing returns.
That's non to say CyberGhost isn't a good selection though, and for those looking for a adequately cheap, easy-to-use VPN for streaming and torrenting that has servers in pretty much every country you could want, it's a great selection.
Sign upward now on the CyberGhost website
Security giant NordVPN is another VPN provider that offers a huge number of servers, although its network is considerably narrower than both ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. In exercise that hasn't been an issue for us, but for those in farther-flung locations it'll exist worth checking if you'll have a decent server nearby.
Nord makes up for this with a very security-focused user experience, and while that server hack in 2019 does get out a bad taste, the provider has been independently audited twice to regain the trust of its users and prove that it's as secure every bit it claims.
For those looking for a useful streaming VPN information technology's likewise a great selection, as it can unblock pretty much every service around – from Netflix to BBC iPlayer and Hulu. And, if that'southward not plenty, it'southward also got dedicated P2P servers for those looking to torrent.
NordVPN is by no ways let downwards by its number of locations (59), but it can't quite hit the heady heights of ExpressVPN and CyberGhost when it comes to server spread. Yet, it's even so one of the very best services on the marketplace today, and we highly recommend it.
Sign up now on NordVPN's website
Private Internet Access (PIA) is part of the old guard, and has been running for a decade since 2010. Until September 2020 it only boasted around 2,000 servers in 47 countries, but seemingly out of nowhere the provider has launched its 'next gen' server network, boosting that to a previously unheard-of 28,000+. Granted, over xiv,000 of those are in the US (in xiv different cities), but as one of the biggest markets for VPNs, we can see why.
Platonic for torrenters, every server is P2P-ready, and strong encryption will keep you safe while you're connected, as well. An interesting characteristic is 'PIACTL', which is a command line interface users tin can use to control PIA through scripts. While certainly not for the newbie, this allows deep control of the app that pretty much no other commercial VPN offers.
PIA's ten simultaneous connections is generous, and because the deal price that tin be had on its longer contracts, it offers first-class value for coin. While it can't friction match the leaders in the field, for those that want a configurable VPN with the accented maximum number of servers, PIA is a bully pick.
Sign up now on PIA's website
Hotspot Shield is a very popular VPN, and it's not hard to run across why. Its large VPN server network and the blazing speeds enabled by its Catapult Hydra protocol mean that its a very usable selection for those looking for protection without any ho-hum-down.
Its Catapult protocol allows the VPN to reach incredible connection speeds just, as explored in our fast VPN rundown, to see any discernible effect you'll need an ultra-fast internet connectedness to lucifer.
While its VPN server network is wide and reliable, it'southward not further up this list due to its questionable logging policy – while it'due south probably fine for those just looking to stream overseas Netflix, users seeking ultimate security may want to investigate the policy deeper, or pick a provider that boasts an audited no-logging policy like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
However, Hotspot Shield is still an first-class service that does its job very well, plus it also offers a limited costless VPN that can requite you a gustation earlier you sign upwards with real money.
Sign upward now on Hotspot Shield'southward website
VPN server locations FAQ
Which provider has the most VPN servers?
Out of any VPN service, Individual Internet Access has the well-nigh VPN servers, with over 19,000. However, this is an interesting case in signal, as we wouldn't recommend it as our top choice.
Instead, nosotros'd recommend either ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Both have far fewer servers than PIA – iii,000+ and 5,000+ respectively – only in do that's more plenty, and we'd suggest you make your conclusion on other factors like connection speed, streaming support, overall privacy and security, and general usability.
Why does the amount of VPN servers matter?
The number of VPN servers a provider has can have a huge effect on how the service works overall.
Having a large number of servers ways that each one will have fewer users, ensuring better speeds, and the wider the variety of IP addresses, the more likely information technology is that you'll be able to watch Netflix successfully.
Besides, the number of VPN server locations is useful, also. With more locations, no matter where you are in the world, you'll be able to connect to a closer server, ensuring better speeds.
However, you'll want a happy medium – only a few servers spread over tons of locations will result in poor speeds, and thousands of servers in just a few countries will be limiting in terms of content available.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/vpn-server-locations
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