Top 5 Fastest And Safest VPN Server Countries To Connect Through

Your VPN server address is important because it determines the speed, privacy, and security of your connection. 

Knowing when to connect to which server can help you take full advantage of a VPN service and navigate online without any restrictions or censorship.

Here are the fastest and safest VPN server countries and how to choose the right VPN server location based on what you’re doing online.

What Are the Best VPN Countries To Connect Through?

If you haven’t lived under a rock for the past 10 years, you probably know what a VPN is and why you should use one.

But, what VPN server to choose from the long list that most premium VPNs offer is not a one-size-fits-all answer.

That said, here are the best VPN server locations– at least, privacy-wise:

Iceland

Iceland is at the top of the list of the most privacy-conscious countries due to its strict internet privacy laws and freedom of speech protections.

Some of the laws that stand out are the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which gives online users more control over their data, and a whistleblower protection law which prohibits employers from retaliating against workers – both in the public and private sector. 

The latter doesn’t come as a surprise. Iceland has a long-standing reputation for being a safe haven for journalists and anyone else who wants to express their opinion– however controversial– with the world.

Iceland also has laws that ensure minimal restrictions to online content, limit self-censorship, and dictate equal access to the internet for everyone.

Thanks to the last one, the Internet is more accessible in Iceland than anywhere else– 98% of the households in the country have access to a stable internet.

Depending on where you are and what you need, connecting to a VPN service in Iceland is almost always a good idea, especially if you are in Europe and North America.

Estonia

Another great choice when looking for the best country VPN server locations is the small and digitally-savvy Baltic country Estonia. 

Estonian residents (and even non-residents) have access to a wide variety of government electronic services. They can digitally sign official documents, which are valid across the EU, and can claim electronic residency through a smart ID system. 

Censorship and any type of internet-related restrictions in Estonia are minimal and the country, arguably, prioritizes users' privacy and security more than any other in the world. 

For example, the Estonian government introduced another law, on top of the GDPR, called The Estonian Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), to fill in the holes in the EU law.

Note that the laws in Estonia are free speech-friendly but not lax. 

The country has very few content restrictions and they’re all lawfully limited. For instance, gambling websites are prohibited without a special license.

Like Iceland, Estonia also has high-quality infrastructure that enables users to enjoy one of the fastest internet connection speeds globally, with an average of around 82 Mbps.

If you’re looking for top speed and strong digital protection, connecting to a VPN server in Estonia is a good idea if you’re in Central Europe, Poland, Belarus, and Turkey.

Canada

Canada enjoys a reputation as the best location for a VPN in the Americas.

Canadian law supports freedom of speech, privacy, and press protection. On top of that, the country passed legislation in 2016 that recognized high-internet access as a basic telecommunications service.

Under that law, Canada is striving to make high-speed connections affordable and more importantly, accessible to 98% of its citizens by 2026 and 100% by 2030.

Still, unlike the two previous choices (Iceland and Estonia), Canada has had its fair share of controversies surrounding online privacy and free speech.

For example, the government faced fierce backlash when it made changes to Bill C-10 to bring content posted to social media sites under the purview of Canada’s broadcasting regulator.

On the other hand, the country has strong data protection laws. It has its own version of the GDPR, called the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act or PIPEDA, that dictates how businesses can collect, use or disclose personally identifiable information on their users.

Another advantage to connecting to a VPN server in Canada is its proximity to the US. 

Canada is an ideal location for anyone who wants access to US content but wants to avoid certain restrictions that are in place in the US.

Germany

Germany owes its place among the best countries for VPN locations to its highly developed internet infrastructure. Internet accessibility is above EU standards and most connections have a solid speed.

Germany’s biggest forte is that it takes its laws seriously. This includes the GDPR which protects users’ online data and security, as well as users’ right to free speech in the online world.

That said, the country has some restrictions in place aimed at curbing hate speech, fake news, and misinformation online. This requires some level of government surveillance and content moderation.

The somewhat good news is that Germany doesn’t resort to deletion of content. Rather, it requires Google to de-index search results of searches that are deemed problematic.

Another law that deals with content moderation in Germany is the so-called right to be forgotten which allows citizens to request to have their information removed from search results if the content violates their privacy rights.

If you’re looking for data privacy, a VPN server in Germany makes a great choice, especially if you're in Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands, or any other nearby European country.

United Kingdom

The last country on our list of best VPN locations is the United Kingdom. 

The UK’s biggest selling point is that it’s actively working to expand its fiber-optic infrastructure. The government is striving to get high-speed access to everyone in the UK and part of its plan involves incentivizing entrepreneurs to support this type of infrastructure as well.

On top of that, the UK has a law, the Digital Economy Act of 2017, which prevents internet service providers from throttling internet speed or charging too much for it. Under this legislation, ISPs in the UK have to offer at least 10 Mbps to ensure fast speeds and stable connections.

When it comes to data protection, the UK applies the GDPR guidelines in full force. It has few limitations on internet freedom and generally limits content that promotes terrorism, depicts child abuse, or violates copyright laws.

Apart from that, the UK is also making extra efforts to reduce online misinformation. The country’s telecommunications regulator has the power to monitor the spread of content online and prevent false information from getting out of control.

That said, the UK is still among the few countries that prioritize users’ online privacy and security. This makes it a good choice for those looking for a fast and stable internet connection in an English-speaking country.

How to Choose the Best VPN Location?

The best VPN server location depends on what you’re using the VPN for. 

Picking the wrong location, even with a premium VPN, can slow down your connection and block you from accessing certain content.

When choosing a server location, there are three main factors to consider:

• Internet speed: Low bandwidth or a poor Internet connection plus a VPN server that’s far from your actual location, equals an even slower connection.
• Geo-restricted content: Getting your hands (or eyes) on content that’s not available in your country, sometimes, requires sacrificing Internet connection speed – especially if what you’re looking for is not available in any locations that are near you.
• Privacy: If you’re concerned about your online data and privacy, it’s best to connect to a server that’s located in a country with strong data privacy laws.

The Best VPN Server Locations for Fast Internet Connections

If your top priority is speed, the best VPN location is the one that’s closest to your location. 

Connecting to a server that is geographically close to you means your online traffic will take advantage of the encryption that comes with every VPN service but also fast enough to allow for gaming, streaming, and any other activity that requires more bandwidth.

For example, if you’re in Sweden, your best option would be a UK server address. It’s close, so there won’t be any significant dips in your connection speed, and it ensures data privacy.

Other factors that contribute to fast connections:

• A well-established fiber optic network.
• The number of VPN servers in the chosen country. 
• A decent VPN service with no bandwidth limitations. A good example is Express VPN, which is both fast and secure.

The Best Server Locations for a VPN to Access Geo-Restricted Content

Accessing geo-restricted content with a VPN requires a bit more research if you’re looking for the best online experience.

First, you’ll need to find where the content is available. If it’s available in the US only, then you’ll have no choice but to connect to a VPN server that’s located there, regardless of how far it is from your location.

For example, Hulu, which counts more than 45 million subscribers, is only available in the US.

However, if you’re in Europe and the content you want to watch or read is also available in countries like the UK or Canada, connecting to their servers will both unlock your content and allow for a faster connection.

For instance, the popular TV series “Friends” is available on Netflix in a handful of European countries. If you live in the US, it’s better to connect to a server in the UK rather than Turkey to watch the show.

Another thing to consider is the laws in the country. For example, if you’re looking to stream content, a good option is Switzerland which lets people download copyrighted content for personal use.

The Best VPN Server Locations to Enhance Your Privacy and Security

If privacy is your top priority, the main factor to consider is your choice of a VPN provider and the location of their data centers.

Most premium VPNs offer military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and zero data logging policies. A good example of a security-focused VPN service is ProtonVPN. It uses reliable protocols, has a double VPN, and features fully encrypted servers.

For maximum protection, you should opt for a VPN provider that keeps the data it needs in countries with strict laws about user privacy and data security.

For example, countries that are in the 14-Eyes alliance share intelligence with each other and have the power to demand information from companies, like your VPN provider.

Bottom Line

The best countries for VPN are those that prioritize data privacy and freedom of expression. 

However, the ideal server location depends on what you’re using the VPN for. If you need protection and speed, your best bet is to connect to a server in a country that is geographically close to you and if you want to access geo-restricted content, you’ll need to connect to a server in the country where the content is available – which sometimes means you’ll see a dip in your connection speed.