VPN is an awesome tool that can help you access any content available anywhere in the world. New to the concept of VPNs? Intrigued about how a VPN works and what all it is capable of doing, this is the post you might want to check out.
So, now that you have gotten your head around the basic functioning of a VPN and have possibly installed and enabled it, how about moving a little further and talking about the server location that you are going to choose on your VPN. Yes! Choosing a VPN server location is as important as anything else.
Your VPN offers you thousands of servers spread across several countries and continents. However, which one is the best suited for you? We often come across phrases like – Choose the server located in a country that’s closest to you. Zeroing down on the right server should be way more than just that. In this post, we’ll discuss the importance of server locations in VPN. We’ll also talk about what should be the right approach when choosing a VPN server location.
First thing’s first, let’s try and understand –
Also Read: How To Test A VPNs Speed
Why Does It Matter Where Your VPN Server is Located?
– What Is It That You Want to Unblock?
Do you want to access Amazon Prime or Netflix movies that are US-only? Do you want to access Instagram in a country where it is blocked? How about getting your hands on a game title that’s not available in your country? In that case, you will have to be mindful of the server you are choosing. More specifically, you will have to select a server location based out in the country whose content you want to unblock.
Also Read: Is It Legal To Use VPN for Netflix
– Throw In The Element of Speed
VPN in general does slow down your internet speed. In more specific terms, your VPN may increase latency since it introduces extra time for requests and responses. So, unless want to access exclusive geo-restricted content and are ready to compromise on the speed, choose a server location closest to you. Worry not! Your traffic will still be encrypted.
But, just like there are exceptions to everything, this factor too has exceptions. The speed of your VPN connection might still be very slow even if you have chosen a server closest to you. It could be that several users have hopped on to the same server as yours or if your broadband is itself very slow.
– Choose A Server In A Country That Doesn’t Have Eyes On You
You have probably heard of 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes alliances which is a coalition of countries that can share information pertaining to their citizens. So, what countries form this alliance, and what difference does it make if you choose a server located in these countries? First, let’s have a look at countries that constitute this alliance –
Eyes | Countries that Make Up The Alliance |
5 | US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand |
9 | 5 eyes + the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and France |
14 | 9 eyes + Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Sweden |
Now comes the important aspect – Why is it important to consider these countries when choosing a VPN server location. If you have a VPN whose headquarters are in the above-mentioned countries, the provider may be obliged to share the data. But, is this the case even if you choose a server in these countries. With stringent anti-privacy legislation being passed these days, it is better to opt for a server located outside these countries if you are worried about your security and privacy.
Which VPN Should I Choose?
Looking for a VPN? Let us ease out that task for you. Here are some great VPNs for Android, iOS, and Mac. And, if you are a Windows user and are looking for a hassle-free VPN, Systweak VPN is one of the best VPNs you can choose from. In the context of what we have discussed so far, Systweak VPN offers both security and speed.
Features –
- 4500+ secure servers spread in 53+ countries across 200+ locations
- Secure protocols like OpenVPN and IKev2 used
- Enjoy unrestricted worldwide content
- Military-grade AES 256 bit encryption
- Kill switch prevents your connection from getting exposed in case it drops
How To Use Systweak VPN?
- Download, install and run Systweak VPN
- Log in using your credentials
- Select the server of your choice. Before clicking on the server dropdown, ponder upon what’s your end goal. Is it a speedy browsing experience or do you want to access geo-restricted exclusive content?
- Toggle the ON/ OFF switch to ON and enjoy!
Wrapping Up:
Your VPN server location should go head to head with your goal. So, which VPN server location would you choose? We’d love to hear your experience in the comments section below. For more such tech-related fun content, keep reading Tweak Library.