Best VPN by Country

Different countries have different internet regulations, censorship levels, and content restrictions. A VPN that works great in the US might struggle in China. We test VPNs from each location to ensure our recommendations actually work there.

VPN legality varies by country. They are legal in most Western nations including the US, UK, and EU. However, some countries like China, Russia, and UAE have restrictions. Always check local laws, though using a VPN for privacy is rarely prosecuted.

China has the most extensive censorship with the Great Firewall. Other highly censored countries include North Korea, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Saudi Arabia. VPNs are essential for accessing the open internet in these regions.

Yes, VPNs let you connect to servers in other countries to access geo-restricted content. This works for streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and region-locked websites. The legality depends on the service's terms rather than laws.

Even in countries with good internet freedom, VPNs protect your privacy from ISP tracking, advertisers, and hackers. They are especially important on public WiFi and when accessing sensitive information.

ExpressVPN covers 105 countries, NordVPN covers 111 countries, and CyberGhost covers 100 countries. More locations mean better access to geo-restricted content and closer servers for faster speeds.

For speed, choose a server closest to you. For content access, choose a server in the country where the content is available. For privacy, choose servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions like Switzerland or Panama.

All VPNs add some overhead, typically 10-30% speed reduction with premium VPNs. Connecting to nearby servers minimizes this. Modern VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN use optimized protocols that keep speeds high.

Your ISP can see encrypted traffic going to a VPN server, but cannot see what you do through the VPN. Obfuscated servers hide VPN usage entirely, appearing as regular HTTPS traffic.

ExpressVPN and NordVPN are best for travelers due to their large server networks, reliable connections worldwide, and apps for all devices. They work in restrictive countries and provide consistent access to home content.