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How to choose a VPN server — key factors
Top VPNs now offer thousands of servers across hundreds of locations. The goal isn’t to connect to any random node — it’s to pick the one that best fits your task. The big four are ping, server load, location and traffic type.
1) Ping and distance
Ping is the round-trip time for a packet. Lower is better. For gaming and calls aim for 20–60 ms; for streaming ≤ 100 ms. Closer geography usually means lower ping, but ISP routes and protocol choice matter too.
| From UK to… | Typical ping | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| UK (city near you) | 15–35 ms | gaming, banking |
| DE / NL | 35–55 ms | general use, streaming |
| PL / FR | 40–70 ms | VOD alternatives |
| USA (East) | 90–150 ms | Netflix, Hulu |
2) Load and stability
Apps show server load as a percentage (e.g., 22%). Prefer less crowded nodes — the gap between 20% and 70% can translate to 30%+ more throughput. Evenings/weekends: test a couple of nearby regions to avoid spikes.
3) Traffic type: UDP vs TCP vs IKEv2
UDP (WireGuard/NordLynx) is fastest but may drop packets on weak Wi-Fi. TCP is steadier — good for remote work, banking or buffered streaming. IKEv2 excels on mobile as it survives network switches (4G ⇄ Wi-Fi). If stability is poor, switch protocol and re-check ping.
4) Encryption & IPv6
Modern protocols use AES-256-GCM or ChaCha20 — “stronger” encryption won’t speed you up. What matters: proper IPv6 handling to avoid leaks. Run a quick check on our DNS/IPv6 leak test.
Which country for which goal?
Streaming: Netflix/Prime — USA or UK. BBC iPlayer — UK. TVP Player/Canal+ — Poland.
Torrents (P2P): look for “P2P friendly” countries (NL, CH).
Gaming: UK/DE/NL — closest to the game server.
Remote work & banking: your company/bank’s jurisdiction, often the UK.
See also: types of VPN servers.
Special server types — when to use them
- Streaming: tuned for VOD like Netflix, BBC, Disney+.
- P2P: better routing, no blocked ports.
- Obfuscated: hides VPN traffic where ISPs block tunnelling.
- Double VPN: two-hop chain for extra anonymity (slower).
- Dedicated IP: stable address for logins and fewer CAPTCHAs.
How to verify a server is “good”
- Check ping and live load in the app.
- Run a VPN speed test.
- Open your target app (VOD/game) and judge real-world smoothness.
- For P2P, compare transfer rates across 2–3 nodes in the same region.
- For work, if security systems flag logins, use a Dedicated IP.
Video: Choosing servers in practice
If the embed doesn’t load: watch on YouTube.
🧭 City-level differences within one country
Even inside one country, cities vary. London/Manchester often give the lowest latency across the UK, while less busy cities can be faster at peak times. If your VPN supports city selection, try 2–3 options and save favourites.
Common scenarios & recommendations
1) Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other VOD
Use a Streaming profile and connect to the library’s country. If a node is blocked, switch city or country. More on this in geo-blocks & VPN.
2) Torrents (P2P)
Pick P2P-labelled servers. Test NL/CH for best throughput. Also run our DNS leak test and enable Kill Switch.
3) Gaming
Choose the server geographically closest to the game host (UK/DE/NL). Where possible, pick by city to avoid congested nodes.
4) Remote work & banking
Use UK or your company’s jurisdiction for fewer risk flags. If MFA/CAPTCHA triggers too often, consider a Dedicated IP.
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FAQ — quick answers
Does server country affect privacy?
Nearest server is slow — what now?
Best server for Netflix?
Best server for torrents?
Use Double VPN daily?
Does VPN change ping in games?
Summary
There’s no single “best” server. Choose based on your goal and line quality. Gaming/banking — local low-ping node. VOD — the library’s country. P2P — P2P servers. Maximum privacy — obfuscated or Double VPN. Test, compare, save favourites.