The size and quality of VPN servers is one of the key selling points that differentiate leading VPNs. VPN server count can vary massively, going from hundreds to thousands, and even tens of thousands. But does this really matter?
Head to the homepage of just about any of the best VPN providers and you’ll be confronted with the seemingly very important figure of how many VPN servers it has. And, on the surface, you may very well assume that a massive amount of servers is a good thing.
However, like much of the marketing fluff that surrounds the VPN industry, there’s much more to a quality VPN than a surfeit of servers. Of course, there should be enough to go around, but there are arguably plenty of other factors that should guide your buying decision more significantly.
Here, we’ll be running down whether how many servers a VPN has really matters, and what might be more important when it comes to choosing a provider.
Why do VPNs need multiple servers?
Starting off with the basics, it’s essential that VPNs have a range of different servers for a number of reasons.
Having physical servers in different countries enables users to virtually relocate themselves. If you’re in the UK and connect to a server named "Los Angeles", it’s highly likely that the server really is in LA. Of course, there are such things as virtual servers, but the vast majority of servers provided by the best services are physically located in the location they serve.
Depending on how many users are connected at any one time, a single server may get crowded and slow. This is why there will be a number of servers in each location. If there are plenty to choose from, the VPN can intelligently direct users to the fastest server, ensuring good performance for every user.
Finally, each server can assign you to a number of different IP addresses. Beyond rotating your IP address to keep your identity anonymous, this is especially useful when it comes to the best streaming VPNs. Streaming sites block VPN users in a number of ways, but many blanket-ban swathes of IP addresses that have been associated with VPN use.
A provider with a wide range of servers – and therefore a wide range of IP addresses – will typically be better suited for unblocking streaming sites. However, this isn’t always the case, and in our testing we’ve experienced VPN providers with modest server counts perform much more effectively than those with a gargantuan fleet.
Quality over quantity
The number of servers a VPN provider operates can fluctuate, but generally all of our top-rated providers consistently run at least over 1,000 servers worldwide. Some offer considerably more. Below, we’ll run down our favorite providers in order of preference and compare how many servers they run.
- NordVPN: 7,300+
- Surfshark: 3,200+
- ExpressVPN: 3,000+
- Proton VPN: 11,800+
- Private Internet Access (PIA): 20,000+ (reported, but undisclosed)
- CyberGhost: 11,700+
- IPVanish: 2,400+
- Mullvad: 687
Our favorite VPN, NordVPN, has over double the number of servers compared to its closest rival providers. It boasts over 7,300 in 118 countries, while Surfshark offers 3,200+ servers in 100 countries and ExpressVPN has 3,000+ in 105 countries.
Its servers are capable of handling some of the fastest VPN speeds around, with NordVPN clocking 950 Mbps in our testing. You'll be able to unblock all major streaming sites and each server is protected by class-leading privacy.
A select few NordVPN server locations include additional server features such as obfuscated servers, Double VPN servers, and Dedicated IP servers.
You will see the number of servers offered by a VPN provider vary, and almost all will cover the most popular countries and locations. However, ensuring your VPN has a good range of locations, all the latest security features, and servers that really work is far more important than the raw number advertised on-site.
How many servers do you really need?
When recommending VPNs, server count certainly comes into the picture – but it’s not a defining factor. We’d say that IPVanish's 2,400+ servers is at the low end, and when reviewing a service we’d consider anything lower than 1,000 a negative.
But, as mentioned above, server spread and quality are much more important. Mullvad's server count of 687 is very low, however P2P is supported on all servers and there is a real focus on anonymity and "total privacy."
What else should you be looking for?
It’s definitely worth taking a look at how many servers a VPN has, but other features will likely have a more tangible impact on your day-to-day usage.
First up, privacy and security should be at the top of your list – there’s no point in signing up to a VPN service that doesn’t cover these absolute basics.
Then, it’s worth considering what you’ll actually be using your VPN for. If you’re not a big TV streamer you likely won’t be looking for a Netflix VPN or BBC iPlayer VPN, but for many this will be a major attraction. The same goes for a torrenting VPN – does your chosen provider support P2P on every server?
Ease of use is also a factor. Hardcore techies will be able to forgive a complex UI if it affords comprehensive customization, but those looking to plug and play will favor simple, intuitive app design.
What do we recommend?
Is it the same for free VPNs?
The server size of the best free VPNs can't compare with those of premium providers. However the servers are secure and your privacy and security won't be at risk.
Our favorite free VPN, PrivadoVPN Free, has 13 server locations in 10 countries – covering North America, South America, and Europe. This is a generous spread for a free VPN and its speeds top 950 Mbps. You have total control of which server you connect to, although there is a 10 GB monthly limit in place.
Windscribe Free offers a similar spread of servers, with 14 locations in 11 countries. Like PrivadoVPN Free, you have control of your server choice and a 10 GB monthly data allowance – alongside speeds of around 900 Mbps.
ProtonVPN Free is also a great free VPN choice in terms of privacy and its unlimited data allowance , but its server offering is a real negative. There are only five server locations in five countries and even worse, you can't choose which server you connect to.
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