Wondering “what’s the best VPN for my country?” We got you covered with our list of best VPN services for 49+ countries.
Each country’s government takes a slightly different approach to things like online privacy, data retention and p2p file-sharing.
Some countries, like China, block hundreds of websites and monitor all Internet traffic. Others keep the Internet relatively free. Then there are countries where p2p is a grey area or even legal, like Switzerland, while the next country does everything in its power to block torrenting.
That’s why we’ve compiled this country-by-country list, making it easy to reference and compare each country’s stance on issues related to privacy, torrenting, and more.
We’ve also included specific VPN recommendations for each country, so you’ll be able to access your favorite sites and download your favorite content from anywhere in the world.
'Best VPN by Country' contents (select to expand)
Best VPN to Use Country-by-Country List
We cover almost 50 countries in our list below, presented in alphabetical order, from Argentina to Vietnam.
Argentina
- Best VPN with servers in Argentina is PureVPN
- Argentine citizens should be wary of the sweeping surveillance powers its government has under the Data Protection Act and Telecommunications Act
- The authorities in Argentina frown on p2p file-sharing, so torrent downloaders in Argentina should protect their IP address with one of the reliable VPN services recommended above
Australia
- Top VPN with servers in Australia is PIA VPN
- Australian ISPs are required by law to save two years of user web history, which you can counter with a good no-logs VPN
- Peer-to-peer file sharing is heavily restricted, forcing torrent downloaders who wish to remain private to use a VPN just to access torrent sites, let alone download content
Austria
- Best VPN with servers in Austria is PureVPN
- As a member of the EU but not of the Fourteen Eyes, Austrian citizens can have a reasonable expectation of privacy
- Austria’s government isn’t as outright hostile to torrenting as some countries, but p2p torrent users should still use a VPN
Bangladesh
- Top VPN with servers in Bangladesh is PureVPN
- Online privacy is basically nonexistent in Bangladesh, thanks to its Information and Communication Technology Act, and you’ll need a VPN even just to access sites like YouTube!
- Authorities in Bangladesh tend to turn a blind eye towards p2p file-sharing, but it’s still a good idea to search and download safely behind a VPN
Brazil
- Best VPN with servers in Brazil is PIA VPN
- Brazilian law provides constitution protections for privacy and data, but you’ll need a VPN to access certain sites and even to use WhatsApp without interruption
- Authorities in Brazil tend to overlook torrenting, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe to do so without a VPN
Cambodia
- Top VPN with servers in Cambodia is PIA VPN
- Internet privacy is at risk in Cambodia and many websites are blocked, so a VPN will be required to access them
- On paper, torrenting is punishable by fine or prison in Cambodia. Even though it’s not always enforced, it’s a good idea to disguise your p2p torrent traffic with a VPN
Canada
- Best VPN with servers in Canada is PIA VPN
- Canada is one of the Five Eyes countries, known for their invasive surveillance, so you should always access the Internet through a VPN
- Torrenting is a major target in Canada and the authorities have even blocked several torrent sites, meaning you’ll need a VPN to access them and to download content
China
- PIA VPN is the only top VPN with actual servers inside China
- The Chinese government places extensive restrictions on privacy, websites, and even VPN use, but even the “Great Firewall” can be bypassed with the right VPN provider
- Not only is p2p torrenting under major scrutiny in China and many torrent sites blocked, but even a lot of foreign and Western media is restricted, so you’ll definitely need a VPN to access your favorite websites let alone to torrent, stream, etc.
Colombia
- Best VPN with servers in Colombia is PIA VPN
- Privacy protection laws in Colombia are outdated, meaning the government could be snooping on your online activity if you’re not using a VPN
- Authorities do tend to overlook p2p file-sharing, however, you may need a VPN to access some content
Cuba
- There aren’t any top VPNs with servers in Cuba, but NordVPN is a good option
- Internet access in Cuba is limited and the government monitors what little traffic there is, meaning you should definitely connect from behind a VPN
- The Internet is so slow in Cuba that peer-to-peer downloading is painful, and you can only connect in public places, making it a terrible country for torrenting
Egypt
- Top VPN with servers in Egypt is PureVPN
- Internet users in Egypt are subject to heavy surveillance by the High Council for Cybersecurity, and you’ll need a VPN to bypass any of the many websites that are blocked in the country
- While the government does monitor Internet traffic, they don’t typically pursue torrenters, though to be as safe as possible you should be using a VPN anyways
France
- Best VPN with servers in France is PIA VPN
- France is a member of the Nine Eyes and the government has passed multiple anti-privacy surveillance laws over the past few years, making it a must to use a good VPN to avoid snooping
- Local authorities don’t take kindly to p2p, so you better be equipped with a reliable no-logs VPN like those recommended above, if you’re torrenting in France
Germany
- Top VPN with servers in Germany is PIA VPN
- Between its own intelligence agency (Bundesnachrichtendienst or BND), its ties to the NSA, and Germany’s data retention laws, any user who values their privacy should be using a VPN to access the Internet
- Germany is one of the most anti-p2p countries in the world and goes after torrent users aggressively, so make sure you only download through a VPN
Ghana
- There aren't any VPNs with servers in Ghana, but PIA VPN has some in nearby countries, like Nigeria, Morocco, and Algeria
- Ghana’s online security threats don’t come from its government but from hackers, so make sure to use a VPN when connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot
- p2p isn’t particularly controversial in Ghana, but even many legit streaming sites are blocked there for copyright reasons, meaning you’ll need a VPN to access services like Netflix
Hong Kong
- Best VPN provider with servers in Hong Kong is PIA VPN
- While Hong Kong isn’t subject to the full level of surveillance found in mainland China, it’s still a good idea to use a VPN to avoid the eyes of Chinese snoopers
- Hong Kong is generally considered a p2p-friendly country, where torrent downloaders aren’t pursued or prosecuted, but you should still use a good VPN to stay off the radar
India
- Top VPN with servers in India is PureVPN
- The Indian government conducts surveillance and blocks websites at an extremely high rate, so it’s best to use a VPN for all your Internet needs
- Even though the authorities do generally turn a blind eye to downloading torrents, you’ll need a VPN to access most torrent sites
Indonesia
- Best VPN with servers in Indonesia is PIA VPN
- Indonesia’s State Intelligence Law gives the government the ability to spy on anyone. Plus, over 800,000 websites are blocked in the country, making a good VPN an absolute must
- Despite the government’s rampant surveillance, torrenting is quite common in Indonesia, though most torrent sites are blocked and can only be accessed via VPN
Iran
- There aren’t any top VPNs with servers in Iran, but NordVPN provides features that will make it easier to bypass local restrictions
- Iran has some of the most extreme surveillance and Internet restrictions of any country, so you’ll need a VPN and use it carefully if you hope to avoid the government’s watchful eye
- Though there isn’t much reporting on p2p users being prosecuted in Iran, you can’t even access most torrent or streaming sites without a VPN
Iraq
- There aren’t any best VPNs with servers in Iraq, but NordVPN is our top pick
- The Internet is very restricted in Iraq and Wi-Fi hotspots can be targets for hackers, making a good VPN a necessity for privacy and security
- The Iraqi government is generally not too concerned with torrent downloaders, though they do block sites like The Pirate Bay, making a VPN a must for access
Ireland
- Top VPN with servers in Ireland is PureVPN
- Ireland generally ranks high for its lack of Internet censorship and surveillance, but its membership in the EU and relationships with the Five Eyes countries mean a VPN is still a good idea
- While most p2p users in Ireland haven’t had problems downloading torrents, a VPN is required to access the more than 250 torrent site domains that are currently blocked there
Italy
- Best VPN with servers in Italy is PureVPN
- With surveillance common in Italy, using a VPN is the only way to keep the government out of your online activities
- Italy has really been cracking down on torrent sites and users in recent years, so use a VPN to protect yourself and access blocked sites and content
Japan
- Top VPN with servers in Japan is PIA VPN
- While the Japanese government imposes little censorship on accessing websites, their relationship with the US and its intelligence agencies means a VPN should be used to best protect your privacy
- However, torrenting is highly illegal in Japan, so you'll definitely want to use a VPN if you plan to do so.
Malaysia
- Best VPN with servers in Malaysia is PureVPN
- The Malaysian government and local ISPs place heavy restrictions on the Internet, forcing residents to use VPNs if they want to access blocked content and do it privately
- Authorities don’t seem to bother with individual torrent users, but they have blocked sites like The Pirate Bay that will require a VPN to bypass
Mexico
- Top VPN with servers in Mexico is PureVPN
- The Telecommunications Law of 2014 requires ISPs and mobile providers to store two years of users’ data, but that can be avoided with a good VPN
- Mexico is one of the more p2p-friendly countries, with enforcement being very lax, but you should protect yourself with a VPN, just in case
Netherlands/Holland
- Best VPN with servers in the Netherlands/Holland is PIA VPN
- The Netherlands has long been a privacy-friendly country, but that seems poised to change with its passing of an invasive surveillance law known as “Wiv”, which will force residents to use VPNs to avoid snooping
- The Dutch government was also p2p-friendly for ages and torrenting for personal use was even legal, but this has also changed, meaning a VPN is now a necessity for torrent downloaders and content streamers alike
Nigeria
- Our pick for the best VPN with servers in Nigeria is PureVPN
- Nigeria’s privacy laws are middle of the road, but you’ll want to use a VPN to protect yourself from hackers’ man-in-the-middle attacks when connected to Wi-Fi
- Though the authorities have come down hard on users for torrenting Nigerian movies, they don’t tend to pursue other p2p users. Of course, it’s best to use a VPN rather than risk spending time in a Nigerian prison
Norway
- Best VPN with servers in Norway is PureVPN
- Norway is among the least invasive governments in the world when it comes to Internet privacy, but you’ll still need a VPN to access things like Netflix USA to get around licensing restrictions
- Torrent site blocking in recent years makes a VPN a necessity for downloaders in Norway
Pakistan
- ExpressVPN is one of the only top VPNs with servers in Pakistan
- The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill, or PECB, places extensive restrictions on Internet use in Pakistan, and while you can bypass many of these restrictions with a good VPN, you’ll have to decide if it’s worth the risk
- The Pakistani authorities typically don’t pay much mind to private p2p users, but it’s strongly suggested that you use a VPN to avoid any unwanted attention
Panama
- Best VPN with servers in Panama is PIA VPN
- While the Panamanian government isn’t known for being particularly invasive into users’ Internet activity, it’s a good idea to use a VPN to protect yourself on Wi-Fi hotspots
- Panama has some of the strictest copyright laws in the world, making a good VPN an absolute must if you want to engage in p2p downloading
Philippines
- Top VPN with servers in the Philippines is PureVPN
- The government in the Philippines doesn’t put many restrictions on the Internet, but you will need a VPN to stay protected on the local W-Fi
- Authorities also don’t pay much attention to p2p file-sharing, but they do place blocks on some streaming and porn sites, which will require a good VPN to bypass
Poland
- Best VPN with servers in Poland is PureVPN
- Polish ISPs do retain some user data, and you’ll need a good VPN if you want to avoid this data collection
- While p2p file-sharing and streaming by individuals isn’t particularly controversial in Poland, most foreign movies aired in Poland are subject to censorship, so you’ll need a VPN to stream or download the original unaltered content from non-Polish sources
Qatar
- Top VPN with servers in Qatar is PIA VPN
- Qatar’s Internet restrictions aren’t nearly as tight as the other Gulf States, but it does block adult content, gambling sites, and some news sites; all blocks you can bypass with a VPN
- Torrenting is illegal in Qatar and people have been prosecuted, especially for explicit content, so make sure to use one of the recommended VPN services above if you’re downloading torrents; even then, you should consider the risks
Romania
- Best VPN with servers in Romania is PureVPN
- Romania has some of the strongest privacy protections in the world and places little restriction on Internet use, though you will need a VPN to access geo-restricted content like US Netflix
- Authorities also tend to turn a blind eye to p2p file-sharing, though it’s usually a good idea to use a VPN anyways
Russia
- There aren't many VPNs with servers in Russia, but we recommend NordVPN for its other features
- Surveillance and website blocks are widespread in Russia, and you’ll need a strong VPN like those above to avoid this because the government can even block some weaker VPNs
- Torrenting is also widespread in Russia, despite many torrent sites being blocked and requiring a VPN to access them
Saudi Arabia
- The best VPN provider with servers in Saudi Arabia is PIA VPN
- The Saudi government blocks tons of online content, ranging from foreign news sites to pornography, and you’ll need a VPN if you want to access any of it
- One thing the KSA doesn’t seem too keen on censoring though is p2p file-sharing, which is rarely prosecuted; of course, it is even safer to do when behind a VPN
Singapore
- Top VPN with servers in the Singapore is PIA VPN
- The local Media Development Authority, or MDA, blocks over 100 websites and it’s common for web traffic to be tracked; using a VPN will let you access any content and keep your data private
- Authorities don’t go after p2p users aggressively, but between the many blocked torrent sites and the government monitoring of internet activity, you’ll want to use a VPN when downloading
South Africa
- Best VPN with servers in South Africa is PureVPN
- The South African government and local ISPs aren’t particularly invasive or strict, and geo-blocked content, like Netflix, can always be access with a good VPN
- p2p use is widespread in South Africa, but this has led the government to start shutting down file-sharing sites, forcing users to utilize a VPN to bypass them
Spain
- Top VPN with servers in Spain is PIA VPN
- Spain’s government has engaged in censorship and spying on its residents, but the best VPN services (including those recommended above) will allow you to avoid snooping and bypass restrictions
- Spain has some rather harsh anti-p2p laws, so make sure you’re behind a VPN if you plan on doing any downloading
South Korea
- Best VPN with servers in South Korea is PureVPN
- Censorship and surveillance are quite common in South Korea, which makes VPNs a popular choice for both locals and visitors
- South Korea is one of the largest torrenting bases in the world, despite its small-ish population; but as always, it’s good to use a VPN to avoid any potential troubles
Sweden
- Top VPN with servers in Sweden is PIA VPN
- A member of the Fourteen Eyes countries, Sweden’s government continues to push for more invasive data retention laws empowering local ISPs to snoop on their users, so make sure you’re protected by a reliable VPN
- Sweden is home to The Pirate Bay, but that’s a reputation the authorities don’t like, meaning a VPN is a necessity if you want to do any torrenting
Switzerland
- Best VPN with servers in Switzerland is PureVPN
- While Switzerland has long been a bastion of privacy, its local data retention laws continue to expand, forcing people to start using VPNs to avoid invasive tracking
- Taking advantage of p2p file-sharing for personal use is legal in Switzerland, making it one of the safest countries in the world for torrenting
Syria
- None of the best VPN providers currently offer servers in Syria, but NordVPN is your best bet due to its other features
- Internet freedom in Syria is on par with countries like China and even North Korea, which makes it a no-brainer to use a trusted VPN when accessing the Internet there
- Syrian authorities currently have much bigger fish to fry than individuals downloading torrents, but they do block certain websites and streaming services, which can be bypassed via VPN
Thailand
- Top VPN with servers in Thailand is NordVPN
- Under the Computer-Related Crime Act, Thailand has some of the worst censorship and surveillance of any country, making a VPN a must-have for residents and visitors alike
- Various forms of p2p file-sharing are common in Thailand, though there’s a good chance that torrenting sites will be blocked on your hotel W-Fi and will require a VPN to access
Turkey
- Best VPN with servers in Turkey is ExpressVPN
- Turkey suffers from pervasive surveillance and rampant censorship, so always use a reliable VPN when accessing the Internet there
- Torrenting isn’t a big deal in Turkey, but it’s always safer to download from behind a p2p-friendly VPN
Read about how ExpressVPN protected its customers' confidentiality even after one of its VPN servers was seized by authorities in Turkey
Ukraine
- Top VPN with servers in Ukraine is PIA VPN
- The Ukrainian government hasn’t pushed censorship or surveillance much yet, but they do block many websites, particularly Russian ones
- Torrenting is quite common in the Ukraine and is rarely much of an issue for private individuals, but, as always, a non-logging VPN is suggested when downloading
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Best VPN with servers in the UAE is PureVPN
- The UAE blocks many websites and even VoIP services like Skype, so you’ll require a secure VPN to get around these restrictions, just keep in mind that it’s illegal to access blocked content with a VPN
- Authorities don’t pay much attention to p2p usage, but it’s a good idea to use a VPN, especially if downloading explicit content
United Kingdom (UK)
- Most VPN have servers in the UK, but the most reliable is PIA VPN
- The UK’s censorship and attacks on privacy get worse by the year, but fortunately a good VPN can keep you protected and help you bypass their surveillance and blocks
- Many torrent sites are blocked in the UK and the authorities do go after downloaders, so do yourself a favor and grab a no-logs & p2p-friendly VPN
United States of America (USA)
- All VPN services can be expected to have servers in the USA, but the best VPN for the USA is PureVPN
- Though the US government doesn’t censor the Internet, surveillance by the NSA and ISPs is rampant, so always connect to the Internet through a quality VPN to protect your information and activities
- While p2p file-sharing is quite common in the US, ISPs and copyright trolls will go after downloaders, so use a p2p-friendly VPN when downloading torrent content
Read about how Private Internet Access's strict no-logs policy prevented it from disclosing the identity of one of its customers even to the FBI!
Vietnam
- Top VPN with servers in Vietnam is PIA VPN
- The Vietnamese government places extensive restrictions on Internet use, so use a good VPN for avoiding tracking and bypassing blocks
- Torrenting, on the other hand, isn’t given much attention by the authorities, just use a p2p-friendly VPN to be safe
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
There you have it.
This basic country-by-country rundown of the approach to surveillance and censorship in each one should help you choose the right VPN. Of course, it doesn't have to be complicated.
PureVPN should work well in most countries, though you might want to consider PIA VPN if you do a lot of torrenting.
I am from Poland, and as you said polish ISPs do retain some user data. That is why almost all people that I know use Nordvpn provider, which is very popular here. Also, we are not able to watch US Netflix without a vpn, so that is the second reason why I need a good quality vpn.