Best VPN for Traveling Abroad in 2026: 8 Tools Tested & Ranked
Stop wasting money on a VPN that'll fail you the moment you land somewhere that actually matters. Finding the best VPN for traveling abroad in 2026 isn't about picking the most recognizable name from a YouTube sponsorship — it's about matching the right tool to your actual travel situation. Whether you're trying to stream your home Netflix library from a hotel in Bangkok, stay online in China without losing your mind, or just keep your data off the hands of whoever's running that sketchy airport Wi-Fi in Rome, the wrong choice will let you down at the worst possible moment.
I've run all 8 of these VPNs through real-world travel scenarios — server counts, speed tests, geo-restriction bypassing, kill switch reliability, and (crucially) how annoying they are to set up when you're jet-lagged at midnight. Here's the full breakdown.
What to Actually Look for in a Travel VPN
Before we get into the rankings, let's establish what really matters. A VPN for home use is one thing. A VPN for international travel is a completely different animal.
Speed and server coverage are non-negotiable. You don't want a VPN throttling your connection when you're trying to video call home or catch up on work. Server count and location spread determine how many countries you can "appear" to be in — critical for unblocking region-locked content.
Censorship-heavy countries (China, UAE, Russia, Iran) require VPNs with obfuscation technology that disguises your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic. Honestly, this is where a lot of VPNs completely fall apart — and the marketing won't tell you that upfront. Some are essentially useless in these regions.
Device compatibility matters too. Travelers often switch between a phone, tablet, and laptop throughout a single day. You'll want a VPN that lets you connect multiple devices simultaneously without making you feel like you're performing surgery on your account settings.
Finally, logging policy is huge. A true no-logs policy — ideally audited by a third party — means even the VPN provider can't hand your data to a foreign government if asked. Fun fact: some VPN companies have literally handed over user logs when pressured by law enforcement, which is a great reminder to actually read the fine print before you trust anyone with your traffic.
How We Evaluated These VPNs
Here's the methodology (because "we just vibed it" isn't good enough):
- Speed testing: Measured connection speeds across 5 server locations using Speedtest.net and Fast.com, with and without VPN active
- Server footprint: Counted countries and total servers available
- Geo-unblocking: Tested Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and regional content from 10+ countries
- Censorship bypass: Evaluated obfuscation features and known performance in restrictive regions
- Privacy audit: Checked logging policy, jurisdiction, and independent audit status
- Pricing: Compared monthly vs. annual vs. multi-year plans
- Ease of use: Rated setup complexity on a 1–5 scale for non-tech-savvy travelers
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Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price (Annual) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | All-around travel performance | ~$3.99/mo | ⭐ 9.4/10 |
| Surfshark | Unlimited device connections | ~$2.19/mo | ⭐ 9.1/10 |
| ProtonVPN | Privacy-first travelers | ~$4.99/mo | ⭐ 8.9/10 |
| CyberGhost | Streaming-focused travelers | ~$2.03/mo | ⭐ 8.6/10 |
| Private Internet Access | Power users & customization | ~$2.19/mo | ⭐ 8.4/10 |
| IPVanish | BYOD & multi-device setups | ~$2.99/mo | ⭐ 8.1/10 |
| Windscribe | Budget travelers & free tier | Free / ~$5.75/mo | ⭐ 7.8/10 |
| TunnelBear | VPN beginners | Free / ~$3.33/mo | ⭐ 7.4/10 |
Detailed Reviews: Best VPN for Traveling Abroad in 2026
#1. NordVPN — Best Overall for International Travel
NordVPN is the benchmark. It's been at or near the top of virtually every serious VPN ranking for the last three years, and in 2026 it's still earning that spot — particularly for travelers. With over 6,800 servers across 111 countries, you're almost never going to hit a coverage gap. What sets it apart for travel specifically is the combination of Obfuscated Servers (for use in China and the UAE), double VPN functionality, and the Threat Protection feature that blocks malicious sites even when the VPN isn't actively connected.
Speed-wise, NordVPN consistently retains 70–85% of your base connection speed on nearby servers — which is genuinely impressive for a full-featured VPN. Long-distance connections to Asia from Europe dropped to around 55–65% retention in testing, which is still very usable for streaming and video calls. Look, no VPN is going to make a slow connection fast, but NordVPN wastes as little speed as any provider I've tested.
Key Features:
- 6,800+ servers in 111 countries
- Obfuscated servers for censorship-heavy regions
- NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based) for fast, stable connections
- Double VPN for extra encryption layers
- Threat Protection (ad/malware blocking)
- 6 simultaneous connections
- Audited no-logs policy (multiple independent audits)
- Split tunneling on most platforms
Pricing:
- Basic: ~$3.99/mo (2-year plan)
- Plus: ~$4.99/mo (adds Password Manager + Data Breach Scanner)
- Ultimate: ~$6.99/mo (adds cloud storage)
- Monthly plan: ~$12.99/mo
Pros:
- Best-in-class speed for a full-featured VPN
- Excellent at bypassing geo-restrictions (Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, etc.)
- Proven obfuscation for restricted countries
- Strong no-logs reputation backed by multiple audits
Cons:
- Six-device limit feels restrictive if you've got a family traveling together
- Monthly price is steep if you don't commit to a longer plan
- macOS app historically had fewer features than the Windows version (gap has mostly closed in 2026)
#2. Surfshark — Best for Unlimited Device Connections
Here's the deal: if you're traveling with a partner, kids, or just own too many gadgets (no judgment — I've been that person with a laptop, tablet, phone, and e-reader all needing protection), Surfshark's unlimited simultaneous connections is a massive differentiator. No counting devices. No "but I'm already using 5 slots." Just connect everything and move on with your life.
The server network has expanded significantly and now sits at 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. Its NoBorders mode specifically targets restrictive internet environments, and it works pretty well. Speed performance is strong for the price, though it noticeably lags behind NordVPN on raw throughput during congested peak hours — we're talking maybe 10–15% slower on average in testing. The Nexus feature (routing through multiple servers as a network rather than just a chain) is genuinely innovative and worth experimenting with if you care about that sort of thing.
Honestly, I think Surfshark is underrated. Most comparisons focus on NordVPN's speed advantage and leave it at that, but for a family trip or anyone with more than 6 devices, the unlimited connections policy alone makes Surfshark the smarter buy.
Key Features:
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
- NoBorders mode for censorship bypass
- Nexus multi-hop network technology
- CleanWeb (ad, tracker, and malware blocking)
- Camouflage mode (obfuscation)
- Split tunneling and kill switch
- Audited no-logs policy
Pricing:
- Starter: ~$2.19/mo (2-year plan)
- One: ~$2.69/mo (adds Antivirus + Alert data breach tool)
- One+: ~$4.29/mo (adds Alternative ID + data removal)
- Monthly: ~$15.45/mo
Pros:
- Truly unlimited device connections — a genuine rarity
- Excellent value per feature dollar
- Camouflage and NoBorders modes work well in restrictive regions
- Intuitive app design across all platforms
Cons:
- Speeds don't quite match NordVPN, especially on congested servers
- Smaller server count than NordVPN and CyberGhost
- Monthly pricing is one of the highest on this list
#3. ProtonVPN — Best for Privacy-First Travelers
ProtonVPN doesn't compete on price. It competes on trust — and that's a deliberate choice. Built by the same team behind ProtonMail and based in Switzerland (which has some of the world's strongest privacy laws), this is the VPN for travelers who are genuinely worried about surveillance. We're talking journalists, activists, researchers, or anyone visiting countries with authoritarian governments where being caught with the wrong data on your device has real consequences.
The Stealth protocol is specifically engineered to defeat deep packet inspection (DPI) — the method countries like China and Iran use to identify and block VPN traffic. ProtonVPN is also one of the very few providers that's fully open-source, meaning their apps are publicly audited and the code is available for anyone to review. That's a level of transparency most VPN companies simply don't offer, and frankly, more companies should be held to that standard.
Key Features:
- Open-source apps (independently audited)
- Stealth protocol for DPI bypass
- Secure Core: routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries first
- 9,000+ servers in 112 countries (2026 expansion)
- NetShield (ad/malware blocking)
- Perfect forward secrecy
- 10 simultaneous connections
- No-logs policy (audited)
Pricing:
- Free: 1 device, limited servers, no streaming
- VPN Essentials: ~$4.99/mo (annual)
- VPN Plus: ~$7.99/mo (annual, includes streaming servers + Secure Core)
- Proton Unlimited: ~$9.99/mo (bundles ProtonMail, Drive, Calendar)
- Monthly: starts at ~$9.99/mo
Pros:
- Best privacy credentials of any VPN on this list — it's not close
- Open-source with public audits means real transparency, not just marketing
- Stealth protocol is one of the best tools available for censorship-heavy countries
- Free tier is actually usable (unlike most "free" VPNs)
Cons:
- More expensive than competitors for equivalent features
- Free plan is too limited for serious travel use
- Interface is slightly more technical than CyberGhost or TunnelBear
#4. CyberGhost — Best for Streaming While Traveling
CyberGhost's standout feature is its streaming-optimized servers — dedicated server instances labeled by streaming service and region. Instead of guessing which server will work for Netflix Germany this week, you just select "Netflix DE" from a list and you're done. For travelers who primarily want to maintain access to their home streaming services, this UX decision alone makes CyberGhost worth considering. It's one of those "why doesn't everyone do this?" moments.
The network is enormous: 11,690+ servers across 100 countries, which is the largest raw server count on this entire list. Speed is solid but not exceptional — you'll get reliable streaming performance without the top-tier throughput of NordVPN. Worth noting: CyberGhost doesn't officially support use in China or the UAE, which is a real limitation if your travels take you there. If that's your situation, look at options 1–3 instead.
Key Features:
- 11,690+ servers across 100 countries
- Streaming-optimized servers labeled by service and region
- Dedicated IP add-on available
- NoSpy servers (owned and operated by CyberGhost in Romania)
- 7 simultaneous connections
- Automatic Wi-Fi protection
- 45-day money-back guarantee (longest on this list)
- No-logs policy (audited by Deloitte)
Pricing:
- 2-year plan: ~$2.03/mo
- 1-year plan: ~$4.29/mo
- Monthly: ~$12.99/mo
- Dedicated IP: +~$2.50/mo add-on
Pros:
- Largest server network by raw count
- Streaming-optimized servers are genuinely user-friendly
- 45-day money-back guarantee is the best in the industry
- Deloitte-audited no-logs policy adds serious credibility
Cons:
- Not recommended for China or UAE — obfuscation is weak
- Monthly pricing isn't great value
- NoSpy server speeds can be inconsistent
#5. Private Internet Access — Best for Power Users
Private Internet Access (PIA) is the right choice if you're the type of traveler who wants to tweak every single setting. It offers more configuration options than any other provider on this list — encryption cipher selection, protocol switching, port forwarding, and a MACE ad/malware blocker that's surprisingly effective for something built into a VPN. The interface isn't the prettiest, but it's deeply functional, and tech-savvy users will appreciate having that level of control.
The server count is exceptional: 35,000+ servers across 91 countries, which dwarfs every other option here. Speeds have improved meaningfully since the WireGuard integration, though average performance still falls slightly behind NordVPN in real-world testing. The unlimited simultaneous connections policy (same as Surfshark) is a notable plus for device-heavy travelers.
Key Features:
- 35,000+ servers in 91 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Open-source apps
- MACE ad and malware blocking
- Port forwarding support
- Multiple encryption options (AES-128 vs. AES-256)
- WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 protocols
- Audited no-logs policy
Pricing:
- 3-year plan: ~$2.19/mo
- 1-year plan: ~$3.33/mo
- Monthly: ~$11.99/mo
Pros:
- Largest server network on this list (35,000+ — it's not even close)
- Unlimited device connections
- Highly configurable for tech-savvy users
- Strong value on the 3-year plan
Cons:
- US-based jurisdiction (Five Eyes alliance — a legitimate concern for privacy purists)
- Interface is less polished than NordVPN or Surfshark
- Not reliable in China
#6. IPVanish — Best for Router & BYOD Setups
IPVanish earns its spot through unlimited device connections and — more importantly — excellent router compatibility. If you're the type of traveler who brings a travel router (or wants to use one at your accommodation), IPVanish makes it straightforward to protect every device on that network simultaneously. The iOS and Android apps are genuinely among the best-designed on this list, which matters a lot when you're fumbling with settings in a busy airport.
Speed performance is solid, particularly on US-based servers. International server performance is more variable — I've seen some disappointing results on Asian servers specifically. The no-logs policy has improved since the company's controversial 2016 incident (where they provided user logs to federal authorities), and they've since completed third-party audits. Transparency has genuinely improved, but some privacy advocates still raise an eyebrow, and honestly, that's fair.
Key Features:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 2,400+ servers in 90+ countries
- Router-level VPN support
- WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP protocols
- SOCKS5 proxy included
- Split tunneling
- Audited no-logs policy (as of 2024 audit)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Pricing:
- Annual plan: ~$2.99/mo (first year, then renews higher)
- Monthly: ~$10.99/mo
Pros:
- Unlimited connections with excellent mobile apps
- Strong router integration for travel setups
- SOCKS5 proxy is useful for specific use cases
- Solid performance on US-based servers
Cons:
- Historical logging controversy — transparency has improved but that history doesn't disappear
- International server performance is inconsistent
- Renewal prices jump significantly after the first year — read the fine print
#7. Windscribe — Best Free Option for Budget Travelers
Windscribe is the most generous free VPN on this list, and it's not particularly close. The free tier gives you 10GB of data per month (bumped to 15GB if you confirm your email) across servers in 11 countries. That's genuinely enough for a week of light travel use — checking email, occasional browsing, quick video calls — without spending anything.
The paid plan is also one of the most creative and flexible options I've come across: you can build a custom plan by selecting only the specific countries you need, starting at $1/month per location. For travelers who visit 2–3 countries regularly rather than globe-trotting constantly, this could legitimately work out cheaper than any all-inclusive plan. Windscribe's R.O.B.E.R.T. blocking system is also unusually powerful for ad and tracker filtering, with granular controls that put most competitors to shame.
The one real gap here: there's no named third-party audit of the no-logs policy. That's something Windscribe needs to fix if it wants to be taken as seriously as NordVPN or ProtonVPN.
Key Features:
- Free tier: 10–15GB/month, 11 countries
- 68 countries on paid plan
- R.O.B.E.R.T. advanced blocking system
- Garble (obfuscation) for restrictive regions
- Split tunneling and kill switch
- Browser extension available (free, with no data cap)
- Custom plan: pick your own server locations
- No-logs policy (not yet audited by a named third party)
Pricing:
- Free: 10–15GB/month
- Pro: ~$5.75/mo (annual) or ~$9/mo (monthly)
- Build-a-plan: $1/mo per location
- Lifetime plan: ~$199 one-time
Pros:
- Most generous free tier of any VPN here
- Custom plan is brilliantly flexible for occasional travelers
- Lifetime plan option is genuinely rare and could be extremely cost-effective long-term
- Browser extension is excellent and completely free with no data limit
Cons:
- No independent audit of no-logs policy from a named third party — this matters
- Free tier data cap limits heavier use
- Fewer servers than the major players
- App design feels less polished than the top-tier options
#8. TunnelBear — Best for VPN Beginners
TunnelBear is the VPN you recommend to your parents before they jet off on holiday. It's unapologetically simple — bears, tunnels, big colorful buttons. The learning curve is essentially zero, and it works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and as a browser extension. For first-time VPN users who just want to protect themselves on foreign Wi-Fi without reading a manual, TunnelBear is genuinely the right answer.
Look, the free tier gives you 500MB per month, which is almost insultingly low in 2026 — basically enough to confirm the app works before you buy a subscription. The paid tier unlocks unlimited data and access to 47 countries. TunnelBear is annually audited by Cure53, which is a reputable and rigorous security firm, and that's a serious credibility point for such a consumer-friendly product. Most beginner-focused VPNs don't bother with that level of scrutiny.
(Side note: TunnelBear was bought by McAfee back in 2018, which some privacy advocates have flagged as a concern. Hasn't caused obvious problems yet, but worth knowing.)
Key Features:
- Beginner-friendly interface across all platforms
- 47 countries
- GhostBear obfuscation mode
- VigilantBear kill switch
- SplitBear split tunneling (Android/Windows)
- Annual independent security audit by Cure53
- 5 simultaneous connections
- No-logs policy
Pricing:
- Free: 500MB/month
- Unlimited: ~$3.33/mo (annual)
- Teams: ~$5.75/user/mo (annual)
- Monthly: ~$9.99/mo
Pros:
- Absolute easiest VPN to set up and use — genuinely takes about 2 minutes
- Annual Cure53 audit is excellent for a consumer-focused VPN
- GhostBear helps in some restrictive regions
- Affordable annual plan
Cons:
- Only 47 countries — smallest network on this entire list
- 5-device limit on the paid plan
- Free tier is nearly useless at 500MB
- Fewer advanced features than every other tool here
- Not reliable in China despite GhostBear
Full Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | ProtonVPN | CyberGhost | PIA | IPVanish | Windscribe | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Server Countries | 111 | 100 | 112 | 100 | 91 | 90 | 68 | 47 |
| Total Servers | 6,800+ | 3,200+ | 9,000+ | 11,690+ | 35,000+ | 2,400+ | ~600 | ~1,800 |
| Simultaneous Devices | 6 | Unlimited | 10 | 7 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5 |
| Obfuscation | ✅ Strong | ✅ Good | ✅ Best | ❌ Weak | ❌ Limited | ❌ Limited | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Partial |
| Works in China | ✅ Usually | ✅ Usually | ✅ Usually | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ Sometimes | ❌ |
| Streaming Optimized | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Best | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| No-Logs Audit | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Free Tier | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Limited | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ 10–15GB | ✅ 500MB |
| Kill Switch | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ Partial |
| Cheapest Annual Price | $3.99/mo | $2.19/mo | $4.99/mo | $2.03/mo | $2.19/mo | $2.99/mo | $5.75/mo | $3.33/mo |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 45 days | 30 days | 30 days | 3 days | 30 days |
How to Pick the Right VPN for Your Travel Situation
Don't just grab the cheapest option. That's a trap — and an easy one to fall into when you're comparing monthly prices that all look small in isolation. Here's a practical framework based on where you're actually going and what you actually need.
Visiting China, UAE, or Other Censorship-Heavy Countries?
Stop reading and go with NordVPN, Surfshark, or ProtonVPN — in that order for ease of use, in reverse order for technical sophistication. ProtonVPN's Stealth protocol is technically the most advanced tool for defeating deep packet inspection. NordVPN's Obfuscated Servers have the longest real-world track record of working inside China. Don't bother with CyberGhost, PIA, or IPVanish for this use case — they're genuinely not built for it, and you'll figure that out at the worst possible time.
Streaming Is Your Main Goal?
CyberGhost wins on sheer streaming UX — the labeled server system is just better than anything a competitor offers. NordVPN is a strong runner-up if you want to combine streaming reliability with top-tier speeds.
Traveling with Family or a Pile of Devices?
Surfshark and PIA both offer unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark edges out with better speeds and a more polished interface for non-technical users — I'd suggest it for families specifically.
Privacy Is Non-Negotiable?
ProtonVPN isn't even close here. Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, public audits, Secure Core architecture — it's built specifically for users who can't afford to blindly trust a third party with their data.
Traveling on a Tight Budget?
Windscribe is the honest answer. The free tier gets you started, the Pro plan undercuts most competitors, and the custom plan is genuinely clever for occasional travelers. Among the premium options, CyberGhost and Surfshark offer the best value per dollar.
Never Used a VPN Before?
Just get TunnelBear. You'll actually use it, which is the only metric that matters for a first-timer. You can always graduate to NordVPN or ProtonVPN once you've got a feel for how VPNs work.
Verdict: Best VPN for Traveling Abroad in 2026
Here's the deal — let me make this simple with clear use-case winners:
- Best overall travel VPN: NordVPN Nordvpn — The most complete package of speed, server coverage, streaming performance, and censorship bypass
- Best for value + unlimited devices: Surfshark Surfshark — Remarkable feature density at a price that doesn't sting
- Best for privacy-first travelers: ProtonVPN Protonvpn — When trust and transparency matter more than saving $2/month
- Best for streaming abroad: CyberGhost Cyberghost — The labeled streaming servers are a genuinely brilliant UX decision that the whole industry should copy
- Best for power users: Private Internet Access Private Internet Access — Configure everything your way, with 35,000+ servers to back it up
- Best free option: Windscribe Windscribe — The only free VPN here that doesn't feel like a punishment
- Best for beginners: TunnelBear Tunnelbear — When setup complexity is your biggest fear
My honest hot take: ProtonVPN is quietly underrated for serious travelers, and most people skip it because of the price. That's a mistake. If you're visiting destinations where your data is genuinely at risk — and there are more of those destinations than most people realize — the Swiss jurisdiction, open-source codebase, and Stealth protocol are worth every extra cent. It's the one I'd recommend to someone who pulls me aside at a party and asks what they should actually use before a trip somewhere complicated.
And here's my other hot take: the VPN industry overall oversells "server count" as a metric. PIA has 35,000+ servers, which sounds incredible, but if the servers you actually need (in the countries you're visiting) are slow or unreliable, that number is meaningless. Focus on where you need coverage, not how impressive a number looks in a comparison table.
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FAQ: Best VPN for Traveling Abroad in 2026
Do I actually need a VPN when traveling internationally?
Honestly, yes — especially if you're connecting to public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, or cafes. Unencrypted public networks are genuinely easy to snoop on, and it takes surprisingly little technical skill to intercept traffic on a shared network. A VPN encrypts your traffic so your passwords, bank logins, and personal data aren't visible to anyone else on the same connection. Beyond security, it lets you access geo-restricted content from home and bypass local censorship in restrictive countries. The peace of mind alone is worth $3/month.
Which VPN actually works in China in 2026?
NordVPN (Obfuscated Servers), Surfshark (NoBorders + Camouflage mode), and ProtonVPN (Stealth protocol) are your best bets. No VPN guarantees 100% uptime in China — the Great Firewall updates constantly and actively hunts for VPN traffic patterns — but these three have the most consistent track record. The critical thing that most guides bury in a footnote: download and set up your VPN before you arrive in China, because VPN websites are themselves often blocked once you're inside the country.
Will a VPN slow down my internet while traveling?
Yes, to some degree — that's unavoidable. Encryption adds processing overhead, and routing through a VPN server adds physical distance to your data's journey. The best VPNs (NordVPN, Surfshark) retain 70–85% of your base connection speed on nearby servers. On a fast hotel connection, you probably won't notice. On a slow hostel connection running at 5 Mbps to begin with, every VPN will feel slower and there's not much you can do about it.
Is it legal to use a VPN abroad?
In most countries, absolutely. VPNs are legal tools in the vast majority of the world. That said, countries like China, Russia, Iran, and the UAE restrict or outright ban unauthorized VPN use. Enforcement against tourists is rare but not impossible, and the legal gray area is real. Always check the specific laws for your destination before relying on a VPN for anything sensitive.
Can a free VPN actually work for international travel?
For very light use, Windscribe's 10–15GB free tier and ProtonVPN's free tier are the only ones I'd consider seriously. Most free VPNs make their money by logging and selling your data, showing intrusive ads, or throttling your connection to speeds that make the whole thing pointless. They're often worse for privacy than just using no VPN at all — which is a genuinely depressing fact. If you're serious about travel security, spend the $2–5/month on a reputable paid plan.
How many server locations do I actually need?
More than you might think, but probably not as many as the marketing suggests. The number that actually matters is whether the VPN has quality servers in the specific countries you need — both where you're physically traveling and where you want to appear to be browsing from. If you're a Netflix-at-home person traveling through Europe, you need strong, reliable US servers. If you're bypassing censorship in Asia, you need solid nearby servers in Japan, Singapore, or Hong Kong. A VPN with 35,000 servers means nothing if the 3 locations you need are slow and overloaded.