Effect of VPN on Internet Speed

Using a VPN may reduce your internet speed since your data has to travel a longer distance to reach its destination. While connected to a VPN, your traffic is encrypted and sent through a remote server, introducing additional distance and encryption overhead that affects speed.

Summary: Tips to Enhance Your VPN Speed

Select a VPN server that is geographically close to you.
Change servers if your current one is experiencing slow speeds or congestion.
Opt for fast protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN.
Activate split tunneling to send critical traffic through the VPN.
Consider switching to a public DNS server for possible speed enhancements.

What Causes a VPN to Slow Down Your Internet?

A VPN encrypts and redirects your data through a remote server, which increases the distance the data must travel and adds encryption overhead, ultimately leading to a slower connection. The degree of slowdown can vary based on the VPN provider, chosen protocol, and the physical location of the server.

How Much Speed Loss Should You Expect from a VPN?

The extent to which your speed may decrease depends on factors such as the distance to the server, the load on the server, and the infrastructure of the VPN. Typically, servers located nearby will result in less speed reduction, while those farther away will create more significant slowdowns. Free VPN services frequently experience higher congestion and lower speeds due to their limited infrastructure.

Elements Influencing VPN Speeds

1. VPN Protocol

Different protocols affect speed differently due to various levels of encryption overhead. Protocols like WireGuard and IKEv2 tend to offer faster speeds, whereas OpenVPN (notably the TCP variant) may reduce your connection speed more significantly.

2. Server Location

Servers that are closer to you generally provide faster connections, while those that are further away add additional latency. Selecting a nearby server helps to reduce speed degradation.

3. Server Load

Servers that are overloaded with users can slow down your connection. Opting for servers that are less congested can help improve speed.

4. Quality of VPN Service

The speed you experience with a VPN is influenced by the provider's server network and overall infrastructure. Quality VPN services invest in optimized networks, leading to better speeds.

Ways to Boost VPN Speed

Select Nearby Servers: Connect to servers that are near your physical location for improved speeds.
Change Servers: Switch to less crowded servers in the same region.
Utilize Fast Protocols: Use WireGuard or OpenVPN for the best combination of speed and security.
Enable Split Tunneling: Direct only essential traffic through the VPN to lessen the load.
Install Directly on Your Device: Use the VPN application on your device for better performance than installing it on your router.
Modify DNS Server: Change to a public DNS server if the VPN’s DNS is slow.
Close Background Applications: Terminate unnecessary applications to free up bandwidth.
Use Wired Connections: Wired Ethernet connections are generally faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.

Can a VPN Actually Speed Up Your Internet?

In certain situations, a VPN can circumvent ISP throttling, which may enhance your speed for specific activities like streaming and P2P sharing by preventing your ISP from monitoring and restricting your traffic.

How to Measure VPN Speed

Conduct a speed test without the VPN to establish baseline speeds.
Connect to your chosen VPN server and test again.
Compare the results to assess the VPN’s impact on your connection speed.

Conclusion

Though VPNs can reduce your internet speed due to encryption and rerouting, selecting optimal servers, protocols, and configurations can minimize this effect. In some instances, a VPN might even enhance speeds by evading ISP throttling.