Effect of VPN on Internet Speed

Utilizing a VPN may cause a slowdown in your internet connection since your data has to travel a longer distance to reach its endpoint. When using a VPN, your data is encrypted and sent through a remote server, which adds both distance and encryption overhead, ultimately affecting speed.

Summary: Tips for Enhancing Your VPN Speed

Opt for a VPN server that is geographically closer to you.
Change servers if the one in use is slow or overloaded.
Select rapid protocols such as WireGuard or OpenVPN.
Activate split tunneling to direct critical traffic through the VPN.
Switch to a public DNS server for possible speed improvements.

What Causes a VPN to Slow Down Your Internet?

A VPN encrypts and redirects your data via a remote server, lengthening the travel distance and adding encryption overhead that can decrease your connection speed. The degree of slowdown varies based on the VPN provider, protocol, and server location.

What Is the Expected Slowdown When Using a VPN?

The decrease in speed is influenced by factors such as server distance, server traffic, and the VPN’s infrastructure. Typically, nearby servers experience minor speed reductions, while servers located further away may lead to more significant slowdowns. Free VPN services frequently exhibit more congestion and slower performance due to constrained infrastructure.

Elements Influencing VPN Speeds

1. VPN Protocol

Speed can vary with different protocols because of the encryption overhead involved. WireGuard and IKEv2 generally provide quicker speeds, whereas OpenVPN (notably TCP) may contribute to greater slowdowns.

2. Server Location

Servers that are closer to you tend to offer faster connections, while those that are farther away introduce latency. Selecting a nearby server can help minimize any speed reduction.

3. Server Load

Connections can slow down if the servers are overloaded with users. Opt for servers that are less crowded for improved speed.

4. Quality of the VPN Service

The speed of your VPN is highly dependent on the provider's server network and infrastructure. Reputable services invest in optimized networks, which helps ensure better performance.

Ways to Enhance VPN Speed

Choose Nearby Servers: Connect to servers that are close to your physical location for faster speeds.
Switch Servers: Move to less busy servers within the same region.
Use Fast Protocols: Transition to WireGuard or OpenVPN for the best combination of speed and security.
Enable Split Tunneling: Direct only essential traffic through the VPN to lighten the load.
Install VPN Software Directly: Download the VPN app directly on your device for superior performance compared to installing it on a router.
Change DNS Server: Switch to a public DNS server if the DNS provided by your VPN is slow.
Close Background Apps: Terminate unnecessary applications to free up bandwidth.
Use Wired Connections: Ethernet connections typically offer faster and more reliable performance than Wi-Fi.

Can a VPN Speed Up Your Internet?

In certain situations, a VPN may help overcome ISP throttling, potentially boosting your speed for specific activities such as streaming and P2P sharing by preventing your ISP from tracking and limiting 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 run the test again.
Compare the results to assess the VPN’s effect on your connection speed.

Final Thoughts

Although using a VPN can slow down your internet due to encryption and rerouting, selecting the right servers, protocols, and configurations can help mitigate this impact. In some instances, a VPN may even enhance speeds by avoiding ISP throttling.