Effect of VPN on Internet Speed

Utilizing a VPN may reduce your internet speed since your data must travel a longer distance to reach its destination. When you connect to a VPN, your traffic undergoes encryption and is directed through a remote server, which introduces additional distance and encryption overhead, consequently affecting speed.

Summary: Tips for Enhancing Your VPN Speed

Select a VPN server that is geographically close to you.
Change servers if the current one is experiencing slow speeds or high traffic.
Employ fast protocols such as WireGuard or OpenVPN.
Activate split tunneling to allow critical traffic to bypass the VPN.
Change to a public DNS server to potentially enhance speed.

What Causes VPNs to Slow Down Your Internet?

A VPN encrypts and reroutes your data through a distant server, increasing travel distance and introducing encryption overhead, leading to a slower connection. The degree of slowdown depends on factors like the VPN provider, the protocol used, and the server's location.

What Degree of Slowdown Should You Expect from a VPN?

The amount of speed reduction varies with the distance of the server, its load, and the VPN’s overall infrastructure. Servers located nearby generally lead to minor speed reductions, while those further away may result in more significant slowdowns. Free VPNs tend to experience higher congestion and slower speeds due to limited resources.

Elements That Influence VPN Speeds

1. VPN Protocol

Different protocols affect speed differently due to their encryption overhead. WireGuard and IKEv2 typically provide faster speeds, while OpenVPN, particularly in TCP mode, may cause more significant slowdowns.

2. Server Location

Servers that are nearer generally offer quicker connections, while distant servers introduce added latency. Picking a server closer to your physical location can help minimize speed loss.

3. Server Load

Servers that are overloaded with users can slow down connections. Opting for less crowded servers can enhance speed.

4. Quality of VPN Service

The speed of a VPN is contingent upon the provider’s network and infrastructure. High-quality VPN services invest in optimized networks, leading to improved speeds.

Ways to Enhance VPN Speed

Select Nearby Servers: Connect to servers that are in close proximity to you for enhanced speeds.
Change Servers: Switch to less congested servers within the same area.
Use Fast Protocols: Opt for WireGuard or OpenVPN for the best speed and security combination.
Activate Split Tunneling: Direct only necessary traffic through the VPN to reduce the load.
Directly Install VPN Software: Download the VPN application on your device for improved performance as compared to installing it on a router.
Switch DNS Servers: Change to a public DNS server if the one provided by your VPN is slow.
Close Background Applications: Terminate unnecessary programs to free up bandwidth.
Utilize Wired Connections: Wired Ethernet connections are more reliable and faster than Wi-Fi.

Can a VPN Improve Your Internet Speed?

In certain scenarios, a VPN may bypass ISP throttling, potentially enhancing 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 preferred VPN server and conduct the test again.
Compare the results to assess the impact of the VPN on your connection speed.

Conclusion

While VPNs may slow down your internet due to encryption and rerouting, selecting the right servers, protocols, and configurations can help mitigate the effects. Moreover, in some situations, a VPN can actually boost speeds by circumventing ISP throttling.