Effect of VPN on Internet Speed

Utilizing a VPN can reduce your internet speed because your data has to travel a longer distance to reach its endpoint. When you're connected to a VPN, your traffic is encrypted and sent through a remote server, which adds distance and encryption overhead that can affect speed.

Summary: Tips for Enhancing Your VPN Speed

Select a VPN server that is near your actual location.
Change servers if your current one is experiencing slowness or congestion.
Opt for faster protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN.
Activate split tunneling to direct essential traffic through the VPN.
Use a public DNS server to potentially enhance speed.

What Causes a VPN to Reduce Your Internet Speed?

A VPN encrypts your data and forwards it through a remote server, resulting in increased travel distance and incorporating encryption overhead, which can lead to a slower connection. The extent of the slowdown can vary based on the VPN provider, protocol, and server location.

How Much Reduction in Speed Can You Expect from a VPN?

The level of speed reduction differs based on server proximity, server load, and the VPN’s infrastructure. Servers located nearby usually lead to minor speed decreases, while those further away tend to cause more significant slowdowns. Free VPNs typically experience greater congestion and slower speeds because of their limited infrastructure.

Elements Influencing VPN Speeds

1. VPN Protocol

Various protocols impact speed differently due to encryption overhead. WireGuard and IKEv2 tend to offer faster speeds, while OpenVPN (particularly TCP) might result in greater slowdowns.

2. Server Location

Servers that are closer offer quicker connections, whereas those that are farther away introduce latency. Selecting a server near your physical location helps minimize speed loss.

3. Server Load

Servers that are heavily loaded with numerous users can slow down connections. Opting for less congested servers can enhance speed.

4. Quality of VPN Service

The speed of a VPN is influenced by the provider’s server network and infrastructure. Top-notch services invest in optimized networks, leading to improved speeds.

Ways to Enhance VPN Speed

Select Nearby Servers: Connect to servers that are close to your physical location for quicker speeds.
Change Servers: Switch to less crowded servers within the same region.
Utilize Fast Protocols: Transition to WireGuard or OpenVPN for the best speed and security.
Activate Split Tunneling: Direct only necessary traffic through the VPN to alleviate load.
Install VPN Software Directly: Set up the VPN application on your device for better performance than router installations.
Modify DNS Server: Change to a public DNS server if your VPN's DNS is sluggish.
Shut Down Background Apps: Close unnecessary applications to release bandwidth.
Utilize Wired Connections: Ethernet connections are more reliable and faster than Wi-Fi.

Can a VPN Increase Your Internet Speed?

In certain instances, a VPN can avoid ISP throttling, potentially enhancing your speed for activities like streaming and P2P sharing by stopping your ISP from tracking and restricting 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 perform the test again.
Compare the results to assess the VPN’s impact on your connection speed.

Conclusion

While VPNs may decelerate your internet due to encryption and rerouting, choosing the right servers, protocols, and settings can help mitigate the effect. In some situations, a VPN can even enhance speeds by circumventing ISP throttling.