Effect of VPN on Internet Speed

Utilizing a VPN can cause a decrease in your internet speed since your data must travel a longer distance to reach its target. When you use a VPN, your traffic is encrypted and sent through a remote server, introducing both distance and encryption overhead that can affect speed.

Summary: Ways to Enhance Your VPN Speed

Select a VPN server that is near your physical location.
Change servers if the one you are using is slow or has high congestion.
Employ fast protocols such as WireGuard or OpenVPN.
Enable split tunneling to direct crucial traffic through the VPN.
Utilize 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 travel distance and adds encryption overhead, resulting in a slower connection. The degree of impact can vary based on the VPN provider, protocol used, and location of the server.

How Much Slower Will a VPN Make You?

The decrease in speed is influenced by factors like distance to the server, server load, and the VPN’s infrastructure. Servers located nearby usually cause minimal speed reductions, while farther servers may cause more significant slowdowns. Free VPNs often experience greater congestion and slower speeds due to limited resources.

Elements Influencing VPN Speeds

1. VPN Protocol

Various protocols impact speed differently due to their encryption overhead. WireGuard and IKEv2 tend to offer quicker speeds, whereas OpenVPN (especially in TCP mode) may slow down your connection further.

2. Server Location

Servers that are closer result in quicker connections, while those that are farther away add latency. Selecting a server near your physical location helps minimize speed loss.

3. Server Load

Servers that are overloaded with numerous users can slow down connections. Opting for servers with less congestion can enhance speeds.

4. Quality of VPN Service

The speed of a VPN depends on the network and infrastructure of the provider. High-quality services typically invest in optimized networks, which ensures better performance.

How to Boost VPN Speed

Choose Nearby Servers: Connect to servers situated close to you to improve speed.
Switch Servers: Move to servers that are less congested within the same area.
Use Fast Protocols: Opt for WireGuard or OpenVPN for the best combination of speed and security.
Enable Split Tunneling: Direct only essential traffic through the VPN to lessen load.
Install VPN Software Locally: Install the VPN application directly on your device for improved performance compared to router setups.
Change DNS Server: Use a public DNS server if the DNS provided by your VPN is slow.
Close Background Applications: Terminate unnecessary apps to free up bandwidth.
Utilize Wired Connections: Ethernet connections tend to be faster and more dependable than Wi-Fi.

Can a VPN Improve Your Internet Speed?

In certain situations, a VPN can circumvent ISP throttling, potentially enhancing your speed for activities such as streaming and P2P sharing by preventing your ISP from monitoring and limiting your traffic.

How to Assess VPN Speed

Conduct a speed test without the VPN to establish baseline speeds.
Connect to your chosen VPN server and test once more.
Compare the results to determine the VPN’s effect on your connection speed.

Conclusion

While VPNs can slow down your internet due to encryption and rerouting, selecting the right servers, protocols, and settings can help reduce the impact. In some instances, a VPN might even speed up your connection by avoiding ISP throttling.