Effect of VPN on Internet Speed

Using a VPN can reduce your internet speed as your data has to travel a longer distance to reach its final destination. When you are connected to a VPN, your traffic gets encrypted and is routed through a remote server, which adds additional distance and encryption overhead that affects speed.

Summary: Tips for Increasing Your VPN Speed

Select a VPN server that is geographically close to you.
Change servers if your current server is slow or experiencing high traffic.
Utilize fast protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN.
Enable split tunneling to route only necessary traffic through the VPN.
Switch to a public DNS server for possible speed enhancements.

Why Does a VPN Cause Slow Internet?

A VPN encrypts and reroutes your data through a remote server, which increases the distance the data must travel and adds encryption overhead, consequently slowing down your connection. The degree of slowdown depends on the VPN provider, protocol used, and the location of the server.

How Much Will a VPN Slow You Down?

The extent of speed loss varies depending on the distance to the server, the load on the server, and the VPN’s infrastructure. Servers that are nearby generally lead to minimal speed reductions, whereas those further away can cause more significant slowdowns. Free VPNs often suffer from higher congestion and slower speeds due to limited resources.

Factors That Influence VPN Speeds

1. VPN Protocol

Various protocols have different effects on speed since they involve varying levels of encryption overhead. WireGuard and IKEv2 typically provide faster speeds, while OpenVPN (particularly in TCP mode) may cause more of a slowdown.

2. Server Location

Servers located nearer to you offer faster connections, while those that are farther away introduce additional latency. Opting for a server closer to your actual location can help reduce speed loss.

3. Server Load

Servers that are overloaded with many users can slow down connections. Choosing servers that are less busy can enhance speed.

4. Quality of the VPN Service

The speed of a VPN is influenced by the provider's network and infrastructure. Quality services invest in well-optimized networks, which leads to better speeds.

Ways to Enhance VPN Speed

Select Nearby Servers: Connect to servers that are close to your location for quicker speeds.
Change Servers: Switch to less congested servers within the same area.
Utilize Fast Protocols: Use WireGuard or OpenVPN for the best balance of speed and security.
Enable Split Tunneling: Direct only necessary traffic through the VPN to lessen the load.
Install VPN Software Directly: Use the VPN application on your device rather than setting it up on your router for better performance.
Change DNS Server: Switch to a public DNS server if your VPN's DNS is lagging.
Close Unused Background Applications: Terminate apps that aren't needed to conserve bandwidth.
Use Wired Connections: Ethernet connections are generally faster and more stable compared to Wi-Fi.

Can a VPN Increase Your Internet Speed?

In certain scenarios, a VPN may circumvent 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 Assess VPN Speed

Conduct a speed test without the VPN to establish baseline speeds.
Connect to your chosen VPN server and perform another test.
Compare the results to understand the VPN's effect on your connection speed.

Conclusion

While VPNs can slow your internet due to encryption and data rerouting, selecting the right servers, protocols, and settings can reduce the impact. In some situations, a VPN might even boost speeds by circumventing ISP throttling.