Using a VPN can slow down your internet connection because your data travels further to reach its destination. When connected to a VPN, your traffic is encrypted and routed through a remote server, adding distance and encryption overhead that impacts speed.
Summary: How to Make Your VPN Faster
- Choose a VPN server close to your physical location.
- Switch servers if your current one is slow or congested.
- Use fast protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN.
- Enable split tunneling to route essential traffic through the VPN.
- Switch to a public DNS server for potential speed improvements.
Why Does a VPN Slow Down Your Internet?
A VPN encrypts and reroutes your data through a remote server, increasing travel distance and adding encryption overhead, which slows down your connection. The extent depends on the VPN provider, protocol, and server location.
How Much Will a VPN Slow You Down?
The speed reduction varies based on server distance, server load, and the VPN’s infrastructure. Nearby servers typically result in minor speed drops, while distant servers cause more noticeable slowdowns. Free VPNs often have more congestion and slower speeds due to limited infrastructure.
Factors Affecting VPN Speeds
1. VPN Protocol
Different protocols have varying impacts on speed due to encryption overhead. WireGuard and IKEv2 offer faster speeds, while OpenVPN (especially TCP) may slow your connection more.
2. Server Location
Closer servers provide faster connections, while distant servers add latency. Choosing a server near your physical location minimizes speed loss.
3. Server Load
Overloaded servers with many users slow down connections. Selecting less congested servers improves speed.
4. VPN Service Quality
VPN speed depends on the provider’s server network and infrastructure. High-quality services invest in optimized networks, ensuring better speeds.
How to Improve VPN Speed
- Choose Nearby Servers: Connect to servers close to your location for faster speeds.
- Switch Servers: Change to less congested servers within the same region.
- Use Fast Protocols: Switch to WireGuard or OpenVPN for optimal speed and security.
- Enable Split Tunneling: Route only necessary traffic through the VPN to reduce load.
- Install VPN Software Directly: Install the VPN app on your device for faster performance compared to router installations.
- Change DNS Server: Switch to a public DNS server if your VPN’s DNS is slow.
- Close Background Apps: Shut down unnecessary applications to free up bandwidth.
- Use Wired Connections: Ethernet connections are faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi.
Can a VPN Make Your Internet Faster?
In some cases, a VPN can bypass ISP throttling, potentially improving your speed for certain activities like streaming and P2P sharing by preventing your ISP from monitoring and limiting your traffic.
How to Test VPN Speed
- Run a speed test without the VPN to measure baseline speeds.
- Connect to your preferred VPN server and test again.
- Compare results to evaluate the VPN’s impact on your connection speed.
Conclusion
While VPNs can slow down your internet due to encryption and rerouting, choosing optimal servers, protocols, and settings can minimize the impact. In some cases, a VPN can even improve speeds by bypassing ISP throttling.