The Fastest VPNs for 2026

Using a VPN causes your traffic to travel farther as it passes through a secondary server, adding an extra layer of security. This extra protection encrypts your traffic and hides your browsing habits from potential snoopers. Encryption takes time, and that time equates to reduced performance. We've been testing VPNs for more than 10 years at PCMag, and part of that process includes speed tests. The results below all performed well in our speed tests, but note that your experience may vary depending on local traffic, time of day, and regional infrastructure. In addition, no matter which VPN you use, it will impact your latency and speeds. In our latest round of speed tests, NordVPN emerged as the top performer, earning it a PCMag Lab Award for fastest VPN. Scroll down for more on Nord and to see the rest of the fastest VPNs we tested.

Fastest Overall

NordVPN

Score: 4.5

Pros & Cons

• + Support for multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections

• + Excellent speed results

• + Global server coverage

• + Wealth of available features and add-ons

• + Built-in antivirus tools

• - Support for multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections

• - Excellent speed results

• - Global server coverage

• - Wealth of available features and add-ons

• - Built-in antivirus tools

In our latest round of testing, NordVPN came in first place, with a 1.94% decrease in download speeds, a 5.54% decrease in upload speeds, and a 67.04% increase in latency. Combined, these are the best results we saw, earning it a PCMag Lab Award for fastest VPN.

Why We Picked It 

Features and capabilities: NordVPN's NordLynx protocol is fast, open-source, and reliable. It also provides access to split tunneling and multi-hop connections. Nord's Threat Protection Pro keeps you safe from malware on most streaming sites and blocks nasty trackers that could try to keep tabs on your browsing habits.

Privacy and security: Nord maintains transparent privacy standards with third-party audits and a frequently updated transparency report. NordLynx uses open-source technology, so you can see what makes the service tick. Nord doesn't keep logs, and its no-logs policy has been independently verified in multiple security audits by VerSprite, Cure53, Deloitte, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC). 

Speed and performance: Nord delivered excellent performance in testing. It reduced our download speeds by 1.94% and upload speeds by 5.54%, and increased our latency by 67.04%. Those results are the best we've seen, earning Nord a Lab Award for fastest VPN.

Streaming:Streaming with Nord was streamlined. We didn't experience any buffering or stuttering with videos. Additionally, Nord managed to unblock every regional Netflix library we tested. 

User experience and ease of use:Nord's desktop apps can be a tad cluttered and overwhelming, especially if you're new to VPNs. The dashboard is excellent for advanced users, offering a range of useful menus and tools.

Who It's For

Netflix watchers:Those looking to access streaming content will appreciate NordVPN's extensive selection of regional servers. Nord's reliable speeds make for a stable, stutter-free viewing experience.

Users who also want an antivirus:NordVPN offers nearly all the features novices and VPN experts alike want in a top-tier VPN, along with excellent speed scores. It's a longtime favorite, with a deft mix of powerful tools and simple design across all platforms. The company has also expanded to include several other privacy and security products, such as Nord Threat Protection Pro.

Specs & Configurations

Blocks Ads: True

Simultaneous VPN Connections: 6

500+ Servers: True

Server Locations: 118 countries

Geographically Diverse Servers: True

Free Version: False

Free Version Data Limit: No Free Version

Supported Protocols on Android: NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN

Supported Protocols on macOS: NordLynx (based on WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2

Supported Protocols on iOS: NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec

Best Bonus Security Features

Surfshark VPN

Score: 4.5

Pros & Cons

• + Excellent server coverage and performance

• + Well-defined privacy policy

• + Regularly published transparency reports

• + Innovative Dausos security protocol

• + Affordable long-term plans

• - Excellent server coverage and performance

• - Well-defined privacy policy

• - Regularly published transparency reports

• - Innovative Dausos security protocol

• - Affordable long-term plans

In our latest round of tests, Surfshark excelled, with download speeds decreasing by just 7.73%. Upload speeds decreased by 7.12%, and latency increased by 201.34%.

Why We Picked It

Features and capabilities: Surfshark's network has strong global coverage, with presence in 100 countries, making it a good pick for reliable, fast web access. Advanced connection options, such as multi-hop and post-quantum encryption, make it easy to tailor your security preferences. Surfshark aims to be a one-app security solution. You can configure an antivirus, ad blocker, and additional identity protection tools all in one place. 

Privacy and security: Privacy policies can be confusing and dense. Surfshark takes a better approach, offering an in-depth yet digestible policy that explains how the company handles data. The service has verified these claims with frequent third-party audits and quarterly transparency reports.

Speed and performance: Surfshark performed impressively in testing, though latency was high. We saw a 7.73% decrease in download speeds, a 7.12% decrease in upload speeds, and an 201.34% increase in latency.

Streaming: Netflix access was no problem for Surfshark. It accessed every regional catalog we tested without running into blocks. We did not experience stuttering or slow load times even when connected to distant locations.

User experience and ease of use:User experience is consistent between applications. Each version of Surfshark has a sleek design with clearly described features. It's easy to pick up and use as a new user, and it has enough depth for more experienced users to tinker with.

Who It's For

Media Streamers:Surfshark is a solid choice for those looking to watch their favorite shows from anywhere without compromising on security. The VPN was one of the fastest we have tested, and it unblocked regional Netflix catalogs with ease. 

Users who want a one-app solution:Alongside excellent speed scores, Surfshark has terrific global server coverage and a staunch stance on privacy. It's expensive, but it justifies the price with an array of bundled security tools beyond what most competitors offer.

Specs & Configurations

Blocks Ads: True

Simultaneous VPN Connections: Unlimited

500+ Servers: True

Server Locations: 100 Countries

Geographically Diverse Servers: True

Free Version: False

Free Version Data Limit: No Free Version

Supported Protocols on Android: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2

Supported Protocols on macOS: WireGuard, IKEv2

Supported Protocols on iOS: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2

Best for First-Time VPN Users

TunnelBear VPN

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Unlimited simultaneous connections

• + Excellent privacy policy

• + Consistent features across platforms

• + Annual independent audits

• + Friendly, approachable design

• - Unlimited simultaneous connections

• - Excellent privacy policy

• - Consistent features across platforms

• - Annual independent audits

• - Friendly, approachable design

TunnelBear VPN's fun, bear-themed interface makes it seem less serious than it is. In truth, the service takes privacy seriously. It has one of the easiest-to-use interfaces and provides excellent service with powerful features. You can try it out for free with a data-limited plan, making it an easy choice for anyone trying a VPN for the first time.

Why We Picked It

Features and capabilities:TunnelBear VPN offers a totally free version of its paid service. The drawbacks? You're limited to 2GB of browsing data each month and can't manually select server locations. The premium version ($9.99/month) lifts this data cap. TunnelBear's sole focus is on its VPN service, which has a wealth of advanced features at an affordable price. Always-on mode, a Kill Switch (VigilantBear), split tunneling (SplitBear), and advanced obfuscation (GhostBear) are common features across all platforms. TunnelBear VPN is available in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, as well as on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.

Privacy and security:TunnelBear VPN has one of the best privacy policies we've read. It is written in plain terms and provides clear, simple explanations of the company's data practices. TunnelBear's privacy policy states that it does not collect information about users' web activity or store DNS queries, IP addresses, or timestamps.

Speed and performance:TunnelBear VPN performed well in testing. It slowed download and upload results by just 6.33% and 4.27%, respectively, and increased latency by 17.76.

Streaming:While connected to TunnelBear, we had unrestricted access to every regional Netflix catalog we tested. That said, if you're hoping to do a lot of location spoofing, TunnelBear may not be your best choice. TunnelBear has servers in 47 countries, which is right around average for the VPNs we've reviewed. While the country coverage is limited, TunnelBear operates its entire network with physical servers, which gives the company more control over data handling practices compared with a virtual server infrastructure. 

User experience and ease of use: The TunnelBear app for Windows was snappy and responsive yet cute and colorful. The "cute" we're talking about is in the app's animations. For example, when you connect to a VPN server, a notification appears in the form of a bear wearing a hat representative of that country.

Who It's For

Newbies: Thanks to its simple and user-friendly interface, TunnelBear VPN is an excellent choice for anyone new to VPNs. It's also a strong option for anyone who just needs a general-purpose VPN and doesn't need to fuss with too many network settings.

Design lovers: In a category filled with dark, high-tech, or utilitarian-looking apps, it's fun to encounter a bright, cheery app that doesn't take itself too seriously. There's even a Bear Sounds option in the Settings menu. If you turn it on, a roaring sound plays whenever you connect or disconnect from a VPN server.

Specs & Configurations

Blocks Ads: True

Simultaneous VPN Connections: Unlimited

500+ Servers: True

Server Locations: 47 Countries

Geographically Diverse Servers: True

Free Version: True

Free Version Data Limit: 2GB per month

Free Version Server Limit: Limited to Closest Server

Free Version Simultaneous Connection Limit: Unlimited

Can Manually Select Server In Free Version: False

Are All Features Available In Free Version?: True

Free Connection Speeds Limited: No

No Ads In Free Version?: Yes

Public Third-Party Audit: True

Supported Protocols on Android: WireGuard, OpenVPN

Supported Protocols on macOS: WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN

Supported Protocols on iOS: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2

Best for Unilimited Connections

IPVanish VPN

Score: 3.5

Pros & Cons

• + Unlimited simultaneous connections

• + Good speed results in testing

• + Customizable multi-hop servers

• + Transparent privacy policy

• + Knowledgeable support team

• - Unlimited simultaneous connections

• - Good speed results in testing

• - Customizable multi-hop servers

• - Transparent privacy policy

• - Knowledgeable support team

IPVanish performed well in our latest speed tests, with 4.98% reductions in download speeds and 15.70% in upload speeds. Latency was slightly higher, with a 98% increase, but these scores still earn it a spot on this list. (IPVanish VPN is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, read about our ethics policy in the Editorial Mission Statement .)

Why We Picked It

Features and capabilities:IPVanish supports unlimited device connections, so you can secure all your household devices without worrying about connecting and disconnecting to make space. Its global server network makes it a solid pick for travelers who want a fast VPN. However, IPVanish is expensive and failed to unblock every Netflix title we tested.

Privacy and security:IPVanish has a detailed privacy policy that outlines how the service handles user data. It's a bit dense, but the standard assurances are all there. IPVanish doesn't log or monitor browsing activity, nor does the service sell your data to third parties. The VPN has undergone a privacy audit, which verified the company's no-logs claims.

Speed and performance:Performance was excellent with IPVanish. Download speeds dipped by 4.98% while upload speeds fell by just 15.70%. Latency ticked up a bit more than some competitors, rising 98%.

Streaming:Streaming with IPVanish was hit-or-miss. It was detected and blocked in the US and Canada, but was able to access content catalogs in Australia, Japan, and the UK without issues.

User experience and ease of use:IPVanish has a simple black-and-green design that is consistent across all supported operating systems. We found it easy to use on both desktop and mobile platforms.

Who It's For

Users with many devices:IPVanish makes it easy to protect all your frequently used devices thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections.

Users who need advanced privacy features: IPVanish offers excellent tools, including a customizable multi-hop feature that lets you further obfuscate your traffic by routing your connection through an additional VPN server.

Specs & Configurations

Free Version: False

500+ Servers: True

Simultaneous VPN Connections: Unlimited

Server Locations: 150 Locations

Blocks Ads: True

Geographically Diverse Servers: True

Free Version Data Limit: No Free Version

Supported Protocols on iOS: WireGuard, IKEv2, IPSec, OpenVPN

Best Free Trial

Malwarebytes Privacy VPN

Score: 3.5

Pros & Cons

• + Excellent performance in testing

• + Full physical server network

• + Recent security audit by X41 D-Sec

• + Transparent privacy policy and open-source infrastructure

• + 14-day no-obligation free trial

• - Excellent performance in testing

• - Full physical server network

• - Recent security audit by X41 D-Sec

• - Transparent privacy policy and open-source infrastructure

• - 14-day no-obligation free trial

We picked Malwarebytes Privacy VPN because of its impressive speeds and generous free trial. You can try the full premium service for 14 days without handing over any payment information. Once you're ready to buy, you'll find a fast, private VPN with a completely physical server network.

Why We Picked It

Features and capabilities: Malwarebytes covers the basics. It isn't the most advanced or fully featured service, but it will secure your connection at an affordable price. Split tunneling support isn't comprehensive across platforms, and you don't get multi-hop servers. If you're looking for a set-it-and-forget-it VPN and don't want to do any fine-tuning, then it might be the right choice for you.

Privacy and security: Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is powered by Azire, which Malwarebytes acquired in 2024. The VPN is fully open source and has been audited by X 41D-Sec. The privacy policy is a bit dense in spots, but it is comprehensive and fully outlines how the company handles your data.

Speed and performance: Malwarebytes did exceptionally well in our latest round of speed tests. It reduced our download and upload speeds by 4.94% and 5.62%, respectively. Latency was equally impressive, increasing by just 76.51%. Its performance places it right behind our PCMag Lab Award winner for fastest VPN, NordVPN.

Streaming: We had mixed results streaming with Malwarebytes. It unblocked catalogs in the UK, US, and Canada without issue. Unfortunately, it was detected and blocked in Australia and Japan.

User experience and ease of use: While features weren't entirely consistent across each platform, the overall design and usability of each application were excellent.

Who It's For

People who want a device-based plan: Malwarebytes offers a unique pricing system that lets you choose a plan based on the number of devices you'd like to protect. It can be restrictive if you have a whole home of devices you want to secure, or you can snag a pretty good deal if you only have a couple of devices you plan to use your VPN on. 

Users who want to try before they buy: Malwarebytes has one of the best free trials I have seen from a VPN. Simply download the app on your desktop to get a fully featured 14-day trial without any payment requirements.

Specs & Configurations

Blocks Ads: True

Simultaneous VPN Connections: 1-20

500+ Servers: False

Server Locations: 62 Countries

Geographically Diverse Servers: True

Free Version: False

Free Version Data Limit: No Free Version

Best for Global Coverage

CyberGhost VPN

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Extensive server network

• + Task-specific servers

• + Quarterly transparency reports

• + Impressive in-app privacy tools

• + Affordable long-term subscriptions

• - Extensive server network

• - Task-specific servers

• - Quarterly transparency reports

• - Impressive in-app privacy tools

• - Affordable long-term subscriptions

CyberGhost has long focused on server count rather than having top-of-the-line speeds. Even so, download speeds were reduced by 8.73%, upload speeds by 4.41%, and latency increased by 92.06%, all of which are good enough to land it a spot on this list.

Why We Picked It

Features and capabilities:CyberGhost offers a robust selection of task-specific servers, making it a solid pick for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. A vast network of over 11,500 servers in 100 countries makes CyberGhost a top contender for global content access.

Privacy and security:CyberGhost's service is backed by a comprehensive, easy-to-read privacy policy that clearly states the company does not retain, sell, or trade user data. The VPN releases quarterly transparency reports and is regularly audited by privacy firms such as Deloitte. 

Speed and performance:CyberGhost performed well in our latest round of speed tests. We saw an 8.73% reduction in download speeds, a 4.41% decrease in upload speeds, and a 92.06% increase in latency.

Streaming:We pitted CyberGhost against five regional Netflix catalogs: The US, UK, Australia, Japan, and Canada. It was able to access each region's specific content catalog without running into blocks or restrictions. 

User experience and ease of use:All of CyberGhost's apps are organized and easy to use. You can quickly find the streaming servers on the left-hand sidebar. It's always clear when you're connected thanks to a large power button icon on the right side of the dashboard. Each server shows the current user load, so you can easily find fast servers in your area.

Who It's For

Task-specific users:CyberGhost is for users who want dedicated server options for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. The VPN's advanced NoSpy servers make it an excellent choice for those who need uncompromising privacy.  

Mobile users:CyberGhost's mobile apps are simple and straightforward, with full access to advanced features. It's easy to take your content on the go thanks to seven supported simultaneous device connections. 

Specs & Configurations

Blocks Ads: True

Simultaneous VPN Connections: 7

500+ Servers: True

Server Locations: 90 Countries

Geographically Diverse Servers: True

Free Version: False

Free Version Data Limit: No Free Version

Supported Protocols on Android: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2

Supported Protocols on macOS: WireGuard, IKEv2

Supported Protocols on iOS: WireGuard, IKEv2

Best for Streaming

Hide.me VPN

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Ten simultaneous connections

• + Reliable Netflix access

• + Privacy-first policies

• + Affordable

• + Full-featured free plan

• - Ten simultaneous connections

• - Reliable Netflix access

• - Privacy-first policies

• - Affordable

• - Full-featured free plan

In testing, Hide.me performed well, reducing download speeds by 5.93%, upload speeds by 22.72%, and increasing latency by 92.11%.

Why We Picked It

Features and capabilities: For $9.95 per month, Hide.me offers access to thousands of servers in 57 countries. You can maintain up to 10 connections simultaneously, which is particularly beneficial for families or individuals with multiple devices. The free version has no data limits, which is excellent; however, its server selection is very limited, connection speeds are slower, and you can only connect one device at a time.

Privacy and security: Hide.me requires only your email address to create an account. With a wide range of secure, anonymous payment options, it's easy to limit the data the service can access. According to the privacy policy, the company collects your email and stores it in an encrypted form in a secure facility. Hide.me doesn't store any customer payment information or additional data, such as your IP address, physical address, or other personal information. Additionally, the service uses physical servers rather than virtual machines, giving the company greater control over how user data is handled.

Speed and performance: In our most recent tests, we were impressed with Hide.me's performance. Download speeds only decreased by 5.93%, upload speeds by 22.72%, and latency increased by 92.11%. These results beat out the average impact across all VPNs that we tested. 

Streaming: The app's website claims it works well with popular streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Disney+. During testing, we accessed Netflix while connected to servers in Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US with no issues or limitations. 

User experience and ease of use: The interface is a bit busy on Windows, with a sectioned dashboard that puts the features and tools you want front and center. Beginner users may find it especially difficult to determine which tools are important and which can be ignored. If you'd rather skip the clutter, then you can use the macOS or mobile apps for a simpler user experience. 

Who It's For

Budget-conscious customers: Hide.me offers a feature-packed free version you can try. The SmartGuard feature is particularly interesting: It is an all-in-one ad blocker, malware blocker, parental control app, and website filter.

Movie streamers:Hide.me reliably accesses regional Netflix catalogs, making it a fast and reliable service for streaming geo-restricted content. With a full-featured five-day premium trial, you can give Hide.me a shot and see how its speeds are before you pay for a subscription.

Specs & Configurations

Blocks Ads: True

Simultaneous VPN Connections: 10

500+ Servers: True

Server Locations: 89

Geographically Diverse Servers: True

Free Version: True

Free Version Data Limit: 10GB Per Month

Free Version Server Limit: Five Locations

Free Version Simultaneous Connection Limit: 1

Can Manually Select Server In Free Version: True

Are All Features Available In Free Version?: False

Free Connection Speeds Limited: No

No Ads In Free Version?: Yes

Public Third-Party Audit: True

Best for Privacy

Windscribe VPN

Score: 4.5

Pros & Cons

• + Industry-leading company transparency and communication

• + Large number of payment options

• + Best free plan of any VPN we've tested

• + Anonymous signup allowed

• + Unlimited number of simultaneous connections and devices

• + Helpful AI support bot

• - Industry-leading company transparency and communication

• - Large number of payment options

• - Best free plan of any VPN we've tested

• - Anonymous signup allowed

• - Unlimited number of simultaneous connections and devices

• - Helpful AI support bot

Windscribe earned a spot on this list thanks to solid performance scores across the board. We experienced a 10.66% decrease in download speeds, a 7.95% reduction in upload speeds, and a 67.01% increase in latency.

Why We Picked It

Features and capabilities:Windscribe's premium plan allows unlimited simultaneous device connections and provides access to a sizable physical server network spanning 69 countries. You can also use advanced features such as split tunneling. If you're unsure if the VPN is the right pick for you, then you can try it out for free. With the free plan, you get 10GB of browsing data per month if you confirm your email address, or 2GB if you don't. 

Privacy and security:Windscribe doesn't log your data. Its fast and anonymous signup process allows you to use the VPN app without giving up a lot of data about yourself. Next, you can pay for the app using various payment methods, including cryptocurrency. On Windscribe's website, you'll find the company's ethics statement and a transparency report detailing every law-enforcement request it receives. This is an excellent policy that we hope more VPN companies will adopt in the future.

Speed and performance:Windscribe performed solidly in testing. Download speed test scores decreased by only 10.66%, upload speed test scores decreased by 13.20%, and latency increased by 67.01%. Windscribe delivered reliable, above-average speeds, making it excellent for streaming video and downloading content. 

Streaming:Using Windscribe, we were able to watch Netflix without any restrictions. We could access the entire library when connected to five Windscribe servers in Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US.

User experience and ease of use:Minimalists will appreciate Windscribe's modest app interface. The Settings menu includes a helpful guide to all of the app's features. For example, if you don't know which VPN protocol to use, open the information button next to the setting's label and read the corresponding support page, which explains what the feature is and how to use it.

Who It's For

Users who want anonymity:Windscribe leads the pack in privacy and company transparency. The service takes a no-nonsense approach to all aspects of its business, with clear terms, anonymous payment options, and one of the best free trials among the VPNs we've tested.

Users who want advanced browsing controls:Windscribe offers a content-filtering feature called Robert. You can use it to block ads, gambling content, malware, porn, social media, and more during your browsing.

Specs & Configurations

Blocks Ads: True

Simultaneous VPN Connections: Unlimited

500+ Servers: True

Server Locations: 69 Countries

Geographically Diverse Servers: True

Free Version: True

Free Version Data Limit: 10GB Per Month

What's the Fastest VPN?

The fastest VPN for me likely won't be the fastest one for you. It's unfortunate, but it's simply the nature of networks. The performance we experience is going to be different from a neighbor's, let alone compared with someone else halfway around the world. That variance is the reason we deemphasize speed tests in our reviews. That said, we still test performance to get a general idea of what to expect.

We conduct all of our tests on an Intel NUC 12 "Serpent Canyon" running the latest version of Windows 11 from a test bench in Portland, Oregon. The base connection is via CenturyLink fiber, offering baseline speeds of 1Gbps up and down. However, we don't rely on the ISP's advertised speeds. Instead, we run 10 speed tests right before each VPN test to establish a baseline. If we test another service on the same day, we rerun the baseline tests, as speeds can vary significantly from hour to hour. 

Click on the column headers to sort by a particular variable in the table. The results we test for include download speeds, upload speeds, and latency:

While it did not occur in our most recent batch of tests, it is possible to get what appear to be improved speeds when connected to a VPN. The most likely cause is local congestion. During peak hours, your ISP's servers are heavily trafficked, which can result in slowdowns. Another key factor is distance. Just like a VPN, your ISP uses servers to deliver a stable connection. You could be in a region where your ISP's server is further away from you than a VPN's server. However, even if your download and upload speeds improve, you're still going to see a jump in latency because of the extra hop your connection has to make through the service's encrypted tunnel. It's also worth noting that any performance boons will be temporary and marginal. A VPN isn't a magical tool that will vastly improve your performance if you're already working with a slow network.

How We Test VPNs for Speed

We use a custom Ookla tool to run speed tests. It uses the same technology as Speedtest.net but does not require browser access. As noted above, we first establish a baseline speed for the given test. We collate our results into a median to compare against. We then run 10 more speed tests while connected to the VPN's fastest-suggested server. This is usually determined by using the Best or Fastest setting on the server selection menu. In lieu of that option, we pick the server that is physically closest to the testing location.

Once we have both median scores, we calculate the percentage change between them to gauge the service's impact on the connection. A significant percentage shift indicates that the VPN had a greater impact on speeds. Differences in upload and download speeds are expressed as percentage decreases, while latency slowdowns are shown as percentage increases. This process is repeated for every VPN that we test. 

Download and upload speeds measure the amount of data transferred per second over your network connection. Measured in megabits per second (Mbps), this speed indicates how quickly you can access websites, stream content, and download/upload files. Latency measures the time it takes your computer to send and receive a response. Latency (also called ping) is measured in milliseconds. A slight delay in response time may not seem significant, but it can make a huge difference when gaming over a VPN . A few milliseconds could mean the difference between winning and losing a competitive match. 

We conduct these tests as repeatably as possible. However, there will always be variables that influence our results. You may have servers that are closer to or farther from ours. You may have more or less user congestion. If the same tests were performed on a 1Gbps line in a different part of the country or at a different time of day, we'd almost certainly get different results. You can read a lot more about how we test VPNs and, importantly, how our testing methods have evolved over the years.

How to Make Your VPN Faster

There isn't much you can do to make your VPN faster than it already is. You might have luck changing servers. Keep an eye out for an activity indicator next to the location. Some apps allow you to view the server load. If a particular option appears crowded, it's best to consider an alternative. Also, look for speed indicators or special menus. Sometimes you'll find the best servers tucked away beneath a different menu. 

The best thing that you can do is make an informed decision when choosing your next service. You should consider the physical location of a provider's servers. The closer to you, the better. Many VPNs inflate their server count with virtual servers that could be thousands of miles away from you. You may find that the dozen or so locations near you are, in fact, not close to you at all. While virtual servers give you a local IP address, your data still has to go to wherever that virtual server is being run. Traveling results in a loss of performance across all aspects. Therefore, it is best to choose a VPN that is transparent about the location of its physical servers, or opt for a company that doesn't use virtual servers at all, such as Windscribe. 

The VPN service's protocol is also important. OpenVPN and WireGuard have become the standards for the latest and greatest in VPN technology, offering leaner and faster experiences than their predecessors. If speed is your primary concern, consider one of these alternatives over aging, less secure options, such as SSTP/PPTP, IKEv2, or Open UDP. 

Split-tunneling is a good option if you don't need the game or application to be protected by your VPN. This feature lets you specify which apps send data through the VPN tunnel and which send data outside it. You can separate more sensitive activities, such as web browsing or online banking, from higher-bandwidth activities, such as streaming music or playing video games.

Note that some VPN companies offer free versions that limit the number of servers available. In general, expect servers available to free users to be crowded and therefore slower. Proton VPN, for example, limits the number of servers available to free users but notably does not limit the amount of data a free subscriber can use. This makes them a popular choice, but the more popular a free VPN is, the less bandwidth there is available for each user.

Is Speed the Most Important Part of a VPN?

No, it shouldn't be a top consideration. You'll almost certainly experience a dip in performance even if you're using the best VPNs. There are too many variables at play that can impact your overall performance. A service that was fast today could be sluggish tomorrow. 

That's why our reviews tend to focus on privacy, features, and value. Speed is a nice bonus, but we'd much rather have private data than gain a few extra Mbps in download speed. We prefer VPN services with a broad geographic network of servers and clear privacy policies. VPNs that are easy to set up and use for first-timers, and include a well-made local client packed with extras, also go a long way toward earning positive marks. A service is also more likely to score well if it offers a strong value proposition. We also evaluate every VPN's price, and you can view the cost breakdown in the chart below:

It's essential to remember that while VPNs are a straightforward way to enhance your online privacy, they do not completely protect against every online threat. We recommend installing a standalone tracker blocker and using the advanced privacy tools available in most browsers . We also encourage using a password manager to create unique, complex passwords for every login, enabling multi-factor authentication whenever available, and installing antivirus software .

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