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The How To Guide was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on The How To Guide are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

The How To Guide was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on The How To Guide are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

5 Fastest VPN Services: High-Speed Connections in 2025

Author Image Akash Deep
Akash Deep Updated on April 04, 2025 Fact-checked by Emma Browne Cybersecurity Researcher

Internet speeds are precious, and nothing kills your connection quite like a slow VPN. While all VPNs impact speeds due to encryption, many turn simple tasks like streaming and downloading into a frustrating waiting game. The difference between a quality VPN and a poor one can mean the difference between smooth 4K streaming and endless buffering screens.

My team and I put over 50 VPN providers through intense testing to find the fastest VPNs that deliver on their speed promises. We ran speed tests across global servers during peak and off-peak hours, measuring real-world performance for any online activity from casual browsing to heavy-duty streaming and gaming.

ExpressVPN outperformed every other service in our speed tests. Its Lightway protocol delivered exceptional performance and consistent speeds, making it a great option for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free since it's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, and getting a refund is hassle-free. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at The How To Guide, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free >>

Short on Time? Here Are the Fastest VPN Services in 2025

  • Editor's Choice
    ExpressVPN
    ExpressVPN
    Proprietary Lightway protocol provides the fastest speeds we’ve tested on any VPN.
    Checked out by 7000+ users last month
  • NordVPN
    NordVPN
    NordLynx delivers fast speeds and strong security, but it’s not available on all devices.
  • CyberGhost VPN
    CyberGhost
    Specialized fast servers for various activities, but high speed drops on distant servers.
  • Proton VPN
    Proton VPN
    VPN Accelerator to boost connection speeds, though it has high latency.
  • Surfshark
    Surfshark
    Unlimited connections for fast speeds on all devices, but connection times are slow.

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

The Fastest VPN Services — Full Analysis (Updated 2025)

1. ExpressVPN — Lightway Protocol for Fast Speeds Across All Servers

Best Feature Lightway protocol keeps the speed loss to a minimum, even on distant connections
Speeds Fastest VPN we tested — an average 12% drop on nearby servers
Server Network 3,000 servers in 105 countries, so it’s easy to find a speedy nearby connection
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max, Hulu, Vudu, DAZN, and more
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at The How To Guide, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

ExpressVPN consistently topped the speed charts in our latest round of testing, making it an ideal choice for streaming, gaming, and downloads. Its proprietary Lightway protocol is engineered to keep your connections fast without compromising security. While other VPNs occasionally hit similar speeds on specific servers, none matched ExpressVPN's reliability across different locations and times.

From our testing location in Dallas, we saw minimal speed loss on ExpressVPN’s nearby servers. For instance, connecting to Miami only dropped our speeds by 6% — you'd barely notice the difference. On its long-distance London server, we saw just a 24% speed loss and an even smaller 18% loss on the Tokyo server. Most VPNs struggle to deliver half these speeds on distant servers.

Screenshot of To Catch a Killer streaming with ExpressVPN connectedIts New York server gave us consistently fast speeds and stable connections

With its extensive server network, you'll always find a fast, uncrowded connection nearby. It uses 10 Gbps ports and offers automatic obfuscation, so you'll get great speeds even on restrictive networks that usually throttle VPN traffic. It also minimizes additional speed losses from VPN encryption in countries with strict internet controls, like Russia and China, which often have slow networks.

The only downside is that ExpressVPN costs more than other options. However, it offers frequent discounts throughout the year that make it much more affordable. Plus, you can try it risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you're not satisfied with the speeds, getting a refund is easy.

Useful Features

  • Low latency. ExpressVPN maintains consistently low ping times across its network, with rates under 30 ms on nearby servers. This makes it an excellent choice for gaming and other latency-sensitive activities. During our tests, we played Warzone on a PC and PUBG on an iPhone without any lag.
  • P2P on all servers. ExpressVPN supports torrenting on every server at full speed, eliminating the need to search for specialized P2P locations. Simply connect to your nearest server and start downloading public domain content.
  • Security without compromise. Advanced features like AES-256 encryption and IP/DNS leak protection are built-in, but they won't impact your connection speed. Plus, it has a strict no-logs policy and is based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands.
ExpressVPN Offer April 2025: For a limited time only, you can get 61% off your ExpressVPN purchase! Don't miss out! 
ExpressVPN Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements
  • One of the fastest VPNs
  • Works with top streaming sites
  • A proven no-logs policy
  • Limited customization
  • Smart Location isn't always the fastest

2. NordVPN — NordLynx Offers WireGuard’s Fast Speeds With Improved Security

Best Feature NordLynx delivers fast speeds while sidestepping WireGuard’s privacy flaws
Speeds Very fast — a 13% drop on nearby servers provides great speeds for streaming and torrenting
Server Network 7,416 servers in 118 countries to minimize the chance of overcrowding
Works With Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max, Hulu, Vudu, DAZN, and more

NordVPN takes second place with its custom-built NordLynx protocol. The protocol improves on WireGuard's foundation by fixing its privacy issues, keeping your connection both fast and secure. While it wasn’t always as consistent as our top pick, the difference was barely noticeable during regular use. NordVPN also offers OpenVPN, but it couldn't match NordLynx's speeds in any of our tests.

Screenshot of YouTube Premium streaming through NordVPN connected to UK serverUsing NordLynx, the speed drop was sometimes less than 15% even on servers that are over 5000 miles away

The performance was impressive on all NordVPN servers. For instance, our speeds only dropped by 11% on the Dallas server, and Miami connections slowed by just 8%. Long-distance performance stayed strong, too, with both London and Singapore servers retaining 79% of our base speed. There was no buffering even when we were streaming YouTube in HD.

The Presets feature on macOS lets you create custom server configurations for different activities. Instead of switching settings manually each time, you can save your preferred server and protocol combinations as profiles. For example, we set up a gaming preset with NordLynx and Miami servers for the lowest ping. This saved us time from constantly adjusting settings for different tasks.

My only problem with NordVPN is that you can’t use NordLynx on all devices. For instance, it’s not available on smart TVs, game consoles, or routers. But it is available for all other major OSs like Windows, Android, and iOS. You can test NordVPN risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

  • Great for streaming. NordVPN's performance nearly matches ExpressVPN when it comes to streaming. During our tests, it worked well with Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and other platforms without issues, so you can stream content in 4K from anywhere.
  • Meshnet for gaming. This lets you create your own private gaming network with up to 60 devices and host virtual LAN parties with friends. You can play multiplayer games directly with your squad, bypassing laggy game servers.
  • Advanced security. In addition to essential features, NordVPN’s Threat Protection blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites, helping to keep you safe online. As an optional add-on, you can upgrade this to include a malware scanner and always-on functionality.
NordVPN Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements
  • Strong security and privacy
  • Fast local and faraway servers
  • Great for streaming
  • Some long connection times
  • High renewal prices

3. CyberGhost — Activity-Specific Servers to Find the Right Connection for Your Needs

Best Feature Optimized servers for high-speed gaming, streaming, and torrenting, so you never have to guess which server is the best for your needs
Speeds Fast — a 22% drop on nearby servers lets you game and torrent without slowdowns
Server Network 11,690 servers in 100 countries for reliable connections
Works With Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max, Hulu, Vudu, DAZN, and more
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at The How To Guide, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

CyberGhost takes the guesswork out of server selection with its optimized servers for different activities. In its main menu bar, you’ll find clearly labeled servers optimized for gaming, streaming, and torrenting. These are fine-tuned to deliver the best performance for each specific task. In our CyberGhost tests, these optimized connections consistently gave us better performance than regular ones.

Screenshot of CyberGhost VPN app showing server list with load percentages for different countriesLower server load typically means better speeds

On its nearby US gaming server, we only saw a minimal 10% speed drop, and our ping only increased by 5 ms. Its torrenting server in Tokyo surprisingly increased our speed by 5%, letting us download at even faster speeds. Even its regular distant connections held up well, with most staying under a 35% speed loss. However, some distant servers saw higher-than-expected speed loss, such as 60% on its Australian server, which we didn’t experience with ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost doesn’t disappoint in terms of reliability, either. We tested 14 of its streaming-optimized servers, and each one worked flawlessly with its intended platform. Whether we were watching Netflix in 4K or live-streaming sports on DAZN, we never experienced buffering or quality drops.

I was a little disappointed that CyberGhost's monthly plan only comes with a shorter 14-day refund period, which doesn’t give you much time to test it. However, its long-term purchases include a more generous 45-day money-back guarantee, and they offer much better value starting at just $2.19/month.

Useful Features

  • Dedicated IP addresses. For a small extra fee, you can get an IP that's exclusively yours. Since you're not sharing bandwidth with other users, you'll get faster, more consistent speeds. Plus, you'll avoid CAPTCHAs and keep stable access to banking sites since your IP won't get flagged from other users' activities.
  • NoSpy servers. These servers are housed in Romania and managed directly by CyberGhost’s staff, keeping your data away from third parties. They use premium hardware for better speeds and come with extended bandwidth for consistent performance.
April 2025 Deal: CyberGhost is currently available at 83% off! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost purchase. 
CyberGhost VPN Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements
  • Secure access to streaming
  • Military-level security
  • Designed for ease of use
  • Slower long-distance servers
  • Doesn't work in China

4. Proton VPN — VPN Accelerator to Boost Connection Speeds

Best Feature VPN Accelerator feature to enhance your speeds for any online activity
Speeds Generally fast — an average 31% speed loss on nearby servers still provides stable speeds for fast loading times
Server Network 12,051 servers in 117 countries provide plenty of connection options
Works With Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max, Hulu, Vudu, DAZN, and more

Proton’s VPN Accelerator feature tackles the slowdowns that plague most VPNs on distant servers. It combines multiple optimizations to reduce strain on your device’s resources and improve connections, ensuring consistent speeds even over long distances.

Screenshot of Proton VPN settings page showing the VPN Accelerator toggle enabledProton VPN claims this feature can boost your speeds by up to 400% on some connections

In our Proton tests, we saw minimal losses on specific servers with VPN Accelerator switched on (just 16% in New York and 11% in Tokyo), which is impressive. Some connections performed up to 30% better than they did without this feature. However, there were also a few outliers — the UK server slowed our speed by 73%. While that only happened on a select few servers, top picks like ExpressVPN and NordVPN didn’t see such drastic drops.

A minor downside is that Proton VPN tends to have higher latency overall. If your base ping is already high or you’re looking to play competitive games online, this may be a concern. However, for everyday browsing and streaming, you likely won’t notice a big difference.

You can test Proton VPN's performance for yourself with its 30-day money-back guarantee. The refund process is straightforward and doesn't require technical explanations. I requested a refund through its live chat and got my money back in a few days.

Useful Features

  • Privacy-friendly. Proton VPN backs its privacy claims with open-source apps and regular audits. All servers run in RAM-only mode, while Secure Core routes your traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries. This can reduce your speeds, but it’s not a bad sacrifice when privacy is a must.
  • Custom connection profiles. Create profiles tailored to your needs or use the pre-configured ones. The Fastest profile automatically picked nearby servers with the best speeds during our tests, and we could set up custom profiles for specific countries we frequently connected to.
Proton VPN Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements
  • Advanced security features
  • Good value
  • Not all apps are equal
  • No split tunneling for Mac

5. Surfshark — Unlimited Connections for Fast Speeds on All Your Devices

Best Feature Everyone in your household can enjoy fast, secure connections with no interruptions thanks to no device limits
Speeds Fast — a 27% speed loss on nearby servers and low latency for gaming
Server Network 3,200 servers in 100 countries to prevent lag from overcrowded connections
Works With Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max, Hulu, Vudu, DAZN, and more

With Surfshark, you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously without slowdowns. We tested this by pushing it to the limit — streaming 4K Netflix on a MacBook, playing Warzone on a PC, downloading large files on a laptop, and browsing on several phones and tablets. Despite all these devices hogging bandwidth at once, our connection stayed strong with no buffering or lag.

Surfshark delivered solid results in our speed tests, with the nearby New York server cutting our baseline by 25%. Long-distance connections were relatively slower, with a 39% drop in Australia and 41% in Singapore (averaging around 34% overall). This is decent, but we've seen better from Surfshark before. ExpressVPN and NordVPN consistently outperformed it, with lower speed drops even on distant servers.

Screenshot of BGMI mobile game being played on iOS with Surfshark VPN connected to India serverWith unlimited connections, your whole family can game, stream, and browse simultaneously

One minor annoyance is that some servers take longer to establish a connection. For example, our UK connection needed multiple attempts and took about 15 seconds to connect — whereas top providers typically connect within a second or two. However, once we established a connection, performance remained stable with no issues.

Its long-term subscriptions offer excellent value at just $2.19/month. You can test it risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Just ask for a refund if you’re not happy with the speeds.

Useful Features

  • Speed test tool. Surfshark's Windows app includes a built-in speed test that checks upload speed, download speed, and latency on each server. This lets you find the best available server for your needs without ever having to leave the app. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work while you’re connected to a server.
  • Advanced security. Beyond basic VPN protection, Surfshark includes CleanWeb to block ads and malware, plus MultiHop to route your traffic through two servers. The optional antivirus feature adds another layer of protection without impacting speeds.
Surfshark Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements
  • Easy to use
  • Military-grade security
  • Fast speeds
  • Clunky torrenting support
  • Based in a 9-Eyes country
  • Might not work in China

More Fast VPNs We Tested

While testing VPNs for speed, we found several other providers that showed promising performance but didn't quite make our top 5. Here's what we found:

VPN Speed Test Results Compared

No VPN
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
USA (Dallas) USA (Dallas)
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
USA (Miami) USA (Miami)
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
USA (Los Angeles) USA (Los Angeles)
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
USA (New York) USA (New York)
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Canada Canada
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Brazil Brazil
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
UK UK
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
France France
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Japan Japan
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Australia Australia
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Singapore Singapore
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
273.49 Mbps
194.84 Mbps
4 ms
279.02 Mbps
278.67 Mbps
10 ms
257.22 Mbps
164.54 Mbps
51 ms
249.76 Mbps
247.13 Mbps
34 ms
256.95 Mbps
174.39 Mbps
49 ms
255.31 Mbps
232.31 Mbps
41 ms
189.41 Mbps
187.74 Mbps
143 ms
213.62 Mbps
217.29 Mbps
113 ms
232.47 Mbps
58.37 Mbps
115 ms
222.28 Mbps
196.19 Mbps
148 ms
214.39 Mbps
72.38 Mbps
190 ms
231.89 Mbps
265.41 Mbps
205 ms
192.26 Mbps
161.41 Mbps
4 ms
176.12 Mbps
88.08 Mbps
10 ms
159.25 Mbps
47.16 Mbps
54 ms
109.39 Mbps
61.38 Mbps
44 ms
166.78 Mbps
38.69 Mbps
51 ms
1.37 Mbps
3.26 Mbps
101 ms
210.50 Mbps
16.91 Mbps
142 ms
68.97 Mbps
101.12 Mbps
112 ms
186.92 Mbps
20.96 Mbps
120 ms
197.72 Mbps
17.01 Mbps
144 ms
48.42 Mbps
16.57 Mbps
192 ms
133.55 Mbps
12.22 Mbps
208 ms
146.88 Mbps
123.16 Mbps
3 ms
179.77 Mbps
86.63 Mbps
12 ms
149.23 Mbps
56.27 Mbps
53 ms
152.85 Mbps
50.49 Mbps
46 ms
199.30 Mbps
65.09 Mbps
45 ms
2.30 Mbps
4.74 Mbps
62 ms
187.67 Mbps
17.80 Mbps
142 ms
88.62 Mbps
21.27 Mbps
123 ms
218.36 Mbps
21.18 Mbps
121 ms
200 Mbps
20.03 Mbps
146 ms
64.36 Mbps
13.13 Mbps
193 ms
163.07 Mbps
200.13 Mbps
209 ms
These tests are conducted from the USA

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Quick Comparison Table: Fastest VPN Features

The table below compares key features of the fastest VPNs, including local and long-distance speeds, connection stability, server networks, and the protocols they use to maintain high performance. These factors determine how well a VPN can handle activities like streaming, gaming, and downloading without slowdowns.

I’ve also included whether each VPN offers port forwarding. This feature allows your torrent client to connect directly with more peers, giving your seeds priority and significantly boosting both download and upload speeds.

Lowest Price Average Drop on Local Servers Average Drop on Distant Servers Stability Server Network Fastest Protocol Port Forwarding?
🥇ExpressVPN $4.99/month 12% 22% Excellent 3,000 servers in 105 countries Lightway Yes (through router setup)
🥈NordVPN $3.09/month 13% 24% Excellent 7,416 servers in 118 countries NordLynx No
🥉CyberGhost $2.19/month 22% 31% Good 11,690 servers in 100 countries WireGuard No
Proton VPN $4.49/month 31% 39% Good 12,051 servers in 117 countries WireGuard Yes
Surfshark $2.19/month 27% 42% Good 3,200 servers in 100 countries WireGuard No
Hotspot Shield $6.66/month 28% 27% Good 1,800 servers in 80 countries Hydra No
IPVanish $2.19/month 22% 44% OK 2,400 servers in 109 countries WireGuard No
Private Internet Access $2.19/month 28% 37% Good 29,650 servers in 91 countries WireGuard Yes
TunnelBear $3.33/month 30% 42% Good 8,000 servers in 47 countries WireGuard No
PrivateVPN $2/month 33% 48% Good 200 servers in 63 countries WireGuard No

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Our Methodology for Testing the Fastest VPNs

Raw speed numbers only tell part of the story when testing VPNs. We analyzed connection stability, consistency across different times of day, and performance during high-traffic periods. Each VPN underwent extensive testing across multiple locations, with special attention to speed retention on long-distance connections and performance during bandwidth-heavy tasks.

We also evaluated factors that impact real-world performance, such as the time needed to establish connections, server load distribution, and protocol options. In addition to this, we looked at security features, streaming capabilities, server networks, pricing, and other key factors. For a detailed breakdown of our testing process, check out our VPN testing methodology page.

Important Points to Keep in Mind Regarding VPN Speeds

Your VPN speeds depend on multiple factors, and understanding them helps you get the best performance. You won’t always get the same results that we got during our tests, though. Here's what affects your VPN speeds and why you might notice different results to ours:

  • Base connection. A VPN’s speed is influenced by your original internet speed. If you start with 100 Mbps, expect VPN speeds below that, typically 70–90 Mbps with nearby servers. In this article, we only described the percentage drop we experienced as a rough estimate of the speeds to expect.
  • Distance to a server. The closer you are to a VPN server, the faster your connection will be. A server in your city might only slow you down by 10%, while one across the globe could cut your base speed in half. Note that virtual servers can sometimes be slower than expected, considering their physical location isn’t the same as the IP location they provide.
  • Server load and peak hours. Even the fastest VPN slows down when too many users connect to the same server. During peak hours (evening in local time), you might notice bigger speed drops.
  • Security features. Advanced security features like double VPN or extra encryption layers will slow your connection. While modern protocols like WireGuard and Lightway maintain good speeds with high security, features like Multi-Hop can cut your speed by 50% or more.
  • Connection stability. Your VPN connection will also be influenced by how stable your base connection is. A slightly slower but stable connection often works better than a faster but inconsistent one.
  • Network routing. Each extra hop between you and your destination adds latency. Quality VPNs minimize this with optimized routing paths. However, the number of hops between us and our destination may vary between you and yours.

Quick Guide: How to Speed Test Your VPN in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Get a VPN.
    I recommend ExpressVPN since its Lightway protocol offered the best speeds in our tests. Plus, it has a vast server network for reliable, speedy connections worldwide.
  2. Check your starting speed.
    Before connecting to your VPN, navigate to an online speed testing tool (like Ookla) to see what your base connection is. Take note of this number.
  3. Connect to and test your VPN.
    Choose a location from your VPN's server list to test — nearby servers will be the fastest. Then, run another speed test using the same tool. Compare your speeds with and without the VPN.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at The How To Guide, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

How to Get Faster VPN Speeds

A VPN will naturally slow your connection due to encryption and the extra distance your data travels. But with the right setup, you can minimize this speed loss. Here are some simple ways to boost your VPN speeds:

  • Pick the closest server. The further your data travels, the slower your connection gets. Unless you need a specific location, stick to the nearest possible server. Our tests consistently show 2–3 times faster speeds on local connections compared to distant ones.
  • Use modern protocols. WireGuard, Lightway, and NordLynx are much faster than older options. If your VPN only offers OpenVPN, choose UDP instead of TCP — it's about 20% faster in most cases.
  • Switch to Ethernet. WiFi is convenient, but it’s slower than a direct connection. In our tests, Ethernet connections were up to 30% faster when using a VPN. Plus, they're more stable for gaming and streaming.
  • Check server load. A server at 80% capacity will be much slower than one at 20%. Some VPNs show this information in their app, so I recommend looking for servers under 50% load for the best speeds.
  • Get a dedicated IP. Sharing an IP with other users can slow you down during peak hours. A dedicated IP usually costs a bit extra but gives you consistent VPN speeds since you're the only one using it.
  • Enable split tunneling. Don't route all your traffic through the VPN if you don't need to. Let your local apps use your regular connection while only protecting sensitive activities with the VPN. This frees up bandwidth and can improve your speeds.

Advanced VPN Speed Hacks

  • Change your encryption level. Stronger encryption (like 256-bit) provides better security but requires more processing time than lighter options (128-bit). Some VPNs, like PIA, let you adjust your encryption level, but this may not be available with every protocol.
  • Set up port forwarding. This creates a direct connection to other users when torrenting, significantly boosting download speeds. Not all VPNs offer this, but it's worth using when available.
  • Try different ports. Some networks throttle common VPN ports. Switching to port 443 (HTTPS) often helps bypass these restrictions since it's the same port used for regular web traffic, so it’s rarely restricted.
  • Change your connection type. UDP connections are faster but less stable than TCP. Most VPNs default to UDP for better speeds, but some let you customize which transport protocol to use.
  • Build your own VPN. Setting up a VPN server on a cloud platform gives you complete control over security and speed settings. It's more technical, but it can potentially deliver better performance because you’re the only one using it.
Pro Tip: If you’re dealing with a slow VPN, speed booster tools can’t help. Speed boosters and device optimizers, as the name suggests, improve your device’s processing power by removing junk files and other inefficiencies. However, they can’t speed up your network connection speeds, so they won’t reduce the speed drop from a VPN.

FAQs on the Fastest VPN Services

What affects a VPN’s speeds?

Your base connection, server location, and VPN settings all play crucial roles in determining your final VPN speed. While top VPNs minimize speed loss through optimized networks and protocols, your connection will still slow down as your traffic takes a longer route through VPN servers.

How can I improve my VPN connection for gaming and torrenting?

Gaming and torrenting have different VPN speed requirements. For gaming, low latency is crucial — even a slight delay can make the difference between winning and losing. Connect to servers close to your location or the game servers, and always choose VPNs that offer fast protocols. A wired connection and servers with low load will also help reduce lag and packet loss.

For torrenting, focus on maximizing bandwidth rather than reducing latency. Look for P2P-optimized servers, which are specifically configured for better torrenting performance. If your VPN offers port forwarding, enable it. This creates direct connections to more peers and can significantly boost download speeds. Some VPNs also support SOCKS5 proxy, which is lighter than full VPN encryption and can improve torrenting speeds.

Which VPN protocol is the fastest?

In our experience, Lightway is the fastest protocol. But if you’re looking for a non-proprietary option, then WireGuard is your best bet. As a runner-up, OpenVPN produces decent speeds while providing strong security (but only with UDP). On the other hand, PPTP and L2TP are older protocols that offer fast speeds but at the cost of reduced security.

Is Surfshark faster than NordVPN?

NordVPN was faster than Surfshark across nearly all our test locations. Its NordLynx protocol delivered better speeds across a variety of servers. Surfshark isn't slow by any means — it handles 4K streaming and gaming without issues on nearby servers. However, NordVPN's performance puts it firmly ahead in the speed department.

Will a VPN speed up my internet connection?

Generally, no — a good VPN will slightly slow down your connection due to encryption and the extra distance your data travels. A fast VPN will keep the speed loss to a minimum, though.

However, there are some situations where a VPN might actually improve your speeds. If your internet provider throttles specific services like Netflix or torrent traffic, a VPN can bypass these restrictions and restore your speeds. Similarly, if your ISP uses inefficient routing to certain websites, a VPN might provide a faster path to reach them.

Just keep in mind that a VPN usually can’t exceed the base speed you get from your internet provider. If you're experiencing slow internet, it's more likely due to your ISP or home network setup than something a VPN can fix.

What is the fastest VPN for Android and Firestick?

The #1 VPN on this list is currently the fastest VPN for both Android and Firestick. Its Lightway protocol keeps speeds consistently high. Plus, it offers native apps for Android and Fire TV devices, making it super easy to set up and use.

What’s the fastest free VPN?

We tested dozens of free VPNs, but none came close to matching the speeds of premium services. Instead of hunting for a fast, free VPN, we recommend trying one of the VPNs on this list. They all offer money-back guarantees, and some even have free trials or plans, letting you test them risk-free.

Free VPNs are typically slow for several reasons. They have fewer servers that get quickly overcrowded, and they often cap your speeds and data to push you toward paid plans. Many also lack modern protocols like WireGuard that help maintain fast connections.

Plus, free VPNs pose serious privacy risks — many sell user data or inject ads to cover their costs, and some even contain malware. Some free VPNs have also been caught selling user bandwidth to third parties, turning users' devices into exit nodes.

Get the Fastest VPN

With so many VPNs claiming to be the fastest, it takes a lot of testing to determine which truly are. Still, my team and I wanted to get to the bottom of it, so we took the time to do the testing ourselves. The VPNs that made it to my shortlist gave us top speeds by offering fast protocols, large server networks, and intuitive features.

From these, ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN we’ve tested. It offers its own Lightway protocol and a huge network of consistently fast servers that give you reliable connections. This means you can enjoy HD streaming from anywhere, uninterrupted browsing, lag-free gaming, and quick torrenting. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test ExpressVPN’s speeds risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, it’s easy to claim a refund.

To summarize, the fastest VPNs in 2025 are...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Rank
Provider
Our Score
Discount
Visit Website
1
medal
9.9 /10
9.9 Our Score
Save 61%!
2
9.4 /10
9.4 Our Score
Save 77%!
3
9.7 /10
9.7 Our Score
Save 83%!
4
9.2 /10
9.2 Our Score
Save 55%!
5
9.3 /10
9.3 Our Score
Save 86%!
Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

Your IP Address:

18.191.190.40

Your Location:

US, Ohio, Columbus

Your Internet Provider:

The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 61% off. Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Visit ExpressVPN

The listings featured on this site are from companies from which this site receives compensation and some are co-owned by our parent company. This influence: Rank and manner in which listings are presented.
Learn more
The How To Guide was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on The How To Guide are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

  • Author Image Akash Deep
  • Akash Deep Cybersecurity Researcher

Akash is a writer at The How To Guide dedicated to providing readers with unbiased and expert advice on online security and privacy. He specializes in analyzing the latest cybersecurity trends and providing up-to-date information to help readers make informed decisions.

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Comments (1)
Marc S Ciresa
11 Jan 2025
11 Jan 2025

I did my own testing 2 times each one and expressvpn dedicated ip was the fastest and expressvpn shared was 2nd and nordvpn shared was 3rd and last place was nordvpn dedicated ip!