Why a VPN can slow your internet connection, how much slowdown is normal, how to run a fair speed test with and without a VPN, and practical settings that make a VPN faster at home and on mobile.
Every VPN adds some overhead, because your traffic is encrypted and sent via an extra server. On a good service with a nearby server the difference can be small; on a busy or distant server it can be large. Here's what affects speed and how to test it properly.
Why a VPN slows things down?
- Distance: your data travels to the VPN server and then onward. A server in another continent adds latency (ping) and often reduces throughput.
- Server load: busy servers at peak times can be slower.
- Protocol: modern protocols such as WireGuard are usually faster and more efficient than older ones.
- Encryption overhead: encrypting and decrypting takes processing power, which matters more on older phones, laptops and routers.
- Your own connection: Wi-Fi signal, router performance and your broadband package set the upper limit. A VPN can't make a slow connection fast.
- Routing: sometimes the route via a VPN is less direct; occasionally it's more direct than your ISP's, so speeds can even improve.
How much slowdown is normal?
There's no single figure: it depends on your connection, device and server. On a nearby server with a modern protocol, many users see only a modest drop in download speed and a small rise in ping. Large drops usually point to a distant or overloaded server, an older protocol, or device limits.
How do you test fairly?
- Use a wired connection if possible, or sit close to your router, to remove Wi-Fi variation.
- Close other apps and pause downloads, streaming and cloud backups on all devices.
- Test without the VPN using a reputable speed test site or app. Note download, upload and ping.
- Connect to a nearby server (in the UK, if you're in the UK) and run the same test immediately.
- Repeat three times for each, and at different times of day, then compare averages.
- Test the protocol and server you'll actually use, such as a streaming location abroad.
Single tests vary a lot, so look at patterns rather than one result.
How do you make a VPN faster?
- Choose a nearby server, or let the app pick the fastest one.
- Switch protocol: try WireGuard (or the provider's WireGuard-based option). If that's blocked on a network, try OpenVPN over UDP before TCP.
- Use split tunnelling, if offered, to send only some apps through the VPN.
- Update the app and your device.
- Restart your router and check Wi-Fi placement.
- Router VPNs: many home routers lack the processing power for fast VPN encryption. Running the VPN app on individual devices is often faster.
- Try another server in the same location if one seems congested.
Gaming and video calls
For gaming and calls, latency (ping) matters more than download speed. A distant VPN server adds latency, so use a nearby one, or exclude these apps with split tunnelling. A VPN won't usually fix lag caused by your own connection.
Streaming
Buffering through a VPN can be caused by server load or the streaming service limiting traffic from known VPN addresses. Check the streaming service's terms, as many restrict access to content licensed for other countries.
When slow speeds mean a bigger problem?
If speeds are poor on every server and protocol, test without the VPN again. If those results are also poor, the issue is likely your broadband or Wi-Fi. Contact your provider, and check Ofcom's guidance on broadband speeds.
Frequently asked questions
Can a VPN increase my speed?
Occasionally, if your ISP throttles certain traffic or routes it poorly, but usually it's slightly slower.
Is a faster VPN less secure?
Not necessarily. WireGuard is both fast and uses modern, well-reviewed cryptography.
Sources and further reading
Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.