Does VPN Slow Down the Internet?
For everyone wondering does a VPN slow down internet – the answer is NO!
VPN does not slow down internet connection.
It does, however, encrypt your data and route it through a secure tunnel so you can surf the web anonymously.
This means that your ISP will have no clue what you are doing on the internet.
VPN also protects you from hackers and surveillance programs when using public WiFi networks because all of your internet traffic is encrypted.
The need for a VPN has never been greater than it is today with online security being threatened by government agencies like NSA and other malicious actors trying to get into our private lives via cyber-attacks.
Does VPN slow down Internet Through Tunneling?
The data passing through the VPN tunnel is encrypted and as a result, there is some slowdown.
However, this is usually only noticeable on very high-bandwidth activities like streaming HD video or gaming.
For everyday web browsing, emailing, and other activities, the slowdown caused by a VPN tunnel will be negligible.
Plus, the added security and privacy benefits of using a VPN are well worth the minor slowdown.
So, does VPN slow down your internet? The answer is no – but it does provide increased security and privacy when browsing the web.
Does it Slows Down Download Speed?
For those who need to use a Virtual Private Network for torrenting or accessing blocked content in other countries, using wired connection is a must.
In most cases, the answer is no because these services are designed to allow high-speed streaming of large files.
In the same time, VPN does not slow down your internet speed for those who need to use a VPN for torrenting because it does not have any effect on the speed of files.
In fact, because VPN does encrypt your data and route it through a secure tunnel, your ISP will have no clue what you are doing on the internet.
With the internet becoming increasingly unsafe, with government agencies such as the NSA and other malicious individuals attempting to invade our private lives via cyber-attacks, the necessity for a VPN has never been higher.
Will a Free VPN Slow Down Internet?
A free VPN will most likely not affect your download speed because it does not have any bandwidth restrictions or data caps.
But, the problem with a free service is that you never really know what kind of security and privacy measures they are taking to protect their users.
Free services do not usually have the same level of security as a paid VPN service, so your data is more vulnerable to being hacked or monitored.
For example, in 2013, it was revealed that the free version of Hotspot Shield was actually selling user data to advertising companies.
So, does VPN slow down your internet speed?
The answer is definitely NO, even in case of a free VPN.
Does VPN affect WiFi?
When you are using a VPN, it will slow down your WiFi connection speed because all of your internet traffic is being routed through the VPN tunnel.
However, this slowdown is usually very minimal and not noticeable unless you are streaming HD video or gaming.
Plus, the added security and privacy benefits of using a VPN on WiFi are well worth the slight speed bump.
In that light, consider using VPN even if you are just casually browsing the web on your home WiFi network.
How to Check if a VPN Server is Slowing My Internet?
If you are unsure if your Virtual Private Network is causing a slowdown, there are a few ways to test it.
Let’s check them out.
Network Diagnostic Tool
One way is to use the built-in network diagnostic tool in Windows.
- Go to Start
- Click on the Control Panel
- Choose Network and Internet
- Click on the Network and Sharing Center
- Select the Change Adapter Settings.
- From here, right-click on your active VPN connection.
- Select Status and run Diagnostics.
If you are seeing high packet loss, this is an indication that your VPN is not working properly and could be causing a slowdown.
Use Speed Test Software
You can also use the internet speed test online tool at Speedtest.net to test your internet speed with and without your VPN active.
This will give you a general idea of whether your VPN is causing a slowdown.
To see if the speed drops considerably when using a VPN, you will need to test it with one that does not cause such an impact on download and upload speeds.
If there is no significant difference in how fast files download when connected to the VPN vs when disconnected from the VPN, then it is likely that the VPN is not having a significant impact on your download speed.
In that light, internet speed test software can show you the most accurate internet connection speed on your VPN server.
Consider Bandwidth Monitoring Tool for Accurate Results
On top of it all, you can also use a bandwidth monitoring tool like Glasnost to test your internet speeds before and after connecting to a VPN.
This will give you a more accurate reading of how much the VPN is actually impacting your download speed.
All in All
There are plenty of different tools to check whether is your VPN slowing down your internet connection.
Even though you don’t have the fastest speeds when it comes to download, it doesn’t have to mean that speed drops are caused by VPN servers.
What is an Average VPN Speed & Internet Speed?
VPN speed can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of VPN you are using, your geographical server location, and the server you are connected to.
However, most VPN services have servers located all over the world so you can always find one that is fast enough for your needs.
In general, a good VPN service will have speeds that are fast enough to stream HD video without any buffering or lag.
If you are using a free VPN, your speeds will likely be slower than if you were using a paid service.
But, as mentioned earlier, the security and privacy benefits of using a VPN are well worth the minor slowdown caused by tunneling.
Why is my VPN Working Slow?
When you choose a VPN, the first thing to make sure is that it does not throttle your internet connection.
The most common reason for this problem is incorrect server selection from the user side.
In some cases, Internet Service Providers can also throttle connections when connecting through a VPN service.
This happens because they want to push people towards using their own VPN service or because they are simply trying to limit the bandwidth of a specific user.
Another reason for slow VPN speeds can be faulty equipment, such as routers and modems.
If you are having problems with your VPN service, the first thing to do is check your device’s firmware and update it if necessary.
You should also check for any recent changes in your internet provider network, as they might have started throttling.
If none of these solutions works, it is best to contact the VPN you are using and ask them to look into this issue.
Sometimes users don’t explain their problem properly so that companies can fix it easily.
What Slows my Internet Connection?
If you are noticing a significant decline in download speeds when connected to a VPN, it may be due to other factors.
For example, if your Internet Service Providers is throttling the speed of your connection or there is congestion on the internet connection speeds routing between where you live and where the servers are located.
In this case, switching from one server to another may not help as the issue is with the Internet Service Provider or the internet infrastructure.
Prioritize Quality VPN for the Best Internet Experience
Since we explained everything on this subject – It’s time to see a bit more about the VPN services in detail.
Therefore, we made a list of high-quality VPNs that guarantee a throttle-free connection and perfect encryption.
Here’s the list:
- IvacyVPN
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
- TunnelBear VPN
- Private Internet Access
- Surfshark
- ProtonVPN
- CyberGhost
- StrongVPN
- IPVanish
As we can see, these are all respectable and trustworthy options to choose from.
However, let’s get into details about them and see what exactly each of them offer.
IvacyVPN – Top Choice
IvacyVPN is a Singapore-based VPN provider that has been in the industry since 2007.
The company offers a wide range of features, including military grade encryption, split tunneling, and PIA (private internet access).
Ivacy also offers a kill switch and NAT firewall to its users.
When it comes to server load location, Ivacy does not have as many options to choose from as some other VPN providers.
However, they do boast a fast connection speed and can allow you to access Netflix or Hulu with ease.
ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for streaming online content
ExpressVPN is one of the most popular names in the world of VPN.
It does not have as many servers to choose from, but does offer a high speed connection and amazing encryption protocols that will keep your data safe.
ExpressVPN also has a kill switch so you can protect yourself against IP leaks if there is ever an issue with the service itself.
In addition to this, ExpressVPN is one of the few providers that can unblock Netflix and Hulu without any issues.
And, most importantly, ExpressVPN is offering 30 day money back guarantee for all its users.
NordVPN – Most Secure VPN Provider
NordVPN is a Panama-based company that has been in business since 2012.
The company offers a plethora of features, including military grade encryption, Tor over VPN, double VPN, and more things to encrypt your internet connection.
NordVPN does offer a kill switch and NAT firewall, as well as ad blocking technology.
When it comes to server location, Nord is definitely up there with the best providers in this aspect.
It has over 5000 server load options across 62 countries all around the world!
TunnelBear VPN – Most User-Friendly VPN
TunnelBear is a Canadian company that has been in business since 2011.
The company offers a wide variety of features, including military grade encryption, split tunneling, and PIA (private internet access).
In addition to this, TunnelBear does offer a kill switch as well as ad blocking technology.
What makes TunnelBear stand out is its user-friendly design and ease of use.
It does not have as many VPN servers to choose from, but this should not be an issue for the majority of users.
Private Internet Access – Cheapest VPN Provider
Private internet access (PIA) is a United States-based VPN provider that has been in business since 2010.
The company does offer a wide range of features, including military grade encryption, split tunneling, and PIA (private internet access).
PIA also offers a kill switch and NAT firewall to its users, which is great for VPN connection.
Also, server location of PIA does not have as many options to choose from.
However, it does offer a very cheap price tag for its services.
Surfshark – Best VPN for Torrenting
Surfshark is a British Virgin Islands-based VPN provider that has been in business since 2018.
The company offers a wide range of features, including military grade encryption, split tunneling, and PIA (private internet access).
Surfshark does offer a kill switch and NAT firewall to its users.
Besides that, there’s a great deal for 30 day money back guarantee that Surfshark offers.
What makes Surfshark stand out is that it is one of the few providers that allow torrenting on their servers without any restrictions.
In addition to this, Surfshark also offers a very user-friendly design with faster connection.
ProtonVPN – Secure VPN for Journalists
ProtonVPN is a Switzerland-based company that has been in business since 2017 and offers fastest internet speeds VPN.
The company does offer a wide variety of features, including military grade encryption, split tunneling, and PIA (private internet access).
In addition to this, Proton does offer a kill switch as well as ad blocking technology.
What makes ProtonVPN stand out is that it is one of the few providers that offer a secure VPN for journalists.
This means that your data will be encrypted and safe from any prying eyes.
Plus, there’s an antivirus software implemented inside this VPN.
On top of that, ProtonVPN is definitely the best choice if you’re looking for a VPN connection to stream Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and other popular US-based streaming services.
CyberGhost – One of the Best VPNs for Streaming
CyberGhost is an Romania-based company that has been in business since 2011 and has superior security when it comes to VPN app.
The company does offer a wide range of features, including military grade encryption, split tunneling, and PIA (private internet access).
In addition to this, Cyber does offer a kill switch as well as ad blocking technology.
What makes CyberGhost stand out is that it is one of the best VPNs for streaming.
This means that you can use it to unblock Netflix, Hulu, and other popular streaming services without any issues.
StrongVPN – Best VPN for China
StrongVPN is a United States-based company that has been in business since 2010.
The company does offer a wide variety of features, including military grade encryption, split tunneling, and PIA (private internet access).
In addition to this, Strong does offer a kill switch as well as ad blocking technology.
What makes StrongVPN stand out is that it does offer a dedicated IP address to its users.
This means that you can use the VPN to bypass Chinese censorship and even access Netflix from China! You can also learn more about how best vpn service for china here: this guide .
IPVanish – Good VPN for Kodi Users
IPVanish is a United States-based company that has been in business since 2009.
The company does offer a wide range of features, including military grade encryption, split tunneling, and PIA (private internet access).
In addition to this, IP does offer a kill switch as well as ad blocking technology.
What makes IPVanish stand out is that it does offer a dedicated IP address to its users.
This means that you can use the VPN to unblock Kodi and other geo-restricted content without any issues.
Conclusion
If you want to stay safe, protect your privacy, get rid of the slow internet connection, then VPN is the way to go
But not all free VPNs are created equal – some offer more features than others.
This is maybe best to check on review sites that offer premium VPNs servers.
To help make sure that you’re getting a good deal with your purchase, we put together this guide for what makes a great VPN provider as well as how they work in general.
We also provide lots of tips on how to choose the best one for your needs and budget so don’t worry!
You can find out everything about them before making any purchases or signing up anywhere else.
And if it’s still too much information after reading through our post, feel free to contact us anytime.
We’re always happy to give personalized advice based on each person’s unique.
