How VPN services affect internet speed
Learn how to pump up your internet connection using a VPN
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More and more people worldwide are turning to thebest VPNservices on a daily basis. Whether they’re looking to bypass online censorship, boost their online privacy, unblock foreign streaming platforms or a mix of all, connection speeds will always be crucial for all users.
As for how it works, aVPNencrypts all the data leaving your device for then decrypting it when reaching its final destination.
And, while you’re unlikely to see a huge difference when using thefastest VPNservices around, the encryption process will inevitably affect your internet connection - even if that is just a couple of Mbps.
At the same time, there are some situations when using a VPN can actually help boost your overall online performance.
Let’s have a look at both scenarios more in detail.
Why a VPN might slow down your connection
We already mentioned that the main factor that will affect your VPN speeds isencryption. That’s because the process of scrambling data inevitably takes up time.
Every time you turn on a VPN, all the data alsopasses through one of its servers. This adds an extra step that can negatively impact your internet connection results. Don’t worry too much, though, as the decrease in speed is often imperceptible here.
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Further factors that might slow down your VPN speeds are:
When a VPN can boost your connection
Using a VPN doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll see your internet speeds drop. If you choose a reliable service while being mindful in picking the best server and protocol encryption according to your needs, it’s unlikely you’ll experience any difference from your normal connection.
What’s more, a VPN may even help to improve your overall internet speeds at times.
That’s because when you switch it on, your ISP will be prevented from tracking down your online activities. This will allow you to avoid ISP orbandwidth throttling, ultimately making your internet faster.
Bandwidth throttling is the practice for which your internet service provider intentionally slows down your internet connection. This might be for managing network congestion, for example. That’s why using agaming VPNcan help you get better performance rates while you play online.
Internet throttling can also occur when you reach your monthly data caps, and authoritarian countries often throttle the internet to enforce online censorship on unwanted content.
How to improve your VPN speed
If your internet connection is getting slower while using a VPN, there are a few hacks you can use to improve your overall online performance.
However, before playing around with settings, you should make sure that your VPN is actually the one slowing you down. That’s why we recommend beginning with running a couple of speed tests, with and without the software.
Speedtestis one of the bestspeed test toolsaround, and it’s one of the services we use when reviewing VPNs. Check our dedicatedbroadband speed testexplainer to know all the details.
Once you determine that’s the VPN app the reason behind your poor connection, try out the tips below:
The fastest VPN right now:
1.Surfshark - easy to use VPN that’s great valueHaving upped its speeds recently, Surfshark is the provider you want if you’re after the very fastest. It reached a staggering peak of 950Mbps with its speedy WireGuard protocol, last time we checked. However, you should keep in mind that the results were less impressive withOpenVPN.
Besides speeds, Surfshark comes packed with features and excellent unblocking. At less than $2.50 per month, it’s a reasonably priced option that’s super simple to use.
Chiara is a multimedia journalist committed to covering stories to help promote the rights and denounce the abuses of the digital side of life—wherever cybersecurity, markets and politics tangle up.She mainly writes news, interviews and analysis on data privacy, online censorship, digital rights, cybercrime, and security software, with a special focus on VPNs, for TechRadar Pro, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide. Got a story, tip-off or something tech-interesting to say? Reach out to chiara.castro@futurenet.com
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