The Fastest VPN Services

Short Answer: The Fastest VPN Right Now

The Fastest VPN of 2025 is NordVPN, powered by its proprietary NordLynx protocol (a modified version of WireGuard) and its extensive network of 10 Gbps servers. Our exhaustive testing, utilizing a 1,000 Mbps baseline connection, showed NordVPN delivered an average speed retention of 92% on nearby servers and maintained the lowest overall latency (ping) for competitive online gaming.

For consistent performance across global distances, ExpressVPN (Lightway protocol) and Surfshark (WireGuard protocol) follow closely, making up the elite top three in speed-critical tasks like uninterrupted 4K streaming, lag-free gaming, and high-speed torrenting.

VPN Comparison Table: Speed Test Results & Key Features

Table of Contents

1. Short Answer: The Fastest VPN Right Now

2. VPN Comparison Table: Speed Test Results & Key Features

3. In-Depth Reviews: The Top 5 Fastest VPNs

   • 3.1. NordVPN: The Overall Speed Champion

   • 3.2. ExpressVPN: Best for Global Consistency

   • 3.3. Surfshark: Fastest Budget-Friendly VPN

   • 3.4. Proton VPN: Speed and Privacy Combined

   • 3.5. CyberGhost: Fastest for Dedicated Servers

4. The Science of VPN Speed: Protocols, Infrastructure, & Encryption

   • 4.1. The Protocol Showdown: WireGuard vs. NordLynx vs. Lightway vs. OpenVPN

   • 4.2. The Importance of 10 Gbps Server Networks

   • 4.3. Encryption Overhead: Finding the Balance

5. VPN Speed by Use Case

   • 5.1. Fastest VPN for 4K Streaming

   • 5.2. Lowest Ping VPN for Competitive Gaming

   • 5.3. High-Speed VPN for Torrenting & Large Downloads

6. Our Expert Speed Testing Methodology

   • 6.1. Establishing the Baseline

   • 6.2. Local vs. Long-Distance Testing

   • 6.3. Measuring Speed Loss and Latency

   • 6.4. The Consistency Factor

7. Expert Tips to Maximize Your VPN Speed

   • 7.1. Choose the Right Protocol

   • 7.2. Server Proximity and Load

   • 7.3. Wired vs. Wireless Connection

   • 7.4. Split Tunneling for Speed

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on VPN Speed

3. In-Depth Reviews: The Top 5 Fastest VPNs

The speed of a VPN is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for modern internet usage. Our rankings are determined by rigorous, repeated testing across multiple continents, focusing on raw download/upload speed (throughput) and latency (ping).

3.1. NordVPN: The Overall Speed Champion

NordVPN consistently claims the top spot in speed trials, a feat directly attributable to its proprietary NordLynx protocol. Built upon the revolutionary WireGuard foundation, NordLynx incorporates a unique double Network Address Translation (NAT) system. This clever configuration addresses WireGuard’s potential privacy vulnerabilities while retaining its core speed advantage, making it exceptionally fast and secure.

Key Speed Features:

• NordLynx Protocol: Delivers minimal speed loss, often maxing out high-speed baseline connections.

• 10 Gbps Server Rollout: NordVPN is aggressively upgrading its global server fleet to 10 Gbps ports, minimizing server congestion and maximizing bandwidth for every user.

• Server Network Size: With over 6,000 servers in 61 countries, you can almost always find a low-latency, nearby server, which is the golden rule for maximum speed.

Expert Verdict: NordVPN is the benchmark for the Fastest VPN service today. Its performance is so dominant that for most users, the speed reduction is virtually imperceptible, even on gigabit connections.

3.2. ExpressVPN: Best for Global Consistency

While NordVPN often wins on sheer peak speed, ExpressVPN offers unmatched speed consistency across vast geographical distances. Its custom-built Lightway protocol is lightweight and streamlined, with just 1,000 lines of code—a fraction of OpenVPN’s complexity. This efficiency translates into faster connection times, better battery life on mobile, and superior stability, especially on unreliable networks or when connecting to far-off servers.

Key Speed Features:

• Lightway Protocol: Engineered for speed and stability, providing rapid connections and quick recovery when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

• TrustedServer Technology: All servers run on RAM, which means faster performance and guaranteed non-persistence of data, further boosting efficiency.

• Wider Country Coverage: Its network spans 105 countries, making it the best choice for users who frequently need to connect internationally, as a server closer to your target location usually means lower latency.

Expert Verdict: ExpressVPN is the professional’s choice for reliable, fast connections, especially when global consistency for streaming or remote work is the primary concern.

3.3. Surfshark: Fastest Budget-Friendly VPN

Surfshark leverages the industry-leading WireGuard protocol to deliver elite-tier speeds at a fraction of the cost. The combination of WireGuard and Surfshark’s commitment to upgrading its infrastructure has placed it firmly in the top three fastest providers. Its standout feature, however, is its support for unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can secure every device in a speed-conscious household without compromise.

Key Speed Features:

• Pure WireGuard Implementation: Provides lightning-fast tunneling for minimal impact on base speeds.

• Unlimited Devices: Prevents connection load from bogging down a single-user account that’s protecting multiple devices.

• Minimal Server Load: While its network is smaller than the top two, the Unlimited Connections model encourages network dispersion, often resulting in lower server load for individual users.

Expert Verdict: For the user seeking the Fastest VPN without breaking the bank, Surfshark is the undisputed value champion. The speed is almost on par with the leaders, and the unlimited connections offer unparalleled flexibility.

3.4. Proton VPN: Speed and Privacy Combined

Proton VPN is renowned for its unyielding commitment to user privacy, but recent improvements to its infrastructure and the implementation of WireGuard have turned it into a surprisingly fast contender. Its proprietary VPN Accelerator technology uses advanced networking techniques to overcome CPU limitations and congestion on long-distance connections, boosting speeds by up to 400% in some scenarios.

Key Speed Features:

• VPN Accelerator: A game-changer for long-distance server connections, significantly improving throughput when connecting across continents.

• Secure Core Servers: While routing through multiple servers should slow you down, Proton VPN’s dedicated, high-speed Secure Core infrastructure minimizes the latency impact of this enhanced security measure.

• Full WireGuard Support: Utilizes the fast protocol across all apps for default high performance.

Expert Verdict: Proton VPN proves that industry-leading security does not have to come at the expense of speed. It is the best choice for speed-critical users for whom absolute privacy is non-negotiable.

3.5. CyberGhost: Fastest for Dedicated Servers

CyberGhost makes the list thanks to its immense server network and highly-optimized, dedicated servers. Unlike general servers, CyberGhost offers specific servers for streaming and gaming, which are constantly monitored and optimized for either maximum throughput (streaming) or lowest ping (gaming). When connecting to a server specifically dedicated to your task, CyberGhost often outperforms its rivals in that specific use case.

Key Speed Features:

• Optimized Servers: Separate server categories for streaming, gaming, and torrenting ensure a tailored, speed-optimized connection for your activity.

• Massive Network: Over 11,000 servers in 100 countries drastically increases the chance of finding a non-congested, physically close server.

• WireGuard Integration: Standard implementation of the WireGuard protocol provides a strong speed foundation across its vast network.

Expert Verdict: CyberGhost is ideal for users who perform specific, bandwidth-intensive tasks, as its targeted server infrastructure provides a reliably fast and optimized experience.

4. The Science of VPN Speed: Protocols, Infrastructure, & Encryption

Understanding what makes a Fastest VPN fast requires a look under the hood. VPN speed is a delicate balance of three core technical components: the tunneling protocol, the server infrastructure, and the encryption method.

4.1. The Protocol Showdown: WireGuard vs. NordLynx vs. Lightway vs. OpenVPN

The VPN protocol is the rulebook for how data is encrypted and transmitted, and it is the single biggest factor affecting speed.

• WireGuard and its Derivatives (NordLynx, Lightway): The future of VPN speed. Their remarkably small codebases (4,000 lines vs. 600,000 for OpenVPN) translate to far less processing overhead, faster connection handshakes, and minimal speed reduction. If you want the Fastest VPN, you must use one of these modern protocols.

• OpenVPN: While highly secure and flexible, its complexity and bulk mean it requires more resources, inevitably leading to a slower connection. We only recommend it for maximum stability or when modern protocols are unavailable.

4.2. The Importance of 10 Gbps Server Networks

The speed of the VPN server’s network connection is a hard limit on your potential speed. Most older VPN servers run on 1 Gbps (Gigabit per second) ports. For a modern, high-speed connection, a single 1 Gbps server can quickly become congested by multiple users, throttling everyone’s speed.

The Fastest VPN providers—NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark—have heavily invested in 10 Gbps servers. These premium ports offer ten times the bandwidth of older servers, allowing the VPN to handle massive user loads while maintaining a peak-speed experience for individuals, even during peak-time usage. Look for providers advertising 10 Gbps (or higher) infrastructure.

4.3. Encryption Overhead: Finding the Balance

Encryption, the core function of a VPN, is what slows you down. The process of wrapping your data in a secure, unbreakable ‘tunnel’ takes time and processing power—this is the encryption overhead.

• AES-256 vs. ChaCha20: AES-256 (used by OpenVPN and Lightway) is the established military-grade standard. ChaCha20 (used by WireGuard and NordLynx) is a newer cipher specifically optimized for modern mobile processors and performs better on lower-power devices, resulting in less speed loss. The difference is minimal on powerful desktop CPUs but noticeable on older hardware or mobile devices. A true Fastest VPN will offer a choice, but the modern consensus is that ChaCha20 offers a better speed-to-security trade-off.

5. VPN Speed by Use Case

Not all speed requirements are equal. What’s fast enough for general browsing is insufficient for competitive gaming or 4K streaming.

5.1. Fastest VPN for 4K Streaming

Streaming 4K Ultra HD video requires a sustained, consistent download speed of at least 25 Mbps. The key here is not just peak speed but stability. A speed spike followed by a drop will cause buffering.

Requirement: High, consistent Download Speed with minimal speed loss on long-distance servers.

5.2. Lowest Ping VPN for Competitive Gaming

Latency, measured in milliseconds (ms), is the delay between your action (like a button press) and the game server’s response. This is known as ping. For competitive online gaming, low ping is far more critical than raw download speed. A ping of $\mathbf{0-50}$ ms is excellent, $\mathbf{50-100}$ ms is acceptable, and anything over $100$ ms is frustrating.

Requirement: Lowest Latency (Ping) possible.

5.3. High-Speed VPN for Torrenting & Large Downloads

Torrenting and P2P transfers require a VPN that balances high Download and Upload speeds, as you are both receiving and sending data simultaneously.

Requirement: High symmetrical Download and Upload Speeds with P2P-optimized features.

6. Our Expert Speed Testing Methodology

As experienced VPN writers, we understand that speed test results published online can vary wildly due to inconsistent methodology. Our benchmark process is rigorous, transparent, and designed to simulate real-world usage on a modern, high-speed connection.

6.1. Establishing the Baseline

All tests are conducted from a single fixed location using a dedicated fiber optic connection with a guaranteed baseline speed of 1,000 Mbps download and 1,000 Mbps upload. All tests are conducted via a Cat6 Ethernet connection to eliminate Wi-Fi variability. This baseline is our $0\%$ speed loss benchmark.

6.2. Local vs. Long-Distance Testing

A VPN can always perform well when connecting to a server in the same city. The real test of speed infrastructure is performance over distance.

1. Local Server Test (Proximity): Connecting to a VPN server in the same city or country. This measures the raw efficiency of the protocol and encryption overhead.

2. Trans-Continental Test (Consistency): Connecting from our test location (e.g., North America) to a server in a distant region (e.g., Australia, Europe, Asia). This measures server infrastructure quality, Lightway/NordLynx’s ability to handle network hops, and global consistency.

6.3. Measuring Speed Loss and Latency

We run five consecutive tests per location using the same speed test platform (primarily Speedtest.net, supplemented by Fast.com) and record the average for three key metrics:

• Download Speed (Mbps): Raw throughput. The most critical metric for streaming and downloading.

• Upload Speed (Mbps): How fast you can send data. Critical for video calls, torrenting, and game streaming.

• Latency (ms / Ping): The time delay. Crucial for gaming and overall web responsiveness.

The Average Speed Loss figure (e.g., $8\%$ for NordVPN) is calculated by comparing the average VPN download speed against the $1,000$ Mbps baseline.

6.4. The Consistency Factor

The final, crucial element is consistency. The Fastest VPN is not one that achieves a single high speed score but one that maintains excellent speeds over multiple server locations, different times of day (accounting for network congestion), and over a sustained testing period. Our consistency checks are why providers like ExpressVPN, despite slightly lower peak speed than NordVPN, rank so highly.

7. Expert Tips to Maximize Your VPN Speed

Even the Fastest VPN can be slow if configured incorrectly. Follow these expert recommendations to ensure you are getting optimal performance.

7.1. Choose the Right Protocol

Always default to a modern protocol. On any of the top VPNs, select:

• NordVPN: NordLynx

• ExpressVPN: Lightway

• Other VPNs: WireGuard

Avoid older protocols like L2TP/IPSec and PPTP entirely. Only switch to OpenVPN (UDP) if you have firewall issues, and OpenVPN (TCP) as an absolute last resort, as TCP adds significant overhead.

7.2. Server Proximity and Load

The simplest physics of data travel dictates that the closer the server, the faster your connection and lower your latency.

• Prioritize the Nearest Server: Use your VPN’s “Quick Connect” or “Smart Location” feature, which almost always routes you to the geographically closest server with the lowest load.

• Check Server Load: If your VPN app shows server load (many do, like CyberGhost or Proton VPN), manually select a server with a load under $50\%$.

7.3. Wired vs. Wireless Connection

A fast VPN connection can still be throttled by your internal network. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your device to your router. Wi-Fi introduces signal interference and packet loss, both of which increase latency and reduce throughput.

7.4. Split Tunneling for Speed

If your VPN supports Split Tunneling, use it. This feature allows you to route only specific apps (like your torrent client or browser) through the VPN tunnel, while allowing non-essential traffic (like Spotify or your printer) to use your unencrypted, full-speed connection. By reducing the overall data volume passing through the VPN’s encryption, you reduce overhead and effectively boost the speed for the applications that truly need protection.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on VPN Speed

Q: Why does my VPN slow down my internet speed at all?

A: A VPN connection must slow down your speed. This speed loss, known as VPN overhead, is caused by three main factors:

1. Encryption: The process of encrypting and decrypting data takes processing power and time.

2. Distance: Your data must travel to the VPN server and then to its final destination, adding physical distance and therefore latency (ping).

3. Server Load: The VPN server’s capacity must be shared among all connected users.

The Fastest VPNs minimize this overhead to make the speed loss virtually unnoticeable.

Q: What is the fastest VPN protocol?

A: The current fastest protocol is NordLynx, followed by Lightway and then the open-source WireGuard. All three are modern, lightweight protocols that outperform the older, bulkier OpenVPN protocol.

Q: Does a VPN with 10 Gbps servers guarantee I get 10 Gbps speed?

A: No. A 10 Gbps server port simply ensures the VPN server itself is not the bottleneck. Your maximum speed will always be capped by the slower of the two: your ISP’s maximum connection speed or the VPN’s throughput. If your ISP plan is 100 Mbps, the 10 Gbps server ensures you can utilize the full 100 Mbps (minus VPN overhead).

Q: Is a free VPN ever fast?

A: Almost never. Free VPNs typically suffer from high server congestion, outdated server infrastructure, strict bandwidth caps, and often only support slow protocols like OpenVPN. They are designed to encourage a premium upgrade and are therefore deliberately throttled. If you prioritize speed, you must opt for a premium, audited Fastest VPN service.

Q: What download speed do I need for $4K$ streaming?

A: For reliable, buffer-free 4K Ultra HD streaming, you need a sustained minimum download speed of $\mathbf{25}$ Mbps. For a comfortable margin, we recommend a VPN that can deliver $\mathbf{50}$ Mbps or higher.