How Much Does a VPN Slow Down Internet Speed and How You Can Improve It

 

You want Internet that’s fast and easy to use. But you also want privacy! It’s frustrating, then, when the very tool you use to protect your personal data ends up slowing your Internet speed to a crawl.

If you’ve ever used a virtual private network, you’ve probably wondered why that VPN slows down Internet so drastically. In this breakdown, we’ll answer that very question, plus go over ways you can speed up your Internet while you’re connected to your VPN of choice.

 

What Is a VPN, Exactly?

 

A VPN is a specialized service that can safeguard your anonymity while you surf the web. Put very simply, a VPN makes an encrypted tunnel for Internet traffic between your computer and a distant Internet server (one that your computer wouldn’t automatically use). Essentially, your computer’s connection is routed in a different way than it would normally be.

By obfuscating your IP address in this way, anyone attempting to track your activities or location will instead think your connection is coming from the VPN server, not your “home server.” It’s for this reason that VPNs are very popular for everything from everyday surfing to accessing sensitive work files on a public WiFi network.

 

Does a VPN Slow Down Internet Speed?

 

VPNs do you a big favor when it comes to Internet privacy. On the downside, they often come at the cost of speed, leading to concerns about whether a VPN can slow down your Internet connection.

When a VPN encrypts your Internet traffic and routes it through another server, that traffic necessarily takes longer to reach your computer or vice versa. Here’s an example:

• Imagine you’re in New York City, and you use a VPN that's connected to a server in Australia
• All the traffic your computer sends to the Internet or receives from different websites first goes through the Australian server and then eventually is routed to your home
• That means extra travel time and extra encryption, both of which can cause significant disruptions to your average Internet speed

 

How Much Does a VPN Slow Down Internet Speed?

 

The exact speed reduction you can expect when using a VPN is highly contingent on factors like where the VPN server is, the overall speed of your computer and Internet service, and more. On average, however, it's not uncommon to see slowdowns of up to 77% when using a VPN service. That’s no small impact on your Internet speed!

 

How to Speed Up a VPN Connection

 

On the bright side, there are plenty of ways you can improve Internet speed while using a VPN, and none of them require you to compromise your privacy in the process. Just remember that if you’re using a VPN from your workplace, there could be limits to what you’re allowed to do to maintain your company’s digital security. Be sure to check with your company’s IT team before adjusting your VPN settings to speed up your Internet!

 

Choose the Right Server

 

First, you should always try to choose a VPN server that's geographically close to your home location. The less physical distance your Internet traffic has to travel, the less latency you'll experience when connecting to the Internet through a VPN server.

As an example, if you're accessing the Internet in Virginia, try to find a VPN server located on the U.S. East Coast. It's the best way to balance the benefits of superior VPN-derived privacy and speedy Internet service.

 

Use the OpenVPN Protocol

 

VPN services offer several distinct protocols; think of these as encryption standards that the VPN operator uses to secure your data and activities. Different protocols are better at different things, with some specializing in security and others being better for performance or speed.

OpenVPN is often regarded as the best VPN protocol for raw speed, as well as streaming, gaming, and other activities. As an established and highly reliable protocol, it's a top choice for Internet users who don't want to get too much into the weeds or technical side of things while improving their VPN speed. You should be able to select the OpenVPN protocol in your VPN settings.

 

Check Your VPN’s Port

 

You might also look into adjusting the VPN port used by your service. VPN services use ports to channel Internet traffic, with different ports being used for different protocols and needs.

OpenVPN often uses Port 1194 by default. However, Port 443 could lead to better speed if you’re surfing the Internet during high-traffic times (think Friday evening after work). Again, changing your VPN port should be as simple as finding the appropriate setting in your VPN’s controls.

 

Restart Your PC or Router

 

Still having trouble with Internet speed while connected to a VPN? The problem might be with your hardware.

The old “turn it off, then on again” trick is still relevant because it works. Give it a try on both your PC and your WiFi router. Sometimes, these devices just need to be reset before they can stably connect to your VPN service.

 

Connect with an Ethernet Cable

 

However, WiFi connectivity could also be the culprit behind slow Internet speeds. Modern WiFi is pretty fast, especially if you get it from a quick, reliable Internet service provider. Even so, signal interference or other issues can degrade WiFi signals between your computer and your router.

It may be worthwhile to plug your computer into your router with an Ethernet cable. This simple fix could be just the trick you need to ensure good Internet speeds through a VPN.

 

Make Sure Your Firewall Isn’t Blocking the VPN

 

Your computer’s firewall can sometimes accidentally interrupt programs that it doesn't recognize, including your VPN. If you've recently started to use a VPN for the first time, check your computer's security settings and be sure to give your VPN permission to operate through your firewall. After all, you don't want your antivirus software to think that your VPN is a threat.

 

Try “Split Tunneling”

 

Here’s one last thing you can try if the above troubleshooting hasn't solved your slow speeds. Some VPN providers offer split tunneling functionality, which splits the Internet traffic from your device; some goes through the VPN, while the rest is funneled through your standard Internet connection.

This works because not all Internet data has to be routed through your VPN for your overall traffic and activity to be secure or private. In effect, it only routes sensitive data through the VPN and lets all the non-sensitive data from your Internet connection go through your router as normal.

Check your VPN service to see if it offers this ability. If it does, give it a whirl – you might be surprised at how much speed you regain from split tunneling

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Wrap Up

 

Of course, all of these tips and tricks will only yield faster speeds if your underlying Internet connection is up to snuff. At Shentel, we offer lightning-fast Internet service of up to 1 Gig – plus unlimited data and other perks – at prices you can’t beat. Check out our Internet plans today, or contact us to learn more!