1. Fastest VPNs at a glance
2. Fastest VPN overall
3. Best VPN with antivirus
4. Other VPNs I recommend
7. Speed test results
8. How we test VPNs
9. FAQs
Trusted VPN testing: every year, each of our VPN experts spends around 2,500 hours testing VPN apps and services. That includes over 14,000 speed tests, and over 100 VPN reviews.
Let's be honest, is there anything more frustrating than slow internet? When pages take forever to load and videos buffer endlessly, it's a major buzzkill—and speed is just as important in the world of VPNs.
The best VPNs protect your anonymity by routing your internet traffic through secure servers dotted around the globe. It works brilliantly, though the process can impact your browsing speed. So, to get you off to a flying start, I've shortlisted the fastest VPN providers available today.
Me and the TechRadar team are constantly putting providers through their paces (and most of us use VPNs every day), and we regularly clock their speeds to identify which services go like a rocket—which is massively important if you'll be using your VPN to stream or play games. That said, my top picks consider more than pure speed. I've seen mega-fast VPNs that don't perform as well in other areas, so you won't find them on my list.
River helps take care of cybersecurity content on TechRadar—ranging from breaking news pieces, reviews, and buying guides.
The three fastest VPNs at a glance
Want to know which services I recommend? Here are today's three fastest VPNs.
Recent updates
Surfshark claimed the number-one spot after an awesome performance in our latest VPN tests. The provider actually overperformed, maxing out our connection, and I've updated the rankings to reflect its hop to the top.
The fastest VPN services in 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Let's dig into my top five picks, where I compare their speeds and overall performance, stability, ease of use, and, of course, the privacy-enhancing features that make VPNs a must-have. I'll also tackle what I liked about each service compared to the competition—and any reasons you might want to avoid them.
The fastest VPN overall
✔️ You're looking for a beginner-friendly VPN: with apps for virtually all devices, a clean and intuitive interface, and awesome live chat support, Surfshark is my top choice for VPN newcomers.
✔️ You want to say goodbye to ads: with its CleanWeb tool, Surfshark can block annoying ads that get in the way of your browsing, streaming, or gaming, as well as trackers and malicious links.
✔️ You want real value for money: Surfshark claims the top spot in our cheap VPN rankings—and for good reason. Enjoy incredible speeds and an awesome roster of features at bargain prices.
❌ You want comprehensive antivirus protection: Surfshark's antivirus isn't useless by any means, but for total protection and peace of mind, you'll want to opt for one of our best antivirus solutions.
❌ You need an airtight kill switch: I like that you can tweak the Surfshark kill switch to suit your risk case, but tests did show some issues—so try NordVPN if you'd rather not risk an IP leak.
🔒 Surfshark performs incredibly well across the board. It's the fastest VPN on the market today, and you can check out its tools, unlimited connections, and unblocking power with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Head on over to our Surfshark VPN review to see why this speedy service continues to impress.
Surfshark has previously been a half-step behind NordVPN in our speed rankings—but the results of our most recent VPN tests are in and, oh boy, they've shaken everything up. Now, Surfshark claims the top spot, with a wicked performance that's ideal for streaming HD and 4K content from just about any device you own. Plus, you can tap into the service's blistering speeds for prices that are, frankly, borderline criminal.
Surfshark's WireGuard speeds clocked in at over 950 Mbps, maxing out my test line, and easily earning its place in our rankings. These speeds are more than enough to handle resource-intensive activities (think gaming, streaming, video calls, and torrenting) without slowing your internet to a crawl. It's worth noting that Surfshark's speeds were previously sitting around 790 Mbps, which is a good indication that the service is committed to providing a quick service without interruptions. I was also pleasantly surprised by Surfshark's OpenVPN performance. The protocol hasn't performed as well during previous tests but, this time, they were the quickest I've seen in a long time.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Currently, there are more than 3,200 Surfshark servers scattered across 142 locations—which is a pretty impressive network. It's good to see that the VPN extends its coverage into Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, which isn't something you'll see all VPNs doing. You'll have no trouble hopping from location to location via the handy list, and I like that Surfshark supports P2P traffic on most of its servers, and even offers Camouflage mode when you want to disguise the fact you're using a VPN entirely.
The functionality doesn't end there, however. Surfshark backs up tough encryption and a no-logs policy with a customizable kill switch. It's up to you whether you set it to block your internet connection entirely unless you're connected to Surfshark, or whether it only cuts the internet if the VPN drops by accident. I also like the CleanWeb feature which gives ads, trackers, and malicious links the boot. Armed with all these tools, you'll be able to go about your day-to-day browsing without worrying whether your ISP, or an opportunistic hacker, is watching your every move.
Surfshark gets top marks for its unblocking capabilities, too. Plenty of VPNs promise to access big names like Netflix and BBC iPlayer with varying levels of success, but Surfshark was able to consistently unblock these sites during my testing. I could check out Netflix libraries from overseas, including the US, UK, and Japan, and even browse content on Asutralia's 9Now and 10 play services. Surfshark is, basically, your streaming skeleton key.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Surfshark is its value for money. You're getting incredible speeds, all of the aforementioned privacy features, unblocking power, and even unlimited simultaneous connections at prices that won't hurt your wallet. If you're still unsure, however, you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee to take Surfshark for a test drive before committing.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Elegant, simple, and intuitive | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Great for beginners, and seamless connections | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Today's quickest VPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocked every service in every region we tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Some kill switch issues, and the built-in ad blocker and antivirus wasn't as good as we were expecting | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Lots of supporting articles, but awkward to navigate to when you need help on the fly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | The best cheap VPN on the market | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN with antivirus
✔️ You want consistent speed: NordVPN is seriously quick, achieving speeds over 950 Mbps, so you can leave it switched on without worrying about a sluggish browsing experience.
✔️ Streaming is your thing: I found that NordVPN unblocked pretty much every streaming service I threw it at. That's impressive, and means you'll have access to worldwide content.
✔️ You're looking for total privacy: speed isn't everything, of course, and NordVPN has a stacked toolkit of everything you need to protect your browsing habits, identity, and sensitive info.
❌ You want a stripped-back UI: the NordVPN apps and map aren't hard to use by any means, but other services (like Surfshark and IPVanish) have interfaces that are much more simple—no clutter, no clicking around.
❌ You're not a fan of command line: Linux users can check out NordVPN with ease, but since the app is command line only, it is missing out on some navigability.
🔒 NordVPN is sitting pretty near the top of my speed rankings with an awesome blend of performance, privacy tools, and unblocking power. Plus, you can try the service for yourself, without risking a penny, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Visit our NordVPN review for a more thorough run-down of the provider's features and apps.
NordVPN is fast becoming one of those brand names that's synonymous with the products itself—a bit like Hoover or Tannoy. Why? Well, it does a ton of advertising (we've all seen the YouTube sponsorships), and it's incredibly quick. The proof is, basically, in the pudding.
It's hard to overstate just how quick NordVPN is. When I tested it via US servers, I saw connection speeds maxed out at over 950 Mbps using the proprietary WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol. Because of these blazing speeds, and the fact that most homes don't have broadband as quite as quick as our test line, you can leave NordVPN switched on in the background and go about your streaming as usual without noticing a huge impact on your download speeds.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
I found that NordVPN is consistent across its global network of servers—which is just what you'd expect from a huge name with the resources to spare on ensuring quality. The speeds I saw in the UK were mostly on par with those in the US, too, which is great news for travelers or anyone trying to access streaming feeds from overseas.
Outside of its performance, NordVPN continues to draw customers with a well-rounded privacy package. A single subscription bags you a ton of tools, like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN that'll ensure your private details don't end up leaking into the hands of shady cybercriminals. I was also impressed by the kill switch, and NordVPN actually has two kill switches that can cut your internet access and close any apps if the VPN connection drops.
If you've got the need for speed, it's probably because you're probably looking for a top streaming VPN. NordVPN has you covered on that front, too—it nails Netflix, unhooks Hulu, delves into Disney+, and unblocks BBC iPlayer without any issues. So, whether you want to check out international content or catch up on your favorite local shows when journeying abroad, you'll have plenty of libraries at your fingertips—and the speeds to enjoy them in HD.
NordVPN is, basically, the full package; it's quick and easy to use, available for all devices, and really cares about safeguarding your digital privacy. For example, if you're in the UK or the US and have an Ultimate subscription, you can sign up for extra cyber insurance—which will help you recoup some cash if the worst happens and you're involved in a cyber scam.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fresh-feeling and modern, despite the clutter | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Apps are easy to use, although the map interface can be tricky to navigate | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Super-fast speeds that won't let you down | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks Netflix, and more, with ease | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Robust, audited, and customizable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Quick responses that are personable and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fair prices and a lot of bang for your buck | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best Linux VPN
✔️ You like diving into settings: there are a lot of options to tweak and customize in IPVanish's settings menu, four protocols, and detailed server lists.
✔️ You want a service that's proven its privacy: in addition to stand-out features, like a kill-switch and auto-connect options, the VPN boasts a fully audited no-logs policy.
✔️ You need multi-device coverage: IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous connections and apps for all devices—including a Linux GUI.
❌ You want access to all Netflix libraries: IPVanish has no trouble with UK and US content, but couldn't unblock Netflix's AU and CA programming.
❌You're a minimalist: IPVanish has a ton of features, which is certainly nice, but it can make the apps feel cramped.
🔒 IPVanish is a budget-friendly provider with seriously impressive WireGuard speeds. Tons of features, and apps for all devices, make it a well-rounded pick.
If you're looking for the full story, head over to our IPVanish review for a breakdown of its features, pricing, and support.
IPVanish jumped to the number three spot in our rankings by maxing out our test line—which is pretty impressive, and shows that the service can keep up with bigger names in the industry (with more cash to throw around). I've always been pleasantly surprised by IPVanish, and it's a robust service with a lot of handy privacy features and an audited no-logs policy to back them up.
Using WireGuard, I saw IPVanish's speeds hit over 950 Mbps—and though your own experience might vary (seeing as you probably don't have connectivity on a data center level), this number shows me that the servers aren't overloaded and should be able to handle HD streaming and gaming. OpenVPN speeds sit at around 225 Mbps, and while this isn't blistering, it's still impressive considering the age of the protocol.
▶ Try IPVanish today with a 30-day money-back guarantee
IPVanish has one of the more expansive sever networks in our list, with more than 2,200 servers across 75 locations. The bulk of these are hosted in North America and Europe, which is good news if you're looking to access mainstream streaming services (more on this later) or avoid bans, restrictions, or censorship in your native country. All IPVanish servers support P2P traffic, and you can easily take your pick of locations via a detailed list, where you can see server ping, load, and other details that'll help you pick the best option.
Like Surfshark, IPVanish gives its users unlimited simultaneous connections to play with. That means you can cover all of your internet-enabled devices or share the love with friends and family—or both. Anyone using IPVanish will benefit from all the security tools you'd expect; IPv6 and DNS leak protection included. These tools (and the kill switch) work to ensure that you're not leaving an identifiable trail across the internet, and IPVanish has always aced our tests when we've put these features under the microscope.
Take a look at the IPVanish home page and you'll see that it claims "Secure access to media", which we had to put to the test, naturally. The good news is that IPVanish unblocks major services like the US and UK Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime, and regional services in the UK and Australia. Unfortunately, it couldn't get us into Disney Plus or Netflix's Canada and Australia. This might be a red flag if you're really angling to check out content from these locations, and other services (like NordVPN) perform more consistently when it comes to streaming.
IPVanish doesn't quite stack up when compared to market leaders, but it's still a fantastic service that you can trust to cover your tracks with a range of handy features. Plus, with Linux support, it caters to an often-neglected set of users. If you want to try IPVanish and check out its speeds for yourself, there's a 7-day free trial for mobile users in addition to a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Complex, but we love the dark Matrix-style interface | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | A handful of usability issues can deter newbies | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | WireGuard speeds are super-fast | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Accesses most sites with just a few exceptions | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Audited no-logs service | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Support articles are vague and repeat themselves | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Renewal prices can burn a hole in your pocket | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Other VPNs I've tested and recommend
✔️ You're looking for a usable free VPN: limits and restrictions can render some free services practically useless, but Windscribe gives free users 11 countries to connect to.
✔️ You have a lot of devices: with unlimited simultaneous connections, you can install Windscribe on each and every device you own.
✔️ You want a full toolkit of features: there's plenty of functionality to explore here, including ad and malware blocking, split tunneling, and support for torrenting.
❌ Audits are non-negotiable: currently, the VPN hasn't undertaken an independent audit of its no-logs policy, which puts Windscribe behind the competition.
❌ You want to try before buying: although Windscibe offers a money-back guarantee, it's limited to 3-days and only applies if you haven't used more than 10 Gb of traffic.
🔒 Windscribe is, hands-down, one of the best free VPNs out there and a fantastic choice for newcomers. It looks great, unblocks most streaming platforms, and ensures everyone can access a VPN when they need one.
Our Windscribe review digs into the VPN's details, including what to expect with its free plan, its advanced features, and how its apps stack up.
Free VPNs can be a mixed bag—some are seriously limited in terms of features and bandwidth and others are little more than cons designed to make off with your personal information. Windscribe is different, however, and provides top-notch security for free (or a very reasonable price), open-source apps for all of the devices in the home, and speeds that'll keep you surfing the web without interruptions.
Windscribe earns its place in our top 5 because of its proven commitment to improvement—it's constantly getting quicker and, in fact, it managed to max out our testing line at 950 Mbps like our other top contenders. That means that you can have Windscribe running in the background on your device and practically forget it's there.
▶ Try Windscribe with a 3-day money-back guarantee (only if you've used less than 10GB of traffic)
When it comes to servers, Windscribe's network of 400 is on the smaller side. However, they're well placed, covering 66 countries, and there's also a decent selection of P2P-approved servers if you fancy using Windscribe as a torrenting VPN. It's also worth noting that Windscribe recently made the shift to all RAM-based servers—which is something I'm glad to see, seeing as it boosts security (by ensuring data isn't left on servers for a long time) and, according to the VPN, it's helped boost speeds, too.
You might not expect a free VPN to be brimming over with features, seeing as most exist to tempt you into purchasing the full service, but Windscribe bucks the trend. Split tunneling helps you decide which sites and apps should use the VPN connection and which shouldn't, which is handy if you want to browse international content libraries while still accessing your regular news and social media sites, and I particularly like ROBERT—and no, that's not a random Windscribe employee. ROBERT is a DNS-based tool designed to shoo away nasties like ads, malware, and trackers, which keeps your browsing sessions threat-free.
Windscribe also impressed me with its unblocking capabilities. It seamlessly accessed BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and more. If you spend most of your time on Netflix, however, you'll be glad to learn that Windscribe unblocked all but the Japanese library. Few VPNs get full marks in our testing, so missing out by one point still puts Windscribe at the top of the pile, but services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN did manage to achieve that elusive 100% score.
I'm a firm believer that nobody should have to break the bank to benefit from a VPN—and Windscribe delivers on this. Its apps look great and don't take tons of experience to navigate, all of the basic features are well-implemented, and the free version gives prospective customers a great idea of the speed, and functionality, that the service packs.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A simple UI with some clutter | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Tools are easy to find, though beginners may need pointers | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Great WireGuard speeds | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocked 99% of services in our tests | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Open-source apps and top-not encryption, but no audit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Lack of live chat is disappointing, but on-site content is useful | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | The free plan is very generous, though premium options are pricey | ⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You want a reliable free plan: with 10 Gb of data per month, Hide.me is a fantastic free option that gives you a taste of the paid service with only a few restrictions.
✔️ You like to tailor your VPN: take a deep dive into the Hide.me settings menu to customize how your kill switch works, choose your protocol, and add servers to a favorites list.
✔️ HD streaming is everything: Hide.me achieved a rare 100% score during our streaming tests, unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and a whole host of regional services.
❌ You're hunting for a bargain: you'll need to fork over a considerable wedge of cash to use Hide.me for a year, two years, or three years—plenty of providers give you more for less.
❌ You're a total VPN newbie: Hide.me isn't totally inaccessible, but its wealth of settings can be off-putting if you want simplicity.
Hide.me might not sit at the top of our list, but it's still a well-rounded service that makes it incredibly easy to access streaming services and enjoy content in HD, with no buffering, and gives you plenty of tools to play with.
Visit our Hide.me review for a run-down of all of the VPN's key features, insight into its privacy policies, and a breakdown of what you'll get on each tier of its pricing plans.
Over on our main VPN listings, Hide.me has made a huge leap in recent years. It's a quality service that's stuffed with advanced, configurable features, and one of a few independent providers among the big boys. Simply put, this Malaysian-based company has a lot going for it.
Hide.me's most eye-catching asset is, undeniably, its performance. It's clear that the VPN takes its speeds seriously, too, seeing as it supports the ability to run in the Windows kernel for better performance. I had had high hopes—and they weren't dashed. Hide.me matches our other top picks by maxing out our line at 950 Mbps, and if you need to switch to OpenVPN, you'll be glad to hear that I reliably recorded speeds of more than 400 Mbps in the UK and the US. This means you should enjoy a speedy connection no matter which protocol you use, giving you some more flexibility.
▶ Try Hide.me with a 30-day money-back guarantee
There are more than 2,000 Hide.me servers to choose from, spanning 75 locations, which is fairly decent—although you'll get even more coverage with the likes of ExpressVPN (boasting 3,000 servers in 94 countries). Still, Hide.me lets you hop from continent to continent with the click of a button, supports P2P traffic on most of these servers, and displays servers with useful filters so you can sort by speed or ping time, or make your own bespoke list of favorites for easy access.
In addition to support for the popular WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols (amongst others), you'll also get robust DNS, IP, and IPv6 leak protection with Hide.me—and a Multi-hop feature is the cherry on top of a privacy-filled cake. It'll slow you down a little, but it's a good option to have, and ensures that nobody snoops on your digital activities. Customizability is Hide.me's strong suit, however, and there's a ton of depth to its options. You can tailor your connection settings and configure the kill switch and split tunneling tools down to the last detail.
If Netflix is your thing, Hide.me could be a great pick—it managed to unblock the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan libraries during my testing without a hitch. That's not all. Hide.me also accessed BBC iPlayer and regional platforms (like the UK's Channel 4 and Australia's 9Now). There's an important caveat to consider here, though—you'll only get access to all these sites with the paid Hide.me plan. This means that free users miss out on a huge chunk of the VPN's functionality, which is unfortunate, but not all that surprising.
Hide.me puts you in control of your privacy, with robust leak protection and a long list of customizable settings. If you're just looking for a quick service to unblock content with, however, you'll be just as impressed. Hide.me is well worth checking out, regardless of whether you go for one of its paid plans or the (admittedly more limited) free option.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Clear and simple | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | All the features you need are just a click away | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fantastic WireGuard and OpenVPN speeds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks virtually everything, but only with a paid plan | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Tough encryption and lots of tools, but no audit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Live chat, email tickets, and a content hub are available | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Not the cheapest solution | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
TechRadar's VPN speed rankings
Want to know the raw speeds that we discovered in our testing? Check out the table below where each provider is listed according to its US speed. You'll find some of our top performers, consistently quick providers, and a few newcomers who have shot through the ranks.
Remember, the table is based solely on speed, which is why curate providers that combine maximum performance, consistent speeds across regions and protocols, and other qualities in our countdown above.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | WireGuard or proprietary | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Surfshark | over 950 Mbps (maxed out our testing) | 640 Mbps |
| 2. NordVPN | over 950 Mbps (maxed out our testing) | 110 Mbps |
| 3. IPVanish | over 950 Mbps (maxed out our testing) | 225 Mbps |
| 4. Windscribe | over 950 Mbps (maxed out our testing) | 330 Mbps |
| 5. Hide.me | over 950 Mbps (maxed out our testing) | 260 Mbps |
| 6. Norton VPN | over 950 Mbps (maxed out our testing) | 240 Mbps |
| 7. Mullvad | 900 Mbps | 530 Mbps |
| 8. PrivadoVPN | 880 Mbps | 130 Mbps |
| 9. Atlas VPN | 860 Mbps | N/A |
| 10. ExpressVPN | 750 Mbps | 230 Mbps |
| 11. FastestVPN | 730 Mbps | 170 Mbps |
| 12. PureVPN | 650 Mbps | 140 Mbps |
| 13. CyberGhost | 630 Mbps | 360 Mbps |
| 14. Private VPN | 610 Mbps | 110 Mbps |
| 15. Hotspot Shield | 570 Mbps | N/A |
| 16. TunnelBear | 500 Mbps | 310 Mbps |
| 17. Proton VPN | 460 Mbps | 350 Mbps |
| 18. Private Internet Access | 360 Mbps | 310 Mbps |
| 19. Mozilla VPN | 360 Mbps | N/A |
| 20. Google One | 345 Mbps | N/A |
| 21. VyprVPN | 325 Mbps | 105 Mbps |
| 22. Astrill VPN | 390 Mbps (inconsistent testing results) | N/A |
How we test VPN services - our review methodology
It takes us a long time to test the top VPNs every six months, and speed testing is one of the most time-consuming parts.
To keep every provider on an even playing surface, we use the same Windows set-up and a 1 Gbps Ethernet-based connection for each VPN. Then, combining at least three respected speed testing sites, we test our normal connection speed with the all VPNs turned off. One by one, we turn on the VPNs, test the speed at least five times, and take the median average as our result.
If the default VPN protocol for the service was OpenVPN, we then do the same thing with WireGuard or its own proprietary protocol (i.e. Lightway for Express, NordLynx for Nord, Catapult Hydra for Hotspot Shield, etc.), or vice versa.
We'll also do our testing in the morning to ensure a fair outcome and, because connection speeds can fluctuate depending on location, we test in the US and the UK to try and give the fairest representation possible.
Fastest VPN FAQs
Which VPN is fastest?
We recently concluded our most recent round of VPN tests—and Surfshark came out on top in terms of sheer speed. It's the fastest VPN of 2024, so far, and an awesome budget-friendly pick to boot.
Surfshark clocked in at 950 Mbps when we tested its WireGuard speeds. That's way more than you need to enjoy HD streaming content and online games, and was enough to max out my connection line during the tests themselves.
How to choose the fastest VPN
Many VPNs claim to be the fastest around, but as you can imagine, that's often an idle boast. In this article, we pinpoint the providers that really deliver on performance, based on our own testing.
Of course, speed isn’t the be-all-and-end-all, and we always expect solid security and privacy from any VPN. Broad server coverage is important in terms of getting a fast and stable connection, and user-friendly clients never hurt.
Bear in mind that the VPN won’t be the only thing affecting the performance of your internet connection. This can vary depending on your ISP, the time of day (particularly whether it’s peak traffic times), and also the status of the service or website you’re using.
What is the fastest free VPN?
When it comes to getting the best performance from your VPN, both in terms of speed and other areas, we always recommend paying for your VPN. While free VPN tools are available, it's wise to err on the side of caution, with many only able to maintain the infrastructure to run its VPN by logging and selling your information onto third parties. This means they're really not as secure as you'd like.
That being said, Privado VPN is well worth trying via its free plan. It's speedy, actually unblocks Netflix (unlike other free services), and acts as a fantastic same platter for the paid version.
Alternatively, most VPN services give you a courtesy window to try out the VPN with the safety blanket of an all-your-money-back-guarantee, spanning anywhere from 30 to 45 days.
As a digital privacy advocate and expert, he's spent the past four years leveraging his master's degree to research VPNs, cryptography, and other cybersecurity topics.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
