Fastest VPN Service in 2024 – Stream or Play Games Online Buffer-Free

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With ever-increasing limitations from internet service providers (ISPs), throttling by cloud storage providers, and geo-restrictions on content libraries by streaming services, a fast and secure VPN is a must.

In this article, we list the fastest VPN service providers to choose from in 2024 for buffer-free streaming, online gaming, file transfer, and more without sabotaging your privacy.

Surfshark – Superb VPN with Unlimited Connections

Starting from $2.19/month
24-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
VISIT SITE

NordVPN – Feature-rich VPN for Security and Privacy

Starting from $3.09/month
24-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
VISIT SITE

PureVPN – Functional VPN With Cheap Add-Ons

Starting from $2.14/month
24-Month Plan + 4 Months Free
VISIT SITE

ExpressVPN – Fast VPN With a Free Password Manager

Starting from $6.67/month
12-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
VISIT SITE

ProtonVPN - Secure VPN With an Unlimited Free Plan

Starting from $3.59/month
Save $154 with 24-Month Plan
VISIT SITE

IvacyVPN - Very Affordable Long-Term VPN

Starting from $1.17/month
Save $500 On 60-Month Plan
VISIT SITE

CyberGhostVPN – Secure VPN With Various Dedicated Servers

Starting from $2.19/month
24-Month Plan + 4 Months Free
VISIT SITE

PrivadoVPN - Secure VPN With Parental Control

Starting from $1.99/month
24-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
VISIT SITE

TotalVPN - VPN Service With Top-Rated Antivirus Software

Starting from $3.25/month
12-Month Plan + 30-Day Refund
VISIT SITE

Private Internet Access – Robust VPN with Large Server Fleet

Starting from $2.19/month
24-Month Plan + 4 Months Free
VISIT SITE

Fastest VPN Service Providers at a Glance

  1. Surfshark – Best for discreet and fast streaming
  2. NordVPN – Great for secure streaming and Tor browsing
  3. PureVPN – Top choice for high-speed torrenting
  4. ExpressVPN – Ideal for accessing additional security features
  5. ProtonVPN – Best for superfast gaming, streaming, and torrenting
  6. IvacyVPN – Best speedy VPN with affordable prices and ease of use
  7. CyberGhost – Great for ceaseless binging across diverse streaming platforms
  8. PrivadoVPN – Best for free streaming and torrenting
  9. TotalVPN – Speedy VPN with an antivirus functionality
  10. Private Internet Access – Largest VPN server fleet for optimized streaming

Fastest VPN Providers Reviewed

Routing your internet connection through a high-speed VPN comes with many benefits. These benefits range from accessing geo-restricted content and services to encrypting your internet usage and masking your IP address to avoid advertiser tracking, avoiding ISP throttling, and reducing lag while gaming online.

Here is a collection of the fastest VPN service providers that will allow you to enjoy these benefits and more in 2024:

1. Surfshark – Best for Discreet and Fast Streaming

Average Speed Retention: Download: 73.43%
Upload: 79.82%
Server Fleet 3,200 servers in 100+ countries
Simultaneous Connections Unlimited
Starting Price $2.19/month
Why We Picked It

Surfshark is one of the fastest VPN service providers, with over 3,200 servers worldwide, exceptional security, and affordable pricing. It also offers unlimited simultaneous connections and apps for numerous operating systems and routers.

Performance

Surfshark boasts some of the fastest VPN servers. During our testing, it retained about 74% of the original broadband download speed and 80% of the upload speed. Its diverse network of more than 3,200 RAM-only servers ensures no data is stored after a short duration.

The high-speed retention and minimal throttling make Surfshark ideal for streaming video content from other regions using services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer. Meanwhile, the extensive network of servers enables access to the remotest online gaming servers and allows fast P2P file transfer using torrents – except in China, where Surfshark lacks any servers.

Features

Surfshark employs multiple VPN protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN, with strong AES-256-GCM encryption. Surfshark’s no-log policy has passed multiple independent audits to further support its reliability. It also includes an ad blocker that can be extended to smart TVs and via browser extensions.

You also get features like Rotating IP and alternative ID, which make tracking your online activities more difficult. Moreover, its Camouflage and No-Borders modes prevent ISPs, apps, or authorities from knowing when you use the VPN service.

Pricing

Surfshark VPN’s pricing starts at just $2.19/month. There’s also a 7-day Android, iPhone, and Mac trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Alongside standard payment methods such as credit or debit cards, you can subscribe to Surfshark using Google Play, PayPal, and even cryptocurrencies.

Who It's Best For

Surfshark offers top-notch stealth while being one of the fastest VPNs for torrenting and gaming. Its robust security features prevent IP or DNS leaks, while a lightweight WireGuard protocol does not compromise the VPN connection speed.

Pros

  • Fast WireGuard protocol and minimal speed throttling
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Solid security and obfuscation features
  • 3,200 servers across 100+ countries

Cons

  • Dedicated IP and antivirus service cost extra
Surfshark
9.5
Review

2. NordVPN – Fast and Secure VPN for Streaming and Tor Browsing

Average Speed Retention: Download: 73.37%
Upload: 73.39%
Server Fleet 6,400 servers in 111+ countries
Simultaneous Connections 10
Starting Price $3.39/month
Why We Picked It

NordVPN is rife with features that guarantee it is one of the most secure and fastest VPN services among our picks. It vigilantly blocks ads, malware, and third-party trackers across apps and web pages, making it a great VPN for gaming or streaming.

Performance

NordVPN consistently scores well in performance tests, retaining over 73% of the original broadband speed with unwavering stability over its RAM-only servers.

The VPN provider has a comprehensive set of P2P-optimized servers and supports Tor over VPN (triple routing to conceal your identity), making it one of the most well-rounded and fastest VPNs for torrenting and file sharing in an obscure manner.

Features

NordVPN offers a SmartPlay feature, which ensures you can stream content from various platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, etc., without the internet service provider ever detecting the VPN connection.

One unique NordVPN feature is Meshnet – a remote desktop access feature that allows users to acquire access (and IP address) to a home device from another location. This is a great way to bypass Netflix’s household rule. It’s also useful for gamers wanting to access their libraries remotely and on a mobile device.

In addition to IKEv2 and OpenVPN, NordVPN relies on a proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol built atop WireGuard with reinforced security. Besides AES-256, VPN also supports ChaCha20 encryption for swift data transfers. In the more expensive plans, NordVPN grants access to a 1TB encrypted file storage, a password manager, a dark web scanner, and Incogni’s data scrubbing service.

Pricing

NordVPN’s plans start at $3.39/month. It offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Supported payment options include credit and debit cards, Google Pay, PayPal, Amazon Pay, Sofort, cryptocurrencies, and prepaid cards.

Who It's Best For

NordVPN’s SmartPlay protection and obfuscation features make it the perfect VPN provider for streaming and gaming without geo-restrictions, while its P2P-optimized servers facilitate high-speed torrenting.

Pros

  • Fast propriety NordLynx protocol
  • 6,400 servers in 111+ countries
  • Robust security features
  • Malware protection

Cons

  • No free version
  • Router configuration is tricky
NordVPN
9.5
Review

3. PureVPN – Top Choice for High-Speed Torrenting

Average Speed Retention: Download: 78.93%
Upload: 23.16%
Server Fleet 6,500 servers in 60+ countries
Simultaneous Connections 10
Starting Price $3.99/month
Why We Picked It

PureVPN is yet another speedy VPN service with high download speed retention. This is great for streaming video content outside your region, while its dedicated peer-to-peer (P2P) servers ensure faster downloading connection speeds.

Performance

During our VPN speed tests, PureVPN was one of the fastest VPNs in terms of download speeds. On a 430 Mbps connection, PureVPN retained a download speed of roughly 339.7 Mbps.

However, the upload speeds were dismally low, ~99 Mbps, which might result in high ping while gaming. If your game allows it, PureVPN offers a dedicated gaming mode, optimizing the network for low latency.

Features

PureVPN offers more than 6,500 servers worldwide. It supports the most popular tunneling protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN, and encrypts all data with AES-256.

PureVPN is also one of the fastest VPN services for torrenting, with more than 35 dedicated servers for P2P file transfers. For an extra fee, you can also get a cloud-based file vault, password manager, and alternative IP.

Being headquartered in the Virgin Islands, PureVPN is outside the jurisdiction of the 14 Eyes nations. Despite previously having a reputation for complying with the FBI’s directives in 2017, PureVPN has since adopted an “Always-On Audit” no-log policy to demonstrate its allegiance to privacy.

Pricing

PureVPN’s pricing starts at $3.99/month. While it lacks a free trial, you get a 31-day money-back guarantee.

In addition to credit or debit cards, you can purchase the subscription using PayPal and Google Pay or cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin via Paymentwall.

Who It's Best For

PureVPN’s high download speeds put it among the speediest VPN providers for streaming foreign or geo-restricted content. It can easily unblock streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more. Plus, PureVPN’s broad network of servers, with dedicated P2P nodes, makes it great for torrenting.

Pros

  • High download speeds
  • Extensive VPN network with 6,500+ servers
  • 35+ Dedicated P2P servers for torrenting

Cons

  • Slow upload speed
  • No multi-hop functionality
PureVPN
9.2
Review

>4. ExpressVPN – Ideal for Accessing Additional Security Features

Average Speed Retention: Download: 49.91%
Upload: 52.55%
Server Fleet 3,000 servers in 105 countries
Simultaneous Connections 8
Starting Price $6.67/month
Why We Picked It

ExpressVPN is a reliable, privacy-centric VPN service provider with a strict no-logs policy. It uses a proprietary tunneling protocol and features an ad blocker, a password manager, and parental controls built-in while supporting various devices, including its own Wi-Fi 6 router.

Performance

While ExpressVPN demonstrated consistent connection speed, it lagged behind competitors such as Surfshark and NordVPN. During our ExpressVPN speed testing, the VPN retained only 50% of the download and 53% of the upload internet speed.

However, ExpressVPN redeemed itself when streaming content from other regions with streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPayer. It effortlessly unblocked geo-specific content, and we were able to enjoy videos in 4K, lag-free.

For faster speeds, ExpressVPN suggests using its in-house Lightway tunneling protocol, which was crafted specifically to minimize resource utilization.

Features

ExpressVPN highly prioritizes online privacy. It exercises strict no-log principles and uses RAM-only servers to ensure all browsing data is erased after each session. Global consultancies such as KMPG, PwC, and Cure53 audit these claims biannually. You can also choose from numerous protocols, including IKEv2, Open VPN, and its propriety Lightway protocol, secured with ChaCha20 encryption.

ExpressVPN also supports a MediaStreamer DNS, which enables VPN service on devices that don’t inherently have a dedicated app. You can also use it directly with certain Wi-Fi routers, including ExpressVPN’s Aircove Wi-Fi 6 router.

Pricing

ExpressVPN’s pricing starts at $6.67/month. It offers a 7-day free trial on Android and iOS devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To buy an ExpressVPN subscription, you can use credit or debit cards, PayPal, and Bitcoin.

Who It's Best For

Backed by its privacy features and minimal buffering, ExpressVPN is great for streaming media from anywhere. It is also one of the fastest VPN providers in China, and the company continually updates instructions for people using it from within the mainland.

Pros

  • Extensive security features
  • Fast Lightway protocol
  • Free password manager

Cons

  • Average speeds
  • No dedicated VPN servers for torrenting
ExpressVPN
9.2
Review

5. ProtonVPN – Best for Superfast Gaming, Streaming, and Torrenting

A logo of Proton VPN

Average Speed Retention: Download: >75%
Upload: >65%
Server Fleet 5,100 servers in 91 countries
Simultaneous Connections 10
Starting Price $4.49/month
Why We Picked It

ProtonVPN is an intuitive and beginner-friendly VPN with a strong emphasis on data privacy. Its Accelerator feature enhances the provider’s VPN speeds. Additionally, the provider offers a very functional free VPN plan.

Performance

Due to ProtonVPN’s Accelerator technology, the provider displays excellent speed retention in various speed tests, both for downloads and uploads and very low ping values, making it the fastest VPN for gaming.

ProtonVPN also unlocks a horde of content libraries from popular apps, including Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, etc., and has dedicated P2P servers for torrenting and encrypted file transfers over VPN protocols.

Features

ProtonVPN includes a NetShield, which automatically blocks ads and prevents websites from injecting malware. Its Secure Core architecture also allows for a multi-hop setup that routes internet traffic through multiple servers to hide your original IP address. Moreover, Tor support ensures you are difficult to trace even on the deepest and darkest parts of the web.

In addition, ProtonVPN is based in a privacy-friendly country (Switzerland) and offers a strong no-log policy that Securitum has independently audited.

Furthermore, ProtonVPN is one of the best VPNs for Linux, thanks to its graphical user interface (GUI), which many other providers lack.

Pricing

ProtonVPN offers a forever free plan, allowing only one connection and automatically selecting the most optimal server. For greater control, opt for ProtonVPN’s paid plan, which starts at $4.49/month. While there is no free trial, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For purchases, you can only use credit and debit cards or PayPal.

Who It's Best For

ProtonVPN is a fast VPN service with incredible infrastructure to boost speeds while bolstering privacy. Besides streaming in 4K, its low ping and high speeds make it the best VPN provider for gaming.

Pros

  • Free forever plan
  • Tor network support
  • Built-in ad and malware blocker

Cons

  • Free plan is highly limited
  • Premium pricing

ProtonVPN
8.5
Review

6. Ivacy VPN – Best Value for Money and Ease of Use

Average Speed Retention: Windows, Android, iOS: 50-65%
Linux, macOS: 10%
Server Fleet 5,700 servers in 70+ countries
Simultaneous Connections 10
Starting Price $1.17/month
Why We Picked It

IvacyVPN offers one of the cheapest fast VPN services on the market. The VPN provider also has a dedicated streaming mode for a smooth, buffer-free streaming experience.

Performance

While Ivacy VPN won’t give you blazing-fast speeds, it does retain about 50-60% of the original internet speed with WireGuard and about 10% with OpenVPN. While this is perfectly fine for casual browsing, Ivacy is not the most suitable VPN for gaming.

Moreover, Ivacy VPN  lacks WireGuard support on its Linux and macOS apps.

Features

Ivacy VPN offers various features, including built-in malware protection, AES-256 encryption, Wireuard protocol, and a no-log policy. Secure Downloading is also enabled by default and ensures safer downloads.

Despite the latency, Ivacy VPN offers a variety of server locations, including less popular locations such as Brunei, Nigeria, Moldova, Afghanistan, and more. While connection speeds aren’t the fastest, the provider is suitable for gamers who want to host personal servers, especially with port forwarding while playing slower-paced online games.

A dedicated streaming mode allows users to choose the best server for over 110 streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, ABC, etc. The service is also highly compatible with numerous operating systems.

Pricing

Ivacy VPN has a limited free plan that tunnels only through the Netherlands. Alternatively, a much more flexible paid plan costs just $1.17/month. However, dedicated IP and port forwarding cost $1.99 and $1.00 extra, respectively.

Ivacy VPN accepts payments through credit and debit cards, PayPal, BitPay, cryptocurrencies through Coingate, and regional payment providers, such as DotPay.

Who It's Best For

Ivacy VPN’s dedicated streaming and secure downloading features make it extremely useful for streaming media and downloading or torrenting files without much buffering. Plus, it’s also a good choice for researchers and journalists who wish to focus on less accessible regions.

Pros

  • Dedicated “Streaming Mode”
  • Cheap pricing
  • Great device compatibility

Cons

  • Free version is very limited
  • Kill switch limited to Android and Windows
IvacyVPN
8.7
Review

7. CyberGhost – Great for Ceaseless Binging Across Diverse Streaming Platforms

Average Speed Retention: Download: 64.16%
Upload: 32.15%
Server Fleet 11,500+ servers in 100+ countries
Simultaneous Connections 7
Starting Price $2.03/month
Why We Picked It

CyberGhost VPN has the largest server fleet and is among the fastest VPN services we have tested. It gets security features right, has an intuitive user interface, and hosts dedicated servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

Performance

CyberGhost VPN offers above-average transfer speeds, retaining around 65% of the original internet speed. While speed performance could be slightly better, the affordability and a network of more than 11,500 servers justify it. Plus, connecting to nearby servers improves the connection speed.

Features

In addition to being affordable and easy to use, CyberGhost has abundant features, including AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection, built-in ad blocker, and third-party trackers. It uses RAM-only servers and benefits from being located in Romania, a privacy-friendly country.

Moreover, many of its servers are specially optimized for streaming, making it the fastest VPN for streaming TV channels, such as EuroSport, Fox and Fox News, ESPN, CBS, and Sky TV. CyberGhost works great with popular streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Crunchyroll, Discovery+, and Apple TV.

In addition to streaming, CyberGhost VPN offers P2P-optimized servers for torrenting and low-latency gaming nodes, allowing for maintaining a low ping.

Pricing

CyberGhost VPN is one of the cheapest fast VPN service providers, with prices starting at $2.03/month. It also has a generous 45-day money-back guarantee and different free trial terms for the most popular operating systems.

You can pay via credit or debit cards, PayPal, and Bitcoin.

Who It's Best For

With its extensive support for video content platforms, CyberGhost VPN is the finest VPN for streaming. Its dedicated servers also make it the perfect VPN for gaming and torrenting without breaking the bank.

Pros

  • Affordable pricing
  • Large server fleet
  • Speedy dedicated servers

Cons

  • Average speeds
  • Only seven simultaneous connections
CyberGhostVPN
8.7
Review

8. PrivadoVPN – Ideal for Free Streaming and Torrenting

Average Speed Retention: Download: 68.90%
Upload: 81.65%
Server Fleet 322 servers in 47 countries
Simultaneous Connections 10
Starting Price $1.99/month
Why We Picked It

PrivadoVPN offers a varied range of servers on its free plan and consistent performance whether you pay to use it or not. It unlocks access to major streaming providers and has dedicated P2P servers for optimized torrenting.

Performance

PrivadoVPN retains roughly 69% of the download and 82% of the upload speeds, making it nearly as fast as ProtonVPN or NordVPN. Plus, during our testing, the speed of the free and paid plans remained consistent.

Moreover, both the free and paid versions work equally well while trying to unlock content from major streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max from major locations.

Features

While PrivadoVPN’s free version offers all the basic VPN features, the paid plan includes an ad blocker and protection from malware. It also comes with 322 servers (all physical) across 44 locations and supports SOCKS5 proxy resolving, which allows faster performance.

The VPN offers AES-256 encryption, a system-wide kill switch, and support for faster IKEv2 and WireGuard tunneling protocols. Plus, it features parental controls to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate or malicious content on the web and social media apps.

The small server network ensures lower ping value while gaming casual online games, but it’s unsuitable for highly competitive titles. The close-knit fleet is optimized for P2P transfers, making it an excellent torrenting option.

Pricing

In addition to a limited free plan, you can upgrade to the paid package for just $1.99/month. The plan also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Besides credit and debit cards, you can use PayPal and cryptocurrencies to purchase the subscription.

Who It's Best For

PrivadoVPN excels as a free option for streaming over major services, while its small-pitched network is brilliant for torrenting and low-latency gaming.

Pros

  • Good performance an server fleet on the free plan
  • Servers suited for casual gaming and torrenting
  • Parental control

Cons

  • Fewer servers in limited locations
  • Less consistent streaming support
  • No browser extensions
PrivadoVPN
8.6
Review

9. TotalVPN – Fast VPN Service With an Antivirus Package

A logo of TotalAV

Average Speed Retention: Download: >70%
Upload: 70-80%
Server Fleet 50 servers in 30+ locations
Simultaneous Connections Up to 8
Starting Price $29.00/year
Why We Picked It

Total VPN is a fast VPN service suitable for inexperienced users looking for an intuitive virtual private network. It is ideal for high-speed and encrypted data transfer between nearby locations.

Performance

Despite a small server fleet, Total VPN’s performance was fairly impressive and comparable to that of more popular alternatives such as PureVPN and NordVPN. Download and upload speeds for geographically closer servers hover between 60 and 80%, which is considerably good.

Total VPN also ensures reliable, low-latency gaming performance if you choose nearby servers. However, platform limitations translate to poor support for gaming consoles and require routing traffic wirelessly through a Mac or a Windows PC, resulting in potential performance drops.

Features

The biggest benefit of using TotalAV’s VPN service is that you can access media libraries on most apps, such as Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, etc. However, there have been reports about the service being flagged by Amazon Prime Video.

Total VPN’s non-US servers support P2P transfers, so you can expect speedy torrenting from nearby locations. It also uses AES-256 encryption and supports numerous fast tunneling protocols, like IKEv2 and OpenVPN. Notably, you’ll have to switch the protocol after purchasing the subscription. Total VPN also offers a kill switch functionality, but it is limited to Windows.

Pricing

The VPN comes with a single plan, which starts at $29.00 for the first year and renews at $119.00/year. This plan includes a complimentary subscription to TotalAV antivirus and an ad-blocker.

Who It's Best For

Total VPN is a safety-oriented product best suited for extensive device security and streaming on Windows PCs.

Pros

  • Good speeds from nearby servers
  • Ad-blocker and antivirus included
  • P2P servers for torrenting

Cons

  • Small server fleet
  • Kill switch only for Windows
  • No dedicated IPs or split tunneling
TotalAV VPN
8.2
Review

10. Private Internet Access VPN – Largest VPN Server Fleet for Optimized Streaming

A logo of Private Internet Access VPN

Average Speed Retention: Download: 27.14%
Upload: 41.97%
Server Fleet 35,000+ servers in 90+ countries
Simultaneous Connections 10
Starting Price $2.03/month
Why We Picked It

The Private Internet Access (PIA) features a graphically engaging user interface with frequent updates to improve functionality. The provider also has practically unlimited servers, specially optimized for streaming and speedy browsing.

Performance

PIA demonstrated above-average speed loss, lagging far behind competitors such as NordVPN or PureVPN. Both download and upload speeds fall below 50% of the connection’s original speed, which could hamper the gaming experience.

However, with good internet speeds, you should be able to stream content on any streaming platform without buffering. PIA’s servers effortlessly stream geo-restricted content from Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and YouTube.

Features

Despite the slower speeds, Private Internet Access server optimizations make it ideal for torrenting and playing non-competitive online games. The package also includes security features such as IP and DNS masking, multi-hop, split tunneling, and built-in ad and malware protection.

PIA has VPN apps on virtually all operating systems, but its Smart DNS functionality allows it to secure devices that typically don’t support VPN connections. In addition, PIA also has a Linux app with a GUI identical to the Windows and Mac versions.

The VPN is compatible with various web browsers and also bundles a secure browser within the VPN app for mobile devices. Lastly, an independently audited no-logs policy is in place.

Pricing

PIA VPN prices start at $2.03/month. A dedicated IP and antivirus solution are available as add-ons. You also get a seven-day trial on mobile apps and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For payments, you can use credit and debit cards, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrencies via BitPay.

Who It's Best For

With its extensive network of special streaming and P2P-optimized servers, PIA is great for streaming content and exchanging torrent files.

Pros

  • Largest server fleet
  • Kill switch on all platforms
  • Multi-hop

Cons

  • Laggard speeds
  • Headquartered in the US (Five Eyes Alliance)
  • Basic security features

Private Internet Access
8.7
Review

Fastest VPN Service Providers Compared

Here is a brief overview of the fastest VPN providers we tested, their speed retention, the platforms they support, the server network, and their pricing.

Surfshark PureVPN ExpressVPN NordVPN ProtonVPN Ivacy VPN CyberGhost PrivadoVPN TotalVPN PIA
Speed Retention 74% 79% 50% 73% 90% 50% 64% 69% 70% 27%
Simultaneous Connection Unlimited 10 8 10 10 10 7 10 Up to  8 10
Server Fleet 3,200 servers in 100+ countries 6,500 servers in 75+ countries 3,000 servers in 105 countries 6,ė00 servers in 110+ countries 3,000 servers in 68 countries 5,700 servers in 69 countries 11,500+ servers in 100+ countries 322 servers in 47 countries 50 servers in 30+ locations 35,000+ servers in 90+ countries
Kill Switch Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes, Windows and Android only Yes, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS only Yes Yes, Windows only Yes
Free trial Yes, 7 days No Yes, 7 days, Android and iOS only Yes, 7 days No

Free-forever plan

Yes, 7 days macOS: 24-hour
Android:3-day
iOS: 7-day
No

Free-forever plan

No

Free-forever plan

No
Starting Price $2.19/month $3.99/month $6.67/month $3.39/month $4.49/month $1.17/month $2.03/month $1.99/month $29.00/year $2.03/month
Methodology

How We Review and Test VPN Services

20 VPNS TESTED

25 DATA POINTS MEASURED

300+ HOURS TESTING

500+ USER REVIEWS READ

To provide our readers with accurate and well informed recommendations, we tested 20 leading VPN services to find the best in the market. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:

  • Security Features: We made sure that the provider uses standard security features and a secure tunneling protocol.
  • Privacy Policies: We looked for VPNs that come with a no-logs policy, and verify the extend to which user privacy is upheld.
  • Speed: We run speed tests three times a day and draw an average of the result to see how much of the original broadband speed is retained.
  • Compatibility: We ensure the VPN provider offers multiple simultaneous connections and is compatible with the most popular operating systems.
  • Geo-unblocking: We test whether the VPN service can unlock different libraries (content available in different countries) on the most popular streaming platforms.
  • Customer Experience: When researching products and services, we read real user experiences and test out their customer support channels ourselves.
  • Price and Value for Money: We set out to recommend reasonably priced products that offer value for money.

Why Do I Need a Fast VPN?

A fast VPN is essential for numerous reasons. It can enhance your online experience with faster internet speeds, improved connection stability, and heightened privacy and security.

A reliable, high-speed VPN can help you circumvent geographical restrictions, unlock streaming services, and ensure your online privacy –this is precisely why most people invest in a VPN for personal use.

With a fast, trusted VPN at your disposal, you can enjoy all the advantages of an unrestricted online life. Of course, you might also be interested in looking at the best VPNs overall.

Factors to Consider When Picking the Fastest VPN

In addition to our comparison among the fastest VPN service providers, there are certain common points to remember when choosing a high-speed VPN provider:

  • Wide VPN server selection: This ensures you have multiple options to connect to within one country or location to avoid overcrowded VPN servers with bandwidth issues.
  • Fast tunneling protocols: VPN protocols such as WireGuard or IKEv2 are more advanced and faster than OpenVPN, allowing for better safety, faster speeds, and lower latency.
  • Dedicated servers for P2P transfers: Instead of routing the traffic through a centralized hub to mask your IP and encrypt data, P2P servers connect directly and, thus, are faster for file sharing and torrenting.
  • Servers optimized for streaming: Certain VPN providers automatically choose the best servers and locations depending on the service.
  • Strong encryption algorithm: Strong encryption ciphers such as AES-256 and ChaCha20 are nearly impossible to crack, making your private data inaccessible to third parties.
  • Ad and tracker-blocking abilities: Ads and third-party trackers may block some of your internet bandwidth or identify your precise location despite the VPN. So, choosing a VPN service that blocks ads and trackers speeds up your network and strengthens online privacy.
  • Safeguard against IP and DNS leaks: A good VPN must guarantee that your IP and DNS are not stored on their servers and do not get leaked in case of an abrupt disconnection. A kill switch mechanism immediately terminates the entire internet connection if the VPN connection drops.
  • Located outside of surveilled jurisdictions: Data laws in various countries may require VPN companies to collect and share your private data with the government and law enforcement on demand. Choosing a VPN service based in a privacy-friendly location ensures the safety of your data.
  • Obfuscation feature: This ensures your ISPs or media streaming platforms do not notice when you are using a VPN, which may otherwise lead to service blocking or even legal action in countries such as Russia and China, where using a VPN is illegal.

What Factors Influence Internet Speed While Using a VPN?

Even the fastest VPNs in the market will slow down your internet connection. Here are a few reasons as to why:

  • Far-off Servers – If the server is geographically far from your present location, you will experience slower speed due to the longer time required for data to travel.
  • Multi-Hop –  Routing your data through more than one VPN server is beneficial for your privacy, but it slows down your connection considerably due to the additional time needed to encode and decode the data.
  • Older Protocols – VPNs using older tunneling protocols, such as OpenVPN, will be considerably slower than the new ones, such as WireGuard or IKEv2.
  • Device-Specific Limitations – Certain protocols favor particular devices and may slow down others. For instance, IKEv2 is generally faster on Apple devices.
  • Server Hardware – Faster CPU and RAM at the server side result in faster encryption and decryption, making your VPN connection speedier. Some VPN providers, such as ProtonVPN, use parallel CPU threads to process data faster.
  • Server Bandwidth – Even if all VPN servers deployed by a provider are equally capable, some might witness more footfall than others, resulting in slower data transfer to and from the server. This can be fixed by changing the server.

How to Speed up Your VPN Connection?

Besides choosing one of the fastest VPN services, there are some quick fixes every VPN user can try to speed up their VPN connection:

  • Connect to a Nearby Server – Reduced physical distance from a server increases the VPN’s speeds.
  • Split Tunneling – The technique allows users to selectively choose apps or web pages that will be routed through the VPN while others won’t. This reduced the burden on the VPN’s bandwidth.
  • Switch to Faster VPN Protocols – Avoid OpenVPN and older tunneling protocols such as SSTP, PPTP, and L2TP. Instead, use WireGuard or IKEv2, which are faster and more secure.
  • Switch to a Wired Connection – The simplest way to speed up a connection over a VPN is to remove latency caused by a wireless connection. Instead, a wired connection can eliminate the delay caused due to physical obstructions such as walls or doors.

What Is the Fastest Free VPN?

In our testing, PrivadoVPN emerged as the fastest free VPN. Despite being less popular, PrivadoVPN offers a larger number of servers and locations and more control than ProtonVPN, which also offers a free plan.

Unlike ProtonVPN, PrivadoVPN does not throttle speed when using the free version. However, the free plan comes with only 10GB of data per month, while ProtonVPN’s free tier gives access to unlimited data but does not allow you to choose server locations.

Besides the specific limitations, free VPNs often lack the same level of privacy protection as paid versions. VPN providers might store personal data to offset some of the costs. Free VPNs might also lack crucial features such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection, which risk exposing your data to the ISP and, eventually, authorities. Lastly, using a free version of a VPN also eliminates your chances of getting customer support, especially in cases where your data might have inadvertently leaked.

FAQs

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Nick Saraev
Tech and SaaS Expert
Nick Saraev
Tech and SaaS Expert

Nick Saraev is a writer & entrepreneur who pivoted from a path in medicine to forge a series of successful digital media businesses. He's been featured in Popular Mechanics, Apple News, & Bloomberg, and is an Amazon Kindle best-seller. He has extensive experience in the tech and SaaS industry, writing in-depth guides to help users grasp technical concepts better.

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