Fastest VPN of 2024
Most VPNs will ruin your internet speeds. We tested VPNs to find the fastest on the market.
Our Experts
Best VPN for Speed
NordVPN
- Blazing-fast internet speeds
- Strong privacy and transparency
- Great for streaming service unblocking
- User-friendly apps
- Inconsistent pricing structure
- Not as transparent as other VPN rivals
NordVPN’s speeds have improved over the past few years. In our 2020 speed tests, we calculated a 53% speed loss, and in the summer of 2022, a 13% speed loss. During our most recent testing in 2023, the average speed loss dropped to just 10%. The fastest round of testing yielded a mere 7% speed loss through its proprietary WireGuard-based NordLynx VPN protocol from our testing location in Ohio. This steady improvement in speeds has helped NordVPN leapfrog ExpressVPN and take the reins as the fastest VPN.
We were impressed with NordVPN’s consistency across the board, regardless of whether we tested speeds through OpenVPN or NordLynx. Our base internet speeds hovered around 370 Mbps, and NordVPN’s speeds held consistently between 320 Mbps and 355 Mbps to server locations around the globe. We achieved the fastest speeds to servers in Europe and, as expected, the slowest speeds to Singapore. Nord’s speeds to Singapore were faster than other VPNs’ speeds to closer locations, which we liked.
NordVPN offers a decent network of 5,900-plus servers in 60 countries worldwide, including servers in 15 cities throughout the US. It pairs solid encryption with its blazing-fast speeds and provides tons of useful features. NordVPN works great on all platforms and costs $13 per month, $67 for the first year (then $100 annually) or $110 for the first two years combined (then $100 annually). Once the introductory pricing has lapsed, NordVPN’s annual price matches ExpressVPN as one of the most expensive VPNs. If you’re not satisfied, your purchase is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Best Cheap VPN
Surfshark
- Lots of unique security features
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- RAM-only server network
- Inconsistent speed performance
- 14 Eyes jurisdiction (Netherlands)
- No transparency reports
Surfshark briefly dropped off our fastest VPN list with a disappointing showing in our previous speed tests, slashing our internet speeds by an average of 40%. At the time, Surfshark’s speeds were wildly inconsistent, especially through OpenVPN on Windows, where it cut our speeds by 77%. Surfshark promised to fix its OpenVPN speeds on Windows, and we were impressed with the improvement in performance after recently re-testing the VPN’s speeds. During our most recent tests, we recorded an overall average speed loss of 17%, with OpenVPN speeds on Windows cutting our speeds by an average of 28% (a marked improvement from the previously recorded 77%).
We were also pleased with the overall consistency of Surfshark’s speed performance across the board. In our latest benchmarks, Surfshark’s speeds were generally fastest through WireGuard and server locations closest to our testing locations. Speeds through Surfshark’s New York and UK servers were the fastest, but speeds to France and Germany weren’t far behind. As expected, speeds to distant server locations like Singapore and Australia were generally a bit slower, but still fast enough for just about any online activity, including streaming.
Surfshark is the only VPN at the top of this list that offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so it’s an excellent option if you have many devices or if you live in a large household. It’s also by far the most budget-friendly of the top three if you opt for a yearly plan. Surfshark’s monthly plan is expensive at $14 per month, but you’ll see considerable savings with its yearly plan at $48 for the first year (then $60 annually) or $54 for the first two years combined (then $60 annually). We don’t recommend signing on with any VPN provider for more than a year at a time, given how quickly things tend to shift in the VPN industry.
Best Overall VPN
ExpressVPN
- Strong commitment to privacy and transparency
- Forward-thinking security enhancements
- Excellent for streaming
- Streamlined, easy-to-use app across platforms
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction (British Virgin Islands)
- DNS leaks detected (but immediately addressed)
- Expensive
- Only eight simultaneous connections
- Apple TV app needs work
ExpressVPN wowed us with its incredible 2% speed loss last year -- a result that placed it handily in the lead as our fastest VPN at the time. ExpressVPN’s stratospheric speeds came back down to Earth in our most recent tests, averaging a still-respectable 18% speed loss overall. The recent drop in speeds has, for the time being, relegated ExpressVPN to third place behind NordVPN and Surfshark. ExpressVPN’s fastest round of tests yielded a 9% speed loss through OpenVPN. Although the provider’s proprietary Lightway protocol should theoretically be quicker than OpenVPN, the fastest round of testing through Lightway was slightly slower at an 11% speed loss. Because we recommend OpenVPN for critical privacy needs (and due to its demonstrated commitment to security and transparency), ExpressVPN is perhaps an even better option than NordVPN for anyone looking for the very best combination of speeds and security.
Although not quite as consistent as NordVPN, ExpressVPN’s speeds were largely stable throughout the multiple rounds of testing we did on various server locations around the world. The fastest speeds we measured through ExpressVPN were to Europe, where we registered 343.31 Mbps, and the slowest speeds we measured were to Singapore at 287.43 Mbps. Speeds generally hovered in the low-to-mid 300s when testing the VPN’s speeds from Ohio.
ExpressVPN boasts one of the most expansive networks of servers in the VPN industry, with servers in 105 countries. Its speed, security, transparency and impressive suite of privacy features have helped ExpressVPN maintain CNET’s Editors’ Choice Best VPN for 2023 honor. It’s also a great option for streaming and gaming. ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPNs on the market today at $13 per month, $60 every six months or $100 per year.
The fastest VPN in 2024
If you're using a virtual private network for data-heavy online activities including streaming, gaming, video conferencing or torrenting, your VPN speeds will be a major consideration. Even if your internet is fast, remember that many VPNs can cut your speeds in half, which can drain your overall online experience. A fast VPN ensures that your streams are smooth, your games are lag-free, your calls are stable and your downloads are quick.
Determining the fastest VPN is a time-intensive, imperfect process. CNET's VPN experts have spent years testing and reviewing dozens of VPNs and have developed a speed-testing methodology that seeks to mirror the typical VPN user's conditions. This way, our analysis of the fastest VPNs can provide the most practical value to VPN consumers. Keep in mind that this is a list of the fastest VPNs as we measured them throughout 2023 (we'll test more as this year progresses), and it should be referenced as a general guide to how you may expect these VPNs to perform. Your results may vary depending on a variety of factors, including what platform you're using, your location and the level of service you're receiving from your internet service provider.
With a fast VPN, your speed loss will be virtually unnoticeable.
VPN speeds compared
| 2019 tested speed loss* | 2020 tested speed loss* | 2022 tested speed loss* | 2023 tested speed loss* | Net change from previous test | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 32% | 53% | 13% | 10% | Faster in 2023 tests |
| Surfshark | 27% | 17% | 19% | 17% | Faster in 2023 tests |
| ExpressVPN | 2% | 51% | 2% | 18% | Slower in 2023 tests |
| PIA | N/A | N/A | N/A | 24% | N/A |
| IPVanish | N/A | 65% | 58% | 26% | Faster in 2023 tests |
| Proton VPN | N/A | 9% | 17% | 36% | Slower in 2023 tests |
*Lower number is better.
What's the fastest VPN right now?
NordVPN is currently the fastest VPN based on our latest speed tests. Out of the VPNs we speed tested, NordVPN's speeds were the most consistently fast across the board. NordVPN averaged just a 10% speed loss overall, with its best result being a 7% speed loss through WireGuard on Mac. Surfshark came in second place, with a 17% overall speed loss and a best result of 9% speed loss through WireGuard on Mac. Rounding out the top three, ExpressVPN had an 18% average speed loss, with its best result being a 9% speed loss through OpenVPN on Mac.
Other VPNs we tested
PIA
The speeds we measured through Private Internet Access (PIA) were pretty fast, but not fast enough to crack the top three. Our latest speed tests measured a 24% average speed loss through PIA's servers. That's still plenty fast enough for most anything you'd want to do online, including streaming and video conferencing. Speeds through WireGuard averaged an impressive 15% speed loss, while speeds through OpenVPN averaged a still-respectable 33% speed loss. If you're looking for an OG VPN provider that's cheap, delivers excellent privacy and offers unlimited simultaneous connections, then PIA is a good choice. Subscriptions cost $12 per month, $40 per year or $80 every three years, which makes PIA one of the most budget-friendly VPNs in the industry.
IPVanish
In our 2024 speed tests, we calculated an average 44% download speed loss with IPVanish, making it one of the slowest VPNs we tested. We registered the fastest speeds through WireGuard on MacOS, with an average speed loss of 17%, which is decent but not competitive with other VPNs’ WireGuard speeds. IPVanish’s abysmal OpenVPN speeds on both MacOS (58% speed loss) and Windows (67% speed loss) are what ultimately dragged it down and out of the running for CNET’s Fastest VPN. Speeds that bad will have a noticeable effect, regardless of how fast your base internet speeds are. We had issues while attempting to stream content through IPVanish’s UK servers. If you’re looking for a fast VPN, look elsewhere.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN had by far the most inconsistent speeds of the VPNs we tested. The peaks and valleys we experienced were staggering, regardless of protocol or testing location. Speeds would go up to 328 Mbps and drop to 3 Mbps in the same round of testing. Overall, Proton averaged a 36% speed loss, which is unexceptional at best. If you're looking for a VPN that consistently delivers fast speeds, Proton VPN is not the VPN you're looking for. Proton VPN costs $10 per month, $72 per year or $120 every two years, which is middle of the road compared with other VPNs.
How we test the fastest VPNs
We conducted VPN speed tests throughout 2023 from various testing locations in Ohio, Kentucky and Hungary. In addition to testing OpenVPN speeds from these locations, we tested speeds through WireGuard for Surfshark, Proton VPN, PIA and IPVanish. Additionally, we tested ExpressVPN's speeds through its proprietary Lightway protocol and NordVPN's speeds through its NordLynx protocol. We conducted five rounds of testing on each VPN, consisting of five separate tests each to five locations globally for each protocol on Mac and Windows devices -- adding up to more than 3,700 individual speed tests.
Before each round of testing, we measured our non-VPN speeds five times to calculate the average speeds we were getting from our ISP. Then, we tested speeds five times each to VPN server locations in New York, the UK, Australia, France, Germany and Singapore. This way, we can get a good read on VPN speeds to popular locations across the globe. Once we completed the five rounds of testing at each location, we calculated our average VPN and non-VPN speeds to determine the percentage of speed lost overall through the VPN.
Calculating the percentage of speed lost through the VPN allows us to clearly represent how you can expect these VPNs to perform for you. Your base internet speeds may be a lot faster or slower than what we got through the internet connections we used during our testing. Saying that we achieved speeds of 341.5 Mbps with NordVPN doesn't paint the full picture without putting it into the proper context of how much of a speed drop that was in relation to our base speeds.
We conducted all of our tests through the Ookla speed-testing platform because it's user-friendly and among the most widely used speed-testing sites. It's also the tool that most VPN users will likely use to measure their own speeds.
Factors to consider in a fast VPN
Based on our years of experience testing VPNs for privacy, usability and speed, these are the most important factors to consider when purchasing a fast VPN:
Speed
If you're looking for the fastest VPN, then speed will naturally be your top consideration. There are a lot of VPNs that struggle with speeds and can slow your internet by 50% or more. Look for a VPN that drops your speed by only about 20% or less.
Privacy
Privacy is a major consideration for any VPN, regardless of its speed performance. The VPNs we've highlighted above all deliver top-notch privacy paired with fast speeds, so you'll get the best of both worlds with any of our recommended options. Look for basic privacy protections like a kill switch, DNS leak protection and a no-logs policy (preferably audited and/or tested in the wild). Other privacy features to look out for include obfuscation, multi-hop connections and Tor over VPN.
Protocols
Some VPN protocols can deliver faster speeds than others. We recommend using the OpenVPN protocol for the best combination of speed and security. If you want to get the most speed out of your VPN, then you can use a lightweight protocol like WireGuard or your VPN provider's proprietary (usually WireGuard-based) VPN protocol.
Server network
You'll want a VPN service with a large network of servers worldwide. This will help ensure that you'll have access to fast, stable VPN connections wherever you may be located. Generally, around 75 server locations and above is a decent network. Some VPNs even have servers in 100 or more countries. The main thing you'll want in your VPN's network is servers located near where you are or where you plan on traveling. If a VPN only has servers in 50 countries, but covers all of the regions you plan on using, then its server network should suffice.
Cost
If you're on a budget, then the overall value of your VPN will be a major consideration. If you want the largest savings, opt for a yearly plan, which will generally afford you better value over time than going month-to-month. A budget-friendly VPN can cost about $40 to $60 per year, while a more expensive VPN can run you upwards of $100 per year.
Fastest VPN FAQ
How do I speed up my VPN connection?
There are a few things you can try if you want to speed up your VPN connection. In theory, WireGuard and newer proprietary VPN protocols that more providers offer should offer faster speeds than OpenVPN. You can try one of these protocols to boost your speeds if gaining maximum speed is your primary objective and you’re not getting what you want out of your OpenVPN connection.
If location is not a concern, you’ll want to connect to the server location closest to your physical location. This will cut down on the physical distance your data travels and, in turn, will deliver faster speeds.
Connecting to a server overloaded with users can result in slower speeds. Many VPN apps include information regarding server load, so try to look for a server indicating a light load for optimum speeds.
Will a VPN slow down my internet speeds?
Generally, yes, due to factors including the distance between you and the VPN server you’re connecting to, the encryption used by the VPN and the overall load on the server you’re using.
Can a VPN speed up my internet?
In certain cases, your VPN can actually help increase your internet speeds. If your internet service provider is deliberately throttling your internet connection, a VPN can help because it hides your activity from your ISP.
Do I need a VPN?
You need a VPN if you want to maintain your privacy online and hide your internet activity from your ISP, government entities and other snoops. If you want to evade online censorship or unblock geographically restricted content, you need a VPN. VPNs can also be beneficial for gaming, torrenting, finding deals online and speeding up your internet connection if your ISP is deliberately throttling your speeds. Anyone who uses the internet can benefit from a VPN in one way or another.
How can I test my VPN speeds?
You can test your own VPN speeds using an online speed testing tool like the one provided by Ookla. First, test your base internet speeds with the VPN disengaged and make a note of your non-VPN speeds. Then, connect to a server through your VPN app, run a new speed test and note the speed change. It's a good idea to run multiple tests both with and without the VPN turned on to get a fuller picture of the VPN's speed performance. Most VPNs also offer a money-back guarantee, so it's a good idea to test your VPN speeds during that trial period. If you're not getting acceptable speeds even after trying different server locations and VPN protocols, you may want to give another VPN a try before the trial period ends.
What's the best free VPN?
If you need to use a free VPN, we recommend using Proton VPN's free version. It's the only free VPN worth using because it's secure, comparatively fast and doesn't impose usage or data caps. Otherwise, we don't recommend using most free VPNs because the majority of them are essentially useless, if not downright dangerous. Free VPNs typically impose data and usage limits, employ weaker encryption and offer fewer server locations than their paid counterparts. Free VPNs also need to make money somehow, so you can expect them to sell your data to third-party advertisers. Some have even been known to contain malware.