Every VPN claims to be "the fastest." They can't all be right. We tested 14 VPN providers on a 1Gbps fiber connection to find out which ones actually deliver.
How We Tested
📊 Test Methodology
- Baseline: 1Gbps fiber connection (940 Mbps typical)
- Protocol: WireGuard/NordLynx where available, OpenVPN as fallback
- Servers: Nearest server to test location + US server + EU server
- Tests: 10 speed tests per VPN, averaged results
- Metrics: Download speed, upload speed, latency (ping)
- Tool: Speedtest.net CLI + Ookla servers
Complete Speed Rankings
| Rank | VPN | Download | Upload | Ping | % Retained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NordVPN | 884 Mbps | 876 Mbps | 8ms | 94% |
| 2 | ExpressVPN | 874 Mbps | 861 Mbps | 9ms | 93% |
| 3 | Mullvad | 856 Mbps | 842 Mbps | 7ms | 91% |
| 4 | ProtonVPN | 846 Mbps | 831 Mbps | 11ms | 90% |
| 5 | Surfshark | 837 Mbps | 819 Mbps | 12ms | 89% |
| 6 | PIA | 827 Mbps | 804 Mbps | 14ms | 88% |
| 7 | Hide.me | 818 Mbps | 795 Mbps | 13ms | 87% |
| 8 | CyberGhost | 799 Mbps | 781 Mbps | 15ms | 85% |
| 9 | IPVanish | 790 Mbps | 772 Mbps | 16ms | 84% |
| 10 | VyprVPN | 752 Mbps | 731 Mbps | 18ms | 80% |
Top 3 Fastest VPNs: Detailed
NordVPN
NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based) delivers the best speeds we measured.
ExpressVPN
Lightway protocol delivers near-NordVPN speeds with excellent consistency.
Mullvad
Pure WireGuard implementation. Fastest ping of any VPN tested.
Protocol Impact on Speed
The protocol you use matters more than the VPN you choose. Here's the speed difference:
| Protocol | Avg Speed | Latency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WireGuard / NordLynx | 90-95% | 7-12ms | Gaming, streaming, general use |
| Lightway (ExpressVPN) | 90-93% | 8-12ms | Streaming, mobile |
| IKEv2 | 80-88% | 12-20ms | Mobile (network switching) |
| OpenVPN UDP | 70-82% | 15-30ms | Legacy compatibility |
| OpenVPN TCP | 60-75% | 20-40ms | Bypassing firewalls only |
Speed Tip
Always use WireGuard, NordLynx, or Lightway if your VPN supports them. OpenVPN is 15-25% slower on average. Most modern VPNs default to faster protocols now, but check your settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a VPN make my internet faster?
Usually no. VPNs add encryption overhead, which typically reduces speed by 5-20%. However, if your ISP throttles certain traffic (streaming, gaming), a VPN can bypass throttling and effectively feel faster for those activities.
Why are my VPN speeds slower than these results?
We tested on 1Gbps fiber. Your speeds depend on: your baseline internet speed, distance to VPN servers, server load, and time of day. A 100 Mbps connection can't exceed 100 Mbps regardless of VPN. The percentages matter more than absolute numbers.
Which VPN is fastest for streaming?
Any VPN above 50 Mbps is fast enough for 4K streaming (requires ~25 Mbps). The top 5 VPNs on our list all handle streaming easily. ExpressVPN has the most consistent speeds, which means less buffering during peak hours.
Does server distance affect speed?
Yes, significantly. Connecting to a server on another continent adds 50-200ms latency and can reduce speeds by 20-40%. Always connect to the nearest server unless you need a specific location.
The Bottom Line
Fastest overall: NordVPN with NordLynx protocol. 94% speed retention and excellent latency at $2.99/month.
Most consistent: ExpressVPN. Slightly slower than NordVPN but the most stable speeds—less variance between tests.
Lowest latency: Mullvad. 7ms ping is unbeatable for gamers, though it costs more at €5/month flat.
Best value + speed: Surfshark at 89% speed retention for $1.99/month is excellent if you're on a budget.