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It’s typical for VPNs to cause internet speed drops as they route our traffic through secure VPN servers. However, some VPN providers are the cream of the crop, offering fast, reliable download speeds that actually show an increase in performance.
Who are these blazing-fast unicorns?
ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Proton VPN are the fastest VPNs we’ve tested — and we test 50+ VPNs quarterly to provide you with the most accurate performance results regarding VPN speed, security, privacy, and more.
Learn more about how the proprietary protocols of these three top VPNs enable fast speeds, steady VPN connections, and iron-clad security.
 Best Overall |
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| Star rating | |||
| Best for | Best overall | Best for gaming | Best for torrenting |
| Lowest price | $4.99/mo (billed every two years) | $3.09/mo (billed every two years) | Free or $4.49/mo (billed every two years) |
| Max # of devices | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Proprietary protocols | Lightway, Lightway Turbo | NordLynx, NordWhisper | Stealth |
| U.S. server speed performance | +0.80% increase | +1.06% increase | +0.56% increase |
| U.S. server latency (ping) | 7 ms | 21 ms | 12 ms |
| # of servers | Unlisted in 105 countries | 7,400+ servers in 118 countries | 12,000+ servers in 117 countries |
| Optimized P2P servers for torrenting | No, but all servers allow P2P | ||
| Learn more | Get ExpressVPN | Get NordVPN | Get Proton VPN |
We complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.
Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.
Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
Based on our independent testing, we think ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN overall. ExpressVPN has proven consistency when delivering high-speed connections for a seamless experience streaming, gaming, or torrenting. Its proprietary Lightway protocol further enhances its speed and security, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize both.
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During our speed tests, ExpressVPN had a latency speed of 7 ms, outperforming NordVPN and Proton VPN. Low latency is vital for a seamless internet user experience with uninterrupted online gaming, smoother video and audio calls, faster website load times, and even better responsiveness in remote desktop sessions.
Check out ExpressVPN's speed test results across various regions in the table below.
| Test type | No VPN | US to US | US to CA | US to EU | US to AU |
| Download speed | 286.15 Mbps | 288.44 Mbps | 275.11 Mbps | 285.75 Mbps | 269.20 Mbps |
| Upload speed | 390.47 Mbps | 351.10 Mbps | 40.41 Mbps | 394.52 Mbps | 359.15 Mbps |
| Latency (ping) | 13 ms | 7 ms | 43 ms | 117 ms | 199 ms |
| Download speed % difference | N/A | +0.80% | -3.86% | -0.14% | -5.92% |
| Upload speed % difference | N/A | -10.08% | -89.65% | +1.04% | -8.02% |
| Latency % difference | N/A | -46% | +231% | +800% | +1,431% |
Lightway protocols: ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol is known for its reliability and speed. The Lightway protocol has lightweight coding, making it highly efficient for mobile devices and network changes. After multiple rounds of testing, we’ve calculated ExpressVPN’s overall download speed percentage drop to be an average of 6%, which is second only to NordVPN. ExpressVPN also released Lightway Turbo, demonstrating the VPN provider’s commitment to evolving its software.
TrustedServer technology: ExpressVPN uses volatile memory (RAM) instead of hard drives to store data. Since RAM requires power, the memory is wiped whenever a server is turned off, meaning ExpressVPN doesn’t store your data. Another advantage is that ExpressVPN’s servers can outperform other VPN server networks without inherent hard drive bottlenecks.
Aircove router and MediaStreamer: Devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming media players don’t natively support VPNs. With ExpressVPN’s smart DNS feature MediaStreamer, you can connect your smart devices to the VPN, allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions. But what makes ExpressVPN stand out from other premium VPNs is its Aircove router, which can easily protect all the devices connected to your home network. Aircove makes ExpressVPN the best VPN app for routers.
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Performance drop: We love that ExpressVPN continues to evolve by expanding its Lightway protocol to Lightway Turbo. However, we experienced performance issues with the newest protocol during our recent testing. ExpressVPN has historically improved speeds, so we were disappointed that Lightway Turbo didn’t outperform the Lightway protocol.
#1 rated VPN with over 7,000 ultra-secure, high-speed servers in 118 countries
Reliably unblock popular streaming services like Netflix with a single click
Excellent all-in-one security product with antivirus, ad blocker, password manager, and more
NordVPN is among the best gaming VPNs, delivering fast speeds and offering proprietary protocols and features — such as SmartPlay for streaming and Meshnet for LAN — that support fast, secure connections.
When we tested NordVPN, our U.S. download speed actually surpassed our baseline speed, meaning our internet speed was faster when connected to the VPN provider. This is likely because NordVPN uses its proprietary NordLynx protocol (built on the WireGuard protocol), which is lightweight and secure, and makes fast download speeds possible.
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Check out NordVPN's speed test results across various regions in the table below.
| Test type | No VPN connection | US to US | US to CA | US to UK | US to AU |
| Download speed | 314.19 Mbps | 317.52 Mbps | 316.16 Mbps | 277.64 Mbps | 303.20 Mbps |
| Upload speed | 426.99 Mbps | 302.76 Mbps | 363.11 Mbps | 238.53 Mbps | 313.21 Mbps |
| Latency (ping) | 16 ms | 21 ms | 56 ms | 116 ms | 185 ms |
| Download speed % difference | N/A | +1.06% | +0.62% | -11.63% | -3.5% |
| Upload speed % difference | N/A | -28.93% | -14.76% | -44.01% | -28.82% |
| Latency % difference | N/A | +31.25% | +250% | +625% | 1,056.25% |
SmartPlay: NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature allows you to spoof your location for devices not able to install the NordVPN app, like gaming consoles. Although you won’t have the security of a VPN-encrypted tunnel, you can use NordVPN with your devices to hide your location or get an international IP address.
Compatible gaming consoles
Meshnet: NordVPN boasts an awesome remote access feature called Meshnet, which allows you to establish a secure virtual network connection between up to 60 devices. That means you can connect your network and play video games with your friends regardless of their location. Meshnet enables secure remote play and file sharing, making it our #1 pick for hosting LAN parties and the best gaming VPN.
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Meshnet limitations: We love Meshnet, but it requires a lot of bandwidth and may not be usable for people with ISP data caps or who are located in rural areas. Plus, Meshnet isn’t intuitive — there’s definitely a learning curve when setting it up, so this feature isn’t for all users.
Stream from anywhere with 11,300+ high-speed servers
VPN Accelerator tech improves speeds by up to 400%
Block ads, trackers, and malicious scripts
Compared to most of the VPNs we tested, Proton VPN had better download and upload speeds, meaning it performs better when it comes to torrenting, sharing files, or engaging in remote work by facilitating quicker file transfers and smooth conference calls.
We chose Proton VPN as the fastest VPN for torrenting because of its privacy-focused Stealth protocol, which hides your VPN usage through advanced obfuscation. It also boasts optimized P2P servers and a large server network, making it a top choice for seamless file sharing.
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During our speed tests, Proton VPN delivered fast download and upload speeds across different server locations, indicating its capacity for optimal torrenting performance. It also had decent latency, contributing to a smooth and reliable file-sharing experience.
Check out Proton VPN’s speed test results across various regions in the table below.
| Test type | No VPN | US to US | US to CA | US to EU | US to AU |
| Download speed | 389.78 Mbps | 391.96 Mbps | 374.13 Mbps | 360.23 Mbps | 317.01 Mbps |
| Upload speed | 359.00 Mbps | 312.14 Mbps | 299.56 Mbps | 419.59 Mbps | 297.86 Mbps |
| Latency (ping) | 16 ms | 12 ms | 54 ms | 126 ms | 198 ms |
| Download speed % difference | N/A | +0.56% | -4.02% | -7.58% | -18.67% |
| Upload speed % difference | N/A | -13.05% | -16.56% | +16.88% | -17.03% |
| Latency % difference | N/A | -25.00% | +237.25% | +687.25% | +1,137.50% |
P2P servers and BitTorrent support: Proton VPN is a top VPN for torrenting because it hosts optimized P2P servers for safe file sharing. With an expansive server network of 12,000+ servers in 117 countries, Proton VPN offers thousands of P2P servers worldwide. Plus, this VPN provider offers dedicated support for file-sharing protocols like BitTorrent, and the P2P servers support port forwarding, which allows for faster seeding.
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Secure Core servers: Proton VPN operates a secure network of 117 Secure Core servers based in 68 different countries. These servers automatically route your internet traffic through two servers (also known as a double hop) in privacy-forward countries like Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden for ultimate privacy.
Must upgrade for P2P server access: Proton VPN is the best free VPN available because it’s super secure, doesn’t log your data, and boasts unlimited data. However, its restrictions don’t allow for fast, safe torrenting. To access features like P2P servers, BitTorrent support, port forwarding, Tor over VPN, NetShield ad blocker, and more, you need to purchase the Proton VPN Plus plan.
If a free VPN is your only option, consider using Proton VPN, which uses strong encryption protocols and unlimited bandwidth with its free plan. Although using a free VPN seems like a great way to save money, most free VPNs have limited features, slower speeds, and compromised security. That's why the #1 free VPN we've tested and recommend is Proton VPN.
To make a VPN faster, try some of the following tips:
ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer impressive speeds with low latency, making them two of the best gaming VPNs available for a seamless gaming experience, without lag. Professional gamers love ExpressVPN for its Lightway protocol, which is fast and reliable. But if you're gaming from home and want to host the ultimate LAN party, we recommend NordVPN for its Meshnet feature.
Learn more about these two fast VPNs in our ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN review.
ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Proton VPN all offer excellent speeds for streaming on Netflix. We've independently tested all three and had no issues unblocking international libraries in Canada, the U.K., and Australia. Overall, we'd recommend NordVPN because its Meshnet feature is useful for bypassing password-sharing restrictions.
ExpressVPN is our #1 pick for the fastest VPN based on its demonstrated performance during our multi-year speed tests. Even though we were disappointed with how Lightway Turbo performed compared to ExpressVPN’s original proprietary protocol, Lightway, we still find ExpressVPN reliable, fast, and secure.
NordVPN’s proprietary features — like Meshnet for secure LAN parties and the NordLynx protocol for improved internet speeds — make it our top recommendation for gamers.
For torrenting, we recommend Proton VPN because it offers a secure network of P2P servers for safe file sharing and the proprietary Stealth protocol for ultimate privacy.
| Lowest price | Best for | Learn more | |
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$4.99/mo (billed every two years) | Best overall | Get ExpressVPN |
|
$3.09/mo (billed every two years) | Best for gaming | Get NordVPN |
|
$4.49/mo (billed every two years) | Best for torrenting | Get Proton VPN |
Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
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