In today’s fast-paced digital world, a slow internet connection can be incredibly frustrating. Whether you’re streaming your favorite shows, downloading large files, or battling it out in online games, a fast and reliable VPN is essential. While all VPNs will inevitably cause some speed reduction due to encryption, the best VPNs minimize this impact, providing a seamless online experience. At VPNtesters.com, we’ve conducted extensive speed tests on numerous VPNs to identify the fastest options for 2025.
Why is VPN Speed Important?
- Streaming: For smooth, buffer-free streaming in HD or 4K, you need a VPN that can maintain high speeds.
- Gaming: Low latency and fast speeds are crucial for a lag-free online gaming experience.
- Downloading: A fast VPN can significantly reduce the time it takes to download large files, including torrents.
- Browsing: Even for everyday browsing, a fast VPN ensures that web pages load quickly and you don’t experience any slowdowns.
Our Top Picks for the Fastest VPNs in 2025
Here are our top-rated VPNs for speed, ranked based on our rigorous speed tests:
The Fastest VPNs in 2025
1. NordVPN: The Fastest VPN in 2025
Overall Speed Rating: 9.9/10
Pros:
- Exceptional speeds with the NordLynx protocol.
- Maxed out our test connection at over 950 Mbps.
- Large server network in 111 countries.
- Dedicated servers for streaming and P2P.
- Strong security and privacy features.
Cons:
- We didnt find cons in terms of speed for NordVPN.
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Over 950 Mbps with NordLynx (maxed out our test connection).
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Excellent, with low latency on most servers.
- Speed Consistency: Very consistent across different server locations.
- Best Protocol: NordLynx (based on WireGuard).
NordVPN is the fastest VPN in 2025, offering blazing-fast speeds with its NordLynx protocol. It maxed out our test connection, demonstrating its capability to handle even the most demanding online activities.
Learn More about NordVPN’s Speed Performance
2. Surfshark: Fastest Budget VPN
Overall Speed Rating: 9.7/10
Pros:
- Impressive speeds with WireGuard, reaching over 950 Mbps.
- Very affordable, especially on longer plans.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Good for streaming and gaming.
Cons:
- Smaller server network than NordVPN.
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Over 950 Mbps with WireGuard.
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Very good, with low latency on most servers.
- Speed Consistency: Consistent across different server locations.
- Best Protocol: WireGuard.
Surfshark is the fastest budget VPN on the market. It offers exceptional speeds with the WireGuard protocol, making it a great value for users who prioritize performance.
Learn More about Surfshark’s Speed Performance
3. ExpressVPN:
Overall Speed Rating: 9.5/10
Pros:
- Blazing-fast speeds with the Lightway protocol.
- Minimal speed loss on both local and international servers.
- Consistently low ping and latency.
- Extensive server network in 105 countries.
- Excellent for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
Cons:
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Around 900 Mbps with Lightway.
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Excellent, minimal impact on latency.
- Speed Consistency: Extremely consistent across different server locations.
- Best Protocol: Lightway.
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs in our tests. Its proprietary Lightway protocol delivers exceptional speeds with minimal impact on ping, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
Learn More about ExpressVPN’s Speed Performance
4. IPVanish: Very Fast on Nearby Servers
Overall Speed Rating: 9.2/10
[Get IPVanish]
Pros:
- Very fast speeds on nearby servers, reaching up to 880 Mbps with Wireguard.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Strong security features.
- No-logs policy.
Cons:
- Higher ping on long-distance connections.
- Apps can be less intuitive than competitors.
- Based in the US (Five Eyes jurisdiction).
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Up to 880 Mbps with Wireguard.
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Very good on nearby servers, but can increase on long-distance connections.
- Speed Consistency: Consistent on nearby servers.
- Best Protocol: Wireguard.
IPVanish is a solid choice for users who prioritize fast speeds on nearby servers. It’s a good option for gaming or streaming if you connect to a server close to your location or the content server.
5. Hide.me: Excellent Speeds, Limited Server Network
Overall Speed Rating: 9.0/10
[Get Hide.me]
Pros:
- Excellent speeds, reaching over 950 Mbps with Wireguard.
- Strong security features.
- No-logs policy.
- Good for torrenting.
Cons:
- Smaller server network compared to top competitors.
- Apps can be complex for beginners.
- Limited streaming capabilities.
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Over 950 Mbps with Wireguard
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Good, but can be higher than top-tier providers.
- Speed Consistency: Consistent across different server locations.
- Best Protocol: Wireguard.
Hide.me offers impressive speeds, making it a good option for users who prioritize performance. However, its smaller server network and complex apps may be drawbacks for some.
6. Proton VPN: Security-Focused with Great Speeds
Overall Speed Rating: 8.8/10
[Get Proton VPN]
Pros:
- Excellent speeds, reaching up to 950 Mbps with Wireguard.
- Strong security and privacy features.
- Based in Switzerland (strong privacy laws).
- Open-source apps.
Cons:
- Higher ping compared to top gaming VPNs.
- Limited server network for gaming.
- Expensive compared to competitors with better gaming performance.
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Up to 950 Mbps with Wireguard.
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Good, but can be higher than top-tier providers.
- Speed Consistency: Consistent across different server locations.
- Best Protocol: Wireguard.
Proton VPN is a great choice for users who prioritize both speed and security. While it doesn’t offer dedicated gaming servers, its fast speeds and robust security features make it a viable option for many online activities.
7. CyberGhost: Dedicated Streaming Servers, Inconsistent Speeds
Overall Speed Rating: 8.5/10
[Get CyberGhost]
Pros:
- Dedicated servers optimized for streaming.
- User-friendly apps, great for beginners.
- Large server network in 100 countries.
- 45-day money-back guarantee.
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds, especially on long-distance connections.
- Higher ping than top-tier providers.
- Privacy concerns due to its ownership (Kape Technologies).
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Around 760 Mbps with WireGuard.
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Good on nearby servers, but can increase significantly on long-distance connections.
- Speed Consistency: Inconsistent, especially on long-distance connections.
- Best Protocol: WireGuard.
CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN with dedicated streaming servers. However, its inconsistent speeds and higher ping make it less ideal for demanding tasks like online gaming or downloading large files.
8. Private Internet Access: Large Server Network, Average Speeds
Overall Speed Rating: 8.3/10
[Get Private Internet Access]
Read Full Private Internet Access Review
Pros:
- Vast server network, including servers in all 50 US states.
- Affordable pricing.
- Strong focus on privacy.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
Cons:
- Average speeds compared to top-tier providers.
- Higher ping than the fastest VPNs.
- Based in the US (Five Eyes jurisdiction).
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Around 430 Mbps with WireGuard.
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Fair, but higher than the top-performing VPNs.
- Speed Consistency: Relatively consistent, but speeds are generally lower.
- Best Protocol: WireGuard.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a popular VPN with a vast server network. However, its speeds are average compared to the top-tier providers, making it less suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities.
9. Windscribe: Good Free Option, Inconsistent Speeds
Overall Speed Rating: 8.1/10
[Get Windscribe]
Pros:
- Generous free plan (with limited servers and data).
- Strong security features.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds and ping.
- Smaller server network than top-tier providers.
- Customer support could be improved.
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Around 860 Mbps with WireGuard
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Fair, can be inconsistent.
- Speed Consistency: Inconsistent, speeds can vary significantly between servers.
- Best Protocol: Wireguard.
Windscribe is a decent option for casual users, especially those who can take advantage of its free plan. However, its inconsistent speeds make it less ideal for demanding tasks like streaming or gaming.
10. PrivateVPN: Decent Speeds, Smaller Server Network
Overall Speed Rating: 8.0/10
[Get PrivateVPN]
Pros:
- Good speeds for streaming and general browsing.
- Affordable pricing, especially on longer plans.
- User-friendly apps.
- Strong security and privacy features.
Cons:
- Smaller server network compared to top competitors.
- Higher ping than top-tier gaming VPNs.
- Customer support can be slow to respond.
Speed Test Results:
- Average Download Speed: Around 820 Mbps.
- Average Upload Speed: Similar to download speeds.
- Ping: Fair, can be higher than ideal for competitive gaming.
- Speed Consistency: Relatively consistent, but speeds are generally lower than top-tier providers.
- Best Protocol: OpenVPN
PrivateVPN is a reliable and affordable option for general use, including streaming and browsing. However, its smaller server network and higher ping make it less suitable for demanding tasks like online gaming.
(How We Test VPN Speeds)
Our speed rankings are based on extensive testing using a standardized methodology. Here’s how we evaluate VPN speeds:
- Baseline Speed Test: We first measure our internet speed without a VPN to establish a baseline. [Link to Internet Speed Test: /tools/internet-speed-test/]
- Server Selection: We connect to VPN servers in various locations, including nearby servers and those in popular countries (US, UK, Canada, etc.).
- Speed Tests: We use reputable speed testing tools, such as Ookla’s Speedtest, to measure download speed, upload speed, and ping.
- Multiple Tests: We conduct multiple speed tests on each server at different times of day to account for fluctuations in server load and network congestion.
- Protocol Testing: We test speeds using different VPN protocols (e.g., WireGuard, Lightway, OpenVPN) to determine the fastest option.
- Real-World Testing: We also assess real-world performance by streaming videos, downloading files, and playing online games.
Conclusion
Choosing a fast VPN is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable online experience. NordVPN currently takes the lead as the fastest VPN, thanks to its Lightway protocol and optimized server network. Surfshark is also an excellent choice, offering exceptional speeds at competitive prices.
Take Action: