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Does a VPN slow down your internet? How to pick the fastest server
Why VPNs add a little delay, how much speed you should expect to lose, and simple ways to keep your connection fast.
A VPN adds a detour: your traffic goes to the VPN server first, then to the website. That detour costs a little time. How much depends almost entirely on which server you use.
Why a VPN can feel slower
- Distance. Data from Jakarta to a server in Tokyo and back takes longer than to a server down the road. More distance means higher latency (ping).
- Server load. A busy server shares its bandwidth among more people.
- Encryption. Modern phones encrypt quickly, so this is rarely the bottleneck today.
- Your own network. A weak Wi-Fi signal is slow with or without a VPN.
Latency vs speed
- Latency (ping) is the time for a round trip, in milliseconds. It matters for video calls and games.
- Speed (bandwidth) is how much data per second, in Mbps. It matters for downloads and video quality.
A far-away server mostly hurts latency; a busy one mostly hurts speed.
How to keep it fast
- Pick a nearby country unless you need a specific one. Neighbouring countries are usually the quickest.
- Use automatic selection. Berry’s Auto location tests several servers at the same time and connects to the one that answers fastest from your device, weighing in how busy each one is.
- Try another server if one feels slow. Load changes through the day.
- Switch networks. If Wi-Fi is weak, mobile data may be faster, and vice versa.
- Close background downloads such as app updates and cloud backups.
How to measure it
Run a speed test with the VPN off, note the numbers, then connect and test again. Compare:
- download and upload speed (Mbps),
- ping (ms).
Test at different times of day. One test is a snapshot, not the whole picture.
When a VPN can help speed
Some networks slow down particular services, such as video streaming. Because a VPN hides which service you’re using, routing around that can sometimes improve things. Don’t count on it, but it’s a nice side effect when it happens.
The bottom line
Expect a small slowdown, and keep it small by choosing nearby, lightly loaded servers or letting the app choose for you. If one server is slow, the next one often isn’t.
Berry VPN is our own app.
Frequently asked questions
How much slower is the internet with a VPN?
With a nearby, lightly loaded server the difference is often hard to notice. Distant or busy servers can add noticeable delay and reduce speed.
Can a VPN make my internet faster?
Occasionally, when your network slows down specific services, routing around it can help. Usually, expect a small slowdown.