Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteA VPN is a privacy and network-routing choice, not a way to make Zoom calls faster. Zoom’s own guidance warns that sending real-time meeting media through VPN infrastructure can add load and degrade call quality, and recommends split tunneling wherever an organization’s VPN is involved. None of the evidence available for this list tested a VPN against live Zoom calls, so the five names below are general-purpose VPNs chosen from current reviews, not providers proven to improve Zoom.
Why a VPN can make Zoom worse
Zoom media is sensitive to latency, jitter, and packet loss. Every extra hop a VPN adds can increase those values. Zoom’s network best-practices library treats these measures as central to managing real-time media quality, which is why bandwidth alone is a poor guide to call performance. The Zoom technical library page on configuring network components is the primary reference for these network requirements.
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Three factors determine whether a VPN helps or hurts a given call:
- Route distance. A server far from both you and Zoom’s data centers lengthens the path your media travels.
- Congestion and server load. A busy VPN server can add queuing delay even when its headline speed is high.
- Consistency. Stable latency and low jitter usually matter more to video calls than a peak throughput number.
For organizations, Zoom’s VPN split-tunneling guidance states that failing to split-tunnel real-time media can place significant additional load on corporate internet connections and VPN concentrators.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
The five VPNs and how they were selected
The list combines two different selection bases, and they should not be merged into a single ranking.
- Four providers from TechRadar’s overall VPN review, dated September 24, 2026. That review ranks general VPN quality across price, privacy, usability, and performance. It does not test Zoom.
- One provider from TechRadar’s speed test, last updated August 6, 2026. That test measures protocol throughput in TechRadar’s own environment. It is a speed ranking, not a Zoom ranking.
| VPN | Where it appears | Ranking or emphasis stated by the source | Reported figures and conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | TechRadar overall review, September 24, 2026 | Ranked first overall | Not stated in the overall review |
| Surfshark | TechRadar overall review, September 24, 2026 | Ranked second; described as a low-cost choice | Not stated in the overall review |
| Proton VPN | TechRadar overall review (ranked third) and TechRadar speed test, August 6, 2026 | Ranked third overall; described as privacy-oriented | Above 1,500 Mbps on a US–UK connection over WireGuard, per the speed test |
| ExpressVPN | TechRadar overall review, September 24, 2026 | Ranked fourth; emphasis on usability | Not stated in the overall review |
| PrivadoVPN | TechRadar speed test, August 6, 2026 | Fastest overall in that round | 2,334 Mbps over local WireGuard testing, per the speed test; not a Zoom measurement |
Prices, renewal terms, and promotional offers are left out deliberately. They change frequently and vary by region and plan length, so check each provider’s pricing page before subscribing.
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
What the speed figures do and do not tell you
The speed test figures above are lab results under the test conditions TechRadar disclosed. They show what a protocol can push through a tunnel in that setup. They do not show what a Zoom call will experience, because no call was run. Two other figures from the same test illustrate the limits of the numbers:
Recommended Free Tools
- Windscribe Free measured 1,594 Mbps over WireGuard, but the free tier carries a 10 GB monthly data allowance, per TechRadar.
- Proton VPN’s above-1,500 Mbps result applies to a US–UK route. A nearby server for a European caller or a US caller on a different route would produce a different result.
Use these numbers to compare protocol headroom only. Judge a VPN for Zoom by whether the nearby server stays stable during your own calls.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Privacy: what a VPN covers and what Zoom encryption covers
A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN endpoint, which hides that traffic from your local network and internet provider. It does not change how Zoom encrypts meeting content.
Zoom’s optional end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a separate setting for meetings. Zoom’s support article on E2EE describes it as an additional layer with its own requirements and limitations. Enabling it disables features including cloud recording, Zoom AI features, live transcription, and certain collaboration features. A VPN does not turn E2EE on and does not replace any of Zoom’s meeting controls.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
In practice, the two address different questions. The VPN decides who on the network path can see that you are connecting to Zoom. E2EE decides who can access the meeting’s encryption keys.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
How to decide whether to use a VPN with Zoom
- Check whether a work VPN is involved. If your employer requires a VPN, follow its policy. If Zoom media is routed through the corporate tunnel, ask your IT team whether split tunneling is configured.
- Apply Zoom’s split-tunnel rules if you administer the network. Zoom’s technical library states: “To optimize the traffic flow when VPN services are used, Zoom recommends enabling Split Tunneling with the following rules.” The published rules include UDP 8801–8810 and TCP 443, plus Zoom-specific destinations. Zoom Phone and Contact Center also use UDP and TCP 5060 and 5061. Confirm the current list in Zoom’s firewall documentation before changing any configuration, because the exact rules depend on the service and network design.
- For a personal VPN, choose for privacy and reliability. Pick a provider whose privacy posture matches your needs, and select a server near you rather than the fastest-looking option far away.
- Test one call with and without the VPN. If audio or video freezes, drops, or lags after you connect, switch to a nearer server or disconnect. If the problem persists with the VPN off, the cause is likely elsewhere on your network.
Evidence limits
- No comparative testing of Zoom calls across these five VPNs is available. Any statement that one provider gives better Zoom quality would go beyond the evidence.
- No measured effect of consumer VPNs on Zoom latency, jitter, dropped calls, or audio and video quality is established by the sources used here. The speed figures come from general VPN tests.
- Ranking positions reflect TechRadar’s review dates. Products and plan features change, so verify current availability, protocols, and audit status on each provider’s site before choosing one.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
