LightSpeed is a free client that routes game traffic through a selected path in an effort to reduce ping. Its model evaluates latency, jitter, packet loss and other network data, then selects a relay or the direct route when that is faster. It includes profiles for 21 games; other UDP-based games can be configured by port. Relays come from a community-hosted, sponsor-funded network, discovered through a signed registry. The client-to-proxy tunnel uses UDP by default and can switch to TCP when a network blocks UDP. Optional Cloudflare WARP integration uses the MASQUE protocol. XOR-based forward error correction can recover one lost packet with 25% bandwidth overhead at the default block size. Downloads are listed for Windows 10/11, macOS 12+ and Linux; macOS versions are command-line clients, while Windows and Linux also have graphical builds. Users can run their own proxy node. Routing applies to game traffic, not all traffic. The site notes that results depend on location and ISP. The tunnel is unencrypted, game servers see the player's real IP, and relay operators could observe or alter traffic in transit.
Who it is for
LightSpeed may suit players on Windows, macOS or Linux who want to route game traffic through a relay or direct path chosen using network conditions. It also supports users who want to configure UDP games manually or operate their own proxy node.
What is good
- Free plan includes 21 built-in game profiles.
- Can choose a relay route or direct path.
- TCP fallback is available when UDP is blocked.
- Windows and Linux list GUI builds.
- Users can run their own proxy node.
What to know first
- Tunnel traffic is unencrypted.
- Game servers see the player's real IP.
- Relay operators could observe or modify traffic.
- Latency improvement depends on location and ISP.
Verdict
LightSpeed offers game-only routing with built-in profiles and configurable UDP titles, but it does not promise lower in-game latency. Its unencrypted tunnel and exposure of the player’s IP are important tradeoffs to weigh.
LightSpeed plans and pricing
All plansCompared on game latency reducers
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, Linux, macOS
- Traffic routing
- game-only
- Server selection
- both
- Supported protocols
- UDP, TCP
