Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Consumer Skype was retired on May 5, 2025, and Microsoft pointed users to Teams Free. A VPN will not automatically improve calls on Teams or Zoom, and for Teams it can make them worse. This guide covers when a VPN helps and when it hurts. It also gives a shortlist of providers worth checking and the features that matter. It doesn’t claim any VPN is proven “best for Teams or Zoom,” because no source we could verify tested that.
What happened to Skype, and where do calls go now?
Microsoft retired consumer Skype on May 5, 2025. Its transition notice says you can sign in to Teams Free with your Skype credentials and transfer contacts and chats. Skype for Business was not part of that consumer retirement. Microsoft also said the 60-minute Skype calling benefit in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family would be removed starting in March 2026.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Teams and Zoom are the two obvious destinations. A VPN is optional for both, and whether it helps depends on why you want one.
Does a VPN hurt Teams calls?
It can. For organizations, Microsoft says: “We recommend that you provide an alternate path for Teams traffic that bypasses the virtual private network (VPN), commonly known as split-tunnel VPN.” This comes from Microsoft’s Teams network guidance for network administrators. Microsoft’s stated reasons are:
#1 Best Overall
- 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
- 【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 Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX's Admin Panel.
- 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
- 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
- VPNs are not designed for real-time media.
- Some VPNs may lack the UDP support Teams requires.
- Extra encryption and inefficient routing add overhead.
- A distant VPN endpoint can add latency and jitter.
That guidance is about corporate networks and Teams. It is not a universal verdict on every consumer VPN or on Zoom. If you use a work-managed device, ask your IT administrator about split tunneling instead of bypassing company controls yourself.
Bandwidth to plan for
Microsoft’s planning figures for Teams, per endpoint, are below. The full table also lists minimum and best-performance values. Real usage varies with layout, resolution and frame rate, and these are not guarantees for VPN connections.
| Scenario | Recommended upload / download |
|---|---|
| One-to-one video call | 1,500 / 1,500 kbit/s |
| Meeting | 2,500 kbit/s up / 4,000 kbit/s down |
These numbers are small by modern standards. A decent VPN should not struggle with them, but a congested or distant server can still introduce latency and jitter.
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.
Does a VPN add security to calls?
Teams encrypts communications by default using TLS and SRTP. Optional end-to-end encryption applies to one-to-one calls only and must be enabled by both people. It protects audio, video and screen sharing, but features such as recording and transcription are unavailable during an E2EE call. A VPN does not replace end-to-end encryption. What it does is hide your traffic from your local network (for example, public Wi-Fi) and mask your IP address from the service. These Teams facts should not be assumed to describe Zoom.
When a VPN is worth using with Teams or Zoom
- Public or untrusted Wi-Fi: a VPN adds a protective layer on the local network.
- Hiding your IP or location from your ISP or network: a VPN does this, though the call service still sees your account.
- Work access: use the company VPN as instructed, ideally with Teams split out by IT.
If you’re on a trusted home connection and just want reliable calls, turning the VPN off or excluding the app is often the simpler choice.
A shortlist to evaluate
We could not verify five VPNs as best for calls, so treat these as providers worth checking rather than a tested ranking.
Rank #3
- 【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
NordVPN
TechRadar’s 2026 general VPN guide names it best overall. NordVPN also publishes its account of a June 2026 Artifact Security test of NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, Proton VPN and Surfshark. It covered speed, leak protection, website accessibility, feature reliability and connection time. NordVPN reports 526.6 Mbps download and 223.3 Mbps upload for itself. That is a provider-reported, general test, not a video-call measurement or a neutral ranking.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSurfshark
Recommended in TechRadar’s general 2026 guide and included in the Artifact Security comparison as described by NordVPN.
Proton VPN
Also recommended by TechRadar and included in the same comparison.
Rank #4
- 【Ultra-Fast 5G & Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7】Powered by Qualcomm Dragonwing MBB Gen 3 (X72), delivers up to 4.67 Gbps 5G download and tri-band Wi-Fi 7 at 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 2882 Mbps (5 GHz) + 5765 Mbps (6 GHz) — supports up to 64 connected devices for lag-free 4K streaming, gaming, and Zoom/Teams meetings.
- 【Built-in eSIM + Dual Nano-SIM with Dual Standby Support】No SIM lock — flexibly switch between the onboard eSIM and two physical nano-SIM slots for convenient carrier access while traveling. Access regional and global eSIM data plans for North America and Europe directly on the device with easy QR-code top-up support, or import your own eSIM for flexible connectivity on the go. Enjoy one-tap carrier connection with seamless SIM and eSIM switching directly from the 2.8" touchscreen (eSIM uses one SIM position when activated). Zero SIM swaps, zero local SIM hunting on international trips.
- 【2.5G Ethernet + 10 Gbps USB-C】Built for pro setups: 2.5 Gbps Ethernet WAN/LAN port for wired backhaul, plus a 10 Gbps USB-C port for tethering, OTG storage and external NAS sync — ideal for content creators offloading 4K/8K footage and remote workers in hotels, Airbnbs, and co-working spaces.
- 【Quad-Path Multi-WAN Failover】Run 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi Repeater, USB Tethering and 5G Cellular at the same time — if any one link drops, traffic auto-routes to the next in seconds. Built for pop-up retail POS, food trucks, trade-show booths and live media that cannot afford a single second of downtime.
- 【13.5h Battery + 30W PD Fast Charging】Up to 13.5 hours of untethered freedom on a single charge from the built-in 5150 mAh battery — 30W PD/PPS USB-C fast charge refills to full in roughly 1.3 hours, so a coffee break is enough to get you back online for the rest of the day.
ExpressVPN
Included in the Artifact Security comparison. Its features page says split tunneling lets you route some apps through the VPN and others through the regular internet. Platform support varies, so confirm it for your device before relying on it.
Mullvad
Included in the same comparison. We found no call-specific data for it either.
How to choose
- Split tunneling or app exclusions: lets Teams or Zoom bypass the VPN while other apps stay protected. Check that it exists on your operating system.
- Speed and stability: pick a nearby server. Distance drives latency and jitter more than headline Mbps.
- UDP support: Teams needs UDP, so use a protocol and setting that carries it.
- Privacy evidence: look for independent audits and a clear no-logs policy.
- Devices: confirm apps for every device you take calls on.
- Total cost: check the full-term price and renewal price, since promotional rates change.
Don’t trust a provider’s speed claim or a streaming test as proof of call quality. The only reliable check is to run a test call with the VPN on and off and compare.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What replaced Skype?
Microsoft directed consumer Skype users to Teams Free, where they can sign in with Skype credentials. Zoom is a common third-party alternative.
Can I use a VPN with Microsoft Teams?
Yes, but Microsoft recommends organizations route Teams traffic outside the VPN with split tunneling. On work devices, ask your IT administrator.
Quick Recap
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.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
