Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
A VPN can slow your internet because it sends your traffic through an additional server, adding distance, network hops and sometimes congestion. To find the cause, compare your connection with the VPN off and on. If the slowdown appears mainly with the VPN, try a nearer or less-busy server and another supported protocol. If both connections are slow, check Wi-Fi, your device, household traffic and your ISP before blaming the VPN.
Why a VPN can make your internet slow
A VPN routes your traffic through a VPN server before it reaches its destination. That extra leg can add latency—the delay before data arrives—and reduce throughput. How much you notice depends on the route, server capacity, network conditions, device and protocol. There is no single percentage that describes every VPN connection.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The server may add distance and delay
A faraway VPN endpoint can send your traffic on a detour, even when the website or service you are visiting is nearby. Cloudflare describes this as the “trombone effect”: traffic travels to a distant VPN server before heading toward its final destination. The extra distance and hops can increase latency, which is especially noticeable in activities that respond to frequent back-and-forth requests. Cloudflare’s explanation of how VPNs affect internet speed covers this routing effect.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The VPN server or its network may be busy
A VPN server and its network links have finite capacity. If an endpoint is handling heavy traffic or has limited capacity, it can become a bottleneck. Trying another server may help; if your VPN app displays server load, use it as one clue, not a guarantee. A geographically close server is a sensible starting point, but congestion and the route between networks can make another endpoint perform better.
#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
Encryption and your device can contribute
Encrypting traffic takes processing. Its effect varies with the device, VPN server and protocol, so encryption is not automatically the main reason for a slowdown. An older or busy device, or other applications using substantial bandwidth, can also affect what you experience.
Your internet connection is still the foundation
A VPN uses your existing internet connection; it cannot remove a limitation in your home connection or ISP service. Wi-Fi signal problems, household traffic and upstream congestion can affect both VPN and non-VPN use. In some cases, a VPN can improve a particular route or make traffic to a specific service harder for the ISP to identify, potentially avoiding service-specific throttling. That is conditional, not a general fix for slow internet or proof that your ISP is throttling you.
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.
How to tell whether the VPN is the problem
Compare VPN-off and VPN-on performance under similar conditions. Use the same speed-test service and, if possible, the same test endpoint; pause unrelated downloads and streaming during the comparison. Repeat at a similar time if the result is inconsistent, because network conditions can change. This is a practical comparison, not a controlled laboratory test. Proton VPN’s speed troubleshooting guidance also recommends comparing without the VPN and then with a nearby VPN server.
| What you observe | What it suggests | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Slow with the VPN on and off | The issue may be the underlying connection, Wi-Fi, device, router or other traffic—not just the VPN. | Compare Wi-Fi with Ethernet, reduce other network use, or test another network if practical. |
| Much slower mainly with the VPN on | The VPN route, endpoint capacity or protocol may be contributing. | Try another nearby server, check any displayed load information, then compare a different supported protocol. |
| Only one app or website is slow | The issue may involve that destination’s route or service, or the app itself. | Compare another destination and check whether the app or service behaves differently without the VPN. There is no universal fix established for every individual site. |
Change one factor at a time—first server, then protocol, then local connection—so you can tell which change affects the result.
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.
How to fix a slow VPN connection
1. Choose another VPN server
Start with a server nearer your location and destination, then compare another endpoint if it remains slow. If the app reports load, try a less-loaded server. Proximity is only a starting point: current congestion and network routing also matter.
2. Try another supported protocol
VPN protocols can behave differently across devices and network conditions. If your app offers a protocol choice, compare an alternative while keeping other conditions similar. Proton VPN’s guidance describes WireGuard and OpenVPN and says UDP is faster than TCP in its implementation; treat that as provider guidance, not a universal ranking for every VPN, device or network. A protocol that connects reliably on a restrictive network may not be the fastest one there. See Proton VPN’s speed guidance and its common connection-problem guidance for its own service. Menu names and available choices vary by VPN app, so consult your provider’s current instructions.
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.
3. Check Wi-Fi and other traffic
Move closer to the Wi-Fi access point or compare with a wired Ethernet connection. Distance, walls and interference can affect wireless performance whether or not the VPN is connected. Pause large downloads, cloud backups or streams on your device and other devices sharing the connection, then repeat the comparison. Proton VPN’s connection troubleshooting guide also suggests checking the underlying connection, Wi-Fi position and Ethernet.
4. Check the device and VPN app
Close applications transferring large amounts of data and make sure the VPN app is up to date. Firewall or antivirus software can sometimes interfere with a connection. If you investigate that possibility, use a brief, controlled check and restore protection afterward; where appropriate, follow the security vendor’s instructions for a narrow exception rather than leaving protection disabled. Proton VPN lists firewall and antivirus interference among possible connection problems in its troubleshooting guidance.
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.
5. Compare with another network if needed
If both VPN-on and VPN-off performance are poor, testing on another connection—such as a mobile hotspot, where practical—can help distinguish a home-network or ISP issue from a device issue. A different network has different conditions, so treat this as a clue rather than a definitive diagnosis. Contact your ISP if the slowdown also affects ordinary, VPN-off use and persists after checking local Wi-Fi and household traffic.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When switching VPN services is worth considering
Consider comparing services only if repeated tests point to a provider’s server capacity or routing as the persistent bottleneck. Useful comparison criteria are nearby server choices, clear server-load information and alternative supported protocols. Results still depend on your location, destination and network at the time; these checks do not establish a universally fastest VPN or rank providers.
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.
