You don’t need to settle for slow VPNs in 2024.
There are plenty to choose from, but we’ve found the seven best through extensive testing that goes beyond any other VPN review site.
Say goodbye to buffering and lagging. Enjoy seamless browsing, streaming, and downloading. And don’t worry about your online privacy and security – these VPNs deliver lightning-fast connections without compromising their encryption.
If you’re in a rush, here are the fastest VPNs in 2024:
- NordVPN - The fastest VPN in the world, with a massive global network of speed-optimized, secure servers.
- Surfshark - The best budget VPN. You get unlimited simultaneous device connections, advanced privacy, and much more.
- ExpressVPN - Its exclusive Lightway protocol delivers fast connections across 3,000+ servers in 90+ countries.
- CyberGhost VPN - Beginner and budget-friendly, with simple apps, fast connections, and airtight security.
- IPVanish - Easy to use, fast, secure, and offers unlimited device connections on a single subscription.
TRY NORDVPN FOR 30 DAYS FREE
NordVPN offers a comprehensive risk-free 30-day trial when you register on this page. Experience the top-rated VPN for privacy without any limits for an entire month—perfect for testing out the fastest VPNs
No hidden clauses—simply reach out to support within 30 days if you feel NordVPN isn't the right fit and receive a complete refund. Begin your NordVPN trial journey here.
We tested every VPN to ensure it delivers:
- Fast connection speeds even when connecting to far-off servers
- Airtight security
- A strict privacy policy
- Large network of servers worldwide
- Multiple simultaneous device connections
- Easy-to-use apps on every device
- Affordable pricing
Fastest VPNs in 2024 – deep dive
Now you know the basics, let’s look at the fastest VPNs and what makes each one stand out.
If you’re not convinced after reading the following mini-reviews, check out our complete VPN reviews for a deeper dive into each one.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN in the world. It delivers lightning-fast connections and industry-best security, with simple apps and affordable subscriptions. NordVPN offers the fastest speeds on this list, industry-best security, and total privacy. We love it for streaming, because, on top of everything else, it works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and every other top site. Its exclusive NordLynx VPN protocol provides robust, superfast connections with speeds averaging 55 Mbps, according to our latest tests. It also has SmartDNS, which allows you to stream on devices that don’t support VPNs, like game consoles and some smart TVs. You also get 256-bit AES encryption (the same standard used by banks, governments, militaries, and intelligence agencies), DNS/IPv6 leak protection, automated kill-switches that shut your internet if your VPN connection is disrupted, and much more. Each security tool adds an extra layer of protection, keeping your data and location hidden, without slowing your internet connection. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. Surfshark is the best budget VPN, with unlimited simultaneous device connections, airtight security, and excellent privacy tools to keep you hidden online. Surfshark is an absolute bargain for a few reasons. First, it's fast. You’ll enjoy steady, reliable connections from anywhere in the world. Aside from our standard speed tests, our globally distributed team tested streaming on Surfshark from various locations. We all enjoyed 4K HD without any buffering or lag. Second, it's packed with extra privacy tools, including a built-in ad blocker, malware detection, IP address rotator, and stealth mode (hides your VPN by obfuscating your server). Combined, these tools reduce your exposure to tracking, viruses, and online snooping. Finally, you can connect Surfshark to unlimited devices on a single plan. You can try Surfshark using its 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN has earned its reputation as one of the fastest VPNs on the market. It delivers incredible connections anywhere in the world, thanks to servers in 90+ countries. ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs due to its vast global network. This network is intelligently designed to reduce downtime and provide the quickest and most efficient routes for your data, resulting in unparalleled speeds on every continent. The provider uses an innovative tech called Lightway protocol to boost its speeds even more. Lightway is like a turbocharger for your internet connection, using smart encryption and lightweight code to keep things flowing swiftly and ensure your connection remains steady without risking your security. ExpressVPN is committed to your privacy, too. It uses RAM-only servers that are wiped clean after each session, so your data is never stored anywhere. It uses military-grade encryption and automatic kill-switches to keep your online activities private. And it's based in the British Virgin Islands – one of the most notoriously private places on Earth. So, if you're tired of waiting for videos to buffer or pages to load, hop on ExpressVPN with its 30-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN that offers fast connections for streaming, torrenting, and other online activities. CyberGhost offers an affordable and reliable VPN solution with a vast network of 9,500+ servers spanning over 90 countries. Using cutting-edge VPN technologies, including three best-in-class protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2) it ensures fast, stable, and secure connections, capable of streaming in HD anywhere in the world. Our most recent tests delivered average speeds of 6 Mbps. While its performance in VPN-restricted countries like China or the UAE may be disappointing, CyberGhost remains an excellent choice for speedy connections elsewhere. The user-friendly interface makes it ideal for beginners, and you can conveniently install it on up to seven devices with preconfigured settings from the initial setup, making it perfect for family sharing. With a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, you can confidently put CyberGhost to the test and see for yourself. IPVanish delivers reliable connections from 2,000+ global servers, whether you’re in Argentina or Australia. Aside from our usual speed tests, we also checked IPVanish’s security and privacy features on five different devices (Windows PC, iPhone, Android, etc.). On every device, it passed our tests with flying colors. The military-grade encryption, leak protections, and kill-switches all performed perfectly, and the whole team felt totally secure while the VPN was turned on. We tested against the most popular steaming streaming sites. While it worked with most, including Netflix, IPVanish struggled to access Amazon Prime Video and other popular sites. Keep this in mind if you plan on streaming a lot. However, PrivateVPN is one of the best VPNs for torrenting and Kodi home theater – in case that’s more important to you. IPVanish is based in the U.S.A. While we trust its no-logs policy and other privacy guarantees, there are plenty of better VPNs on this list in much more privacy-friendly locations. Try IPVanish using its 30-day money-back guarantee to see if it suits you. PrivateVPN is a reliable low-cost VPN that offers surprisingly fast connections from a small server network. While PrivateVPN’s network of 200 servers is much smaller than most top VPNs, we tested them thoroughly and were impressed with the results. We could access content on every major streaming site, including Netflix, and our connections were fast enough to stream in HD without buffering. PrivateVPN also delivers excellent security, including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill-switch – all of which we’ve tested many times. You can keep the default settings when you install the VPN on your devices or customize them to your specific needs. So PrivateVPN is a great option for beginners and more advanced users alike. It’s also exceptional value. You can install PrivateVPN on up to 10 simultaneous devices, including smart TVs, some routers, and game consoles. Every new PrivateVPN plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Atlas VPN is a newer and smaller VPN, but it's already delivering high-speed connections and advanced security features. Atlas is one of the smaller VPNs on this list – it has just over 750 servers in 30+ countries. However, it's growing fast, with millions of happy users enjoying fast, secure connections. Throughout our daily tests, Atlas VPN delivers consistently, fast enough for HD streaming and secure enough for P2P and other activities. We really like how much value Atlas VPN packs into its subscription. As well as unlimited device connections, you get access to several crucial cybersecurity tools most VPNs skip: malware protection, a built-in ad blocker, anti-tracking tools, and much more. Atlas VPN also offers one of the best free VPN plans, but you’ll still be restricted in your bandwidth, servers, and access to content. So, we suggest sticking to the low-cost paid plan, which includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. 1. NordVPN
Pricing
Pros
Cons
Available on
Unblocks
Website
Pricing
Pros
Cons
Available on
Unblocks
Website
Pricing
Pros
Cons
Available on
Unblocks
Website
Pricing
Pros
Cons
Available on
Unblocks
Website
Pricing
Pros
Cons
Available on
Unblocks
Website
Pricing
Pros
Cons
Available on
Unblocks
Website
Pricing
Pros
Cons
Available on
Unblocks
Methodology: How we test the fastest VPNs
At ProPrivacy, we speed-test every top VPN regularly using a proprietary server-based method.
We don’t depend on third-party tools or the VPNs’ marketing teams to make our assessments. Instead, we use servers in the US, UK, and Australia that we own to test each VPN in real-time, getting the best possible data on how they perform across the globe.
In the last three years, we’ve used this unique system to check the world's leading VPNs over 250,000 times. We don’t tinker with or filter the results. They’re 100% authentic.
Here’s a quick rundown of the complete speed-test process:
- We connect to each VPN using a 1 Gbps wired internet connection on a desktop device.
- For each VPN, we connect to a US, UK, and Australia server.
- We test each VPN with the WireGuard protocol turned on first (the fastest), followed by OpenVPN and IKEv2.
- If the VPN offers a proprietary protocol – like NordVPN’s NordLynx – we’ll use that.
- We do three daily download and upload speed tests on each server, leading to nine results for each VPN.
- We then average the results of each test.
If you’d like to replicate our process, read the complete ProPrivacy speed-test method to see every step.
However, speed isn’t the only metric we use to assess VPNs. After all, you also want something that will boost your privacy online and get you access to blocked content.
So, we also look at:
- Server network: A VPN with thousands of servers across the globe can deliver lightning-fast connections anywhere – without reducing encryption or security.
- Access to content: We tested every VPN for compatibility with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and many other global streaming sites.
- Security: The best VPNs shield you behind layers of military-grade encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, automatic kill-switches, and much more.
- Privacy: Our favorite VPNs also offer extra tools like built-in ad and tracking blocks, dark web monitoring, stealth modes, and IP address rotators to keep you hidden online.
- Value: We only recommend VPNs with simple, affordable plans and generous money-back guarantees (at least 30 days).
- Easy to use: Anyone should be able to easily turn on a VPN. We don’t recommend any provider that over-complicates their apps.
- Customer support: Look for VPNs that offer 24/7 live chat support with human agents, YouTube support channels, and active user forums if you need help.
Read our complete VPN review process to see the full list of metrics and methods you can use when choosing any VPN.
How to optimize the fastest VPNs for even more speed
To get the fastest VPN speeds possible, follow these steps:
- Connect to the closest server possible: Your connection will be faster than if you connect to a VPN server farther away.
- Use the fastest VPN protocol: WireGuard is the fastest open-source VPN protocol as of 2024. However, top providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN also offer exclusive protocols that might be faster.
- Connect to your router with an ethernet cable: Connecting your PC to your router with a wire usually leads to faster connections than relying on WiFi.
- Buy a VPN router: A VPN router can free up valuable computing power. However, a slow router can also lead to problems – so get a router with enough power to run the VPN.
- Select a different port: A port is the entry point through which your VPN connects to the general internet. Internet service providers (ISPs) sometimes throttle traffic originating from specific ports. Some VPNs let you switch ports in their settings.
- Try your VPN on newer devices: Old devices (especially smartphones and tablets) often can’t handle a fully-optimized VPN connection. Try installing your VPN on numerous devices to see how they compare. You may need to upgrade your device.
- Turn off your antivirus: Antivirus software can conflict with your VPN, impacting its performance and slowing your connection. If speeds are better with the antivirus off, contact your VPN’s customer support for advice.
Are there any fast free VPNs?
Unfortunately, almost no free VPNs can provide fast connections.
Providing access to fast servers is costly and lightweight protocols that don’t slow down your internet connection require huge, ongoing investments by VPN providers.
Premium VPNs pay for these investments by charging a small monthly or annual subscription.
Free VPNs can’t afford to make such investments, making them excruciatingly slow in comparison. Even premium VPNs that provide a free starter plan divert resources away from free users and throttle your connection speeds so you eventually upgrade to their paid plans.
However, slow speeds are only part of the problem with free VPNs – there are much bigger concerns.
As we already stated, because free VPNs don’t charge a subscription, their revenues are limited. So, they often find indirect ways to profit from users. And by "indirect,” we mean shady and dishonest.
Over the years, we’ve seen free VPNs:
- Bombard users with ads and pop-ups for their paid plans or completely random products that pay the VPN for ad space on your browser.
- Selling user data to advertisers, data brokers, and even hacking groups.
- Hosting malware on their networks allows hackers to spy on users and infect their devices (for which they pay a fee to the VPN).
If you’re worried about spending too much money on a VPN, plenty of fast, cheap VPNs deliver honest service and excellent experience for a tiny monthly fee (less than $2.50 in some cases).
Fastest VPN FAQs
Conclusion
You won’t struggle to find a fast VPN in 2024.
In fact, you might experience the opposite problem: there are too many to choose from!
Every VPN in the world claims it's the fastest, most secure, most all-powerful VPN in the market. But they can’t all be the fastest, can they?
So, instead, trust our independent testing method to find the truth. And then, decide which VPN suits you based on the results we’ve presented and the features we’ve reviewed here.
If you’re in a rush, check out NordVPN. Its 30-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of time to test it out and see why we ranked it the #1 fastest VPN in 2024.