Fastest VPN in 2026: 800+ Mbps speeds in independent tests

Our revolutionary VPN protocol NordLynx, based on WireGuard®, proves to be the fastest VPN protocol across tests again and again — up to 57% faster compared to OpenVPN.

10 Gbps VPN servers allow us to handle peak demand without slowdowns. NordVPN's also uses colocated (owned) servers in key locations, giving us much more control over hardware upgrades and performance optimization.

Thousands of strategically-placed VPN servers ensure you've always got at least one close to your location, while smart load balancing prevents congestion. Our AI-powered algorithm finds the best VPN server for you automatically — you just need to click the “Secure my connection” button.

NordVPN has no VPN bandwidth or speed limits, while also preventing your ISP from throttling your connection based on activity. Whether you play, stream, or browse, you can enjoy the best possible speeds without worrying about intentional limits and slowdowns.

Everything plays a part in your connection speed, even your app. NordVPN's apps are designed to be efficient, consume fewer system resources, resulting in a smoother VPN performance.

The bottom line is that your maximum connection speed is determined by your internet plan. But your ISP may be bandwidth throttling, or slowing down your connection because of your activity. In that case, a VPN can secure your activity from your ISP and allow you to browse at faster speeds.

Physical distance between your device and the VPN server significantly affects latency. The closer you are to the VPN server, the faster your connection is likely to be. It may also reduce ping, improving your streaming and online gaming experience.

During peak hours, a VPN server can become overloaded, creating a bottleneck. A high server load leads to increased latency and slower data transfer rates, reducing the internet speed for everyone connected. NordVPN's “Secure my connection” feature automatically selects servers with optimal load.

Encryption is a process that inevitably impacts the connection speed, often reducing it by 5% to 15%. That is why the best VPN services do everything to minimize this impact. For example, NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol has proven to have one of the smallest speed reductions.

Firewalls and antivirus software use CPU resources to inspect all data that comes and goes from your device, including the encrypted traffic by the VPN. The additional processing can slow down your VPN connection. Antivirus software may also clash with the VPN app, causing further delays.

The overall quality of your VPN provider and their apps play a significant role in connection speed. Premium providers invest heavily in their network infrastructure, have teams optimizing app performance on different platforms, and perform speed tests to detect any issues first. Lower-quality or free VPN services often have limited resources, which may result in intentional speed limits as well as overloaded servers, poor infrastructure, and unstable connections.