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One of the fastest VPN providers on the market
Blazing speeds and unlimited VPN bandwidth.
Fast browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Thousands of servers to fit your needs.
Is NordVPN the fastest VPN on the planet?
NordVPN is among the fastest VPN providers currently on the market. We popularized the use of WireGuard®-based VPN protocols, taking the agile and lightweight WireGuard protocol and combining it with our own double NAT solution. That’s how NordLynx was created — a VPN protocol that’s both incredibly fast and secure.
Nordlynx, combined with our 7200+ VPN server network, allows NordVPN to deliver amazing connection speeds to our users:
| Country | Download average* |
|---|---|
| USA | 2964 Mb/s |
| UK | 2760 Mb/s |
| Japan | 2820 Mb/s |
*Average download speeds are based on NordVPN’s internal tests, averaging data from August to October, connecting from the USA to our USA, UK, and Japan servers
What makes NordVPN one of the fastest VPN services in the world?
Independent tests have proved that NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. Here’s how we’re able to offer you the best speeds:
A global network of servers
Our regularly updated network of servers ensures you get the fastest connection anywhere in the world. NordVPN has 7200+ servers covering 118 countries — just choose the server location, and we will find the best VPN server for you.
NordLynx for top VPN speeds
Our revolutionary VPN protocol NordLynx, based on WireGuard®, lets you experience the internet the way it was meant to — free from restrictions and as fast as it can be.
SmartPlay technology
The SmartPlay feature combines the smart DNS functionality with VPN security. It allows you to use streaming services with more privacy and security without compromising on speed.
Lightweight applications
NordVPN's apps are designed to be lightweight and efficient on all major platforms. They consume fewer system resources, reduce latency, and contribute to a faster and more responsive VPN performance.
Optimized servers and load balancing
NordVPN invests in software architecture, uses high-quality hardware, and employs smart load-balancing algorithms. This ensures that users' traffic is evenly and efficiently distributed across our VPN servers, preventing any single server from overloading.
No limits on VPN bandwidth
NordVPN has no VPN bandwidth or speed limits and will never artificially throttle your connection. So you can enjoy the best possible speeds without worrying about how much data you use.
How are VPN speeds tested?
VPN speed testing is one of the most important parts of a thorough VPN service review.
Establishing a baseline connection speed
Before connecting to a VPN, testers measure their internet connection's speed to determine the maximum potential of the connection.
Selecting the testing parameters
Testers define the devices, platforms, server locations, and VPN protocols they will use for the test. The time of day is also important and often noted.
Connecting to the VPN
Testers close all non-essential applications to prevent interference and connect to a VPN server.
Conducting the tests
Testers measure download and upload speeds and ping (latency). Real-world usage is also tested by streaming, gaming, and downloading large files.
Repeating the tests
Testers repeat different configurations multiple times to obtain an average. This way, the impact of their network's congestion on the results is reduced as much as possible.
Recording and analyzing the results
Testers log the speed and ping time for every configuration they tested. They compare the results between different configurations and against the baseline.
Get the fastest VPN in three easy steps
Download NordVPN and enjoy one of the fastest VPN connections on the market.
01
Get NordVPN
Choose your plan and create an account.
03
Connect to a VPN
Choose a VPN server and connect.
What can impact your VPN connection speed?
No one likes poor connection speeds and unexpected interruptions while streaming, gaming, or browsing. However, many factors can slow down your VPN connection.
Connection speed offered by your ISP
Your VPN connection will never exceed the maximum speed your ISP provides. If your baseline internet speed is slow, using a VPN will never improve it — it could only reduce it further through the encryption process.
Quality of encryption
High-quality encryption like AES-256 ensures robust security but may negatively impact your connection speed — it requires more time and computational power than lighter encryption methods.
Distance to the VPN server
The physical distance between your device and the VPN server significantly affects latency. Connecting to a server that's far away is likely to slow you down more than connecting to a VPN server closer to your location.
VPN server load
A VPN server overloaded with users can become a bottleneck. High server load leads to increased latency and slower data transfer rates, reducing the internet speed for everyone connected.
Firewalls and antivirus software
Firewalls and antivirus software inspect all data that comes and goes from your device. The additional processing can not only slow down your VPN connection — these apps may also clash with the VPN software, causing further delays.
VPN provider quality
The overall quality of your VPN provider plays a significant role in connection speed. Premium providers heavily invest in their network infrastructure. Lower-quality or free VPN services often have limited resources, which may result in overloaded servers, poor infrastructure, and unstable connections.
How to ensure the fastest VPN connection
Server location matters. The more servers your VPN provider offers, the better speeds you’re likely to experience. Plus, a variety of server locations around the globe will ensure you find a server nearby, wherever you are.
We’ve prepared a few presets, enabling you to adjust your VPN connection for downloads, speed, or browsing. Use them to automatically configure the app for the best server and protocol. You can also create your own presets tailored to your specific needs. For now, presets are only available on macOS.
It’s only natural that when too many users connect to the same server, the connection speed drops. No worries here! Just hit the “Quick Connect” button in the NordVPN app, and you will be automatically connected to the best server available.
Some apps consume a lot of bandwidth and processing power. To ensure the best connection speeds, shut down applications running in the background — this also includes browser tabs you’re not actively using.
When speed is a priority, avoid VPN protocols that will slow you down. Protocols like OpenVPN TCP are very safe, but they are likely to be slower. Set your VPN app to use a protocol that’s optimized for speed, like NordVPN’s NordLynx.
The fastest connections on all your devices
Download one of the fastest VPN apps on a wide range of devices.
NordVPN: Speed or security?
Don’t want to sacrifice performance for better security? Get NordVPN! It gives you both a fast VPN connection and more safety online.
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