It’s important to understand that the fastest VPN for one user might not be the fastest for everyone — speeds can differ depending on your internet connection, the time of day, your distance from the server, and more. That’s why I tested more than 30 VPNs to find the services that will have the smallest impact on your connections. After rigorous daily testing, the fastest VPN in 2025 is ExpressVPN. Regardless of the time of day, server distance, or device used, ExpressVPN provides fast connections that don’t impact gaming, torrenting, or streaming. Plus, ExpressVPN is backed by a money-back guarantee — if it’s not fast enough for you, you can get a full refund. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion. Get fast speeds with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: The Fastest VPNs in 2025
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
The Fastest VPNs for Streaming, Torrenting & Gaming (Tested 2025)
1. ExpressVPN — Winning Combination of Excellent Speeds and Top-Tier Security
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN in 2025, with excellent speeds across its global network of servers. During tests, both short- and long-distance ExpressVPN servers were impressively fast. Even when connected to Australia (more than 16,000km away), my speeds were steady at 121 Mbps.
These impressive speeds are due in part to ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, designed for fast connections without compromising security. It’s a lightweight protocol that connects almost instantly and reduces the impact on your device. Using Lightway, ExpressVPN’s closest server had a less than 4% drop from my regular speed. During tests, ExpressVPN proved to be a top choice for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Our team of testers had no lag or buffering when streaming in UHD. Torrenting was also fast, with a 40GB file downloading in just 40 minutes, and low ping meant I could play high-intensity online games like Call of Duty: Warzone without interruptions. To protect your connections while keeping speeds fast, ExpressVPN has the following security and privacy features:
Military-grade encryption — keeps your data and online activity away from prying eyes and third parties. Data leak protection — prevents accidental IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks from revealing your data or location. Split tunneling — lets you choose which traffic is encrypted, improving speeds by reducing unnecessary traffic. Audited zero-log privacy policy — confirms ExpressVPN never logs or stores your online activity, with RAM-based servers wiped clean during regular reboots.
The only issue with ExpressVPN is that it’s slightly more expensive than other options — however, I think it’s worth the extra cost for fast speeds and top security. Plus, all offers are backed by a 30*-day money-back guarantee, so it’s simple to get a full refund if you find it’s not the right VPN for you. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Fast Streaming, Downloading, and Gaming
Key Features: CyberGhost’s optimized servers provide a speed boost for resource-intensive activities like streaming, torrenting, and gaming. These servers are tested and updated regularly to ensure you get the fastest connections available — you can download large files and play fast-paced games without lag or interruptions.
During tests, CyberGhost’s optimized servers were significantly faster than its standard servers — by 30% on average. This is important if you live somewhere with slow internet, as optimized connections will minimize loss. I always recommend connecting to an optimized server if you have one nearby. CyberGhost offers both OpenVPN and WireGuard, with WireGuard being the fastest option in tests. It’s a much more lightweight option so it’s faster for your device as well as your connection. Our global team had no issues streaming Netflix US lag-free, P2P file-sharing, or gaming with the WireGuard protocol. Fortunately, CyberGhost’s high-level security features don’t impact speeds. These include:
Malicious ad and tracker blocker — helps web pages load quickly by blocking shady ads and links. Split tunneling — choose which data is routed through the VPN tunnel to reduce traffic and boost speeds. NoSpy servers — based in Romania and owned by CyberGhost, NoSpy servers use high-quality hardware for faster speeds.
The only issue with CyberGhost is its slowdown over long-distance connections. As my existing speeds are fast, even the biggest speed drop in Australia didn’t impact my activities. However, if your regular speeds are slow (25Mbps or less), you will notice a more significant impact — I recommend sticking to local servers to avoid lag. CyberGhost is an affordable option, so it’s worth testing its optimized servers for yourself. If you’re not completely satisfied, you can get a full refund within 45 days. I found the process easy, as the 24/7 live chat agent started my refund immediately. I had my money back within a week. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
3. Private Internet Access — Huge Server Network Keeps Speeds Reliably Fast
Key Features: Private Internet Access (PIA) has a massive server network that maintains fast speeds for your online activities. It has over 35,000 servers in 91 locations which is ideal for 2 reasons: first, you’re very likely to find a server close to your physical location; second, it’s less likely that you’ll experience congestion.
While OpenVPN is PIA’s default protocol, I found WireGuard was the faster option, boosting my speeds by at least 10Mbps on every connection. If your speeds are slow, PIA provides customizable encryption that can give you a boost. Switch from AES-256 to AES-128 encryption with OpenVPN — lower encryption results in faster speeds. To further improve speeds while protecting your data and devices, PIA has the following features:
MACE ad and malware blocker — protects against malicious downloads and improves site loading times by stopping annoying ads. Split tunneling — stops unnecessary data from passing through the VPN connection to keep speeds fast. Port forwarding — allows faster, direct connections for seeders to boost torrenting speeds.
Like many VPNs, PIA’s speeds drop when connecting to distant servers. However, even when I connected to a server in Australia I could stream and torrent — though I did experience buffering due to high ping. Unfortunately, I couldn’t game on distant servers as the latency produced too much lag and my game froze repeatedly. As a low-cost option, PIA is a fast and affordable choice if you’re on a budget and it’s also one of the top month-to-month VPNs available. If you change your mind, you have up to 30 days to claim a refund. I did over 24/7 live chat, and had my money back in a week. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
4. NordVPN — Proprietary NordLynx Protocol Provides Fast, Secure Connections
Key Features: NordVPN’s NordLynx is designed for speed and security, using modern cryptographic techniques and keeping resource use low to enhance performance. This makes it an ideal choice for prioritizing both security and speed in your online activities. Even long-distance connections only had a minor slowdown during tests, for reliable speeds worldwide.
With a robust server network, NordVPN can minimize overcrowding and maintain high-speed connections. More than 7,287 servers worldwide means you can consistently find a nearby server with optimal performance for any of your chosen online activities. Thanks to its stable, low-ping connections, NordVPN is a good choice for streaming and gaming. During tests, our team found it reliably works with major streaming platforms and it provides a smooth gaming experience, without lag or interruptions. You’ll also find NordVPN has specialized P2P servers that optimize torrent performance, making it quick and easy to download large files. Additionally, its Threat Protection feature not only secures your downloads, it also blocks ads and trackers to improve webpage loading times. The downside is the NordLynx protocol isn’t available on all devices — you can’t use it on smart TVs, routers, or the browser extensions. This can cause limitations if you want to secure your home network, as you may notice the impact of its slower protocols.
5. Surfshark — Built-In Speed Test Helps Find the Fastest Connection
Key Features: Surfshark makes finding the fastest server easy with its built-in speed tester, letting you gauge server performance quickly. This tool helps you select a server with the best speed and stability for your online activities, ensuring you’re always connected to a high-speed network. I was impressed by Surfshark’s Nexus network that is designed to optimize your connection by routing traffic through the most efficient paths. This enhances your speed and stability, even during peak usage times. Combined with the WireGuard protocol (known for its lightweight structure), you’ll get reliably fast speeds that don’t compromise security.
Surfshark works well with streaming platforms and is decent for gaming, though distant servers may suffer from high ping. For the best online gameplay, I recommend using a server near to your physical location to minimize any spikes in ping. Surfshark also has optimized P2P servers for smooth torrenting. To further boost speed and security, Surfshark’s CleanWeb blocks ads and malware to improve website loading times. For a small extra fee, you can get a dedicated IP address — this is exclusively for your use, so you won’t experience slowdown caused by other users. One minor drawback is that Surfshark’s initial connection times can take more than 30 seconds to establish. This can be frustrating when other premium VPNs connect almost instantly. However, subsequent connections and server changes are faster, and performance is consistent and reliable.
VPN Speed Comparison Table: The Fastest VPNs in 2025
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
How I Tested and Ranked VPNs for Fast Speeds
Here is the testing methodology I used when I evaluated the best VPNs on the market:
Speed tests — I ran my initial test on Speedtest.net to find my base internet speed without a VPN. On average, my standard ISP connection is 138.2 Mbps. I then used the same speed test tool for each VPN. Device — All tests were run on a Windows 11 PC and an iPhone XS. VPN protocol — I let the VPNs automatically pick the fastest protocol available at the time. This was WireGuard for the majority of the VPNs. Local server — I used a “Smart Connect” or similar feature to let the VPN choose the fastest server available. For me, the closest server was in London, UK for most VPNs. International server — I tested servers in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the US to determine how speeds were affected over different distances. Time of testing — I ran tests at 3 different times of day — 9am, 3pm, and 8pm — to see the impact of high and low traffic times on each VPN’s speed. Connection stability — I maintained VPN connections for hours at a time, checking for speed fluctuations and connection reliability (whether I experienced random disconnects, lag, or interruptions).
Key Points to Remember for VPN Speeds
While speed is a key factor when choosing a VPN, it’s also important to consider other aspects that can impact the overall performance of the VPN and your device.
Peak vs Average Speed
Peak speeds represent the maximum performance of a VPN under optimal conditions. However, these speeds aren’t always sustainable due to network congestion, ISP throttling, and other factors. Average speeds are more reflective of typical daily usage, accounting for various factors like congestion and data travel distance. The following factors can have a significant impact on speed, but there are also ways you can mitigate speed loss:
Server proximity — closer servers typically mean faster speeds. Server load — less crowded servers are faster. Time zone strategy — connecting during off-peak hours in different time zones can improve speed.
Stability vs Speed
The ideal VPN offers a balanced combination of speed and reliability, ensuring that your online activities are uninterrupted and consistently smooth. While fast VPNs are appealing for their quick data transfer rates, a stable VPN provides a consistent connection that doesn’t suffer from frequent drops or significant speed dips. This is vital for online gaming, streaming, and video calls, where interruptions can ruin your experience. It’s normal for VPNs to occasionally have some slowdown, but a fast VPN that regularly has connection issues won’t provide the best service. Positive user reviews and VPN uptime guarantees are good indicators that a VPN offers both fast speeds and good stability.
Security vs Speed
A highly secure VPN keeps your online activities safe from prying eyes, but it can also mean slower speeds. Here are some key considerations when balancing security with speed:
Stronger encryption levels provide better security but also reduce connection speeds. For example, AES-128-bit encryption provides a speed boost for streaming or gaming, while AES-256-bit encryption has better protection when shopping or banking online. Protocol choice matters. OpenVPN UDP is faster (but less stable) than OpenVPN TCP (which prioritizes reliability), WireGuard is designed for speed, and proprietary protocols (like ExpressVPN’s Lightway or NordVPN’s NordLynx) balance robust security while mitigating speed loss. Layered security will slow your connections. Using features like additional obfuscation or multi-hop connections enhances your security, but is detrimental to connection speeds.
3 Easy Steps: How to Test VPN Speed
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
Need a Faster VPN? 9 Tips to Increase a VPN’s Speed
If you’re using a fast VPN and are having issues with slow speeds, here are a few things you can try:
Choose a VPN with a large server network — more servers means less user congestion at peak traffic times and faster speeds for your connection. Connect to a nearby server — using a physically close server means your data has a shorter distance to travel, so you’ll get a response much faster. Change to a faster VPN protocol — WireGuard, OpenVPN TCP, Lightway, and NordLynx are all highly secure protocols with excellent speeds. Set up split tunneling — boost your speed by only routing certain apps through the VPN, with the rest of your traffic using your regular ISP connection — less traffic passes much more quickly. Use an ethernet cable — wireless connections (WiFi) aren’t 100% direct and are a little slower than a wired connection, so using an ethernet cable creates a direct line and faster data transfer. Adjust your encryption level — some VPNs let you adjust encryption to AES-128-bit, which is a little less secure but provides a speed boost for non-sensitive activities (like streaming). Use a dedicated IP — an IP exclusively for you won’t be sharing bandwidth with other users, so you won’t face slowdown caused by congestion and others’ high-bandwidth activity. Restart your devices — restarting your router, PC, or mobile device is a quick and easy way to resolve any issues that may be impacting your speed.
Get Fast Speeds and Top Security With a VPN in 2025
Using a VPN will impact your speed, but the best VPNs are designed to mitigate speed loss so you don’t even notice it. All of the VPNs on this list provide fast connections and high-level security so you can stream, torrent, game, browse, and more without lag or interruptions. During tests, ExpressVPN had the most consistently fast speeds across all devices, with a minimal drop even using long-distance server connections. If your VPN doesn’t have a proprietary protocol or WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP) is a fast and secure choice, or you can try IKEv2 on mobile devices. I recommend you avoid PPTP and L2TP, as these protocols have good speeds but aren’t ideal for data security. Many online games display your ping on your in-game dashboard, so you can check it before and after connecting to your VPN to see the impact. You can also check your ping manually: Here are a few tips for boosting torrent speeds with a VPN:
Disable your NAT firewall — NAT firewalls can prevent or slow down incoming connections from seeders, causing slow download speeds. Some VPNs have the option to disable the NAT firewall in their settings. Try using a SOCKS5 proxy — if your VPN has a SOCKS5 proxy, this can help improve torrenting speeds. However, it’s not usually an encrypted connection, so only use this if you’re not worried about anonymity or privacy. Allow port forwarding — a VPN like PIA allows port forwarding, which lets you connect to more seeders to download torrents faster. However, most VPNs don’t offer this, as opening up your device to external connections is a security risk — so use with caution.
I especially like that ExpressVPN works on devices without VPN support. Its MediaStreamer feature is a proxy DNS server that is quick to set up on PlayStation, Xbox, LG smart TVs, and more. MediaStreamer is available for users in the US and UK. Sometimes, a VPN can actually improve speeds. For example, some ISPs restrict connection speed when streaming or torrenting activity is detected. Connecting to a VPN stops your ISP from seeing your online activity, so it can no longer throttle your connection — resulting in faster speeds. Typically, free VPNs have overcrowded servers that limit speeds, and some even cap connection speeds to encourage you to upgrade. To avoid dealing with the hassle, I recommend using a premium option. This way, you won’t have to struggle with slow speeds, limited servers, and you’ll get the best security and privacy features for your connections. After rigorous testing, the fastest VPN in 2025 is ExpressVPN. It has consistently fast connections across its server network, thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol. To make sure it’s fast enough for your needs, I recommend you test ExpressVPN yourself. If you’re not satisfied, you can easily get a refund with its 30*-day money-back guarantee. *Please note that ExpressVPN’s generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.
Summary — The Fastest VPNs in 2025
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
