VPN Speed: What Affects It (Ping, MTU, Load, Routing)

Why VPNs Affect Speed

Every VPN will have some impact on speed due to:

1. Encryption overhead - Processing time for encrypting/decrypting
2. Extra distance - Traffic routes through VPN server
3. Server load - Shared resources with other users
4. Protocol efficiency - Some protocols are faster than others

Understanding these factors helps you optimize your VPN experience.

Key Speed Factors

1. Server Distance

The Problem: Data must travel farther when routed through a distant server.

Impact:

• Every 1,000 km adds ~5ms latency
• Affects real-time applications most
• More noticeable for interactive use

Solution: Choose servers geographically close to you or your target content.

2. Server Load

The Problem: Overloaded servers have less bandwidth per user.

Impact:

• Slower speeds during peak hours
• Inconsistent performance
• Higher latency

Solution:

• Use servers showing low load
• Try less popular locations
• Connect during off-peak hours

3. VPN Protocol

Speed Comparison:

Protocol	Speed	Why
WireGuard	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Lightweight, efficient crypto
IKEv2	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Native implementation
OpenVPN UDP	⭐⭐⭐	Reliable but heavy
OpenVPN TCP	⭐⭐	More overhead
v2Ray	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Optimized for bypass

Solution: Use WireGuard or IKEv2 when possible.

4. Encryption Level

The Problem: Stronger encryption requires more processing.

Reality: Modern devices handle AES-256 and ChaCha20 easily. Encryption overhead is minimal on recent hardware.

Solution: Use standard encryption—reducing it isn’t worth the security trade-off.

5. Your Base Internet Speed

The Problem: VPN can’t make your connection faster than your base speed.

Impact:

• 100 Mbps connection → max ~90-95 Mbps via VPN
• Slow connections feel VPN impact more

Solution: Test your speed without VPN to establish baseline.

6. ISP Throttling

The Problem: ISPs may throttle VPN traffic or certain services.

Impact:

• Artificially reduced speeds
• Inconsistent performance

Solution:

• Use obfuscated protocols
• Try different ports (443, 80)
• Consider switching ISPs

7. MTU Settings

The Problem: Incorrect MTU causes packet fragmentation.

Impact:

• Slower speeds
• Connection instability
• Failed connections

Optimal MTU for VPN:

• WireGuard: 1420
• OpenVPN: 1400
• Default: Let VPN auto-configure

How to Test VPN Speed

Step-by-Step Testing

1. Test without VPN

   • Run speedtest.net
   • Note download, upload, ping

2. Connect to VPN

   • Choose your usual server
   • Wait for stable connection

3. Test with VPN

   • Run same speedtest
   • Compare results

4. Test different servers

   • Try 3-5 different locations
   • Note which performs best

What’s Acceptable?

Speed Drop	Status
0-10%	Excellent
10-20%	Good
20-30%	Acceptable
30-50%	Needs optimization
50%+	Problem to fix

Optimizing VPN Speed

Quick Fixes

1. Switch to closer server
2. Change protocol to WireGuard
3. Try a different server
4. Restart VPN connection
5. Update VPN app

Advanced Optimization

1. Configure custom MTU
2. Use wired connection
3. Disable unnecessary features
4. Check for background apps
5. Consider split tunneling

When Streaming/Gaming

1. Choose server near content servers
2. Use UDP-based protocols
3. Enable split tunneling for local traffic
4. Test during off-peak hours

BroVPN Speed Optimization

BroVPN is optimized for speed:

• Modern protocols - v2Ray, vLess for efficiency
• Optimized servers - Located strategically
• Smart routing - Minimal latency paths
• No bandwidth limits - Full speed always

Get started with fast VPN:

1. Open @bro_vpn_bot
2. Get your configuration
3. Connect to the fastest server

Legal Note: Use VPN in accordance with local laws and service terms.

See Also

• Speed Up Your VPN: 12 Practical Steps
• Picking the Best Server Location
• VPN for Gaming: Latency and Jitter
• VPN Protocols Compared
• Features