How to test my VPN speed?

See how fast your internet really is

Run a speed test without your VPN.

Testing internet speed without a VPN helps you get a baseline to compare against your speed with a VPN

See how the VPN affects your speed

Turn on your VPN and run another speed test.

Testing internet speed with a VPN involves turning on your VPN and running a speed test again after checking your regular internet speed.

VPNs can slow things down, so this test shows the difference.

Important to remember

When doing tests please, Close programs and applications that require a lot of bandwidth (streaming sites, YouTube, torrents, etc.)

When testing with and without vpn, be sure to select the same destination server in the speed test at the top of this page.

VPN Slow?

Try These Quick Fixes

Change VPN Server

A closer server might be faster.

Switch Protocol

Different connection settings can affect speed.

Wired Connection

Wi-Fi can be unreliable, try an ethernet cable.

Restart Devices

Sometimes a simple restart can clear things up.

how to read VPN speed test results ?

VPN speed test measures your internet speed through three key metrics : download speed, upload speed, and latency (ping)

Download Speed

Indicates how quickly data from the internet reaches you, measured in Mbps (megabits per second). Higher download speeds mean faster streaming, downloading, and browsing.

Upload Speed

Measures how fast you send data to the internet, also in Mbps. High upload speed is important for activities like video calls and live streaming.

Ping

Shows the time it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower ping means faster response times and better performance, especially in online gaming and real-time applications.

* Tip : Use a paid VPN for better speed and security, as free VPNs often lack these qualities.

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Why Your VPN Might Be Slow (and How to Fix It)

Your VPN speed can be influenced by several factors. Here are the key ones

Slow Internet

This is the biggest culprit! Test your internet speed without a VPN first.

Faraway Server

Connecting to a server in another country adds travel time for your data. Choose a closer server for better speeds.

Crowded Server

Too many users on one server can slow things down. Try a different server location.

Encryption

Encryption adds a bit of overhead, but a good VPN shouldn't slow you down much.

VPN Protocol

Some protocols are faster than others. Try switching protocols if your VPN allows it.

Time of Day

Peak internet usage times can also affect VPN speed.

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How to Boost Your VPN Speed?

Even with a good VPN, your internet might slow down a bit. Here's what you can try to fix it

  • Disconnect and Reconnect

    Sometimes, switching to a different server can help. VPN providers often have multiple servers in popular locations.

  • Change Security Protocols

    Different protocols can affect speed. For instance, switching between Targon and Neon might improve your connection.

  • Pick a New Location

    If the server you're connected to is far away, try a closer one. This can reduce latency and improve speed.

  • Close Unused Tabs and Apps

    Extra tabs and apps can use up bandwidth. Close what you don't need to free up resources.

  • Reboot Your Router and Device

    Sometimes, a simple restart can fix speed issues. Turn off and on your router and device, then check your speed again.

  • Switch Providers

    If problems persist, consider changing your VPN or internet provider.

Other Factors Affecting Speed

  • Your Internet Connection

    A slow internet connection will affect VPN speed.

  • Server Distance

    Closer servers provide better speeds.

  • Server Load

    Overloaded servers can slow down your connection.

  • ISP Throttling

    Some ISPs slow down VPN traffic.

  • Hardware and Firmware

    Use up-to-date equipment and drivers for the best speeds.

Tips to Improve Speed

  • Restart your device.
  • Use a nearby server.
  • Change protocol settings.
  • Disable antivirus or firewall temporarily.
  • Close background P2P programs.
  • Refresh your local network.
  • Use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi.
  • Keep your router and network drivers up-to-date.

Does a VPN slow down your internet speed?

Yes, all VPNs have the potential to slow down your internet. At ChitaVPN , we optimize our service so that you’ll barely notice a difference.


Several factors can influence how much a VPN slows down your internet, from the quality of your VPN service to the physical distance between you and the server. However, good VPNs shouldn’t decrease your speeds beyond 10%-20%. Let’s take a look at the most important factors.

Why VPN Speed Tests Can Be Misleading

There are several reasons why current VPN speed tests might not be accurate

  • Limited testing

    Most tests are done manually, so they don't capture a broad range of conditions.

  • Unreliable timing

    Tests might be done at different times, not accounting for peak usage hours.

  • Inconsistent connections

    Wi-Fi and public networks can be unstable and affect test results. Ethernet connections are best.

  • Network limitations

    Slow internet or a network bottleneck can mask the true VPN speed. Tests should use high-speed networks.

  • Browser impact

    Browsers and extensions use resources that can affect test results. Consider command-line tests.

  • Background software

    Cloud storage, antivirus, etc. running in the background can slow things down. Disable them for testing.

  • CPU limitations

    Some VPN protocols, like OpenVPN, can max out a CPU core, affecting test accuracy.

Considerations in Using Third-Party Tools for VPN Speed Testing

When utilizing third-party tools like Ookla for VPN speed testing, several considerations must be kept in mind to ensure accurate results:

  • IP Address Geolocation Inconsistencies

    Ookla relies on GeoIP databases like MaxMind to determine client locations, which may suffer from inaccuracies. VPN providers expanding their server networks can exacerbate this issue, leading to incorrect city information. While Ookla usually recommends servers in the same country as the VPN server, city information discrepancies can affect accuracy.

  • Inconsistent Test Server Speeds

    Occasionally, Ookla may select underperforming speed test servers, impacting test results. Though rare, this issue can skew data, especially if using servers with insufficient bandwidth.

  • VPS CPU Load Resource Availability

    Since the speed test tool runs on a VPS, resource sharing with neighboring systems can lead to performance declines. VPS providers' fair usage policies may limit resources assigned to the speed test VPS, affecting performance.

  • Remove Outliers

    Outliers significantly differing from other observations can skew averages. Removing the top and bottom 3 percent of data helps mitigate this issue, ensuring more accurate results.

  • Generate Detailed Reports

    Utilizing the results can create reports, including histograms, mean and median download speeds, percentile , and statistical tests. These reports help evaluate test distribution over time and VPN performance stability.

  • Perform Advanced Data Analysis

    Advanced techniques like the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test compare VPN providers without assuming normal distribution, considering shape, spread, and median differences. This helps identify winners based on statistical significance and median speeds.

FAQ : Speed test