BEST VPN SERVICES
What is the fastest VPN service in 2023?
The fastest VPN service in 2023, as found in our independent testing, is NordVPN!
It is not easy to analyze the best VPN according to your specific requirements.
All VPNs differ in performance based on the location, device, and purpose of their use.
For example, the best VPN for online gaming, may not be the best VPN with advanced security features. Or sometimes, it may not support your device.
And if you are looking for the fastest VPN in 2023, filters will become more complicated to analyze the VPN according to your exact requirement.
When you try to find the fastest VPNs in the market, one thing to keep in mind is that all VPNs can reduce your network speed.
So your aim should be to locate the best VPN that has the least effect on your network speed.
If you check the VPN market, you will find out plenty of options and can be confused.
So we decided to analyze VPNs based on several key factors.
Apart from speed, we also analyzed the security features of the VPN, its server locations, headquarters, credibility, etc.
Based on that, we created this article for you.
What is the Fastest VPN Service in 2023?
Our search located three VPNs that are fast and feature-rich for your requirements. Let us add them below:
1. NordVPN – Fastest HIGH Speed VPN
Speed rating: 97/100
The fastest VPN on our list is NordVPN. It has built more than 5400 servers in over 60 countries worldwide.
It has great speed due to the availability of thousands of servers in key locations across the globe.
Since the headquarters of NordVPN is in Panama, it is free from the jurisdiction of the fourteen eyes, nine eyes, and five eyes surveillance alliances.
NordVPN offers top of the best encryption algorithm, advanced security features, and many user-friendly facilities.
- NordVPN is the industry leader (by a long way)
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Superfast speeds
- 5,442+ servers in 60+ countries
- Strict no-logs policy
- Next-generation military-grade encryption
- DoubleVPN, double privacy
- 6 simultaneous device connections
- Great for: Safety, security, anonymity & peace of mind
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad & iOS, Linux, routers, Apple TV, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
During our research, we found NordVPN to be a fast VPN that can unblock streaming platforms like Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Mitele, Disney plus, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
The UK and US libraries of Netflix are working effortlessly using NordVPN.
While checking OS compatibility, we understood that NordVPN performs best with Windows.
It offers two different kill switch and split tunneling types. And the auto-connect feature also works well in Windows.
It provides OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) and NordLynx tunneling protocols which promise amazing speeds and stable connections.
NordVPN offers the SmartPlay feature for all devices to avoid blocks while online streaming.
If you have SmartPlay on your device, it’s easy to watch HBO Now, Hulu, Netflix, etc.
You can purchase the feature separately, and it can be used without the support of NordVPN on your device.
NordVPN also allows you to buy dedicated IP servers from its portal.
If you have a dedicated IP server, you can use it as a permanent server, but there won’t be any anonymity while using it.
The Obfuscated servers will reface your traffic like an HTTPS connection to overcome the extreme censorship.
You can use this facility in places where Government authorities limit VPN usage.
The double VPN server connection provides an extra level of security to your connection.
An already secured VPN server connection is passed through another VPN to double the protection.
In this way, you are getting maximum protection from NordVPN. The P2P servers of NordVPN are best for downloading torrent files.
NordVPN protects your devices and online usage with the help of the AES 256 CBC cipher that comes with the SHA 512 hash function.
It rearranges the connection details into 512 binaries so that the intruders won’t be able to collect your details from it.
The kill switch quickly disconnects your network session if the VPN connection is compromised.
If you are still in the network without knowing the VPN disconnection, authorities can easily track you and collect your details.
So a well-functioning kill switch is a mandatory feature for a good VPN.
We are satisfied with the results of the NordVPN kill switch. Another cool NordVPN feature is split tunneling.
It allows the user to pick the apps that need VPN coverage and those that don’t need it.
The advanced threat protection facility of NordVPN blocks major threats such as online ads, online trackers, harmful files, and malicious websites.
The dark web monitor of NordVPN can quickly warn you when a data leak occurs during your network usage.
It checks for your email in dark web areas to find out whether your connection is compromised by hackers and notifies you on time.
NordVPN accepts multiple payment methods, including PayPal, credit cards, AmazonPay, Google Pay, prepaid cards, Sofort, etc.
And you can choose a 30-day money-back package if you want to test the premium features before subscribing.
If you are not satisfied with the VPN features, you will get a refund after the period. NordVPN has been publicly audited twice to ensure its credibility.
It has excellent customer support features, including live chat support. However, it doesn’t have a user interface on the Linux platform.
2. Surfshark
Speed rating: 91/100
Surfshark comes with features like GPS spoofing, SmartDNS, split tunneling, P2P-optimized servers, fast WireGuard protocol, etc.
You can easily purchase the Surfhsark subscription using Google Pay, credit card, other valid payment gateways, and especially cryptocurrencies.
You can safely browse while Surfshark is active. It offers ad-free browsing and ensures a strict no-log policy.
Surfshark encrypts your network with AES 256 GCM cipher, the best encryption setup in the market.
The Android version uses ChaCha20 cipher, which is extremely safe.
We recommend AES 256 for better speed and ChaCha20 for old devices if new devices are used.
Also, the SHA 512 encryption shuffles the connection details into 512 binary digits to maximize your security.
Surfhark’s best-performing kill switch instantly cuts the network session during a VPN connection failure.
It is normal that the VPN connection may automatically drop during your activities. But you might not be noticing it.
If you are still active in the network during a VPN failure, your details can be easily collected. An active kill switch will disconnect the session instantly.
- Surfshark is the best budget VPN
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Strict no-logs policy
- 3200+ servers in 95 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: private browsing on a budget
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone & iOS, Linux, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
Surfshark allows unlimited connections, meaning you can use it on all your devices with a single purchase.
Apart from the VPN app, it also provides browser extensions for Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
Surfshark VPN is faster than many other popular VPNs in the market.
One major reason for its top-notch performance is due to the availability of 3200+ servers perfectly distributed in 95+ countries worldwide.
According to our research, Surfshark can easily unblock more than 30 distinct Netflix libraries from locations like the UK, US, Japan, Canada, Australia, etc.
You can also watch DAZN, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Now without any blocking issues.
The firewall protection in China and Hong Kong is well known. But Surfshark can bypass restrictions in these countries easily.
The NoBorders feature can evade heavy VPN restrictions installed in such areas easily.
So, if you are in China, go for Surfshark without second thoughts!
Camouflage Mode feature makes your network traffic look like a secure HTTPS to keep your network undetected.
It is useful in places where your VPN ports are blocked.
The Alerts will protect your sensitive data, such as credit cards, IDs, emails, etc., from reaching the dark market.
If your details are hacked and exchanged in a dark marketplace, you will get an instant notification.
The CleanWeb feature blocks unwanted ads and keeps your device safe from online trackers. It can block blacklisted IP addresses.
It is surprising that Surfshark VPN comes with an integrated antivirus setup.
By installing a Surfshark VPN app, your device is getting total antivirus protection.
And our research found that it’s not just an additional feature of the VPN but a full operational antivirus setup that can block virus attacks on your device.
Split tunneling is named Whitelister in Surfshark. It can help you to use local network-related apps and VPN-required apps simultaneously.
The GPS spoofing feature allows you to spoof the GPS location and IP address without the help of any external software or app.
The Smart DNS facility is best for unblocking US-based online streaming shows.
The WireGuard protocol works efficiently and is secure in Surfshark-protected devices. It also offers an OpenVPN tunneling protocol.
You can utilize the TCP for better security and UDP for better speed. IKEv2 is one of the most used tunneling protocols in VPNs.
This protocol comes in handy if you are using a weak network connection. Another cool Surfshark feature is the IP rotator.
Unlike other VPNs, which enable a single IP, Surfshark will constantly change your IP using the IP rotator feature.
It functions without getting disconnected from the secured VPN session. So online trackers will not be able to follow you while you are active.
Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial to verify its cool security features and also has a 30-day money-back guarantee package.
It doesn’t provide a split tunneling facility on iOS.
3. Atlas VPN
Speed rating: 86/100
Atlas VPN has its largest set of server locations in Europe. According to our research, it has 23 server locations in Europe. Altogether, Atlas
VPN is available in 38 countries and has around 750 servers.
It accepts almost all payment methods like Google Pay, PayPal, credit cards, and cryptocurrencies like ETH, BTC, LTC, and many more.
You can choose the 30 days money-back guarantee as your first subscription to check all the premium Atlas VPN packages.
We are sure that you will be satisfied with the VPN. However, if you think otherwise, you will get a refund without any delay.
- Atlas VPN is the best free VPN
- Privacy Pro servers
- 750 servers in 40+ locations
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: people seeking a freemium VPN
- Compatible with: Windows, MacOS, Android, iPhone & iOS, Android TV, Fire TV Stick
We tried to find out whether Atlas VPN is a good choice for China. And the results were satisfying.
However, the lack of obfuscation features was a drawback.
You can get the desired results by changing IPSec/IKEv2 to WireGuard tunneling protocol.
Atlas VPN free version is also good for basic VPN purposes.
It comes with a daily cap and has limited features.
There are only 3 server locations that support Atlas VPN free version: New York(USA), Amsterdam(Netherlands), and Los Angeles(USA).
The free version doesn’t have 24/7 customer support, unlimited connections, optimized servers, advanced security features, etc.
Atlas VPN can be easily installed on all platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, etc. It also supports Amazon Fire Stick and Andriod Smart TV.
Atlas VPN comes with some of the best VPN security features. The SafeBrowse feature blocks harmful websites while browsing.
It has a list of malicious websites which are blocked instantly during your session.
The SafeSwap feature of Atlas VPN is an essential VPN security feature.
If you are in an active session, the SafeSwap will rotate your IP address continuously in the background without causing any interruption to your session.
This happens without disconnecting you from a server.
For example, a new IP address is used when you visit a website using one IP address and close it to open another.
And the best part is that SafeSwap has multiple IP addresses, so the IP changes are always unpredictable.
Atlas VPN uses AES 256 encryption technology that is popular among top agencies in the world.
It is used by many government authorities and top financial institutions.
Atlas VPN also utilizes the benefits of Poly1305 authenticator and ChaCha20 cipher. It also uses WireGuard and IPSec/IKEv2 tunneling protocols.
The WireGurad tunneling protocol is best for faster speeds at lower ping rates. The kill switch feature of Atlas VPN prevents data leaks.
It can shut down your active internet session in case of a VPN failure. Yes, sometimes VPNs may get disconnected during the internet session.
If you failed to identify it and continued the session, your ISP will quickly identify your presence and will collect your details.
But an efficient kill switch works in the background and disconnects you from the network during a VPN failure.
Atlas VPN premium subscription allows 24/7 live customer chat support. You can also reach the Atlas VPN team using its email service.
We found that Atlas VPN offers good customer support during software installation, follow-ups, and complaint resolution.
Even though Atlas VPN promises a no-log policy, it is based in the USA.
Since the USA is the leader of almost all not-so-privacy-friendly organizations, including five eyes, nine eyes, etc., you should use the VPN safely.
How to Boost Your Network Speed While Using a VPN?
If you are using a VPN, it may affect your usual network speed.
A good VPN minimizes the network lag and offers maximum layers of security for your connection.
Even though there are limitations to improving your network speed while using a VPN, we have found some shortcuts to help you.
There are three ways that we found during our research to boost your network speed while using a VPN:
Always Choose Nearby Servers
Sometimes VPN automatically connects to a server that can be a distant location.
When you are connected to a distant location, it will take time to get back the data packets and hence may affect your network quality.
We suggest you pick the nearest server to your location so that the delay in response can be minimized.
If you are using NordVPN, you can always find nearby servers since it has plenty of server locations on all key locations in the world.
Split Tunneling
By now, you might have read and understood the split tunneling feature.
So if you are using multiple apps at the same time, try to use the VPN for apps that essentially require VPN support.
If you use the rest of the apps outside the VPN, the traffic will come down and will help you get a faster connection.
All the three VPNs discussed in this article support Split tunneling. NordVPN offers split tunneling via mobile apps and browser extensions.
The Protocol Is Important
OpenVPN protocol is the best option to speed up your network while getting protected.
Usually, most VPNs come with options to switch the protocols according to your requirement.
And if the protocol is good, the slower, the VPN speed will be.
So we suggest using OpenVPN to get a decent speed while using the VPN.
How to Choose the Fastest VPN
Thousands of VPNs claim to be the fastest. But many live tests have found that not all of them can deliver what they promise.
If you are trying to find the fastest servive to use, we shall help you with some guidelines to note before picking the VPN.
Speed
You should consider analyzing the upload, download speeds, and ping rates of a VPN before choosing it. VPNs may act differently at different locations and networks.
Hence, even if your friend living in Europe suggests a VPN, it is not necessary to be the best option for you if you are in Asia.
You can choose the trial period of a VPN and test it by sending a large file to check the upload speed.
Similarly, you can try downloading a large file to understand the download speed. If you are getting a lower ping time, then it is a good VPN.
Ping time denotes the duration of a single data pack to travel to its destination via VPN and comes back to the source.
So the lower the ping time, the speeder the VPN network. A low ping rate is essential if you are using your VPN for VoIP calls or Skype calls.
VPN Server Location
The best way to speed up a VPN is to increase its server locations.
So, if you are choosing either NordVPN or Surfshark VPN, you will get the desired speed since it has plenty of servers worldwide.
If you want to watch a tv show that is restricted to a specific country, try to find out the VPN that has servers in that country.
It is always better to choose VPNs that cover plenty of countries and offers thousands of servers.
Security Features and Privacy
Speed of the VPN and security are two opposite sides that a VPN tries to balance at the same time.
The first thing you should make sure of is the VPN has a no-log policy.
It is always better to pick the VPN that is located outside the jurisdiction of agencies like fourteen eyes, five eyes, nine eyes, etc.
For example, NordVPN, situated in Panama, is a good option. The VPN may slow down your connection if the security features are intense.
Technical Features of VPN
There are plenty of common features in VPNs as well as unique features that make them the best of the rest.
We suggest using a VPN that comes with the OpenVPN protocol.
The OpenVPN protocol allows a secure connection and offers the maximum speed possible for the network.
Apart from that, you should consider features like double VPN, Split tunneling, kill switch, IP rotator, AES 256 encryption, etc.
Compatibility
If you have noted the best VPN according to the review and, sadly, the device you are using is not compatible with the VPN, then what will you do?
It is important to choose a VPN based on your device.
We found that NordVPN is compatible with all platforms like Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Google and Firefox browser extensions, etc.
If you install the right app for your platform, you will automatically get the expected speed while using a VPN for internet usage.
Connection Restrictions
If you have more than 6 devices, you should go for Surfshark since it allows unlimited connections simultaneously.
NordVPN is limited to 6 devices at a time. The speed of a VPN also depends on the simultaneous connections it has to offer.
Cost of The VPN
If you finally find your VPN, then check for the best subscription rate.
You should wisely choose the package according to your requirement.
If you want a VPN for a very long time, consider buying a 2-year or 3-year subscription. Such packages may save several months of money.
However, if you are visiting a country that restricts the usage of certain apps that you need, install a VPN that can overcome the issue and choose the duration according to your stay.
However, the cost for shorter periods will be high compared to longer terms.
Customer Service
This is not the last feature. Customer support is the most important factor when choosing a VPN.
Even if you get the fastest VPN in the market and are not getting any support from the team for software installation, then it’s no use.
Ideally, go for VPNs that offer 24/7 live chat support.
Most questions will be answered in the FAQ session. If you want human assistance, live chat support will help you.
Payment
Finally, you decided to purchase the VPN, and if you cannot pay for the package, then what’s its use?
Choose a VPN that offers multiple payment modes. It can be Google Pay, AmazonPay, PayPal, credit cards, Visa cards, or even cryptocurrencies.
You have to check and ensure that the VPN accepts all modes of payment, and ultimately, those modes are practically working.
FAQs
How Do You Change Your IP Address?
After downloading the VPN, install the package to your device. Open the app from your device and choose the server you want to connect to.
We suggest picking the nearest server for better speed. After connecting, your network will be passed through the server selected.
Does the Fastest VPN Perform Better?
First of all, a VPN is used to secure your device.
So speed comes second on the priority list.
It is 99% sure that your normal internet speed will be faster than the speed with a VPN connected to it.
Even if you use the fastest VPN in the world, there will be some slow down during your session.
Actually, while you activate the VPN, your network is diverted through a server located in a different location and connected to the destination.
So as in the physical world, while distance increases, the time needed to cover the distance also increases.
It is not necessary that the fast VPN service you use must yield perfect security features.
In fact, the speed of a network will be affected by the implementation of more security features.
You can reduce the network’s lag by choosing VPNs with plenty of servers worldwide.
If the servers are distributed uniformly, the VPN will act fastly and provide you with the best experience while using the network.
Does VPN Reduce Network Lag?
Our analysis says the VPN cannot reduce the already existing network lag.
Some people mistakenly think that using a VPN can speed up their network connection.
Actually, the addition of a VPN to your network will, in fact, slow down the connection speed further.
So if your network is weak, you must use a VPN with a low ping rate.
Can We Trust the Fastest VPN?
If you are using one of the VPNs mentioned in our blog, the answer is yes.
A VPN should come with many security measures, and also it should possess credibility.
NordVPN has undergone a public audit twice to prove its credibility.
Apart from that, use a VPN that offers AES 256 encryption and comes with OpenVPN, WireGuard, etc., protocols.
Try to install a VPN that comes with plenty of servers and practical security features.
Our list of fast VPN services is the best in the market.
Is It Safe to Use Free VPNs that Are Fast?
The prime reason for using a VPN is security. We examined several free VPNs in the market.
It is true that there are several free VPNs available in the market. But according to the experts, free VPNs are not at all safe.
Most probably, free VPNs have 2 or 3 servers with heavy traffic.
As the traffic increases, the connection speed becomes slow. So a free VPN can slow down your network connection.
Now the important thing is related to your security. There are free VPNs that record your data and deliver it to external agencies for revenue.
Sometimes the free VPNs can become a bridge to transport malware from unknown sources to your device.
Can a VPN Browser Extension Speed up My Network Connection?
Like we said before, the existence of a VPN extension cannot speed up the network.
Using a VPN will encrypt your data, add additional security layers to your traffic, and safeguard your network activities.
Apart from that, it can reduce the lag by providing nearby servers and using the best tunneling protocols.
What Are the Factors that Affect VPN Connections?
When you choose a VPN, you have to consider certain factors:
• VPNs that have more servers can perform well
• Internet speed of your location
• VPN special features that allow swift connection
• Distance between your device and the server location can affect the speed.
Why Should I Use a VPN?
When choosing the VPN, your prime concern should be to pick the best VPN in the market that doesn’t affect your network speed to a great extent.
Of course, there will be a delay in the network speed while connected to a VPN.
But the idea is to find and use a VPN that causes the least lag in the network.
The fast VPNs can help you complete the online streaming sessions on time.
The torrent downloads will not be failed, and you won’t face any lag in VoIP calls, browsing, and online streaming.
We recommend using NordVPN.
And you should also check your network speed before connecting to a VPN.
If you are using a weak network, adding a VPN will worsen the situation.
How to Get the Fastest Gaming Server?
Online gaming needs speed connections.
If you are trying to access an online game from a geo-restricted location, you may require a VPN.
It is better to choose a VPN that results in a low ping rate during the game session.
So if you are serious about online gaming, you should try to learn about the nearest servers that can be used, VPNs advanced features that support online gaming, etc.
Also, you should try to use the fastest internet packages available to connect with the VPN.
In Summary, the best VPNs in 2023 are;
| Rating | VPN Service | Get Offer |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Top Rated#1 | NordVPN - #1 VPN in the industry | FREE Trial |
| #2 Top Rated#2 | Surfshark - top budget VPN | Start Now |
| #3 Top Rated#3 | Atlas VPN - best free VPN | Start Now |
Conclusion
NordVPN comes with a lot of servers perfectly distributed in 60+ countries.
It is the fastest VPN service in 2023 that we found from analyzing plenty of popular VPNs in the market.
We tested NordVPN for its upload and download speed, ping rate, etc., and found the scores satisfying in almost all situations.
Apart from that, the device you are using, the network you are connected to, and your geo-location matter in deciding what is going to be the fastest VPN for you.
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Written by Trevor Cooke
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