Fastest VPN Service 2023 — Top 10 Fast VPNs Reviewed and Compared

With one of the fastest VPN service providers, you’ll be able to enjoy phenomenal speeds without it costing you in terms of security and privacy — with these 10 VPNs, you’ll have speeds that ensure seamless browsing and a memorable streaming experience with no frustrating lag or buffer.

However, with a market loaded with quality (and sub-par) VPNs with varying speeds, finding the right one for you can be tricky. With up to 980Mbps, Surfshark is the one to beat — it’s fast, cheap, and it has incredible security. Read on to discover how it compares to some of the market’s fastest VPNs like the mighty CyberGhost and NordVPN, or test it right now, risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

The Top 10 Fastest VPN Services for 2023

We’ve tested dozens of different VPNs for both speed and stability. Here’s our list of the top 10 fastest VPN services for 2023:

1. Surfshark VPN — Overall, the Fastest VPN. Up to 980Mbps. Take Advantage of the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee!
2. CyberGhost VPN — Fast VPN with Built-In Malware Protection. Averages 540+Mbps. Offers a 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
3. NordVPN — Popular Choice with Unlimited Speed and Data. Averages 400+Mbps + Has a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
4. UltraVPN — One of the Fastest VPNs on U.S. Servers with 230+Mbps Speeds + Has a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
5. Proton VPN — Decently Fast VPN with a Free Plan. 300+Mbps Averages on US Servers + 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
6. StrongVPN — Simple, Straightforward, and Reliable. Averages 70+Mbps. Offers a Solid 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
7. PureVPN — Decently Fast, but Unstable on U.S. Servers. Averages 160+Mbps + Has a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
8. IPVanish — One of the Fastest VPNs for Android and iPhone. Sees a Whopping 890+Mbps + 30-Day Guarantee.
9. ExpressVPN — Fast VPN. Excellent for Streaming. Averages 380+Mbps on US Servers. Offers a Risk-Free 30-Day Guarantee.
10. Norton Secure VPN — A Decent VPN. Averages 37+Mbps + Offers a Whopping 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee!

The Best Fast VPNs in 2023 Reviewed

There’s no definitive answer to what’s the fastest VPN, as speeds can vary depending on whether you’re using a VPN to stream content on Netflix, torrenting a movie, scrolling through Instagram, or just casually browsing the web.

That said, we’ll provide you with in-depth breakdowns of the top 10 fastest VPN services, so you can make an informed decision and choose the VPN that best suits your needs.

#1 Surfshark VPN — Overall the Fastest VPN to Use in 2023

Surfshark is critically acclaimed and one of the fastest VPNs around, with lightning-fast speeds of up to 980 Mbps. It’s one of the best, fastest VPNs on the market. Surfshark VPN is one of the best VPNs for gaming, streaming content, and torrenting movies and games.

Surfshark relies on the latest hardware, with each of its servers connected to at least a 1Gbps port (with some going up to 2x10Gbps), allowing them to handle a ton of traffic without slowing down your internet speed.

Thanks to some of the fastest VPN servers in over 95 countries, Surfshark is an excellent choice regardless of your location. 

With WireGuard as one of its star VPN protocols and AES-256-GCM encryption, Surfshark manages to provide excellent protection and data security without compromising speed.

On top of industry-standard encryption, Surfshark features CleanWeb that blocks annoying ads and protects your device from malware, as well as Surfshark Search to ensure complete privacy when browsing the web.

Furthermore, Surfshark provides real-time protection by instantly notifying you if your data is leaked anywhere, reminding you to change weak passwords, and sending quarterly data security reports to your email address.

Regarding streaming services, you can use Surfshark to access otherwise location-restricted content on Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, DAZN, and other popular streaming platforms.

It also provides secure IPTV access and allows you to enjoy your favorite sports events without constant buffering or infuriating pop-up ads.

#2 CyberGhost VPN — Fast VPN With Built-in Malware Protection

CyberGhost boasts an incredible average speed of 548 Mbps, with even higher speeds on local servers.

The speed can drop off if you’re connected to remote servers that are a bit further away, but that shouldn’t be an issue, given the fact that CyberGhost has over 7,800 servers in 91 countries.

Considering that CyberGhost VPN provides unparalleled protection and complete privacy and anonymity on any device, this VPN service is aptly named. Apart from masking your IP address and encrypting all your internet data, CyberGhost blocks ads on all websites and provides malware protection.

With one subscription plan, you can connect CyberGhost with up to 7 devices, including your desktop PC or laptop, iPhone or Android smartphone, your smart TV, or even your gaming console.

It relies on industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption to keep your identity, location, and data hidden and secure. On top of that, CyberGhost adheres to a strict no-logs policy, meaning the company itself doesn’t track or share your data, so you can enjoy full privacy.

Apart from hiding your actual IP address, CyberGhost offers dedicated IP addresses to its users, so your website traffic appears to always come from the same location.

This might be useful if you’re frequently visiting websites that might scan visitors’ IP addresses and restrict access if they figure out you’re using a VPN. Another useful feature of CyberGhost is split tunneling.

This allows you to whitelist certain websites you trust, so the traffic doesn’t have to go through a VPN, meaning you’re still enjoying an ad-free online experience without slowing down your browsing speed. 

#3 NordVPN — Popular Choice With Unlimited Speed and Data

With an average speed of 417 Mbps, NordVPN should definitely be counted among the fastest VPN services in 2023. It’s often praised by users both for its superb security and speed. 

NordVPN provides global coverage, with over 5,500 servers in 59 countries. This ensures high-speed upload/download virtually anywhere in the world, with unlimited bandwidth.

Thanks to its proprietary NordLynx VPN protocol, based on WireGuard, NordVPN provides a restriction-free internet browsing experience with no speed limits, making it one of the best fast VPN service providers.

While it’s featured in most fastest VPN reviews, NordVPN also enjoys a great reputation for providing superb security.

It relies on the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and utilizes 3 different VPN protocols (IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and NordLynx) to hide your IP and physical location and protect your data.

For people extra concerned about their online security, NordVPN provides the double VPN option, adding an extra layer of protection through special servers. If you opt for NordVPN, you’ll also be able to enjoy split tunneling, private DNS, obfuscated servers, and more.

NordVPN even features dark web monitoring, scanning the web and alerting you the instant any of your data, accounts, or passwords have been compromised. 

#4 UltraVPN — One of the Fastest VPNs on U.S. Servers

Compared to other fast VPN services we reviewed, UltraVPN is a smaller service, providing a little over 100 servers in 10 countries. That said, it consistently achieves excellent speeds on U.S. servers, with an average speed of 236 Mbps across the board.

Its server network is remarkably reliable, and you won’t notice any hiccups or huge drops in internet speed when connected to a nearby server.

UltraVPN is a good option for people outside the U.S. and U.K. who want to access content on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Disney Plus that’s not available in their country.

That said, Amazon Prime Video will immediately detect UltraVPN, so if you’re planning on watching The Boys or the upcoming Lord of the Rings TV show, we suggest Surfshark. 

UtlraVPN is available for Windows, Mac, Android (5.0 and newer), and iOS devices (11.0 and newer). While it does not offer a browser extension, UltraVPN provides the fastest VPN download and is extremely easy to set up, thanks to its intuitive UI.

When it comes to security, UltraVPN follows the industry standard (AES) and offers three VPN protocols to choose from — IKEv2(IPSec), Hydra, and Automatic. It also features a kill switch and split tunneling and comes with built-in malware and phishing security features.

Users will also have access to add-ons, such as Passwatch and Dark Web Scan, free of charge. This additional layer of protection ensures your passwords are safe and protected and notifies you of any data leaks in the unlikely event your information gets compromised. 

#5 Proton VPN — Decently Fast VPN with a Free Plan

Proton VPN is a relatively fast VPN that offers both free and paid plans to its users. With 1,728 servers in 63 countries and an average speed of 300 Mbps on U.S. servers, Proton VPN is a decent choice for anyone located in North America. 

What makes Proton VPN one of the fastest VPN service providers is the combination of a 10Gbps server network and a proprietary VPN Accelerator that increases speeds by up to 400%.

The company behind it values security and privacy, viewing them as basic human rights. This is the main reason behind the decision to offer Proton VPN free of charge to anyone who wants to browse the internet privately and securely.

That said, there are some speed limitations with the free account. On top of that, paid users who want to support the company’s endeavors to make the internet a safer place for everyone have access to a variety of premium features. 

Proton VPN is available on all devices and platforms (Windows, Linux, iOS, Android), and you can connect up to 10 devices with a single account.

The VPN relies on ciphers with Perfect Forward Secrecy, ensuring nobody can decrypt your data even in the unlikely event that the encryption key gets compromised. 

Proton VPN comes with a built-in NetShield, which blocks pesky ads, protects your device from malware, and disables website trackers, ensuring full privacy. 

#6 StrongVPN — Simple, Straightforward, and Reliable

StrongVPN is the slowest of the bunch, with an average speed of only 71 Mbps. This makes it unsuitable for gaming, and a nuisance when streaming online content, as you’d likely have to wait a couple of minutes for an episode to load for an uninterrupted viewing experience.

While StrongVPN has a decent server distribution, with over 500 servers in 35+ countries, it pales in comparison to leading virtual private network service providers like Surfshark VPN and CyberGhost VPN. 

While StrongVPN doesn’t offer any unique features that make it stand out from other virtual private network service providers, it’s an all-around decent VPN.

It provides online security and identity protection, has a strict no-logs policy, and relies on the WireGuard protocol, making it a good choice for an average internet user.

You can connect up to 12 devices at a time, including your PC or laptop, tablet, and phone. That said, the Android version of the app doesn’t support L2TP or SSTP protocols, but you’ll still have the option to choose between OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. 

#7 PureVPN — Decently Fast, but Unstable on U.S. Servers

Speed and server stability have been an issue for PureVPN in the past, but the company has recently upgraded its servers, currently boasting a 20 Gbps server connection speed. The average speed on U.S. servers can vary between 160 Mbps and 230 Mbps. 

While you won’t notice a drastic decrease in your internet speed using PureVPN, you might encounter hiccups and speed drop-offs on occasion, but on the whole, PureVPN is a decent choice.

Besides this, PureVPN is an excellent option if you want to ensure iron-clad security and complete privacy while browsing the internet.

It uses powerful encryption to keep your data protected and adheres to a no-log policy, meaning your online activity isn’t stored on the company’s servers. You can choose between six different VPN protocols on any device:

1. OpenVPN
2. L2TP/IPSec
3. PPTP
4. SSTP
5. IKEv2, and
6. WireGuard

PureVPN has over 6,500 servers spread across 78 countries, so geo-restricted content should never be an issue, regardless of your physical location or the server you choose to connect to.

An additional benefit of PureVPN is the fact that it’s frequently audited by third parties, so you can rest assured that its claims of superb online security and data protection are true. 

#8 IPVanish — One of the fastest VPNs for Android and iPhone

This fastest VPN review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning IPVanish. This VPN provides the fastest speed on local servers, reaching up to 890 Mbps, making it an excellent option if you simply want to hide your IP address when accessing certain websites. 

The speed loss for nearby servers is 10% on average, which is impressive given the 20% speed loss average among even the fastest VPNs.

That said, if you need a VPN to access the geo-restricted content on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or other streaming platforms, IPVanish might not be the best choice.

You can expect a massive 75% speed loss when connecting to long-distance servers, meaning you’d constantly be buffering videos if you’re based in Europe and want to watch a show on U.S. Netflix.

When it comes to data safety and online security, IPVanish is on par with other popular VPN service providers. It relies on industry-standard AES-256 encryption and offers the choice of three secure VPN protocols — OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec.

IPVanish is available as a standalone app for Windows, Linux, and iOS, but no browser extensions are currently available. Another potential drawback is the fact that setup can be a bit tricky, and the UI takes some getting used to, especially on the Windows version of the app. 

#9 ExpressVPN — Fast VPN, Excellent for Streaming Geo-Restricted Content

On average, ExpressVPN achieves a speed of around 385 Mbps on U.S. servers, making it a great choice for anyone looking to stream geo-restricted content.

ExpressVPN unblocks over 25 different services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, and even Amazon Prime Video. It allows you to completely bypass geo-blocks, so you can enjoy your favorite content online, regardless of your physical location. 

It’s also an excellent choice for torrenting movies, TV shows, and games since ExpressVPN supports unlimited bandwidth and never throttles your connection.

With nearly half a million active users, ExpressVPN is one of the world’s most popular VPNs. This VPN has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store. 

ExpressVPN earned these incredible ratings thanks to high speed, state-of-the-art encryption, and a wide variety of features and add-ons that ensure complete privacy and security on the internet.

With a wide network of servers spread across 94 countries, ExpressVPN provides superb coverage. Its servers are constantly optimized for speed, so you won’t experience any lag, buffering, or speed drop-offs if you opt for ExpressVPN. 

#10 Norton Secure VPN — A Decent VPN With Dynamic IP Addresses

Norton Secure VPN, as the name suggests, upholds security above all else, which makes sense considering that it’s renowned for being one of the very best antivirus solutions available.

It boasts all the security features you’d expect, from a solid no-log policy to split tunneling, a kill switch, wifi network security, and airtight bank-grade encryption.

With that said, Norton’s VPN averages speeds of 194.4Mbps with an average of 40% drop off.

Not the best we’ve seen, but this, paired with the security, makes Norton a solid option for streaming and accessing geo-restricted content without worry about lag, anonymity, or online threats.

With that said, Norton is a fantastic VPN for accessing geo-restricted websites — for example, if you’re after the best Betfair VPN to gamble abroad, then Norton’s speed and security make it a solid option.

In our testing, Norton VPN also unblocked US Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus without issue. However, we did struggle with some of the other libraries, like the UK Netflix catalog.

As such, we’d recommend giving Norton’s 60-day money-back guarantee a go, as this gives you ample time to try it risk-free to determine whether it’s a suitable option for your needs.

Fastest VPN Services Compared

VPN Speed Explained

To help you accurately determine the best fast VPN, let’s first tackle what VPN speed is. Virtual private network services don’t have a speed per se. The term instead refers to your internet speed while using a VPN. 

Since the data is going through a virtual private network and is being encrypted, all VPNs will slow down your upload and download speed, with no exceptions. The average speed decrease among the best VPNs is around 20%, but there are some exceptions. 

For example, if you’re only trying to mask your IP address, you can connect to a server in your home country, and the speed loss should be below 10%, as is the case with IPVanish.

At the same time, setting a location to a country halfway across the globe to access the geo-restricted content on streaming services like Netflix will cause anywhere from a 20% to 70% speed decrease.

What Determines VPN Speed?

The rate at which your internet speed will decrease while using a VPN depends on a variety of factors, such as the distance to the server, the quality of the servers the VPN provides, server bandwidth and load, and the VPN protocol used.

Here’s a list of factors that play a role in determining your internet speed while using a VPN:

• Server distance 
• International bandwidth limitations
• Server load
• VPN protocol (more secure protocols result in slower internet speed)

That said, the most important factor is your internet speed. If you have an average download speed of 300 Mbps without a VPN, a 20% decrease won’t make a noticeable difference since you’ll still be able to torrent movies and stream HD content comfortably with 240 Mbps.

Why Do You Need a Fast VPN?

Apart from data security and protection while browsing the internet, most people use VPNs as a way to bypass geo-restrictions and access content on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video.

Without a fast VPN, you’ll have access to the content, but it will be a nightmare to watch as the video will constantly be buffering. 

Apart from streaming platforms, an extremely slow VPN will make browsing the web a very frustrating experience. It might take up to 15 seconds to refresh your Instagram feed, and some interactive websites might take even longer to load. 

What’s Considered a Fast VPN?

The standard in the VPN industry is an average 20% decrease in internet speed. Any VPN that doesn’t decrease your speed by one-fifth is considered extremely fast. That said, your internet speed might vary depending on the time of day and the type of connection — wired or WiFi.

In any case, a good VPN should be unnoticeable. It should allow you to mask your IP address and should provide maximum security without hindering your online experience. A good way to tell if a VPN would drastically decrease your internet speed is by running speed tests. 

As most VPNs don’t offer a free trial, you’d have to commit to half a dozen monthly subscriptions just to test a couple of different VPN service providers. This is not only expensive, but it’s also tedious.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the fastest VPNs, so you can easily make an informed decision. 

Free VPNs vs. Paid VPNs — Which is Fastest?

Free VPNs are a good choice if internet speed isn’t your primary concern. They offer a similar level of protection (same encryption standards and protocols) and can keep you protected while browsing the internet. 

Streaming online content or torrenting movies and TV shows is a whole different story, though. Most free VPNs come with some sort of a catch, often in terms of limited bandwidth, which puts a cap on your upload and download speed. 

In rare instances where there are no speed limitations, free plans are limited in terms of features you have access to, as is the case with Proton VPN, which we covered in detail above. 

In our opinion, paid VPNs are an infinitely better alternative. If you want premium protection without compromising your internet speed, a paid virtual private network like Surfshark VPN is definitely your best bet. 

How to Speed Up a VPN Connection

There’s nothing worse than experiencing sub-par speeds when you’re promised a buffer-free experience. Thankfully, there are many ways you can speed up your connection. Here are the three most effective:

1. Change Your Encryption Settings

Change from TCP to UDP for a faster VPN speed, this will remove the authentication from the data transfer process, allowing a faster flow of information to your device.

UDP is best for streaming and gaming, where the integrity of the data isn’t essential, whereas TCP is best used for torrenting or downloading materials.

2. Change Your Encryption Protocol

Most of the popular VPNs offer different protocol options, each with its own popular use cases and advantages and disadvantages. For anyone after greater speeds, switch to the almighty WireGuard protocol for a faster experience.

3. Connect to a Different Server

The server count is an important factor when choosing a VPN, as a smaller fleet of servers can result in overcrowding and slower speeds for everyone due to the shared bandwidth.

However, server distance (with respect to your physical location) also impacts your speed — so connecting to a closer server means the data has a shorter distance to travel, and you’ll yield better speeds.

If you find you’re experiencing slow speeds, switch to a different server to bypass congestion or try a closer server.
All of these are proven ways to maximize your speeds with any given VPN provider.

How to Get Started with a Fast VPN

Getting started with a fast VPN is relatively simple. We’ll use Surfshark as an example to show you how to install a VPN and enjoy a safe, 100% secure internet browsing experience. 

Step 1: Purchase a Subscription

Navigate to Surfshark VPN’s website and choose a subscription plan that suits you best.

Once you complete the purchase, you’ll be able to download the app on your device. 

Step 2: Installing Surfshark VPN

Find the file you downloaded from the official Surfshark VPN website and start the installation.

After the installation is complete, the Surfshark VPN icon will appear on your device. 

Step 3: Start the Surfshark App

Double-click on the app icon and enter your login credentials to get started.

After successfully logging in, you’ll be able to start using Surfshark right away.

Step 4: Activate Surfshark VPN

To start using the Surfshark VPN, select the country you want to connect to and click the “Connect” button. 

Surfshark VPN has over 3,000 servers in 95 countries, and you can use the search bar to connect to a server in the country of your choice. That’s all there is to it—once you’re connected, you’re using Surfshark VPN and enjoying maximum online privacy and security.

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