14 VPN Speed Optimization Techniques
VPNs are essential for security and privacy, bypassing geo-blocks, and accessing websites. However, due to encryption and server distance, they can sometimes slow down Internet speeds.
Optimizing the speed of a VPN involves several strategies that can significantly enhance performance.
Here are several VPN speed optimization techniques listed:
- Use a Premium VPN Service
- Choose the Right VPN Server Location
- Protocol Selection
- Optimize Encryption Level
- Disable Unnecessary Features
- Update VPN Software
- Use Split Tunneling
- Check Your Internet Speed
- Optimize Device Performance
- Configure DNS Settings
- Reduce Encryption Overhead
- Optimize MTU Settings
- Utilize Dedicated IPs
- Use a VPN-Optimized Router
1. Use a Premium VPN Service: Using a paid/premium service is always wise, as free VPNs often have slower speeds due to limited server choices and bandwidth restrictions. A robust premium VPN service is necessary for faster speeds and better overall performance.
With a Premium VPN service, you can unlock the best features, such as a large number of servers, unlimited bandwidth, multi-device access, updated encryption and security protocols, and many others, which we will discuss in an upcoming section.
2. Choose the Right VPN Server Location: Selecting a server closer to your location can reduce latency and increase speed. The farther the data travels, the longer it takes, leading to slower speeds.
This is because data travels through specific points, called nodes, in small segments called data packets. If those packets have to travel far, it gets complicated and time-consuming, slowing down your server speed.
You have to choose servers with lower load. Symlex VPN and many other VPN services usually show the ping on a server, helping you select a less congested server.
3. Protocol Selection:
(i) Shadowsocks: Shadowsocks is a secure proxy protocol designed to bypass Internet censorship and provide a fast, reliable connection.
It utilizes advanced encryption methods to ensure secure data transmission while maintaining high speeds, making it a popular choice for those needing security and fast Internet access.
(ii) OpenVPN: OpenVPN can operate over UDP (User Datagram Protocol) or TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). UDP is generally faster than TCP because it has less overhead and error correction, making it ideal for streaming and gaming.
(iii) WireGuard: Wireguard is a protocol designed for speed and performance. It’s simpler and faster than traditional protocols like OpenVPN and IPsec, making it a popular choice for speed optimization.
All three protocols mentioned have their specialties, including improved speed and performance, bypassing geo-blocks, and 360-degree security. If you want to know more about the differences and similarities between these protocols, please go through this article.
4. Encryption Level- AES-128 or 256: While AES-128 is sufficient for most users and provides faster performance, it is not preferred as its security can be breached easily and can risk your personal data.
On the other hand, AES-256 is a strict military-grade encryption system that cannot be breached or hacked unless you have a supercomputer(don’t look for it as it doesn’t exist…yet).Simply put, using an AES-256 encryption system is always a good choice for a VPN user.
5. Use Premium Features: Kill Switch is an important feature offered by VPN services. It kills the Internet connection if your device gets disconnected from the VPN. This prevents hackers from grabbing information and earning money by selling it.
While essential for security, this feature can slightly impact performance. You can disable them for a slightly better speed, but be mindful that it might significantly affect your security.
VPNs offer integrated ad and malware blockers. Disabling these can also improve speed, although you might encounter endless pop-ups on websites, which can be annoying and cause you to become a victim of phishing attacks.Even though we prefer using these features to the full extent, the ball is in your court to decide how to proceed.
6. Use Split Tunneling: Split tunneling is another top-notch feature offered by VPNs. It allows you to choose what data goes through the VPN and which uses your regular Internet connection.
For example, you want to use Netflix with a VPN but don’t want to do the same on Spotify. You can go to Settings and choose which apps you want to pass through a VPN and which you don’t want to.
This reduces the load on the VPN and can increase speed for activities that do not require encryption, like streaming local content.
7. Check Your Internet Speed: Sometimes, the issue is with your Internet connection rather than the VPN. Run a speed test without the VPN to ensure your ISP provides the speeds you’re paying for. If speeds are consistently low, upgrading your Internet plan might be necessary.
8. Optimize Device Performance: Background applications can consume bandwidth and processing power, affecting VPN performance — close unnecessary apps to free up resources.
However, restarting your router and devices can clear temporary issues and improve overall performance.
9. Configure DNS Settings: Using faster DNS servers can improve overall Internet speed, impacting VPN performance. Services like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS are often quicker than default ISP DNS servers.
10. Reduce Encryption Overhead: Some VPNs offer lower encryption options for activities with less critical security, such as streaming. Reducing encryption overhead can improve speed, but this should be used cautiously as it might compromise your security.
11. Optimize MTU Settings: You can adjust the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) settings, which will help improve VPN speed. The optimal MTU size can vary, but reducing it slightly can sometimes prevent fragmentation and improve performance. Many VPNs allow you to adjust MTU settings manually.
12. Use Dedicated IPs: Some VPN services offer dedicated IP addresses, providing more consistent speeds than shared IPs.
Symlex VPN has dedicated IPs for gaming, streaming, and especially High-Speed servers, so you don’t have to look for servers one by one and can choose the best at once. It is especially useful for users who need reliable performance.
13. Use a VPN-Optimized Router: Some routers are specifically designed to handle VPN traffic more efficiently. A VPN-optimized router can improve speeds, especially if multiple devices use the same VPN network.
14. Update VPN Software: Keeping your VPN software up to date guarantees the most recent performance improvements and bug fixes. VPN providers frequently refine their services over time, and updates can dramatically improve speed.
Conclusion
Choosing the right server, protocol, and encryption level and optimizing your network and device settings can significantly enhance your VPN performance.
Regularly updating your software, using a wired connection, and investing in ahigh-quality VPN service are crucial. With these VPN speed optimization techniques, you can enjoy the privacy and security of a VPN without sacrificing speed.
