8 best Fastest VPN Service in 2023: Speed Test Winners Revealed!

Last updated: December 26, 2023
William Sams
William Sams
Looking for a VPN unaffected by speed loss? Check out this guide for recommendations on the top 8 VPNs that deliver amazingly fast performance.
Fastest-VPN-services

Tired of VPN slowdowns hindering your online activities? When choosing a reliable VPN, speed is a primary factor to be considered. Fast-speed VPNs guarantee stable and smooth connections for streaming, gaming, torrenting, or any activity online.

Wondering which VPN has the fastest speed? Our rigorous testing shows ExpressVPN to be the best fastest VPN in USA for world-class streaming and unrestricted activities. There are certain factors we need to consider when selecting a VPN, such as its encryption protocols, security features and price point.

With ExpressVPN’s lightning-fast servers, you can enjoy your online experience without any buffering or distortion. Speed of connections is the most important thing for essential tasks such as streaming, torrenting, gaming and video conferences etc. the reason ExpressVPN stands out is because unlike other VPN providers, it does not affect your browsing by slowing down your internet speed.

As mentioned, a fast premium VPN is necessary to enjoy online activities like downloading, gaming, streaming etc along with stable connections for video calling and more. We can determine which VPNs are fast by conducting Speed Test in real time, under real world conditions and circumstances.

Usually new VPN protocols give priority to speed over security, especially when it comes to streaming and gaming, these VPN protocols include Lightway, Nordlynx and WireGuard. But the older protocols such as OpenVPN manage to maintain excellent speed without compromising security. This makes it the best fastest VPN protocol.

With its lightning-fast servers, you can enjoy your online experience without any buffering or distortion.

If you are on a tight budget and thinking about which free VPN has the fastest speed, we have got you covered. ProtonVPN is the free VPN with the fastest speeds For American Users to keep you connected to the platforms without spending a dime.

In this post, we discuss the best fastest VPN services in 2023 along with our testing methodology to learn how we choose the fastest VPN services. We made this list after testing each VPN provider in different conditions, in February and March of 2023. This however is a general guide and the performance of each VPN depends upon other factors as well, such as ISP Quality, Streaming Platform and Location of Server.


8 best Fastest VPN in 2023: Speed Test Winners Revealed (Quick Overview)

Here’s the list of 8 fast VPNs in 2023:

  1. ExpressVPN: Overall Fastest VPN Service. 3000 Servers in 105 Countries. 89.39 Mbps Average Download Speed on a 100 Mbps Connection. Best Deal: US$ 6.67 /mo - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free.
  2. Surfshark: Unlimited Simultaneous Connections. 3200 Servers in 100 Countries. 83 Mbps Average Download Speed on a 100 Mbps Connection. Best Deal: US$ 2.49 /mo - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee.
  3. NordVPN: Fast & Secure VPN. 6000 Servers in 61 Countries. 84.69 Mbps Average Download Speed on a 100 Mbps Connection. Best Deal: US$ 3.99 /mo - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend.
  4. CyberGhost: User-Friendly VPN. 7900 Servers in 100 Countries. 76.61 Mbps Average Download Speed on a 100 Mbps Connection. Best Deal: US$ 2.03 /mo - Save up to 84% with exclusive 2-year plans + 4 months free.
  5. IP Vanish: Best Value VPN. 2000+ Servers in 75 Countries. 71.09 Mbps Average Download Speed on a 100 Mbps Connection. Best Deal: US$ 3.99 /mo 69% Off.
  6. Private Internet Access: Best P2P VPN. 3375 Servers in 84 Countries. 66.19 Mbps Average Download Speed on a 100 Mbps Connection. Best Deal: US$ 2.03 /mo 65% OFF.
  7. ProtonVPN: Free VPN with Unlimited Bandwidth. 1746 Servers in 64 Countries. 55.61 Mbps Average Download Speed on a 100 Mbps Connection. Best Deal: $4.99/mo.
  8. VyprVPN: Underrated Super-Fast VPN. 700+ Servers in 70 Countries. 47.54 Mbps Average Download Speed on a 100 Mbps Connection. Best Deal: $8.33/mo.

Learn more:

How we selected the fastest VPNs | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Best Fastest VPN Speeds Comparison Table

VPN Provider Speed Drop in 2019 Speed Drop in 2020 Speed Drop in 2022 Speed Drop in 2023 Website
ExpressVPN 2% drop 49% drop 2% drop 6% drop ExpressVPN
Surfshark 6% drop 51% drop 2% drop 18% drop Surfshark
NordVPN 9% drop 65% drop 27% drop 25% drop NordVPN
CyberGhost 15% drop 61% drop 40% drop 36% drop CyberGhost
Private Internet Access 27% drop 17% drop 19% drop 40% drop Private Internet Access 
IPVanish 65% drop 68% drop 26% drop IP Vanish
VyprVPN 35% drop 17% drop 46% drop 60% drop VyprVPN
ProtonVPN 9% drop 17% drop 40% drop ProtonVPN

8 Fastest VPN Services in 2023: Speed Test Winners Revealed (Detailed Review)

Here are the 8 fastest VPN services described in detail, after comparing their costs, Trustpilot user ratings, and latency/upload/download performance tests:

1.ExpressVPN: Overall Fastest VPN Service

ExpressVPN

Key features:

ExpressVPN is the overall fastest VPN service in the market, offering an average speed of 89.39 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.

The VPN uses advanced protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Lightway, which is ExpressVPN’s custom protocol. It is also considered the best VPN with Ad Blockers.

We were thoroughly impressed by the exceptional speed of ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol. Upon connecting to their servers, we experienced remarkable performance. Streaming high-definition content became a seamless and buffer-free experience while downloading large files happened in an instant. The Lightway protocol offered a remarkable level of efficiency, making my online activities smoother and more enjoyable than ever before. ExpressVPN has undoubtedly set a new standard in VPN performance with this innovative technology.

On a 100 Mbps connection, the ExpressVPN speed test displayed a download speed of 89.42 Mbps and an upload speed of 84.64 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.

Speed Test Results of ExpressVPN

Servers Downloading Speed Upload Speed
United States 93.45 90.12
United Kingdom 90.43 87.42
Canada 91.15 89.93
New Zealand 87.95 85.92
Japan 83.98 81.41
Average 89.39 86.96

ExpressVPN boasts a network of 3000 servers in 105 countries covering 160 locations globally. It has servers in 24 locations in the US, including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, New Jersey, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver, Miami, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, and Washington DC.

With the constantly rotating servers of ExpressVPN, you can achieve the lowest ping rate while gaming or easily unblock geo-blocks on popular streaming sites such as Netflix with ExpressVPN, BBC iPlayer with ExpressVPN, Huluwith ExpressVPN, Disney+ with ExpressVPN, HBO Max with ExpressVPN, and more. Moreover, it is also best to stream Voot.

ExpressVPN is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can cover all your personal devices with 8 simultaneous connections. Furthermore, you can use the dedicated router app to configure ExpressVPN on your router easily. It is also considered the Best VPN for Laptops.

ExpressVPN offers a multilingual interface supporting various languages in its apps. It comes with a secure infrastructure by using AES-256-bit encryption to mask your traffic. Moreover, it brings WebRTC blocking and GPS spoofing to ensure secure connections with an anonymous identity.

To contact the support team, ExpressVPN offers a live chat and email service for customers. We have had our best experiences with super active and highly knowledgeable agents. ExpressVPN’s plethora of features, high-quality service, and dedication to its customers makes it by far the best VPN out there.

On a 100 Mbps internet connection, we received a download speed of 89.42 Mbps and an upload speed of 84.64 Mbps.

ExpressVPN-speedtest

The provider offers a 7-day ExpressVPN free trial for mobile phones. Also, you can try ExpressVPN’s money-back offer to use it for free for 30 days. you can get an ExpressVPn subscription for as little as US$ 6.67 /mo - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free. You can also cancel ExpressVPN’s subscription too.

For more information, visit our dedicated ExpressVPN Review!

Pros
  • Lightning-fast speeds for unrestricted streaming
  • Transparent network connections for safe streaming
  • Unblocks major streaming platforms
  • Rotating servers
  • Works in China
  • P2P-optimized servers

Cons
  • Expensive plans

Get ExpressVPN Now!30-Days Money Back Guarantee

2. Surfshark: Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

Surfshark-

Key features:

Surfshark VPN offers unlimited simultaneous connections which means you can connect as many devices as you want. The VPN has compatibility with all major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Surfshark was previously based in the British Virgin Islands but it then relocated to the Netherlands in 2020 for business purposes. The region is one of the 14 Eyes members. However, Surfshark assures users that they don’t collect logs by following a strict no-logs policy.

The provider has been independently audited by Cure53 and the servers 100% work on the RAM infrastructure.

Moreover, the VPN uses the military-grade 256-bit AES encryption method with advanced protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Also, it hides your IP address completely and bypasses local firewalls easily. You can safely access censored websites using this VPN. It works perfectly as the best VPN for Australian TV in USA due to many secure servers in Australia.

You can easily unblock major streaming platforms including Netflix with Surfshark, BBC iPlayer with Surfshark, Hulu with Surfshark, and Disney+ with Surfshark with the massive network of Surfshark’s 3200 servers in 100 countries.

Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to get a complete refund within the first 30 days of purchase. if you choose to cancel Surfshark’s subscription. Moreover, you get a 7-day free trial for mobile phones for testing the features without spending a penny. If you do want to spent some pennies though, you will not have to shell out much as Surfshark can be obtained for as little as US$ 2.49 /mo - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee.

We received a download speed of 81.32 Mbps and an upload speed of 76.12 Mbps on a 100 Mbps internet connection

Surfshark-speedtest

Our Surfshark Speed Test Results are as follows:

Servers Download Speed Upload Speed
United States 87.58 83.38
United Kingdom 85.25 81.52
Canada 86.51 82.64
New Zealand 79.72 77.42
Japan 75.95 72.85
Average 83.00 79.56

For more information, visit our dedicated Surfshark review USA!

Pros
  • Fast speed
  • Unlimited multi logins
  • Works with most popular streaming platforms
  • Budget-friendly
  • Independently audited privacy policy
  • MultiHop for enhanced protection

Cons
  • Headquartered in the Netherlands

Get Surfshark Now!30-Days Money Back Guarantee

3.NordVPN: Fast & Secure VPN

NordVPN-in-USA

Registered in the privacy-friendly region of Panama, where there are no data retention laws, NordVPN is one of the secure VPN providers which, on testing, offered an average download speed of 84.69 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.

The VPN uses the AES 256-bit encryption method with advanced protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and NordLynx, which is Nord’s custom protocol working on WireGuard with NAT technology.

NordVPN provides IP leak protection to prevent data leakage on the network. Also, its Threat Protection Lite protects against trackers, malware, ads, and other threats on the internet.

With unlimited bandwidth, you can enjoy smooth browsing and stable access everywhere. Its split tunneling is useful for adjusting the traffic load on VPN and regular connection.

NordVPN boasts a network of 6000 servers in 61 countries, which can easily unblock major streaming sites. You can watch Netflix with NordVPN, BBC iPlayer with NordVPN, Disney+ with NordVPN, and even Hulu with NordVPN, among others.

The service is one of the best VPNs for gaming that offers low ping rates. You can enjoy popular games by using NordVPN as a PUBG VPN, as the best VPN for Fortnite, the best VPN for Overwatch, or as the best VPN for Roobet, and more.

The service offers a 7-day NordVPN free trial on Android and iOS but you can hack into the money-back offer to use it free for 30 days if you cancel NordVPNs’s subscription.

Compatibility is one if its greatest strengths which is why you can easily use NordVPN on Windows, NordVPN on Mac, NordVPN on Linux, NordVPN on Android, and NordVPN on iOS. You can cover all your personal devices with the 6 simultaneous connections it offers.

NordVPN provides a live chat and email support service 24/7 where customers can report their issues or talk to the agents when needed. You can get a NordVPN subscription for as little as US$ 3.99 /mo - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend.

We received a download speed of 83.82 Mbps and an upload speed of 44.64 Mbps on a 100 Mbps internet connection.

Nordvpn-speedtest

Our NordVPN Speed Test results are mentioned below:

Servers Download Speed Upload Speed
United States 90.53 88.41
United Kingdom 87.52 85.55
Canada 88.56 86.41
New Zealand 81.58 79.55
Japan 75.28 72.83
Average 84.69 82.55

For more information, visit our dedicated NordVPN review USA!

Pros
  • One of the fastest VPNs
  • Advanced online protection
  • RAM-only servers
  • Zero logs policy
  • Works in China
  • Onion over VPN

Cons
  • No dedicated router app

Get NordVPN Now!30-Days Money Back Guarantee

4.CyberGhost: User-Friendly VPN

CyberGhost-VPN- BestVPN-in-USA

CyberGhost is a user-friendly service best suited for VPN newbies. It offers easy-to-navigate apps for all platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

The provider is based in Bucharest, Romania, which is an unusual but safe jurisdiction since it is not a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance Group.

CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy. However, the VPN has not been audited for a decade now. But it has not been involved in past scandals about data logging or leaking. It is great for anonymization by providing the IP change option.

The service guards your data with the AES 256-bit encryption method to ensure safe transactions. The protocols you can use with CyberGhost are WireGuard, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, and IKEv2.

CyberGhost boasts a huge network of 7900 servers in 100 countries which can easily unblock major streaming platforms such as HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. You can also easily watch Netflix with CyberGhost.

You can get your own CyberGhost subscription for a price of just US$ 2.03 /mo - Save up to 84% with exclusive 2-year plans + 4 months free. CyberGhost offers a 30-day money-refund policy with a 7-day free trial for mobile phones. In terms of assistance, CyberGhost has a ticketing system to help customers.

Alongside great speed perfect for streaming, browsing and gaming, we can consider it the Best VPN for World of Warcraft in USA due to its speed, seen from CyberGhost speed test. We received a download speed of 75.47 Mbps and an upload speed of 39.48 Mbps on a 100 Mbps internet connection.

Cyberghost-speedtest

You can also check out the following table for server speeds from different regions:

Download Speed Upload Speed Upload Speed
United States 81.62 78.44
United Kingdom 78.23 76.22
Canada 79.41 77.65
New Zealand 74.32 72.25
Japan 69.51 66.82
Average 76.61 74.27

For more information, visit our dedicated CyberGhost review USA!

Pros
  • Good speed servers
  • Streaming servers
  • User-friendly interface
  • Offers in-house servers

Cons
  • No third-party audits since 2012

Get CyberGhost Now!45-Days Money Back Guarantee

5.IPVanish: Best Value VPN

IPVanish-BestVPN

  • 2000+ Servers in 75 Countries, including 20+  in the US
  • 75.23Mbps Average Download Speed
  • Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
  • Unlimited bandwidth for Ultra-HD streaming
  • Best PriceUS$ 3.99 /mo 69% Off.

The best value VPN, IPVanish, offers a generous 1-year plan that only costs US$ 3.99 /mo 69% Off. with an upfront payment of $39.99 only.

The provider is based in the US, and is one of the founding members of the 14 Eyes Alliance Group. However, the VPN has been audited by a third-party called Leviathan and it has not been involved in data logs scandals.

IPVanish uses AES 256-bit encryption and you can choose between various protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPSec, and IKEv2.  It offers webcam blocking, anti-tracking tools, and ad-blocking services.

You get block location access, WebRTC protection, and Force HTTPS encryption.

Along with the anonymous VPN, you get a free SOCKS5 web proxy which can easily mask your IP address to give you access to popular streaming sites such as Hulu, Netflix, ESPN+, and many other streaming platforms in the US.

IPVanish offers a 7-day free trial for Android devices and iOS mobiles. Also, you can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee if you sign up for the 1-year plan at a price of just US$ 3.99 /mo 69% Off.

Alongside great speed perfect for streaming, browsing and gaming, seen from IPVanish Speed Test. We received a download speed of 75.47 Mbps and an upload speed of 39.48 Mbps on a 100 Mbps internet connection.

IPVanish-SpeedtestYou get a chatbot and email service 24/7 to contact the support team. And now time for speed test results of IPVanish

Servers Download Speed Upload Speed
United States 75.23 70.08
United Kingdom 71.83 68.00
Canada 72.74 71.32
New Zealand 69.15 65.32
Japan 66.52 61.92
Average 71.09 67.32

For more information, visit our dedicated IPVanish review USA!

Pros
  • Fast servers
  • 40K+ IP addresses
  • Audited zero logs policy
  • SOCKS5 proxy
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections

Cons
  • US-based VPN

Get IPVanish Now!30-Days Money Back Guarantee

6.PIA: Best P2P VPN

PIA

  • 3375 Servers in 84 Countries, including servers in 50 locations in the US
  • 70.87 Mbps Average Download Speed
  • 10 Simultaneous Connections
  • Unlimited bandwidth for Ultra-HD streaming
  • Best PriceUS$ 2.03 /mo 65% OFF.

Private Internet Access (PIA) is the best VPN for torrenting with P2P-optimized servers. The provider is based in the US, which is an unsafe jurisdiction as the country is one of the founding members of the 14 Eyes Alliance Group.

However, PIA doesn’t collect any logs, which can be evident by its independent audit performed by Deloitte, which is one of the big four accounting firms.

The VPN uses WireGuard and OpenVPN, the two most advanced protocols of the industry with the military-grade AES 256-bit encryption method.

It also offers state-of-the-art proxies, Shadowsocks and SOCKS5, so that you can take care of your P2P and torrenting activities like a champ.  It provides block location access, WebRTC protection, and Force HTTPS encryption.

PIA brings webcam blocking, anti-tracking tools, and ad-blocking services for users.

PIA boasts a network of 3375 servers in 84 countries including streaming-optimized servers for platforms like Netflix, Sling TV, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more.

PIA compatibility is one of its standout features. It effortlessly works across various operating systems like Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. With PIA, you can secure all your personal devices, Specifically catering to securing Mac systems, PIA on Mac ensures users can confidently explore the digital world, knowing their data is secure and their privacy remains intact.

You can try PIA with their 30-day money-back guarantee and a  7-day free trial is available for Android and iOS so you can always start with that. You also get 24/7 live chat support, so you can ask whatever you need at any given time. Live chat support ensures that you can promptly get assistance on how to cancel PIA subscription in USA or address any queries you might have regarding the process.

Speed Test Results of PIA are mentioned below and you can check our dedicated Private Internet Access review  for more information.

Servers Download Speed Upload Speed
United States 70.87 65.34
United Kingdom 67.52 65.29
Canada 69.58 66.62
New Zealand 63.25 61.45
Japan 59.73 56.92
Average 66.19 63.12

Private Internet Access (PIA) is often praised for its robust performance and reliable speeds. PIA Speed tests conducted above have frequently demonstrated impressive results, showcasing competitive download and upload speeds across various server locations. Users have reported consistent and fast connections.

For more information, visit our dedicated PIA VPN Review USA!

Pros
  • Streaming optimized fast servers
  • Massive server network
  • Zero logs policy audited by Deloitte
  • SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks proxy
  • 10 simultaneous connections

Cons
  • US-based VPN

Get PIA Now!30-Days Money Back Guarantee

7.ProtonVPN: Free VPN with Unlimited Bandwidth

ProtonVPN

  • Network of 1746 Servers in 64 Countries, including 5 servers in the US
  • 60.22 Mbps Average Download Speed
  • Unlimited bandwidth for Ultra-HD streaming
  • 10 Simultaneous Connections on the Plus Plan
  • Best Price$4.99/mo.

ProtonVPN is a free VPN with unlimited bandwidth to cater to all your browsing needs without worrying about a data cap reach, which is exactly the quality that also makes it stand out as the best free VPN.

The provider is based in Switzerland, which is not a part of the 14 Eyes Alliance Group. It has also been audited by a cybersecurity and penetration testing firm called SEC Consult.

ProtonVPN uses the AES 256-bit or ChaCha20 encryption methods along with advanced protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 to secure your online presence.

ProtonVPN ensures a safe online experience with anti-blocking tools and block location access. 

You can enjoy BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and more channels with this VPN. For those seeking the Best VPN for ViaPlay in USA, ProtonVPN emerges as a stellar choice. Its robust security features, coupled with seamless streaming capabilities, make it the ideal companion for enjoying ViaPlay’s diverse content library. Elevate your ViaPlay experience with ProtonVPN, where online security meets limitless entertainment.”

Regarding the endeavor of reaching Japanese channels like Nippon TV, Nico Nico, NHK World, and similar platforms, acquiring a Japanese IP address makes it simple to unblock and access this content.

For those particularly seeking a free VPN for Nico Nico in USA, this option stands out as the best choice. It effectively provides the necessary tools to obtain a Japanese IP address, allowing seamless access to Nico Nico and other Japanese channels for free.

ProtonVPN offers an email support service to help customers. If you want to try out ProtonVPN’s premium features, you can do so for as little as $4.99/mo.

You can check out the ProtonVPN review to know more about this VPN service, but first take a look at the Speed Test Results of ProtonVPN

Servers Download Speed Upload Speed
United States 60.22 57.82
United Kingdom 57.52 55.91
Canada 58.54 57.61
New Zealand 53.32 50.75
Japan 48.49 45.35
Average 55.61 53.48
Pros
  • Decent speed
  • Free version available
  • Zero logs policy
  • 10 simultaneous connections

Cons
  • Connection drops

Get ProtonVPN Now!30-Days Money Back Guarantee

8.VyprVPN: Underrated Super-Fast VPN

  • 700+ Servers in 70 Countries, including 5+ server locations in the US
  • .47.54 Mbps Average Download Speed
  • 10 Simultaneous Connections
  • Unlimited bandwidth for Ultra-HD streaming
  • Best Price $8.33/mo

VyprVPN is a super-fast service averaging a download speed of 47.54 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. The provider is headquartered in Switzerland, which is known for strong privacy laws.

The VPN boasts a network of 700+ servers in 70 countries which are all owned by the provider since it doesn’t use rented data centers.

VyprVPN uses the AES 256-bit encryption method in combination with protocols such as WireGuard, Chameleon, OpenVPN, and IPSec. You also get Anti-tracking tools and block location access with VyprVPN.

The servers are optimized enough for torrenting, browsing, and streaming on major platforms including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more.

It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee but doesn’t provide a free trial. It is available for a price of only $8.33/mo.

For queries, you can contact their support team via email service.

And mentioned below are the Speed Test Results of VyprVPN

Servers Download Speed Upload Speed
United States 51.67 49.37
United Kingdom 47.65 46.73
Canada 49.58 46.26
New Zealand 45.95 43.15
Japan 42.85 40.42
Average 47.54 45.18

For more information, visit our dedicated VyprVPN Review USA!

Pros
  • Fast speed connections
  • Chameleon protocol
  • Strict no logs policy
  • 10 simultaneous connections

Cons
  • Anonymous payment method not available

Get VyprVPN Now!30-Days Money Back Guarantee

How we tested the Fastest VPN Services – Methodology in USA?

We can have considered different strategies for speed-testing of different VPN providers:

  • Select a Reliable Speed Test Service

Many different platforms are available for evaluating the speeds of VPNs. We have used one such platform to assess the speed of the VPNs and selected the service providers with incredibly fast speeds.

  • Establish a Baseline Speed

To test speed, we need a benchmark rate first. Therefore, we started by testing our internet speed without using any VPN to see how a VPN would affect it later.

  • Activate a VPN

Using the baseline speed results, we activated a VPN. We targeted the VPN server located the nearest to our position. Even many VPNs offer a convenient “connect” feature, which automatically suggests the nearest server.

  • Execute the Speed Test

After the VPN got connected successfully, we visited our chosen test site to conduct the speed test. Factors like download speed, upload speed, and pings are measured by the speed test platform.

  • Document the Results

To be able to make comparisons in later stages, we need to record the download speed, upload speed, and pings.

  • Perform the Test Multiple Times

It is highly recommended to repeat the speed test at different times of the day to compute an average result. This is essential as the connection speeds may vary due to congestion and user volume.

  • Analyze the Results 

After you conduct and collect a good series of tests, you should compare your normal connection speed results having no VPN with your connection running a VPN. The results will help you assess how much a VPN has impacted your connection speed.


Best Fastest VPN in USA: Speed-Testing of Different VPN Providers in 2023!

I have put a great deal of effort into testing 13 different providers, known for their “great performance”. You can see the results plotted in the graphs below.

For each provider, I performed a latency, upload, and download speed analysis. This involved connecting to different servers and then coming up with an average speed.

All tests were performed on my 100Mbps connection via multiple tools like the Ookla Speed Test, Xfinity, and Fast.com to gain an accurate representation.

The tests conducted include a cumulative analysis on all platforms, to determine the best VPN for Windows , the best VPN for Mac in USA, the best VPN for iPhone (iOS) in USA, and the best VPN for Android in USA.

VPN Latency Tests

Latency Test

The latency of different servers is probably the most underrated factor in testing a VPN for performance. Not many realize that latency plays a huge role in speeds.

If the ping time is too high, you will face connectivity issues. Gamers will know more about this. High latency = more lagging/buffering.

As you can see from the results below, out of the 13 providers, ExpressVPN has the lowest latency. It manages to achieve a ping rate of 133 ms.

Ranking second in terms of latency is NordVPN, which stands at 141 ms. For the third, you have Surfshark, which achieved a ping rate of 155 ms.

Providers like CyberGhost, PureVPN, IPVanish, PIA fall within the 160-200 ms, whereas providers including ProtonVPN, Ivacy, TorGuard, VyprVPN, TunnelBear, and Hotspot Shield managed to achieve a ping rate ranging between the 200-300 ms scale.

Download Speed Tests

Download Speed Test

After ranking first in the latency tests, ExpressVPN managed to score a huge win in download speeds. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost achieved blazing-fast download speeds ranging in the 80-100 Mbps scale.

Moreover, PureVPN, IPVanish, PIA, and ProtonVPN achieved download speeds ranging in the 60-80 Mbps scale.

And at last, Ivacy, TorGuard, VyprVPN, TunnelBear, and Hotspot Shield achieved download speeds ranging in the 40-60 Mbps scale.

Upload Speed Tests

Upload Speed Test

Let me tell you, guys, something. If your ISP is reducing uploads, they are not delivering on their promises and probably cheating you.

For instance, if you buy a 50Mbps connection. Both download and upload results should be showing the same. If you do not, there is something fishy going on.

Nevertheless, getting back to the topic. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark achieved upload speeds ranging in the 80-100 Mbps scale.

CyberGhost, PureVPN, IPVanish, and PIA achieved upload speeds ranging in the 60-80 Mbps scale. And at last, ProtonVPN, Ivacy, TorGuard, VyprVPN, TunnelBear, and Hotspot Shield achieved upload speeds ranging in the 40-60 Mbps scale.


Fastest Overall VPN

For 2023, ExpressVPN is clearly the fastest VPN service. This is not my personal opinion, but the end analysis from the tests I conducted.

Though the latency could be better, the Panama-based provider offers the best download/upload speeds. Surfshark and CyberGhost manage to do quite well too.

Here is the detailed chart:

VPN Provider Latency/Ping (ms) Download Speed (Mbps) Upload Speed Mbps
ExpressVPN 133 ms 93 Mbps 90 Mbps
NordVPN 141 ms 90 Mbps 88 Mbps
Surfshark 155 ms 87 Mbps 83 Mbps
CyberGhost 163 ms 81 Mbps 78 Mbps
VyprVPN 263 ms 51 Mbps 49 Mbps
IPVanish 184 ms 75 Mbps 70 Mbps
PIA 193 ms 70 Mbps 65 Mbps
ProtonVPN 235 ms 60 Mbps 57 Mbps

How to Boost the Speed of Your VPN?

Experiencing slow VPN connection issues? We have listed a few factors which should be considered to make your VPNs run faster:

  • Change your VPN server location 

If you face slowdowns on a VPN connection, the first thing we suggest is to change your VPN server location and connect to a less-crowded server in your nearest location.

  • Change your protocol settings

VPNs follow a pack of protocols for enhancing security and performance. Try to switch to WireGuard which is the fastest protocol for boosting your connection speed.

  • Switch between TCP/UDP with OpenVPN 

OpenVPN works with either TCP or UDP at a time, where UDP is a much faster option. Therefore, if you are having OpenVPN, try switching TCP to UDP for fastening up your connection.

  • Turn on MultiHop 

If you have a VPN with a MultiHop feature, try turning it on. The network between the first MultiHop server and the next may be better solving the speeds that you are getting on a direct connection.

  • Restart your device

Try to restart your device as it sometimes helps to fix the slow connectivity issues. Therefore, just turn off your device and turn it on to see if it works.

  • Restart your router 

Another tip is to restart your router as systems do accumulate junk after running for longer durations. When you stop the system and run it again, the applications receive new data which might resolve the speed.

  • Turn off security software 

Your security solutions like antivirus programs or firewalls assess the data flowing out of your device. Even that we recommend keeping your antivirus or firewall on during the VPN usage, try to switch them off to check the effect it has on speed.

  • Ditch your wireless connections

Wireless connections run with shared connections channels on several devices, lowering your speed. You may try to use a wired connection to experience faster network with a VPN.


FAQs: Best Fastest VPN

Since users can face plenty of issues or have concerns about using fast VPNs to unblock and stream at high speeds, I decided to create an FAQ of all the common questions I receive below:

Using a fast-speed VPN connection can have several benefits. Some of the best fastest VPN benefits include Improved online privacy, Secure connections due to encryption, Protection against cyber threats, bypassing geo-restrictions and censorships, Secure browsing on public WiFi, Torrenting, Remote access, No data logging and more.

Make sure you select a VPN which offers low ping rate or latency, where ping time indicates the amount of lag you are likely to receive. To get the fastest server for gaming, first connect to the nearest server and ensure low latency.

TunnelBear is the fastest free VPN service as it adopts a freemium model, which means they have both: paid and free plans available. As such, its free version can be considered to be one of the fastest free VPN services. ProtonVPN is a close second as the free fastest VPN. 

Following are the fastest VPNs of 2023,  suitable for streaming, gaming, and torrenting:

  • ExpressVPN – the fastest VPN we tested
  • Surfshark – budget-friendly fast speed VPN
  • NordVPN – fast and secure VPN service
  • CyberGhost – user-friendly VPN with fast connections
  • PIA – reasonable VPN with blazing-fast speed

A VPN does not inherently increase your speed as it can not increase your available bandwidth but it can help If your ISP is throttling bandwidth. connecting to any one of the fast VPNs will allow you to bypass it. In such circumstances, you can say a fastest VPN service increases your online speed..

ExpressVPN is faster than NordVPN if VPN speeds is your main concern and it also offers almost a 100 more server locations as the best fastest VPN. However, if the price is your main concern, then NordVPN is the cheaper option.

Although most games display your ping in real-time, you can still perform a ping test if it doesn’t. You’ll need to know the domain or IP address of the game server you’ll be playing on.

Once you find the IP address or domain for the server, open Command Prompt on your Windows or Mac computer and enter the following command: ping [IP address here]

Now connect to a VPN and rerun the same command. Note down the difference in ping. You can also compare ping times on different servers by running the ping test on each one.

A VPN can help with buffering in the specific case if your ISP is throttling your internet. In most cases, ISPs limit the bandwidth limit of users, which results in buffering while video streaming.

You can also improve speed and minimize buffering by connecting to a server physically closer to your actual location.

A VPN hides your online traffic, which will make the ISP unable to discriminate between your streaming traffic and hence, the ISP will not throttle your connection anymore.

However, a VPN will not magically cure buffering if you just have a slow internet connection.

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN for streaming. The provider boasts a network of 3000 servers in 105 countries with highly optimized servers of streaming that can easily unblock major streaming sites such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more. NordVPN is also another great option for best Fastest VPN.


Fastest VPN Services: Wrapping Things Up

When it comes to selecting a reliable Fast VPN, speed becomes a crucial factor to consider. Best Fastest VPN ensures stable and smooth connections, making them ideal for various online activities, such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

After a comprehensive fastest VPN assessment and Detailed Analysis of all speed-related aspects, ExpressVPN stands out as the top performer in 2023, boasting an impressive average download speed of 89.39 Mbps and an average upload speed of 86.96 Mbps.

However, NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost also deserve recognition as Fast VPN for their exceptional performance, achieving blazing-fast VPN speeds ranging between 80-100 Mbps.

Should you encounter any issues or have suggestions to offer, please don’t hesitate to drop a comment below. I will personally respond and provide as much assistance as possible.

Remember, a fast VPN not only enhances your online activities but also ensures your security and privacy remain intact. So, choose wisely and enjoy your time online with VPN at your side.

2 Responses to 8 best Fastest VPN Service in 2023: Speed Test Winners Revealed!

  1. Francis says:

    That’s a quality list. I’ve tried a few of the mentioned VPNs before, but right now I’d add one more to it. I’ve been using Surfshark lately, because my friend who is a total geek told me it’s one of the fastest in industry at the moment. What can I say? It’s fast and works with any streaming service I’ve tried so far (Netflix, BBC iPlayer). Not much else I want from a vpn, except from privacy. They do say “no logs”, considering that they are based in Switzerland, it makes sense I guess. It’s still a relatively new provider, so I’ll have to see how it goes in the near future.

    • Bestvpn.co says:

      Thanks for commenting Francis. I have already reviewed Surfshark, but i’ll analyze it for performance again. The positive review really helps us in ranking services too, and judging by the way there is always news about old, reputable providers turning to be scams, we are leaning more towards checking out new providers. Keep following us! 🙂

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