VPN services have become very popular over the last years and while it is possible to find many options available in the market, choosing a fast, reliable solution can be a bit of a challenge. Getting a VPN that offers good speeds is not that easy, particularly for Google Fiber users. The main reason why a VPN tends to slow down your connection is that it applies encryption to all your internet traffic. Usually, the data is encrypted using 256-bit key length and it is rerouted through the VPN servers, as a result, you may notice an impact on the performance of your internet connection.
That being said, there are high quality VPN providers that offer 1000mbps servers that feature load-balancing tools that can prevent server overload, giving you the best possible server use. When you connect to a server near your physical location, or let the VPN software select the best server for your needs, you won’t notice a significant difference with the usual speed of your connection. You will still be able to stream content, play online games and more, without notable delays. Before we go through the list of the VPN services that can offer you fast performance, let’s take a look at some of the misconceptions regarding VPNs.
Misconception number 1 – Bandwidth is the most important thing
Bandwidth is to the amount of data that can be downloaded in a specific time frame and latency refers to how fast the data travels back and forth. If we are talking about the time that it takes a website to load and particularly when it comes to gaming, latency (ping) is significantly more important than bandwidth. When you connect to a VPN server that is very far away, all the information that is transmitted will have to travel a long distance. This is why VPN providers that don’t have high quality networks are not capable of giving you the most efficient routes and offer slow and poor performance.
Misconception 2 – OpenVPN is the only protocol you should use
Although it is true that OpenVPN is the most secure open-source protocol, it has its disadvantages in terms of performance. IPSec works better in comparison since it offers faster connection time with minimal overhead. In addition, IPSec hasn’t been compromised either and it is highly secure. It should be noted that OpenVPN is based on OpenSSL, which can be affected by vulnerabilities on a regular basis. OpenVPN is recommended when your main concern is security, but for overall performance, you can try IPSec. It is advisable to get a VPN that supports multiple protocols so that you have options that suit different scenarios.
Misconception 3 – 128-bit is not secure and you should always opt for 256-bit encryption
You may see that some providers claim to be the most secure solution as they offer a higher key length. While 256-bit encryption does offer strong encryption, 128-bit would be more than enough for most people. 128-bit encryption is secure and considering that 256-bit is significantly slower, you may be better off using the first option. Encryption tends to slow down your connection, but with 12-bit encryption, you can keep your data protected and still enjoy streaming, gaming and more, without further delays.
Misconception 4 – All servers are the same, regardless of their location.
As we mentioned before, connecting to a server that is located far from you, means that the data has to travel a longer distance. When you connect to a server that is in a different continent, the ping time will be affected as it takes longer to reach the destination. This is why it is important to use servers that are close to your physical location.
Now that we have gone through some common misconceptions regarding VPNs and speed, it is time to check the list of reliable providers with networks that feature servers with gigabit speed. These providers don’t impose limits on downloads and are constantly improving their network to ensure that you enjoy the best possible performance and fast speeds.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the best solutions in the industry and its service is designed to provide optimal performance for streaming media and downloading content. They are based in the British Virgin Islands, don’t keep logs of your online activities and accept Bitcoin, a combination of features that make them a great solution to protect your privacy. With ExpressVPN, you can enjoy incredibly fast speeds and high security to defend your data from eavesdroppers and other threats. You can connect to servers in more than 90 countries.
IPVanish
IPVanish is one of the most reputable providers in the VPN industry and it will impress you with the fast speeds and great quality of its service. You can connect to servers in over 60 countries and enjoy efficient performance to bypass restrictions and enjoy the content that you want, without experiencing significant delays. IPVanish is in charge of its own network of servers, which gives it more control over speed and security. In addition, they don’t keep logs of your online activities and provide strong encryption to protect your internet traffic.
NordVPN
NordVPN is considered as one of the safest solutions in the industry thanks to advanced features like Tor over VPN and double VPN encryption. However, it is not only security what makes NordVPN a service that should definitely be considered. This provider based in Panama has ultra-fast servers that let you stream and download content without issues. You can connect to thousands of servers in 60 countries. In addition, NordVPN is a zero logs provider, meaning that they don’t monitor or record any aspect of your connection or online traffic.
VyprVPN
VyprVPN is another well-known solution that manages its own infrastructure. This enables them to offer reliable, good fast speeds so that you can stream content and play games without issues. VyprVPN has over 700 servers around the world and its unique Chameleon protocol is set to defeat even the toughest firewalls. It is an effective solution to get around restrictions and Deep Packet Inspection. Chameleon disguises your VPN traffic, which means that you can bypass networks that block VPNs. VyprVPN is one of the best options for gaming, as it offers servers close to important gaming servers. It is an ideal solution to enjoy faster speeds for streaming, as well as lower ping times and better gaming experience.
Hide.me
Hide.me has become a highly popular option thanks to its commitment to keep your privacy protected and its high quality custom software. The provider is based in Malaysia and it doesn’t keep any logs, which means that there are no any aspects of your data being monitored or recorded. The software comes with important features such as Kill Switch and DNS leak protection. You can keep your privacy protected, enjoy internet securely and bypass restrictions connecting to servers in over 25 countries. Thanks to their gigabit speeds, you will hardly notice any difference in your connection will using Hide.me’s VPN service.