<div id=”id_text” itemprop=”articleBody”>
Using a VPN offers all kinds of advantages. You are secured on public WiFi, you are more anonymous online and you can bypass geographical blocks.
However, the price you pay for this cannot only be expressed in hard euros: your internet connection will have a harder time and performance may deteriorate. All your traffic and data is now encrypted, perhaps even double, and travels in a roundabout way (sometimes thousands of kilometers) before reaching its destination.
Check vpn speeds
The logical consequence is a dip in your internet speed. And let’s be honest: speed is an important aspect in your search for the best VPN. You’ll find a detailed comparison of VPN speeds in any helpful review online, but what do these numbers mean in practice? What better way to find out if the VPN you’re looking at offers the speed you need?
Upload, download, ping: it seems pretty self-explanatory. Higher is better, except when it comes to ping. But what does this data really tell you? Much depends on how testing is done: from which location, with which operating system, with which VPN protocol. All these aspects can influence the figures you are presented with. And it’s great if VPN X’s German server turns out to be super fast, but what if you only want to connect to the server in the US to watch American Netflix?
Put it to the test yourself with VPN
It is therefore much better to test it yourself. But of course you’re not just going to take out ten VPN subscriptions just to find the fastest one. Fortunately, the most reliable VPNs all offer a trial period, during which you can test which VPN is suitable for you without risk using your own devices and internet connection. Limit yourself to the few VPNs that experts recommend after extensive testing. Some tips to arrive at a useful and objective speed comparison:
- Test all your normal computer use: games, downloading, streaming, etc. You will then automatically notice whether the chosen VPN is making too much of a difference to your speed.
- Use different speed tests: Speedtest is the well-known one, but also consider Fast.com (from Netflix) and local options.
- Make sure that all other applications and devices that could affect the connection speed are closed.
- Do not install multiple VPNs at the same time.
- Test at different times and days to get the best overview.
No one wants a VPN that slows down their internet. Therefore, make sure you inform yourself well before purchasing this service!