Slow VPN Speed

Some speed reduction is normal with any VPN — encryption takes processing power. However if speeds feel noticeably slow, these steps will help.

1. Run a Baseline Speed Test

First, test your speed without the VPN connected at speedtest.net. Then connect to the VPN and test again. A drop of 10–30% is typical. If the drop is much larger, continue below.

2. Try a Closer / Less Loaded Server

The further the server, the higher the latency. Switch to a server geographically closer to you. Also try a different UK server — some may be under heavier load. Server addresses are listed in your Members Area.

3. Switch Protocol & Port

UDP is generally faster than TCP for VPN traffic. Make sure you're using UDP 1194 as your primary setting. If your ISP is throttling VPN traffic on that port, try UDP 8080.

Avoid TCP 443 if speed is the priority — TCP has higher overhead than UDP for streaming.

4. Check Your MTU Setting

An incorrect MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) causes packet fragmentation and dramatically reduces throughput. In your OpenVPN config, try adding mssfix 1450 and tun-mtu 1500. Contact support for guidance on your specific setup.

5. Try WireGuard

WireGuard is a modern, lightweight protocol that typically achieves significantly higher speeds than OpenVPN due to its leaner codebase. If you're currently using OpenVPN, try generating a WireGuard config instead using the generator below.

6. Check Your ISP

Some ISPs throttle VPN connections. If speeds are consistently slow only when connected to the VPN, and switching ports/protocols doesn't help, your ISP may be throttling. Try our Obfuscation protocol which disguises VPN traffic — see Obfuscation Guide.