Have you noticed your NordVPN connection seems sluggish compared to your normal internet speeds? As a long-time VPN user myself, I know how frustrating a lagging, slow VPN can be.
But before you give up on NordVPN, know that there are ways to optimize your setup for faster speeds! In this detailed guide, I’ll break down the key factors that influence VPN speeds based on my experience as a network engineer.
I’ll also provide tips to troubleshoot and boost your NordVPN performance. Let’s dive in!
Contents
How Much Speed Loss is Normal for a VPN?
First, it‘s important to know that all VPNs will cause some reduction in your raw internet speeds. According to research by Security.org, the average speed loss across 70 VPN providers was just 28% globally and 37% in the US.
The main reason is because your traffic has to take extra “hops” to be encrypted by the VPN server, adding latency. Extra data processing also slows things down a bit.
So if your NordVPN speeds are roughly 25-50% slower than your base connection, that’s pretty normal. However, there are ways we can minimize the impact…
Key Factors That Influence VPN Speeds
Based on my experience optimizing VPNs for companies, here are the top factors that determine how much of a speed hit you’ll take:
VPN protocol – Some are more efficient than others. For example, NordVPN’s NordLynx (WireGuard) is faster than OpenVPN.
Encryption strength – Stronger encryption leads to more complex processing. AES-256 is slower than AES-128 for instance.
Server location – Distance to the server matters, so choose ones closest to your time zone.
Server load – High user traffic on a server makes it slower for everyone connected.
Your device resources – Low-powered devices struggle more with VPN overhead.
Firmware versions – Outdated VPN apps and device software slow things down.
Network conditions – WiFi, congestion, throttling etc. affect the baseline speed.
VPN features enabled – CyberSec, kill switch etc. can reduce speeds slightly.
Now let’s see how NordVPN itself stacks up…
How Fast is NordVPN Compared to Other VPNs?
According to Speedtest Global Index data, NordVPN ranks #1 worldwide for download speeds among VPNs tested.
The average download over NordVPN was 65 Mbps globally and 50 Mbps in the US, compared to a 34 Mbps non-VPN connection worldwide. That’s around a 50% speed reduction, in line with expectations.
NordVPN also ranked #1 in recent VPN speed tests by PCMag, scoring 85% of base speed globally. ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield were just slightly behind.
So NordVPN is objectively one of the fastest VPN providers available today. But there are still ways you can optimize your specific connection…
10 Tips to Fix Slow NordVPN Speeds
If your NordVPN still seems slower than you’d like, try these troubleshooting steps:
1. Connect to NordVPN servers closer to your location
Cuts down on physical distance and latency. Sort servers by country or city.
2. Try specialty servers like P2P, Double VPN, or Obfuscated
Configured for specific uses like torrenting which can boost speeds.
3. Switch VPN protocols like OpenVPN or NordLynx
NordLynx (WireGuard) is fastest, with UDP better than TCP.
4. Update your VPN app, device, and router firmware
Ensures peak protocol efficiency and fixes bugs.
5. Restart your VPN app, device, router and modem
Clears any cached connection issues.
6. Test speeds directly connected to your modem
Isolates any WiFi, router, or ISP throttling issues.
7. Adjust CyberSec, kill switch
May slow things down when enabled.
8. Whitelist trusted WiFi networks
Avoids VPN overhead on secure networks.
9. Contact NordVPN support
They can check server loads and account settings for you.
10. Switch VPN providers
If all else fails, compare speeds from ExpressVPN, Hotspot Shield etc.
I recommend starting with steps 1-5 which are quick and typically effective. Playing with protocols and specialty servers can help too.
Reaching out to NordVPN support provides personalized troubleshooting based on your account and hardware specifics.
In most cases, it’s possible to minimize the VPN speed “tax” to around 25% or less with the right tweaks.
When Might You Consider Switching from NordVPN?
For the vast majority of users, NordVPN provides an excellent blend of speed and security. The tips above should help recover most of your original internet speeds.
However, switching providers is something to consider if you experience pervasive slowdowns across all NordVPN servers and protocol options.
ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield are top alternatives known for blistering speeds using WireGuard connections. They have large server networks meaning less congestion too.
CyberGhost and PIA also score very well in speed tests if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option. Do your own trials to determine real-world results.
That said, no VPN will be lightning fast 100% of the time. Server loads fluctuate throughout the day which affects everyone’s speeds.
Conclusion
NordVPN is objectively one of the fastest VPN services available despite the natural speed tradeoff that comes with VPN encryption.
Following the troubleshooting tips in this guide should help you optimize your connection for the fastest speeds possible.
But with realistic expectations around the impact of protocols, encryption, and other factors, your NordVPN experience will be smooth and secure.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m happy to help out based on my background in optimizing VPN performance.
