When I first started working remotely, I didn’t think much about VPN speed.
I figured as long as I was protected, I was good. Fast forward two weeks into my new gig, and my Zoom calls were freezing, files wouldn’t upload, and every time I opened a shared doc, it felt like I was back on dial-up. The worst part? I didn’t even know the VPN was the bottleneck.
I thought my internet provider was to blame. I upgraded my plan, changed routers, and even ran cables across my apartment. Still laggy. That’s when a coworker asked, “Did you test your VPN speed?”
Wait, you can do that?
VPN Speed Can Make or Break Remote Work
Here’s the thing they don’t always tell you: VPNs encrypt your data, which is great for security, but that encryption can slow you down—especially if the server you’re connected to is far away or overloaded.
And if your job involves video calls, file transfers, or accessing remote servers? Speed really matters.
I learned the hard way that not all VPNs are created equal. Some are built for privacy, others for speed. And some… well, they’re just slow, period.
The First Time I Ran a Speed Test (And What It Showed)
I ran a regular speed test first—without the VPN. I was getting around 180 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up. Pretty solid. Then I turned on the VPN and ran it again.
The numbers? Brutal. I dropped to 42 Mbps download, 6 Mbps upload. And latency jumped from 19ms to over 100ms. No wonder Zoom hated me.
But once I knew, I could fix it.
Tools That Helped Me Test and Compare
There are a few tools I use now anytime I feel like things are lagging:
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Speedtest.net – Great for a quick snapshot of download, upload, and ping.
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Fast.com – Super simple, just shows your streaming speed.
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VPN-specific diagnostics – Tools like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Proton VPN have built-in speed test features so you can test different servers.
Pro tip? Always test before and after turning on your VPN. Also test different server locations. Sometimes the one closest to you isn’t the fastest.
What Actually Improved My VPN Speed?
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Switching Servers – I was using the default one. Turns out, a slightly farther server with lower load performed way better.
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Using WireGuard – This newer VPN protocol is way faster than older ones like OpenVPN or IKEv2. My VPN provider let me switch in one click.
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Splitting Traffic – Some VPNs offer “split tunneling.” I used this to only encrypt work-related apps while letting Netflix or Spotify bypass the VPN. Instant speed boost.
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Trying a Different VPN Altogether – Not naming names, but my first VPN was security-focused, not speed-focused. I switched to a performance-first provider, and the difference was night and day.
Remote Work Demands Speed and Security
You can’t afford to compromise either. If you’re handling sensitive info, logging into private networks, or accessing internal company tools, you need a VPN. But if the VPN slows you down so much you can’t get work done… what’s the point?
Now, anytime I onboard with a new client, I do a VPN test as part of my setup. I’ve got three go-to VPNs saved, and I rotate based on what I need—streaming, privacy, or speed for video calls.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just “Set It and Forget It”
VPNs aren’t one-size-fits-all. And performance changes. Servers get overloaded, networks update, or your ISP changes its routing. That’s why I run tests regularly, especially if I notice even a tiny slowdown.
So yeah, if remote work is your bread and butter, don’t let a sluggish VPN mess with your productivity (or reputation). Test it. Tweak it. Optimize it. Trust me, your future self—and your Zoom coworkers—will thank you.
