My Internet speed slows when using vpn

Norman_drey

Senior Member

May 8, 2022

1,156

496

• Apr 14, 2026

• #1

Once I connect my vpn on my phone my internet becomes extremely slow, downloading and uploading becomes super slow.
Even loading pages sometimes takes time. What could be the cause?

 

Stavro

Senior Member

Jr. VIP

May 17, 2018

934

1,317

• Apr 15, 2026

• #2

How close is your VPN to where you live, and how heavily used is it?

By design, VPNs reroute your data to somewhere far away, through additional datacenters. Each hop in the path adds a non-negligible amount of time, which is only amplified if it's an overseas VPN or a server using an oversaturated connection.

 

A

awesomewebsites

Elite Member

Jr. Executive VIP

Jr. VIP

Nov 16, 2011

19,791

11,285

• Apr 15, 2026

• #3

That is obvious for any VPN user.

 

Larry Igna

Power Member

Nov 25, 2016

663

717

• Apr 15, 2026

• #4

You want to fill your bucket (phone) from the river (internet) using a pipe (VPN) that is too small.
Check with a plumber

 

A

agross

Newbie

Apr 14, 2026

1

0

• Apr 15, 2026

• #5

Your VPN may be limiting your speed. Try a different VPN

 

andersen_hr

Newbie

Mar 26, 2026

16

12

• Apr 15, 2026

• #6

It is normal because vpn always add some lag. Maybe you connect to server that too far from you? Try choose server in closest country for better speed

 

LilMosey

Elite Member

Jr. VIP

Apr 8, 2016

2,721

2,201

• Apr 15, 2026

• #7

Too little information to help you out really.
What VPN service are you using? Are you connecting to a server that’s on the other side of the world? What protocol (WireGuard/OpenVPN)?

Unless you’re connecting from somewhere like Turkey to a VPN server in Chile or New Zealand, then slow speeds are expected. That can also be the case if you’re using a free VPN provider rather than a paid one. Free ones throttle the speeds and server capacity.

 

Utakata

Regular Member

Jr. VIP

Feb 26, 2026

206

36

• Apr 16, 2026

• #8

Use Mullvad, and obviously the closest location to you.

 

medialounge

Elite Member

Jr. VIP

May 13, 2013

6,962

1,959

• Apr 16, 2026

• #9

Norman_drey said:

Once I connect my vpn on my phone my internet becomes extremely slow, downloading and uploading becomes super slow.
Even loading pages sometimes takes time. What could be the cause?

Click to expand...

All VPN usually slows the internet due to several reasons
Plus if your home internet isn't that good enough
You might not enjoy VPN at all