VPN ads can make it sound like one service has to do everything. I use different VPNs for different jobs, and I care more about a dependable connection, an app that works, and a fair price than a bundle of extras.
This guide combines my own experience with third-party speed tests. The benchmark numbers are not my tests, and they cannot predict exactly what you will get on your device, network, route, or dedicated IP.
What the speed tests show
TechRadar tested on Windows using a 10 Gbps Ethernet connection, multiple speed-test services, and at least five tests throughout the day, reporting the median. The nearest-server and UK–US results can tell different stories, so there is no single “fastest VPN” for every route. Read TechRadar’s results and testing method.
In this selected group, Mullvad had the highest nearest-server result, while Proton VPN led the UK–US route. ExpressVPN’s results also changed by protocol; the chart uses its standard result, while TechRadar reports Lightway Turbo and OpenVPN separately.
If your internet service is around 1 Gbps, speeds above 1,000 Mbps in a reviewer’s test will not give your own connection extra bandwidth. Your actual speed depends on your plan, device, VPN protocol, server, route, distance, and network congestion.
Regional results add another perspective
This chart compares how much baseline speed each provider retained in EU, UK, and US tests. The regional differences are a good reminder that your location and route matter. These results come from Comparitech’s benchmark hosts, not your home network, and should not be combined directly with the first chart.
The VPNs I use and why
Private Internet Access: my always-on Linux setup
I use Private Internet Access (PIA) with a dedicated IP on my Linux PC and have configured the connection to start when the computer boots. The app works well for me. PIA felt slow when I first used it, but now my connection gets close to my gigabit service. That is my experience on my setup, not a promise about everyone’s speed. A dedicated IP gives me a consistent address; it does not make me more anonymous.
My Speedtest Desktop results (October 26, 2026): Using my PIA dedicated IP in New York, I measured 964.91 Mbps download and 924.56 Mbps upload, with 13 ms ping, against Pilot Fiber in New York (6:07 p.m. GMT). Two minutes later, a test against Vodafone UK in London measured 977.54 Mbps download and 54.98 Mbps upload, with 91 ms ping (6:09 p.m. GMT). The different test servers and routes make these personal snapshots, not a controlled, apples-to-apples benchmark; results can vary.
PIA publishes Linux instructions for manual WireGuard and OpenVPN connections, including a dedicated-IP token. See PIA’s Linux connection guide.
Proton VPN: everyday devices
I use Proton VPN for general browsing, my Android phone, and other devices. I also use its browser extension on some sites. The extension handles browser traffic; it is separate from the device-wide VPN app. Proton says it does not offer SOCKS5, so I may have been mixing the extension up with another tool. Proton’s browser-extension guide · Proton’s SOCKS5 explanation.
Mullvad: my favorite for a simple, privacy-focused account
Mullvad is my favorite. I like that I can create an account without providing a name, email address, or password; it gives me an account number instead. It also offers several payment methods, including cryptocurrency. This approach can reduce the personal information tied to an account, but no VPN makes you anonymous by itself. Read Mullvad’s privacy policy.
Write the account number down and keep it somewhere safe offline. Treat it as essential. Mullvad says it may be able to help with some lost accounts, but recovery is not guaranteed. Read its lost-account guidance.
Mullvad lists Amazon US as an official reseller of its physical VPN scratch cards. Check the current listing and the card instructions before buying. See Mullvad’s reseller list.
NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN
NordVPN and Surfshark worked well for me. I remember Surfshark as more affordable; today, its price and bundles feel less appealing to me. NordVPN also includes extras I personally do not need. Prices and renewal terms can change, so check the total cost and decide whether you will use the bundled features before subscribing.
CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are included in the benchmark comparison, but speed charts do not tell me which app you will prefer. Check whether the interface makes sense on your device, how easy it is to connect, and which settings you will actually use.
Choose for the way you use a VPN
- Start with the job you need it to do: an always-on Linux connection, everyday phone use, a consistent IP address, or something else.
- Try the app on your own device. A clean, reliable app can matter more than a long list of bundled extras.
- Compare the renewal price and the features you will use. Choose the service that fits your routine, not just the highest score in one test.
A VPN is a tool, not an invisibility switch. For my dedicated-IP Linux setup, PIA has worked well. I use Proton VPN across my everyday devices, and Mullvad remains my favorite when I want a straightforward privacy-focused option. My advice is simple: pay for the features you actually want, and treat speed charts as one useful data point.
This guide reflects my experience and the linked third-party tests. Advertising may appear on the site; it does not determine these observations or recommendations.
