The fastest way to make protonvpn faster is to connect to a nearby, low-load server, switch to a faster protocol such as WireGuard, turn off Secure Core when you do not need extra routing, and check whether your device or home network is the real bottleneck. VPN speed is usually affected by distance, server load, encryption overhead, protocol choice, and your normal internet connection.

Why ProtonVPN speed can feel slow

A VPN adds an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. That extra step can reduce speed, especially if the VPN server is far away or overloaded. The goal is not always to get the exact same speed as your raw internet connection, but to reduce unnecessary delay and keep performance stable.

Two useful concepts explain most speed issues. First, longer distance usually increases latency, often measured as round trip delay. Second, the speed you actually experience in downloads, streaming, or browsing is closer to goodput, not just the maximum bandwidth shown in a speed test.

Quick steps to make ProtonVPN faster

Run a baseline speed test without the VPN. This tells you what your normal connection can actually deliver.
Connect to a nearby ProtonVPN server. Pick a server in your country or a neighboring country when possible.
Choose a server with lower load. A less crowded server usually gives better VPN performance.
Switch the VPN protocol. Try WireGuard first, then Smart Protocol or OpenVPN if needed.
Disable Secure Core for speed-sensitive tasks. Use it when privacy is the priority, not when maximum speed is the priority.
Use split tunneling. Route only apps that need VPN protection through ProtonVPN.
Restart the app, router, or device. Simple, but it often clears stuck network states.

Choose nearby servers with lower load

Server location is usually the first thing to check. If you are in Germany and connect to a server in Japan, your traffic travels much farther than necessary. That extra distance increases latency and can make websites, games, and video calls feel sluggish even if the download speed looks acceptable.

How to pick a better server

Start with the nearest country or city available in the ProtonVPN app.
Check server load and avoid servers that are close to full.
If one nearby server is slow, try another in the same region before switching continents.
For streaming, choose a server close to the streaming region you need, but avoid unnecessary long-distance routes.

If you are setting up the app again or checking whether you have the latest client, use the official protonvpn download source rather than old installers from third-party sites.

Use the right VPN protocol

The VPN protocol controls how the encrypted tunnel is created. Protocol choice can make a noticeable difference, especially on mobile networks, older routers, or unstable Wi-Fi.

Protocol or mode	Best for	Speed impact	When to use it
WireGuard	Fast browsing, streaming, downloads	Usually fastest	Use as your first choice for everyday speed
Smart Protocol	Automatic switching	Usually balanced	Use when networks block or interrupt VPN traffic
OpenVPN UDP	Compatibility with decent speed	Moderate	Use if WireGuard is unstable on your network
OpenVPN TCP	Restrictive networks	Often slower	Use only when UDP-based options do not connect reliably

Recommended protocol order

Try WireGuard first.
If the connection drops, try Smart Protocol.
If your school, hotel, or office network blocks VPNs, try OpenVPN TCP.
Test each option with the same server so the comparison is fair.

Understand the Secure Core speed trade-off

Secure Core routes your traffic through extra privacy-focused servers before it exits to the public internet. That can be useful if you want stronger protection against network-based attacks or surveillance in high-risk situations. But the extra routing can also increase latency and reduce throughput.

Use Secure Core when privacy is more important than speed. Turn it off for gaming, large downloads, video calls, or 4K streaming unless you specifically need that extra protection.

If ProtonVPN feels slow only when Secure Core is enabled, the feature is probably working as designed rather than failing. The fix is to use a standard nearby server for speed-sensitive tasks.

Use split tunneling to reduce unnecessary VPN traffic

Split tunneling lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which apps use your normal connection. This can improve VPN performance because ProtonVPN does not have to carry traffic that does not need protection.

How can you make ProtonVPN faster?

Good apps to exclude from the VPN

Game launchers that download huge updates
Cloud backup tools that run in the background
Local network devices such as printers or NAS apps
Video meeting apps if you do not need VPN routing for calls

Good apps to keep inside the VPN

Browsers used on public Wi-Fi
Messaging apps when privacy matters
Torrent clients, where allowed by your plan and local law
Work tools that require an encrypted connection

Check your device and local network

Sometimes ProtonVPN is not the main reason for slow speed. Old hardware, weak Wi-Fi, background updates, browser extensions, antivirus scanning, or router issues can all reduce performance.

Device checks

Close cloud sync, game downloads, and system updates before testing.
Update the ProtonVPN app and your operating system.
Restart your device if the VPN has been connected for many hours.
Try another browser or disable heavy extensions temporarily.
Check CPU usage. Encryption can be demanding on very old devices.

Network checks

Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or use Ethernet for testing.
Restart your router if all devices feel slow.
Test on another network, such as mobile data, to compare results.
Check whether your ISP speed is already lower than expected without the VPN.

Test ProtonVPN speed the right way

A single speed test can be misleading. For a useful comparison, test under the same conditions and change only one setting at a time.

Test your connection without ProtonVPN.
Connect to the nearest low-load server and test again.
Switch protocol to WireGuard and retest.
Turn Secure Core off and retest.
Try split tunneling if one app is using a lot of bandwidth.

For advanced users, network congestion-control technologies such as BBR can affect throughput on servers and networks, but most everyday ProtonVPN speed problems are solved through server choice, protocol settings, and local network fixes.

Common ProtonVPN speed fixes by situation

Problem	Likely cause	Best fix
Websites open slowly	High latency or distant server	Use a nearby low-load server
Streaming buffers	Server congestion or poor Wi-Fi	Try WireGuard, another nearby server, or Ethernet
Gaming lag is high	VPN route is too long	Disable Secure Core and choose the closest server
Downloads are slow	Protocol overhead or background traffic	Use WireGuard and pause other downloads
VPN is slow only at night	ISP or server congestion	Switch servers and test your non-VPN speed

When a paid plan may help

If you are using a free VPN server, speed may vary more because free locations are often more crowded. A paid plan usually gives access to more locations and better server availability, which can help if your nearest free server is overloaded. Still, you should test the basics first: nearby server, WireGuard, Secure Core off, and a clean local network.

Conclusion

To improve ProtonVPN speed, start with the simple settings that have the biggest impact: connect to a nearby low-load server, use WireGuard, turn off Secure Core when speed matters, and use split tunneling for apps that do not need VPN protection. If speed is still poor, test your normal internet connection, Wi-Fi strength, device load, and background traffic. This approach helps you separate real VPN performance issues from local network problems.

FAQ

Why is ProtonVPN so slow on my device?

Common reasons include a distant server, high server load, Secure Core routing, a slower VPN protocol, weak Wi-Fi, or background apps using bandwidth. Start by switching to a nearby low-load server and using WireGuard.

Does Secure Core make ProtonVPN slower?

Yes, it can. Secure Core sends traffic through extra servers for stronger privacy, which can increase latency and reduce speed. Turn it off when you need faster streaming, gaming, or downloads.

Which ProtonVPN protocol is fastest?

WireGuard is usually the fastest option for most users. If it is unstable on your network, try Smart Protocol or OpenVPN UDP.

Can split tunneling improve VPN performance?

Yes. Split tunneling can improve performance by sending only selected apps through ProtonVPN while leaving bandwidth-heavy or local apps on your normal connection.

Should I use the closest ProtonVPN server?

Usually, yes. A nearby server often gives lower latency and better responsiveness. If it is overloaded, choose another nearby server with lower load.