Get the Fastest VPN Speeds for Streaming and Gaming
PIA’s NextGen servers are wired to provide super-fast VPN speeds on every connection
- Choose one of our 10-Gbps ultra-fast servers in 148 locations
- Get fast loading times and minimize buffering when you stream
- Maintain a low ping and enjoy responsive gameplay
- 30-day money-back guarantee for new subscribers
How Fast Is PIA VPN Compared to Other Providers?
We offer a range of features and advantages that help PIA remain one of the fastest VPN providers on the market, earning great reviews and becoming the first choice for many users.
Our 10-Gbps VPN servers across 90 countries deliver fast and stable connections to meet all your needs. These servers are optimized to avoid congestion even under heavy traffic loads, helping you get the fastest VPN speeds for your location.
As the most configurable VPN on the market, PIA lets you customize your connection for top speeds. You can use the super-fast WireGuard protocol or pick the lower AES 128-bit encryption level to maximize your VPN performance.
We regularly review and improve our server network and routes to help you get a connection so fast you’ll forget you’re even using a VPN.
What Makes a VPN Fast?
Several things need to line up for you to get a fast VPN connection:
- Encryption type: Stronger encryption adds protection but requires more processing power, which can slow you down. PIA uses lightweight AES-128 by default for maximum speed, and you can switch to AES-256 in the app whenever you want added security.
- Choice of VPN protocols: Security protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN over UDP are optimized for minimal latency. PIA was one of the first major VPNs to fully integrate WireGuard, plus it supports OpenVPN over UDP and TCP.
- Distance to the VPN server: You often have better VPN speeds when you connect to a server nearby because your data doesn’t have to travel far. PIA covers 148 locations, so you can always find the optimal connection for your region. Plus, the app automatically shows the best option for your location, helping you get the fastest VPN connection in no time.
- VPN server configuration: Servers need lots of bandwidth, modern hardware, and smart traffic management to handle high loads without slowing down. PIA runs colocated NextGen 10-Gbps servers to keep speeds high and avoid congestion, even on the most popular server locations.
- Extra VPN features: Split tunneling, port forwarding, and DNS-level ad blocking help reduce unnecessary traffic and improve overall speeds. PIA includes all three, letting you route only the apps you want, open faster P2P paths, and block ads before they load.
How to Get the Fastest VPN Speeds with PIA
How to Get the Fastest VPN Speeds with PIA
Follow the simple steps below to stream, game, and download without unnecessary delays
Step 1
Select WireGuard in your VPN settings.
Step 2
In the server list, select Choose automatically.
Step 3
Click the big power button and enjoy blazing-fast VPN speeds.
Why You Need a Fast VPN
Streaming, downloading, gaming, and even basic browsing require a fast connection to save your sanity
Maintain Streaming Quality
You need at least 25 Mbps to comfortably watch any HD TV show or sporting event online. Anything less than that, and buffering, delays, or low video resolution could ruin the fun. PIA offers streaming-optimized servers in various locations around the world, designed to offer the optimal performance for your favorite streaming platforms and help you avoid buffering and long loading times.
High-Speed P2P Downloads
Nobody wants to wait hours for their files to download. PIA supports fast P2P downloads on all servers, and doesn’t cap your bandwidth, speed, or data. You can also enable port forwarding and establish a direct connection between your device and the seeder. This can help you increase your speeds, even if you have multiple downloads going at once.
Low-Ping Online Gaming
High latency and ISP throttling make you vulnerable to game-breaking lags. If your ISP uses inefficient traffic routes or throttles gaming traffic, connecting to PIA’s low-lag VPN servers can help maintain lower ping and avoid content-based ISP throttling, so you can keep gaming without artificial slowdowns.
Speed vs. Security: How PIA Balances Both
Protect your data without compromising speeds. PIA makes it easy to balance security and performance by giving you full control over how your connection works. You can choose from multiple protocols and encryption levels, and activate split tunneling so only selected apps use the VPN, keeping essential traffic quick. Plus, PIA’s ad and tracker blocker, MACE, can help reduce slowdowns even further, giving you a connection that’s fast, secure, and adaptable to your needs.
What Makes PIA the Fastest VPN?
10-Gbps Infrastructure
Get blazing speeds even during peak times, thanks to PIA’s high-capacity servers that minimize congestion.
Global Server Reach
Choose a nearby server from 148 cities in 90 countries to get the best VPN speeds for your location.
Fast Protocols
Boost your VPN speeds by choosing the lightweight WireGuard protocol or the fast OpenVPN over UDP connection.
Unlimited Bandwidth
Stream, download, and game without artificial speed limits. Use as much data as you want – we’ll never restrict your usage.
Ad and Tracker Blocking
Free up bandwidth and speed up site rendering by preventing ads, trackers, and malware from known domains loading.
Split Tunneling
Route only selected apps through the VPN, so high‑bandwidth tasks go faster while less critical traffic bypasses the tunnel.
Why Truly Fast VPNs Are Never Free
Fast VPNs are never truly free, and there’s a simple reason for it: speed costs money. A paid service can invest in 10-Gbps servers, modern routing, and a wide range of locations close to users. Free VPNs can’t, so they end up overcrowding their limited servers, which means slow and inconsistent speeds for everyone using them.
High-demand use-cases like streaming, gaming, and downloading require large amounts of bandwidth, optimized routing, and constantly refreshed IP addresses. Paid VPNs invest in that infrastructure; free ones simply can’t justify it. Free VPNs are fine for quick browsing in a pinch, but if you want steady speeds and a service that respects your privacy, you’ll always end up needing a paid option.
Don’t settle for a mediocre service that can’t keep up with your speed needs. PIA’s 30-day money-back guarantee lets you kick the tires and try our fast VPN for free – without any risk.
Fastest VPN: Frequently Asked Questions
It’s impossible to crown one VPN as the fastest since speeds depend on multiple external factors. That being said, a VPN still needs to have certain features to allow for fast data transfer. All of PIA’s VPN servers support 10-Gbps network connections and come with no bandwidth or data restrictions. PIA apps support fast protocols and encryption algorithms, so you can always get the most out of your connection.
When selecting a VPN, look for a global server network equipped with high-bandwidth connectors and lightweight VPN protocols. You also want to avoid data and bandwidth caps. PIA goes a step further with extra features, like split tunneling and an ad blocker, to help free up resources and boost your speeds. Reach out to our 24/7 customer support if you’d like more information on which settings to adjust.
You need a fast VPN for many online activities, from binge-watching TV shows and eliminating lag from gaming, to downloading large files. Not every fast VPN is created equal though. Some do better at offering seamless streaming, others focus mostly on quick downloads. PIA offers some of the world's fastest VPN speeds for all of your online activities, from shopping to streaming.
In most cases, yes. A VPN encrypts your data, which creates some lag. However, some VPNs are much better at mitigating speed loss than their competitors. PIA VPN maximizes your connection’s potential by offering lightweight VPN protocols and high-capacity VPN servers distributed across 148 locations. This can help you get the fastest VPN speeds for your connection.
In certain situations, yes – but you need a fast VPN to begin with. For example, if your ISP throttles your speeds based on your activity, PIA’s strong VPN encryption can help hide your traffic from your ISP, so it can’t tell what you’re doing and slow you down.
Choose the Plan that's Right for You
All Plans Are Covered by Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
1 Month
$11.95/mo3 Years + 3 Months
$1.59/mo1 Year
$3.33/mo
Covered By Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee*All amounts are shown in USD, and any discounts reflect a reduction based on the current monthly service pricing at $11.95 per month.
*The 30-day money-back guarantee is available to new subscribers only; for subscriptions purchased via third-party app stores (e.g., Apple App Store), refunds are subject to their respective terms and conditions.
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