Why Using a VPN is a Good Idea – and How to Get Over the Drawbacks

It’s relatively common knowledge that utilizing a VPN (virtual private network) solution will secure your internet connection, whether for professional or personal purposes. Using a VPN is safer than not using one—but many people take issue with the fact that some VPN software slows down their internet connection significantly.

The solution to that hurdle is not to stop using a VPN altogether. Instead, it’s a good idea to choose a good provider with many IP and location options, with great ping and download speeds. This research on comparative VPN speed in 2018 will show you the benchmarks to look for.

There is no question that using a VPN can add a huge amount of security to your internet connection. Here’s why using a VPN is a good idea – and how you can get over some of the drawbacks.

Why Using a VPN is Better Than Not Using a VPN

At first blush, installing and consistently using a VPN may seem like a headache. After all, you may just want to jump on the internet for a quick search or VoIP (voice over IP) call without worrying about setting up a proxy connection or slowing down your connection.

But I am here to tell you it is worth the effort. Using a good VPN client comes with a load of benefits, including:

• Secure Connection. Using a virtual private network means blocking your activity from individuals, organizations and even governments that may want access to your personal information and browsing habits.
• Unblocked Browsing. Because most VPN clients offer IP addresses in multiple countries, you won’t have to worry about being blocked from seeing content becomes of your geographic location.
• Value for Your Money. VPN solutions typically come with a low monthly price tag, that can translate into saved time and money as you browse eCommerce sites or content providers.

Addressing the Hurdle: Comparing VPN Speed in 2018

One of the biggest pains of using a VPN for most people is that the virtual connection will slow down your internet speed. If you use the web to watch videos (as most of us do) or connect with people over video chat, this can become a problem. Thankfully, not all VPN solutions make for painfully slow internet connections.

The best way to overcome the “speed hurdle” of using a VPN is to carefully compare which VPN client you opt for by screening them for speed. Comparing VPN speed in 2018 is a critical measure in figuring out which solution will work best for you.

Here’s the good news: these tests have already been run for you. Ten of the top VPN providers were compared, testing their speed on the same desktop by loading a major local website and a local variation of Google. You can see the speed results, measured in milliseconds, below.

The numbers represent two scores: the ping score and the download score. In simple terms, the ping speed is how long it takes to initially connect your device with the remote server. The download speed is measured in megabytes per second—the shorter the download time, the higher the score.

You can decide for yourself which of these VPN clients will work best for you, depending on whether download or connection speed is more important to you.

As noted in the research, using a VPN will always make your connection slower than a direct internet connection. It’s the price we pay for a secure and flexible connection. But you can choose a VPN solution that minimizes how much your connection is slowed down, reducing what is seen as one of the major drawbacks of using a VPN in the first place.