Does Surfshark Slow Down Internet Speed? A Complete Guide

Does Surfshark Slow Down Internet Speed? While a change in internet speed is normal with a VPN, it’s barely noticeable with Surfshark. Here’s what you need to know.

When people think about using a VPN, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: does Surfshark slow down internet? The truth is, yes, using Surfshark or any other VPN can potentially reduce your internet speed.

However, the decrease is not always noticeable, especially when you use a premium VPN like Surfshark. In many cases, Surfshark actually keeps your browsing smooth while giving you extra security and privacy.

In this guide, we will explain why VPNs may slow down your internet, what factors affect speed, how Surfshark handles these challenges, and what you can do if you notice your connection getting slower.

Why Does a VPN Slow Down Your Internet?

A VPN like Surfshark creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. This process adds an extra step to your online connection, which can sometimes impact speed.

Instead of directly connecting to a website or app, your data first travels to a VPN server. From there, it moves to its final destination.

This extra step ensures your privacy and hides your IP address, but it can also add a small delay. However, most of the time with Surfshark, the impact is minimal, and your connection remains stable.

There are several factors that can explain why your VPN connection may feel slower at times.

Encryption

Encryption is one of the biggest reasons a VPN might slow down your internet speed. Surfshark uses advanced encryption protocols to secure your data, ensuring no one can snoop on your activities. The process of encrypting and decrypting your information takes a little time.

However, because Surfshark is optimized for performance, the effect on speed is usually small. In fact, for most users, the difference is not even noticeable during normal browsing.

VPN Server Location

The distance between your device and the VPN server also matters. If you connect to a server that is far from your actual location, your data has to travel a longer distance, which can slow down your speed.

For example, if you are in Asia and connect to a server in South America, the connection may feel slower.

Surfshark has thousands of servers worldwide, which means you can always find a server closer to you for better performance.

Load on the Server

Server load is another factor. If many people are using the same server at the same time, the speed might decrease. A crowded server can’t handle traffic as efficiently as one with fewer users.

Surfshark reduces this issue by offering a large network of servers across different regions. You can switch to a less crowded server anytime to improve your speed.

Activity

What you are doing online also affects how much speed matters. For example, if you are simply browsing websites or checking emails, even a slight slowdown will not affect your experience.

But if you are streaming in 4K, playing online games, or downloading large files, speed becomes more important.

Surfshark is designed to handle these demanding tasks, so even when there is some reduction in speed, you can still stream, game, or download smoothly.

What to Do If Speed Is Slow with Surfshark?

If you ever feel that Surfshark is slowing down your internet too much, there are several steps you can take to improve your connection.

Change Server Location

The easiest way to increase speed is to switch servers. Choose a server closer to your physical location, as shorter distances usually mean faster connections.

For example, if you are in London, connecting to a server in France or Germany may give you better speed than one in the United States. You can also try different servers within the same country to find one with less load.

Use a Different VPN Protocol

Surfshark allows you to choose between different VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Each protocol has its own balance between speed and security. WireGuard is usually the fastest and works well for streaming and gaming.

If you notice slower speeds, switching to another protocol in Surfshark’s settings can often make a big difference. Surfshark also offers the L2TP protocol.

Check Your Internet Connection

Sometimes the slowdown may not be caused by Surfshark but by your internet provider. Check your base internet speed without the VPN to make sure your ISP is delivering what you are paying for. If your ISP speed is low, Surfshark cannot increase it.

Restart Your Device or App

At times, simply restarting your device or reconnecting the Surfshark app can refresh the connection and give you better speed.

Avoid Crowded Servers

If a particular server is overloaded, try switching to another one. Surfshark makes it easy to see different server locations and connect in seconds.

Does Surfshark Slow Down Internet Speed for Streaming?

Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, IPTV, or Disney+ require stable and fast connections. Many users worry that using a VPN might cause buffering. The question remains: does Surfshark slow down internet speed when streaming?

In most cases, the answer is no. Surfshark is optimized for streaming and provides access to many regional libraries without significant slowdowns. If you face buffering, switching to a closer server or using WireGuard usually solves the problem.

Surfshark Improves Speed for Gaming

For gamers, internet speed and stability are extremely important. While VPNs are often thought to slow things down, Surfshark can actually improve the gaming experience in some cases.

Some internet providers use bandwidth throttling, which means they intentionally slow down certain online activities like gaming or streaming. Surfshark hides your online activity from the ISP, so they cannot throttle your connection. This means your speeds may actually be faster with Surfshark when playing online games.

Additionally, Surfshark can reduce ping times by connecting you to servers closer to the game’s servers, depending on your location. This can result in smoother and more responsive gameplay.

Does Surfshark Always Slow Down Internet?

So, does Surfshark slow down internet all the time? No, not necessarily. While some reduction in speed is possible because of encryption and rerouting, Surfshark’s advanced technology minimizes the effect.

In many cases, you may not notice any slowdown at all. For normal browsing, streaming, or gaming, Surfshark performs well. In some situations, it can even improve your overall internet experience by avoiding ISP throttling and offering more stable connections.

FAQs

1. Does Surfshark slow down internet speed a lot?

No, Surfshark may cause a small reduction in speed due to encryption and routing, but it is usually very minor. Most users do not notice a big difference in everyday use.

2. Can Surfshark make my internet faster?

Yes, in some cases. If your ISP is throttling your connection for streaming or gaming, Surfshark can hide your traffic and prevent throttling, which may improve your speed.

3. What is the best protocol in Surfshark for faster internet?

WireGuard is generally the fastest protocol in Surfshark. It provides strong security while keeping speeds high, making it ideal for gaming, streaming, and downloads.

Final Thoughts

Using a VPN always raises the concern of slower speeds. But when it comes to Surfshark, the impact is usually minimal. So, if you are asking, does Surfshark slow down the internet? The answer is that while it can cause a slight reduction, the difference is often too small to notice.

For gamers, streamers, and everyday users, Surfshark provides both privacy and reliable speed. Instead of worrying about slower internet, you can enjoy safer and sometimes even faster browsing with Surfshark.