How We Test VPN Speed: Median Beats Peak
Peak speed screenshots are easy to game. We report medians and floors because those numbers better match what readers experience during real use.
Marcus ChenSenior Privacy Analyst
Updated April 8, 2026
Quick Take
This guide supports our VPN rankings and comparisons. It is written for readers who want the methodology behind our recommendations, not just a one-click buying decision.
Why we avoid single-run screenshots
A single speed-test screenshot tells you almost nothing about a VPN. Server load, time of day, route selection, protocol, and local ISP conditions can all swing results dramatically.
We run repeated sessions and publish median numbers because a stable middle result is harder to manipulate than a best-case peak.[S4]
Routes and time windows
Our standard cycle tests US East, US West, London, and Frankfurt routes across morning, afternoon, and evening windows. Evening results matter because that is when most readers actually stream, game, and work.
We track domestic median, transatlantic median, and the lowest observed domestic speed floor. The floor often separates good providers from providers with flashy peaks.[S4]
Interpreting the numbers
A VPN that averages 700 Mbps with a 620 Mbps floor can feel better than a VPN that peaks at 900 Mbps and drops to 250 Mbps at night.
For most readers, latency stability and reconnection behavior matter as much as raw throughput once speeds exceed 200 Mbps.[S4]
Related Coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
What VPN speed is good enough?
For 4K streaming, 25 Mbps per stream is enough. For households and gaming, consistency and latency matter more than raw peak speed.
Why do your VPN speeds differ from provider claims?
Provider claims often reflect idealized peak runs. We test repeated sessions across routes and time windows.
Which VPN is fastest?
NordVPN currently leads our median domestic and transatlantic benchmarks, with Surfshark close behind on domestic routes.
Sources & References
- [S1] FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). 2023 Internet Crime Report (2024).
- [S2] Identity Theft Resource Center. 2023 Annual Data Breach Report (2024).
- [S3] Freedom House. Freedom on the Net 2024: The Struggle for Trust Online (2024).
- [S4] Federal Communications Commission. Consumer Broadband Labels Now Required Nationwide at Points of Sale (2024).
- [S5] Nord Security. NordVPN Pricing (2026).
- [S6] PureVPN. PureVPN Pricing (2026).
- [S7] Surfshark. Surfshark Pricing (2026).
- [S8] ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN Pricing (2026).