Why is WireGuard faster than OpenVPN?

WireGuard runs in the kernel space of the operating system rather than user space, which drastically reduces context-switching overhead. Its cryptographic primitives (ChaCha20-Poly1305) are also faster on both ARM and x86 processors than the AES-based ciphers used by OpenVPN, especially on devices without hardware AES acceleration.

How much does a VPN typically slow down my connection?

With WireGuard and a nearby server, most users see less than 5-10% speed reduction on a fast broadband connection. The latency increase is typically 5-20 ms depending on server distance. Older protocols like OpenVPN on TCP can cut speeds by 30-50%. The encryption overhead is the minor factor -- server distance and protocol choice matter far more.

Does split tunneling reduce my privacy?

Split tunneling means traffic outside the tunnel is visible to your ISP and the websites you visit -- just as it would be without a VPN. It does not weaken the protection of traffic inside the tunnel. Use it for low-risk activities like local streaming or printing, and keep sensitive browsing, messaging and financial activity inside the VPN tunnel.

VPN Speed Optimization: How to Get the Fastest Connection

A VPN adds an encryption layer to your connection, but it should not noticeably slow you down. If your VPN feels sluggish, the problem is almost always one of four things: the wrong protocol, a distant server, misconfigured MTU, or unnecessary traffic being routed through the tunnel. All of these are fixable.

Choose WireGuard -- It Is the Fastest Protocol by Far

WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol with a lean codebase of around 4,000 lines -- compared to tens of thousands for OpenVPN or IPsec. Its cryptography (ChaCha20, Poly1305, Curve25519) is hardware-accelerated on modern chips, making it significantly faster in both throughput and reconnection time. Nexun is built entirely on WireGuard. If you are on another provider still using OpenVPN by default, switching to WireGuard or IKEv2 in the settings is the single biggest speed gain you can make.

Pick the Geographically Closest Server

Every millisecond of latency compounds through the VPN tunnel. As a rule, choose a server in the same country or the nearest major city. The UK has one of Europe's best-connected internet backbones; users in the south of England often see better speeds via a London server than via Amsterdam, even though both are close geographically. Test two or three nearby servers with a speed test and stick with the fastest one.

Tune Your MTU to Eliminate Fragmentation

WireGuard adds 60 bytes of overhead per packet. If your VPN MTU is left at the default 1500, packets get fragmented, which causes retransmissions and a noticeable speed drop. Set your WireGuard interface MTU to 1420 (or 1280 if you are on mobile or a congested network). On most platforms this is a one-line config change: MTU = 1420 in the [Interface] section of your WireGuard config.

Use Split Tunneling for Local Traffic

Split tunneling lets you choose which apps or domains go through the VPN and which use your regular connection. Streaming local content, accessing printers, or using local banking apps often works better outside the tunnel. Route only the traffic that genuinely needs privacy through Nexun, and let local or low-risk traffic bypass the VPN. This also reduces the load on the VPN server, improving speed for encrypted traffic.

Check Your Base Connection and Device

A VPN can never be faster than your underlying internet connection. Run a speed test without the VPN first; if your base speed is low, that is the bottleneck. Also, older devices with slow processors may struggle to keep up with encryption -- WireGuard's lean design helps here, but very old hardware will still see a bigger relative overhead than newer devices. Switching from Wi-Fi to a wired connection (or moving closer to your router) can also make a measurable difference.