Live NetTV v5.0Why a VPN slows you down
- Encryption: every packet is encrypted and decrypted, which takes processing power. Streaming sticks have modest processors, so older models lose more.
- Extra distance: your traffic travels to the VPN server before going to the streaming service. A server on another continent adds both delay and loss.
- Protocol overhead: each protocol adds a little data to every packet. WireGuard is lean, while OpenVPN over TCP is the heaviest.
How the estimate is worked out
| Factor | Typical speed loss used |
|---|---|
| WireGuard / fast protocol | about 10% |
| OpenVPN UDP | about 20% |
| OpenVPN TCP | about 30% |
| Neighbouring-country server | about 10% more |
| Server on another continent | about 25% more |
| Older or budget streaming stick | about 15% more |
These are typical figures, and real results vary with the VPN provider, the server's load and your own network. The estimate is a starting point; your own speed test is the final answer. To set up a VPN on Fire TV, follow our Firestick VPN guide.