How this works: we add up the typical bandwidth for each activity, then add a 25% headroom buffer (networks are never perfectly efficient), and round up. These are planning estimates based on published streaming requirements — not a measurement of your connection or any VPN's speed.
The fine print most calculators skip
- A VPN costs you some speed. Encryption isn't free: independent testing by Gizmodo (Sep 2026) measured 7.8–13.3% speed losses across six major VPNs on a 190 Mbps line. Budget an extra ~15% if everything runs through the VPN.
- Gamers: watch ping, not just Mbps. A VPN adds latency because your traffic takes a detour. For competitive gaming, connect to the nearest VPN server — or use split tunneling so only non-gaming traffic goes through the VPN.
- Upload matters for calls. The number above is download. Video calls need upload too — most cable plans are asymmetric, so check your upload speed separately.
- Your plan isn't your speed. Wi-Fi congestion, old routers, and ISP throttling all eat into the advertised number. If your real-world speed is far below your plan, fix that before blaming the VPN.
Where the numbers come from
| Activity | Published requirement | Source |
|---|
| Netflix 4K | 15 Mbps minimum | Netflix via Digital Trends / Popular Science |
| Disney+ 4K | 25 Mbps suggested | Disney+ via SlashGear |
| YouTube 4K | 20 Mbps recommended | YouTube via SlashGear |
| Netflix Full HD (1080p) | 5 Mbps | Netflix via Digital Trends |
| VPN speed overhead | ~8–13% measured loss | Gizmodo, Sep 2026 (190 Mbps test line) |
Estimates for video calls and general browsing are our own planning figures, labeled as such — there is no single official number because quality settings vary.
Speed is only half the story
A fast VPN that leaks your real IP is worse than a slow one that doesn't. Check the privacy side too:
Run the VPN leak test →