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VPNs can work over Starlink and other satellite internet connections, but compatibility depends on the VPN protocol and its ability to traverse carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT). Starlink says TCP- or UDP-based VPNs are supported and that SSL-based VPNs typically work best through CGNAT. A VPN can also add latency and reduce throughput, so no general VPN ranking can guarantee the best result on your satellite connection.
The four services below are candidates, not Starlink test winners: the available comparative test did not test VPNs over a consumer Starlink connection. Choose based on protocol options, your own connection results, privacy priorities, and how you plan to install the VPN.
How the four VPNs compare
Artifact Security’s 2026 comparison, published on NordVPN’s site, tested five VPN services using 55 routes from five origin regions: Frankfurt, London, Singapore, New York, and San Francisco. The design covered speed, leak protection, website accessibility, feature reliability, and connection time. It was not a satellite internet test, and its scores are not a prediction of performance on your Starlink link.
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|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 91 | Highest overall score among the five services in this comparison; average connection time was 1.8 seconds. |
| ExpressVPN | 84 | Lowest average Windows latency among the top three providers reported: 227.5 ms. Its Starlink setup guide covers device apps and router-level setup. |
| Proton VPN | 83 | Offers OpenVPN over TCP or UDP, WireGuard, and Stealth, according to its protocol documentation; average jitter in the Windows test was 5.93 ms. |
| Mullvad | 70 | Included in the comparison, but it did not lead on the aggregate score. Consider it if your priorities differ from the test’s combined performance measures. |
These results are attributed to Artifact Security and reported by NordVPN; they should be read with that publisher context in mind. In the Windows latency figures, ExpressVPN averaged 227.5 ms, Proton VPN 231.4 ms, and NordVPN 238.8 ms. Those results are close enough that small differences should not be treated as a reliable forecast for an individual satellite route. (Artifact Security comparison, reported by NordVPN; latency and jitter results.)
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Which VPN is the best fit for your priorities?
NordVPN: strongest overall result in the cited comparison
NordVPN had the highest overall score of the five services in Artifact Security’s comparison and the fastest average connection time in that test. Those are general-test results, not evidence that it is fastest on Starlink. It is a reasonable starting candidate if you value the comparison’s broad performance and connection-time measures, then verify how it behaves on your own connection.
ExpressVPN: low latency in the general test and documented Starlink setup
ExpressVPN recorded the lowest average Windows latency among the top three providers reported in the comparison. Its own Starlink guide explains how to use an app on individual devices or cover a network through a third-party router. The guide is provider-authored setup information, not an independent ranking or Starlink performance test.
Rank #2
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Proton VPN: several protocol options
Proton VPN documents OpenVPN in TCP and UDP modes, WireGuard, and Stealth. Its protocol choices include OpenVPN TCP, which may be useful on networks where TCP-based traversal is appropriate; Starlink specifically lists OpenVPN and WireGuard among client-to-site protocols that generally work well with CGNAT. Proton VPN also recorded the lowest average jitter in the cited Windows test. Protocol and privacy descriptions on Proton’s site are the provider’s own claims.
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Mullvad: an alternative when your priorities differ from aggregate performance
Mullvad was included in the same comparison and scored 70. That is below the other four services in this particular aggregate result, so it should not be presented as a performance leader. It remains an option to consider if your decision criteria differ from the measures emphasized by the test; the cited evidence does not establish a special Starlink advantage.
Rank #3
- WHOLE-HOME COVERAGE WITH NO DEAD ZONES: The router plus satellite create a seamless mesh system that blanket up to 5,500 sq ft in fast, reliable WiFi from the front door to the backyard and basement to rooftop, link up to 100 devices on one network
- EVERYONE ONLINE AT ONCE, NO SLOWDOWNS: Tri-Band technology with Enhanced Backhaul helps deliver faster WiFi across your home so WiFi stays fast on every device simultaneously
- NEXT-GEN WIFI 7 SPEEDS: Up to 11 Gbps, 2.4X faster than WiFi 6, for 8K streaming, gaming, VR & video calls. Your phones, laptops and TVs all connect, including WiFi 6 and WiFi 5. Real-world speeds vary depending on connected devices and internet plan
- EASY SET UP WITH THE ORBI APP: Guided step-by-step setup gets your mesh network running fast, then manage devices and guest WiFi from anywhere
- WORKS WITH ANY INTERNET PROVIDER: Compatible with cable or fiber Internet Service Provider equipment and ready for plans up to 2.5 Gbps. Simply connect Orbi to your existing modem for whole-home WiFi
What Starlink says about VPN compatibility
Starlink’s support guidance says TCP- or UDP-based VPNs are supported, NAT traversal is required, and “SSL based VPNs typically work best to traverse CGNAT.” Its compatibility table gives general expectations rather than guarantees for every provider or implementation:
| Connection type | Protocols Starlink says generally work well with CGNAT | Protocols Starlink says generally do not work well with CGNAT |
|---|---|---|
| Client-to-site | SSTP, OpenVPN, WireGuard | PPTP, L2TP |
| Site-to-site | MPLS, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN | GRE, IPsec without NAT-T, L2TP |
Even a protocol on the “generally work well” list may fail in a particular setup. Starlink says a public IP may help if a VPN is incompatible with CGNAT, but public IPs are available only on select plans, eligibility depends on plan and geography, and a public IP does not guarantee compatibility. Check availability with Starlink rather than assuming your plan includes one. (Starlink VPN compatibility guidance.)
Rank #4
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How to choose and test a VPN on satellite internet
- Check protocol and NAT traversal support. Look for a client-to-site protocol Starlink lists as generally compatible, such as OpenVPN or WireGuard, and confirm the provider supports NAT traversal. If the app offers multiple modes, note which one is active.
- Measure your baseline. With the VPN off, check the latency and throughput you get from your usual device and location. Starlink publishes a latency range of 25–60 ms on land and 100+ ms in certain remote locations; these are provider specifications, not a guarantee or universal measurement for every user. (Starlink specifications.)
- Connect to a nearby VPN server. Start with a geographically close server to avoid adding unnecessary distance to the route. Test the same activities and connection measures you checked with the VPN off.
- Compare results and try another protocol. A VPN encrypts traffic and routes it through an additional server, which can raise latency or lower throughput. If the connection is poor or the tunnel will not establish, switch among the provider’s supported protocol options and test again.
- Choose app or router coverage. An app is the simpler route when you only need a VPN on specific devices. For network-wide coverage in the Starlink setup described by ExpressVPN, connect a third-party router to the Starlink router and enable bypass mode; its guide says a VPN client cannot be installed directly on the Starlink router. No particular third-party router model is established here, so check router and VPN compatibility before buying equipment. (ExpressVPN’s Starlink setup guide.)
What to do if the VPN will not connect
- Try another protocol offered by the VPN app, prioritizing a supported TCP- or UDP-based option with NAT traversal.
- Check the provider’s setup guidance for the chosen protocol and device. Starlink says it cannot troubleshoot VPN connection issues, so contact the VPN provider if changing protocols does not resolve the tunnel failure.
- If the service requires a public IP to work around CGNAT, verify whether that option is available on your Starlink plan and in your geography. A public IP may help but is not a compatibility guarantee.
- If the VPN connects but feels slower, compare it with the VPN turned off and try a nearer server before deciding whether the trade-off is acceptable.
What the rankings can—and cannot—tell you
The Artifact Security comparison is useful for comparing these providers under its reported multi-region test design, not for predicting results over a consumer satellite connection. It measured routes from five origin regions to fixed destinations and weighted throughput, stability, latency, and connection time. It did not report a Starlink test. Starlink itself cautions that VPN use can affect performance, and its published latency specifications vary by location. Your own protocol, server distance, location, and satellite route therefore matter more than small differences in the general-test latency figures.
Quick Recap
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