Many virtual private network (VPN) providers advertise speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s, but this number doesn't always mean individual users will experience those speeds. The 10 Gbit/s figure represents the maximum data transfer capacity of a server's network connection, not the speed each user is guaranteed. When multiple users connect to the same server, the available bandwidth is shared, so no single user can use the full 10 Gbit/s at once. A server with a 10 Gbit/s connection can support more users without causing major slowdowns, much like adding more lanes to a highway allows more cars to travel without reducing speed. However, this doesn’t mean a user will be able to reach the maximum speed of their own internet connection. For example, if a user has a 1 Gbit/s connection, they won’t be able to exceed that speed, even if they connect to a server with a higher capacity. The actual speed a user experiences can be influenced by several factors, including the performance of their own internet subscription, Wi-Fi capabilities, network card limitations, and the efficiency of the encryption protocol used by the VPN. While newer protocols like WireGuard have improved speed efficiency, they still add some overhead. Additionally, the physical distance to the server and the path data takes through the internet can affect performance, with longer distances often resulting in higher latency. While a 10 Gbit/s server can help prevent congestion and support more users, especially for larger providers, it doesn’t guarantee that every user will achieve the maximum speed. Smaller providers with fewer users per server can still offer good performance even with lower server capacities. The importance of a high-capacity server depends on the number of users and how traffic is distributed across the provider’s network.