What is happening
A server marked 62% can feel faster than one marked 18%. That does not make the meter fake; it means load is only one part of the route.
The clean test order
Server load combines how many people are connected and how much bandwidth they are using. Proton VPN explains that lower load generally helps, but your base ISP speed, physical distance, protocol, and the path between networks also matter. Use load as a filter, not a verdict: shortlist nearby green or low-load servers, test two or three at the same time of day, and record latency as well as throughput.
The decision
For browsing, the closest stable server often beats the emptiest distant one. For gaming and calls, latency and jitter matter more than headline Mbps. For large downloads, throughput matters more. VPNPICKR’s comparison pages help you narrow providers; the final server choice still belongs to a quick local test.
Updated 2026-09-04. Service terms, app behavior, and network conditions may change. Verify current official guidance before acting.