What is Double VPN and When to Use It? (Beginner’s Guide)

A VPN connects you to a remote server, changing your IP address and encrypting traffic. This begs another question: What is Double VPN? Double VPN routes your traffic through two remote servers, which doubles your encryption and supercharges your privacy. By routing your traffic twice, you’re completely untraceable.

Double VPN is also known as Multi-hop, and these are identical features, but with different names. The following guide explains what it is in detail and when to use it (and when not to use it), and highlights the best providers with this feature. Read on and learn everything you should know about this clever tool.

What Is a Double VPN?

We briefly explained Double VPN, but let’s elaborate. This feature is also known as Multi-Hop, MultiHop, or Double Hop, depending on the provider. While we have the word Multi in the name, it doesn’t refer to more than two servers. A Double VPN feature uses two servers to double your encryption for additional privacy.

Usually, this feature lets you choose from pairs of pre-determined server combinations of two locations. This is the case with  NordVPN. Some providers, like Surfshark, allow you to define server pairs manually. Let’s take NordVPN as the most adequate example.

There’s a pair called Sweden–Denmark. In this case, the provider routes your traffic through the server in Sweden, that server applies encryption, and then the traffic goes through the server in Denmark to be encrypted again, making your connection significantly more secure.

Some providers, like Surfshark, offer the ability to customize MultiHop (Double VPN). In this case, you can choose both servers and select the exact locations for your connection to be routed. People like Double VPN because of its amplification of security and privacy.

However, many users don’t want to use it because it demands more computing resources and, above all, adversely influences the connection speed. Later in our Double VPN (Multi-Hop) explanation article, we’ll talk about its pros and cons – for now, let’s focus on explaining it further and dissecting it completely.

How Does Double VPN Work?

Now that you know what is Double VPN, let’s see how it works. To make sure you understand the meaning of Double VPN and its workflow, let’s first learn how a regular VPN connection works.

When you connect to a particular server, the following happens:

• The VPN application that you’re using encrypts your connection and sends it to the server you are connected to.
• This server now decrypts the connection and hides your IP address. You now have an IP address from that particular server instead of using your original IP to go online.
• Next, the server sends this unencrypted traffic to its destination, which is the website you want to visit.

We’re talking about a single server. But what happens when another server is introduced?

• Upon enabling Double VPN, the app will encrypt your traffic the same way and send it to the first server.
• This server applies encryption again and changes your IP address. It hides your original IP and assigns you the IP of that server.
• The traffic that now has two layers of encryption is sent to the second server.
• The second server then decrypts the traffic and sends it to the destination, which is the website that you’re trying to visit.

As you can notice, you get two layers of encryption and two changes of your IP address. Instead of the site that you’re visiting seeing your first IP, it sees the IP address of the second VPN server. Let’s take this Sweden–Denmark combination again. The site will see the Danish IP instead of the Swedish one.

This makes it incredibly difficult for anyone to get to your original IP address.

Double VPN Pros & Cons

Having in mind all of its greatness, why is Double VPN still not a mandatory feature in all services? Why isn’t ExpressVPN offering it, for example? Well, let’s talk about its pros and cons that might help you determine whether or not you’ll want to use it based on everything it offers – or doesn’t offer.

Double VPN Advantages ✅

Let’s talk about the positive things about Double VPN first.

You Get Two IP Addresses & Layers of Encryption

One of the best things about Double VPN is that you get everything double. Your connection isn’t encrypted just once but twice, and the traffic is routed through two different servers. While using a single server is enough, in severe cases, you may need additional security (whistleblowing, going on the dark web, etc).

This has one downside that we’ll talk about in a minute. But generally speaking, Double VPN is safer than a single VPN connection. If someone intercepts your second IP address, there’s another IP address and another layer of encryption before that IP goes through, which, once again, is impossible to breach.

Inability to Be Tracked Online

Knowing this information, it’s easy to see that, by using Double VPN, you’re untraceable online, and your online activities are really anonymous. This applies even to your ISP, which won’t have a clue about your online whereabouts, opening possibilities for safe torrenting, anonymous streaming, and more.

No One Can See Your Original Location

Another excellent benefit is that no one can see your real location, which is great from an anonymity standpoint. You get two IP addresses from two different countries, yet only the IP address from the second country is displayed. So, where are you really? No one knows, except you, and that’s how it should be.

Double VPN Disadvantages ❌

We can see that the meaning of Double VPN lies in the additional security and privacy. This implies that its downsides have to do with the performance, which is the case. Let’s discuss the downsides now.

Slower Connection Speeds

One of the greatest concerns about this feature is its adverse impact on performance. The performance hit is noticeable, especially when using two servers very far from you. A single VPN connection will reduce your speed slightly. How much will a VPN decrease your speed?

It depends on your distance to the server and the server infrastructure’s quality. With Double VPN, this decrease is more dramatic due to a double encryption layer that will additionally slow the connection down. And here, we want to mention a few notable examples.

While this feature will allow you to go on the Dark Web in total and complete safety, in combination with Tor, it will make everything extremely slow, with seconds-long page-loading times. Theoretically, Double VPN also makes torrenting more secure, crucial in some countries.

But due to two layers of encryption, torrenting performance will be impacted negatively, and you’ll be left with slower download and upload speeds and higher ping. For a quick test, we used NordVPN to connect to a server in Denmark using a regular connection. Here are the speed test results we got:

When using the Sweden–Denmark combination we talked about, speed test results were very different. The download speed saw a 12% decrease, while our ping went from 48 ms to 59 ms (23% increase).

In NordVPN, the performance decrease isn’t massive because it’s one of the top-rated VPNs in 2026. However, using a slower Virtual Private Network will produce far more noticeable performance degradation.

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Higher Battery Consumption on Mobile Devices

If you’re using a VPN on your phone, you know that it drains your battery faster. However, using Double VPN is resource-hungry due to all the things going on, so it requires even more juice, which isn’t great if your battery life is poor. Laptop or mobile phone users should connect to a charger while Double VPN is in function.

Most VPNs Limit Your Double VPN (MultiHop) Server Choice

Let’s face it, one of the worst things about Double VPN is not being able to choose from as many server locations as with a regular connection. NordVPN, for example, offers over 130 countries to choose from, but then, you have just a dozen or so Double VPN combinations, and they’re predetermined.

While with this feature, the emphasis isn’t on your virtual location, we’d still like to be able to choose our second server. This way, we could still unblock a site while retaining the rock-solid security, anonymity, and privacy. If NordVPN doesn’t work for you, consider Surfshark, which lets you choose both servers.

How to Set Up Your Own Double VPN and Will It Work?

The concept of this feature is clear. It uses two servers instead of one, so the natural question will always come to people’s minds – why not set up my own Double VPN by using two different VPN providers? Is that even possible? It really depends on the providers you’re planning to use.

We found that Surfshark alarmed each time it detected that another service was turned on, even though it was only a background process. On the other hand, other providers can pair with a second VPN just fine. This setup isn’t such a bad idea as long as you’re pairing the providers that work and that are safe enough.

If one provider is storing logs and is known for the lack of privacy, while the other one is the polar opposite, you’re not achieving anything. You need to have two secure providers, to begin with, and then consider combining them. Unfortunately, the majority of providers aren’t built for this.

In most cases, when you enable one VPN, the second VPN will try to connect again until it gives you an error message. Using two providers separately induces more costs, as you’ll pay for two subscriptions. Either way, if you happen to have two subscriptions already, here’s what to try to create the Double VPN setup you want.

Using Different VPN Protocols

Whenever we tried pairing two providers without additional tweaking, we had no luck. That’s because the protocols that the VPNs were using most likely overlapped. For instance, if we connect to the first Virtual Private Network, which is using OpenVPN, another provider most likely uses the same protocol.

To fix this issue, you need to set the two providers to use different protocols. The easiest way, at least for us, is to set one provider to OpenVPN and the other to WireGuard or vice versa. Then, simply connect to the first VPN, and when the connection is in place, try connecting to another one.

If it connects, the Double VPN setup is complete, and you’ll have two layers of encryption with the IP from the second server visible. If not, the providers you’re using aren’t designed to work this way, and you can try another method of using a browser extension, similarly to how Windscribe facilitates its Double Hop.

Taking Advantage of a VPN Browser Extension

You can take a simpler approach to the problem and use a VPN for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge in combination with a full-fledged VPN app. In this case, connect to a server using the app and then open your browser and connect to the VPN browser extension. This will most likely work with one big downside.

The Double VPN benefits will only apply to the in-browser traffic, while all incoming and outgoing traffic outside of it will be encrypted once. There are more solutions to this issue, such as installing a VPN on a router or using a virtual machine. However, doing so is the law of diminishing returns.

You’ll just end up wasting a lot of time and putting in a lot of effort, with no guarantee of success. The best and most reliable way is to use a provider with native Double VPN support.

Best Services With Double VPN: Our 3 Favorite Providers

Let us recommend our three favorite services that offer Double VPN, some of which we have mentioned previously. Bear in mind, these aren’t the only Double VPN providers, but they’re the most reliable.

1. NordVPN

Our favorite provider with Double VPN is NordVPN. This service has blazing-fast speeds, 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and other notable security features. Double VPN functions flawlessly in NordVPN, and it won’t drastically impact your performance, as you’ve seen. This is one of the reasons why it’s our favorite pick.

NordVPN uses 10 Gbps servers that perform the best, and the NordLynx protocol, built around WireGuard, adds to it. Either way, NordVPN is completely safe to use due to a no-logging policy. All this is accompanied by Threat Protection Pro, which blocks malware, trackers, and ads in real time.

NordVPN is a great choice for streaming, torrenting, and even going on the darknet in complete anonymity. It also has post-quantum encryption for advanced protection and NordWhisper, a protocol made for combating network filtering. Most importantly, the provider has apps for all devices and platforms.

You can use it on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Fire TV Stick. There’s a special discount on NordVPN’s 2-year Basic plan that comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This allows you to test its Double VPN functionality and see how well it works for you and your needs.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is working in tandem with NordVPN to bring you its A-game at a lower price. Much like its partner, Surfshark offers MultiHop. As said, it’s the same feature with a different name. While Surfshark also offers predetermined pairs, it also lets you create a custom Double VPN connection.

This eliminates the need to use two VPNs or resort to other silly tactics. Click on MultiHop, click on the Create Connection button, and set the two servers to your preference. This provider, much like its partner, is renowned for its focus on privacy and security. While a bit slower, it’s still reasonably fast.

Its 4,500+ servers in 100 countries are incredibly reliable. In addition, the service comes with a certified no-logging policy coupled with WireGuard support, an ad-blocker, split tunneling, and a kill switch. Surfshark is more affordable than NordVPN, so it’s a good start if you want to get into MultiHop on a budget.

We recommend its 2-year Starter plan with a 30-day refund period that’ll cost you $1.99 per month with all Surfshark’s essential features. Pick the One plan if you want antivirus for a marginally higher price.

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3. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is a VPN service based in the US. Before you even ask, it’s incredibly safe and secure, with a no-logging policy proven in court several times. This provider offers MultiHop in its app, where it also applies obfuscation to the traffic, making things even more secure.

It’s similar to Surfshark in a way that it allows you to choose the entry and exit servers. However, it’s different because it allows for MultiHop through the use of its Shadowsocks and SOCKS5 proxies. The feature is easy to set up, after which, Private Internet Access will secure your connection and make you untraceable online.

It has 30,000 worldwide servers with P2P support and comes with incredibly cheap subscription plans. We recommend its longest plan, which allows for a large discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee. For $2.19, you get everything other VPNs on this list offer, as addressed in our review of Private Internet Access.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s easy to see that Double VPN is a powerful security tool. Not only does it encrypt your connection twice, but it also makes you untraceable online due to added encryption and a bonus IP address. This makes Double VPN useful for journalists, whistleblowers, or users seeking the highest level of security.

If you’re ready to sacrifice a bit of performance and battery life (on your phone, tablet, or laptop), Double VPN will make a big difference. Since it’s not a mandatory feature and not every provider offers it, it’s crucial to find a provider with proper support. We recommend using NordVPN for the best experience.

However, providers like Surfshark and Private Internet Access are also great choices if you want to pay less and have the ability to customize your MultiHop (Double VPN) connections.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Double VPN available on free VPNs?

No, this feature is available strictly on premium VPNs, given its more sophisticated nature. Free providers usually lack advanced features, so this one, along with ad-blocking and even tracker protection, is out of the way. The cheapest option for this feature is Surfshark, at $1.99 per month (nearly free).

Are Double VPN connections safer than single VPN connections?

Yes, they’re undoubtedly safer due to the double layer of encryption and the use of two IP addresses. However, Double VPN connections are significantly slower for the same reason and are not good for gaming or streaming in Ultra HD, where low latency and speed are primary concerns.

Can I use a kill switch with Double VPN?

Yes, you can. A kill switch will work if you have issues with your VPN connection and it breaks for any reason. Even if one out of the two servers fails, the kill switch will spring into action and disable all traffic, preserving your online privacy. A kill switch will function either way, regardless of the type of connection.

Does ExpressVPN offer a Double VPN function?

Unfortunately, this provider has yet to offer Double VPN. While it’s phenomenal in security and everything else, this feature is lacking. Still, you can enjoy ExpressVPN’s no-logging policy and RAM-only servers that should make up for it. If this is a deal-breaker, NordVPN remains the best ExpressVPN alternative.