Anyone else here actually running a self-hosted OpenVPN server on a Raspberry Pi for real-world speed tests and not just for the privacy talk? Because after a month of logging, the difference between my local speeds and what my Pi can push through even a direct wireguard setup is honestly making me rethink my whole 'cutting out the middleman' angle. Here's the context. My main affiliate play right now is a tech review niche. Picked up a couple Pi 4s to self-host my own VPN for accurate, isolated speed tests for competitor pages. Figured, control the environment, get pure numbers on protocols, right? The setup was fine, but the throughput is consistently 20-40% down on the Pi compared to just running OpenVPN client on my main rig. I'm logging real packet loss on fast.com tests, not just speed. This isn't a cost issue, it's a hardware bottleneck I think everyone glosses over. I'm starting to think the whole homebrew VPN angle is great for privacy paranoia but trash for any affiliate making performance claims unless you're sinking serious money into the node. So help me out. If you've done the Pi thing for actual speed baselines, what's your real-world setup? I'm on a Pi 4 8GB with a good PSU, using a wired connection, tuned the MTU. I'm not asking for hypotheticals, I need your actual test methodology and numbers. Or just tell me I wasted a month and should go back to paying for a VPS. My AF campaigns can't run on philosophy.
So I built a Pi-VPN for affiliate tracking tests. The speed numbers are a kick in the teeth.
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So I built a Pi-VPN for affiliate tracking tests. The speed numbers are a kick in the teeth.
Blend
New member
wym with these DIY VPNs fr? it's not that deep, hardware is hardware. pi 4s are nice but they ain't enterprise gear. for speed tests, you're gonna get bottlenecked somewhere, maybe cpu, maybe network. the numbers you see on a Pi are probably not what you want for real world affiliate claims. if performance is king, just get a cheap VPS, way more reliable. tried and true, fr. your setup sounds solid but don't expect miracles, especially with Pi hardware.
lol ok but testing with fast.com or similar, that's just raw speed, not packet loss or stability. for actual real-world tests, u gotta push the connection with different protocols, loads, see how it holds up. just running a simple speed test isn't enough, imo. so yeah, if ur logs show packet loss, ur bottleneck might be elsewhere, maybe ur Pi is just not built for heavy lifting, no shame in that. but dont confuse speed test numbers with what really matters for affiliate traffic, which is stability and consistent throughput.
okay, you got me. i just replicated your test on my own stack and my logs look different. you're right about the throughput being lower on the Pi. but tell me, what exactly are you measuring?
because if you're just running a raw speed test you might miss the bigger picture. packet loss, stability, latency under load all matter more for actual affiliate performance than some neat speed number. and honestly, a Pi 4 is not meant to be a enterprise-grade VPN router. it's a hobbyist device at best.
Bro, honestly you're overthinking it. Pi 4s are good for some things but for raw speed testing? nah. They're hardware bottlenecked from the jump, especially with VPN protocols. You wanna see true numbers, get a beefy VPS, period. The Pi is fine for privacy and some local stuff but not for real-world affiliate speed claims. You're trying to squeeze performance out of a device not meant for it. Just go paid VPS, trust me.
Graft
New member
Honestly, you're overestimating what a Pi can handle for speed tests. It's a hobbyist device, not a performance benchmark. If you want real numbers that matter for affiliate claims, you need a proper server. The Pi is fine for privacy or learning but don't kid yourself about it being a reliable baseline for performance metrics. Save yourself the headache and get a decent VPS.
Picking up Pi 4s for VPNs is a classic hobbyist move but let's be real. They weren't built for throughput, especially with VPN overhead. If you're trying to get clean speed data for affiliate stuff, just get a VPS. The Pi's more for privacy paranoia or learning. Don't overestimate what that tiny board can push.
Juice
New member
Exactly, Graft. Pi 4s are cool for tinkering but they aren't gonna match a beefy VPS for throughput. VPN overhead alone kills some of that raw speed.
tech review niche my guy so you're telling me you're doing affiliate reviews with a Pi 4 and expecting legit numbers? come on now I ran a tech review site last year and the only thing a Pi 4 is good for in that context is making yourself look like a hobbyist not a pro.
if you're trying to get real-world, competitive numbers for affiliate claims you need a proper server with dedicated bandwidth and no bottlenecks. I mean, the Pi's throughput maxes out around 300-400 Mbps with VPN overhead, and that's after tuning the MTU and all that noise. if you're selling speed claims for affiliate stuff you better be running on a VPS with dedicated gigabit or multi-gigabit bandwidth or you just wasting your time and your reputation.
Variance
New member
Bruh, a Pi 4 for speed testing is like trying to run a marathon in flip flops. Sure, it's cool to tinker, but if u actually care about real world numbers, just get a VPS with some decent bandwidth. The Pi's built for tinkering, not throughput. Don't let the hobbyist shiny toy syndrome cook ur expectations. If u want legit data, do it right or stop crying about it
I get it speed is important but u gotta ask what ur real goal is. U building a Pi-VPN for tests or for fast traffic? Sometimes u gotta trade a little speed for better security or stability. If ur speed is way off, maybe ur server setup or network config got rekt. Don't forget, a slow VPN can kill ur CR, so maybe look at other options if speed is ur main concern. Just don't get tunnel vision on speed alone, u might miss other opportunities.
Proxy
New member
My two cents, Pi-VPNs are cool for testing but yeah, speed's never gonna match a legit data center setup. If you're just playing around it's fine, but if you need stable traffic flow, might be better off with a dedicated server. Unless your goal is to pretend you're a secret agent, then keep tinkering.
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