Why a relay isn't always faster

A game booster sends your game data through a server in the middle (a relay) instead of the route your ISP picks. That sounds like it should always help, but it doesn't.

When a relay helps

ISPs don't always pick the shortest path to a game server. At peak hours, or when the server is far away, the direct route can take a detour or get congested. A different path through a relay can then mean lower ping, or less jitter and packet loss.

When a relay slows you down

If the direct route is already good, a relay only adds a stop. In one of our off-peak measurements, going direct took 34.8 ms and going through a relay took 53.3 ms: 18.5 ms slower.

So measure, don't guess

There is no single ping reduction that applies to everyone, because the result depends on your ISP, the time of day and the server. Be skeptical of any promise like "X% lower ping". The only reliable test is comparing direct and relay on your own connection.

BreakLag is built that way: it measures and picks a route, and if going direct is already good, your match goes direct. PingScout only takes a relay when it's faster, or when your past matches show it's steadier: less jitter, fewer lost packets.