Why does my VPN affect my running tracker accuracy?

jovitamiu

I've been using a VPN for a while now, mainly for privacy and security reasons, but recently, I noticed something odd when tracking my outdoor runs. I rely on a web-based running session tracker to log my routes and times, and ever since I started keeping my VPN on while using it, my recorded routes seem slightly off. At first, I thought it was just a one-time glitch, but after multiple runs, I see a clear pattern—my distances appear slightly longer, and sometimes my starting point is inaccurate. I was inspired by this idea positively because I love how my VPN keeps my data safe, but I wonder if there's a way to balance security with accuracy when using a web-based tool like this.

A web-based running session tracker is an online tool that helps users monitor their running performance without needing a mobile app. These tools usually rely on browser-based location services, estimating routes and distances based on available network data rather than direct GPS readings. Because they work through a browser, they may depend on IP-based location tracking, Wi-Fi positioning, or other online signals to determine a user’s movement. This makes them convenient and accessible, but also potentially affected by network-related changes like VPN usage.

I get that a VPN changes my IP address and sometimes even my location, but does that actually interfere with how a web-based tracker calculates my route? I mean, I’m not using an app that relies on GPS directly—this is purely a web tool. Does that mean the tool picks up on the VPN's location instead of my real one at certain points? And if so, does that cause the slight shifts I’m noticing?

Has anyone else noticed this issue? Are there specific VPN settings that could help prevent this from happening? Would choosing a VPN server closer to my actual location help? Or does this depend entirely on how the web-based tool retrieves and processes location data? I’d appreciate any insights from others who have dealt with similar situations.

Alexandru_BD

Hello,

I think using a VPN can indeed interfere with the accuracy of location-based web tools, especially ones that aren't using direct GPS data. Since your running tracker is web based and relies on browser location services, it’s most likely pulling your location from a mix of Wi-Fi triangulation, IP address, and nearby networks—not GPS. When a VPN is active, it can mask or alter that information, especially if the VPN server you're connected to is far from your actual location. This can lead to the kind of route and distance discrepancies you’re seeing. Your browser might initially pick up the VPN server's location or show some "jumping" as it tries to reconcile your real position with the spoofed IP.

A few things that might help:

Try selecting a VPN server that's geographically closer to you. This might reduce some of the routing inconsistencies. Or, use the Split tunneling feature. This will let you exclude the tracker website from the VPN tunnel while keeping everything else protected.
Alternatively, simply turn off the VPN just during your run, then re-enable it afterward. I know this is not ideal from a privacy standpoint, but maybe acceptable for a short time if you're in a trusted environment.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Alex