A gaming VPN can help you bypass content restrictions, avoid DDoS attacks, and use public Wi-Fi safely.of best VPN For gaming, you might see speed improvements even if your ISP is throttling your connection. Our field tests have identified the fastest and most secure VPNs for Fortnite, Minecraft, Helldivers 2, and more.
TL;DR – These are the best VPNs for gaming
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server. This protects your internet traffic and makes it unreadable. So your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online and won’t restrict your connection. A VPN hides your real IP address and replaces it with her IP address on the VPN server, so you can basically spoof your location.
Best VPNs for gaming:
1.NordVPN
Best VPN for gaming
Strong Points:
- Fast global server network
- Mesh net function for LAN games
Cons:
NordVPN is the best VPN for gaming due to its great combination of speed, unblocking, and security. NordLynx, a proprietary VPN protocol, is designed with speed in mind. Factor in NordVPN’s unlimited bandwidth and you’ve got a VPN for smooth, lag-free gaming. NordVPN’s server network continues to grow, with over 6,000 servers in 111 countries, so you’ll have little trouble getting around content blocks.
One of NordVPN’s most notable features is meshnet. It allows you to create a secure private network for LAN gaming with friends. Your data is protected with strong 256-bit AES encryption and covered by DNS leak protection. Additional security features like a kill switch and NordVPN’s threat protection (blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites). NordVPN keeps no logs specific, has 24/7 support, and allows 10 simultaneous connections.
2. Cyber Ghost
The best VPN for travel
Strong Points:
- vast server network
- Servers optimized for gaming
Cons:
- Parent company has a bad reputation
cyber ghost It has one of the largest server networks of any VPN. This means less congestion and you can choose a server closer to your home to reduce latency. However, what makes CyberGhost one of the best VPNs for gaming is its Windows app, which offers gaming-optimized servers in cities like London and New York. There’s also the ability to sort servers by distance, load, and ping, making finding the perfect server super easy.
When you connect to CyberGhost, it uses 256-bit AES or ChaCha20 encryption, depending on the protocol you use, which protects you from hackers and DDoS attacks. Its app prevents DNS leaks and has a kill switch on desktop and mobile. CyberGhost also does not log data that could be linked to your identity. This provider has a smart DNS service for use with PlayStation and Xbox (although this does not encrypt your connection).
3.ExpressVPN
Best VPN for streaming
Strong Points:
- Provides very good speed
- Custom firmware for routers
Cons:
- No anonymous payment option
ExpressVPN it’s ours Best VPN for streaming There are many of the same reasons why it’s on our list of the best VPNs for gaming. It performed well in our speed tests, achieving a global average of 118 Mbps. This is more than fast enough for online gaming with little to no lag. Unlike some ISPs and free VPNs, you enjoy unlimited bandwidth. ExpressVPN lets you connect up to 8 devices at the same time.
When you choose ExpressVPN, you get access to a network of over 3,000 servers covering 105 countries. This gives you access to more games, especially if you live in a country with strict internet censorship. ExpressVPN is better than most VPNs because it has custom firmware that makes setup on your router quick and easy (it protects all your devices, including your console). This VPN keeps no activity logs, uses the highest level of encryption, and offers much better support than most VPNs.
4. ProtonVPN
Best VPN with free tier
Strong Points:
- great speed
- True no-logs policy
Cons:
- Does not offer live chat support
Proton VPN is one of the fastest VPNs out there, often exceeding 200 Mbps in speed tests. As you would expect from a paid VPN provider, there are no bandwidth or data limits. However, one of the main reasons for Proton VPN’s incredible speeds is its VPN accelerator feature that increases speeds by up to 400 percent with optimized routing, which is extremely useful for online gaming. All servers have at least 1 Gbps of bandwidth, and many use 10 Gbps connections.
The pace at which Proton VPN continues to grow its server network is amazing. As of this writing, he has over 4,000 servers in over 90 countries. Unlike many rivals, Proton VPN has a truly independently audited no-logs policy with no logs of your activity or connections. It uses 256-bit AES encryption and offers an ad, tracker, and malware blocker.
5. Surf Shark
The best VPN for your budget
Strong Points:
- Servers in 24 US cities
- Smart DNS for use with game consoles
Cons:
- Cancellation becomes difficult
surf shark has 3,000 servers in 100 countries, so you should have no problem finding a server in or near your country. Notably, he has 600 servers in 20 cities within the United States. Surfshark also doesn’t limit your bandwidth, unlike free VPNs and some ISPs. Surfshark uses the WireGuard protocol, and in 2023 he started switching from 1 Gbps servers to 10 Gbps servers to achieve even faster connections.
Surfshark has no concurrent connection limit. Not only is it compatible with desktop and mobile devices, it also offers smart DNS functionality for use with PS4, PS5, and Xbox. Surfshark does not keep track of your logs and uses high-level encryption (256-bit AES) to protect you from threats such as DDoS attacks. This is a very affordable option if you are willing to commit to a long-term contract of one or two years.
6.IPVanish
The best VPN for multiple devices
Strong Points:
- View server ping and load
- Protection from threats
Cons:
IPVanish not only provides a shortcut to the fastest servers available, but also provides the ability to view each server’s ping and load. In our speed tests with IPVanish, we achieved an average of 84 Mbps. This, coupled with unlimited bandwidth, is perfect for gaming and streaming. Of his 2,400+ servers at IPVanish, over 1,400 are located in North America. You can connect all your devices at once.
IPVanish uses 256-bit AES encryption and operates a zero-logs policy, allowing you to game anonymously (although some aggregated logs are retained). Our testing revealed no DNS or IP leaks, and both the desktop and mobile apps have kill switches. A recent addition to IPVanish’s security lineup is threat protection (blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites).
7. Murbad
Best VPN for privacy
Strong Points:
- High-speed communication with WireGuard protocol
- Sign up anonymously
Cons:
Mullvad is one of the few VPNs that has a true no-logs policy and offers the option to sign up and pay anonymously. Of course, you can expect better performance if you connect to a nearby server using the faster WireGuard protocol, but we found that the speeds were still plenty fast even when connecting to a server far away.
This provider doesn’t have that many servers (more than 650 in 41 countries), so we recommend checking your server locations before committing. Mullvad’s superior security products consist of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, kill switch, and ad blocking. Although Mullvad does not offer live chat support, I received very quick and knowledgeable responses via email.
How to choose the best VPN for gaming
Just because you choose the best VPN for gaming doesn’t automatically mean it’s the best for you. When choosing a gaming VPN, it’s important to consider your gaming needs. For example, do you want to avoid ISP throttling or protect yourself from DDoS attacks?
Here are some important factors to consider:
- speed: Look for a VPN that uses the WireGuard protocol for fast connections and offers unlimited bandwidth to avoid delays.
- Server location: Make sure you have a VPN server near your home or in a region where your favorite games have servers.
- Security and privacy: To avoid security issues, use a VPN that uses strong encryption and doesn’t keep your logs visible.
- compatibility: All major VPNs offer desktop and mobile apps, but only some are compatible with routers or have smart DNS services for use with gaming consoles.
- Price and money back guarantee: Ask yourself if a VPN fits your budget. Most VPNs offer multiple subscription plans and money-back guarantees, so you can try them out risk-free.
How to use the best VPN for gaming
If you’re new to using a VPN, you might think it all sounds a little technical. Fortunately, the VPNs featured here are beginner-friendly.
- Choose your preferred gaming VPN and sign up.
- Download a VPN app compatible with your gaming device.
- Follow the installation instructions.
- Log into your VPN app and connect to a server (preferably one close to your location).
- Now you can safely game with unlimited bandwidth. Be sure to try out different servers to find the one that works best for you.
Best VPN for gaming: FAQ
Why should I use a VPN for gaming?
Not everyone will feel the need to use a VPN for gaming, and that’s okay. Some people have good reasons for doing so. A VPN hides your activity and prevents your ISP from restricting your connection. Additionally, a VPN protects you from being the target of a DDoS attack by masking your real IP address. Finally, a VPN allows you to disguise your location and access geo-restricted games and content.
Will using a VPN increase gaming speed and reduce ping times?
VPNs often slow down your connection due to the encryption process (though the speed difference isn’t always noticeable with the fastest VPNs). Still, with a VPN you can:
Increase your gaming speed if you’re suffering from ISP throttling. In rare cases, you may also see faster ping times if his VPN server you connect to provides a more direct route to the game server than his ISP.
Can I use a free VPN for gaming?
Most free VPNs are too slow for gaming. His free VPNs tend to be overloaded due to their small number of servers. Additionally, free VPNs have speed and data limits that can cause excessive lag and high ping times in your games. Another reason we don’t recommend free VPNs is that they often have poor encryption and can log your online activities.
