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Primarily a tool for increasing online security and bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming services, VPNs are now increasingly used for gaming. You may want to compete against players from outside your region. You may want to access a game that is only available in another country. Or you are a competitive gamer and concerned about DDoS attacks.
Whatever the reason, you should choose a VPN service that is fast, reliable and guarantees your privacy and security. In this article, we’ll help you choose the best VPN for gaming.
At a Glance – Best VPNs for Gaming
In this article we list the five best VPNs for gaming. But if you want a quick rundown, here’s a rundown of our top 3 picks:
Best VPN for Gaming: Top 5
1. ExpressVPN
For us, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gaming. With servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN can be your best bet for a strong, secure, and fast connection if you travel often or want to play with friends abroad.
It’s also safe, so you don’t have to worry about DDoS attacks when you battle it out in the final moments of a Battle Royale.
If you’re looking for a gaming VPN that can also be used for streaming, ExpressVPN is a great option. It quickly unblocks Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and other geo-restricted websites, so you can watch your favorite content from anywhere in the world.
ExpressVPN also has a specialized VPN app for routers, so you can avoid throttling and be safe even on consoles that don’t support native VPNs. Plus, Express’s MediaStreamer Smart DNS utility lets you watch geo-blocked content on your PlayStation or Xbox by switching locations.
This VPN service excels in the mobile space, with apps available for both Android and iOS. It’s also extremely easy to set up on PCs, and there are easy-to-follow guidelines for PlayStation and Xbox. Moreover, if you have any problems with the service, the 24/7 live chat can solve them within minutes.
If we have to pick a mistake, Express only allows five simultaneous connections per subscription. But installing one on your router covers every device connected to it; after that you can install the other four on the phones and laptops you use.
ExpressVPN should be at the top of your list of the best VPN for gaming if you’re looking for a VPN that can help you avoid throttling, protect you from hackers and trackers, and unblock streaming media. And if you’re not happy with the service, contact their customer service team within 30 days of purchase for a full refund, no questions asked.
PROS
- Excellent, reliable speeds
- With servers in 94 countries
- Router Support
- 24/7 customer service
- 30-day money back guarantee
CONS
- Only up to 5 simultaneous connections
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2. Cyber Ghost
Unsurprisingly, CyberGhost ranks in the top five on our best gaming VPN list. In addition to useful solutions for Xbox and PS4 VPN, it also provides instructions on how to use the service on your Nintendo Switch.
CyberGhost can protect you from DDoS attacks and offers several great features that can help you increase your security, such as automatically connecting to your preferred server for an almost instant secure connection.
CyberGhost’s ability to bypass geo-restrictions to unblock US Netflix (although it struggles with other locations), Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus will benefit anyone who uses their game console as a media streamer. In addition, you can access different regions of game stores and bypass IP address blocks set by your school or workplace.
Speed performance is also respectable, thanks to the WireGuard protocol supported by all of its apps. With a network of over 8,000 servers spread across 90 countries, all you need to do is connect to the nearest one to start playing.
One thing CyberGhost still needs in our opinion is improving customer support. It’s also worth noting that the company (to our knowledge) has not yet hired an independent auditor to confirm its privacy claims and no-logging policy.
PROS
- Wide network of servers
- Supports up to 7 devices
- Easy to set up
- Doesn’t keep logs
- 45-day money-back guarantee (for 1 year subscription and above)
CONS
- Servers are not as fast as other VPNs
Download CyberGhost now
3. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a good all-round VPN. It is one of the simplest and most user-friendly VPNs available today. This applies to all steps, including installation and regular use across platforms and apps.
If you subscribe for more than a year, you may get it at a great price and with extra features tailored exclusively for serious gamers.
This VPN is useful for giving you access to games in other parts of the world that launch early or are just not available where you are. PIA has set up thousands of servers in more than 100 locations to help its customers bypass geo-restrictions.
Speaking of IPs, getting a dedicated IP address for online gaming is pretty easy with Private Internet Access (for a small additional cost). Every time you log in, you will receive the same IP address that is unique to you and not used by anyone else in the world. That should make you less vulnerable to IP block lists and CAPTCHAs, and should make gaming even more reliable when a VPN is enabled.
Speed is a crucial factor when it comes to gaming VPNs, which is what puts PIA at the bottom of this list. It’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. While it’s still not bad, it can make a big difference to dedicated or professional gamers who can’t afford to lose any advantage.
PROS
- Extensive server network
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
- Easy to use
- Budget-friendly VPN
- 30-day money back guarantee
CONS
- Not as fast as other VPNs
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4. NordVPN
This Panama-based provider delivers fast speeds, and you have a network of over 5,500 servers in 60 countries to choose from. So wherever you are, chances are you’ll find the server you’re looking for.
Previously there was some feedback that NordVPN’s speeds could be unreliable, but now it has redeemed itself and is one of the fastest VPNs on the market today according to our testing.
Nord’s apps are stable (which is good if you want to use it for gaming purposes). Plus, you can set it up on a router. But unlike ExpressVPN, NordVPN doesn’t have a dedicated router app, so setting it up can be a pain.
While not as reliable and polished as ExpressVPN, NordVPN is still a good match and worth considering if you’re looking for a gaming VPN. This VPN service is a powerful option if you’re concerned about download and upload speeds. It is also a good VPN for torrenting.
NordVPN delivers impressive ping performance. It uses the latest WireGuard VPN protocol called NordLynx, which is fast and ensures it works consistently well.
PROS
- Fast download and upload speeds
- Decent ping performance
- Clear privacy policy
- Extensive server network
- 30-day money back guarantee
CONS
- App requires a lot of updates
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5. Surf shark
Surfshark is effective, affordable and performs very well as a gaming VPN. It is budget friendly and is quite excellent in a number of categories.
While Surfshark isn’t as fast as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, you can rest assured that your Wi-Fi won’t run wild.
In addition to an extensive network of 3,200 servers, the combination of unlimited connections and a low price is what attracts users the most. In the VPN industry, neither is very common, making that combination unbeatable. This VPN is for you if you want a quality VPN but don’t want to spend too much.
That said, the support system is a bit slower compared to others and the apps don’t offer as much configuration as other apps. But if you’re willing to use the suggested settings, avoid throttling, access a ton of Netflix libraries, and more, this is the most cost-effective method of doing it.
PROS
- Unlimited connections
- Simple and easy to use
- Maintains good speeds
- Budget friendly
- 30-day money back guarantee
CONS
- Customer support is not the fastest
Buy Surfshark now
Additional FAQs
Why would you need a VPN for gaming?
There are many reasons why people use a VPN for gaming. Many games group players based on their region. So if you want to play with other players from other parts of the world, you can use a VPN to get around geo-restrictions.
If your Internet connection fluctuates, your ISP may throttle your Internet speed or bandwidth without notifying you. By making your activities anonymous, a VPN can help you avoid this, so your ISP can’t target you for throttling.
Finally, privacy. Everyone is susceptible, but gamers in particular are the target of DDoS attacks and are at high risk of being hacked. A good VPN can protect anyone – not just gamers – from the inherent risks of using the Internet.
What features should a gaming VPN have?
High connection speed is one of the most important features a gaming VPN should have. You want to get as close to your normal connection speeds as possible, so a fast VPN is essential.
The best gaming VPN should offer excellent speeds and excellent security. When choosing a gaming VPN, you should also make sure that it can protect your privacy. Last but not least, do your homework and check the reliability of the service you choose. It’s bad if your VPN keeps disconnecting, and having a kill switch on it will cause you to disconnect from the game.
Will a VPN increase your ping?
A VPN will likely increase your ping slightly compared to your standard internet connection at peak speeds. But if you choose a VPN server near your location, it may decrease (if you’re lucky).
One purpose of a gaming VPN is to stabilize your internet connection and make it more reliable. Your normal connection may have a 10ms peak ping. If you’re used to 10ms, your ping may be 20ms or better if you’re using the best gaming VPN, but rest assured it will pretty much stay that way throughout your gaming session.
What are DDoS attacks?
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are on the rise among serious and professional gamers worldwide. It is a strategy that slows down other players by saturating their IP addresses with unwanted traffic, overwhelming their network and preventing the system from responding normally.
A VPN is useful in this situation. Since VPN clients route all their internet traffic through the provider’s external IP address, it will be very difficult for a malicious person to target your particular network for extended periods of time.
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