A gaming VPN helps you sidestep content restrictions, evade DDoS attacks, and securely use public wifi. The best VPNs for gaming may even improve your speed if your ISP is throttling your connection. Our hands-on testing has identified the fastest, most secure VPNs for use with the likes of Fortnite, Minecraft, and Helldivers 2.
TL;DR – These Are the Best VPNs For Gaming
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server. This secures your internet traffic and renders it unreadable. As such, your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online and won’t throttle your connection. The VPN hides your actual IP address, replacing it with that of the VPN server so you can essentially spoof your location.
The Best VPNs For Gaming:
1. NordVPN
Best VPN for Gaming
Pros:
- Fast global server network
- Meshnet feature for LAN gaming
Cons:
- Apps are a bit cluttered
NordVPN is the best VPN for gaming thanks to an impressive mix of speed, unblocking, and security. Its proprietary VPN protocol, NordLynx, 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 growing server network stands at 6,000+ servers in 111 countries so you’ll rarely struggle to bypass content blocks.
One particularly notable NordVPN feature is Meshnet, which lets you create secure private networks for LAN gaming with friends. Data is secured with strong 256-bit AES encryption and is covered by DNS leak protection. Additional security features including a kill switch and NordVPN’s Threat Protection (blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites). NordVPN doesn’t keep identifying logs, has 24/7 support, and allows 10 simultaneous connections.
2. CyberGhost
Best VPN for traveling
Pros:
- Vast server network
- Gaming-optimized servers
Cons:
- Parent company has a poor reputation
CyberGhost has one of the largest server networks of any VPN. This means less congestion and the ability to choose a server close to home for reduced latency. What makes CyberGhost one of the best VPNs for gaming however, is its Windows app, which offers gaming-optimized servers in cities including London and New York. The ability to sort servers by distance, load, and ping also makes it that much easier to find the perfect server.
When connected to CyberGhost, you’re protected from hackers and DDoS attacks thanks to its use of 256-bit AES or ChaCha20 encryption, depending on the protocol you use. Its apps prevent DNS leaks and a kill switch is available for desktop and mobile. CyberGhost doesn’t log data that can be tied to your identity either. This provider has a Smart DNS service for use with PlayStation and Xbox (this doesn’t encrypt your connection however).
3. ExpressVPN
Best VPN for streaming
Pros:
- Provides very good speeds
- Custom firmware for routers
Cons:
- No anonymous payment options
ExpressVPN is our best VPN for streaming and it’s for many of the same reasons that it makes our list of the best VPNs for gaming. It performed well in our speed tests, producing a global average of 118 Mbps which is more than fast enough for online gaming with little to no lag. Unlike with some ISPs and free VPNs, you’ll enjoy unlimited bandwidth. ExpressVPN allows you to connect up to eight of your devices simultaneously.
Choosing ExpressVPN provides you with access to a network of over 3,000 servers covering 105 countries. This helps you access more games, particularly if you live in a country with strict internet censorship. ExpressVPN stands out from most VPNs with its custom firmware for quick and easy setup with routers (secure all devices including your console). This VPN doesn’t keep activity logs, uses the highest level of encryption, and has far better support than most VPNs.
4. Proton VPN
Best VPN with a free tier
Pros:
- Excellent speed
- True no-logs policy
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer live chat support
Proton VPN is now one of the fastest VPNs, often reaching over 200 Mbps in our speed tests. As expected from a paid VPN provider, there are no bandwidth or data limits. However, one of the main reasons for Proton VPN’s impressive speed is its VPN Accelerator feature whose optimized routing boosts speeds by up to 400 percent – very useful for online gaming. All servers have at least 1 Gbps bandwidth while many use 10 Gbps connections.
The pace at which Proton VPN continues to grow its server network is impressive. At the time of writing, 4,000+ servers are offered in 90+ countries. Unlike many of its rivals, Proton VPN has a true, independently-audited no-logs policy with no activity or connection logs. It uses 256-bit AES encryption and provides an ad, tracker, and malware blocker.
5. Surfshark
Best VPN for the budget
Pros:
- Servers in two dozen US cities
- Smart DNS for use with game console
Cons:
- Makes canceling difficult
Surfshark has 3,000 servers in 100 countries so you’ll have no trouble finding one in your country or close by. Notably, it has 600 US servers in two dozen cities. Unlike free VPNs or some ISPs, Surfshark won’t throttle your bandwidth either. Surfshark uses the WireGuard protocol and, in 2023, started switching from 1 Gbps servers to 10 Gbps servers for even higher speed connections.
There’s no simultaneous connection limit with Surfshark. It’s compatible with desktop and mobile devices but also offers a smart DNS feature for use with your PS4, PS5, or Xbox. Surfshark doesn’t keep identifying logs of its users and uses a high level of encryption (256-bit AES), securing you from threats including DDoS attacks. This is a highly affordable option if you’re happy to commit long term for one or two years.
6. IPVanish
Best VPN for multiple devices
Pros:
- View server ping and load
- Threat protection
Cons:
- Not the best support
IPVanish provides a shortcut to the fastest available server, as well as the ability to view each server’s ping and load. We averaged 84 Mbps in our speed tests with IPVanish which, coupled with unlimited bandwidth, is perfectly suitable for gaming and streaming. Of IPVanish’s 2,400+ servers, 1,400+ are located in North America. You can connect all of your devices at once.
You can game anonymously as IPVanish uses 256-bit AES encryption and operates a zero-logs policy (though it does keep some aggregated logs). Our tests didn’t reveal any DNS or IP leaks, and both the desktop and mobile apps feature a kill switch. A more recent addition to IPVanish’s security lineup is its Threat Protection feature (blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites).
7. Mullvad
Best VPN for privacy
Pros:
- WireGuard protocol for fast speeds
- Anonymous signup
Cons:
- Smaller server network
Mullvad is one of very few VPNs that both has a genuine no-logs policy and gives the option to sign up - and pay - anonymously. Of course, you can expect better performance when you use the high-speed WireGuard protocol and connect to a nearby server, but we found speeds were still fast enough even when connecting to servers further afield.
This provider doesn’t have quite as many servers (650+ in 41 countries) so you might want to check its server locations before committing. Mullvad’s impressive security offering consists of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and ad blocking. Although Mullvad doesn’t offer live chat support, we received very fast, knowledgeable replies via email.
How to pick the best VPN for gaming
Just because we’ve chosen our best VPN for gaming, doesn’t automatically make it the best fit for you. When picking a gaming VPN, it’s important to consider your gaming needs. For example, are you looking to avoid ISP throttling or protect yourself from DDoS attacks?
Here are some of the key factors to take into account:
- Speed: Look for a VPN that uses the WireGuard protocol for high-speed connections and offers unlimited bandwidth to avoid lag.
- Server locations: Check the VPN has servers close to your home or in regions where your favorite games have servers.
- Security and privacy: To avoid security issues, use a VPN that uses strong encryption and doesn’t keep identifying logs of users.
- Compatibility: All major VPNs offer desktop and mobile apps but only some VPNs are router-compatible or have a Smart DNS service for use with game consoles.
- Price and money-back guarantee: Ask yourself if the VPN fits your budget. Most VPNs offer multiple subscription plans and a money-back guarantee so you can try it 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 bit technical. Fortunately, the VPNs covered are beginner-friendly.
- Choose your preferred gaming VPN and sign up.
- Download the VPN app compatible with your gaming device.
- Follow the installation instructions.
- Log in to the VPN app and connect to a server (preferably one near your location).
- You can now game securely with unlimited bandwidth. Be sure to experiment with different servers to find which works best.
Best VPNs for gaming: FAQ
Why should I use a VPN for gaming?
Not everybody will feel the need to use a VPN for gaming and that’s okay! For some, there are valid reasons for doing so. A VPN hides your activity, preventing your ISP from throttling your connection. Furthermore, by masking your real IP address, a VPN protects you from being targeted in DDoS attacks. Finally, a VPN lets you spoof your location and access geo-restricted games and content.
Can a VPN improve gaming speed and reduce ping times?
It’s more common for a VPN to slow your connection due to the encryption process (though the difference in speed isn’t always noticeable with the fastest VPNs). Yet it’s possible for a VPN to
improve your gaming speed if you’re suffering ISP throttling. In rare cases it may even reduce ping times if the VPN server to which you connect provides a more direct route to the game server than your ISP.
Can I use a free VPN for gaming?
Most free VPNs are too slow for gaming. Free VPNs offer only a few servers and these tend to suffer from heavy load. What’s more, free VPNs have speed and data limits so your gaming will suffer from excessive lag and high ping times. Another reason we don’t recommend free VPNs is that they’re often found to have insufficient encryption and may even log your online activities.
