Most people use a VPN to spoof their virtual locations and safeguard their personal information from bad actors on the internet. It can also bypass content filters and geo-restrictions to provide exclusive content access for heavy streamers. But there’s even more to the versatile tool. That’s why a quality VPN for gaming is increasingly finding a place in many online gamers’ kits alongside powerful graphics cards, keyboards, and high-performance headsets.
And why not? After all, nagging connections, ISP throttling, geo-restricted servers, and security concerns can wreck your gaming experience. Those are all issues a gaming VPN can handle.
That said, the VPN market is saturated with options, and many aren’t worth the subscription fee. In this article, we’ll cut through the noise and discuss the best VPNs for gaming so you can make an informed decision.
Why Using a VPN for Gaming Makes Sense
Why do you need a VPN for playing video games online? There are several compelling reasons. Let’s briefly explore the main ones:
- Reduce Lag and Improve Ping: Everyone knows VPNs slow down your internet connection, right? Well, that’s not necessarily always the case. Connecting to a VPN server closer to the game’s server means the technology can create a more direct route for your data. Consequently, it can reduce latency while you game.
- Play Geo-Restricted Games: Many game companies roll out online games in some regions before others. Plus, popular titles like PUGB, Lost Ark, and Ragnarok Online II are not even available in certain countries. Until you use a VPN, that is. What’s more, changing your IP can help you avoid IP address bans.
- Evade ISP Throttling: Your ISP can deliberately slow down your connection speed because of your high-bandwidth activities (like online gaming). However, encrypting your online traffic with a VPN makes it much harder for an ISP to detect and throttle your connection.
- Privacy and Security: Gaming should be fun and fair. But there can be a ton of nastiness under the surface, from DDoS attacks to swatting and doxxing. Thankfully, you can shield your personal information and identity from those diabolic stream snipers and hackers.
- Save on Prices: Some countries enjoy lower game prices and in-game item costs than others. Changing your location with a VPN can get you in on great deals. Over time, that can save you a lot of money.
The Best VPNs for Gaming: Our Top 5 Picks
Technically, you can use any VPN for gaming, but there’s a gulf between “usable” and “exceptional.” If you’re looking for optimal gaming experiences, you want a VPN with high connection speeds, low latency, and high-level privacy and security.
Here are the five top providers to consider:
6300 servers
111 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
9.1 /10
27000 servers
91 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
9 /10
12000 servers
100 covered countries
45 days money-back guarantee
7 simultaneous connections
8.4 /10
3000 servers
100 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
8.7 /10
1. NordVPN
After extensive testing, we believe that NordVPN is the best VPN service for online gaming.
We really rate NordVPN’s Meshnet technology. If you host private game servers, the feature lets you create a secure private network that’s especially great for enjoying fast-paced multiplayer games with more control over game settings. You don’t even need port forwarding because Meshnet allows devices to “talk” with each other directly.
It doesn’t hurt that it provides blazing-fast connection speeds and low ping rates. Especially when using its custom NordLynx protocol. That means little to no lagging, even when playing graphically intensive games like Call of Duty: Warzone.
The provider’s massive network comprising over 6,300 servers across 111 countries means you’ll always find nearby servers. Combine that extensive collection with NordVPN’s exceptional unblocking capabilities, and you’ll find that geo-restrictions are no issue.
Your data is always protected with military-grade encryption and an impressive arsenal of features. An advanced kill switch prevents leaks when the VPN connection drops, and NordVPN’s Threat Protection is a powerful anti-malware tool.
The company is based in Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. Building on that, nobody else will ever know what you’re doing online, as it doesn’t store personally identifiable logs. Apart from its no-logs policy, it uses RAM-based servers that wipe clean with each reboot.
NordVPN’s extensive compatibility means it’s not just for your gaming PC. Apps for desktop and mobile aside, you can extend protection to your gaming consoles or Oculus Quest VR headset. With a single subscription, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously (not including those hooked to your router).
If you’re not 100% satisfied with the experience, a 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to get a full refund.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN’s lightning-fast speeds ensure you’re not dealing with frustrating lagging while you’re slaying dragons or crafting complex worlds. NordVPN aside, it’s the fastest VPN service we’ve tested, thanks to well-optimized 10 Gbps ports and its proprietary Lightway protocol.
The provider’s presence in 105 countries allows you to minimize ping by connecting to a server near the gaming server you’re targeting. It has 3,000 servers in total — not the most extensive, but plenty enough to quickly switch to faster options whenever there’s a slowdown. Plus, there’s unlimited bandwidth, so you needn’t worry about pesky interruptions.
Using ExpressVPN is an excellent tactic to avoid DDoS attacks. It implements bank-level AES 256-bit encryption to scramble your data and comes with a kill switch and DNS leak protection. And because it regularly changes encryption keys with perfect forward secrecy, it’s nearly impossible for hackers to decrypt future sessions, even if they somehow manage to get hold of a private key.
ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology uses RAM-only servers to bolster the provider’s strict no-logs policy. You can be sure it won’t track or store your session logs on its servers.
Whether you prefer gaming on a PC, gaming console, mobile phone, or tablet, ExpressVPN has you covered. Its apps are lightweight, and even complete VPN beginners will find them user-friendly.
The provider allows up to eight simultaneous connections on one account. However, you can extend its router support to all the consoles and devices without native VPN support. If you don’t have a compatible router, Aircove is ExpressVPN’s range of routers with pre-installed VPN protection.
On top of that, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee with each plan.
3. Private Internet Access
Are you looking for an affordable VPN optimized for gaming? Private Internet Access might interest you.
Most VPN services offer the gold standard of encryption. That’s great, but Private Internet Access is so customizable it lets you choose between AES 256-bit and AES 128-bit algorithms.
Both are virtually uncrackable, but the ability to tinker means you can balance between maximum security and better performance. AES 128-bit comes by default and offers faster speeds, which makes it the better option for online gaming.
Amazingly, PIA has servers in every American state, and there’s plenty more to go around. In fact, it has the most extensive network of any VPN service, with upwards of 30,000 servers across 91 countries. With so many connection options, the distance your data travels to a game data center is shorter, potentially reducing latency.
We particularly like how the provider displays the ping of each server location. That way, you can easily choose a low-latency connection or switch to a better-optimized option when you start experiencing lags.
Routing your gaming traffic through PIA’s servers hides your IP address and helps protect you from DDoS attacks and hackers. As we’ve seen in our review of PIA, the VPN also offers several other advanced tools, such as an automatic kill switch and MACE, an ad-blocker that helps keep you safe from malicious gaming sites.
Its headquarters are in the United States, a 5 Eyes member country. That said, PIA has since proven (in court and via third-party audits) that it doesn’t collect or store logs.
You won’t get the same sleek user interface as competitors like NordVPN or Surfshark. Still, it’s pretty easy to use, which matters more for many users. On top of that, the gaming VPN allows you to connect as many devices to one account as you like.
You can check PIA out, knowing its plans come with a 30-day risk-free window. If you’re not impressed, there’s an option for a full refund.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost takes online gaming pretty seriously. It’s the only gaming VPN on this list with a selection of dedicated servers for the activity.
Private Internet Access displays each server location’s ping, but CyberGhost takes that even further. This VPN labels each server location with its ping, your distance to the location, and the server load. That way, you can easily choose a gaming-friendly server for yourself. And if you like it, you can add a server location to your “Favorites” for later.
Overall, CyberGhost has a pool of more than 12,000 servers in 100 countries. That’s an impressive collection that only PIA beats. They’re all high-bandwidth servers, and there’s nothing stopping you from switching from the dedicated gaming options if you notice a regular server has lower latency.
CyberGhost’s high-level security functionality prevents those sudden time lags and dropped connections that point to DDoS attacks. The provider implements AES 256-bit encryption alongside modern protocols, a kill switch, and protection against IP and DNS leaks.
That means your ISP can’t look in to throttle your data. But also, nobody else can examine your session logs — because there aren’t any. CyberGhost uses RAM-only servers that completely remove all traces of data following each reboot. Besides, it has multiple audits of its no-logs policy to show.
You’re allowed to connect up to seven devices simultaneously when you sign up for an account. That’s not really generous for a top VPN provider, and it’s a device (not a connection) limit. But don’t let that discourage you. Like the other top VPNs for gaming, CyberGhost’s compatibility with routers means that it is possible to extend the protection to all devices on your local network.
There’s a 45-day refund window for plans of six months or longer. That gives you ample time to take the VPN on a worry-free test drive before making your decision.
5. Surfshark
We fired up Surfshark while gaming on an overcrowded game server, and the VPN provider’s claims of cutting down lag proved true. Our connection remained remarkably stable, even during intense in-game moments.
Only a few years ago, we didn’t consider Surfshark an excellent VPN for gaming. However, has made significant upgrades since then. All the VPN’s servers are now equipped to handle blazing-fast connections, thanks to 10 Gbps ports and performance-friendly protocols like WireGuard.
What’s more, there is no bandwidth limit. That means you never have to fear your ISP or the VPN cutting you off in the middle of a high-stakes game.
Speaking of removing restrictions, you’ll find that Surfshark’s unblocking capabilities are top-notch. As our Surfshark tests showed, it consistently bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access game servers and content that have not been released locally (or aren’t available in your region at all). IP bans? Easily avoided by switching to any of its 3,200+ servers across 100 countries.
Surfshark doesn’t compromise your security and privacy. The provider’s bank-level encryption turns your gaming traffic into a jumbled mess that outsiders cannot make sense of. Its toolkit is stacked with high-rate features, like an automatic kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and split tunneling. Plus, an independent auditing firm has confirmed the VPN doesn’t store identifiable logs on its servers.
Like PIA, Surfshark operates a single account, unlimited devices model. No matter how many PCs, phones, or tablets you game on, you’ll never need multiple active subscriptions. Thanks to router support, you can also spread your VPN connection across your gaming consoles.
Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Unimpressed by its gaming capabilities? You can cancel and request a full refund within that window.
How to Use a VPN for Gaming
It’s pretty simple. Here’s how to boost your gaming experience with a VPN service in five simple steps:
- Select a reputable VPN service. We recommend NordVPN, but the other providers on our list will do.
- Subscribe to the VPN’s plan that suits your budget and preferences. Download the app to your device.
- Log in with your account credentials.
- Configure the VPN for gaming. Once done, select a server from the menu and connect to it.
- Enjoy your online gaming while protected by the VPN.
Tips for Configuring Your VPN for Gaming
So, you’ve signed up for a VPN plan and installed it on your device. Here are some practical tips to optimize your gameplay while using the VPN:
Use the Fastest Protocol
Keep in mind that you should be using the fastest protocol available for gaming. Some tunneling protocols offer excellent performance (without sacrificing security).
That’s usually WireGuard, a lightweight option built with speed in mind. However, some providers have proprietary options, like NordLynx for NordVPN and Lightway for ExpressVPN.
Connect to Gaming-Friendly Servers
Distance matters when you’re selecting a VPN server. For best results, we generally recommend choosing locations close to the game server you’re connected to.
But even those servers are not always on the same level. Some providers, like CyberGhost, actually come with servers that are specifically optimized for gaming. Others, like Private Internet Access, may even display the ping to help you decide on the ideal choice.
If you’re using a VPN for gaming to bypass geo-restrictions, make sure the server you pick is in a region where the game is available.
Enable the Kill Switch
Every highly-rated VPN service offers a kill switch. When the VPN disconnects, the feature instantly blocks all internet traffic to prevent your IP address from being exposed to prying eyes. Some providers don’t have the kill switch enabled out of the box, so make sure it’s toggled on before activating the VPN connection.
Enable Split Tunneling
Split tunneling is a VPN feature that allows you to route some of your device’s traffic through the VPN while the rest connects directly to the internet. Each provider we’ve selected for gaming has this feature with varying support (e.g., CyberGhost only offers it for Windows and Android).
So, how do you use split tunneling? It depends. For instance, excluding your gaming client from the VPN tunnel can potentially minimize latency and improve in-game responsiveness. It also makes sense when there are no malicious actors to worry about.
Alternatively, you may route your gaming traffic through the VPN tunnel while excluding some (or the rest) of your other applications.
Keep the VPN App Updated
VPNs are like any other software — they receive periodic updates to beef up security, fix bugs, and improve performance.
For best results, you want to make sure you’re always running the latest version of your VPN app. Most providers display a prompt to inform you of new updates, but you can always cross-check in the app’s settings.
How to Choose a VPN for Gaming
You should stick to the providers above because we’ve assessed them extensively. We have years of experience testing VPNs and understand what gamers need from their privacy providers.
That said, if you want to explore other options or are interested in our criteria, here are the factors we considered while building this list of the best VPNs for gaming.
Speed & Performance
The VPNs on this list are among the fastest in the industry.
High speed is a gamer’s best friend, so that’s the ultimate factor when choosing a gaming VPN service. VPNs inherently slow down your connection, but a speedy provider keeps any drop in performance to a minimum. In some situations, it can even improve your performance and stabilize your connection by sidestepping ISP throttling.
Server Locations
Ensure the VPN has a wide range of servers, especially in regions where your favorite games are hosted. More server locations mean better chances of finding a fast, stable connection with low latency. It also reduces the likelihood of overcrowded servers.
The providers we ranked have extensive server networks for the best coverage.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions
If you want to enjoy region-locked games or servers, look out for VPNs with excellent unblocking capabilities. Our top gaming VPNs excel in this area. They’re great choices for accessing newly released games or those unavailable where you are.
Security & Privacy
Online gaming is loaded with risks, including DDoS attacks, swatting and doxxing, identity theft, account takeovers, and malware. That’s why you need a VPN with various standard and advanced tools to combat these issues.
We prioritized VPN services with high-level encryption (preferring AES 256-bit) and protection against leaks.
Compatibility
Want to play games on your computer, phone, tablet, or gaming console? A quality gaming VPN should have you covered. A VPN may not have native apps for your PlayStation or Nintendo Switch. However, router support is necessary to extend the connection to various devices.
Ease of Use
A typical gamer wants a VPN that integrates seamlessly into their gaming routine. That means user-friendly interfaces and apps that are easy to install and use (so you can quickly change settings while playing).
The VPNs on this list fall into this category. Even though providers like NordVPN and PIA are customizable, they are pretty intuitive.
Customer Support
If you encounter issues while using the VPN, you want to be sure you can get prompt and helpful assistance. That’s why we only selected VPN services with responsive support teams available around the clock.
Value for Money
VPNs come with varying subscription plans. So, consider your budget and the features a provider offers before choosing. Look for providers that offer good value for money and cater specifically to gamers’ needs.
That doesn’t always mean cheaper, mind. While most VPNs on our list are relatively affordable, ExpressVPN, for its rather pricey plans, delivers what it promises.
Money-Back Guarantee
A confident VPN offers an avenue to back out if you’re unimpressed by your experience. For instance, every service reviewed above has at least a 30-day money-back guarantee when you buy a plan. CyberGhost raises the bar with its 45-day refund window.
Can You Use a Free VPN for Gaming?
There’s a handful of capable free VPNs, even though it’s not a category we generally recommend using unless you have to. In this instance, let’s be clear: a free VPN for gaming is potentially a recipe for frustration — or worse.
To begin with, they’re notorious for skimping on resources. Most cost-free providers only offer limited networks. Couple the lack of options with congestion, and you can expect sluggish connections and relentless lagging. With so few servers to choose from, they’re also unlikely to unblock the geo-restricted games you’re interested in.
Some even have bandwidth limits and data caps, like Tunnelbear’s 2 GB per month or Windscribe’s 10 GB allowance. Imagine a heart-pounding moment in your FPS being interrupted because you’ve run out of data.
To top it off, you also have to worry about your privacy and security. Many free VPNs lack robust security features and may not come with the high level of encryption you need to protect your traffic. What’s more, they may log your sessions extensively for profit. Plus, they could inject intrusive ads that could ruin your gaming experience.
Final Thoughts
A VPN for gaming must protect your device from DDoS attacks and other risks while allowing speedy connections for lag-less gaming. It’s not an easy requirement, which is why so many VPN services wouldn’t be ideal for the activity. So, we’ve extensively tested dozens of providers to make your choice easier.
NordVPN is, in our opinion, the best VPN for playing video games online in 2024.
It offers the fastest connection speeds and minimizes lag for an enjoyable experience. Furthermore, the provider offers advanced security features to safeguard your gaming traffic. Don’t forget its unique Meshnet functionality. If you’re not impressed by these offerings after purchasing a plan, the provider even lets you claim a refund within 30 days.