Are you sick of lag when gaming online, or randomly being kicked from a lobby when things are going really well? Using a VPN for gaming could be the answer.
What are the best VPNs for gaming?
From testing and personal experience, these are the best VPNs to use when gaming online:
-
ExpressVPN
– The best VPN for gaming. It’s one of the fastest & most consistent VPNs we’ve tested at ProPrivacy. -
NordVPN
– Hightened security will do away with DDoS attacks -
CyberGhost VPN
– The best VPN for gaming on mobile and consoles. It’s easy to set up & has slick Android and iOS apps. -
Private Internet Access
– A great gaming VPN thanks to its use of “Squid” proxies which use less encryption than VPN servers. -
Surfshark
– The best gaming VPN if you’re on a budget. But despite the price, this VPN is surprisingly fast and feature-rich.
Try ExpressVPN our best gaming VPN pick
Gaming is a favorite lunch-time activity here at the ProPrivacy offices, and we have seen the full power of a VPN for gaming first-hand. From saving you money to improving your connection and overall online experience, VPNs have a wide range of applications for gamers.
Combining a VPN with your gaming setup allows you to prevent DDoS attacks, avoid ISP throttling, and optimize the path your packets take. On top of this, they can also give you more freedom by letting you play games that are blocked in your region and allow you to purchase games earlier or cheaper by geo-spoofing to a different country.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best VPNs to use while you game, how you can use it to save yourself some money and how to set it up on PC or console.
Hands down, the two most important features that make a VPN good to use when gaming are speed and server locations. However, privacy is also important for some leading game distributors – such as Steam. When selecting our favorite VPNs for gaming, we considered:
- Performance on desktop (various operating systems).
- Compatibility with popular consoles & mobile devices.
- If the VPN is fast enough for gaming.
- The number of servers & locations.
So, now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s get into it.
The Best VPNs for Gaming online in 2021
This is a full list of the VPNs that we can recommend for gaming in 2021:
ExpressVPN is our #1 VPN for gaming pick. Given that it often tops our daily speed tests and it has servers all over the world, this VPN is perfect for gaming at the competitive level.
-
Pricing
From
$6.67 –
$12.95 -
Speeds
- 55.95 Mbps
-
Server locations
- 94 countries
ExpressVPN is a provider based in the British Virgin Islands, an ideal location for anybody in need of a VPN for gaming. With servers in 94 countries, you can easily access gaming servers abroad – or make game purchases more cheaply. And, because this VPN is consistently one of the fastest VPNs on the market, you can play games without experiencing lag.
With ExpressVPN, you get apps for all platforms as well as router compatibility – which means you can use it for gaming on PC, console, Android, or iOS devices. Encryption is provided via robust OpenVPN encryption and users can select between TCP and UDP (UDP is better for gaming, which is great). Not only is the lightning-fast connection perfect for competitive gaming, but it also allows you to stream in HD – which gels well with the provider’s ability to unblock content like US Netflix or BBC iPlayer.
In terms of privacy, this VPN is watertight thanks to its no-logs policy. And ExpressVPN provides a kill-switch, obfuscation, and port forwarding – which makes it perfect for torrenting. We love that this VPN has 24/7 live chat support, and there is nothing we have found this VPN unable to do. Definitely worth testing using its 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s a top of the range VPN where you really get what you pay for.
NordVPN – the best VPN for gaming in 2019
-
Pricing
From
$3.71 –
$11.95 -
Speeds
- 84.24 Mbps
-
Server locations
- 59 countries
NordVPN is the best VPN for gaming because of its consistently fast servers, strong security features, and its ability to unblock content. NordVPN has servers in over 59 countries which is great for buying cheaper games and it is perfectly set up to connect to gaming servers outside of your home country.
NordVPN has software for all platforms, and it is compatible with VPN routers. OpenVPN encryption is implemented extremely secure, so this VPN that is fantastic for privacy, and will protect your console or PC against DDoS attacks. Customer care is also superb with this reasonably priced VPN. You can test this VPN for a month thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost is a great choice if you’re looking for incredible value for your money. This VPN balances performance & price. Plus, with servers in 90+ countries you can search for deals on games all over the world.
-
Pricing
From
$2.81 –
$13.47 -
Speeds
- 34.43 Mbps
-
Server locations
- 112 countries
-
Tested with
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- Nintendo
- PC
CyberGhost is a VPN provider based in Romania that is another great option for gaming. With servers in over 90 countries, you can always be sure to unblock any game servers you want to connect to. And, since this VPN is fast, you will never suffer from unnecessary congestion or lagging in your games.
CyberGhost is a no-logs VPN provider, which means you will always get digital privacy when you use it since the provider will have no data to hand over to authorities should it be requested. And, because it has OpenVPN encryption, you can trust it to secure your data both at home and on public WiFi. It also has a kill switch and DNS leak protection to ensure you never leak data to your ISP.
This VPN because is extremely easy to use and has excellent apps for all popular platforms. If you are a console gamer, you can install CyberGhost on a router (or buy a pre-flashed router with CyberGhost ready to go). CyberGhost has a vast network of VPN servers worldwide, which means you can use it to virtually jet-set all over the globe in search of cheap games. And CyberGhost lets subscribers connect up to 7 devices simultaneously, which makes it great for families or people with a lot of devices. Plus, CyberGhost will let you access Netflix US, Hulu, iPlayer, and many other sought-after streaming services. You can test it yourself using its 45-day money-back guarantee on subscription plans exceeding one month.
PIA is a great gaming VPN if you need more speed. This VPN’s “Squid” proxies can help improve ping latency by using less encryption than other services.
-
Pricing
From
$2.84 –
$11.00 -
Speeds
- 32.94 Mbps
-
Server locations
- 74 countries
-
Tested with
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- Nintendo
- PC
Private Internet Access is a US-based provider that is well-known for its attention to detail. The VPN is available for all platforms and is super-fast, which makes it great for gamers. PIA has servers in 74 countries around the world, and it has a huge number of servers in each of those countries to counteract congestion and to ensure you always get the best speeds in-game.
With thousands of servers in over 74 countries, it’s likely to have servers located where you need them for gaming, but if you need a server in a particular place, it is definitely worth checking to see if it can help by using its live chat support.
Where privacy is concerned, this VPN is super-secure, and it has proven its no-logs claims in court… twice! We think this is a superb all-rounder, and we enjoy using it to unblock streaming services such as Netflix US. Gamers may also be interested in PIA’s SOCKS5 “Squid” proxies, which use less encryption than VPN servers, and may have improved ping response times as a result. It’s a superb VPN that you can test risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark is a cheap VPN for gaming. But the discount price doesn’t mean it’s a discount service. Expect fast speeds, great features and servers all over the world.
-
Pricing
From
$2.21 –
$12.95 -
Speeds
- 66.62 Mbps
-
Server locations
- 63 countries
-
Tested with
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- Nintendo
- PC
Surfshark is a VPN that provides an incredible price to features ratio. The subscription price is a bargain, and you get one of the most well-rounded VPNs on the market. Apps are available for all platforms and the VPN will provide ample data privacy thanks to its no-logs policy and strong OpenVPN encryption. We love Surfshark because it has advanced privacy features such as a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation. It is also able to provide access to more Netflix catalogs than just about any other VPN on the market, and you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.
Surfshark has servers in over 60 countries around the world, including places popular with competitive gamers, such as Japan and South Korea. And it will easily enable you to access foreign servers – or to purchase games more cheaply. The split-tunneling feature for Windows and Android is also useful for gaming, as it allows you to include or exclude Steam and other gaming platforms from the VPN tunnel.
Smart DNS, static IP addresses, DNS ad-blocking, and MultiHop VPN are also available with this VPN, which makes it an excellent all-round privacy and security solution; besides being a great VPN for gaming. Plus, this VPN permits torrenting throughout its entire network of servers. Finally, with 24/7 live chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s hard to go wrong with Surfshark. It’s well worth comparing to our other recommendations.
VyprVPN is a great all round VPN for gaming. Running its own network of servers means you can expect maximum performance.
-
Pricing
From
$1.66 –
$12.95 -
Speeds
- 30.61 Mbps
-
Server locations
- 70 countries
-
Tested with
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- Nintendo
- PC
VyprVPN is a service based in Switzerland that is both great for gaining digital privacy and for accessing foreign content. VyprVPN has servers in over 70 countries that will allow you to play foreign gaming servers or to purchase games more cheaply. And this privacy-friendly no logs VPN service owns its entire network of servers, which allows it to provide good speeds and top-notch security.
Admittedly, this VPN is not quite as fast as Surfshark and our other recommendations. However, it is particularly resistant to DDoS attacks because of its robust proprietary network. And it provides better speeds than 99% of the VPN industry. We love using this VPN right across platforms because it is easy to use. And it has advanced features such as a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation (Chameleon feature). It also implements robust OpenVPN encryption to ensure your data is always secure. Plus, this VPN can reliably unblock Netflix US.
With over 700 servers in over 70 counties, you’ll be sure to get the jump when new titles become available. A secure VPN that is well worth taking for a test run using its 30-day money-back guarantee. And VPN that has proven its no-logs claims with a full third-party security audit of its entire infrastructure.
IPVanish is a reliable VPN for gaming. Thanks to a large network of fast proprietary servers, it’s perfect for playing on foreign game servers anywhere.
-
Pricing
From
$6.49 –
$10.00 -
Speeds
- 48.24 Mbps
-
Server locations
- 75 countries
-
Tested with
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- PC
IPVanish is a reliable US-based VPN that provides servers in over 75 countries worldwide. This makes the VPN perfect for gamers attempting to play foreign game servers, or for people who want to unblock games that are not available where they live. With IPVanish, you get the benefit of a massive Tier-1 server network. This will provide great speeds for gaming, and will protect your IP address against DDoS attacks that could knock you out of a game.
IPVanish, can provide watertight online privacy thanks to its kill-switch, DNS leak protection, OpenVPN encryption, and obfuscation. This makes it great for torrenting in privacy; including for downloading software such as games. With servers located globally, you should be able to find ways to buy new releases first, and potentially for lower costs. And IPVanish will also let you play games like Fortnite or Minecraft at work, in school, or on any other network where they have been blocked.
IPVanish can be used on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously; which makes it great for anybody who owns a lot of devices. And you can test it risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
The fastest VPNs for Gaming in 2021
In this article, we have carefully pinpointed the most stable and fastest VPNs on the market. We tested VPNs with Tier-1 server networks at length to ensure that they provide lightning-fast connections. To help you pick the fastest VPN available to you, we test those VPNs three times per day and automatically update the graph below. That allows you to see exactly which VPN are fastest right now.
Get 49% off ExpressVPN + 3 extra months
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Will a VPN help improve my speeds?
When you connect to a VPN, it must encrypt your traffic and route it via the VPN server. This is why you need a fast VPN with blistering servers. Picking a VPN that runs on an inferior network will slow down your traffic, which is not going to improve your gaming experience.
Even the fastest VPNs in the world (from this article) must still router your traffic via the VPN server to provide their service, and this will incur some added latency. So, only expect a VPN to improve your stability due to the proximity of the VPN server to the gaming server. The good news is that many gamers use VPNs for this reason and it is a good idea to test one to see if it improves your stability and ping times.
The very best VPNs for gaming have super-fast gigabit connections and Tier-1 servers capable of a massive amount of throughput. This means that even while connected to the VPN, your internet speeds will remain constant. As a result, you can game with the VPN on and still enjoy fast internet.
How can VPNs make my internet faster?
On some occasions, ISPs engage in traffic shaping. To do this, they throttle their subscribers’ bandwidth, which limits their connection speeds. ISPs do this to prevent network congestion, and to prevent data hogs (like gamers) from using up all their bandwidth.
If you are suffering from bandwidth throttling when you play games, it is possible that connecting to a VPN will improve your internet speeds. A VPN stops your ISP from knowing what you are doing online, which can prevent them from throttling you. As a result, you will finally get unrestricted internet speeds!
For gaming, you will require internet speeds of at least 10 Mbps. Always check your internet connection speeds without a VPN first to figure out whether a VPN is going to be suitable for you. The higher your benchmark speeds are without a VPN, the more confident you can be about using a VPN for gaming.
Will a VPN improve my ping?
This is not an exact science and (unlike many websites) we don’t like to make any promises regarding ping times and VPN use.
The fact is, many gamers swear by VPNs to improve their ping, and connecting to a VPN server that is close to the gaming server (or between you and the gaming server geographically) can lead to improved ping. If you are having ping issues, we recommend trialing a VPN by using its money-back guarantee.
This is the only way to find out if a VPN works in your specific circumstances and with the games you currently play.
Tips for reducing VPN ping
In this section, we will look at a few helpful tips that may help to reduce your ping when using a VPN.
Encryption protocols
Some VPN encryption protocols are faster than others. When gaming, it is a good idea to use a protocol that provides the best speeds possible. If your VPN has PPTP, you can give it a try, because it is known to provide the fastest speeds.
For strong data security and fast speeds, we recommend OpenVPN UDP. Alternatively, you can try IKEv2, which is a secure protocol that is known to be very fast. Many VPNs are also now introducing WireGuard, which is known for its super-fast speeds!
At the end of the day, it is a good idea to test each of the VPN protocols available with your VPN to see which performs best. So go ahead and play around with the settings to see what works for you.
Connect to a VPN server that is closer
By connecting to a VPN server that is closer to you or closer to the gaming server, you can improve your connection speeds and ping. If you need a server in the US, consider whether an East or West coast server is closer to your home country. Every second counts, so always choose a server that is closer to you. In addition, try testing a few different servers to see if one works out better for you.
Pro Tip
Always test a few servers, as some may be faster than others. Servers can slow down slightly if many people are using them, so try a few different servers (that is why your VPN has so many options). If a VPN server seems slow, just check another that is also close by.
How to save money on games with a VPN
Depending on where you live, games will cost a different amount. Economies all over the world differ, and games companies charge whatever they feel people can afford in different locations. In addition, local exchange rates and sales taxes can affect the price of a game.
With a VPN, you can pretend to be in a different country. As a result, you can take advantage of international game prices. To do so, connect to a VPN server in a different country and browse online game markets to see the differing costs of brand new AAA releases or older games that may be on sale.
Where can I find cheaper games online?
Alongside Steam and the Epic Store, individual publishers have also established their own platforms on PC, with EA’s Origin, Ubisoft’s Ubisoft Connect, and Blizzard Activision’s Battle.net. In fact, it’s become more common for game developers like Taleworlds, Mojang, and Cloud Imperium to self-publish, releasing games directly on their website. And this isn’t to forget console powerhouses like PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Besides these online marketplaces, you can also save money on games by checking out the following online game retailers:
With so many options available, we recommend shopping around and testing a few different countries with your VPN. That way you have a much better chance of getting the best possible price.
What games can I get a discount on?
If you are wondering about the kinds of deals you can get with a VPN, we have included a few examples below. The best bet is to look for each specific title you are interested in by spoofing your location to similar countries to the ones in our example (or anywhere else where you believe games could be cheaper). You will find cheaper prices with any of the major platforms listed above by pretending to be in a different place.
Please Note
Regional pricing fluctuates based on different economies, the internal workings of the video game industry, and sales. For this reason, you might find some price discrepancies. The prices shown below were true at the time of writing but could have changed since.
| Game | Store | UK Price (£ – $) | US Price ($) | European Price (€ – $) | Cheapest option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death Stranding | PlayStation Store | $71.76 | $59.99 | $77.51 | $59.78 (Hong Kong) |
| The Outer Worlds | Microsoft Store | $65.24 | $59.99 | $66.43 | $59.90 (Hong Kong) |
| Fire Emblem: Three Houses | Nintendo eShop | $65.24 | $59.99 | $66.43 | $54.80 (Hong Kong) |
| Untitled Goose Game | Epic Games Store | $20.87 | $19.99 | $17.71 | $4.99 (Argentina) |
| Rainbow Six Siege | Steam | $22.15 | $19.99 | $22.14 | $11.68 (Argentina) |
| Middle-earth: Shadow of War | Steam | $45.66 | $49.99 | $44.28 | $10.85 (Argentina) |
| Injustice 2 | Steam | $52.19 | $49.99 | $55.36 | $14.48 (Argentina) |
| Spyro Reignited | Steam | $45.66 | $39.99 | $44.28 | $16.68 (Argentina) |
| Lethal League Blaze | Steam | $23.48 | $19.99 | $22.14 | $3.76 (Argentina) |
| RimWorld | Steam | $36.27 | $34.99 | $33.21 | $6.51 (Argentina) |
| Call of Cthulhu | Steam | $45.66 | $39.99 | $44.28 | $21.70 (Argentina) |
| Red Dead Redemption (PS4) | PlayStation Store | $78.29 | $59.99 | $77.51 | $59.78 (Hong Kong) |
| Red Dead Redemption (Xbox One) | Microsoft Store | $78.29 | $59.99 | $77.51 | $25 (Argentina) |
| Madden 19 | PlayStation Store | $58.71 | $39.99 | $55.36 | $17.16 (Indonesia) |
| Battlefield V | Microsoft Store | $58.71 | $39.99 | $55.36 | $38.36 (Argentina) |
| Overwatch Legendary Edition | Microsoft Store | $76.33 | $59.99 | $66.43 | $38.73 (Turkey) |
| Fifa 20 (PS4) | PlayStation Store | $78.56 | $59.99 | $66.63 | $53.92 (Hong Kong) |
| Fifa 20 (Xbox One) | Microsoft Store | $78.56 | $59.99 | $66.63 | $55.70 (India) |
| Fallout 76 (Xbox One) | Microsoft Store | $45.66 | $39.99 | $44.29 | $15.45 (Argentina) |
| Spider-Man | PlayStation Store | $45.66 | $39.99 | $44.28 | $39.34 (Hong Kong) |
| Devil May Cry 5 | Steam | $58.71 | $59.99 | $66.43 | $27.43 (Argentina) |
| Metro Exodus | PlayStation Store | $71.76 | $59.99 | $77.51 | $52.01 (Hong Kong) |
| Resident Evil 2 Remake | Steam | $58.71 | $59.99 | 66.43 | $20.52 (Argentina) |
| Far Cry New Dawn | Steam | $49.58 | $39.99 | $49.82 | $33.34 (Argentina) |
| Kingdom Hearts 3 (PS4) | PlayStation Store | $71.76 | $59.99 | $77.51 | $59.78 (Hong Kong) |
| Kingdom of Hearts 3 (Xbox One) | Microsoft Store | $71.76 | $59.99 | $77.51 | $24.35 (Argentina) |
How much can I save?
In the table above, you can see that it’s possible to save as much as $57 on some games with a VPN! A VPN is an excellent way to save hundreds of dollars all year round – particularly if you buy a lot of games.
You can compare game prices for various PS4 stores around the globe – by clicking here! To compare Xbox stores from around the world – check this website.
Buying games at cheaper rates is easy and convenient with a VPN! All you need to do is connect to a VPN server in a foreign country. If a valid local payment method is required, you can get one by following our guide for virtual card services.
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How to install and use a VPN for gaming on console and PC
Installing your VPN depends on whether you game on a PC, PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch. By far the easiest to set up is a VPN for gaming on PC. But, setting up on console isn’t too taxing and takes around 15-minutes of initial setup.
Setting up a VPN for gaming on a PC
This is as simple as:
- Pick the best VPN for gaming that meets your needs
- Subscribe to the service using the links above
- Install the software on your PC
- Pick a server and connect
That’s it! You’re connected and can start using your VPN with your favorite games and gaming marketplaces.
Setting up a VPN for gaming on a console
This is where things get a little more tricky, but it’s certainly possible. When setting up a VPN to use with a gaming console, you have two options:
- Connect your console to the internet via a desktop computer or laptop that is running your chosen VPN. You can achieve this by connecting an Ethernet cable from your console to the PC.
- Install a VPN on your router (or buy a flashed router) so that every device in your home (including your games consoles) is automatically connected to the VPN server of your choice.
Fortunately, we can show you how to get up and running on any console, step-by-step. Simply check out the guides linked below.
Which option do we recommend?
For console users, a VPN router is always the best solution for playing games through a VPN. But, a VPN router can also benefit PC gamers eliminating the need to install and run a VPN on your PC. This, in turn, reduces some strain on your CPU – which will leave more power for rendering graphics.
What is a VPN router?
A VPN router is a router that has a VPN installed directly onto it. This means every device on your network can be automatically protected by the VPN when running the VPN connection through a router. This is excellent for connecting devices like game consoles to a VPN server (and any other device that you can’t directly install a VPN on). To find out more, check out our VPN routers guide.
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Can I get a free VPN for gaming?
No, unfortunately reliable free VPN services are typically limited in what they can offer users. When it comes to gaming, particularly online, good connection speeds are essential to a lag free experience. It’s highly unlikely that any free VPN service will have the resources available to invest in a robust enough server network to support the speeds needed for gaming online. Those that do offer primarily to their paying users and use their free offering as more of a limited demo, with reduced speeds and server choice to try to entice you to upgrade.
Can I get a VPN for gaming on mobile?
Yes. Whether you want to access a specific game on the Google Play Store or Apple Store that isn’t available in your country, you want to play on foreign game servers by appearing to live in a different location, or you simply want to purchase a game a cheaper price – a gaming VPN can help. For example, some players use a VPN to access a different Mobile Legends server IP address. Check out our Android VPN and iPhone VPN guides for more details about using a VPN on your mobile.
FAQs
We’ve done our best to explain everything you need to know about gaming with a VPN in the article above. If you still have questions, don’t worry! We’ve put together a FAQ section to tie up those loose ends.
Conclusion
Now you are fully armed with all the information you need to know if you need a VPN for gaming, let’s review our top picks:
-
ExpressVPN
– The best VPN for gaming. It’s one of the fastest & most consistent VPNs we’ve tested at ProPrivacy. -
NordVPN
– Hightened security will do away with DDoS attacks -
CyberGhost VPN
– The best VPN for gaming on mobile and consoles. It’s easy to set up & has slick Android and iOS apps. -
Private Internet Access
– A great gaming VPN thanks to its use of “Squid” proxies which use less encryption than VPN servers. -
Surfshark
– The best gaming VPN if you’re on a budget. But despite the price, this VPN is surprisingly fast and feature-rich.