Best VPNs for PC Gaming – Should you use one?

ExpressVPN is one of the best PC gaming VPNs, with over 160 locations across 94 countries and strong DDoS protection.

Encryption comes thanks to the OpenVPN protocol, allowing users to choose between TCP and UDP connections. UDP is preferred when gaming, but both should do the job just fine. And when you finish, you can continue using ExpressVPN to unblock Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and almost any other streaming platform you’re interested in.

Although ExpressVPN is a little on the pricier side of things, its robust feature set and 24/7 customer support reflect the premium service you would be paying for. You can also try it for yourself using its no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee.

Based in the British Virgin Islands, Surfshark is a fan-favorite VPN provider with a strong no-logs policy that protects user privacy. Since Surfshark imposes no limits whatsoever on how many devices you can connect at once, users can not only protect their gaming PC, but literally each and every other device in their household, all at the same time! Of course, it’s a policy that Surfshark hopes won’t be abused, but it’s great for larger families that want to protect all their devices.

Surfshark has servers in 63 different countries, with many capable of reliably unblocking sought after services like Netflix US (and 14 additional Netflix libraries worldwide), BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and many more thanks to obfuscation technology. Torrenting is also permitted on certain servers, with a kill-switch to protect your traffic if the VPN cuts out for any reason. Needless to say, this is all wrapped up in a price that boasts great value for money. But instead of taking our word for it, why don’t you try before you buy with Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee?

Despite being based in the United States, a place known for its troublesome stance on privacy, Private Internet Access has successfully proven its no-logs claim in court – something no other provider on this list can boast. No logging means your traffic cannot be traced back to you, regardless of whether you are gaming on your PC, unblocking Netflix US or BBC iPlayer, torrenting, or doing something else entirely.

Private Internet Access can be used on up to 10 devices at once, each protected with OpenVPN encryption. Customer service is a little lacking compared to other providers on this list, with live chat only available during US business hours. You can also contact support via an email contact form, and the representatives answering your queries are quite reliable and knowledgeable. If you aren’t happy with the service for any reason, you can get a refund at any time within the first 30 days after purchase.

CyberGhost VPN takes a simplified approach to VPNs, making sure its app is easy to use while keeping your PC (or other devices) secure. Up to 7 people can use a single subscription at the same time. And the service has no trouble unblocking Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Unfortunately, CyberGhost tends to struggle with BBC iPlayer at times, meaning it’s worth checking with the provider before committing if BBC is a platform you want to unblock.

With 112 locations in over 90 countries, there are plenty of places you can game in. And if you run into any trouble, the customer support team is available via live chat 24/7. CyberGhost offers a 14-day money-back guarantee if you opt for the 1-month plan, but subscribing for anything more than that will grant you a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

VyprVPN is a consistently speedy service thanks to the outright control it has over its own network infrastructure, which makes it a perfect VPN for low-latency gaming and streaming in HD. With easy-to-use apps for all the main platforms and 5 simultaneous connections, you should be able to protect all your main devices with a single subscription.

VyprVPN offers great value for money, being particularly good at unblocking streaming services. With servers in 63 countries, this means VyprVPN can give you access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, HBO Go, YouTube, Crunchyroll, and plenty more from across the world. With its proprietary Chameleon obfuscation (stealth) technology, it’s great for gaming in countries with mass surveillance and censorship. If there are any discrepancies, you can always get in touch with its 24/7 live chat or opt to use your 30-day money-back guarantee.