The Best VPN for Gaming

Lee Stanton September 6, 2023

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Primarily a tool for increasing online security and bypassing geo-restrictions of streaming services, the best VPNs are now being used more and more for gaming. Perhaps you want to compete with players from outside your region. Maybe you want to access a game only available in another country. Or you’re a competitive gamer and are concerned about DDoS attacks. Whatever the reason, you should choose a VPN service that’s fast, reliable, and will ensure your privacy and security. In this article, we will help you choose the best VPN for gaming.

At a Glance – Best VPNs for Gaming

In this article, we will list the five best gaming VPNs. But if you want a quick summary, here’s an overview of our top 3 choices:

Best VPNs for Gaming

Best VPN for Gaming: Top 5

1. ExpressVPN

For us, the best VPN for gaming is ExpressVPN. With 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN could be your best chance for a strong, secure, and fast connection if you travel frequently or want to play with pals abroad.

It’s also secure, so you don’t have to worry about DDoS attacks when you’re fighting 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 terrific option. It quickly unblocks Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and other geo-restricted websites so you can view your favorite content from anywhere in the world.

ExpressVPN also has a specialized router VPN app, so you can avoid throttling and be secure even on consoles that don’t support VPNs natively. Furthermore, Express’s MediaStreamer Smart DNS utility will allow you to 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 simple to set up on PCs, and there are easy-to-follow guidelines for PlayStation and Xbox. Furthermore, if you have any problems with the service, the 24/7 live chat will be able to resolve them in minutes.

If we had to pick a flaw, Express only allows for five simultaneous connections per plan. But, if you install one of them on your router, any device connected to it will be covered; 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 best VPN for gaming if you’re searching for a VPN that can help you avoid throttling, keep you safe from hackers and trackers, and unblock streaming media. And, if you’re not happy with the service, just contact their customer service within 30 days of purchase for a complete refund, no questions asked.

PROS

Fast, reliable speeds
Vast server network
Router support
24/7 customer service
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Up to 5 simultaneous connections only

Get ExpressVPN now!

2. CyberGhost

It’s not surprising that CyberGhost is among the top five on our best VPN for gaming list. Along with helpful workarounds for Xbox and PS4 VPN, it also provides instructions on how to use its service on your Nintendo Switch.

CyberGhost can defend you from DDoS attacks and is home to various fantastic features that can help increase your security, such as automatically connecting to your preferred server for an almost instantaneous secure connection.

CyberGhost’s capacity to get around geo-restrictions to unblock US Netflix (although it struggles with other locations), Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus are beneficial for anyone who uses their gaming console as a media streamer. Additionally, you’ll be able to access various gaming store regions and get around IP address blocks set up by your school or place of employment.

Its speed performance is also respectable, thanks to the WireGuard protocol that is supported by all of its apps. With a network of more than 9,200 servers spread across 90 countries, just connect to the closest one to start playing.

PROS

Large network of servers
Supports up to 7 devices
Budget-friendly VPN
Keeps no logs
45-day money-back guarantee (for 1-year plans and up)

CONS

Limited payment options (credit card, PayPal, and BitPay)

Get CyberGhost now!

3. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a good all-around VPN. It’s one of the simplest and most easy-to-use 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 for a great price and with additional features tailored exclusively for serious gamers.

This VPN will be useful for allowing you access to games in other parts of the world that get launched early or are just not available where you are. Private Internet Access has 30,000+ servers in 80+ countries to help its clients get around geo-restrictions.

Speaking of IPs, getting a dedicated IP address for online gaming is quite simple with Private Internet Access (at a small extra charge). Every time you log on, you will receive the same IP address unique to you and not used by anybody else in the world. That should make you less vulnerable to IP block-listing 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. PIA is not as fast as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. But it makes up for it by offering other features such as unlimited number of device connections, allowing you and your family members to connect all your devices like phones, tablets, laptops, routers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.

PROS

Unlimited simultaneous device connections
Vast server network
Easy to use
Affordable VPN
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Based in the USA

Get Private Internet Access now!

4. NordVPN

This Panama-based provider delivers fast speeds, plus you’ll have a network of more than 5,500 servers in 60 countries to choose from. So, no matter where you are, there’s a good chance 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, by our testing, is one of the fastest VPNs on the market today.

Nord’s apps are stable (which is good if you intend 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 tricky.

Although not quite as reliable and polished as ExpressVPN, NordVPN is still a close match and is worth considering if you are searching for a gaming VPN. This VPN service is a high-performance option if you’re concerned about download and upload speeds. It’s also a good VPN for torrenting.

NordVPN delivers an impressive ping performance. It uses the latest WireGuard VPN protocol called NordLynx, which is fast and helps it run consistently well.

PROS

Fast speeds
Decent ping performance
Clear privacy policy
Vast server network
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

App requires lots of updating

Get NordVPN now!

5. Surfshark

Surfshark is effective, affordable, and performs really well as a gaming VPN. It is budget-friendly and is quite excellent in a number of categories.

Although Surfshark is not as quick as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, you can rely on it not to bring your Wi-Fi to a crawl.

Besides having a sizable network of 3,200 servers, the combination of unlimited connections and a low price point is what attracts users the most. In the VPN industry, neither is quite common, making that combo 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 little bit slower compared to others and the apps don’t offer quite 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 to do it.

PROS

Unlimited connections
Simple to use
Good speeds
Budget-friendly
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Customer support is not the fastest

Get Surfshark now!

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaming VPNs

Why would you need a VPN for gaming?

There are many reasons why people use a VPN for gaming. Many games group players according to their region. So, if you want to play with other players from other parts of the world, you can use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions.

Also, if your internet connection is fluctuating, your ISP may be throttling your internet speed or bandwidth without telling you. By making your activities anonymous, a VPN can assist you in avoiding this so that your ISP cannot target you for throttling.

Lastly, privacy. Everyone is susceptible, but gamers, in particular, are targeted by DDoS attacks and have a high risk of being hacked. A good VPN can protect anyone – not just gamers – from the inherent risks of using the web.

What features should a gaming VPN have?

Fast connection speed is one of the most important features a gaming VPN should have. You’ll want to get as close to your regular connection speeds as possible, so having a fast VPN is essential.

The best VPN for gaming should deliver excellent speeds as well as great security. When choosing a gaming VPN, you should also ensure that it can protect your privacy. Last but not least, do your homework and check the reliability of the service you will choose. It’s bad if your VPN keeps disconnecting, and if it has a kill switch turned on, this will result in you being disconnected from the game.

If you’re looking for the best VPN for gaming, we recommend ExpressVPN because it provides fast and reliable speeds plus excellent security.

Will a VPN increase your ping?

A VPN will likely slightly increase your ping compared to your standard internet connection at peak speeds. But if you choose a VPN server close to your location, it might decrease it (if you’re lucky).

One purpose of a gaming VPN is to stabilize and make your internet connection more reliable. Your regular connection may have a peak ping of 10ms. If you’re used to 10ms, your ping might be 20ms or better if you use the best gaming VPN, but you can be sure that it will remain pretty much that way throughout your gaming session.

What are DDoS attacks?

DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks are rising among serious and professional gamers worldwide. It’s 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. Because VPN customers route all of their internet traffic through the provider’s third-party IP address, it will be very difficult for a malicious person to target your specific network for an extended length of time.