Best VPN for Gaming
Are you looking for a VPN for games that will improve and stabilize your internet speed, in addition to protecting your online privacy?
In this guide, we selected the best VPNs for gamers to avoid worrying about IP bans, unblocking online games with geographic restrictions, as well as in-game features, in addition to protecting against ISP limitation and DDoS attacks.
According to our most recent test results, these are the 3 top VPNs for gaming:
- ExpressVPN: The fastest VPN of 2021, with servers in 94 countries and Smart DNS functionality. Read the summary
- NordVPN: Easy to use, with servers in 59 countries and functionality Smart DNS. Read the summary
- Surfshark: Great value for money, with servers in 63 countries and Smart DNS functionality. Read the summary
These three VPNs for gaming recorded fast speeds, low ping times, and bypass geographical restrictions.
Besides, they all come with Smart DNS to facilitate compatibility with game consoles such as PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
These VPNs provide multiple servers around the world for you to access games that are not yet available in your country, anonymous IP addresses, 24/7 live customer support, as well as offering a trial period with a refund guarantee.
Best VPN for gaming in 2021
1- ExpressVPN
PROS
- Feature Smart DNS for game consoles.
- Unlocks American Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and IPTV.
- Torrent allowed on all servers.
- Advanced features like kill switch and split tunnel.
- Servers: +3,000 | Countries: 94
- Breakneck connection speeds.
- Compatible with: Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux
CONS
- Only 5 simultaneous connections .
Best price: US$6.67 / month for 15 months. See all plans.
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest and most secure VPN services we have tested and is not randomly at the top of our Best VPN rating for gaming.
It has 3,000 VPN servers in 94 countries, and we record very fast download speeds on servers in the same country and on long distant servers, with very low ping times and no lag.
ExpressVPN has customized applications for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and FireTV devices. Mobile apps are easy to use, perfect for fans of mobile games like Mobile Legends.
Also, ExpressVPN is the best VPN to use with game consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, thanks to its MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) feature.
You will be able to participate in online games, even if you are in a highly censored country like China or Turkey, as ExpressVPN is the most effective VPN to bypass this type of censorship.
Besides, it offers a live support team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you.
Check our guide on how to get ExpressVPN for 30 days for free.
Visit Expressvpn.com or read our full ExpressVPN review.
2- NordVPN
PROS
- Smart DNS functionality.
- Unlocks American Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and IPTV.
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections.
- Compatible with: Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- Servers: 5700 l Countries: 59
CONS
- Extra protocols require manual configuration.
Best price: US$3.71 / month for 24 months. See all plans.
NordVPN is an excellent alternative to ExpressVPN when it comes to gaming, as it is a fast VPN with a network of more than 5,000 servers spread across 59 countries.
You can also use NordVPN’s Smart DNS feature to use VPN on your PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or any other game console that allows you to change your DNS settings.
NordVPN offers a much lower price than ExpressVPN and, if you are not satisfied with the VPN service, you can request a refund within 30 days after subscribing to the service.
Visit NordVPN.com or read our full NordVPN review.
3- Surfshark
PROS
- Quick access to 12 libraries of Netflix.
- Servers: 1,700 | Countries: 63
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Excellent VPN for torrent.
- Compatible with: Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- Smart DNS works with game consoles.
CONS
- Small delay on some servers.
Best price: US$2.49 / month for 24 months. See all plans.
Just as VPNs mentioned above, Surfshark offers the feature Smart DNS for optimized use on game consoles.
The Surfshark is not the fastest VPN we’ve tested, like ExpressVPN, but works very well in short distance servers.
The main advantage of Surfshark is the price. If you’re short on money, Surfshark offers a super affordable price, plus a trial period with a 30-day, risk-free money-back guarantee.
Visit Surfshark.com or read our full Surfshark review.
Best VPN for Gaming: FAQ
What is VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that encrypts web traffic and creates a secure connection between your device and the website you visit or the application you open.
When you connect to a VPN server, it assigns you an anonymous IP address. Your real IP location is therefore masked for the website you visit or application. It means that a VPN is ideal for players who want to access online games, connecting to other countries.
A VPN also provides an extra layer of protection against ISP connection limitation or DDoS attacks.
Why do I need a VPN for games?
We listed 5 advantages of using the VPN for gaming.
1- Protection against DDoS attacks
If you like competitive online games and e-sports, using a VPN can protect you from DDoS attacks by masking your real IP address.
DDoS attacks attempt to make a system’s resources unavailable to its users; if a hacker tries to block your internet to harm you during the game, he will not be able to because he will not know your real IP address.
2- Ignoring IP bans
3- Overcoming geographic restrictions
Many games and game resources are blocked geographically. It means that some games are not always available in the country where you live.
When using a VPN, you can select the country where the game is available to unlock it and access exclusive items that have not yet launched in your country.
4- Improve speed
5- Reducing latency
Which VPN has the lowest ping?
When you’re playing online, the last thing you want is lag, especially if you’re a competitive player.
To have a gaming experience without delay when using a VPN, you need a low latency service (also known as ping) and fast speeds.
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market and is at the top of our VPNs list for online games.
In addition to fast speeds on short distance servers, ExpressVPN guarantees fast and stable speeds on long-distance servers.
What is the best free VPN for games?
When choosing a VPN service, you need to understand its central priorities. There are several free VPNs available on the market and, even the most popular ones have some kind of data restriction.
Free VPNs often have minimal server lists and severe data limits. Worse than that, free VPNs often just don’t work when it comes to privacy and security. Some are more dangerous than not using them.
Suppose you want a VPN that will protect your online privacy, decrease the risk of attacks DDoS, in addition to avoiding limitations on your ISP, reducing latency, and overcoming geographical restrictions. In that case, you will have to invest in a paid VPN.
All VPNs recommended in this guide offer a 30-day money-back trial period with no headaches. That is, you can test the VPN during games for 30 days, and if you don’t like it, you can get your money back.
Besides, we have a page with the best promotions available, so you can save money when signing up for a VPN. Click here!
VPN for Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch
You can easily use one of the VPNs recommended in this guide on your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.
All VPNs that we recommend are compatible with support Smart DNS or with the installation router.
Smart DNS functionality is essential; we advise any game console player to use ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark.
See how to configure!
How to install a VPN on game consoles
Smart DNS
The easiest way to connect a VPN to a game console, such as a PS4 or Xbox One, is through the Smart DNS feature.
All you need to do is access your game console’s DNS settings and update them with the VPN service’s DNS credentials.
Many VPN providers do not come with Smart DNS functionality, so we recommend that PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo players use ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark.
VPN on the router
The second option is to install a VPN on your home router.
One of the advantages of installing a VPN on your router is the convenience of having all your devices protected when using your home’s Wi-Fi network.
All of the indicated VPNs can be configured on your router; however, you should check if your router allows configuring the VPN.
Best VPN for games in China
If you are traveling to China and do not want to be left out of the game, you will need a VPN that bypasses the Great China Firewall restrictions.
ExpressVPN is the best at overcoming online censorship in China and is first on our best VPN list for China.
