The Best Gaming VPN in 2024 | High-Speed VPNs For Gaming Online

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The best gaming VPN can encrypt your traffic and route it through a server in your chosen location, bypassing NAT firewalls and geo-restrictions that may block your connection. This can give you a huge advantage in online gaming, letting you play a wider variety of content faster and with lower ping.

To help you pick the right one, we analyzed dozens of VPNs in-depth to find the top-performing ones based on speed, reliability, and affordability. Our research concluded that ExpressVPN is the best gaming VPN. It’s fast, reliable, and has an excellent track record. Its best-in-class protocol, Lightway, can give you one of the best gaming experiences you’ll ever have.

The Best Gaming VPN in 2024 | Shortlist

If you’re a gamer, you know the importance of a fast and stable connection. Take a peek at these best gaming VPNs to see which one can give you the ideal playing experience.

1. ExpressVPN – Best overall gaming VPN. It has 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, making it perfect for gaming and unblocking geo-restricted content. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
2. NordVPN – Secure and fast gaming VPN. Massive server network with 5,500+ servers in 60 countries. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee
3. IvacyVPN – Popular gaming VPN with DDoS protection. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day guarantee
4. PureVPN – Great VPN for gaming and watching streams. Comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee
5. Surfshark/SSOne – A versatile VPN for gaming. You can use it with your router to protect all your devices or use it with a single device
6. CyberGhost – The best gaming VPN for streamers. It has servers optimized for streaming and unblocks popular platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming
7. PrivadoVPN – Free forever VPN. You don’t have to spend a dime with PrivadoVPN, which has servers in 47 countries
8. Private Internet Access – A cheap gaming VPN that packs a punch. PIA is perfect for gaming on a budget
9. PrivateVPN – Low ping VPN for your gaming needs. If you want to reduce your ping and improve your gaming experience, then PrivateVPN is the way to go
10. IPVanish – A VPN for gaming and torrenting. IPVanish is a great all-rounder if you are looking for dedicated servers for your hobbies
11. ProtonVPN – Great for long-hour gaming as it offers unlimited bandwidth and incredible speeds
12. VyprVPN – A great choice if you’re looking for a fast and reliable gaming VPN. It has servers in 90+ countries and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee

Best VPNs for Gaming in 2024 | In-Depth Reviews

Below are the best gaming VPNs you can get your hands on in the market. We reviewed the size of their server networks, pricing, money-back guarantees, and more. But if you’re short on time, check out the table we made after this section to give you a head-to-head comparison of our top 12 picks.

1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall Gaming VPN

ExpressVPN is our top pick as the best gaming VPN in 2024. It’s a fast, reliable, and secure service that has everything you need for a great gaming experience. It also has servers in 94 countries, so you can always find a server that’s close to your location.

Beyond this, its Lightway protocol is the best gaming option, as it’s optimized for low latency and high speeds. And you can use it with a variety of gaming consoles, including the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Unlike WireGuard and OpenVPN, this new VPN protocol is built specifically for gaming. So if you’re looking for the best possible gaming experience, ExpressVPN is a clear choice.

Pricing

The only drawback of ExpressVPN is that it’s a bit more expensive than other VPNs. The cheapest plan starts at $6.67 per month, billed annually, or $12.95 per month if you pay monthly. The annual plan comes with a free full three months of free VPN. Also, a 30-day money-back guarantee is included.

2. NordVPN — Secure and Fast Gaming VPN

NordVPN is an excellent option for gamers, as it has the largest network of servers of any VPN, with over 5,200 servers in 59 countries. It gives you access to geo-restricted games and streaming services, and you can buy games from different countries if they’re not yet available in yours.

Remember Call of Duty: WWII being released a week early in the UK? Exactly, and beyond this, NordVPN also offers some unique gaming features, including double VPN and Onion over VPN.

Double VPN encrypts your traffic twice for extra security, while Onion over VPN routes your traffic through the Tor network. This makes it harder for anyone to track your online activity.

To top it off, NordVPN is compatible with all major gaming consoles, including the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, and it’s also one of the few VPNs that still offer a dedicated router app.

Lastly, if you want to take a rest from gaming, you can watch House of Dragons or Stranger Things with this VPN too! It has dedicated servers for streaming, and it’s one of our best VPNs for Netflix.

Pricing

For only $3.69 per month, you can get a standard 2-year plan of NordVPN and have one of the best gaming experiences with this top-rated VPN. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can always get your money back if you’re unsatisfied.

3. IvacyVPN — Popular Gaming VPN With DDoS Protection

IvacyVPN is one of the most reliable VPN services for gamers because of its massive server fleet in over 100 countries. It allows you to connect to over 5,700 servers, meaning you can always establish a low-latency encrypted connection for smooth gameplay.

IvacyVPN allows for unlimited server switching, ensuring you can bolster your privacy while gaming. It also has industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption, masking your online activities from your ISP and preventing bandwidth throttling.

Using a gaming VPN like IvacyVPN ensures you can get limited edition skins or items from regions other than your own by allowing you to connect to its servers in 100+ countries. It even has servers in Africa and South America, unlike most of its competition, presenting a unique opportunity for gamers that focus on collecting skins.

Beyond this, you can rest easy knowing that this gaming VPN effortlessly blocks DoS and DDoS attacks that would otherwise cripple your connection or gaming device. By hiding your IP address, IvacyVPN helps you stay connected and safe, preventing third parties from ruining your gaming experience.

Pricing

IvacyVPN has one of the cheapest long-term plans that lets you use its services for five years and costs as little as $1/month. In addition, you can purchase a Dedicated IP and Port Forwarding for just $1.99/month. Try it out risk-free today, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. PureVPN — Great VPN for Gaming and Watching Streams

PureVPN adds another layer of protection to your internet traffic with its AES 256-bit encryption, ensuring you’re protected when you connect to any of its 6,500+ servers. It has servers in more than 78 countries, ensuring you can connect to any continent and pay less for games and DLCs in its regional stores.

Beyond this, it lets you connect up to ten devices per subscription, meaning you can share an account with your team members, friends, or family, ensuring your closest ones are safe online. It also has some of the cheapest Dedicated IP and Port Forwarding add-ons, meaning you can secure the gaming servers you host for less than $1/month.

Besides gaming, you can use PureVPN to bypass geo-restrictions and watch your favorite TV shows and movies on Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and other popular streaming services when you’re taking a break from games.

Pricing

PureVPN lets you subscribe to its services on a monthly and yearly basis, and there is a significant discount on its two-year-long plan that costs as little as $2.08/month. In addition, you get three months on top of what you paid for, making it a cost-effective long-term solution.

5. Surfshark VPN/SurfsharkOne — The most versatile gaming VPN

With more than 3,200 servers in 65 countries, Surfshark provides excellent flexibility and choice for gamers looking for a VPN. And it’s one of the few providers with a truly global network of servers. You can find servers in some of the most far-flung locations, such as New Zealand, Japan, Brazil, and South Africa.

We also like that Surfshark offers some great features for gamers. For example, its ‘Whitelister’ function lets you select which apps and websites should bypass the VPN (useful for when you need to access region-locked game servers). And the ‘MultiHop’ feature routes your traffic through multiple servers for extra security.

Moreover, it provides consistently fast speeds, which is essential for gamers who need to respond quickly to opponents. And if you’re worried about being caught out by your ISP (or the game’s server admins), then don’t be – Surfshark offers a ‘Kill Switch’ feature that’ll instantly kill your internet connection if the VPN is ever disconnected.

Pricing

Similar to PIA, Surfshark’s one of the most affordable providers. You can get its 2-year plan for just $2.30 per month, which is a fantastic price. Moreover, it comes with a free two months and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all payment options.

6. CyberGhost — Great VPN for Gaming Streamers

CyberGhost is a top-notch VPN service that’s perfect for gaming and streaming. What makes them great for Twitch streamers is that they have a “NoSpy” server precisely optimized for gaming and streaming. This means you’ll get incredible speeds and low ping times, which is essential for Twitch streaming.

It also has excellent security features, military-grade encryption, and a strict no-logs policy. This means that your identity and loot crates will be safe from cybercriminals while gaming. Learn more about hiding your IP address while gaming and its benefits from our article.

Beyond this, CyberGhost also prevents lags and packet loss, a significant issue when gaming online. It is an excellent VPN for gaming and streaming on Twitch and other streaming sites.

Pricing

CyberGhost’s two-year and 6-month plans offer a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. The plan starts at $2.19 per month, billed every two years. On the other hand, their monthly plan costs $12.99 and offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.

7. PrivadoVPN — Best Free VPN for Gaming

Privado is based in the British Virgin Islands and is an excellent choice for gamers looking for a free VPN. Despite being free, PrivadoVPN offers some great features for gamers. It has servers in 40+ countries, which is more than enough to get around any geo-restrictions you might encounter while gaming.

Its free account is limited to 10GB of data per month, but that’s more than enough for most gaming sessions. And if you need more data, you can always upgrade to one of Privado’s paid plans.

What sets PrivadoVPN apart from other free VPNs is its focus on security and privacy. It uses the most up-to-date security protocols, including AES-256 encryption and OpenVPN. And it doesn’t keep any logs of your activity, so your gaming sessions will always be private.

Pricing

If you enjoyed Privado’s service and decided to upgrade to a paid plan, you can choose from two options. The first is $7.99 per month, and the second is $4.99 per month if you pay for a year upfront. Both plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

8. Private Internet Access — Cheapest Gaming VPN

Private Internet Access is the cheapest gaming VPN on our list. For just $2.03 per month, you can enjoy features like military-grade encryption, ad blocking, and more. While PIA doesn’t have servers specifically for gaming, its vast network of over 29650+ servers in 84 countries means you’re likely to find a server that suits your needs.

Plus, Private Internet Access uses the Wireguard protocol for its Windows and Android apps, which is known for being fast and secure. That said, you can also use the OpenVPN protocol with Private Internet Access, though we recommend using WireGuard if you can.

For just $2, this VPN is a solid option for gaming, especially considering the vast amount of servers available to you — however, it’s not renowned for being the best for unblocking and speeds, especially when compared to top VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Pricing

As mentioned, Private Internet Access is one of the best and cheapest VPNs out there, coming in at just $2.03 per month. Many gamers will benefit from affordable yet high-quality VPN-like Private Internet Access. It gives you more money to spare for other important things, like your gaming PC set-up and the games themselves.

9. PrivateVPN — Consistent Low Ping VPN for Gaming

Ping is essential when it comes to gaming. A low ping means a more responsive connection, which is why PrivateVPN is a great option for gamers. It’s a consistently fast VPN with low ping and minimal latency.

Plus, PrivateVPN is great when it comes to bypassing the dreaded throttling. Basically, throttling is when your ISP deliberately slows down your connection to manage traffic or, more likely, to save money on bandwidth.

When you use PrivateVPN for gaming, your ISP can no longer see what game you’re playing or how much data you’re using. All they see is that you’re connecting to a VPN server. This means they can’t throttle your connection based on gaming traffic.

PrivateVPN also has excellent security features like its AES 256-bit encryption and strict zero-logging policy. This is very important because, nowadays, deliberate cyber-attacks on gamers are becoming more and more common.

Pricing

The features offered by PrivateVPN’s plans are the same. It offers a $2.00 monthly plan for 36 months and $9.90 for its month-to-month option. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial.

10. IPVanish — Best for Gaming and Torrenting

What’s the connection between gaming and torrents? Both require speed, can be sensitive to ISP throttling, and often involve sharing large files. That’s where IPVanish comes in. It’s one of the few VPNs explicitly built with gamers and torrent-ers in mind.

IPVanish is a top-tier VPN service with over 2000+ servers in more than 75+ locations. That means you’ll always have a fast connection, no matter where you are in the world. And because IPVanish owns and operates its entire network, there’s no third-party interference or meddling.

It’s also one of the few VPNs that still offers an actual zero-logging policy. That means your gaming activity and torrent downloads are never recorded or monitored. And because IPVanish uses strong 256-bit AES encryption, your privacy is always protected.

Pricing

For only $3.99/month, you can get IPVanish’s fastest plan with unlimited data and ten simultaneous connections. Its monthly plan is priced at $10.99, and both offer a 30-days risk-free money-back guarantee.

11. ProtonVPN — Unlimited Bandwidth Gaming VPN

If you want to play bandwidth-intensive games like Fortnite and CS GO online without any hitches, you need a gaming VPN like ProtonVPN. This provider offers unlimited bandwidth on all its servers so that you can enjoy an uninterrupted gaming experience.

ProtonVPN is one of the few providers offering a free plan with unlimited data. However, this plan is only suitable for light gaming as it provides slow speeds. You must upgrade to a paid plan to enjoy fast speeds and access to all servers.

When connecting to a server, you can select the ‘Optimal Server’ option to be automatically connected to the best server for gaming. ProtonVPN also uses strong AES-256 encryption to protect your traffic from snooping eyes.

Pricing

ProtonVPN has two pricing plans – a free plan and a paid plan. The paid plan starts at $4.99 per month and offers unlimited data, fast speeds, and access to all servers. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can cancel anytime and get a full refund.

12. VyprVPN — Strict Zero-Logs VPN

VyprVPN is a strict zero-logs VPN provider based out of Switzerland. The country is not part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, making it an excellent option for privacy-conscious gamers.

The VPN service offers fast speeds and excellent security features. It uses 256-bit AES encryption with perfect forward secrecy and provides a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Additionally, VyprVPN has a built-in NAT firewall that can protect you from DDoS attacks.

The provider offers a great selection of server locations, including some rare ones like South Africa and Romania. You can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously and use VyprVPN on routers for even better protection.

Pricing

VyprVPN has two plans, the $3.75 and $5.00 plans. Both are billed monthly for a year and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The only difference between the two is your number of simultaneous connections.

With the $3.75 plan, you can connect up to 3 devices at the same time, while with the $5.00 plan, you can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously.

Best VPNs for Gaming Comparison Table

Check out the table we’ve put together comparing the best gaming VPNs in 2024. It has all the information you need to make an informed decision about which is the best VPN for gaming for you.

How Do I Choose a Gaming VPN?

While there are several factors to consider when choosing a gaming VPN, there is also this looming question if you need one in the first place. There are a bunch of reasons to get a gaming VPN. The most common and important ones are reducing lag, avoiding DDoS attacks, and getting around geo-restrictions.

So how do you choose a gaming VPN that is best for you? Here are some factors:

• Test its speeds – we all know how important speed is for gaming. A good VPN should not have any noticeable impact on your internet speeds.
• Server location – this matters because it will affect your latency (ping). If you are playing a game only available in North America, then it would make sense to connect to a VPN server in North America.
• Protocols and encryption – OpenVPN is the most common and recommended protocol for gaming, as it offers the best combination of speed and security. AES-256-bit encryption is also recommended.
• Dedicated IPs – this is a static IP that is assigned only to you and not shared with anyone else. This can be helpful in some cases, such as getting around geo-restrictions.

All of these factors were considered while we reviewed these VPNs; it’s up to you to determine what’s most important to you.

Gaming VPN Testing Methodology | What Makes a Good Gaming VPN?

Let’s discuss further how we chose the best gaming VPNs. This process was not easy, and we had to consider many factors while testing different services. Here are some of the most important criteria that we looked for while conducting our research:

• The ability to unblock geo-restricted content and websites. For example, a good gaming VPN should be able to let you access region-locked games and servers.
• Fast server speeds and minimal latency for a lag-free gaming experience.
• A large server network spread out all over the world for better coverage and accessibility.
• Robust security features to keep your gaming sessions safe from hackers and DDoS attacks.
• Ease of use and simple software interface for a hassle-free experience.
• Affordability and value for money.

All these were taken into consideration while we were conducting our gaming VPN reviews and tests. We also looked at other important factors such as privacy policies, logging practices, customer support, and more.

What is a VPN? | Why Do I Need a VPN?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. VPNs can be used to access region-restricted websites, shield your browsing activity from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi, and more.

These days, a VPN isn’t just a nice luxury; it’s an important security tool. We put together this list of the best gaming VPNs based on our own extensive testing and experience. Here are several reasons you might want to use a VPN while gaming:

To Unblock Games That Are Region-Locked

If you live in a country where certain games are blocked, a VPN can help you get around those restrictions. For example, players in China can use a VPN to connect to servers outside of the country, and access blocked games.

To Protect Your Online Privacy

When you’re gaming on a public Wi-Fi connection, anyone on the same network can try to snoop on your traffic and see what you’re doing. A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it impossible for someone on the same network to see what you’re up to.

To Improve Your Gaming Performance

Sometimes, a VPN can improve your gaming performance by reducing latency and improving speeds. This is especially true if you’re connecting to a faraway server or one that’s overloaded.

To Get Around ISP Throttling

Some ISPs throttle traffic to certain types of sites and services, including gaming servers. If your gaming connection is consistently slow, a VPN can help encrypt your traffic and make it harder for your ISP to throttle your connection.

To Avoid DDoS Attacks

If you’re a competitive gamer, you may have experienced a DDoS attack at some point when someone tries to flood your connection with traffic to disconnect you from the game server. Using a VPN can help protect you from DDoS attacks by encrypting your traffic and making it harder for attackers to target your IP address.

The bottom line is that a VPN can be a valuable tool for gamers, whether you’re looking to unblock games, improve your performance, or protect your online privacy.

Will a VPN Slow My Connection Down?

Not necessarily. Many people use a VPN for gaming because it can improve their connection speed. After all, you’re rerouting traffic through a server closer to your game’s servers. That being said, if you’re using a free or low-quality VPN service, it could definitely slow down your connection.

Some of the fastest VPNs we reviewed were ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IvacyVPN. These are all premium services with a price tag, but if you’re serious about gaming, they could be worth the investment.

Is it Legal to Use a Gaming VPN?

The legality of using a VPN is always a bit of a tricky question. VPNs are outright banned in some countries, like China, Russia, and Iran. However, in most places, using a VPN is perfectly legal.

There are a few things to remember if you’re considering using a VPN for gaming. First and foremost, ensure that the service you’re using is legal in your country. Additionally, be aware that some online games, like World of Warcraft, have strict rules against using a VPN while playing.

Breaking these rules could result in a ban from the game. Spoofing IPs to buy games at a lower price is also something to be aware of. Sometimes, this could be considered fraud and get you into trouble with the developers. However, if you use VPNs to improve your connection speed or protect your privacy while gaming, you’re in the clear.

How Can a VPN Lower Ping?

A VPN can help lower your ping by rerouting your traffic through a server closer to the game servers you’re trying to connect to. A low MS (millisecond) ping is vitally important for gamers, as a high ping can result in lag and a poor gaming experience.

A great example is if you’re trying to play a game based in the US but living in Europe. By connecting to a VPN server in the US, your traffic will take a shorter route to the game servers, resulting in a lower ping.

Also, you’ll be getting high pings when being throttled by your ISP. When using a VPN, the ISPs can’t throttle you as they can’t see what kind of data you’re sending or receiving.

Gaming VPN FAQs