In the era of online gaming, a reliable VPN can make all the difference, ensuring minimal lag and safeguarding against potential security threats like DDoS attacks. This article offers a comprehensive guide to choosing the best VPN for gaming in 2024, emphasizing the benefits, key considerations, and top recommendations.
Exploring the advantages of using a VPN gaming, the articles highlight how my great gaming VPN with optimized servers could level up your play by lowering ping, bypassing throttling restrictions, or adding an extra layer of protection. Moreover, they underscore the importance of factors such as speed, server count, security features, and pricing when selecting a VPN tailored for gaming.
With a focus on what to look for in a gaming VPN, readers are guided through the criteria necessary for an optimal gaming experience. From fast servers to robust security measures, these articles provide essential insights into choosing the best game VPN to satisfy the gamer’s specific needs and preferences.
Finally, renowned VPN provider like ExpressVPN is recommended for their reliability and gaming-centric features. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a competitive esports enthusiast, these VPNs offer the potential to elevate your gameplay, ensuring a seamless and secure online experience.
Side-by-Side Comparison of the Best VPNs for Gaming in 2024
Check the side-by-side comparison of the best gamer VPN in 2024:
| VPNs |  |
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 |
 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit |
| Multi-logins | 8 | Unlimited | 6 | 7 | Unlimited |
| Speed | 89.42 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection | 81.32 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection | 83.82 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection | 75.47 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection | 86.75 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers |
| Pricing | $6.67/mo | $2.49/mo | $3.99/mo | $2.03/mo | $2.99/mo |
Why Do You Need a VPN for Gaming?
Using the best VPN games USA is more than just accessing restricted gaming lobbies; it’s about enhancing your overall gaming experience. A VPN helps bypass ISP throttling, reduces ping times, which is essential in competitive gaming, and secures your personal information from cyber threats with features like military-grade encryption and kill switches.
There are many other reasons why gamers must use a VPN for gaming. These are as follows:
- Boosting Internet Speed: Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) intercept and throttle your internet speeds while gaming. This is because gamers consume high bandwidth, which ISPs limit by throttling your connection. Therefore, using a VPN is the best way to bypass ISP throttling. VPN uses encryption protocols and makes your activity anonymous.
- Buying Region-Specific Games: Although you can purchase several online games, some popular games are geo-restricted and unavailable to everyone. Sometimes, the in-app game price differs region-wise or is unavailable. This is where a VPN can provide help. It can hide your actual geolocation and allow you to buy DLC packs or any region-specific games.
- Lifting a Ban: It is no secret that some online gamers cheat during online gaming to win free points or upgrade levels and eventually face a ban. Game owners can ban your IP address so you cannot play again. But you can use a VPN to connect to a different IP address of a game server, ensuring minimal delays and a more enjoyable gaming session.
- Preventing DDoS Attacks: According to studies, approximately 37% of online gamers experience DDoS and other cyber attacks. To safeguard against these threats while gaming online, it’s recommended to use a VPN equipped with DDoS protection. This measure enhances safety and ensures a smoother gaming experience.
- Enhancing Protection: There are more chances of an IP address leak when playing multiplayer games. Sometimes, your internet connection is insecure, and hackers can intercept and use it. A VPN lets online gamers quickly encrypt their device data and prevent leaks.
- Play while traveling: While traveling to any other country or region, marketplaces may not recognize you since you’ll be logged in from a different IP address and may not process your payments. You can easily bypass this inconvenience by connecting to a VPN with the server region of your profile.
The Best VPN for Gaming – In-Depth Analysis [Updated 2024]
For gamers, finding the best VPN gaming is critical. With the need for fast protocols and minimal lag, services like ExpressVPN and Surfshark lead the industry with dedicated gaming servers or VPN accelerators.
Whether you’re gaming locally or connecting to international servers, this in-depth review helps you find the VPN that matches your gaming style and needs:
1. ExpressVPN – The Best VPN for Gaming
- Ultra-fast servers in 105 Countries
- Excellent unblocking capability for Netflix, Hulu & more
- Best-in-class encryption trusted security, and advanced protection features that block ads, trackers, and harmful sites.
- Connect up to 8 devices simultaneously
- 24/7 customer support through live chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
In the search of, what is the best VPN for gaming low ping? I discovered ExpressVPN. It is the best VPN for online gaming, offering an unparalleled blend of speed, security, and reliability. Known for its extensive server network, it ensures USA gamers enjoy a lag-free and seamless gaming experience, even during peak time.
With servers spread across 105 countries, including 5 server locations, its expansive server network and focus on speed, ExpressVPN stands out as the best VPN for ping, offering gamers optimal connectivity and minimal latency for an unparalleled gaming experience.
Each ExpressVPN server was capable of unblocking online games within seconds.
Using these speeds, gaming was pretty hassle-free.
All ExpressVPN’s subscription plans come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Moreover, Android and iOS users can use the ExpressVPN free trial for 7 days to check the best VPN servers for gaming before continuing with the service. In case of any technical problems, you can always visit this VPN’s 24/7 live chat support, which will help you out within a few minutes.
If you’re curious about whether it’s the best VPN for achieving low ping in gaming, you can check out my ExpressVPN review.
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Pros
- Improved speeds and low pings
- Thousands of servers worldwide
- A dedicated app for routers to enjoy a VPN connection on gaming consoles
- Live chat support
- Best VPN for gaming Xbox and Playsation
Cons
- Runs limited discounted period
2. Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for Gaming
- 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
- RAM-only servers (no hard disks)
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Unblocks Netflix and More
- 24/7 Customer Service
Surfshark emerges as the most budget-friendly VPN for gaming, particularly for those seeking a balance between performance and affordability. Its reputation as a budget-friendly VPN doesn’t compromise the speed and features essential for a superior gaming experience.
Surfshark boasts 3200+ servers in 100 countries worldwide and 3 server locations. This extensive coverage is ideal for reducing ping on peak times and ensuring uninterrupted gaming sessions, whether deep into League of Legends or teaming up in Fortnite.
With Surfshark, you can unblock the League of Legends and enjoy low pings.
The VPN’s impressive speeds are not just beneficial for gaming. In the Surfshark speed test, the VPN delivered a downloading speed of 81.32 Mbps and an uploading speed of 76.12 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
These speeds were fast and reduced latency and gave best gaming VPN performance.
Additionally, Surfshark’s Camouflage mode lets you bypass gaming bans in restricted countries, and its no-logs policy reinforces its commitment to user privacy. This level of security is vital for protecting against DDoS attacks and maintaining privacy in online gaming environments.
Even better, you can get Surfshark free trial on your iOS and Mac devices for 7 days free. At this price, Surfshark offers the best VPN servers for gaming you can opt for today.
To learn more about this service provider, check out the in-depth Surfshark review.
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Pros
- Offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Boasts a large global server presence.
- Provides multi-hop and split tunneling tools.
- Affordable gaming VPN for PC
- Shows promising potential with Surfshark Nexus.
Cons
- Experienced some issues with the IP rotator feature during testing.
- Requires clarification on its privacy policy
3. NordVPN – Secure VPN for Gaming
- 6000 servers in 60 countries
- WireGuard protocol (NordLynx)
- 6 Simultaneous Connection
- DoubleVPN
- 24/7/365 Live Chat Support
- 30 Days Money Back Guarantee
NordVPN is highly recommended as the secure VPN for gaming, known for its exceptional balance of security and performance. It stands out for its robust security features and its ability to enhance the gaming experience.
NordVPN, with 6000+ servers across 61 countries and 190+ servers in 5 locations, is a significant advantage for gamers. VPN ensures players can find low-latency connections, which is crucial for online gaming.
NordVPN’s security features are top-notch, as, during the gameplay, every hacking attempt was foiled.
During the NordVPN speed test, this VPN delivered super-fast speeds on as many servers as possible. I received a downloading speed of 83.82 Mbps and an uploading speed of 44.64 Mbps. NordVPN’s high-speed servers provide a seamless experience for both gaming and streaming.
The VPN bypassed ISP throttling and improved latency on the connection.
For a more in-depth look at NordVPN, check out the NordVPN review.
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Pros
- Offers the best free VPN subscription.
- Provides numerous advanced privacy tools.
- Maintains a strong customer privacy stance.
- Features a slick, accessible client interface.
- Achieves excellent speed test scores.
Cons
- Exhibits an awkward ChromeOS implementation.
4. CyberGhost – User-friendly VPN for Gaming
- 11651 Servers Servers in 100 Countries
- 7 Simultaneous Logins
- 45 Days Money-Back Guarantee
- Strict No Logs Policy
- 24/7 Live Chat Support
- Strong Protocols & Encryption
CyberGhost is highly recommended as a top user-friendly VPN for gaming, especially for its easy-to-use interface and robust performance. It stands out as an ideal option for both novice and experienced gamers seeking a hassle-free gaming VPN solution. Console gamers can buy a pre-configured VPN router rather than protect their online identity.
CyberGhost offers an extensive network of 11651+ servers in 100 countries, with 150 servers. This wide coverage is crucial For American Users for gamers, providing numerous options for connecting to low-latency servers, which is essential for a smooth gaming experience.
I enjoyed playing the game with CyberGhost without getting the connection throttled.
These speeds were enough to enjoy lag-free gaming.
CyberGhost is an appealing choice For American Users for gamers seeking a user-friendly, secure, cost-effective VPN solution. Also, there is a CyberGhost free trial, that you can use before paying the subscription cost.
For more information, you can read the comprehensive CyberGhost review.
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Pros
- Boasts a large, well-distributed server fleet.
- Allows up to seven simultaneous connections.
- Offers several add-ons, including antivirus.
- Achieves outstanding speed test scores.
- Recently completed a third-party audit.
Cons
- Comes with a relatively high price.
- Presents confusing privacy policies.
5. IPVanish – The Fastest VPN for Gaming:
- PPTP, L2TP/IPSec & OpenVPN protocols
- 40,000+ IPs & 1000+ servers in 60+ countries
- 10 Multi logins
- 7-Day Money Back Guarantee
- 256bit AES encryption
IPVanish is widely recognized as one of the fastest VPNs for gaming, particularly for its exceptional speed, which is a critical factor for gamers. Known for its fast server performance, IPVanish is a top choice for those seeking an edge in their online gaming experience.
IPVanish boasts 2200+ servers that span over 75+ locations, including 69 servers, providing a variety of options for low-latency connections. This extensive network is key to achieving the high-speed performance that IPVanish is known for, ensuring minimal lag in online games.
I enjoyed the Black Desert and played games with the friends available globally.
No significant speed drop was recorded during IPVanish speed testing.
It’s an attractive option for gamers who value both speed and reliability. You can even opt for its 30-day money-back guarantee or IPVanish free trial to test the VPN out.
If you want to enjoy gaming on a VPN, I recommend using the IPVanish due to its fast speed and multiple servers that support gaming. But if you are looking for a more in-depth look at IPVanish, check out the IPVanish review.
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Pros
- Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Provides good geographic diversity of servers.
- Offers highly customizable connection settings.
Cons
- Features a dated interface.
- Lacks additional privacy features.
- Has not publicly released any audits.
How do I test VPNs for gaming?
While I conducted hands-on gaming tests for this list, our assessment of the best VPNs for gaming primarily relied on extensive research and prior testing of the listed services. Given the vastness of the online gaming landscape, developing a comprehensive testing protocol for every aspect is impractical. With years of experience testing VPNs and understanding their capabilities across various online activities, I am confident in delivering a reliable evaluation of gaming VPNs. Factors considered include provider speeds, usability, platform compatibility, server network, and privacy features to compile our list of top gaming VPNs.
How to Choose a VPN for Gaming
Choosing a VPN with router support is essential for gaming consoles, while compatibility with streaming services ensures entertainment beyond gaming.
Selecting the best VPN for gaming involves key considerations like connection speeds, server network, security features, and the number of simultaneous connections. Dedicated IPs and user reviews are also important factors.
You do need to keep some important factors in mind before subscribing to any VPN. Here is the list of different factors that I considered when choosing the best VPN for games USA:
- Connection Speeds: Speed is very essential when choosing the best VPN for gamers. It minimizes latency and ensures smooth gameplay.
- Server Network: The VPNs above offer a large server network, ensuring reduced congestion and desirable location options, enhancing connection quality, and minimizing ping and latency during online gaming sessions.
- Security Features: My assessment prioritized VPNs with robust encryption, DNS/IP leak prevention, and strong privacy policies. This ensures the protection of sensitive gaming data and enhances overall security while gaming.
- Simultaneous Connections: I considered the number of simultaneous connections allowed by each VPN, enabling gamers to connect multiple devices without compromising performance or security.
- Additional Functionalities: Beyond basic features, I looked for VPNs offering extra functionalities tailored for gaming, such as mesh net, port forwarding, split tunneling, and quick tunneling protocols, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
- Affordability: I ensured that the selected VPNs offer reasonable pricing plans, free trials, and money-back guarantees, making them accessible to gamers without sacrificing security or speed.
- User Reviews and Ratings: To provide a comprehensive assessment, I considered user experiences from trusted review platforms like Trustpilot, G2, and Capterra, ensuring insights from real users inform the recommendations.
- Expert Analysis: In addition to my testing, I consulted with cybersecurity professionals to identify standout features, ease of use, popularity, and value for money provided by each VPN, ensuring expert insights shape gaming recommendations.
- Console and Streaming Support: Ensure router support for gaming consoles and compatibility with streaming services for an all-in-one solution.
Do All Gamers Need a VPN?
The response to this question isn’t a straightforward yes or no. I advocate for the use of VPNs for all online activities. Ideally, you’d employ a VPN whenever you’re connected to the internet, whether it’s for simple tasks like online shopping or streaming Netflix. This ensures your online data remains shielded from potential surveillance by your internet provider, government entities, or advertisers aiming to track your browsing habits for targeted advertising.
While using a VPN isn’t always convenient, especially during online gaming, I acknowledge the potential drawbacks. Regardless of the VPN’s speed or quality, it will inevitably impact your internet speed. Additionally, running a VPN app in the background can strain your device’s resources.
Although it’s not always feasible, using a VPN whenever possible is advisable. This practice enhances your online security and privacy, providing better protection while engaging in online activities.
Can I Get Blocked By Using a VPN?
It’s important to note that while VPNs are legal in most regions, some game developers disapprove of their use for accessing their games. In fact, certain developers may take actions such as banning users found to be utilizing VPNs.
For instance, Rocket League’s terms of use explicitly prohibit the use of tools that alter communication protocols. If discovered, users may face bans or restrictions from accessing the game.
Before using a VPN, it’s crucial to verify whether its use is permitted by the game’s terms of service. While VPNs offer benefits for online privacy, they can also potentially create unfair advantages. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure fair play and abide by the rules when using a VPN for games, regardless of whether it’s explicitly prohibited.
Tips for Reducing Ping and Increasing Internet Speed for Gaming
Gamers understand how frustrating slow internet can be, even if there is a slight difference in 4-5ms ping. There are many popular games that gamers can’t play without a lower ping. This is why you must always look to reduce ping to enjoy online gaming to the fullest.
Here’s how you can reduce ping and increase your internet speed for online gaming:
- Check the speed and bandwidth of your internet. You’ll require at least 25 Mbps of speed while gaming and also need to handle bandwidth. If there are multiple activities taking place at your home on your internet connection, then your bandwidth may be restrained.
- Aim to have low latency. The lower your latency is, the faster connection you have. A good latency means a ping rate of less than 150ms.
- Turning all your background websites and apps off. All ongoing websites and downloads will slow down your internet speeds. So, you need to reduce the number of devices connected to your internet for better speeds.
- Locating yourself closer to the router. Walls, doors, and other obstacles hinder your internet speeds. Try moving closer to your router all avoid all hindrances.
- Connect your PC to the internet through an ethernet cable. Connecting your PC directly to your internet will increase your speeds significantly.
- Use a local server for gaming. Connecting to the closest server will increase your internet speeds.
Are There Any Free Gaming VPNs and Can I Use a Free Gaming VPN?
Yes there are free VPNs for Gaming available, it is possible to use a one, but I do not suggest the readers. Free VPNs offer just a few servers in their network, so you don’t have many choices for gaming. Moreover, this server network is often overloaded by users, offers slow speeds, and is unreliable.
Therefore, I recommend choosing a premium VPN for gaming, like ExpressVPN, and taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee and enjoying its servers and robust features for a whole month.
Reddit Insights – Best Gaming VPN
During my research for the best VPN for gaming, I extensively reviewed various resources, including Reddit, where I discovered invaluable insights. Here, I’ve condensed and summarized the most useful information I found, hoping it will assist you in making an informed decision.
Gamers on Reddit are looking for the best VPN to improve their gaming experience in 2024. They want a VPN that can help them reduce lag and bypass geo-restrictions. Some of the popular VPNs mentioned in the threads include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, PIA etc.
Here are some of the factors that gamers consider important when choosing a VPN for gaming:
- Low latency: This is important for reducing lag.
- High speed: This is important for overall gaming performance.
- Server network: A large server network gives you more options for connecting to a server that is close to you.
- Security: A VPN should encrypt your traffic to protect you from hackers and snoopers.
- Connection stability: A stable connection is important for avoiding dropped connections during gameplay.
Ultimately, the best VPN for you will depend on your individual needs and priorities. It is important to read reviews and compare features before making a decision.
Find Out the Best VPNs for Particular Games:
highlighter]
- Best VPN for Genshin Impact: Experience seamless gameplay with the top VPN tailored for Genshin Impact enthusiasts Down Under.
- Best VPN for League of Legends: Dominate the League of Legends arena with the best VPN service for gamers.
- Best VPN for Roblox: Unlock limitless possibilities on Roblox with the leading VPN for players.
- Best VPN for Warzone: Secure victory in Warzone battles with the premier VPN choice for gamers.
- Best VPN for Black Desert Online: Immerse yourself in the world of Black Desert Online with the finest VPN service. [/highlighter]
FAQs – Best VPN for Gaming
So, now that you know why and which gaming VPNs you should use, let’s go through some of the most frequently asked questions about gaming VPNs.
What is the best VPN to use?
The top VPN to use depends on your specific needs. For gaming, ExpressVPN stands out as the best choice, offering exceptional performance.
If security features are your priority, consider Surfshark, renowned for its robust security measures. For those seeking customization options. If you’re a Mac user, CyberGhost is recognized as the best VPN option, while NordVPN excels in providing top-notch privacy protection.
Which VPN is fast for gaming?
ExpressVPN is a fast VPN for gaming. It offers lightning-fast speed and unlimited bandwidth, ensuring robust security and optimal performance.
Additionally, ExpressVPN boasts a vast server network with numerous server locations, providing better performance and flexibility for gaming experiences.
What VPN do most gamers use?
Most gamers prefer ExpressVPN for their gaming needs. It’s particularly favored for gaming consoles, offering a reliable connection without sacrificing speed. With server locations spanning over 100 countries, gamers can effortlessly play with others worldwide.
Is it worth using a VPN for gaming?
Yes, using a VPN for gaming can be worthwhile, particularly for selecting preferred servers to lower ping or latency. By strategically choosing servers closer to your location, you can enjoy smoother gameplay. Additionally, VPNs offer security benefits, guarding against DDoS attacks to ensure uninterrupted gaming sessions.
Can using a VPN for gaming reduce ping?
Yes, a VPN can help you reduce pings and improve the speed of your network connection. In simple words, a VPN can lower your ping by transmitting your data traffic through a more direct path than it would through your ordinary network connection.
Which VPN has the lowest ping?
Identifying the VPN with the lowest ping can vary depending on various factors, including your geographical location, the server location you connect to, and the network conditions at the time of connection. Generally, VPNs with a wide range of server locations and optimized infrastructure like ExpressVPN tend to offer lower ping times. Conducting speed tests with different VPN providers in your area can help determine which one consistently delivers the lowest ping for your specific gaming needs.
Does a VPN improve gaming?
Yes, a VPN can improve your gaming experience by increasing the speed of your network connection and reducing your pings. The best VPN service for gaming can improve responsiveness by lowering latency, jitter, spikes, and packet loss.
Does VPN slow down gaming?
Yes, a VPN will slow down your gaming speeds. A VPN can be a useful tool for securing your internet connection. But even the greatest VPNs might cause connectivity issues that make it difficult or impossible to play your favorite PC game.
However, if you get the best VPN, your gaming performance can improve by improving speeds and reducing latency.
Which VPN server is best for gaming?
For optimal gaming performance, it’s recommended to use a VPN server located closest to the best VPN location for gaming, chose the good gaming server you’re connecting to. Typically, the further a VPN server is from your local network or the game server, the slower the upload and download speeds. For example, if you’re playing on a game server in Toronto, Canada, it’s advisable to use a Toronto-based or at least Canadian VPN connection, if possible.
Is a proxy better than a VPN for gaming?
Using a VPN is preferable to a proxy for gaming because virtual private networks offer faster speeds and stronger security compared to proxy servers.
How do gamers use VPNs?
Gamers utilize VPNs to decrease ping on servers distant from their physical locations, bypass internet service provider (ISP) throttling restrictions, and enhance privacy by concealing IP addresses.
Can you use a VPN with game consoles?
Certainly, you can employ a VPN with gaming consoles. While VPN providers typically offer straightforward applications for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, or iPadOS, connecting a VPN to consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch requires running the VPN on your router or linking your console to your PC to function as a VPN server.
Which VPN protocol is best for gaming?
Final Thoughts
To enjoy online gaming to the fullest, you need to use the best VPN for gaming. Opting for the best gaming VPN USA will help you avoid ISP throttling, attain lower pings, avoid DDoS attacks, and unblock geo-restricted games.
Out of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN was the best VPN for gaming due to its fast speeds, extensive network of servers, and absolute anonymity through multiple security features.
Moreover, if you don’t want a hole in your pocket, you can test out its premium service risk-free for a month using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Recent Comments 2
I am using nordvpn for my gaming experience, and I never experienced any speed drops so I am glad I have it. They have a three days trial for everyone to have a try. It is worth it.
That’s good to know. It is also mentioned in the list with it’s unique features.