We’ve tried and tested some of the best VPNs for gaming meaning that you can access geo-restricted, much like TV and movie streaming services. Games like Fortnite can be region-locked, so using a VPN would be the best solution.
Gaming unfortunately can open people up to DDoS attacks. Actually, it’s quite common, and can be detrimental to those who partake in competitive or tournament gaming. Again, a VPN could solve this issue, if they can protect against DDoS attacks.
Although VPN’s can sometimes reduce your connection speed, they can actually reduce your ping too. This means that the responsiveness of your game is less laggy, leading to better performance gaming. Of course, this is dependent on the server you connect to, but generally speaking, gaming can be improved with a VPN.
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Considerations
There are several things to consider when choosing the best VPN for gaming. I want to cover these considerations so that you understand what’s worth looking for in each VPN provider.
Performance:
As I’ve already explained, using a VPN could have an impact on your connection speed. When choosing a VPN, it’s important to look at features that could make this impact minimal to your gaming experience.
Server proximity is an important factor when choosing the best VPN for gaming. If you’re connecting to a server that’s 5,000 miles away, your connection speed is going to drop, compared to a server 500 miles away. Different VPN providers will offer a varying amount of servers across a number of countries. It would be worth considering a VPN that offers more of a choice of countries. Look at how many are on offer in order to establish the likelihood of a performance drop.
Security:
Security is obviously key when considering the best VPN for gaming. VPN providers generally provide a much higher level of security compared to standard firewall software you may find on your desktop or mobile.
In very simple terms, VPNs will use traditional or modern encryption for their security methods. Traditional encryption is considered slightly less secure than modern encryption, simply because of the technologies used. It’s worth researching the type of security that each VPN provider offers to ensure it suits your needs.
It’s also worth considering whether you’re happy for a VPN to log your data/traffic activity or not. I personally wouldn’t be happy with this, because the purpose of using a VPN is to keep my activity private and secure. However, not all users are fussed about their information being logged by their VPN.
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1. NordVPN
There are lots of great VPNs on the market for gaming, but NordVPN has to be my favourite.
One of the reasons why is because of the outstanding performance. When playing multiplayer games, a fast Internet connection is a necessity. Unfortunately, not all VPNs deliver on the speed front, and you can be left with lags and dips, which are incredibly frustrating. The good news is that you do not have to worry about this with NordVPN.
Another reason why I rate NordVPN is because of their extensive server coverage; there are more than 5,200 servers across 59 countries. This means that you should be able to access geo-restricted gaming content with ease, which is especially beneficial when new releases are rolled out in certain countries.
This also means that gaming on-the-go is made easy, and it is secure too. A lot of people assume that this means NordVPN is going to be expensive, but it offers excellent value for money, with prices starting from $3.71 per month.
Does NordVPN Sound Right For You?
NordVPN Pros:
- Double data encryption
- Plenty of servers to choose from
- 24/7 support
- Fast Servers (5200+)
NordVPN Cons:
- Discounts for longer subscriptions only
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2. Surfshark
Surfshark gives you the ability to play in security and privacy. You can protect yourself from DDoS attacks, as well as hide your IP in Discord and other chats.
There are so many gaming platforms out there today, and Surfshark have worked hard to make sure all of them are covered. They have a range of apps that are easy-to-use, and you can also establish smart DNS for devices that do not support apps.
There are dedicated apps for both PlayStation and Xbox, and they are both known for their high levels of performance.
Does Surfshark Sound Right For You?
Surfshark Pros:
- High-speed servers
- Offers several unique features
- Can be used on an unlimited number of devices
Surfshark Cons:
- Relatively expensive
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3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has over 3000 servers in over 160 locations. This VPN offers some impressive features, security protocols, and customer service, making it a great choice for gamers.
Prices start from $8.32 per month if you sign up for a 12 month subscription. If you want to pay on a monthly basis, the price increases to $12.95 per month. ExpressVPN is slightly more on the pricey side compared to other VPNs, and doesn’t offer a free trial. But if for any reason you’re not happy with the services, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee with every subscription.
Gamers will be able to enjoy 150 different locations, located across 90+ countries. Finding a speedy server shouldn’t be a problem, making ExpressVPN a popular choice for gaming. Additionally, if you play games on your smart device, you can download the intuitive ExpressVPN mobile app. This is available for iOS and Android and delivers a solid performance.
Does ExpressVPN Sound Right For You?
ExpressVPN Pros:
- High level security encryption
- Plenty of servers to choose from
- 24/7 support
- Easy to use
ExpressVPN Cons:
- No free trial
- More expensive than other VPNs
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4. IPVanish
IPVanish is a popular user choice in the VPN market. It has a wide range of servers in over 60 countries. IPVanish boasts a strict no-logs policy, a 7-day money-back guarantee, and a whopping 10 simultaneous connections on multiple devices.
In terms of the best VPN for gaming, IPVanish offer exceptional speeds and top level encryption. You’ll be able to choose from plenty of server locations to ensure that your gaming experience isn’t compromised, whilst enjoying a low-ping and secure experience.
Prices start from $4.12 per month on a 2 year subscription. Monthly prices are $10 per month, or $6.49 per month if you’re happy to sign up for a year. Subscriptions are available across multiple devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Ubuntu, Chromebook, and routers.
Does IPVanish Sound Right For You?
IPVanish Pros:
- Lots of server locations
- Fast connection speeds
- Top notch security
IPVanish Cons:
- No free trial
- US-based customer service
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5. VyprVPN
If you’re after a VPN that offers lots of servers in plenty of locations, VyprVPN could be the best VPN for gaming. It has over 700 servers in 70+ locations across 6 continents. There are over 200,000 IPs as well, so if you’re a gamer, there’s plenty of choice.
As previously mentioned, gamers are looking for fast speeds and high level security features. VyprVPN certainly offer these, as well as a great customer service team if you need any assistance. Because they’re based in Switzerland, they also have the bonus of offering exceptional user privacy, ensuring that no data or traffic is logged.
VyprVPN does offer a 3-day free trial if you want a taster before committing to one of their subscriptions. Prices start from £3.63 per month on a yearly billing plan, and go up to £4.79 per month if you want their premium features. This offers 5 device connections, Chameleon protocol, and VyprVPN Cloud.
For me, VyprVPN has compiled an almost perfect package for gaming. Brilliant privacy, coupled with 256-AES encryption, decent performance speeds, and real affordability. It may not have many features as other VPNs, but it certainly does the job.
Does VyprVPN Sound Right For You?
VyprVPN Pros:
- Free trial
- No-logs policy
VyprVPN Cons:
- Monthly plans much more expensive
- Less advanced features
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6. Buffered VPN
Established in 2013, Gibraltar based Buffered VPN is dedicated to privacy. Buffered VPN is compatible on every device, whilst offering 37 worldwide server locations. This provider offers solid speeds for gamers, and actively promotes torrenting (P2P), and is Netflix friendly.
Monthly plans start from $12.99 per month, on a monthly subscription. If you’re not sure whether you want to stay with this provider, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, if you like what you see, you can save money by signing up to a 2 year plan which is $4.12 per month.
Buffered VPN boasts that it is “the top 5 VPNs in speed tests”, which is great for any gaming experience. As there’s no download restrictions, you can download new games or updates to ensure that you’re always at the top of your game. Unlimited bandwidth means you can enjoy browsing and gaming with no limits.
It’s built-in kill switch means you can enjoy your VPN without any worries. If there’s any warning signs, your connection will end, keeping you safe and secure. What’s more, they maintain a high level of security, using 256-bit AES encryption.
Does Buffered VPN Sound Right For You?
Buffered VPN Pros:
- 24/7 customer service
- P2P permitted
Buffered VPN Cons:
- Not the cheapest
- Some connection logsList Item
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7. Hotspot Shield
With over 650,000,000 downloads, Hotspot Shield claims it’s the fastest VPN on the market. In terms of performance, it’s certainly up there with the best, providing high connection speeds even on long distance servers, making it great for gaming.
Signing up to one of Hotspot Shield’s plans will give you access to unlimited data, bandwidth, 24/7 support, military grade encryption, and 2500 servers. This VPN unfortunately doesn’t offer as many servers as other VPN’s, which is why we’ve placed it a little further down the best VPN for gaming list.
Hotspot Shield can be used on up to 5 devices at any one time, with a simple to use interface, and easy on/off button features. It supports Android and iOS, and prices start from £12.99 per month. If you sign up to a 3 year period, you could reduce your monthly costing down to £3.49 per month, which is very affordable.
Does Hotspot Shield Sound Right For You?
Hotspot Shield Pros:
- Easy to use
- High performance and connection speeds
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Hotspot Shield Cons:
- Not many servers to choose from
