More gamers than ever before are making use of a VPN For gaming. It’s a growing trend that’s seeing millions of users jump on the train that’s increasingly gathering momentum as more operators enter the space, which can sometimes make it hard to determine the best VPN for gaming. In this guide, we will address that particular topic, breaking down the best gaming VPNs on the market and giving you a steer on the top choices possible that will suit your needs and budget.
It can be a confusing topic, so we’ll also clear up any confusion about what a VPN is, how it works, or why it’s something you should consider investing in, especially today.
So, if you’re on the hunt and wondering, ‘What’s the best VPN for gaming,’ look no further than this guide.
What Is a Gaming VPN?
‘VPN’ stands for ‘Virtual Private Network’, and it’s a type of internet connection that is encrypted from the get-go, offering users extra security, anonymity, and access to otherwise restricted platforms, stores, sites, and more.
When using a VPN, one has the opportunity to ‘spoof’ their location, making it look as though they’re somewhere that they’re not, with the VPN masking their true IP (Internet Protocol) address.
When it comes to a gaming VPN, the same service applies.
For someone playing a game while sitting under the guise of a VPN, geographical restrictions are removed, and there’s an extra layer of safety applied, which protects users from malicious operators and things like DDoS attacks and data scraping.
How Does a Gaming VPN Work?
If you’re going to make use of the best VPN for gaming, it’s a good idea to know how it works.
With that in mind, it’s important for us to not get too bogged down in the technical architecture behind the best VPNs on the market, otherwise, we’ll bore you way too quickly!
Think of it like this – a VPN is a ‘middleman’ between your device and the game or website you’re trying to access.
You’ll do whatever you’re doing on your device, the VPN will encrypt that data and mask your IP and digital footprint, allowing you to interact with that service on the other side of the VPN without any original restrictions or blockers.
For instance, using a VPN on Netflix will allow you to watch shows that are exclusively available in certain countries.
If you’re talking from a gaming perspective – which we are – then using a VPN could allow you to connect to servers in other regions or play games that might be ‘geo-blocked’.
How Can a Gaming VPN Help?
There are a few reasons why someone would want to use a gaming VPN:
- Ping Reduction: Using a VPN can, in some cases, reduce your ping (latency) in certain games, meaning you’ll be running a little faster than you usually would.
- Security: With your IP and location hidden, you can stay slightly safer when playing online with strangers.
- Avoid Cheaters: In some games, certain regions will be notorious for cheaters and hackers. By using a VPN, you can navigate away from those regions and pick where you want to ‘play from’.
- Avoid Bans: This is a more malicious way to use a gaming VPN, but if you’re IP banned, using a VPN can allow you to get access to a game again.
- Early Access: Some games launch in certain regions earlier than others. If you spoof your IP through a VPN, you can effectively get early access to these games by making the system think you’re somewhere different.
- Easier Lobbies: In some games, like Call of Duty, you can get ‘easier lobbies’ by connecting to a region where players might be less ‘talented’.
So, whether you want a VPN for Call of Duty, VALORANT, Counter-Strike, or Fortnite, there are plenty of benefits.
But it’s also worth stressing the negatives, too:
- Using a VPN can potentially be a breach of a game’s Terms of Service
- Using a VPN can potentially slow down your overall connection speed (download/upload)
What’s The Best VPN For Gaming In 2024?
It’s time for the core of this guide – let’s break down the services available online today and find the best VPN for gaming.
Best VPN For Gaming: NordVPN
| Minimum Cost: | $3.00 Per Month (2-Yr Plan) |
| Average Speed: | 417.0 Mbps (USA) |
| Bandwidth: | Unlimited |
| Devices: | 6 |
| Best Features: | Plans include secure storage, ad blocker, and cyber insurance |
| Countries: | 60 |
| Headquarters: | Panama |
NordVPN is almost synonymous with the concept of secure gaming. If you’re looking for the best VPN for gaming, you won’t go wrong using Nord.
It has long partnered up with content creators and gaming brands to work its way into the niche, and it’s the go-to for many gamers wanting to stay safe online, avoid cheaters using a VPN, and get better lobbies in games like Call of Duty.
It’s also affordable, which is a huge win. NordVPN a scalable service that works with your budget, and with some of the most secure encryption on the market, you can rest assured that your data is always being transmitted safely.
Furthermore, it doesn’t compromise when it comes to connection speeds and low latency, which are things that are of the utmost importance when settling on a gaming VPN to use.
Most Reliable VPN For Gaming: ExpressVPN
| Minimum Cost: | $8.32 Per Month (1-Yr Plan) |
| Average Speed: | 193 Mbps (USA) |
| Bandwidth: | Unlimited |
| Devices: | 8 |
| Best Features: | Password manager, ad blocker, best-in-class encryption |
| Countries: | 105 |
| Headquarters: | British Virgin Islands |
ExpressVPN is the closest competitor to NordVPN, boasting near-unparalleled technology that presents users with super-fast connections that’ll circumnavigate ISP throttling with ease.
It’s regarded as one of the most reliable VPNs for gaming, offering up a ‘fire-and-forget’ operating model that runs in the background in near silence.
It’s not as prolific as NordVPN and it isn’t as competitive as it could be when it comes to beating out the other operators in the market, but it’s a solid, affordable option that services a global community.
If you’re looking for the best VPN for gaming and you want unlimited bandwidth with the highest reliability in the business, consider ExpressVPN.
Best Value VPN For Gaming: SurfShark
| Minimum Cost: | $2.01 Per Month (2-Yr Plan) |
| Average Speed: | 59 Mbps (USA) |
| Bandwidth: | Unlimited |
| Devices: | Unlimited |
| Best Features: | CleanWeb, unlimited devices, ‘Camouflage’ Mode |
| Countries: | 100 |
| Headquarters: | Netherlands |
This is a solid gaming VPN for those wanting a great service at an affordable price. Surfshark is one of the best value gaming VPNs on the market right now, offering up top-tier speeds and effortless encryption for one of the lowest price points in the industry.
It’s a well-reviewed service that offers users unlimited device connectivity with minimal throttling, which is perfect if you’ve got a household full of gamers.
This consistent provider endeavours to maintain an affordable service without compromising on security, which is a huge bonus for any user.
If you’re looking for a fantastic gaming VPN that won’t break the bank, then SurfShark certainly is a great option.
Best Budget VPN For Gaming: PrivateInternetAccess (PIA)
| Minimum Cost: | $2.00 Per Month (3-Yr Plan) |
| Average Speed: | 124 Mbps (USA) |
| Bandwidth: | Unlimited |
| Devices: | Unlimited |
| Best Features: | No Logs, VPN apps on all devices, 24/7 customer support |
| Countries: | 91 |
| Headquarters: | Colorado, USA |
PrivateInternetAccess is a trusted VPN provider with fantastic connectivity options offered at a low price.
It’s a solid VPN for gaming that boasts some top-shelf security features and an easy-to-navigate application, even if the service’s speeds are a little below average when compared to other providers.
But with that in mind, you’re getting a much lower price per month when it comes to billing, so that should be taken into account.
For a serviceable, secure, and well-reviewed gaming VPN with plenty of features and excellent tunnelling abilities, PIA should be considered at the very least.
It’ll enable you to circumnavigate server restrictions, find easier lobbies, and play geo-blocked games for a low price, and that’s what’s most important here.
Best Gaming VPN For Server Access: CyberGhost
| Minimum Cost: | $2.50 Per Month (2-Yr Plan) |
| Average Speed: | 548 Mbps (USA) |
| Bandwidth: | Unlimited |
| Devices: | 7 |
| Best Features: | High average speeds, 10,000+ servers, remote access |
| Countries: | 91 |
| Headquarters: | Romania |
CyberGhost will give you access to more servers than any other VPN provider on this list, and that’s fantastic if you’re looking to play in other regions without any restrictions.
It features around 10,500 servers around the world, which is almost unparalleled.
In testing, CyberGhost has performed remarkably well with streaming and gaming services, producing low ping and high-speed connections for players almost anywhere in the world.
It’s a service with industry-leading security features, which come packaged up in a neat bundle that won’t set you back too much every month, depending on which payment plan you opt for.
Overall, it’s an easy-to-use service with a well-managed application, and that’s all you need to get started.
Is it Time To Invest In a Gaming VPN?
That’s our guide to the best gaming VPNs out there. We hope that we’ve given you a steer on what service to choose to protect you when you’re gaming online.
Remember, there are advantages to using a VPN for gaming, but be sure that you’re not breaching the terms of service of whatever game you’re playing.
That’s it – happy gaming!
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