Best Gaming VPN

There are more benefits to using a VPN for gaming than you might think, but what exactly should you look for when buying one, and what are the benefits? Good question, we at ProXPN have luckily figured everything out for you so you can pick the perfect VPN for your gaming experience. Start reading our guide and learn everything about the best gaming VPNs of 2024.

Ben Grindlow

Ben Grindlow is the founder of ProXPN, a company that provides reviews about VPN products and services. Ben's interest in cybersecurity and privacy led him to start ProXPN, which has become one of the most well-respected VPN providers in the world. Ben is passionate about his work, and he is constantly exploring new ways to improve ProXPN's in-depth guides.

Last updated: 17:17PM 9/18/2024

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Table of Contents

The best VPNs for gaming are those that offer low latency, high speeds, and reliable connections. Some of the best VPNs for gaming include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost. Each of these VPNs offer different features and benefits, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your needs. In this guide we are going to talk deeper about this subject so that you will find the perfect gaming VPN.

Why use a VPN for online gaming?

Using a VPN for gaming has more benefits than you might think. Put down your gaming console for a minute and learn why. A gaming VPN is important for a lot of reasons, there is nothing more annoying than lag, or accessing gaming servers with a lot of problems.

Your ping may get lower

For one thing, using a virtual private network, your ping times (latency) can reflect the speed of your internet connection. The ping measures how long it takes for data to be sent from you and received by the game server.

For many games, especially shooters, it is important to have the lowest possible ping and the fastest possible connection speed. The lower the ping (in milliseconds) on your VPN, the better.

  • With lower ping times, you have less delay in the connection.
  • Your reaction speed in the game is therefore slightly higher.
  • That gives you an advantage over other players with a higher ping.

With online gaming, connecting to a VPN server near the game server location often creates a more direct route between your console or PC and the game server. This advantage of using VPNs for gaming as opposed to a standard connection especially applies to game servers that are a bit further away from your own location. For example, players in England may be better off using a VPN connection in the US or Germany if the game's server is in those countries, or near them.

Cheaper games via Steam and more

There are advantages to shopping using a VPN. With a VPN, you can buy games for a significantly lower price, for example in the Steam Store, Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store or on EA Origin.

To give you an idea of what is out there, we found out that the following games cost a lot less when purchased using a VPN server in India:

  • FIFA 22
  • Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Cyberpunk 2077

You can buy games before the official release date

Another advantage of a VPN is that you can get your hands on games before the official release date. In your country, some games may be released slightly later than in the US or UK. Sometimes an ‘Early Access’ is allowed in a specific country.

How does it work?

  1. Buy a VPN subscription
  2. Connect to a VPN server in the US
  3. Log in to the game store now
  4. Buy the game before the rest

You protect your internet connection against DDos attacks

With a VPN for gaming, you protect yourself against DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks. With multiplayer games, and especially in competitive online gaming (and e-sports), this technique is sometimes used among gamers to slow down or even disable a competitor's connections. Many gamers therefore choose a VPN to protect their own IP address when they play games.

In a DDoS attack, your own IP address is overloaded with useless data from multiple computers. All the simultaneous connections will slow down your internet speeds or may even cause your internet connection to drop. If you are using a VPN, your VPN server has much more processing power and can generally weather the storm much better. This makes it less sensitive to a DDoS attack.

Another advantage is that if you play online using a VPN service and the VPN server is attacked, you can easily switch to another VPN server that is not under attack.

Is a VPN server good for gaming with private internet access?

Yes! VPNs for gaming are a win.

In addition to protecting your privacy, a gaming VPN service provider can in some cases offer you an advantage while gaming online. This is especially true if the game server is located abroad. Your ping (connection delay) may go down using a VPN for gaming, which lets your play go faster.

It is always smart to test whether a VPN actually speeds up your connection. In most games, you can measure the ping yourself. You can also use a speed test.

Other benefits of using a VPN for gaming:

  • A gaming VPN provides protection against DDos attacks.
  • Gaming VPN services allow safer gaming on public networks.
  • Often, VPN services can bypass geographic restrictions.
  • VPN providers allow you private internet access using a dedicated IP address.

Is a VPN for gaming legal?

Yes, in almost all cases it is completely legal to use a VPN for gaming.

Of course, it never hurts to check the terms of use for the game you're playing. Using VPNs for gaming should not give you an unfair advantage. For example, once gamers from Fortnite were banned for using a VPN for gaming.

Some games prohibit the use of a VPN, because they allow you, for example, to play a game via multiple accounts at the same time.

Which VPN services are best for gaming?

In addition to the top 3 above, the following VPNs for gaming are also great ones to try:

  • NordVPN: has many servers and fast connections
  • PIA: boasts many fast servers in the US
  • CyberGhost: offers a very wide choice of servers and countries
  • ProtonVPN: provides excellent stability

Should you use a free VPN for gaming? (No.)

We do not recommend a free VPN for games, because:

  • Free VPNs often have slower downloads and upload.
  • Free VPNs sometimes limit how much data you can transfer.
  • There is significantly less choice of VPN servers on a free VPN.
  • Free VPNs often don't allow simultaneous connections.

Do you have an opinion on the best gaming VPN? Have you had a great experience with a VPN service, or a favorite VPN company? Let us know. Then, let the games begin!

Most frequently asked questions about VPN gaming

Maybe there are still some unanswered questions about the best VPN for gaming, or you are wondering whether a gaming VPN is actually worth it. We have collected the most frequently asked questions about using a VPN for gaming below.

Is it possible to get banned from a game for using a VPN?

It is possible that you can get banned from a game or from a server for using a VPN. The use of certain mods or hacks is often also not allowed and may result in a ban. However, simply using a VPN for gaming is usually not sufficient grounds for a ban. In almost all cases, you will only be banned from a game or server if you use a VPN to give yourself an unfair advantage.

For example, if you use a VPN to play a game on a server in another country where the ping is lower, you will not be banned for this. But if you use VPN services to play the same game with multiple accounts at the same time, you will probably be banned. Another reason why you could get banned for using a VPN is if the VPN service you are using is blacklisted by the game or server. This is often the case with free VPNs.

Can I get a virus by using a VPN for gaming?

No, you cannot get a virus by using a VPN for gaming. A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it impossible for others to infect your device with a virus.

However, it is possible to access websites that may have viruses on them, which is why you should make sure you only use VPNs for gaming when connected to a secure network.

Are the speeds of a gaming VPN faster than regular internet speeds?

The speeds of a gaming VPN are generally not slower or faster than normal internet speeds. But a good gaming VPN will have many different servers and a large network, which can improve the speed of your connection.

However, if you are using the best VPN for gaming to bypass geographic restrictions on games or other online content, this may slow down the speed of your connection. In this case, you will need to choose a VPN with fast connections and unlimited data transfer in order to have the best gaming experience possible.

How can I know if a VPN is the right one for gaming?

There are several factors to consider when looking for the best VPN for gaming, including speed, security, server network and reliability. You may also want to consider whether you need a paid or free VPN. Try out different VPNs to see what works best for your gaming needs, and keep in mind that a good VPN should always be fast and reliable.

  • In general, we recommend using a paid VPN for gaming, as these services typically provide better speeds and more features than free ones. Some of the top paid VPNs for gaming include NordVPN, PIA VPN, and ExpressVPN. These services offer fast connections and a good selection of servers to choose from, as well as strong security and privacy features.

Whether you are looking for the best VPN for gaming on PC or Mac, these services will likely be able to meet your needs. However, if you are looking for free gaming VPN options, there are several to choose from as well, such as Windscribe and ProtonVPN.

Which VPN company for gaming should I choose?

There are many different VPN companies to choose from, and it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for gaming. To make the decision easier, we have compiled a list of the best VPNs for gaming, taking into account factors such as speed, security, server network and reliability.

The top VPN companies for gaming include NordVPN, PIA VPN and ExpressVPN. These services offer fast connections, a good selection of servers and strong security features. They also have a reputation for being reliable and easy to use.

How do I set up a gaming VPN?

The process for setting up a gaming VPN is generally the same as setting up any other type of VPN. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a gaming VPN.

First, you will need to choose a VPN company that offers fast connections and a good selection of servers. We recommend NordVPN, PIA VPN or ExpressVPN.

  • Once you have chosen a provider, sign up for an account and download the VPN software. Connect to a server that is located in the country where the game you are playing is based, making sure to choose one with good speeds and reliability. You may also wish to change your virtual location if this option is available.
  • Before connecting to a VPN server, make sure you have set up any necessary firewalls or other security measures to ensure your connection is secure. Finally, enjoy gaming with the best speeds and security possible!

At this point, you should have everything you need to set up a gaming VPN and start enjoying fast, secure connections for all of your gaming needs. Good luck!

Frequently asked questions

Although privacy and security are legitimate concerns, VPNs might be especially useful for gamers. For example, you may be able to use servers in other countries by pretending to be at a different location. Virtual private networks (VPNs) may also make it more difficult for opponents to deploy distributed denial of service (DDoS) assaults to disrupt gameplay.

When using a virtual private network (VPN), there will always be a negative effect, but it depends on where you are physically, where the VPN server is located, and where the gaming server is located. You'll notice a significant difference if your gaming server is situated in Germany and your VPN server is in the United States, for example.

The location of the server has a significant impact on both speed and latency. Even if you're only browsing the web, a VPN can have a bad effect on this. But if you choose the right one, with a server that is close to your location, the impact will be minimal.

Do VPNs actually speed up the Internet? A virtual private network (VPN) can speed up some services when used properly. Internet service providers (ISPs) have been known to artificially slow down some forms of traffic, which can have a negative effect on your gaming experience.

For a game console to connect to a virtual private network (VPN), the software on your router must first be installed. Ethernet or WiFi are also viable options for accomplishing this. As long as you're playing on a PC, you may download an app to connect.

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