Best Gaming VPNs 2024: A Brief Overview
Gaming VPNs are essential for smoother gameplay, protection against DDoS attacks, and accessing region-blocked games. Here's a brief overview of the best VPN options:
๐ก๏ธ “ExpressVPN”. Best for speed and server variety, exceptional performance, and reliability.
๐ก๏ธ “NordVPN”. Offers top-level security, perfect for gamers prioritizing privacy and protection.
๐ก๏ธ Surfshark. Affordable and great for households with multiple devices.
๐ก๏ธ “CyberGhost”. User-friendly for beginners with dedicated gaming servers and an intuitive interface.
๐ก๏ธ Private Internet Access (PIA). Highly customizable for advanced users with a wide server network.
Top 5 Gaming VPNs
ExpressVPN
๐ Router support: Yes
๐ 1 Gb/s line speed: 950+ Mbps
๐ Streaming services unblocked: “Netflix”, “Prime Video”, “BBC iPlayer”, “Disney+”, ITVX
๐ 24/7 customer support: Yes
๐ Simultaneous connections: 5
๐ Price: From 8.32 EUR/month (annual plan). A 30-day money-back guarantee applies.
ExpressVPN has earned a reputation as one of the fastest VPNs on the market. Its proprietary “Lightway” protocol ensures ultra-low latency, making it ideal for gaming sessions where every millisecond counts.
The VPN has servers in 94 countries, providing gamers access to numerous game servers and region-blocked content. Strong encryption and a no-logs policy ensure your data is protected from hackers or prying eyes, while the intuitive interface makes it easy for anyone to use.
Although it is more expensive than other options, its speed and reliability justify the cost for serious gamers.
โ Pros:
- Exceptional speed and low latency.
- Reliable performance for competitive gaming.
- Excellent customer support 24/7.
- Dependable security protecting against DDoS attacks.
โ Cons:
- Higher price compared to other options.
NordVPN
๐ Router support: Yes
๐ 1 Gb/s line speed: 880+ Mbps
๐ Streaming services unblocked: “Netflix”, “Hulu”, “Prime Video”, “BBC iPlayer”, “Disney+
๐ 24/7 customer support: Yes
๐ Simultaneous connections: 6
๐ Price: From 4.89 EUR per month (two-year plan). A 30-day money-back guarantee applies.
NordVPN is a strong contender for gamers who value both performance and security. Its specialized gaming servers are optimized for speed and stability, ensuring minimal lag during gameplay. Features like threat protection and double VPN make it a suitable choice for users looking to safeguard their data from DDoS attacks or other cyber threats.
The vast NordVPN server network means you can find a server close to your gaming region for optimal performance. The apps are user-friendly, and one account supports up to six simultaneous connections, making it a great choice for both individuals and small gaming groups.
โ Pros:
- Strong security features protecting against DDoS attacks.
- Optimized servers for gaming.
- Affordable long-term plans.
- Intuitive apps and browser extensions.
โ Cons:
- May require manual testing to find the fastest server.
Surfshark
๐ Router support: Yes
๐ 1 Gb/s line speed: 750+ Mbps
๐ Streaming services unblocked: “Netflix”, “Hulu”, “Prime Video”, “Disney+”, “BBC iPlayer
๐ 24/7 customer support: Yes
๐ Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
๐ Price: From 2.30 EUR per month (two-year plan). A 30-day money-back guarantee applies.
Despite entering the market relatively recently, Surfshark has quickly become a favorite among budget-conscious gamers. Its ability to support an unlimited number of simultaneous connections means you can protect every device in your homeโfrom gaming consoles to smartphones.
Surfshark uses the “WireGuard” protocol to ensure fast and reliable performance, although some servers may not match the speed of competitors like ExpressVPN.
The “CleanWeb” feature blocks ads and tracking programs, enhancing both security and speed during gaming sessions.
If accessibility and ease of use are your main concerns, Surfshark is an excellent choice.
โ Advantages:
- Budget-friendly prices.
- Unlimited device connections make it ideal for families.
- Simple setup and user-friendly interface.
โ Disadvantages:
- Slower speed on some servers compared to competitors.
CyberGhost
๐ Router support: Yes
๐ 1 Gb/s line speed: 850+ Mbps
๐ Streaming services unblocked: “Netflix”, “Hulu”, “BBC iPlayer”, “Disney+”, “Prime Video”
๐ 24/7 customer support: Yes
๐ Simultaneous connections: 7
๐ Price: From 2.11 EUR/month (two-year plan). A 45-day money-back guarantee applies.
CyberGhost is designed with user convenience in mind, making it the best choice for beginners. Its gaming-optimized servers ensure low ping and reduced latency, making it suitable for both casual and competitive gamers.
Servers are located in 91 countries, providing numerous options to access region-specific gaming content. Additionally, CyberGhost stands out with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, giving you ample time to test its features.
While it lacks some advanced customization options, its one-click setup and intuitive interface make it easy to recommend to less tech-savvy users.
โ Advantages:
- Beginner-friendly interface and setup.
- Longest money-back guarantee among competitors.
- Extensive server network with gaming-oriented servers.
โ Disadvantages:
- Limited advanced settings customization.
Private Internet Access (PIA)
๐ Router support: Yes
๐ 1 Gb/s line speed: 700+ Mbps
๐ Streaming services unblocked: “Netflix”, “Hulu”, “Prime Video”, “Disney+”, “HBO Max”
๐ 24/7 customer support: Yes
๐ Simultaneous connections: 10
๐ Price: From 2.19 EUR per month (three-year plan). A 30-day money-back guarantee applies.
PIA offers a level of customization that few VPNs can match. For advanced users, it allows settings adjustments to ensure optimal performance, making it favored by gamers who like full control over their VPN.
PIA has over 35,000 servers in 84 countries, making its server network one of the largest, ensuring minimal congestion and stable speeds. Its MACE feature blocks ads and trackers, further enhancing your gaming experience.
While the interface may seem overwhelming to beginners, experienced users will appreciate the plethora of options and the value it provides for its price.
โ Advantages:
- Ideal for users who like to customize their VPN settings.
- Huge server network reduces congestion.
- Affordable long-term pricing.
โ Disadvantages:
- Interface can be daunting for beginners.
What is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the internet. It acts as a private tunnel, protecting your online activity, IP address, and location from hackers, ISPs, or government surveillance.
VPNs are widely used to enhance privacy, protect data, and ensure access to content that may be restricted based on location. By routing internet traffic through servers in different countries, VPNs can make it appear as if you are browsing from another location, thus bypassing geographical restrictions.
Additionally, it provides a level of security when using public Wi-Fi networks, safeguarding your information from potential threats.
How to Choose a Gaming VPN?
When choosing a gaming VPN, it's important to consider several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs. Here are the key aspects to evaluate:
โ Low latency and high speed: A good gaming VPN should have minimal latency and maintain high download and upload speeds. Look for providers with optimized gaming servers and protocols like “WireGuard” for fast connections.
โ Server locations: A VPN with numerous servers worldwide ensures better connectivity to gaming servers in various regions. This is crucial for reducing ping and accessing region-blocked games.
โ Security features: Advanced security options like DDoS protection, reliable encryption, and a no-logs policy are essential for safeguarding your data and maintaining privacy during gameplay.
โ Device compatibility: Ensure the VPN supports the devices you use for gaming, including PCs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices. Some VPNs offer easy router configuration to secure the entire household.
โ Simultaneous connections: If you have multiple gaming devices or share your VPN with others, look for a provider that allows multiple or unlimited simultaneous connections.
โ Price and plans: Compare the prices of different VPNs and consider their long-term plans to save more money. Check for free trials and money-back guarantees before committing to test the service.
โ Customer support: Look for providers with reliable 24/7 customer support to quickly resolve any issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. While a VPN cannot directly improve gaming performance, it can stabilize your connection by routing it through optimized servers, thus reducing latency and preventing packet loss. Some VPNs can also bypass ISP throttling, thereby increasing overall speed.
Using a VPN may slightly increase your ping as your connection is routed through a VPN server. However, high-quality gaming VPNs with optimized servers can mitigate this effect and sometimes even reduce ping if they find a more efficient route to the game server.
Free VPNs are generally not recommended for gaming as they often have lower speeds, limited server numbers, and unreliable connections. Additionally, they may lack the security features needed to protect your data.
Most gaming consoles do not have native VPN apps. You can set up a VPN on your router to protect all devices connected to the network or use a computer to share the VPN connection with the console.
Yes, a VPN can change your IP address to another region, allowing you to access region-locked games and content.
Protocols like “WireGuard” and “Lightway” are highly recommended for gaming due to their speed and efficiency. OpenVPN can also perform well, but its latency might be slightly higher.
