5 Best VPNs for CS:GO in 2023

Counter–Strike Global Offensive, otherwise known as CS:GO, is one of the most popular multiplayer games in the industry, attracting a fanbase of over 20 million players. If you are one of these players, you understand the importance of having smooth gameplay, since the outcome of the game can change at the drop of a hat, so any connectivity issues, lag spikes, or high ping can put a damper on your online gaming experience.

The good news is that there’s an easy workaround to avoid these potential issues. By using a Virtual Private Network, you can change your IP address and connect to a different server location, allowing the game servers to think you are there. And since you can choose the server to which you connect, you can choose a less-populated server to improve speeds. The best VPNs out there will also offer unlimited bandwidth, so you won’t have to worry about connection throttling.

Another benefit to using the best VPN while playing CS:GO is the ability to change your virtual location. If CS:GO isn’t available in your region, or if you want to play against users in other regions, you can use a VPN to get a new IP address and work around these geo-restrictions so that you can access the game from anywhere.

Getting started with a VPN is both simple and easy. All you have to do is subscribe and download the client for the best VPN for Counter-Strike. Once the download is complete, open the program and choose a server location from the list provided. You now have a new IP address, and can launch CS:GO and enjoy playing safely!

The only thing that isn’t simple is choosing the right VPN with the best features for playing CS:GO. Keep reading for the top 5 best VPNs for CS:GO in 2023.

5 Best VPNs for CS:GO 

Based on our research, these top 5 VPN services have proven to be the most consistently reliable for playing CS: GO:

 1. ExpressVPN: Fastest CS:GO VPN Service

ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for playing CS:GO and many other online games due to its extensive server network, super-fast speeds, and robust security features.

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers located in over 94 countries around the world, giving you plenty of server options from which to choose, whether near or far.

Known as the fastest VPN service, ExpressVPN will improve your gaming experience by avoiding high ping and reducing latency. This provider doesn’t limit bandwidth, so you can play CS:GO as often and for as long as you’d like.

If you’re concerned about DDoS attacks, ExpressVPN has excellent security features to protect you. These features include Military–level encryption (256–bit AES), DNS, WebRTC and IPv6 leak protection, split tunneling, and a Kill Switch that will protect you in case your VPN connection drops. All these features will protect your traffic from prying eyes, keeping you safe and anonymous when online.

Plus, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy, which will ensure that none of your online activity will ever be tracked or saved by the provider. Since ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside the 5 Eyes Alliance, this policy can be trusted.

This is a great VPN choice for anyone who wants to gain early access to games and features that are not yet available in their region. If you want to do this, all you have to do is use your VPN to connect to a server in the region where the content is already available, and the game server will think you are there.

If you want to take a break from playing Counter-Strike Global Offensive and catch up on your favorite shows, ExpressVPN can also unblock geo-restricted content on streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

This provider is compatible with all major devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, and Android. Plus, it allows up to 5 device connections on a single user account, so the whole family can enjoy it.

You can try it for yourself with its 30–day money–back guarantee. If you aren’t happy with the service, all you have to do is contact its live-chat support team, and you can get your money back.

2. NordVPN: Secure VPN to Play CS:GO

NordVPN is another one of the best VPN services for playing Counter-Strike Global Offensive online.

With NordVPN, you can improve performance, speed, and protection by connecting to one of its 5,200+ VPN servers located in almost 60 countries around the world.

When playing CS, the game can turn in a split second, so you’ll need a VPN that can keep up. NordVPN is a super-fast VPN, offering unlimited bandwidth as well, so you can play CS for as long as you’d like without missing a second of the action.

This VPN service has top-notch online security and includes features like IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection, 256–bit encryption protocols, split tunneling, and a Kill Switch, and offers a feature to block ads and malware automatically.

NordVPN upholds a strict zero–logs policy so none of your online activity is tracked or kept, keeping users’ privacy secure.

If you’re looking to access your favorite television shows as well, NordVPN is excellent at unblocking streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.

Nord VPN client is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, Android, and gaming consoles like Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo Switch; and NordVPN allows up to 6 simultaneous connections on a single user account, plus a 30–day money–back guarantee, so you can try the service for yourself before committing.

3. Surfshark: Affordable Counter-Strike VPN

Surfshark is the best VPN for Counter-Strike Global Offensive for the lowest price!

With 3,200 servers in over 65 countries around the world, you will always be able to find a low-traffic server, at any time of day.

Surfshark has good speeds that will help you avoid high ping while giving you the smooth and seamless gaming experience you are seeking; and with the unlimited bandwidth it offers, you will be able to play Counter-Strike for as long as you want.

When it comes to online protection, this provider will keep your online data safe with 256–bit encryption, WebRTC, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, automatic ad–blocking, and a Kill Switch; and with a strict no–logs policy, it won’t store, track, or keep any of your online traffic, so you can surf the web completely anonymously from anywhere in the world.

This VPN provider is unique in that it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can game while other members of your household unblock streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer; and Surfshark is compatible with all major devices like Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS, or you can install the VPN manually on a selected Internet router.

If you’re interested in giving it a try, you can take advantage of Surfshark’s 30–day money–back guarantee, and see for yourself!

4. CyberGhost: 45-Day Refund Guarantee

CyberGhost is another great VPN service to use when you play Counter Strike Global Offensive online. With this provider, you have an enormous server network of 7,800 servers from which to choose, all of which offer quick and reliable connections.

This provider is a great option for gaming due to its security features to protect against DDoS attacks. CyberGhost is equipped with automatic ad–blocking, a Kill Switch, DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection (which prevents DDoS attacks) 256–bit encryption, and strict no–logs policy.

CyberGhost will also keep you safe while browsing online, torrenting, and streaming; and it can unblock popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more, so you can leave “game mode” and head into “streaming mode” at any time.

CyberGhost is unique in that it offers users 45 days to try out the service before committing. That means if you are unhappy with its service, all you have to do is contact customer service, and you can get your money back.

5. Private Internet Access (PIA): Huge Server Network

If you’re looking for a VPN with a huge server network to access Counter-Strike from a different region, PIA is a great VPN provider that will give you access to Counter-Strike from anywhere.

PIA offers a generous 29,000 servers spread across 77 countries around the globe; you will have no shortage of servers from which to choose to play Counter-Strike. PIA offers decent speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and up to 10 device connections at once, giving you both the freedom and flexibility to play.

When it comes to being secure while you play Counter-Strike, PIA has you covered with features like OpenVPN, 256–bit encryption, DNS leak protection, port forwarding, obfuscation, and split tunneling. PIA also has a no–logging policy that ensures that none of your online data gets saved or stored by the VPN provider. It is, however, important to note that PIA is located in the US, which is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance, so be sure to read the fine print.

If you want to take a break from gaming, you can also connect to PIA’s servers to unblock popular streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. Private Internet Access is compatible with all major devices and offers a trial period of 30 days so you can try it for yourself risk-free.

Reasons to Use a VPN for CS:GO 

Here are some of the most common risks you could face if you do not use a VPN for CS:GO:

Malicious attacks

One of the main risks of online gaming is DDoS attacks. A DDoS attack is when an attacker floods its victim’s server with internet traffic, overwhelming the system until it quits. This is often a tactic that players may use to trip up their opponents during a match, in the heat of all the excitement.

The best VPN will be loaded with security features to encrypt your data and hide your location, making it difficult, if not impossible to be the target of a DDoS attack.

Even when out of the game, connecting to a VPN is recommended, especially when connecting to public WiFi. By encrypting your connection, a VPN protects you from cyber criminals and third parties trying to steal your personal information.

ISP Throttling

Games like Counter-Strike Global Offensive use up a lot of network data, which is problematic for many ISPs. Rather than increase the amount of data allotted for online games, internet service providers throttle your connection speeds. This puts a limit on the amount of the network’s bandwidth you can use for your game, ultimately slowing you until you are kicked out of the game altogether.

Using a VPN can easily resolve this issue. When you use a VPN, your online traffic is encrypted, meaning your ISP cannot see what you are doing, and therefore won’t throttle your connection speeds.

Location-Based Issues

If you are trying to connect from a school or work network with blocked access to these games, you can use a reliable VPN to bypass these blocks. When connected to a VPN, your online traffic is encrypted, which means the network won’t be able to see what you are doing, and therefore won’t be able to prevent you from playing.

The same applies if you are in a region where the game is locked or unavailable. By using a VPN service, you can connect to a server in a different location, making it seem as though you are there, and allowing you to access the game no matter where you are in the world.

FAQs

Conclusion

A good VPN can be the secret sauce you need to improve your CS:GO gaming experience. If you’re looking for the right VPN to improve gameplay, protect you from online threats, and give you access to the game from anywhere, these top 5 VPN options will give you that and more. Don’t just take our word for it though, try them for yourself and see!