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7 Best VPNs for Steam in 2024

Last updated: February 21, 2022

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If you like to play online games, you have probably already come across Steam.

Of the huge variety of online gaming platforms, Steam is one of the best, offering gamers a large array of online games to download.

The problem is, based on your location, you may discover that you are unable to access Steam content at all. But, don’t worry too much! Using a VPN with Steam, you will be able to get past these blocks to play games in no time.

Keep reading to find out the best VPNs for Steam that will help Steam users play games from anywhere.

Using a VPN with Steam, your actual IP address will be hidden, allowing you to spoof your location.

When you connect to a VPN server in a permitted region, your Internet traffic is sent through a secure VPN tunnel. This encrypted connection will bypass geo-restrictions and also keep your activity and online gaming out of view from your Internet Service Provider, hackers, the authorities, or Steam.

In a Hurry? Here Are 7 Best VPNs for Steam

7 Best VPN Services for Steam

If you are looking for the best VPNs for Steam, these 7 VPN services are our top choices:

Devices compatible with ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN with easy-to-use apps that also offer advanced features for users who want more ability to customize.

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in over 94 counties, which keeps it at the top of our list for server reach, ahead of all of the other competitors in the pack.

ExpressVPN has top privacy and security features, like military-grade encryption, a Kill Switch, a strict no-logs policy, and DNS and IP leak protection, and it also offers split tunneling, so you can send your gaming traffic through your encrypted VPN tunnel while leaving other traffic out of this encrypted connection.

This VPN is compatible with all major devices and platforms, and you can connect up to 5 of your devices to a single user account.

ExpressVPN is also one of the best VPNs for the games like League of Legends and others.

Bottom Line: If you want to make sure you can bypass blocks in your office, school, public, or even country, this is the perfect choice for you, and it will even help you get past the super-strict Chinese censorship. Give ExpressVPN a try for up to 30 days with a money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Unlimited bandwidth and data
  • 24/7 live-chat support
  • Broadest VPN server network
  • 5 simultaneous connections
  • super-fast speeds

Cons:

  • Most expensive cost

2. NordVPN

Devices compatible with NordVPN

NordVPN is another reliable VPN service with fast speeds and over 5,200 servers in more than 60 countries.

If you are trying to play the games you crave, whether you are in a blocked location or not, NordVPN will help you access these games with very little buffering or lag to ensure that you have a killer gaming experience.

To protect Steam users, NordVPN offers military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, a Kill Switch, and protection against leaks, and you can also opt for an extra layer of protection with NordVPN’s Double VPN feature (though you will have to choose this, as it is not enabled automatically).

Apps are available for your Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux devices, and NordVPN also works with some routers.

Pros:

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 24/7 live-chat support
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Double VPN available
  • 6 simultaneous connections
  • Great speeds

Cons:

  • Desktop apps inconsistent

Devices compatible with Surfshark

Surfshark is a perfect option if you are looking for a top VPN that is budget-friendly, offering access to a server network of over 3,200 servers in more than 65 countries around the world that are able to get past blocks with ease.

As far as online protection, Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, military-grade encryption to encrypt your VPN traffic, a Kill Switch, and IPv6 and DNS leak protection, as well as the option to use split-tunneling to send certain traffic through your encrypted tunnel while leaving other traffic out.

You can use this VPN with your iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, or Linux devices, and, because Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, you can connect as many devices as you want to a single account, so you can unblock your content on your device while your family members use the same VPN provider to connect to their own blocked sites or apps, all on one plan.

Pros:

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 24/7 live-chat support
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Unlimited devices
  • Good speeds

Cons:

  • Speeds can be slower
  • Some buffering and lag

Devices compatible with CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another affordable VPN for Steam that has a huge network of more than 7,700 servers in more than 90 countries.

CyberGhost offers great online protection, with AES 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, a strict no-logs policy, and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection.

This VPN has apps compatible with Mac, iOS, Linux, Windows, and Linux, and it allows you to connect to up to 7 devices at once on a single account.

One of the features that make CyberGhost stand out from the pack is that it offers an extra two weeks to your trial period, with a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it with no pressure to continue with your long-term plan.

Pros:

  • 45-day money-back guarantee
  • 24/7 live-chat support
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • 7 simultaneous connections
  • Affordable price

Cons:

  • Inconsistent speeds

Devices compatible with UltraVPN

UltraVPN may not seem at first glance like it belongs on this list, but it can definitely hold its own.

This VPN has a smaller network of servers, with only over 100 servers in about 50 countries, but it has great speeds for unblocking your Steam games and playing within minimal lag.

UltraVPN offers AES 256-bit encryption and a no-logs policy, but it is based in the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, unlike the VPNs above it on our list, which might be enough to turn off some privacy-conscious users.

Pros:

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 24/7 live-chat support
  • Military-grade encryption
  • 6 simultaneous connections
  • Great speeds

Cons:

  • Smaller server network
  • Based in USA

Devices compatible with PIA

Private Internet Access is a pretty reassuring name if you are looking for Internet privacy, right?

This VPN provider offers a huge network of almost 30,000 servers in more than 70 countries, but its speeds don’t compare to other top VPNs, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, or the others above it on the list.

In terms of online privacy and security, PIA is a bit different from the others on this list in that its default level of encryption is AES 128-bit. If you know that there is an option to change this, you can go ahead and manually switch to AES 256-bit, which is the standard level nowadays.

Like UltraVPN, PIA is based in the USA, which is a member of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, so if this is concerning to you, going with one of our top 4 VPNs is your best bet!

Pros:

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 24/7 live-chat support
  • 10 simultaneous connections
  • Huge server network

Cons:

  • Based in USA
  • 128-bit encryption is default

IPVanish

IPVanish has over 2,000 servers in more than 75 countries, offering users access to over 40,000 IP addresses around the globe.

IPvanish has pretty fast speeds and does not limit user data or bandwidth.

If you are concerned about online protection, this VPN offers 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, leak protection, and a built-in NAT firewall.

Like Surfshark, IPVanish allows users to connect an unlimited number of devices to a single user account, so you can connect to access your Steam games while other members of your household use the same account to access blocked streaming or gaming services simultaneously.

Pros:

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 24/7 live-chat support
  • No limits on data and bandwidth
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Great speeds
  • User-friendly

Cons:

  • Based in US
  • Poor customer support
  • Apps inconsistent

Why You Need a VPN for Steam

There is a whole slew of reasons why it is useful to use a VPN for Steam.

First, using a VPN will help users circumvent geographical restrictions since some of the games are only accessible in certain countries. Using a VPN, you will be able to spoof your location to trick Stream to think you are in the correct region to access any games you choose.

A VPN can also help you break through blocks on networks, like your school, work, government, or public wifi network that may restrict access to platforms such as Steam.

A VPN can also ensure that your ISP will not be able to throttle your bandwidth since your VPN connection will conceal your online activity entirely.

For those who are concerned about privacy and security, a VPN for Steam will help prevent DDoS attacks and other cyber attacks, which is a huge relief.

How to Choose the Best VPN for Steam

In order to choose the best VPNs for Steam, here are the important criteria to keep in mind:

☑️ Unlimited Bandwidth: It is important to use a VPN with unlimited bandwidth and no data caps so you can play your games without any lag and interruption.

☑️ Good Speeds: For any game, you are downloading or playing, especially multiplayer games, it is important to have good speeds. Without fast connections, you will experience increased lag and slower downloads.

☑️ Usability: It is important that any VPN you choose has easy-to-use apps that even the VPN novice can use.

☑️ Server Network: Wherever Steam is blocked, you will want a VPN that can offer you servers in a broad range of locations so you can always access your games, no matter where you are located.

☑️ Top Privacy and Security Features: To ensure you are always protected online, choose a VPN with strong encryption and privacy features to keep you safe online from hackers or from cyber-attacks.

Can I Use a Free VPN for Steam?

While you may be tempted to test free VPN services for Steam, free VPNs are simply not effective when it comes to unblocking sites that are restricted.

If you can find a free VPN for Steam that actually manages to get you access to your games, it will likely have slow speeds and unreliable connectivity, so your games will be full of lag and buffering, and you may find that your game cuts out in the middle.

Most concerning, free VPNs can put you at risk online since they are lacking some of the important privacy and security features that premium VPNs offer. Some have even been known to sell your activity to make a few bucks, potentially even introducing malware to your device.

How to Unblock Steam with a VPN Server

To unblock your Steam from your blocked region, workplace, or school, it is really easy to get access with a steam VPN.

Here is how to use a VPN to access Steam:

  1. First, subscribe to a reputable Steam VPN service. We recommend ExpressVPN.
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your device.
  3. Connect to a server located close in proximity to you to give you the best speeds. Many top VPNs will connect you automatically to the server that will give you the best speeds.
  4. Open the Steam app and play games from anywhere!

How to Change Steam Region with a VPN

If you want to change Steam region using a VPN, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Steam account.
  2. Select your Account Details by clicking on your username on the top right of the screen.
  3. Click Update Steam Store Country and click on the drop-down menu. (You will see your actual location as one of the options.)
  4. After changing countries, you will need to purchase games with a payment method from that particular country.

Valve’s Terms of Service and Using VPNs for Steam

It is not directed against the Terms of Service of Steam to use a virtual private network to play games on Steam, assuming you are not using a VPN to buy Steam games at a cheaper price.

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to get around geo-restrictions on game content, to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account.”

If Steam uncovers that you use a VPN for exactly the same purpose, you may have your account blocked or access revoked:

If you attempt to redeem a region restricted game and your location is inconsistent with your past Steam activity, a warning will appear…”

How to Not Get Banned on Steam for Using a VPN

Using a Steam VPN is not something condoned by Valve (Steam’s owner).

In the subscriber agreement, it says that:

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions or game content, to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your Account.”

It is important to follow these tips in order to better ensure that Steam does not block your account:

☑️ Make sure not to purchase games from other regions to save money. Steam’s games are sold for different prices in different regions based on different considerations, like the exchange rate and the popularity of use.

☑️ Don’t harm other people by using a VPN.

☑️ Don’t purchase in-game extra items or take advantage of discounts not available in your own region.

While you may still be blocked by Steam for using a VPN, taking these three tips into consideration will reduce this risk.

VPNBrains does not condone using a VPN for any illegal activity.

FAQs

Can you get banned for buying games from a cheaper region?
Yes. It is against the Terms of Service of Steam for users to use a VPN to buy games for cheaper prices by connecting to server locations in different regions.
Is it legal to unblock Steam with a VPN?
Yes, it is perfectly legal to use a VPN service with Steam.

While it is legal, however, it is against the Steam subscriber agreement to use a VPN, and you could wind up blocked by Steam if you are found using one.

If you are connecting to a VPN in a heavily censored country, like Russia, China, or the UAE, however, you may find yourself in trouble. Make sure to check your local laws to be sure!

Conclusion

While there are several VPN services that you can use to access Steam Games from a blocked region, of the best VPNs for Steam (above), we recommend using ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Steam, with the ability to access most online gaming platforms, unblock the widest range of blocked streaming services, and offer users the best privacy and security assurances.

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