Known as one of the greatest video games of all time, World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (otherwise known as MMORPG) that takes place in a fantasy land called Azeroth. Players can create their own avatars and explore the fantasy world, fighting off beasts, completing quests, and interacting with other players.
Created by Blizzard in the year 2004, World of Warcraft has surpassed all expectations, and is among the most popular online games to date.
Unfortunately, like with most other online games and content, due to geo-restrictions and licensing agreements, some users may run into trouble when trying to play WoW.
Some players may not be able to access the game from their region, while other players may struggle with a slow Internet connection. Some users sadly fall victim to DDoS attacks and other online threats while playing WoW.
Luckily, there is a simple and easy workaround for all these issues. By using a WoW Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can unblock World of Warcraft from anywhere around the globe.
In addition, a premium VPN service will provide fast speeds when you connect through one of its IP addresses, so you won’t have to worry about lag and slow connection speeds.
The best VPN service providers also offer extra security features to keep your online data safe, and by hiding your personal information, they will keep you safe from DDoS attacks as well.
Read more to hear about the best VPNs, and how they can help you play WoW from anywhere!
In a Hurry? Here Are the 5 Best WoW VPNs
Why You Need a VPN for World of Warcraft
Although it is possible to play World of Warcraft without a VPN, there are many reasons why it is recommended to use one.
Geographic Location
The first is geographic location. If you live in a country where World of Warcraft is either restricted or blocked altogether, you can use a VPN for World of Warcraft to hide your actual location and make it as if you are located somewhere else where the game is available.
By connecting to a server in a different location, VPN providers allow you to appear as if you are actually in that location. All your VPN traffic will be routed through a secure VPN tunnel, so your online activity and true location will be hidden from prying eyes.
In addition, if there are new features coming out in a different region, you can use a WoW VPN to access the game from that region, giving you exclusive access to those features!
The best VPN for World of Warcraft will have servers located all around the globe so you will have plenty of location options from which to choose.
Security
Another reason we recommend using a VPN for playing WoW is security. If you are playing the game using your own IP address, you are making yourself vulnerable to DDoS attacks. A DDoS attack will overwhelm your system with activity causing your game to freeze and will allow your opponents to use this to their advantage.
By using a Warcraft VPN, all your online activity will be routed through a secure VPN connection, which will protect you from these malicious attacks.
If you are interested in using a VPN for other online activities as well, the best VPN for World of Warcraft will allow you to stream or browse the web completely anonymously. With features like military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and a no-logs policy, you can rest assured that none of your online activity will be monitored, tracked, or saved.
Connection speeds
A World of Warcraft VPN can be used to strengthen connectivity and improve game performance. The best VPN providers have optimized servers to provide the best gaming experience possible with both speed and reliability.
There are a few risks to playing online games from a local server. The first is overcrowded servers that may cause slow speeds, high ping, and latency. This may result in your game loading for longer periods of time, poorer quality, and, in the worst case, the game shutting down completely. Premium VPN providers have wide server networks so there are enough servers to connect to without them getting overcrowded.
In addition, by connecting to a local server, you run the risk of ISP throttling. This is when your Internet service provider sees you are using a lot of data and throttles your speeds, causing all sorts of connectivity issues. By connecting to a WoW VPN server, rather than your local server, you also prevent bandwidth caps and throttling altogether. Since a VPN hides your location, your ISP won’t even be able to detect you. Gaming uses up a lot of data, so you want to be sure that you have unlimited data, which a VPN for WoW can provide.
Keep in mind that in order to get optimal connection speeds, you will want to connect to the VPN server closest to your actual location. The closer the chosen VPN server is to where you are located, the faster the connection speeds will be.
Warcraft players
Finally, a VPN can be used to open up the pool of players in the game with you. Since World of Warcraft is a game where you can explore the fantasy world and interact with other players in real time, you will want to be in the game at the same time as others.
Like most games, World of Warcraft works based on geographic location, so you will only be playing with other users in your area. This can be disappointing if you like to play at late hours of the night or early hours of the morning when there are few players available.
By using the best VPN for World of Warcraft, you can simply change your location and play from a country in a different time zone where there are more Warcraft players available with whom to interact.
In addition, if you want to explore and meet other players outside your region, you can connect to a VPN server in a different region and enjoy meeting new players with whom you otherwise would not have had the chance to interact.
How to Choose the Best VPN for WoW
With so many VPNs on the market, it may be hard to find the one that’s best for playing WoW online. Each VPN comes with its distinctive features and capabilities, so when you are looking for the best VPN for WoW, you have to know for what to look.
We compiled a list of the features we think are the most important for World of Warcraft players, so be sure to choose a VPN service that offers the following features:
Server Network – Having a broad server network with servers located around the world will give you more options of locations and IP addresses from which from which to choose. Plus, having a large number of servers means that the VPN servers won’t be overloaded with users, enhancing connection speeds.
Speed – Since you don’t want to experience lag or buffering when playing your game online, you will want a VPN service that offers fast connection speeds and low latency.
Easy to use – Nobody likes to get tangled in the web of technical complications. Having a VPN app that is easy to use is something to look for so you can connect and play with no difficulty.
Online Security – In addition to protecting you from DDoS attacks while you play, the best VPNs use strong encryption to protect your personal data when online.
Gaming VPN – If you are using your VPN primarily for gaming, you want to be sure that your chosen VPN provider has optimized servers for WoW and other online games.
Customer Support – Having reliable customer support will come in handy if you come across any difficulties along the way.
30-day money-back guarantee – Most premium services offer a trial period to ensure their customers’ satisfaction. Be sure to select a VPN that offers this, since it will allow you to fully experience the service before committing! If you want to cancel at any point, you can get your money back by contacting customer support.
5 Best VPNs for World of Warcraft
There are many VPNs on the market, and choosing the best one can be stressful. We compiled a list of our top 5 best VPN services to subscribe to if you want to play World of Warcraft online:
1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN provider for World of Warcraft
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for World of Warcraft due to its large server network, fast speeds, and strong security features.
Express VPN has 3,000 servers located in over 94 countries around the globe, so you will have plenty of location options from which to choose, no matter where you are.
Known as the fastest VPN service, ExpressVPN truly is an Express VPN. This provider will improve your gaming experience by avoiding high ping and reducing latency, so you won’t have to put up with loading and buffering. Plus, ExpressVPN doesn’t limit bandwidth, so you can play World of Warcraft as often and for as long as you’d like.
If you’re worried about DDoS protection, ExpressVPN has your back. This service is loaded with top-tier security features like military-grade 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 keep your personal details secure and safe from third parties and prying eyes.
In addition to these features, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy that ensures that none of your online activity will be logged or kept by the provider. This can be trusted since ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside the 5 Eyes alliance.
If you want to take a break from playing WoW, ExpressVPN is also the best VPN for unblocking streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus.
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 ExpressVPN for yourself risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Excellent security features
- Network of fast servers
- Consistent connections
- Best VPN for World of Warcraft
- Great versatility
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- More Expensive
2. NordVPN – Virtual Private Network with top security features
NordVPN is another one of the best VPN providers for playing World of Warcraft.
NordVPN allows you to improve your gaming speed, performance, and protection when you connect to one of its 5,200+ super fast servers located in almost 60 countries around the world.
This VPN offers a super-fast network and unlimited bandwidth, so you can play WoW for as long as you’d like without any ISP throttling or running out of Internet data.
You won’t have to worry about DDoS attacks since NordVPN is a premium service with exceptional online security features like IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection, 256–bit encryption protocols, split tunneling, and a Kill Switch. Plus, it offers a feature to block ads and malware automatically.
NordVPN has a strict zero–log policy so none of your online activity will be tracked or stored, keeping users’ privacy secure. This can be trusted since it is headquartered in Panama, which is out of the 5 Eyes alliance.
If you enjoy streaming content online from popular streaming sites, NordVPN is excellent at unblocking sites like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
NordVPN has an app that is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, Android, and gaming consoles like Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo Switch; plus, NordVPN allows up to 6 simultaneous connections on a single VPN subscription, plus a 30–day money–back guarantee, so you can try the service for yourself before committing.
- Affordable VPN
- Great privacy and security
- Excellent for streaming Netflix
- Zero-logs policy
- Great gaming VPN
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Not as fast as ExpressVPN
- Some issues around its User Interface
3. Surfshark – Many VPN servers to choose from on a budget
Surfshark is the best VPN for World of Warcraft, and for the lowest price!
Its network of 3,200 servers is great for online gaming since you will always be able to find a reliable server, no matter what time of day.
Surfshark has good speeds that will help you reduce lag while providing a smooth and seamless gaming experience. Plus, with the unlimited bandwidth it offers, you will be able to play World of Warcraft for as long as you want.
When it comes to online protection, Sufshark has you covered with 256–bit encryption, WebRTC, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, automatic ad–blocking, and a Kill Switch. Plus, with a strict no–logs policy, it won’t store, track, or keep any of your online traffic, so you can game, stream, or surf the web completely anonymously from anywhere in the world.
This provider offers unlimited simultaneous connections that is unique since not all VPNs offer so many connections on a single user account.
Surfshark can also bypass blocks on sites like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. It’s compatible with major devices like MacOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS, or you can install the VPN manually on a selected Internet router.
If you want to give it a try, feel free to do so with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Great price
- No limit to the number of devices
- Strong security and privacy features
- No limit to bandwidth
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Speeds tend to be inconsistent
- Some of its servers have slow connections
4. CyberGhost– Simple to use and very secure
CyberGhost is another fantastic VPN to use for playing online games like World of Warcraft with an enormous server network of 9,100+ servers from which to choose, all of which offer fast connection speeds.
This VPN provider is a great choice for online gaming due to its security features that can protect you from online threats like DDoS attacks. SurfShark offers online protection by way of automatic ad-blocking, a Kill Switch, DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection (which prevents DDoS attacks) 256–256-bit encryption, and a strict no–log policy.
This VPN provider not only can unblock World of Warcraft but also popular streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. By routing your Internet traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel, your location and personal information will be safe from third parties as well as online threats.
This amazing service offers 7 simultaneous connections and is compatible with both macOS and Windows devices.
SurfShark is unique in that it offers its users 45 days to try the service before committing. That means if you are unhappy with this WoW VPN, all you have to do is contact customer service, and you can get your money back.
- Easy to use
- Network of servers all around the globe
- Impressive safety and security features
- 7 simultaneous devices
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Insufficient customization for advanced users
- Speeds can be inconsistent at times
5. Private Internet Access – Lots of WoW server options
If you are looking for a VPN for WoW with a huge network of servers from which to choose, Private Internet Access is a great VPN that will allow you to access World of Warcraft from anywhere.
With a generous 29,000 servers spread across 77 countries around the globe; you will have no shortage of servers from which to play World of Warcraft. Private Internet Access provides decent speeds up to 10 device connections at once and puts no limit on bandwidth, so you have both the freedom and flexibility to play whenever you’d like.
When it comes to security, this VPN offers OpenVPN, 256–bit encryption, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, and split tunneling. Private Internet Access also has a no–logging policy that will ensure 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’re looking for a break from the fantasy world of Azeroth, you can also use Private Internet Access to unblock streaming sites like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and more. This VPN is also compatible with all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, and macOS.
You can try it for yourself with its 30-day money-back guarantee!
- Large network of servers
- 24/7 live-chat support
- 30-day trial period
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Located in the US (which is part of the 5-Eyes Alliance)
Can I Use a Free VPN to Play World of Warcraft?
While it may seem tempting to save a few extra bucks and use a free VPN for World of Warcraft, there are several reasons why we don’t recommend it.
The first reason is the difficulty of successfully connecting in the first place. Since Free VPNs tend to have smaller server networks, each server will be overcrowded with users. Successfully connecting will be a feat, but staying connected will be the real challenge. Since online gaming uses a lot of data, you will likely hit the low data limit very quickly and get kicked off. This is certainly not ideal in a game like World of Warcraft where a lot can happen in the blink of an eye, so you will not want to miss a second of the action.
Additionally, free VPNs won’t offer the security that premium services provide. While a premium service will go the extra mile to ensure your personal data remains secure with features like encryption, DNS leak protection, and a no-logs policy, the free VPN companies don’t offer any of these features, and it is likely that your VPN traffic will be logged. The free VPN services are known for selling user data to third parties and marketing agencies, so they don’t have your best interests in mind.
The free services also tend to not have reliable customer support, so if you come across any difficulties, there is nobody to speak to.
So, in short, if you are planning to use a VPN to play World of Warcraft, we recommend investing in a premium VPN service that can provide fast speeds, top-notch security, and reliable connectivity. ExpressVPN is our best VPN for World of Warcraft, but there are also excellent budget options like Surfshark that offers the same premium services for a budget-friendly price.
How to Use a VPN to Improve WoW Gaming Experience
World of Warcraft players who want to improve their user experience by using a WoW VPN can do so by following these steps:
- Subscribe to a Virtual Private Network service. We recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for WoW.
- Download the VPN services app onto your preferred device.
- Once downloaded, sign into your WoW VPN account.
- Select a server nearest to the game’s servers for optimal connection speeds.
- Connect to the WoW server
- Once the VPN connection is secure, open World of Warcraft on your device
- Enjoy playing World of Warcraft
FAQs
Yes, you most definitely can, and it is even recommended to use a VPN while playing WoW and other games.
A Virtual Private Network works by connecting to a special VPN server, which allows you to appear as if you are located anywhere you choose. This gives you the ability to access otherwise blocked content and play with opponents from anywhere in the world.
Since a VPN uses its own special VPN servers to connect, you can expect faster speeds and more consistent connections, especially when connecting to a VPN server that is located close to a WoW server.
In addition, by connecting through a VPN for World of Warcraft, users’ data is routed through an encrypted VPN tunnel, enhancing their DDoS protection and hiding their Internet connection from third parties and prying eyes.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with using a VPN for WoW, if you use it for something like account sharing, that can be seen as cheating and may result in getting banned.
If you are using the VPN for honest purposes, like accessing other WoW realms, you will not have a problem.
There is no clear-cut answer to this question, so the answer is “possibly.”
While it is plausible that using a VPN may cause your ping numbers to increase, using a VPN can just as easily reduce them. The status of your ping when using a VPN is dependent on which VPN server you choose to connect to, and its proximity to World of Warcraft servers.
If you choose to connect to a server that is located farther away from a WoW server, your ping is likely to go up. And if you choose to connect to a server that is closer to a WoW server, your ping is likely to go down. Even if you are connecting from around the world, it is important that the server you choose is near a World of Warcraft server so that your ping isn’t too high.
Yes, you can use a VPN to access private WoW servers as well. If you want to play on a server that doesn’t run through Blizzard, you can use a Virtual Private Network to access them.
This way, if you are unhappy with changes or updates in the game, you can go back to a previous version.
Conclusion
World of Warcraft is among the most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing games out there, attracting millions of players to the mystical fantasy world of Azeroth. Once there, players explore the world, fight off enemies, and complete missions and tasks. It’s also an opportunity to meet and interact with other players in the game.
However, like most online games, there are drawbacks to playing this fantastical game. Some players can’t access the game from their country of residence, while other players are able to get on the game, but then can’t play due to connectivity errors.
Along with the connection-related drawbacks, there may also be risks involved, like DDoS attacks and cybercriminals out there who are looking to sabotage your game.
Using a VPN for World of Warcraft can solve all these issues while also offering additional benefits.
When using a VPN, you can connect to a secure server in almost any location around the globe, which gives you the flexibility to change your online location, appearing as though you are in the location of the server you chose. This can help players access the game in regions that are otherwise blocked.
This feature also allows players to meet and interact with users in different regions. Since the game works based on location, you will be playing with users who are around you. By using a VPN to connect to a different location, you will be placed in the game with players from that location.
Finally, VPNs route your online traffic through a secure VPN tunnel, allowing you full security and anonymity when online. By using a premium VPN you can be sure that your online data will remain private, and no logs will be tracked or kept.
We recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for WoW, with 3,000 servers spread across 94+ countries worldwide.
