Best VPN for Gaming in 2024

If you love gaming as much as I do, you’re always looking for a way to improve your game. I’ve found nothing does the trick better than using a virtual private network (VPN).

Not only does a VPN improve my speed, decrease ping, and get rid of annoying lag, but it also keeps me safe from cybercriminals and malicious attacks. I also get to enjoy games and features that aren’t available in my hometown.

If you’re ready to up your game, keep reading to find the best VPN for gaming!

In a hurry? Here are 5 best VPNs for gaming 

Here’s a quick look at the best gaming VPNs on the market.

Why you should use a VPN for gaming

I always make sure I’ve got a stable VPN connection before I start gaming, and here’s why.

A fast VPN is a great tool for lowering ping and getting rid of lag. Online gamers use up a lot of data and your internet service provider (ISP) may throttle your bandwidth if they think you are using more than your fair share, which can dramatically slow down your internet speed. Gaming VPNs encrypt your data so your ISP can’t see what you are doing which means you to avoid ISP throttling.

I also love the online security I get using a gaming VPN, which is especially important when I play with strangers online. Since a VPN creates a virtual private network, it hides my IP address and game server location so I don’t have to worry about malicious attacks.

A big bonus of using a gaming VPN is the freedom to connect to a gaming server in another part of the world, so you can enjoy games and features that aren’t available in your region. It also can get you early access to a game that hasn’t been released in your location yet.

If you enjoy connecting with gamers around the world, a VPN is just what you need. Use the VPN app to connect to a VPN server in the country where your friends are and enjoy.

What makes a good VPN for gaming

When it comes to choosing the best VPN for gaming, there are a few key features I always look for to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience:

• Speed. First and foremost, you need a VPN that delivers fast speeds. A slow VPN can lead to lag, stuttering, and overall frustration while gaming. I always prioritize VPNs that offer stable, high-speed connections to keep my gameplay smooth and uninterrupted.
• Geo-spoofing. If you’re looking to access game servers or content in different regions, make sure your VPN can easily bypass geo-blocks. A good VPN will let you access any region’s content without hassle, whether it’s for unlocking games early or playing with gamers in other regions.
• Server network. I also focus on VPNs with a large server network. The more servers there are, the better your chances of finding a fast connection without overcrowding. Plus, having a wide range of servers gives you access to gaming content worldwide.
• Security. I make sure I’ve got a true virtual private network that keeps me protected from any cybercriminal or DDoS attack by getting a VPN with strong security tools including military-grade encryption and an automatic kill switch. I also stick with plans that have an audited no logs service.
• Compatibility. Choose a VPN that offers easy-to-use apps and is compatible with your gaming setup. Whether you’re playing on a PC, games console, or mobile gaming, having a VPN that works seamlessly on your device is crucial for a hassle-free experience.
• Customer service. Finally, I always go with VPNs that have live chat support and a solid money-back guarantee. If something goes wrong, it’s great to know you can get help quickly, and a refund if needed.

5 best VPNs for gaming

I’ve researched a lot of VPN services and came up with a list of the 5 best VPN services for gaming. You’ll find detailed information in the sections below so you can choose the best gaming VPN for your budget and needs.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is my absolute favorite VPN provider for gaming. The VPN performs exceptionally well when it comes to internet speed, security, affordability, and geo-spoofing, everything I look for in the best gaming VPNs!

Features: With NordVPN, you get access to over 6,400 servers in 111 countries. It’s packed with great features like double VPN, obfuscated servers, ad blocking, malware protection, and more.

Speed: The speed is impressive whether you’re connecting to nearby servers or those on the other side of the world. For the best performance, I recommend using their proprietary NordLynx VPN protocol.

Privacy and Security: NordVPN offers robust security that puts my mind at ease including a verified no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, IP & DNS leak protection, RAM-only servers, and more so you’ll never have to worry about bad actors or a DDoS attack!

Performance: Whether you’re gaming, streaming, browsing, or torrenting, NordVPN delivers smooth performance and a stable connection.

Streaming: If you enjoy streaming as much as gaming, you can also use NordVPN to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max, Hulu, and Vudu.

Compatibility: NordVPN’s apps are easy to use and compatible with just about every device, including Nintendo Switch, Android TV, Apple TV, mobile devices, laptops, PCs, and more. It even offers router support. You can connect up to 10 devices at the same time!

Pricing: You can get a subscription plan for as low as $3.39/month if you sign up for 24 months, plus it comes with 4 months free and there’s a 30-day trial period to test it out risk-free.

2. ExpressVPN

If you’re looking for the best VPN for gaming, ExpressVPN is right up there with NordVPN. It’s a premium VPN that has everything you need for gaming — speed, security, and geo-spoofing capabilities.

Features: You get a lot with ExpressVPN, including split tunneling, ad blocking, Smart DNS, obfuscated servers, and a password manager. Plus, it offers access to a network with over 3,200 servers across 105 countries.

Speed: ExpressVPN is one of the faster VPNs I’ve tested for on both local and long-distance connections, especially with its proprietary Lightway protocol, which is designed for ultra-fast performance.

Privacy and Security: This VPN provider uses military-grade encryption, a kill switch, RAM-only servers, DNS leak protection, and a no-logs policy, keeping your data secure while gaming.

Performance: With such fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth, you are protected from lag during gaming. It also supports buffer-free streaming and fast torrenting.

Streaming: ExpressVPN is my favorite streaming VPN as it easily bypasses geo-restrictions on major platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max, Hulu, and more.

Compatibility: The apps are super user-friendly and work on a range of devices and operating systems including gaming consoles, smart TVs, mobile devices, laptops, and desktops. It even offers a preconfigured VPN router. You can connect up to 8 devices at once.

Pricing: If you want the lowest price, go for the 12-month plan, it’s $6.67/month, plus you get 3 months free. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without risk.

3. Surfshark

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly VPN for gaming, Surfshark is a great choice. It offers premium security and privacy features and allows unlimited simultaneous connections all for one low price.

Features: Surfshark comes loaded with useful features like a data breach monitor, ad blocker, malware protection, and split tunneling, among others. It’s also got a network of 3,200+ server locations in 100 countries around the world.

Speed: While you might experience a bit of lag during peak hours, Surfshark’s 24/7 customer service can help you find a fast server in your preferred region. Select the WireGuard protocol in your settings for the fastest connection speeds.

Privacy and Security: I’m impressed by the excellent privacy and security offered at this price including a verified zero-log policy, RAM-only servers, military-grade encryption, leak protection, and more.

Performance: You can expect solid performance not only for gaming but also for streaming, torrenting, and browsing when using Surfshark.

Streaming: You can unblock geo-restricted content on popular streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and more with Surfshark.

Compatibility: Surfshark works with your smart TV, game console, smartphone, laptop, PC, and more. While it offers router support, you won’t necessarily need it since Surfshark allows for unlimited devices on a single account.

Price: You can get 2 years of service plus 4 free months for just $2.19/month. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out and cancel if it’s not for you.

4. CyberGhost

Next up on my list of best VPNs for gaming is CyberGhost, an inexpensive and secure option that works great for gamers. Here’s why I think it’s worth considering:

Features: CyberGhost offers an impressive server network with over 11,500 servers in 91+ countries including specialized servers for gaming. You also get useful features like split tunneling, automatic Wi-Fi protection, and an ad blocker.

Speed: While CyberGhost offers solid speeds on local servers, the speed decreases quite a bit on long-distance connections. If you want to avoid lag and keep your ping down while you play games, use the WireGuard protocol and stick with regional servers whenever possible.

Privacy and Security: CyberGhost is packed with security features to keep you safe while gaming and protection from DDoS attacks including a Kill Switch, DNS leak protection, 256-bit encryption, RAM-only servers, and a strict no-logs policy.

Performance: CyberGhost performs well for gaming and streaming on local servers, but the performance can drop noticeably on long-distance servers even with WireGuard speeds.

Streaming: Besides gaming, CyberGhost lets you unblock video libraries from around the world on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more,.

Compatibility: CyberGhost works with everything from game consoles to smart TVs, laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and more! It allows up to 7 simultaneous connections per subscription. If you want to cover your whole household at once it does offer router support.

Pricing: You can get CyberGhost for as low as $2.03/month plus 4 months free if you opt for the 2-year plan, and it comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to test it out.

5. ProtonVPN

If you’re looking for a fast, secure, and private VPN for gaming, with a free version Proton VPN is the only one I’d recommend.

Features: Paid Proton VPN users get access to 5,200 servers across 90 countries, along with features like an ad blocker, malware protection, double hop mode, port forwarding, and split tunneling. The free version, however, offers just 26 servers in 5 countries and lacks many of the premium features.

Speed: Proton VPN delivers impressive WireGuard speeds for both local and long-distance connections. The free version is slower but is still usable for gaming.

Privacy and Security: Both the free and paid versions offer solid protection. You get a no-logs policy, AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, so your data is always secure while gaming.

Performance: Proton VPN’s speed and reliability make it a great option not just for gaming, but also for streaming, torrenting, and general browsing. However, the free version has limitations in terms of speed and server network size.

Streaming: Proton VPN bypasses geo-blocks on major streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. The free version has a limited server range, which means you’ll be able to access a narrower scope of global content.

Compatibility: Proton VPN works on just about everything, including smart TVs, mobiles, PCs, laptops, and more. Plus, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, or use the router support to cover all your devices at once.

Pricing: Proton VPN’s paid plans start at $4.99 per month plus 3 months free if you sign up for 2 years. Every plan includes a 30-day trial, so you can try it out risk-free.

How we picked and tested the best VPNs for gaming

After thoroughly analyzing dozens of VPNs, a few services really stood out as top picks for gaming. Here’s what I focused on when choosing the best VPNs:

• Speed. I completed VPN speed testing and prioritized VPNs with excellent speed, stable connections, and low latency to ensure smooth gameplay without lag.
• Server network. I looked for VPNs with a broad server network, which is essential for fast connections and the ability to access any game server or store around the world.
• Geo-spoofing. I looked for VPNs with a proven track record of effectively spoofing locations, which is key for accessing games in different regions, getting around restrictions, or playing with friends in other countries.
• Privacy and security. Every VPN on my list maintains no connection logs and uses the gold standard in security including 256-AES bit encryption.
• Compatibility. I looked for easy-to-use VPN apps that work on multiple devices and are compatible with a wide range of platforms, so you can game on whatever device you prefer.
• Customer service. I only considered VPNs that offer live chat support and come with a money-back guarantee, so you’re covered if you run into any issues or change your mind.

Should I use a VPN for Steam?

If you’re a Steam gamer like me, using a VPN can really elevate your gaming experience. Here are some of the key advantages I’ve found with a Steam VPN.

First off, it protects you from DDoS attacks. By hiding your real IP address, a VPN keeps your game server safe from potential DDoS attacks, so you don’t have to worry about disruptions.

A VPN also helps avoid bandwidth throttling. Since all your data is encrypted, your ISP can’t see what you’re doing, meaning they have no reason to throttle your connection, even if you’re using a lot of data for gaming.

One of the coolest perks is being able to play with friends in other countries. Many multiplayer games match you with players from your own region, but with a VPN, you can connect to remote servers and game with anyone, anywhere.

If you’re eager to play a game as soon as it’s released, a VPN can help you access games sooner by connecting to a country with an earlier release date.

Finally, you can bypass geographic restrictions. If a game or feature is banned or restricted in your country, a VPN gives you access by linking you to a region where the game is available.

Which games can you play with a VPN?

Any time I’m gaming, I make sure I’m connected to a VPN. Not only does it reduce my ping so I don’t get any lag that can ruin my performance, but I’ve also never had a DDOS attack since I started using a VPN for gaming. Why? Because a good VPN hides my IP address, it is impossible for an attacker to find me. As a bonus, I use my VPN to access games I wouldn’t be able to play otherwise due to geographical restrictions. Here’s how a VPN helps me with some of my favorite game.

• Fortnite. Fortnite is a popular Battle Royale game where players compete in a fast-paced, last-player-standing match on a shrinking island, using a mix of combat, building, and strategy. The game has had some issues with unjustified IP bans, connection errors, latency issues, DDoS attacks, and malicious actors so you’ll want to use a VPN while you play!
• Valorant. This is a tactical, team-based, first-person shooter game where players choose unique agents with special abilities to compete. Valorant is banned in some countries, and in some places, the VoIP chat feature of the game has been blocked. You can get past any regional blocks by connecting to a VPN server in an unrestricted location.
• CS:GO. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a competitive first-person shooter where teams of terrorists and counter-terrorists face off in everything from bomb planting, explosive diffusing, and hostage rescue. Using a VPN while playing CS:GO has been really helpful in getting rid of lag and it lets me compete with people all over the world without worrying about malicious online attacks.
• Roblox. If you enjoy designing, sharing, and playing games like I do, you’ve got to play Roblox. If you happen to live in a region where the game is blocked, a gaming VPN can virtually connect you to a server in a permitted location so you can play from anywhere!
• League of Legends. This multiplayer online battle arena game is one you’ve got to try! Millions are playing every month and if you are one of the many who are having issues with lag, crashing servers, or limited access to the game in your region, a good gaming VPN could be the solution to all your problems.
• PlayerUnknown’s Battleground (PUGB). This action-packed multi-player game is so intense it’s actually considered dangerous and is banned in some countries. It’s also incredibly fast-paced so a good internet connection speed is essential. A quality VPN service is the best way to gain access and have a lag-free gaming experience while playing PUGB.

Should I use a free VPN for gaming?

If you are going to use a free VPN, ProtonVPN is the only one I would recommend using because it doesn’t skimp on its security features and does a good job of spoofing locations. The limited number of servers, however, means its versatility and speed can’t compare with the paid version.

Most free VPNs don’t invest in the technology needed to bypass the strong geo-blocks used in the gaming industry. Many limit data, bandwidth, and speed, so they don’t have the stable connections or speed needed for gaming.

FAQ

Is it legal to use a VPN for gaming?

Yes. It is legal to use a VPN for gaming in most countries around the world. That doesn’t mean it’s OK for you to use a VPN to cover up illegal online activity.

What is the fastest VPN for gaming?

NordVPN is the fastest VPN you’ll find for online gaming.

Can a VPN help reduce ping in games?

Absolutely. While VPNs weren’t specifically designed to reduce ping, they can actually help in several situations.

First off VPNs are great at reducing throttling. Some ISPs throttle your bandwidth for data-heavy activities like streaming, gaming, or P2P sharing, which can lead to high ping. A VPN can help you get around this by encrypting your data, so your ISP can’t see what kind of traffic you’re generating and won’t have any reason to throttle it.

Another way a VPN helps is by rerouting data to a more direct route between your device and the game server, which can result in lower ping.

It can also be handy if you’re trying to access closer servers that might be off-limits to you due to geographical restrictions. A VPN lets you get around any blocks so you can connect to servers in those regions, potentially lowering your ping and improving your gaming experience.

Lastly, there’s the issue of DDoS protection. If you’ve ever been hit with a DDoS attack while gaming, you know it can spike your ping or even disconnect you from the game. A VPN helps protect against this by masking your IP address, keeping you safe from potential attackers.

Which VPN protocol is the best for gaming?

I prefer using the WireGuard protocol and consider it to be the best VPN protocol for gaming. Why? It’s fast, lightweight, super stable, and offers a secure connection, which are all key factors when you’re in the middle of an intense match. One of the things I love about WireGuard is its versatility. It works smoothly across different platforms, whether you’re using a mobile device or your desktop.

If you’re using ExpressVPN, they have their own version of WireGuard called LightWay, which performs just as well. NordVPN also offers a similar solution with their NordLynx protocol. Both of these are excellent alternatives if you’re looking for that same level of performance and security.

Can I unlock Steam games early with a VPN?

Yes. If you can’t wait to get your hands on a new Steam game, a gaming VPN can get you early access. Just connect to a VPN server in a region where the game has already been released, and your game will unlock just as if you were physically there, letting you jump in and start playing early!

Which VPNs do pro gamers use?

Pro gamers stick with premium VPN services with stable connections, excellent connection speeds, and strong security features. NordVPN is at the top of the VPN industry for pro gamers.

Conclusion

You can enjoy the beauty of Montenegro without worrying about government surveillance or internet restrictions. All you need is a virtual private network (VPN) to stay safe.

We recommend ExpressVPN for Montenegro, thanks to its superior safety, privacy, speed, and user-friendly apps.