What is the best VPN for gaming right now?
Editors’ note, Feb. 22: We’re currently retesting and overhauling reviews of our top picks. To ensure we have a full picture when making comparative recommendations, we’re saving a complete update of this page until we’ve concluded the testing. In the meantime, you may see some discrepancies between this page and our review pages; for the most up-to-date information, check out our reviews of each VPN service.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gaming right now, thanks to its impressive speeds, excellent privacy protections and expansive global network of servers.
NordVPN is another top VPN for gaming because it’s one of the most reliable VPNs available, delivers on speed and privacy, and includes unique features that can enhance your gaming experience.
Surfshark is a solid alternative for anyone on a budget, because its WireGuard speeds are lightning fast, it’s easy to use, has a wide selection of servers all over the world and is cheaper than most of the competition.
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for gaming, with its zero-cost tier that doesn’t sell your data or plaster your screen with ads. Additionally, Proton offers a superb premium plan, which boasts a large server network and top-notch privacy.
About VPNs for gaming
irtual private networks, or VPNs, are mainly designed to give you privacy online, but they can also be useful for a number of other reasons. When you use a VPN, your online activity is hidden from your ISP and websites and apps are unable to view your actual IP address. The IP address websites and apps see is the IP address (and, therefore, location) of the server you’re connecting to. You may be staying in a place like New York City, but connecting through a Spanish server using your VPN provider, websites and apps will see your internet traffic coming from Spain.
A VPN can level up your gaming sessions by reducing latency (ping), resulting in a more responsive online play experience. This might not seem immediately intuitive, as your traffic will be passing through an intermediary VPN server on its way to the game server or another player. However, there can be a benefit here: All of your internet traffic is encrypted. This means your ISP can’t tell which servers you’re connecting to or what type of traffic you’re sending. Therefore, they can’t throttle your connection even if they have a policy of de-prioritizing gaming traffic. Be aware, though: not every online game out there will be happy with you using a VPN for gaming. Make sure you check the terms of service before you log in to make sure you’re allowed to use a VPN. You should also be aware that connecting to VPN servers that are geographically distant from you is likely to cause connection speed penalties that cancel out any boosts you’ll get from evading ISP throttling.
VPNs also provide protection against various threats you might encounter while gaming. Some game services expose your IP address while connected, especially if you’re using P2P matchmaking. Although it’s rare, you can end up encountering another player who wants an unfair advantage by DDoSing your home IP address, knocking you offline and potentially keeping your whole household’s internet connection down for hours at a time. Because your public IP address remains hidden while using a VPN, virtual private networks can guard against DDoS attacks.
Our experts at CNET have spent years thoroughly testing VPNs to cut through all the marketing noise in order to highlight the best software options to fit your needs. While selecting the top VPNs, we mainly considered PC gaming — on Linux, Windows and MacOS. That said, nearly all VPN providers offer Android and iOS apps for mobile gaming. You’ll even find streaming boxes and apps, including Apple TV, Android TV and the Amazon Fire Stick. Consoles like the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch don’t usually come with their own VPN apps — instead, you’ll need to use a host PC or configure your internet setup for a whole-home VPN.
Whether you want to reduce ping while connected to a game server, boost online protection against DDoS attacks or circumvent throttling limits, a virtual private network can take your game to the next level. But you’ll need to check specific game’s terms of service to ensure you’re not violating subscriber agreements. Let’s dive into the best VPNs for gaming so you can keep playing your favorite titles.
The best VPN for gaming in 2024
ExpressVPN
If you want the best of the best and don’t mind paying a premium for it, then ExpressVPN is the choice for you. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gaming, as well as CNET’s Editors’ Choice for best VPN overall. Although ExpressVPN’s speeds took a minor tumble in our latest speed tests, it’s still one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested. The 35% speed loss we registered with ExpressVPN this year is still fast enough for most gaming conditions, especially on high-speed connections. And if you’re using ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol — which is lightweight and built for speed and security — and connecting to a nearby server, you should have no issues achieving optimal speeds and minimal latency for your gaming sessions.
ExpressVPN’s server network covers 105 different countries, meaning gamers from all over the world can benefit from having fast, stable connections near game servers, regardless of where they’re located. In addition to fast speeds and an impressive global network of servers, ExpressVPN offers top-notch privacy protections, so you can feel confident you’ll be safe from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks or other threats from malicious gamers. The VPN performs well and is easy to use across platforms, whether you’re gaming on your PC, Mac or mobile device.
An ExpressVPN subscription also comes with ExpressVPN Keys, a password manager for Android, iOS/iPadOS and web browsers, which allows you to generate, store and share secure passwords. It’s ideal if you’re worried about losing access to your hard-earned characters and loot, as identity theft through shared or weak credentials is one of the primary ways hackers are able to ransack your online gaming accounts. Keys can also generate multi-factor authentication codes, making it easy to upgrade your game accounts with compatible sites or apps with an extra layer of security without any extra hassle.
The best of the best comes at a price, though. Be prepared to pay more for ExpressVPN than you would for any other option listed here. ExpressVPN and NordVPN’s monthly plans each cost $13 per month, but Express’s yearly plan is more expensive at $100 for the first year (then $117 on renewal) or $140 total for its two-year plan (renewing at $150 annually). It’s pricey, but if you want the best features and functionality for gaming, ExpressVPN is worth every penny.
NordVPN
NordVPN currently ranks as the fastest VPN, based on our most recent speed tests, slowing our internet connection by just 3% — good news for gamers who need top speeds. NordVPN is also easily the most stable and consistently speedy VPN we’ve tested, making it an excellent choice for any gamer looking for first-rate gaming performance on a vast global network of servers across 118 countries.
If you’re into hosting LAN parties, then NordVPN is a good way to go because of its one-of-a-kind Meshnet feature. With Meshnet, you can set up your own gaming server and host secure, remote LAN parties with your friends, regardless of where they are in the world. Meshnet is a real game-changer (pun intended) for remote LAN parties. It’s especially useful if you and your friends are into sandbox games like Minecraft or Roblox. Meshnet is also fantastic if you’re trying to coax old games back to life. Many older PC games rely on third-party matchmaking services to power their online modes that have since shut down, such as GameSpy and Games for Windows Live. Without these services, the only choice you have for multiplayer is often just LAN. Meshnet bridges the gap by making your LAN accessible to other players no matter where they are on the planet, bringing internet connectivity back to classic titles that would otherwise be gathering dust on your shelf.
NordVPN is slightly more budget-friendly than ExpressVPN but still sits squarely in the pricier range for a VPN service. Its monthly plan is in line with ExpressVPN at $13 per month, but its annual plan starts considerably cheaper than ExpressVPN at $60 for the first year or $81 total for the first two years. However, bear in mind that the price for the one- and two-year plans spikes dramatically to $140 annually after the initial promotional rate (exceeding the price of ExpressVPN’s annual plan). While the two-year plan gives you the best possible pricing, we don’t recommend committing to a VPN provider for more than a year at a time, given how quickly things tend to shift in the VPN industry.
Surfshark
Surfshark is a VPN provider that punches well above its weight class. Its annual plan is budget-friendly at $48 for your first year (with an extra four months) or $60 total for your first two years, with an extra three months (though the one- and two-year plans renew at $79 annually, which is less of a steal). We normally don’t recommend signing up for more than a year of service up front because of volatility: The high-performing VPN you sign up for might be slower, less secure, out of business or acquired in a few years. Surfshark’s monthly plan is expensive compared with the competition, costing $15.45.
Despite Surfshark’s low cost when compared with its rivals, you’ll still enjoy many privacy features. There’s robust encryption, a kill switch, obfuscation and split-tunneling. Furthermore, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections — an absolute blessing if you’re trying to protect a whole houseful of avid gamers with multiple devices each. With over 3,200 servers in 100 different countries, Surfshark works well for gaming, since you’ve got plenty of choices to accommodate your physical or game server location.
We appreciated Surfshark’s graphical user interface Linux VPN client app, which is easier for beginners than navigating the command line. Its intuitive Linux support makes Surfshark a solid option for Steam Deck devotees. You’ll also find several other clients for Windows, MacOS, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS and the Amazon Fire TV. We tried out Surfshark on several devices — whether you’re engaged in competitive online play, immersed in cloud game streaming or installing Spider-Man Remastered on Steam, Surfshark usually keeps up.
Internet speeds were fast, with a 21% average internet download speed loss that puts it between NordVPN (3%) and ExpressVPN (35%). Considering how well Surfshark maintains your internet connection — all VPNs throttle your speed somewhat — it’s a great virtual private network for gaming. It’s tough to beat Surfshark’s value. With a bevy of server locations, an advanced feature set and stable internet speeds over the Wireguard or OpenVPN protocols, Surfshark is an affordable VPN for gaming.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN hails from the Swiss-based Proton AG, whose other offerings include Proton Mail, Proton Drive and Proton Calendar. Its reputation for privacy makes Proton VPN an excellent option for security-conscious gamers. Whereas most free VPNs are underwhelming, Proton Free bucks that trend as a high-performing, zero-cost option. It touts over 300 servers in six countries, no ads and excellent connection speeds. However, you’ll enjoy over 11,800 servers in 117 countries with Proton’s paid tiers.
With just around 16% average speed loss, Proton’s virtual private network won’t hurt your Marvel Rivals or Valorant performance. With it boasting more than 9,200 servers in 112 countries, chances are you can connect to a location that’s right for your gaming needs with the paid premium plan. Shockingly, Proton VPN’s free servers featured minimal speed loss, making it a rare no-cost VPN tier that’s actually worth using. Proton VPN packs a respectable server network that’s nearly on par with those of rivals like Nord and ExpressVPN.
Condolences, Linux and MacOS users: Proton’s split tunneling is available only on Windows and Android. Especially for gaming, split tunneling is useful, since you can route a game through your VPN while excluding other apps — like Twitch — from using your virtual private network. But Proton offers a Linux GUI app, which is more intuitive than a command-line-only app, so it’s great for installing on the Steam Deck, Linux gaming desktops or laptops. Proton is also available for Windows, MacOS, Android/Android TV, iOS/iPadOS and Apple TV.
Proton Plus costs $10 monthly, $60 for the first year, or $108 total for the first two years of service (the one- and two-year plans spike to $80 annually after your introductory term). As pricing goes, that’s middle of the pack; providers like PIA undercut Proton, while ExpressVPN and NordVPN charge a premium. On the whole, Proton VPN caters to privacy-minded users, and with its low speed loss — even on the free plan — it’s fantastic for gaming.
Other VPNs we tested
Mullvad
With its exceptionally low 13.5% average internet speed loss, Mullvad is one of the fastest VPNs we tested. Accordingly, Mullvad is an excellent VPN for gaming, where snappy speeds and low latency are paramount. At just $5 per month, Mullvad is pretty cost-effective, undercutting much of the competition. Its combination of wallet-friendly pricing, blazing-fast connectivity and cutting-edge privacy features makes Mullvad a solid option for gamers with serious privacy concerns. Previously, Mullvad offered port forwarding, which is a godsend for gamers trying to host game servers over their VPN. This feature has since been cut by Mullvad, citing security concerns, so be warned: While Mullvad is ideal for privacy, any feature that could potentially compromise the Mullvad team’s vision might end up on the cutting room floor.
Its network of 687 servers in 49 countries falls well below the thousands of servers in 90 to 100 countries you’ll get with many VPN rivals, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Proton VPN, Surfshark and PIA. Because of its comparatively small server network, Mullvad isn’t ideal for international travel. Plus, Mullvad isn’t great for streaming — in our testing, it worked fine for Netflix and Disney Plus, but not Amazon Prime Video. In all fairness, Mullvad pitches itself as a privacy service first and foremost, so any streaming sites you get access to are just a nice bonus on top of a rock-solid VPN. Still, if you’ve got serious privacy concerns but need a fast yet budget-friendly VPN for gaming, Mullvad is an excellent choice.
IPVanish
IPVanish is OK for for casual users, but its high 44% average internet speed loss makes it unsuitable for serious gamers. (IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) The monthly plan sets you back $13 per month. You’ll pay $40 for your first 12 months of service on the annual plan, then $90 per year after that. A two-year subscription goes for a fairly cheap $53 for the first 24 months of service and renews at $90 per year billed annually. While many VPN providers restrict the number of devices you can use at once, IPVanish flaunts unlimited simultaneous connections.
IPVanish’s apps are uncomplicated, working equally well for beginners and seasoned tech enthusiasts alike. With a VPN enabled, IPVanish’s speed loss is significantly higher than ExpressVPN and NordVPN — its unpredictable speeds make it a tough sell for video gamers who demand low lag. But IPVanish’s servers pepper 108 countries, which is in line with providers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton and Surfshark. Once promotional pricing runs out after a year or two (depending on your plan), IPVanish’s prices are underwhelming, considering its uneven upload/download speeds. With its middling connection speeds and average pricing, other VPN providers outstrip IPVanish for gaming — and general use.
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Private Internet Access is a capable budget-friendly alternative to Surfshark. If you’re looking for something even cheaper than Surfshark, but still a decent option for most gaming situations, then PIA is a good way to go. PIA’s speeds were slower than ExpressVPN and NordVPN — we measured a 49% average download speed loss in our testing — but it’s hard to complain for the price. You’ll get access to a robust network of servers spanning 91 countries — which is slightly fewer than ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Proton VPN and Surfshark.
We also like how customizable the PIA app is. If you like to tinker with software and customize your experience to your exact specifications, you’ll be right at home with PIA. You can tailor how much information related to your connection you want the app to display. But what’s even more useful to gamers is that you can tweak the level of encryption for your connection, so you can dial in the perfect balance of speed and privacy for your gaming session. As a gamer, the features we’re most excited about from PIA are the dedicated IP add-on and access to port forwarding. PIA lets you anonymously buy a token, which you can redeem for a dedicated IP address. This gives you the benefits of a static IP that only you can use while still maintaining privacy and security through PIA’s server infrastructure. When combined with port forwarding, other gamers can connect to any service you host through PIA’s network, including game servers. While NordVPN offers similar functionality by allowing you to enroll other players through Meshnet, the difference with PIA is that you can host a public game server that anyone can connect to for long periods of time without needing to update your IP address. PIA works well across all major platforms, including Linux. In fact, PIA is amongst the few VPNs that offer a fully-fledged GUI Linux client, which keeps feature parity with Windows and MacOS. It’s also very affordable compared to most VPN providers, at $12 per month or $40 for the first year (then $50 annually upon renewal) or $79 total for three years.
How we test VPNs for gaming
Though we ran a series of hands-on gaming tests for this list, our evaluation of the best VPNs for gaming was based predominantly on our extensive research and previous testing of the services listed above. The scope of the online gaming universe is simply far too vast for us to be able to develop a testing protocol that would do justice to every little corner of online gaming. We’ve spent years testing VPNs and researching what they can accomplish for virtually any online activity, so we’re confident in our capacity to deliver a sound and trustworthy evaluation of gaming VPNs. We took into account each provider’s speeds, usability and features, platform compatibility, server network, privacy protections, and customer support to come up with our list of the best VPNs for gaming.
Factors to consider in a VPN for gaming
Based on our years of experience in the VPN field and our understanding of what online gamers need from a VPN, these are the most important factors to consider in a VPN for gaming:
Speed
VPN speeds are the No. 1 factor to consider when choosing a VPN for gaming, because slow speeds and high latency can ruin your gaming experience. Your VPN needs to be fast enough to deliver the speeds necessary to keep you in the game, especially in competitive settings. A fast VPN can even help you potentially lower your ping, depending on the VPN server you’re connecting to and the network you’re on. And if you’re experiencing inadequate speeds for gaming, there are things you can try to speed up your VPN connection.
Streaming content unblocking
Many folks use a VPN for content unblocking. You can connect to a server from a different country to circumvent geographical restrictions, such as accessing foreign Netflix libraries or streaming BBC iPlayer videos from outside of the UK. Make sure the VPN you select has servers in the countries that you want to stream from, a large server network of over 80 countries and excellent geo-unblocking capabilities.
Privacy
A major consideration for any VPN, regardless of the activity, is privacy. It’s important to have a VPN that can provide the necessary privacy protections to ensure your activity remains hidden and you’re safe from DDoS attacks and other threats from malicious actors while gaming. Make sure the VPN you choose has strong encryption standards and essential privacy features like DNS leak protection, a kill switch and a no-logs policy.
Network
If you want to fully optimize your gaming experience, you’ll want a VPN that has servers in a wide selection of regions around the world. This will help ensure you have a speedy, stable connection regardless of where you are in the world. At the very least, you should make sure that the VPN you choose has servers located near your physical location and close to the servers of any games you play online.
Device compatibility
Of course, you want to make sure that the VPN is compatible with the platform(s) you’re gaming on. All of the VPNs we’ve listed above are compatible with and work well on all major platforms, so either one is a solid option whether you’re gaming on your PC, Mac or mobile device. If you’re a console gamer, you’ll need to make sure that your VPN works well on a router setup because gaming consoles don’t natively support VPN apps.
Help guides/customer support
If you’re having trouble with your VPN or have questions on how to optimize your VPN connection for gaming, it’s helpful to have a VPN that offers a robust help section along with accessible and knowledgeable customer support. Look for a VPN that has easy-to-follow setup guides for multiple platforms (including routers) and 24/7 customer support via live chat. Make sure that you have the appropriate help on hand when you need it, because responsive customer support and helpful guides can help ensure that your gaming session is not unnecessarily impeded upon.
Gaming VPN FAQs
Which VPN server is best for gaming?
The VPN server that’s best for gaming is the server location closest to the game servers you’re connecting to. Generally, the farther a virtual private network server is from the connection — either your local network or a game server — the slower the upload and download speeds. For instance, if you’re playing on a game server based in Toronto, Canada, use a Toronto or at least Canadian VPN connection if there’s one available.
What is the no. 1 VPN for gaming?
The best VPN for gaming is ExpressVPN. It features an exhaustive slate of server locations, blazing fast speeds, superb privacy protections and advanced features while remaining user-friendly. Additionally, ExpressVPN works brilliantly for unblocking geo-protected streaming video content on Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video, therefore offering comprehensive entertainment coverage.
Is a proxy better than a VPN for gaming?
A VPN is better than a proxy for gaming, since virtual private networks deliver faster speeds and beefier security than proxy servers.
How do gamers use VPNs?
Gamers can use VPNs to lower ping when gaming on servers located far from their physical locations, circumvent internet service provider (ISP) throttling limits and bolster privacy to hide IP addresses.
Should you use a VPN for gaming?
Whether you should use a VPN for gaming depends on your needs. If you need to bypass ISP throttling or mask your IP address for enhanced security, a VPN while gaming makes sense. But a VPN slows down your internet connection — even if minimally — and might violate the terms of service for platforms like Valve’s Steam or games such as Fortnite.
Can you use a VPN with game consoles?
Yes, you can use a VPN with game consoles. For Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS or iPadOS, most virtual private network providers offer easy-to-install applications. But for game consoles including the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch, you’ll need to either run a VPN on your router or connect your console to your PC to act as a VPN server.
What is the fastest VPN for gaming?
NordVPN is the fastest VPN for gaming, with an incredibly low 10% average internet download speed loss as of our latest testing. However, your actual speed loss will vary based on several factors, including the specific VPN server you’re connected to.
Which VPN protocol is better for gaming, OpenVPN or WireGuard?
WireGuard is a better VPN protocol than OpenVPN for raw speed. Generally, WireGuard boasts faster internet upload and download speeds. But OpenVPN offers increased privacy at the expense of speed, so if you’re using a VPN for security purposes while gaming, OpenVPN may be a better choice.
