Alexis Kestler
Online gaming has exploded in popularity in recent years, with players connecting from around the world to battle it out in epic matches of Fortnite, Call of Duty, Overwatch, and countless other titles.
But a frustrating gaming experience filled with lag, throttling, and geo-restrictions can quickly take the fun out of multiplayer matches. This is where a reliable gaming VPN enters the picture.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top services that can optimize and protect your connection for smooth online gameplay:
What is a VPN and How Does It Help for Gaming?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through remote servers run by the VPN provider. This gives you a number of advantages:
- Hide your IP address – Mask your real IP and location so no one can obtain your personal information or DDoS you.
- Bypass geographic restrictions – VPNs allow you to spoof your location so you can access games or content not available in your country.
- Improve speeds – Switching VPN servers can help you find faster routes to gaming servers that reduce lag and ping times.
- Avoid bandwidth throttling – VPN encryption prevents ISPs from throttling your connection when detecting game traffic.
- Enhanced security – VPNs encrypt your network traffic to protect from hacking attempts and malware.
With millions of gamers connecting from around the world, VPNs are essential for an optimal online gaming experience.
Top 7 VPN Recommendations for Gaming
Based on factors like speed, security, server availability, and gaming-friendly features, these are the top services to consider:
1. ExpressVPN – Fastest Overall
With 3,000+ high-speed servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN tops our list as the best VPN for gaming and streaming. I achieved blazing fast speeds when connected to their servers, reducing lag while gaming.
The VPN uses top-notch encryption like AES-256 and supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, and their own Lightway protocol. Their split-tunneling feature is handy for allowing game traffic through the VPN while other tasks route through your normal connection.
MediaStreamer DNS unblocks streaming sites like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. And ExpressVPN‘s reliable kill switch prevents exposure of your IP if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
Fast server speeds across the globe and easy-to-use apps make ExpressVPN our #1 recommendation for gaming.
2. NordVPN – Optimized Gaming Experience
NordVPN has over 5,100 servers located near popular gaming hubs, providing low latency connections for smooth multiplayer action. Their specialty servers are optimized for gaming traffic prioritization.
I recorded some excellent speeds while connected to NordVPN, which helps reduce annoying lag spikes during matches. They offer a built-in CyberSec feature that blocks ads and malware.
The VPN uses strong encryption like AES-256-GCM and also supports OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols. Useful for gaming is NordVPN‘s SOCKS5 proxy you can configure for specific apps and their Double VPN option that routes through two servers for extra privacy.
With specialty gaming servers and anti-DDoS protection, NordVPN is a top choice for securing your online gameplay.
3. Surfshark – Unlimited Device Connections
Surfshark is a versatile VPN that really excels for gaming on mobile devices and consoles. It places no limit on the number of devices, so you can easily secure all your gaming gadgets.
In my testing Surfshark delivered blazing speeds throughout most of their 3200+ servers in over 65 countries. Their kill switch can be configured to only apply to certain apps like your game client. MediaStreamer is available to access restricted Netflix libraries and other streaming sites.
Some other handy features include Whitelister for bypassing the VPN on chosen apps or sites, CleanWeb ad blocking, and the ability to connect to Surfshark‘s own private DNS and WebRTC leak protection.
With unlimited device connections, Surfshark is perfect for securing mobile gaming and consoles in addition to your PC and laptops.
4. IPVanish – Optimized Servers
IPVanish operates a fast network that‘s ideal for gamers who want a reliable and secure experience. They own and manage their own servers, which are optimized for high speeds and minimal latency.
I recorded some of the best speeds across their 70+ country and 1,600+ server network. This allows almost lag-free connections while gaming. IPVanish also permits P2P file-sharing if you want to torrent game files and media.
Their apps make it easy to switch locations on the fly if you experience any lag or connection issues. IPVanish uses AES-256 encryption plus protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Their Scramble feature obscures VPN traffic to defeat throttling by your ISP.
With servers optimized for gaming and P2P torrenting allowed, IPVanish is a fast and secure option.
5. CyberGhost – Easy-to-Use Apps
CyberGhost operates one of the largest VPN networks with over 7,400 servers in 90 countries. Their easy-to-use apps and gaming-friendly speeds land them on our list.
CyberGhost helpfully labels servers by categories like gaming, streaming, torrenting, and more – making it easy to pick an optimal location. I recorded fast speeds without buffering or lag when connected.
They allow up to 7 devices to be connected simultaneously. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, consoles, smart TVs, and routers. CyberGhost uses military-grade AES-256 encryption plus protocols like IKEv2 and WireGuard.
With dedicated streaming profiles that can be useful when playing online games, CyberGhost is an easy to use option for securing your gameplay.
6. Private Internet Access (PIA) – Port Forwarding
PIA enables 10 simultaneous connections with fast speeds across their 10,000+ servers in 78 countries – making it great for connecting multiple gaming PCs and consoles.
They have a Port Forwarding feature handy for gaming that can help establish incoming connections between you and game servers. PIA also offers SOCKS5 proxy support if you need that for specific games.
PIA allows P2P file-sharing in case you want to torrent game files. They own their VPN server network and provide AES-256 encryption with OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols.
With P2P torrenting allowed and port forwarding available, PIA offers a fast and versatile choice for gaming.
7. VyprVPN – Fast WireGuard Servers
VyprVPN operates a blazing-fast global network with their custom Chameleon protocol and the latest WireGuard servers. Connecting to their 70+ worldwide locations significantly reduced lag and latency in my gaming sessions.
They offer handy features for security like their NAT firewall add-on that blocks unsolicited inbound traffic, protecting you from exploits while gaming. Apps are available for all major platforms – with connection guides for manually setting up gaming consoles.
VyprVPN doesn‘t log user activity and uses strong 256-bit AES encryption. They own and manage their servers for fast speeds and allow P2P activity.
VyprVPN delivers excellent speeds for gaming using WireGuard and Chameleon protocols. Their NAT firewall adds an extra layer of gaming security.
How to Pick the Right VPN Server Location
Choosing the closest VPN server location to your actual location or game servers will provide the fastest speeds. Manually selecting servers near gaming hubs like New York, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Frankfurt is a good start.
I recommend always starting by connecting to your closest country when looking for the fastest speeds. If lag or rubber banding persists, experiment with switching to different server locations to optimize connectivity.
Gaming VPNs that allow unlimited switching between locations make it easy to find the fastest routes. Write down servers that provide the best performance so you can quickly connect to them again.
Setting Up Your Gaming VPN
Most leading VPNs offer dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android – making it easy to secure desktops, laptops, phones, and tablets.
Manually configuring VPNs on gaming consoles like Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and others involves a few more steps but boosts your overall security.
I recommend installing your VPN on your router if possible, which provides protection for all WiFi connected devices in your home without having to configure each one.
Handy VPN browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox let you quickly route web traffic through your VPN but exclude the game you have open.
No matter how you connect, be sure to enable options like Kill Switch and IPv6/DNS leak protection to prevent any lapses in security while gaming.
Security Tips for Gaming VPNs
To ensure complete protection while gaming online, keep these additional security tips in mind:
- Use a VPN kill switch to guarantee no IP or DNS leaks if your VPN connection drops
- Enable IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection in your VPN apps
- Never connect to public WiFi without first connecting to your VPN
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all gaming accounts
- Beware of phishing scams and don‘t click suspicious links that can steal account credentials
- Regularly update your operating system, VPN, and games to patch any security holes
The right gaming VPN will encrypt all internet traffic, mask your IP, and prevent ISP throttling – delivering smooth, uninterrupted online gameplay. But combining your VPN with secure connections and smart browsing habits results in all-around protection.
Conclusion
A fast, secure VPN optimized for gaming can significantly improve your overall online experience. Reduced lag and geo-restrictions along with protection from DDoS and hacking attempts let you game carefree.
I recommend ExpressVPN as the best overall choice with proven fast speeds, media unblocking, and easy-to-use apps. NordVPN and Surfshark also provide excellent gaming performance and security.
Take advantage of free trials and money-back guarantees offered by most VPNs to test gaming performance before committing. The small monthly cost of a top VPN service like ExpressVPN or NordVPN is well worth an enjoyable, interruption-free gaming experience.
Game on!
