VPN has garnered a huge market space because of its nature and features of service on offer, powered by some of the latest networking tech available and accessible today. The primary reason behind using VPNs is to maintain anonymity over the internet and protect your IP address. It will also encrypt your IP address with the latest encryption technology.
On the other hand, the best VPNs for gaming also allow users to access geo-blocked content and connect with players throughout the world. Although VPNs can increase your ping and latency, connecting with different servers can give you less ping.
With online multiplayer gaming bursting at its seams, VPN service providers are clamoring around to expand their infrastructure and provide the necessary services. Casual and pro gamers alike prefer using VPNs to gain access into the gaming community without undermining their security.
Is VPN Good for Gaming?
When considering gaming, a VPN can come in handy for a variety of reasons. The predominant feature is allowing users to overcome geo-blocking, a technology that restricts internet access based on the geographical location of the user. Overcoming this barrier alone enables users to explore a large specter of MMOs, massively multiplayer online games.
VPNs can also help you save money as they will allow you to explore deals in other parts of the world or while buying a game that’s blocked in your locality. Sometimes a game can take a long time to find players within your region. Using a VPN can offer a simple way of matchmaking with players from around the globe, thus countering the inactivity of players in your region.
Following up on the same, VPN can also help overcome the possible lack of servers in your region. But apart from the benefits and features of using a VPN, it also offers several security benefits. These benefits are not limited to online anonymity but also include protection from several cyber frauds. DDoS attacks once started, cannot be stopped.
The only solution is prevention. Using a VPN offers a better way of protecting your data, IP address, and identity. Your internet activity is channeled through an encrypted pathway to an external server. Doing this hides your IP address from any third-party aiming to get it.
These methods are the best ways of preventing DDoS attacks.
Does VPN affect gaming?
Internet Service Providers can regularly throttle gaming connections that use too much bandwidth, and online multiplayer gaming is dependent on bandwidth. Using a VPN service can practically block your service provider from accessing your online activities. In simple words, it restricts your Internet service provider from bottling your connections, thus allowing a smoother gaming experience.
While protecting you from attacks and cyber fraud, VPN services will increase your ping. In online gaming Ping is King! A ping of over 150 milliseconds is bad, as it enforces input lags, especially while playing online multiplayer games. Ping of 20-30 ms or lower is best, while 30-50 ms is considered enough for online gaming. Higher pings can also cause higher latency leading to brief disconnections.
Check this out to get a more detailed idea of the impact of VPN on ping.
Even while selecting the best VPN for gaming, there remains a question in the user’s mind regarding free services. But nothing is literally free in the modern business-oriented world, free services will cost you in terms of data monetization, forced advertisements, or slow bandwidth.
It is advisable to stay away from free gaming VPN providers, as their limited bandwidth service can hamper your online gaming experience. That said, we have listed a few free VPNs for gaming down below in case it’s your first time using one!
7 Best VPN for Gaming: Reviewed and Ranked
With online gaming becoming popular every day, the threat of cyber-attacks and data collection also looms large. These situations make a natural demand for VPNs in online gaming. As the DDoS attacks have also become more consistent, players have released guidelines for using a VPN while playing online games. Let’s jump right into the best VPNs for gaming.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is rated as the fastest VPN in the industry. It is revered among gamers for its state-of-the-art encryptions and high security. The speed test offered by ExpressVPN will enable you to identify the speeds and pings provided by servers in different locations, making it easier for users to identify the best gaming server for them.
With over 3000 servers covering 94 countries to date, it offers a far wider coverage as compared to any other competitor. It also offers split tunneling which enables users to access foreign movies and websites that are banned in their regions. Express also lives up to its name and provides some of the lowest levels of latency and pings, making online gaming a smooth experience. This is arguably the best VPN for online games if budget is not a concern!
Technical Specifications
Number of Servers: 3100 + | Server Locations: 160 | Countries: 94 | Maximum Devices Supported: 7 | Encryption: 256 – bit AES encryption | Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Plans and Subscriptions:
- 1-year plans for $8.32 per month, billed at $99.95 every 12 months.
- 6-month plan for $9.99 per month, billed at $59.95 every 6 months.
- 1-month plan for $12.95 per month.
Pros:
- Service available in a large number of countries
- Security and Encryption
Cons:
- Higher pricing
- Limited Configurations
- Lack of calling support
2. CyberGhost
Cyberghost has been in the VPN business for the last 10 years offering services in over 90 countries. With its array of server locations and area coverage, CyberGhost becomes one of the best VPN services for gamers.
With a no-logs policy, above industry-standards encryption, up-to-date security protocols, and support for 7 devices with a single subscription, CyberGhost services are budget-friendly. It offers plans in different segments, from one-month to different yearly plans. CyberGhost, a must-try service, comes with a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee as well.
Technical Specifications
Number of Servers: 7000 + | Server Locations: 90 + | Maximum Devices Supported: up to 7 | Encryption: 256 – bit AES encryption | Money Back Guarantee: 45 days
Plans and Subscriptions:
- 3-year plan for $2.75 per month, billed at $99 every 36 months.
- 2-year plan for $3.69 per month, billed at $88.56 every 2 years.
- 1-year plan for $5.99 per month, billed at $71.88 every year.
- 1-month plan for $12.99 per month.
Pros:
- Pocket Friendly
- Forced HTTPS
Cons:
- Some servers have very high ping, not suitable for online gaming
- Lack of server comparison and suggestions tool
3. IPVanish
For any VPN for gaming, two of the most important deliverables are server locations and the pings or latency on the servers. With over 1600 servers spread across 75 different countries, IPVanish does just that, offering a great space for gamers to explore.
IPVanish supports up to 10 different devices per subscription. It also comes with an additional feature called kill switch, which disconnects your internet connection assuring complete anonymity in case of unavailable VPN service. You get an in-built ad-blocker ensuring anonymity along with zero disturbance of online advertisements. These features are why IPVanish is rated as one of the best VPNs for online games on a budget. This is a popular VPN service provider in the US-Canada web-sphere.
Technical Specifications
Number of Servers: 1600+ | Server Locations: 75+ | Maximum Devices Supported: up to 10 | Encryption: 256 – bit AES encryption | Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Plans and Subscriptions:
- 1-year plans for $2.92 per month, billed at $34.99 for the first year.
- 3-month plan for $4.04 per month, billed at $12.11 for the first three months.
- 1-month plan for $4.49 per month.
Pros:
- Use their own infrastructure
- Support for multiple platforms, including smartphones
Cons:
- Logging controversy
- Unusual server locations
4. SurfShark
SurfShark is a prominent name in the growing VPN market and it’s coming up as a standalone VPN for gaming too. 3200 servers spread over 60+ server locations, it is giving the big guns a hard time with aggressive pricing and a few other features that are just too hard to resist.
Surfshark subscription allows you usage with unlimited devices and an adblocker service as well. It’s highly secure so including IPv6 cloaking, vital to avoid giving away your IP to the latest websites around. Plus, Surfshark works on DoubleVPN, i.e., your internet traffic passes through not one but 2 servers, essentially guaranteeing anonymity. Don’t worry about speed though. This is one of the fastest gaming VPNs around, especially for US users.
Technical Specifications
Number of Servers: 3200 | Server Locations: 65 | Maximum Devices Supported: Unlimited | Encryption: 256 – bit AES encryption | Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Plans and Subscriptions:
- 2-year plans for $2.21 per month with 3 months extra service, billed at $59.76 after 27 months.
- 6-month plan for $6.49 per month, billed at $38.94 every 6 months.
- 1-month plan for $12.95 per month.
Pros:
- No logging policy
- Unlimited device usage
- Enhanced security protocols
Cons:
- Limited P2P servers
- The nearest servers aren’t always the fastestÂ
5. NordVPN
While NordVPN offers its services at much lower rates, don’t mistake it for a cheaper service. It has advanced security features providing complete protection even from DDoS attacks. With a global network of over 5000 servers offering a wider-area coverage for gamers. It also offers security coverage to six devices with a single subscription plan.
The best aspect of using NordVPN is its location in Panama, which is excluded from the 5 Eyes and 14 Eyes surveillance alliances. Its location makes your data completely safe and protected even from government agencies. NordVPN allows for an absolute gaming experience and online anonymity. It is an excellent choice for both gamers and non-gamers.
Technical Specifications
Number of Servers: 5400+ | Server Locations: 65 | Maximum Devices Supported: up to 6 | Encryption: 256 – bit AES encryption | Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Plans and Subscriptions:
- 2-year plans for $3.71 per month, billed at $89 every 24 months.
- 12-month plan for $4.92 per month, billed at $59 annually.
- 1-month plan for $11.95 per month.Â
Pros:
- Double VPN
- Over 5000 server locations
- Value for Money
Cons:
- Unfriendly OpenVPN configuration
- Lacks torrent support on worldwide servers
6. Windscribe
Windscribe not only provides no data logging policy but also a kill switch, split tunneling, and other features, including providing access to geo-blocked content and games. It is a new service, but its outreach spread over 65 countries from nearly 500 servers makes this the best upcoming gaming VPN provider, much talked about in the gaming community.
You will get the basics, including a no logging policy, 256-bit AES encryption, torrenting and P2P availability on the majority of servers, etc. They even offer free service for up to 10GB/ month of data, perfectly tailored for gamers to check out. Pro Services from the VPN unblocks Netflix and a few other geo-blocked streaming apps and content. Performance is at par with industry standards. You will get to enjoy minimal lag on most US and Canada-based servers.
Technical Specifications
Number of Servers: 500+ | Server Locations: 63 | Encryption: 256 – bit AES encryption| Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Plans and Subscriptions:
- Yearly plans at $ 4.08 per month, billed at $49 annually.
- Monthly plans at $9.00 per month.
Pros:
- Encryption features
- No DNS leaks
- Allows Torrenting
Cons:
- Canadian location makes data accessible to alliance countries like U.S and U.K
7. VyprVPN
Vyper VPN is owned by a much-voiced Switzerland-based company, Golden frogs, which has been an integral player in the fight for online privacy since the inception of the internet. One of the notable aspects of this VPN service is its service coverage in China. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with a free seven-day trial period as well.
VyprVPN applications are among the best in terms of user-friendliness and are compatible with all leading operating systems. With zero DNS leaks and a no-log policy, Vypr VPN is one of the best VPNs for online games. Their fast server packs will enable users to easily connect to servers with the lowest pings and latency specifically suited for gaming.
Technical Specifications
Server Locations: 73 | Maximum Devices Supported: 5 | Encryption: 256 – bit AES encryption | Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Plans and Subscriptions:
- 3-year plans for $1.66 per month, billed at $60 every 36 months.
- 12-month plan for $3.75 per month, billed at $45 annually.
- 1-month plan for $12.95 per month.
Pros:
- Own servers
- 24*7 customer support
- Consistently fast speeds
Cons:
- Limited options on iOS and Android devices
- Proxy issues
What VPN Do Pro Gamers Use?
Pro-gamers use the VPN services offering the lowest ping and latency in their respective locations. There are several comparison tools available through which you can estimate the service best suitable for you.
Test your network ping here. Use different servers to find out which one delivers on the lowest. Contrary to popular belief, your closest servers may not be the best choice. Often, servers with less traffic can deliver on lower latency instead.
As a general thumb rule, the VPN services with a wider-location coverage will provide the lowest ping. So, look for a high server count and widespread coverage.Â
Which VPN Is Good for PUBG?
After the ban on PUBG by multiple countries because of flaunting the data localization requests, VPNs have provided unrestricted access to this multiplayer game. Service providers like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have been the best choice of players for playing PUBG. If you’re looking for the best free VPN for PUBG Mobile, check out NordVPN. You can also try out Turbo VPN, rated as one of the best free VPNs for gaming today.
Conclusion
Virtual Private Networks have replaced the need for different security software and provided users with anonymity over internet presence. Their ability to provide umbrella protection using encryption has given users the confidence to participate in online events. You can use VPN for any online activity including, gaming, and browsing to secure your IP address and even prevent DDoS attacks, giving a much-needed peace of mind in this fast-action online world.
These are the best VPNs for gaming available today, ranked and reviewed based on the services provided and a lot more. Go ahead with a trial period and find out which one delivers on security and enough speed for a lag-free online multiplayer gaming experience.
