The gaming industry is growing really fast. After game streamers gained massive popularity, many people are now entering into gaming. For a good gaming experience, we all need a good PC and a good internet connection. Gamers mainly need a stable and secure connection. For a secure connection, VPN software is important. Some VPNs also let you spoof your location. VPNs offer benefits like reduced latency, protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, and access to geo-restricted content/ So, VPNs help you play games that are blocked in your country or network. For example, your college has fast broadband in the hostel but has blocked access to Fortnite. You can keep playing Fortnite by using a good VPN. This is the reason several gamers use VPNs while gaming. But VPN can make your game laggy and some games even block players using VPN. So, it is really important to select the right VPN for gaming. In this article, I am listing some of the best gaming VPNs you can try. All these VPNs offer a limited free tier but it is recommended to get the Paid plan because gaming requires a lot of data.
What should you look for in a VPN for gaming
For online gaming, a stable internet connection is really important. If you suffer packet loss or high ping, your gaming experience will be bad. If the VPN isn’t offering a stable connection, you will surely suffer. So, you need to select the VPN offering a stable connection. The VPN should also offer a fast connection. When we play a multiplayer game, it sends and receives a large amount of data. So, a fast VPN is recommended. If the VPN isn’t offering a secure connection, there is no point in using it. Security is equally important in gaming. ISPs sometimes slow down gaming traffic. So, the VPN must prevent this. It should also prevent targeted attacks that disrupt gameplay. If you play games on gaming consoles, you need to check for router compatibility.
Why You Should Use a VPN for Gaming?
When you are playing an online game, it may leak your IP address. A malicious gamer can then perform a DDoS attack on your IP to take down your network and prevent you from gaming. VPN can protect you from DDoS attacks. Another reason for using a VPN for gaming is low ping and latency. In many cases, VPNs offer lower PING and latency by offering a connection from a VPN server that is closer to the game server.
If a game is not yet available in your country, you can use VPN to spoof your location and get access to the game.
Factors to consider while Choosing a Gaming VPN
While the above VPNs offer excellent services, it’s essential to consider the following factors based on recent data:
- Speed Reduction: On average, using a VPN can reduce internet speed by 20-30%, depending on the provider and server location.
- Device Compatibility: Ensure the VPN supports your gaming platforms, including consoles, PCs, and mobile devices.
- Server Proximity: Connecting to servers closer to your location can minimize latency.
- Security Features: Look for VPNs offering robust encryption, no-logs policies, and protection against DDoS attacks.
Best VPN for gaming
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gaming. It offers powerful protection and protects you from DDoS attacks. You get unlimited and premium bandwidth with a stable connection. Servers are located across 94 countries. If your ISP slows down your internet, ExpressVPN also prevents this. ExPressVPN supports most platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, tablet, or phone. So, all of the gaming platforms are covered. If a game is not available in your country, you can still play it using ExpressVPN
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web Browsers & compatible routers.
- Encryption Standards: OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, SSTP, PPTP
- Live Chat Support: Yes
- No activity logs & no connection logs
- 94 countries, 3,000+ servers
2. CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN is also a good one for gaming. It has been optimized for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms to ensure a good gaming experience. The VPN lets you enjoy good gaming while being safe online. The VPN also protects you against DDoS attacks and lets you unlock games that are not available in your country. The company has over 7500 VPN servers spread out across 91 countries and 112 server locations to ensure you connect to a server that’s closer to the game server.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome OS, Routers, Raspberry Pi, Amazon FireOS
- Strict no-logs policy
- Encryption: 256-bit AES; OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP, IPsec
- Live Chat Support
- Number of Servers: 91 countries, 7500+ servers
3. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is also a good gaming VPN. This VPN also claims that you can play all the games that are not available in your country. It also prevents Internet throttling by IPS, so you can enjoy gaming at its best. PrivateVPN offers an encrypted connection and also has a Kill switch. Install the PrivateVPN on your router and it will work on any gaming device that is connected to that router. The company is based in Sweden and has servers located across 57 countries. It also offers proper support to help you if you are facing any issues with the VPN service.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Routers
- Encryption Standards: AES-256; OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), L2TP, IPSec, IKEv2
- Live Chat Support: Yes
- No logs, whatsoever
- Number of servers: 57 countries, 80+ servers
4. NordVPN
NordVPN is also one of the most popular VPN providers. I have already recommended NordVPN in several articles. This VPN service has more than 5000 servers located across 60 different countries. You get good performance and a stable connection. The service offers hundreds of low-latency servers that make it good for gaming. You can also order a dedicated IP address for running your own game server.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web Browsers & compatible routers.
- Encryption Standards: AES-256; OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec.
- Live Chat Support: Yes
- No logs, whatsoever
- 60 countries: 5,200+ servers.
5. Surfshark
Surfshark is known for budget offerings but still offers a good experince. Surfshark has no connection limit and offers a 256-bit AES encrypted connection. You can access geo-clocked gamers as well and connect as many devices as you want. This VPN also prevents ISP data throttling and protects you from DDoS attacks. It has also been optimized for Xbox and PlayStation. The company has thousands of servers located across 65 countries to offer reliable, stable, and fast connections.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire OS, Linux, Apple TV, Routers
- Encryption Standards: AES-256; OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), L2TP, IPSec, IKEv2
- Live Chat Support: Yes
- No logs, whatsoever
- Number of servers: 3200+ servers in 65 countries
Wrap Up
Selecting the right VPN can significantly enhance your gaming experience by providing faster connections, access to a broader range of games, and improved security. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the best choices for speed and security, while Surfshark and PrivateVPN are excellent budget options. I have already explained all the key features of listed gaming VPNs. Read and compare their features to find out what VPN is good for your gaming needs.
