Best VPN For Gaming Of 2024
Editorial Note: This content has been independently collected by the Forbes Advisor team and is offered on a non-advised basis. This content is not part of the comparison service provided by RunPath Regulatory Services. Forbes Advisor may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
With the ever-growing cyberattacks from hackers and opponents looking to ruin your game and ISPs throttling your network and keeping you from winning or even kicking you out of your favorite games, you need the best VPN for gaming to shield you.
Virtual private networks (VPNs) route your internet traffic through secure servers. They also allow you to connect to servers in foreign locations, virtually changing your location and enabling access to banned games or early releases. However, only a few VPNs cater to gamers’ speed, security and geo-unblocking needs. We took a deep look at the current market to determine the best gaming VPNs and how to choose one for you.
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 329.07 ($3.99) + 3 months free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
5,000+
2
Surfshark
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 197.29 + one month free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
3,200+
3
Private Internet Access
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 158.89
No. of Devices
Unlimited
No. of Servers
30,000+
The Best Gaming VPN of 2024
- Proton VPN: Best for ease of use
- Surfshark VPN: Best for long-term commitment
- VPN Unlimited: Best for lifetime access
- CyberGhost VPN: Best for dedicated gaming servers
- NordVPN: Best for solid protection
BEST FOR EASE OF USE
Proton VPN
Starting price
Free
INR 414.74 ($4.99) per month (two years)
Simultaneous connections
Ten
Servers
2,979-plus in 68 countries
Starting price
Free
INR 414.74 ($4.99) per month (two years)
Simultaneous connections
Ten
Servers
2,979-plus in 68 countries
Proton VPN hides user identity from internet service providers (ISPs) and other prying parties. For instance, it helps you avoid the usual throttling from ISPs when gaming. Also, the VPN doesn’t impose data limits, allowing you to play as many games as you want on up to 10 devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Proton VPN combines lightweight VPN protocols with solid encryption features to provide good speed and protect you from attacks when gaming. When we tested Proton, we only saw an 11% decrease in the original internet speed. The pings were low, too—the upload latency was 49 ms, while the download latency improved to 19 ms from 29 ms. And when we tried gaming with the VPN Accelerator, the speed increased.
Proton VPN is also easy to navigate and use. Installing it on a Mac device took less than five minutes, and features including Quick Connect, Smart Rules, Split Tunneling and Kill Switch connect you quicker to fast servers and keep you safe. Plus, it enables customization, so you won’t need to keep setting up the VPN each time you want to use it. You can even set multiple profiles for different games. Proton VPN also has setup guides for all gaming devices and offers multichannel support.
Learn more: Read our full Proton VPN review.
Who should use it:
Proton VPN is suitable for first-time VPN users and those looking for a VPN that is easy to use and enables customization.
- Military-grade servers
- VPN Accelerator
- Free version available
- Frequent promos for new users
- Customizable and easy to use
- 24/7 support
- No dedicated IP server add-on
- No Smart DNS for streaming on gaming consoles
- Requires higher-tier subscription for reliable speeds
BEST FOR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT
Surfshark
Starting price
INR 183.68 ($2.21)
per month (two years)
Simultaneous connections
Unlimited
Servers
3,200 in 100 countries
Starting price
INR 183.68 ($2.21)
per month (two years)
Simultaneous connections
Unlimited
Servers
3,200 in 100 countries
While VPNs tend to slow down internet connections, Surfshark VPN uses fast protocols such as WireGuard to help you retain up to 90% of your internet speed. Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, giving us an average download speed of 228 Mbps and upload speed of 35 Mbps, where the original speed was 53 Mbps. It even lowered pings from 107 ms to 37 ms. And that’s without sacrificing protection—Surfshark VPN hides your IP and protects users from DDoS attacks.
Even if you’re new to VPNs, you’ll find it easy to navigate this user interface, with its multiple installation guides, alongside its 24/7 customer support. Surfshark offers features such as the automatic kill switch that disables your internet connection if the VPN drops. We also loved its Quick-Connect feature that connects you to the fastest available server whenever you turn on the VPN. Also, you can connect to as many devices as you want and even connect to a router if you want one VPN connection to protect all your gaming devices.
Surfshark VPN works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and it works well on gaming devices including PS4 and PS5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch so that you can play Warzone 2.0 and the like without lags. We realize that you can play games even on restrictive networks with Camouflage enabled. Also, Surfshark’s NoBorders Mode allows you to game from heavily censored regions.
Surfshark is available in 100 countries, allowing you to choose servers from several locations and unblock their gaming content. Then, Surfshark launched dedicated IP addresses , enabling gaming from a fixed IP free of overcrowding and keeping you safe, especially when accessing IP-sensitive gaming portals.
Learn more: Read our full Surfshark VPN review.
Who should use it:
Surfshark is suitable for anyone who needs a VPN that guarantees protection and enables access to restricted games without costing much, especially on long-term subscriptions.
- Geographically distributed servers
- Top ping performance
- Impressive speed
- Affordable pricing
- Simple and easy to use
- Multi-hop and split tunneling tools
- Strict no-logs policy
- No free version
- Seven-day free trial excludes Windows
- Its month-to-month plan is quite pricey
BEST FOR LIFETIME ACCESS
VPN Unlimited
Starting price
INR 415.57 ($5)
per month (one year)
Simultaneous connections
Five
Servers
3,000 in 80-plus locations
Starting price
INR 415.57 ($5)
per month (one year)
Simultaneous connections
Five
Servers
3,000 in 80-plus locations
KeepSolid, popularly called VPN Unlimited, is one of the best gaming VPNs. It combines hack-proof AES-256 encryption with Camellia 256-bit and ChaCha20Poly1305 protocols, IKEv2 connections and a zero-log policy to protect you from third-party interference, which hinders a smooth gaming experience and exposes you to cyber threats. This VPN also helps you get around IP bans, giving you access to unavailable games in your country, especially the new ones. You’ll thus enjoy PSN exclusives, Xbox Live, MMOs and the rest, regardless of location.
The VPN works well with macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android devices. While VPN Unlimited typically enables five connections on one account, when we connected to a router, we were able to add more devices on one charge. You can play Minecraft, Counter-Strike, Dota 2, League of Legends and more exciting games on your Xbox, Nintendo Switch and others.
Regarding speed, VPN Unlimited also performed well, thanks to features such as the Optimal server that picks the best possible server. That way, you’ll enjoy lower pings. The average we saw was 81 ms. We also realized that paying a little extra for a personal VPN server will give you even more performance when gaming. So, consider paying for the dedicated IP option.
Test VPN Unlimited’s features with its seven-day free trial or 30-day money-back guarantee. This VPN also offers a lifetime subscription for $99.99.
Who should use it:
KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is a suitable VPN option for those who want to secure their privacy and enjoy smooth gaming with a single payment.
- Lifetime subscription offerings
- Seven-day free trial
- 24/7 support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Zero-logs policy
- User-friendly interface
- Multifactor authentication
- Dedicated IPs are available only in four countries
- Kill switch isn’t available on all devices
- Quite pricey
- New devices require registration
BEST FOR DEDICATED GAMING SERVERS
CyberGhost VPN
Starting price
INR 182.02 ($2.19)
per month (first two years)
Simultaneous connections
Seven
Server locations
9,672 servers in 91 countries
Starting price
INR 182.02 ($2.19)
per month (first two years)
Simultaneous connections
Seven
Server locations
9,672 servers in 91 countries
CyberGhost VPN masks your IP address so no one monitors your gaming activities, throttles your speed or intercepts your traffic or device to steal your data or attack you with DDoS. The VPN protects you, especially when gaming through unprotected internet connections. This VPN’s built-in leak protection features and its 256-bit encryption make sure of that. CyberGhost’s VPN servers also bypass IP bans, allowing you to access region-specific games including Call of Duty and PUBG.
CyberGhost VPN has native Android, iOS, Windows and macOS apps, allowing you to connect to seven devices on one account. To connect unlimited devices simultaneously, install CyberGhost on your router. The router installation also lets you play games on gaming consoles including Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. CyberGhost VPN also enables a Smart DNS connection, which gives you a smooth gaming experience.
We found this VPN capable of maintaining decent speed and performance. While your results depend on your chosen server and location, they are decent enough to play games on Valorant, Minecraft, Warzone, Fortnite, Apex Legends and others. For instance, the average download speed we got was 299 Mbps, while the upload speed reduced only by 20%.
Using the VPN even reduced upload pings from 88 ms to 24 ms. That’s one of the best we’ve seen connected to VPNs. CyberGhost’s Windows VPN app also has gaming-optimized servers, in places such as NewYork, London, Paris and Frankfurt, to give you the lowest possible latency. You can also set smart rules for your VPN. For example, it can come on whenever it detects a distrusted Wi-Fi or connect to a server when you launch specific games.
CyberGhost’s dedicated IP add-on also gives you an exclusive address, so you don’t have to share IP addresses with other gamers. That will provide you with more speed.
Learn more: Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.
Who should use it:
If you’re looking for a VPN with specific features, such as dedicated gaming servers, which can improve your gaming experience, we recommend CyberGhost VPN.
- Dedicated IP add-on
- Specialized gaming servers
- Well-distributed servers
- Multiple available add-ons
- Recently completed third-party audit
- Seven-day free trial is available for iOS users
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Interface can be better
- Mac and iOS devices lack some features
- Dedicated IPs are pricey
- Limited one-day free trial for Windows and macOS users
BEST FOR SECURITY FUNCTIONALITY
NordVPN
Starting price
INR 315.00 ($3.79)
per month (first two years)
Simultaneous connections
Six
Servers
5,800-plus servers in 60 countries
Starting price
INR 315.00 ($3.79)
per month (first two years)
Simultaneous connections
Six
Servers
5,800-plus servers in 60 countries
NordVPN packs gaming VPN features including split tunneling, multi-hop connections and Meshnet, Nord’s newest VPN feature, which allows you to create virtual networks for file sharing and gaming with friends from all over. It also offers fast internet speed and a stable connection through robust protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2 and its WireGuard protocol, NordLynx protocol, which is lightweight to give users a smooth gaming experience. When we tested it, its speed averaged 282 Mbps. Also, it reduced download latency by 31% and upload latency by 22%, with the upload latency being 38 ms, one of the lowest we’ve seen when using VPN for gaming.
Thanks to security features such as the Kill Switch, Dark Web Monitor and Threat Protection, Nord also provides strong protection for your gaming devices, preventing attackers from locking you out of games or stealing your data. The VPN is compatible with macOS, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS and works perfectly on gaming consoles, including Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PS5, Oculus Quest and Sony PlayStation. NordVPN allows you to connect to six devices simultaneously on one account, but connecting it to a router allowed us to connect to unlimited devices. You can even get wireless routers that have NordVPN preinstalled.
Learn more: Read our full NordVPN review.
Who should use it:
NordVPN is suitable for VPN users who seek robust protection necessary for uninterrupted gaming and don’t want to sacrifice speed for privacy.
- Decent ping performance
- Traffic routing and file-sharing with Meshnet
- Built-in ad blocking and antivirus tools
- Specialized P2P servers for torrenting
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Apps require lots of updating
- No free version
- No split tunneling for desktop VPN users
Forbes Advisor Ratings
How To Choose the Best VPN for Gaming
To choose the best VPN for gaming, evaluate factors including speed, performance, server strength and cost.
Essential Features
When it comes to gaming, look out for these features. They are the ones that can get you the excellent gaming experience you seek.
- Strong security: Choose a VPN with robust encryption protocols and advanced security features, which can protect your data from theft, hide your activities from prying governments and ISPs and shield your gaming sessions from potential DDoS attacks.
- Multi-device compatibility: Go for a VPN that has native apps for your gaming devices or at least enables VPN installation. Choose a VPN with Smart DNS or router compatibility for gaming consoles or other devices that ban VPN connections. And if multiple gamers are in your home, choose a gaming VPN that enables simultaneous connections, natively or via router installation.
- Geo-unblocking support: If you want to access restricted games, consider choosing a VPN that allows you to spoof locations and does well to grant you access to blocked content in other regions.
- Extensive server network: You need a vast server network to access more geo-restricted content and play against gamers worldwide. Also, when a VPN has several servers, finding less crowded servers and lower latency is easier. So, choose a VPN with many servers spread across many locations, especially where you want to game from.
- Risk-free money-back guarantee: With this VPN offering, you can explore a VPN’s premium features by trying out different games on multiple devices without losing your money if the VPN doesn’t turn out as expected.
- Reliable customer support: It’s necessary to have a standby support team that can help you solve issues, especially in the heat of battle. Even if a VPN doesn’t offer 24/7 support that makes it possible to reach them from any time zone, ensure there are troubleshooting guides or an active VPN user community to turn to if you encounter an obstacle gaming with a VPN.
Cost
Choose a VPN that offers good value for your money. Consider the initial costs for new VPN users, ongoing discounts, the features you’ll get from each subscription and the cost of necessary add-ons to determine if they suit your budget or are the best for your needs.
Speed and Performance
For a smooth gaming experience that includes quick game downloads and minimal lags, you’re better off with a VPN that offers fast connections, minimal latency and stable performance. Choose a VPN that uses fast protocols such as WireGuard and allows you to switch between protocols since several protocols are available. Such a VPN will give you reliable speed and won’t interrupt your gaming sessions.
Ease of Use
You need a VPN that can seamlessly integrate with your gaming setup. So, choose one that is compatible with your gaming devices, enables quick installation and is easy to navigate.
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 329.07 ($3.99) + 3 months free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
5,000+
2
Surfshark
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 197.29 + one month free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
3,200+
3
Private Internet Access
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 158.89
No. of Devices
Unlimited
No. of Servers
30,000+
Methodology
Our team tested 20 VPNs and scored them on seven primary factors. We considered each VPN’s compatibility with gaming devices, such as desktops and consoles. Then, we examined their speed, performance, unblocking capability and how well they secure gaming privacy.
We also considered their costs, ease of use, simultaneous connections allowed, customer support and experts’ opinions about them. We then weighted these metrics to score each gaming VPN.
Here’s how we determined the best VPN for gamers.
- General Features (10%): To enjoy smooth gaming on any platform without sacrificing your privacy, we tested the gaming VPNs on our list. We made sure they offered features such as anonymous browsing and geo-unblocking. We tested them for IP leaks and discovered their strong DNS protection measures. VPNs with features such as a dedicated IP address, kill switch, split tunneling and multifactor authentications made it to the top since they improve your privacy and overall gaming experience. Each VPN’s general features account for 10% of its total score.
- Additional Features (10%): We also ensured that the VPNs that made it to our list provide users with features that make it easy to game. We evaluated the geographical spread of their servers, how many simultaneous connections they allow and the availability of browser extensions. The team also considered how strict their no-log policy is and whether or not trusted audit companies verify their privacy claims. We also considered how well they support their users, checking for round-the-clock or live-chat availability and whether or not they provide phone support or have a helpful knowledge base. These factors account for 10% of the total weighted score.
- Speed (50%): We tested these VPNs with several video games, which required optimum speed, and we determined that they’re the best VPNs for gaming since they offered us impressive average download and upload speeds, as high as 299 Mbps. We even saw these VPNs reduce pings. Also, the VPNs support P2P file sharing. Then, they offer personal static IP or dedicated IP addresses and, sometimes, dedicated gaming servers and VPN accelerators to provide users with excellent gaming experiences. VPN speeds contribute 50% to Forbes Advisor’s total scoring.
- Pricing and Fees (10%): For pricing, we examined each VPN’s pricing plans and the discounts available for new users and those willing to commit to longer terms. We also considered the cost of add-ons such as Dedicated IPs. Next, we compared the availability of a free trial, free version or money-back guarantee, which allows users to explore a VPN before buying it. This factor accounted for 10% of our weighted scoring.
- Reviews and Ratings (10%): To get an accurate picture of these VPNs, we also considered the experiences of other individuals who use the VPNs for gaming. We turned to trusted third-party review sites including Trustpilot, G2 and Capterra to evaluate their user experiences. This aspect contributes 10% to the total score.
- Expert Score (10%): Apart from testing these VPNs to gain firsthand experience of what gaming with them feels like, we interviewed cybersecurity professionals to tell us what to look out for in gaming VPNs. We examined their recommendations and considered factors including standout features, ease of use, popularity and value for money, which these VPNs provide. Altogether, the expert analysis forms 10%.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
