The Best VPNs for Gaming in 2025

NordVPN is the best VPN for gaming I found in my testing and review. Its proprietary VPN protocol, NordLynx, is designed with speed in mind and I was able to play games including League of Legends with low latency. A noteworthy feature is Meshnet for creating secure private networks for LAN gaming with friends. NordVPN’s growing server network stands at 7,000+ servers in 111 countries so bypassing blocks is no problem. It’s for these reasons that it’s also one of our favorite VPNs for streaming too.

The security provided by NordVPN is such that you don’t have to worry about a sore loser targeting you with a DDoS attack. NordVPN’s 256-bit AES encryption hides your IP address from view and also protects you from DNS and IP leaks. NordVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, but you can bypass this limit by installing it on a compatible router. This allows you to secure all connected devices, including your PlayStation or Xbox console.

CyberGhost no longer discloses its server count, but has always had one of the largest networks, covering 100 countries so you can choose a server closer to home for reduced latency. What makes CyberGhost one of the best VPNs for gaming, as I’ve found in my review, is its gaming-optimized servers in cities including London and New York (Windows). CyberGhost also provides a Smart DNS service so you can connect your console to servers in countries including the U.S.

The option to sort servers by distance, load, and ping makes it even easier to find the fastest server available. I was able to play CS:GO with no lag. When connected to CyberGhost, high-end encryption protects you when playing on public Wi-Fi. This prevents attackers from interfering with your connection, resulting in you losing a high stakes match. With a 24-hour free trial for Windows and MacOS with no credit card required, it’s easily the best free trial VPN available.

In my Surfshark review, I found that the service performs consistently well with fast-paced games, including Call of Duty: Warzone. Even if you encounter a game that’s blocking Surfshark IP addresses, you can use its split tunneling feature to bypass it while continuing to secure the rest of your traffic. A big plus of Surfshark is its 3,000 servers across 100 countries so you’ll always have one close to you. A more recent change is that Surfshark upgraded all servers to 10Gbps for even faster speeds.

Also included with a Surfshark subscription is Smart DNS, which allows you to change your location (albeit not encrypt your traffic) on your Smart TV or Xbox or PlayStation console. Unlike many VPNs, Surfshark doesn’t impose a simultaneous connection limit so you can game securely on any of your devices. This VPN is packed with security extras such as an ad blocker, Double VPN servers, and even an antivirus, making it more of a full security suite than VPN.

IPVanish has made significant improvements to its service in the past year. Speeds are now among the fastest of any VPN, resulting in low ping when playing frantic and competitive games like Rocket League. First-time VPN users will appreciate its shortcut to the fastest available server, as well as the ability to view each server’s ping and load. If you’re a U.S. gamer, know that of IPVanish’s 2,400+ servers, 1,400+ are located in North America across two dozen cities.

As part of IPVanish's recent transformation, it has introduced a number of new features including a secure browser and cloud storage. Newly added Double Hop servers provide an extra layer of encryption at the expense of speed so you’ll only want these for sensitive browsing rather than gaming. My tests didn’t reveal any DNS or IP leaks while connected to IPVanish servers and there’s no limit to the number of devices you can secure simultaneously.

Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, IGN's parent company.

Proton VPN stands out not only for its rapidly growing network of over 9,000 servers in 117 countries, but for its incredibly fast speeds. This, plus its high level of security and privacy protection, puts it among the best VPNs for gaming. A 10Gbps server network coupled with a VPN Accelerator feature overcomes CPU limitations and improves forwarding efficiency boosts speeds. Having tested Proton VPN with Fortnite, I had no noticeable latency.

What makes Proton VPN particularly unique is the fact that it operates a true no-logs policy, which has been independently audited. This means there are absolutely no logs that can identify you as a user, allowing for anonymous gaming, browsing, and streaming. Not only can you try Proton VPN risk-free through its 30-day money-back guarantee, it even has a free tier with unlimited data. The free plan isn’t suitable for gaming, but is a great way to try it at no risk.

ExpressVPN has a proprietary protocol called Lightway and performs consistently well in speed tests. It minimizes lag and is more than fast enough for playing fast-paced tactical shooters like Valorant. It’s these speeds that make it our best VPN for streaming. ExpressVPN sets itself apart from the vast majority of VPNs with its custom router firmware. This makes it more straightforward to set up ExpressVPN with your PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, or Nintendo Switch.

Choosing ExpressVPN provides you with access to a network of over 3,000 servers covering 105 countries. This helps you access even more games, particularly if you live in a country with strict censorship. You can expect to play games securely because ExpressVPN provides 256-bit AES encryption. ExpressVPN has excellent apps that are extremely easy to navigate. If you do have trouble accessing a game, know that ExpressVPN has the best 24/7 support of any VPN.

Mullvad has a smaller server network than the other best gaming VPNs, but what’s on offer should still prove plenty enough for most users. Having implemented the lightweight WireGuard protocol, Mullvad is one of the fastest VPNs you can use, making it ideal for bandwidth-heavy tasks like gaming. A split tunneling feature lets you choose which apps can bypass the VPN tunnel – useful if you need to lower ping and don’t mind your IP address being public.

Gamers looking for the highest level of privacy will appreciate Mullvad. Aside from 256-bit AES encryption and leak protection, it offers a strict no-logs policy so data such as your IP address isn’t collected. What really sets Mullvad apart from other gaming VPNs, however, is that it doesn’t require you to provide an email address during signup. It also accepts cash payments, making it a truly anonymous option. Better still, Mullvad is highly affordable and our best cheap VPN.

What to Look for in a VPN for Gaming

Not every VPN is suitable for gaming. Further, some of the best VPNs for gaming will be better suited to your needs than others. Here are some key factors to take into account when choosing a gaming VPN:

• Server speed: Online gaming requires a fast, consistent connection. This is particularly the case when playing competitive games that require quick reactions. The fastest VPNs use the WireGuard protocol, offer unlimited bandwidth, and provide plenty of servers for low latency gaming.
• Server locations: Generally, you can expect faster speeds when connecting to VPN servers closer to your physical location. Likewise, you can also expect a speed bump when using VPN servers that are closer to the game server in question. This requires a VPN with a global server network.
• Security and privacy: If you don’t want to be showing your gaming rivals your IP address (and approximate location), you need a VPN that provides a high level of encryption. It should also provide comprehensive protection from leaks. That way, your gaming sessions won’t be interrupted by DDoS attacks.
• Compatibility: Whether you’re a PC or mobile gamer, the best gaming VPNs offer apps for all major operating systems. However, some are also router-compatible (ExpressVPN is particularly router-friendly), while others have a Smart DNS service for use with your PlayStation or Xbox console.

How to Use the Best VPN for Gaming

If you’re new to using a VPN, you might think it all sounds a bit technical. Fortunately, these gaming VPNs are beginner-friendly.

1. Choose your preferred gaming VPN and sign up.
2. Download the VPN app compatible with your gaming device.
3. Follow the installation instructions.
4. Log in to the VPN app and connect to a server (preferably one near your location).
5. You can now game securely with unlimited bandwidth. You may have to experiment with different servers to find which works best.

Best VPNs for Gaming FAQs

Why should I use a VPN for gaming?

There are multiple reasons to use a VPN for gaming. In particular, they encrypt your data and hide your IP address, preventing your ISP from throttling your connection while also protecting against DDoS attacks. A gaming VPN also allows you to spoof your location and access geo-restricted games and content.

Can a VPN improve gaming speed and reduce ping times?

It’s more common for a VPN to slow your connection due to the encryption process, but it’s possible for a VPN to improve your gaming speed if you’re suffering ISP throttling. In some cases, the fastest VPNs may even reduce ping times if the VPN server to which you connect provides a more direct route to the game server than your ISP.

Can I use a free VPN for gaming?

Most free VPNs are too slow for gaming. Free VPNs offer only a few servers and these tend to suffer from heavy load. What’s more, free VPNs have speed and data limits so your gaming will suffer from excessive lag and high ping times. Another reason I don’t recommend free VPNs is that they’re often found to have insufficient encryption, potentially exposing your IP address.

Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGN, bringing over five years of dedicated experience from Comparitech, where he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs. When he’s not testing VPNs, Mark is an avid gamer with a soft spot for the Sega Mega Drive, reliving the classics for a dose of nostalgia.