The Best Gaming VPN in 2022
The Best Gaming VPN in 2022 | Best Gaming VPN
Best Gaming VPN: Although VPNs have risen to prominence largely due to their promise of better security and a greater range of content to stream, more and more people are now using VPNs for gaming as well.
There are many reasons. Perhaps you want to use a game or expansion that is only made available in another region of the world. Or your school or office (maybe even your government!) has blocked access to Fortnite or Minecraft.
If you are a competitive gamer, you may be more concerned about the threat of DDoS attacks. Or, on the other end of the spectrum, are you looking to take advantage of the easy lobby on games like Warzone. Everything can be achieved with a good gaming VPN.
In this article, we recommend the best gaming VPNs available right now. All of the options below are easy to use across a wide variety of devices and, importantly, have fast and consistent enough server speeds to ensure that they won't give you any lag when turned on.
- The Best VPN In 2022
- The Best Cheap VPN In 2022
- The Best Netflix VPN In 2022
- The Best Youtube VPN In 2022
- Best Gaming VPN In 2022
- The Best iPad VPN In 2022
- The Best iPhone VPN In 2022
- The Best Android VPN In 2022
- The Best Mac VPN In 2022
How To Choose The Best Gaming VPN?
Most gamers will not need a VPN to enjoy their passion. But it stands to reason that many - especially on the best gaming PCs or gaming laptops - still want to install a VPN for other reasons (whether it's for security, streaming, IP spoofing, or something else).
First and foremost, you want to make sure you're getting a service that won't slow down your entire system. We specifically test connection speeds on multiple servers of all the VPN services we review, so we can tell you the fastest. Believe it or not, there is even some evidence that using a VPN can reduce your ping times!
General security and privacy are also essential - time to say goodbye to those DDoS attacks for good. And if you play games on multiple platforms, we suggest choosing a provider that's easily usable on a variety of devices. Luckily, the services below tick all these boxes...and many more.
Top 5 Best Gaming VPN in 2022
1. ExpressVPN
2. NordVPN
3. Surfshark
4. CyberGhost
5. Hotspot Shield
1. ExpressVPN
PROS
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Slick connection speeds the world over
- Fantastic choice of servers and locations
- Quality mobile apps
- Great 24/7 live chat support
CONS
- Expensive
- Above-average prices
ExpressVPN Specification | |
---|---|
Fast connections | Very |
Number of servers | 3,000+ |
Server locations | 160 |
Maximum devices supported | 5 |
Works on | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox |
With 160 different locations in 94 countries, ExpressVPN allows you to find a SWIFT server from anywhere in the world. In fact, not only does it boast some of the fastest speeds we've seen during our testing, but they're also stable and reliable - and that's pretty much the same on its servers all over the world. So if you're worried about your ping rates skyrocketing, you don't need to.
It's also secure, so DDoS attacks can be kept on your mind when you're facing the last gasp of a battle royale.
The service excels in the mobile department by offering intuitive custom apps specifically for Android and iOS. It's ridiculously easy to set up on PC and there are easy-to-follow online guides to help get it going on PlayStations and Xbox as well.
If you were hoping to use your gaming VPN for streaming needs, ExpressVPN is a great option out there as well. It easily unblocks the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube, and more, so you can get around geo-restrictions while trying to watch your favorite content from abroad. This also means that it is much easier if you intend to use your VPN for Warzone to get around SBMM.
Of course, ExpressVPN costs more than some other VPNs, but opting for the 1-year plan is the most affordable option and gets you three months of extra free plus free cloud backup from Backblaze. And, if you're not satisfied with the service, you can contact customer support within 30 days of your purchase and receive a full refund, no questions asked.
2. NordVPN
PROS
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Very impressive performance
- Excellent tech support
- Audited privacy and logging policy
- Soooo many servers
CONS
- Expensive
- Some UI issues on browser extensions and mobile
NordVPN Specification | |
---|---|
Fast connections | Very |
Number of servers | 5,300+ |
Server locations | 80+ |
Maximum devices supported | 6 |
Works on | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
NordVPN - perhaps the best-known provider in the world – doesn't shy away from talking about its speeds. And to be honest, it's thoroughly substantiated by our real-world testing, which found its connection performance to be well above-average and ideal for gamers who like to have their VPNs running in the background.
It's also really obvious why it seems all gamers need a VPN. NordVPN is very aware of the dangers of those DDoS attacks and, acknowledging that VPNs are not a 100% undisputed solution, it promises to help throttle down more traffic than your regular broadband connection.
It has a higher server count than ExpressVPN with over 5,000 worldwide – only CyberGhost and Private Internet Access from the big VPN players can beat it. And they are spread far and wide, with places as diverse as Costa Rica to North Macedonia.
If privacy is your main priority, NordVPN's privacy policy is clear, detailed, and independently audited. And because it also has the prowess to unlock the likes of US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more, it's no surprise that it ranks very high in our best streaming VPN guide.
3. Surfshark
PROS
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Price - the multi-year plan is cheap
- Unlimited connections
- Friendly interface
CONS
- High monthly price
- Might be too simplistic for some
Surfshark Specification | |
---|---|
Fast connections | Very |
Number of servers | 3,200+ |
Server locations | 100+ |
Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
Works on | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Playstation, Xbox |
Visit our guide to cheap VPN providers and you will inevitably see Surfshark in the top few. It's managed to tame a lot of the competition - and we're not complaining!
But if you're thinking that cheap means you have to sacrifice quality, you'd be wrong, at least in this instance. Yes, it lacks a massive amount of servers compared to NordVPN and ExpressVPN, but it still covers a lot of the world in terms of locations in over 60 countries.
And it puts pressure on the competition by allowing you to use just one Surfshark account on multiple devices. Your PC, Your Mac, Your mobile, Your spouse's mobile, Your parents' mobile. Too many.
And it's fast too. Connection speeds were impressive in our tests - especially when cranking up the WireGuard protocol. And if you are a seasoned gamer but new to the world of VPNs, Surfshark will slowly ease you with its easy-to-use interface and friendly installation.
4. CyberGhost
PROS
- Console specific options
- Good mid-range speeds
- WireGuard now available on all apps
CONS
- Struggles with Netflix
- Support site lacks depth in guides
CyberGhost Specification | |
---|---|
Fast connections | Very |
Number of servers | 7,600+ |
Server locations | 110+ |
Maximum devices supported | 7 |
Works on | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox |
When it comes to the best gaming VPNs, it makes sense that CyberGhost would find itself in the top five. It has easy Xbox and PS4 VPN workarounds, as well as guides on getting the benefits of its service on your Nintendo Switch. Online gaming just got a whole lot more secure, with potentially better performance to boot.
Able to protect you from DDoS attacks, CyberGhost comes with a host of great features that will help boost your security, including auto-connecting to your favorite servers at launch for an almost-instantaneous secure connection.
Anyone who doubles their gaming console as a media streamer can also benefit from streaming from overseas libraries, along with CyberGhost's ability to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock Prime Video, and Disney in our testing. Plus. This also means that you will be able to access different areas of your gaming store and get around the IP address blocks imposed by your school or workplace.
That said, like some other competitors right now, CyberGhost is having its struggles as a VPN for Netflix. If you want to access shows and movies exclusively for the overseas catalog then it is best to go for the second option.
Its speed performance is also pretty impressive, helping you avoid lag when gaming online – it benefits from featuring the WireGuard protocol across all of its apps. Just connect to the nearest server from your selection of over 7,000 servers in 90 countries and get gaming!
5. Hotspot Shield
PROS
- Good performance
- Very easy to use
CONS
- Disappointing support
Hotspot Shield Specification | |
---|---|
Fast connections | Very |
Number of servers | 1,800+ |
Server locations | 80+ |
Maximum devices supported | 5 |
Works on | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
Hotspot Shield stood out in our tests in terms of its performance—it's been at the forefront of the speed department for a few years now. This is mainly due to the Catapult Hydra VPN protocol that the provider uses. Others like Express, Nord, and CyberGhost have caught on in recent times — and have now outdone themselves, but there's no denying that Hotspot Shield still has enough speeds to make sure you don't miss it when you're on it. When you start it, you will hardly feel any slow down.
The service is fairly simple to use, with an on/off button in the center. And Hotspot Shield says that if you ever encounter a DDoS attack while playing the game, it'll be on hand to make sure you can quickly change your location to put an end to the attack.
The service also offers native apps for Android and iOS, both of which are very similar in performance and simplicity. This should be great for most people, though those looking for more configuration should note that you can only use Hotspot with its apps and clients - this will put you at a disadvantage in using its quick catapult Hydra protocol. is one of
Except for the monthly plan, Hotspot Shield offers great value with its annual pricing and you also get a 45-day money-back guarantee. Plus, if you want to get started with it first, we'd always recommend downloading the free version to see how it flourishes (though you can only use it for 500MB per day).
Which is the best VPN for gaming?
Right now we rate ExpressVPN as the best alternative. It boasts tons of server locations, reliably fast connection speeds, and a variety of security protocols (including its Lightwave option). It's surprisingly easy to use on desktop and mobile, and it's also great at unblocking TV services while you're streaming.
Is a VPN Good for Gaming?
depends on. Opt for a bad VPN service and you risk ending up with some software that slows down your connection and isn't as secure and anonymous as you'd like. But choose one of the best gaming VPNs and you can trust that your data will be encrypted and in some cases, the service's ability to get around ISP throttling can speed up your gaming!
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