You may never have considered using one of the best VPNs specifically for gaming. After all, latency is key to online gaming, and any VPN you choose will surely just get in the way of you, the servers that you’re connecting to, and the folk you’re trying to frag in-game. But there is more to VPNs than just slowing your connection down; more than ever it’s about privacy.
Anonymity can be some seriously useful armour when it comes to online gaming, particularly if you’re at all concerned about toxic elements within a gaming environment that might use nefarious methods to kick you offline. The primary reason for using a VPN for gaming is to protect against potential DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks. If someone can find your real IP address, via voice chats or logs, there is a chance someone could hit you with a flood of traffic over your connection and knock you offline. By masking your actual IP address with a VPN they have no direct pathway to you and will end up bouncing off the VPN’s own servers.
It’s also possible that your ISP will specifically throttle gaming traffic at peak times through traffic shaping. Internet service providers, such as Comcast/Xfinity, AT&T, and Spectrum in the US, and BT and Sky in the UK, are reported by gaming communities as throttling during high usage times. A VPN has the potential to get around any kind of traffic shaping by encrypting your traffic. This stops the ISP from snooping on your data and telling whether you’re gaming or not.
There are caveats, however, which you should consider when using a VPN for gaming. And that is because some games aren’t particularly tolerant of VPN usage, as they’re often also used by cheaters. Titles with strong anti-cheat software, specifically Valorant, do note that IP-hiding can be considered cheating, though if you are connected to a reputable VPN from your registered region you will likely be fine. Though that means if you’re server hopping, or trying to access a game that isn’t available in your own region, or generally doing things which might flag you up as a cheat, there’s a chance you could get hit with a ban in many games.
Outside of gaming, there are good reasons and uses for VPNs, but our advice for gamers is that they’re great for security if you’re concerned about potential attacks, but if your connection is stable, and your gaming ping low, you’re otherwise better off leaving the VPN turned off.
Best gaming VPNs: quick overview
1. NordVPN – from $3.39 per month
The best VPN overall
NordVPN is the best all-around VPN in our testing, and the total package for gamers, too. As one of the fastest VPNs on the block, it’s more than capable of keeping up with online matches, and won’t let you down when it comes to HD streaming, either. With over 7,700 servers spread across the globe, it’s a powerhouse when it comes to accessing region-locked stores, and streaming websites. Plus, its built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker helps keep pop-ups and digital nasties at bay. You can try out NordVPN risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
2. ExpressVPN – from $4.99 per month
The best VPN for beginners
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for beginners, offering sleek and intuitive yet powerful apps that protect you from DDoS attacks straight out of the box, with no manual setup required. It’s also wickedly fast, unblocks every major streaming platform with ease, and boasts some of the strongest privacy credentials we’ve seen in a VPN. While it’s pricier than NordVPN if you’re just after the basics, the extra features bundled in make it excellent value for money. See for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
3. Surfshark – from $1.99 per month
The best cheap VPN
Surfshark is a bargain hunter’s dream, proving that you don’t need to pay an arm and a leg for a gaming VPN. Add to that its support for unlimited simultaneous connections and nifty privacy extras like the Camouflage Mode, Rotating IP, and Alternative ID, and it delivers unbeatable value for money. It’s also the quickest service we’ve ever tested, so you won’t need to worry about lag or high ping affecting your gaming, streaming, or torrenting sessions. Take Surfshark for a test drive with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
4. Mullvad VPN – $6 per month
Privacy-focused protection
Nothing says privacy more to me than not actually having to give the company any details about yourself. When you sign up to Mullvad it generates you an account number and that is all you need to use to log in to the service. You can even pay by crypto for that added level of anonymity. If you’re looking to unblock streaming services, it’s not going to do that for you as well as some of the others, and it has relatively few servers to call on, but it’s the fastest in terms of raw speed. View Deal
5. CyberGhost – from $2.03 per month
The best VPN for console support
CyberGhost is an industry veteran that’s still going strong, especially when it comes to protecting your privacy and improving your performance during online gaming sessions. It’s one of the few services that makes it easy to set up on all major consoles, including Xbox, PlayStation, and even Nintendo Switch. It’s also decently quick, unblocks most major streaming platforms without a hitch, and includes all the essential privacy features you’d expect, including an independently audited no-logs policy. Be sure to make the most of CyberGhost’s generous 45-day money-back guarantee to see if the service is the right fit for you.View Deal
The best gaming VPNs in 2026
The best gaming VPN overall
(Image credit: NordVPN)
NordVPN is just the best all-around VPN in our testing, and it’s our favorite pick for gaming thanks primarily to its proprietary NordLynx protocol, which has been built from the ground up for improved speed and security.
One standout feature for gamers is Meshnet, which lets you host your own game servers and link up to 60 devices to a single secure network. This means you can team up with your friends, no matter where in the world they are, and enjoy fast-paced local multiplayer matches.
NordVPN also has one of the widest server networks of all VPNs, with over 7,400 servers in 118 countries. This means you’ll always be able to find a fast, low-ping server nearby and easily bypass regional restrictions.
Read more about NordVPN ▼
Ease of use
NordVPN offers intuitive apps across all major platforms, and we found them straightforward to use. A particular highlight is its setup wizard, available on both Windows and Mac, which makes getting started completely hassle-free.
Although Nord’s map style is fun and engaging on larger screens, it can feel a bit cramped or overwhelming on smartphones. If you prefer a more minimalist layout with a big one-tap connect button, you might want to consider ExpressVPN or Surfshark instead.
Speed & performance
With peak speeds topping 950 Mbps in our latest tests, NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs available right now. Whether you’re mowing down enemies on a virtual battlefield or streaming 4K content from abroad, NordVPN’s blazing-fast speeds ensure a smooth, lag-free experience. The VPN also comes with optimized servers for gaming and torrenting, so you’ll rarely run into performance hiccups irrespective of what you’re up to.
Streaming
When you’re done dominating the battlefield and just want to relax, NordVPN’s top-tier unblocking capabilities let you kick back with your favorite movies, shows, and live sports, no matter the platform or your location.
NordVPN unblocked every single streaming platform we tested it with, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. Thanks to its fast speeds and dedicated streaming support, you can expect smooth, buffer-free playback in full HD or even 4K.
Privacy & security
NordVPN boasts a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited over five times. Combined with AES-256 encryption, robust kill switches, DNS leak protection, and double encryption, it ensures your gaming sessions stay private while also protecting you from DDoS attacks.
Even better, NordVPN comes with an all-in-one security suite that includes built-in blockers for ads, trackers, and malware courtesy of its Threat Protection Pro package. On top of that, you’ll also get a password manager, dark web monitoring, and even cyber insurance for an added layer of protection.
The best gaming VPN for beginners
(Image credit: ExpressVPN)
ExpressVPN stands out as the most user-friendly VPN of the lot. And yet, it remains one of the most secure under the hood, offering gamers who are new to VPNs a seamless, full-featured package without the steep learning curve.
While ExpressVPN is admittedly a premium option at $4.99 per month (plus tax on a two-year plan), it delivers strong value if you’re after bundled extras. For a similar suite of features, like a password manager and ad blocker, NordVPN charges upwards of $6.99 per month.
Read more about ExpressVPN ▼
Ease of use
With a clean, consistent interface, a big one-click connect button that automatically links you to the fastest server, and a curated list of recommended server locations, ExpressVPN is arguably the easiest-to-use VPN out there.
It also comes with 24/7 live chat support – we’ve seen response times as fast as 30 seconds – so help is always just a moment away. Plus, its Smart Location feature automatically connects you to the best-performing server based on your location, latency, and download speed.
Speed & performance
We put ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol to the test, and it passed with flying colors, delivering top speeds of 898 Mbps. While that’s a notch below NordVPN and Surfshark, it’s still more than enough for online gaming, 4K streaming, and other high-bandwidth tasks like torrenting.
Better still, Lightway is built from scratch for stability and low latency, which are two things that matter when you’re deep into an online battle or connected to a distant server across continents.
Streaming
With servers in over 160 locations around the world, ExpressVPN is capable of unblocking all major platforms. That said, it occasionally requires a bit of trial and error to find the right server. For example, we couldn’t access Netflix Japan or Australia’s 10 Play on the first try, but switching servers did the trick.
It’s also worth noting that ExpressVPN’s server coverage in the Middle East is relatively limited, so if you’re looking for a VPN to stream regional content like the Saudi Pro League, check out NordVPN, our #1 streaming VPN.
Privacy & security
From reliable kill switches and rock-solid encryption to split tunneling and VPN obfuscation, ExpressVPN checks all the boxes for a secure gaming VPN. It follows a clear no-logs policy that has been independently audited over 18 times, which is more than any other VPN to date. Moreover, its TrustedServer technology ensures all servers are RAM-only, which means that all your data is wiped with every boot.
What really sets it apart, though, is its commitment to innovation. ExpressVPN is consistently one of the first providers to implement next-gen privacy tools, like post-quantum encryption, ensuring you’re future-proofed against evolving cyber threats.
The best cheap gaming VPN
Surfshark is the absolute best option if you’re on a tight budget but still want a premium gaming VPN. It delivers incredible speeds, robust security, and comprehensive unblocking all in an easy-to-use package. You can get started for as little as $1.99 a month (paid upfront for a two-year plan).
One of Surfshark’s standout features is unlimited simultaneous connections, which make it a top-tier choice if your gaming spans multiple systems or if you live with a few roommates who share your pastime. Additionally, you can protect every single device in your household, and even share the love with your friends and family.
Read more about Surfshark ▼
Ease of use
Alongside sleek apps for all major platforms, such as iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows, Surfshark is also available on routers, browsers, Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV, and it’s also one of the very few to offer a proper GUI for Linux.
Getting connected is fast and simple via the quick-connect button right on the home screen. Personally, we like that important privacy tools like MultiHop and Alternative ID are not buried deep in menus, but accessible through the homepage itself.
Really, the only gripe we had is that Surfshark’s focus on simplicity means that it misses out on some more technical settings, which might disappoint pro users. Still, it’s a subjective matter, seeing as beginners will enjoy the clean, plug-and-play experience.
Speed & performance
In our last round of tests, Surfshark delivered eye-watering average speeds of over 950 Mbps on our 1 Gbps connection, and it knocked it out of the park with 1,300 Mbps on our 10 Gbps line.
It’s worth noting, though, that these speeds are overkill for 99% of users, including gamers, as most domestic Wi-Fi networks simply can’t deliver that kind of throughput.
So, in terms of speed, where Surfshark truly shines is in its OpenVPN performance. With speeds of 436 Mbps, Surfshark is nearly twice as fast as any other VPN on this list using that protocol. This makes Surfshark an excellent choice for router setups or bypassing censorship in restrictive countries, since OpenVPN connections are easier to disguise and harder to detect.
Streaming
Despite not having as many servers as NordVPN, Surfshark delivers comparable streaming performance. That’s likely due to its shared tech investment from Nord Security, which helps maintain high streaming reliability.
In our testing, Surfshark unblocked every platform we tried on the first attempt, and thanks to its ease of use, it might be the better pick for streaming over NordVPN for new VPN users.
Privacy & security
Don’t be fooled by Surfshark’s super-low prices; it’s still a fully-featured VPN offering both the must-haves as well as useful extras. For starters, there’s an audited no-logs policy, a kill switch, and battle-tested encryption, so you won’t have to worry about sore losers knocking you out of your games via DDoS attacks or your gaming sessions being monitored.
Gamers will also appreciate Surfshark’s unique Alternative ID tool, which lets you generate a fresh online persona, complete with a fake email address and a full name. This is a game-changer if you’re tired of handing over your email to every launcher from Steam to Game Pass. Use it to sign up, stay anonymous, and keep your real data out of marketers’ hands.
The best privacy-focused VPN
(Image credit: Mullvad)
If you want the outright fastest VPN out there in terms of raw download speed and the added bonus of the most privacy-focused of our VPN picks, then Mullvad is a great choice. It’s considerably faster than it’s closest rival, Norton’s VPN, and knocks ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN out by a long way. It’s also the only one I’ve checked out that allows you to sign up for an account without giving any personal details at all; just a generated account number.
What it doesn’t do so well, however, is offer a wide network of servers to connect to, nor does it unblock some of the key video streaming sites, either. It’s also got a pretty simple app that lacks some rather basic features, too.
Read more about Mullvad ▼
Ease of use
This is the easiest of VPNs to set up, because you just need to generate an account number and then pay for some time. It’s a simple flat fee, so it’s $6 per month whether you’re paying for one month, 12 or 120. That doesn’t make it the cheapest, but it means you know where you are.
The apps themselves aren’t super exciting, and don’t come with a ton of fancy features, but are still very effective at what they do.
Speed & performance
Mullvad only uses two protocols, but those are the very friendly OpenVPN protocol and the very fast Wireguard option. That gives you enough versatility for most people, and a lot of pace, too.
In our local speed test Mullvad tops the list by a long, long way, beating out all its rivals in terms of raw download speeds. We measured a very healthy 2,140 Mbps on our test machine, compared with 1,752 Mbps from its closest rival in terms of speed, Norton VPN. Sadly, for us gamers, that doesn’t necessarily extend to the latency performance of its network, where Mullvad sits in the middle order of ping measurements, with ExpressVPN and NordVPN both beating it in the latency stakes.
It tested a lot better in our long-range testing, coming in third in the raw speed tests and second in terms of latency over long distances.
Streaming
Mullvad isn’t the king of unlocking streaming services, but we were able to access UK-based video streaming services, as well as the US library of Netflix. Unfortunately it doesn’t fully unblock Netflix beyond that, and fails to deal with either Prime Video or Disney Plus, either.
Privacy & security
This is where Mullvad really excels. From not asking for any of your own personal details in order to set up an account, to providing a resolutely leak free experience from its own apps.
It has built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocking capabilities, and in our own testing we’ve found it very capable of keep you clear of the nefarious or bothersome sides of the internet at large. We found it blocked 74% of common trackers we tested, scored 90% in terms of ad-blocking, and a heady 99% of malicious URLs were blocked, too.
The best specialized gaming VPN
CyberGhost is an industry veteran that, while it may not beat the top dogs on speed or cutting-edge features, still holds its own as a reliable and capable VPN for gamers. A big part of that is its dedicated gaming servers, which are specifically optimized to reduce ping and provide stable connections
We also love CyberGhost’s console-friendly approach. It supports workarounds for all mainstream consoles, including Xbox, PlayStation, and even Nintendo Switch, making it a fantastic pick for gamers who want to enjoy the full console experience across different platforms.
Another big plus is CyberGhost’s generous 45-day money-back guarantee, which is the longest of any provider on this list. That means you get plenty of time to put the VPN through its paces, completely risk-free, before deciding whether it’s the right fit for your gaming and streaming needs.
Read more about CyberGhost
Ease of use
From the get-go, CyberGhost impressed us with how clearly it organizes its massive server list. Each server is labeled based on its optimal use, be it streaming, torrenting, or gaming, so you don’t have to shuffle through its long list of servers.
While its apps are clutter-free, responsive, and easy to navigate, CyberGhost doesn’t quite hit the sweet spot for VPN newbies that rivals ExpressVPN and Surfshark do, courtesy of its underwhelming support section. That said, there are friendly customer support agents available 24/7 to help you out.
Speed & performance
CyberGhost might not knock your socks off like the speed kings out there, but it’s no slouch either. We recorded top speeds of 630 Mbps using the WireGuard protocol. That’s plenty fast for high-intensity gaming, HD or 4K streaming, large torrent downloads, and even video calls that run for hours.
Streaming
CyberGhost is highly capable when it comes to bypassing geo-restrictions. It successfully unblocked Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and the like without issue during our tests. However, it stumbled with Disney+ this time around, so if you’re looking for a VPN that performs a clean sweep of streaming services day in and day out, look at NordVPN or Surfshark.
Privacy & security
CyberGhost doesn’t come with the bells and whistles of some other VPNs, but it gets the basics right where it counts. Its no-logs policy has been independently verified by the auditors at Deloitte, and it uses AES-256 encryption to scramble your data, keeping it safe.
This means your gaming sessions stay private, and you’re protected from snooping ISPs or potential DDoS attacks from salty opponents. On top of that, CyberGhost runs a bug bounty program, where it pays up to $1,250 to experts who find and report any vulnerabilities in the service.
Full VPN testing benchmarks
Long-range speed test (Dublin – US) Data ProductValue ExpressVPN (Lightway Turbo Dual Tunnel) 1374 Proton VPN 1242 Mullvad 1000 PrivadoVPN Paid 994 PrivadoVPN Free 900 Norton VPN 739 NordVPN 626 AdGuard VPN HTTP/2 Protocol 570 ExpressVPN (WireGuard) 523 Windscribe 523 IPVanish 449 TorGuard 407 CyberGhost 406 IVPN 386 VyprVPN 361 Surfshark 355 PIA 350 ExpressVPN (Lightway | No Turbo) 323 UltraVPN 320 iProVPN 291 TunnelBear 268 JumpJumpVPN 252 TurboVPN (TurboLepus) 218
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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