5 Best VPNs for Gaming – Must Have Tool for Online Gamers

Not so long ago, most people played online games using their personal computers (PCs). Today, more and more techies enjoy playing games on their mobile devices, making the line between smartphones and microcomputers blurrier as the days go by. In other words, most of the fun things that were available until now in desktop versions can now be done using mobile devices. However, this doesn’t mean that people no longer play games on their PCs.

On the other hand, game consoles have been around for a very long time, entertaining friends and families. In keeping with a common tradition, players (smartphones, tabs, PCs and consoles) update their games and download the latest additions from their various online stores. For instance, according to Techjury.net, 62% of smartphone users download a new game to their phones 7 days after purchase. The same is true for gamers who enjoy playing with the other gadgets mentioned above.

Why Should You Use a VPN for Gaming?

At this point, the question is, “why do you need VPN for gaming?” It’s an important question. Well, to understand why you need it, you must first understand the function of the VPN (virtual private network) in the first place. Basically, people use the service to make their identity anonymous, thus keeping their online activities away from prying eyes. In other words, when you visit any store to download or update your games, you are unsuspectedly exposed to dangers. Yes, we are all vulnerable.

Aside from those who regularly go online to update their games and download the latest ones, some play online in real-time from the PC and mobile phones. In this case, you will probably spend hours having fun using public Wi-Fi. Well, this has serious implications. Many hackers and other cybercriminals are looking for unsuspecting people. Therefore, you need a VPN service to protect yourself.

With a VPN, your IP address will be hidden and your data will be encrypted. When this is done, you will no longer have to worry about your safety. No matter how you play, whether on your mobile phone, on your personal computer, on your game console, etc. However, what matters is that every player connected to the Internet is at risk.

Just before discussing all the VPNs for gaming, we will quickly draw up a table so that you can have an overview. The table shows the best VPNs for gaming. Then, we will discuss the unique features that make one VPN service better than another. Ultimately, you will make the final decision.

5 Best Gaming VPNs – Comparison Table

4. CyberGhost – User-Friendly VPN for Gaming

Website: cyberghostvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 45-day

Make no mistake, CyberGhost is another premium VPN service that offers excellent support for gaming. In today’s gaming market, the most common products include Xbox, Wii and PlayStation. Although game console manufacturers don’t directly support VPN services, players must always protect themselves when accessing the Internet from fun gadgets. Interestingly, these smart game consoles are developed in a way that they stream Netflix and Amazon Prime. Although they have these comforting features, it is sad that for one reason or another, some users cannot access these services.

Therefore, the solution is to take advantage of that CyberGhost offers. With CyberGhost, users can bypass all geoblocks, making the most of game consoles. In addition, CyberGhost works well with other gaming devices, such as smartphones, PCs, tabs, etc. These broad applications make it a good VPN for gaming.

Supported Client Software: 

Features:

• It has over 5,700 servers deployed across 112 locations around the world
• There are Wi-Fi and DNS leak protections
• It allows 7 devices to connect simultaneously
• An Internet kill switch is readily available

Pros:

• Giving excellent protection, it is just perfect for gaming
• It comes with user-friendly software and app
• There are lots of extras, such as Automated HTTPS, OpenVPN, etc.
• It can unblock geoblocked sites, such as Fire Stick, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer
• It is capable of blocking annoying ads

Cons:

• Although its customer support claims to offer live chat service 24/7, the team barely works during business hours

If you are playing a game online, there is no doubt that you need your network to remain stable and strong all the time. Well, this is what CyberGhost users enjoy. This is particularly true because its download-and-upload speeds are superb. Another factor that contributes to its exceptional speed is the unlimited bandwidth. Moreover, you can be sure of top-notch security and anonymity, as it is capable of securing your incoming and outgoing internet traffic. With all these benefits and more, it is needless to say that CyberGhost is the best VPN for games.

Read our detailed review of CyberGhost.

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3. VyprVPN – Great Service for Gamers

Website: vyprvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30-day

When it comes to online game speed, give a try to VyprVPN. It is not uncommon to see VPN services slowing down your normal network speed when the connection is established. Nonetheless, this service is the direct opposite, as it ensures that you have an awesome gaming experience by exchanging packets at a breakneck speed.

Here’s the secret behind the sterling speed: When you connect to the Internet through this VPN, you are automatically setting yourself up for a service that is well-optimized for speed. In other words, any gaming VPN service provider that guarantees buffering-free quality will definitely earn a spot for itself as the best VPN for gaming. Well, that’s why VyprVPN is on this list. Now, check out its other features.

Supported Client Software: 

Features:

• VyprVPN uses a 256-bit for encryption
• This service has 700 servers scattered in 70 locations around the world
• It has support for BitTorrent
• It has a NAT firewall installed

Pros:

• Given that VyprVPN delivers excellent speed, it is exceptional for playing online games
• The helpdesk speedily responds to questions via real-time chats
• This service has great security and privacy credentials
• It has enough IP addresses (over 200,000) to keep the users anonymous as long as they need to be online

Cons:

• It is a bit costly

Over the years, VyprVPN has always maintained dominance in one area, speed. This is important because no VPN user wishes to see his/her network slowing down because it is connected to a VPN. Today, VyprVPN’s speed expertise is reflected in the gaming, meaning that the network speed is unmatched. It has an advantage over others in the speed spectrum because most servers are close to where the main game servers are located. In addition, it is able to offer lower pings and reduced lags. Finally, its team leverages the capabilities of Outfox, its gaming network, to improve the players’ experience.

Read our detailed review of VyprVPN.

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2. ExpressVPN – All-Rounded Option for Gaming

Website: expressvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30-day

If you are fully into gaming, you would know that this list would be incomplete without mentioning ExpressVPN. This service has distinguished itself in the industry for offering a VPN that meets the privacy and security needs of many users. In gaming, this VPN is interesting, as it can reduce ping time. thanks to the vast spread of its servers, which ensures fast and strong connections.

Now, you can install and secure your PlayStation and Xbox without worrying that some hackers could be on your trail. Well, your mobile devices and PC are not left out. Yes, its tamper-proof privacy and security technologies make it an exceptional product in this case. All these benefits and more make it the best VPN for gaming.

Supported Client Software:  

Features:

• Allows 5 devices to connect at the same time
• This VPN service has 3,000 servers scattered in 160 locations around the world
• Availability of DNS/IPV6 leak protection
• It records no logs
• There is a 256-bit encryption

Pros:

• There is support for BitTorrent P2P file-sharing mechanism
• It has a relatively good speed
• With lots of servers deployed around the world, ExpressVPN helps users circumvent geo-restricted movie-streaming sites
• Its app is enhanced to support gaming across many platforms
• The customer care team offers round-the-clock assistance to users through live chats

Cons:

• Its monthly subscription fee is high

With less ping and excellent protection from DDoS attacks, this service ensures you enjoy your favorite games on all internet-enabled devices. The importance of having numerous servers around the world cannot be overstated. This is particularly key as shorter connection routes between gamers and servers reduce latency and lag.

In other words, packets of data don’t have to travel long distances before they are delivered, thus ensuring that you enjoy buffering-free game from the comfort of your home. Therefore, you are firmly advised to connect to the server closest to your location, in order to have an awesome gaming experience with ExpressVPN. By deploying lots of servers around the world, you definitely have the right VPN for gaming with ExpressVPN.

Read our detailed review of ExpressVPN.

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1. NordVPN – Multi-Featured VPN for Gaming

Website: nordvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30-day

Well, NordVPN is another highly sought-after VPN for a good number of reasons. For instance, it is able to protect your connection from DDoS attacks and you have access to countless servers scattered all over the world. You probably didn’t know that a player could use DDoS attacks to gain a competitive edge. In the end, he/she makes the opponent look like a bad player.

To do this, the player will either slow down the network speed or completely exclude the other player from the server. If you are the hacker’s target, he/she will get many computers to send unwanted data to your system, thus overwhelming it. When this is done, you will probably lose. However, with NordVPN, you can be sure that such attacks will be blocked.

Supported Client Software: 

Features:

• Its 5,100 servers are distributed in 60 countries
• 6 devices can connect at the same time
• From a pool of over 5,000 IPs, there are dedicated IP addresses
• NordVPN has support for BitTorrent file-sharing mechanism

Pros:

• Its connection speed is very reliable
• NordVPN enables users to unlock geoblocked streaming sites, including BBC iPlayer and Netflix
• Users can customize it as they please
• It has amazing ads blocking capabilities
• There is a 24/7 helpdesk for resolving client’s issues and answering their queries

Cons:

• Most of the time, it can be frustrating connecting from a desktop
• It’s a bit pricey

With many servers in a lot of countries, NordVPN ensures you have access to games as they are launched. Just imagine playing an online game, and then your system starts buffering when you are just about to beat your opponent. Indeed, that would be very frustrating, to say the least. So, NordVPN’s unlimited bandwidth ensures that you get a buffering-free gaming experience. Just connect to the closest server, and you are good to go! When you are on the nearest server, you don’t have to worry about network speed because it guarantees excellent upload and download rates.

Read our detailed review of NordVPN.

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Should I Try Free VPN for Gaming?

We cannot say that we have exhaustively treated this topic without discussing free VPNs and gaming. The truth is, there are a good number of free VPN services for gaming. Nevertheless, their use is associated with a large number of problems. For instance, they are unbearably slow. Indeed, VPN services are slow, despite the fact that speed is critical for online games. Moreover, speed is unreliable. Not to mention that users have limited access to servers around the world.

As if those failings are not enough, there have been many reports that free VPNs almost always compromise the security of their users. In other words, instead of protecting the users and making sure that cybercriminals don’t hack into their systems, the VPN services steal sensitive data and sending them to third-party companies.

Well, these VPN providers usually do so because third-party companies pay for having this information. From the proceeds of the sale, the providers will maintain their servers, pay staff and cover other overheads costs.

While free VPNs offer protection against DDoS attacks, their use obviously causes more harm than good. So, here’s what we think: Choosing free VPNs is a bad decision because you potentially expose yourself to all the dangers we have mentioned so far. Although the final decision is largely yours, we strongly recommend that you choose the premium services we have reviewed in this guide. The cheapest paying VPN on the market is by far the best free VPN!

How to Choose the Best VPN for Gaming?

To choose the right VPN, there are important factors you must take into consideration. Well, we will dissect them here.

• Performance: In our assessment, we were particular about latency and speed. We evaluated the factors that are likely to affect them negatively and how the providers take steps to keep them in order. Studies have shown that VPNs always slow down network speed. So, the best VPN provider must minimize this impact. To achieve this, the provider must have many servers, to which gamers can easily connect anywhere.
• Security: Again, the primary aim of installing a VPN app is to keep you and your data safe. There is no doubt that a simple antimalware cannot play the role of a VPN. In this case, you must pay attention to the encryption technology and the country of origin. In some countries, VPN providers are not allowed to operate freely. To overcome the obstacle, they always have a non-log policy. So, you should always be careful.
• Customer service: If your VPN provider doesn’t have an efficient helpdesk, you should consider ditching it for another. This is vital, as you can run into technical hitches anytime. So, you will definitely need their assistance.
• Ease of use: If you are tech-savvy and still have trouble using your VPN, then you don’t have a good VPN. This is true because yours isn’t user-friendly.

Overall Conclusion

As a gamer, you are probably merely interested in having fun. However, the Internet transcends geographic borders and many cybercriminals are looking for unsuspecting users from whom to steal classified information. The gaming industry is huge and experts predict that it will continue to grow.

For example, according to statista.com, gamers from all over the world spent $123 billion every 3 months in 2018, and this figure is expected to rise in the coming years. It is crystal clear that there is a lot of money going around in the industry.

Truly, these sums attract cybercriminals. So, you’re strongly advised to use a VPN to protect your access while you play your favorite game. Also, make sure you choose from the VPNs we have reviewed here because they are the best on the market. Go ahead and play your game, but make sure you stay safe!