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Virtual private networks (VPNs) can be essential tools for gamers today. While most VPNs don't promote themselves as gamer-first solutions, the best VPNsdon't impact your gaming sessions and offer a host of benefits for an affordable price, including rapid server speeds and quick connections, security, location options, streaming support, and IP address masking.Also:The best VPNs for iPhoneThe best gaming VPNs offer enhanced security without lag or ping issues. But why do some gamers use a VPN in the first place? Often, it is to hide their location from other players who might think it's amusing to launch denial-of-service attacks or stream snipe competitors. This is especially important if gamers frequently live-stream their sessions.What is the best gaming VPN right now?Our pick for the best gaming VPN overall is ExpressVPN, followed closely by NordVPN. ExpressVPN's speed and stability are consistent, and it performs well with minimal speed loss during intense online gaming sessions. NordVPN also provides excellent speeds and a vast server network. ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $5 month, whereas NordVPN subscriptions start at $3.09 per month.The ZDNET team has been testing VPN software for years. Many of us are keen gamers, and we understand what matters most when we analyze how VPNs respond to online gaming andstreaming. We've researched and compared dozens of VPNs, focusing on speed, stability, ping rates, and security. These are the best VPNs for gaming in 2025. Sort by All Countries and servers Usability Speed and performance Security Price The best VPNs for gaming in 2025 Show less View now at ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is an extremely popular VPN with an exceptionally large global network of servers and support for numerous devices and platforms. ExpressVPN is fast, and during our last round of testing, speed loss was minimal. Due to its consistently excellent speeds and ping results, we consider this one of the best VPNs for gaming purposes.We also consider this VPN one of the best "all-rounder" solutions available. Thanks to recent upgrades to Express VPN's Lightway protocol, Windows users may notice an increase in speed.This VPN can take some time to download, but once installed, it is easy to use and suitable for beginners and experienced users. You can choose the VPN's smart server or your preferred location -- from 105 countries -- and press connect. In addition, this VPN has a kill switch that will protect your privacy should your connection unexpectedly drop.Review:Our ExpressVPN reviewExpressVPN's logging policyis clear: It doesn't keep track of your browsing history, destinations, or sensitive data. It does, however, log some information for troubleshooting and technical support. Customers say this VPN provides value for money.The service is backed by solid customer support, although a downside is that ExpressVPN is more expensive than most of its competitors.Also: Best no-log VPNs 2025ExpressVPN's two-year plan is $5 per month. Four months of free access are included. You can opt for a one-year subscription for $6.67 per month including three months free, or one month of access for $12.95. Student deals are also available, and this VPN provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.ExpressVPN features:Simultaneous connections:8|Kill switch:Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers|Countries:105|Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs |Money-back guarantee:30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.2 |Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 9 Usability 9 Speed and performance 10 Security 8 Price 5 Pros Extremely fast connections, speeds Beginner-friendly Transparent privacy policy Large server network Cons Expensive Limited simultaneous connections Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year)Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 35% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN Best gaming VPN overall 4.1 / 5 Score ExpressVPN is an extremely popular VPN with an exceptionally large global network of servers and support for numerous devices and platforms. ExpressVPN is fast, and during our last round of testing, speed loss was minimal. Due to its consistently excellent speeds and ping results, we consider this one of the best VPNs for gaming purposes.We also consider this VPN one of the best "all-rounder" solutions available. Thanks to recent upgrades to Express VPN's Lightway protocol, Windows users may notice an increase in speed.This VPN can take some time to download, but once installed, it is easy to use and suitable for beginners and experienced users. You can choose the VPN's smart server or your preferred location -- from 105 countries -- and press connect. In addition, this VPN has a kill switch that will protect your privacy should your connection unexpectedly drop.Review:Our ExpressVPN reviewExpressVPN's logging policyis clear: It doesn't keep track of your browsing history, destinations, or sensitive data. It does, however, log some information for troubleshooting and technical support. Customers say this VPN provides value for money.The service is backed by solid customer support, although a downside is that ExpressVPN is more expensive than most of its competitors.Also: Best no-log VPNs 2025ExpressVPN's two-year plan is $5 per month. Four months of free access are included. You can opt for a one-year subscription for $6.67 per month including three months free, or one month of access for $12.95. Student deals are also available, and this VPN provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.ExpressVPN features:Simultaneous connections:8|Kill switch:Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers|Countries:105|Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs |Money-back guarantee:30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.2 |Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at NordVPN NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs that ZDNET has tested, making it a top VPN for all purposes, including gaming. In our most recent tests, NordVPN was one of the top performers with minimal speed loss, and it maintained fast connection times with solid ping speeds and low latency.NordVPN's speed and performance helped push it to second place on our list. The only reason this is not the top contender is that ExpressVPN performed marginally better when we tested resource-intensive games.Also:Our NordVPN reviewNordVPN offers customers more than just a basic VPN. It is suitable for gaming, supports peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, and has a Double VPN feature that adds a second layer of encryption to your connection. In addition, NordVPN's latest independent security audit revealed the VPN is working as it should.Additional features including a data breach scanner, password manager, dedicated IP address, and encrypted cloud storage, are also available but may be limited to premium plans.Customers call this VPN great all-around and applaud the support team. Are there downsides? We would say that NordVPN -- alongside ExpressVPN -- should offer unlimited simultaneous connections.Plans begin at $3.09 per month on a two-year plan with three months of free access. One-year contracts start at $5 per month, whereas if you want one month of access, you can pay $13. If you aren't happy with the service, you can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee.Also: Best password manager for businessNordVPN features:Simultaneous connections:10 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers |Countries:111 |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Email address and billing information only |Money-back guarantee: 30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 10 Usability 9 Speed and performance 10 Security 8 Price 7 Pros Great speeds Excellent server network Optional security features Streaming-friendly Cons Advanced plans are expensive Limited simultaneous connections Price $14 per month, $60 for the first year or $81 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $140 per year)Latest tests No leaks detected, 3% average internet download speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 7,300-plus servers in 118 countriesJurisdiction Panama NordVPN Best gaming VPN for speed 4.4 / 5 Score NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs that ZDNET has tested, making it a top VPN for all purposes, including gaming. In our most recent tests, NordVPN was one of the top performers with minimal speed loss, and it maintained fast connection times with solid ping speeds and low latency.NordVPN's speed and performance helped push it to second place on our list. The only reason this is not the top contender is that ExpressVPN performed marginally better when we tested resource-intensive games.Also:Our NordVPN reviewNordVPN offers customers more than just a basic VPN. It is suitable for gaming, supports peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, and has a Double VPN feature that adds a second layer of encryption to your connection. In addition, NordVPN's latest independent security audit revealed the VPN is working as it should.Additional features including a data breach scanner, password manager, dedicated IP address, and encrypted cloud storage, are also available but may be limited to premium plans.Customers call this VPN great all-around and applaud the support team. Are there downsides? We would say that NordVPN -- alongside ExpressVPN -- should offer unlimited simultaneous connections.Plans begin at $3.09 per month on a two-year plan with three months of free access. One-year contracts start at $5 per month, whereas if you want one month of access, you can pay $13. If you aren't happy with the service, you can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee.Also: Best password manager for businessNordVPN features:Simultaneous connections:10 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers |Countries:111 |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Email address and billing information only |Money-back guarantee: 30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Surfshark Surfshark is a great deal at just over $2 per month for a two-year subscription, and you're unlikely to find cheaper for a quality, trusted VPN.It remains one of our favorite options, providing excellent value for money. You are also given unlimited connections, so a single plan can cover every compatible device you have including PCs, mobile devices, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.Surfshark is secure, but its performance can lag behind other VPNs in the market. This potentially makes it less suitable for intense gaming and live stream sessions where speed and responsiveness are key. Speed loss was in the mid-tier during testing, but it had fast connections and reasonable ping speeds, so it's worth trying. For the price point, you may find that this VPN is still adequate for your needs, especially if you do not want to pay more than a few dollars a month for your VPN.Review:Surfshark VPNSurfshark's plans are consistently affordable. They start at only $2.19 per month on a two-year plan. As a bonus, three months of free access are added to the length of your contract. Annual plans start at $3.19 per month.Customers say that Surfshark's support is top-notch, and cancelation is easy. The company also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you'll have a month to test it. You can also opt for a seven-day trial on your mobile device.Also:Best VPNs for streaming 2025Surfshark VPN features:Simultaneous connections:Unlimited| Ad-blocker | Two-factor authentication |Kill switch: Yes |Countries: 100 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.4 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 8 Usability 9 Speed and performance 6 Security 8 Price 9 Pros Unlimited simultaneous connections Available on all major platforms Affordable Good for beginners Cons Average speeds Price $15.45 a month, $48 for the first 15 months (then $79 a year) or $60 for the first 27 months (then $79 a year)Latest tests No leaks detected, 21% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 3,200-plus servers in 100 countriesJurisdiction Netherlands Surfshark Best gaming VPN for value 4 / 5 Score Surfshark is a great deal at just over $2 per month for a two-year subscription, and you're unlikely to find cheaper for a quality, trusted VPN.It remains one of our favorite options, providing excellent value for money. You are also given unlimited connections, so a single plan can cover every compatible device you have including PCs, mobile devices, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.Surfshark is secure, but its performance can lag behind other VPNs in the market. This potentially makes it less suitable for intense gaming and live stream sessions where speed and responsiveness are key. Speed loss was in the mid-tier during testing, but it had fast connections and reasonable ping speeds, so it's worth trying. For the price point, you may find that this VPN is still adequate for your needs, especially if you do not want to pay more than a few dollars a month for your VPN.Review:Surfshark VPNSurfshark's plans are consistently affordable. They start at only $2.19 per month on a two-year plan. As a bonus, three months of free access are added to the length of your contract. Annual plans start at $3.19 per month.Customers say that Surfshark's support is top-notch, and cancelation is easy. The company also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you'll have a month to test it. You can also opt for a seven-day trial on your mobile device.Also:Best VPNs for streaming 2025Surfshark VPN features:Simultaneous connections:Unlimited| Ad-blocker | Two-factor authentication |Kill switch: Yes |Countries: 100 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.4 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at IPVanish VPN IPVanish's strength lies in its ability to tailor and configure users' experiences.If you want to fully customize your VPN for gaming, IPVanish is the best option. You can select between a wide range of options and configurations, including the active protocol you want to use -- such as Wireguard or IPSec -- setting up OpenVPN ports, enabling leak protection, and more.You can also filter servers based on locations and latency, and recently, its network has expanded from around 75 locations to 108 countries.These features can be valuable when gaming as they allow you to choose the optimal server based on your gaming requirements, location, and needs. During our recent speed tests, IPVanish lagged behind some competitors, but many customers still applaud this service as a solid VPN. It doesn't hurt that it is extremely affordable, but the user interface needs improvement.IPVanish offers a plan for $2.19 per month if you commit to two years. This increases to $3.33 per month for a yearly plan and $13 for one month.Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company. For more, see ourEditorial Guidelines.IPVanish features:Simultaneous connections: Unlimited |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers |Logging: None, except billing data |Locations: 108 countries |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.3|Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.5 Countries and servers 5 Usability 8 Speed and performance 7 Security 7 Price 8 Pros Affordable Unlimited simultaneous connections Highly configurable Expanded server network Cons Bland user interface Rarely on sale IPVanish Best gaming VPN for configuration 3.5 / 5 Score IPVanish's strength lies in its ability to tailor and configure users' experiences.If you want to fully customize your VPN for gaming, IPVanish is the best option. You can select between a wide range of options and configurations, including the active protocol you want to use -- such as Wireguard or IPSec -- setting up OpenVPN ports, enabling leak protection, and more.You can also filter servers based on locations and latency, and recently, its network has expanded from around 75 locations to 108 countries.These features can be valuable when gaming as they allow you to choose the optimal server based on your gaming requirements, location, and needs. During our recent speed tests, IPVanish lagged behind some competitors, but many customers still applaud this service as a solid VPN. It doesn't hurt that it is extremely affordable, but the user interface needs improvement.IPVanish offers a plan for $2.19 per month if you commit to two years. This increases to $3.33 per month for a yearly plan and $13 for one month.Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company. For more, see ourEditorial Guidelines.IPVanish features:Simultaneous connections: Unlimited |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers |Logging: None, except billing data |Locations: 108 countries |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.3|Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.5 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Private Internet Access VPN CyberGhost is an excellent option if you want to try out specialized servers for gaming. The VPN provider has developed gamer-friendly servers, available in many countries, that can be scrutinized to see their latency, load, ping, and distance to ensure you don't experience lagging or dropped connections.You can use server information displays within the VPN app to find suitable servers for your gaming session, no matter what device you use.Furthermore, CyberGhost offers up to seven simultaneous connections, servers in 100 countries, solid security, and the ability to mask your IP address and prevent you from becoming the victim of a denial of service (DoS) attack while you're streaming.We like CyberGhost's reasonable speeds, specialized servers, and affordable price point. Customers say this VPN is easy to use, affordable, and effective.Review: CyberGhostCyberGhost offers a range of plans, including a two-year subscription for $2.19 per month. If you want to try out the VPN for a shorter time period, you can sign up for $7 per month for six months -- or you can spend $13for one month of access. The best deal is the two-year subscription, as you also get two months of free access.CyberGhost VPN features:Simultaneous connections:7 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, NAS routers |Countries:100+ |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Payment information only |Money-back guarantee: 45 days|Trial: 24 hours on macOS and Windows; three days on Android, seven days on iOS |Trustpilot rating: 4.1|Google Play rating: 4.2|App Store rating: 4.2 Countries and servers 7 Usability 7 Speed and performance 7 Security 9 Price 9 Pros Gaming, P2P servers Reasonably priced Solid performance for streaming Attractive user interface Cons Some server speeds can be low No annual plan No unlimited simultaneous connections Latest Tests No leaks detected, 48% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 35,000 servers in 91 countriesJurisdiction United StatesPrice $12 per month, $40 for the first year (then $50 annually) or $79 total for three years CyberGhost Best gaming VPN for specialist servers 3.9 / 5 Score CyberGhost is an excellent option if you want to try out specialized servers for gaming. The VPN provider has developed gamer-friendly servers, available in many countries, that can be scrutinized to see their latency, load, ping, and distance to ensure you don't experience lagging or dropped connections.You can use server information displays within the VPN app to find suitable servers for your gaming session, no matter what device you use.Furthermore, CyberGhost offers up to seven simultaneous connections, servers in 100 countries, solid security, and the ability to mask your IP address and prevent you from becoming the victim of a denial of service (DoS) attack while you're streaming.We like CyberGhost's reasonable speeds, specialized servers, and affordable price point. Customers say this VPN is easy to use, affordable, and effective.Review: CyberGhostCyberGhost offers a range of plans, including a two-year subscription for $2.19 per month. If you want to try out the VPN for a shorter time period, you can sign up for $7 per month for six months -- or you can spend $13for one month of access. The best deal is the two-year subscription, as you also get two months of free access.CyberGhost VPN features:Simultaneous connections:7 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, NAS routers |Countries:100+ |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Payment information only |Money-back guarantee: 45 days|Trial: 24 hours on macOS and Windows; three days on Android, seven days on iOS |Trustpilot rating: 4.1|Google Play rating: 4.2|App Store rating: 4.2 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Gaming VPNs, compared Best VPN for gamingPriceCountries/server locationsSimultaneous connectionsExpressVPN$5per month with a two-year plan and four free months1058NordVPN$3.09 per month with a two-year plan and three free months11110Surfshark$2.19 per month with a two-year plan and three free months100UnlimitedIPVanish$2.19 per month with a two-year plan108UnlimitedCyberGhost$2.19 per month with a two-year plan and two free months1007 Show more What is a gaming VPN service and why should you use one? A gaming VPN service creates an encrypted tunnel between the device you are gaming on and the internet. Gaming-ready VPNs offer enhanced security and the option to disguise your IP address, which is especially important if you are concerned about stream sniping or DoS attacks. If your internet service provider (ISP) employs activity-based speed and traffic throttling, a VPN may also help you bypass such restrictions, as the ISP won't be able to see what you are doing. Show more Full transparency: There are cons to using a gaming VPN VPNs give you a level of security and privacy, but there are downsides to using a VPN while you're gaming. VPNs, by their nature, will often reduce speeds by up to 30% -- and potentially far more when you connect to far-away servers -- as they encrypt and reroute traffic. These extra steps can also impact your latency, ping, and response rates, which can make all the difference in competitive gaming. Show more Is a VPN for gaming worth it? Unless you are a consistent target of internet trolls trying to track you down through your IP address, we don't think it is worth purchasing a VPN purely for gaming purposes. Typically, a gaming VPN will only protect your privacy on devices with native support -- such as PCs and mobile devices. If you want to use a VPN on a console, you will likely need a router with VPN support, or you will have to configure your existing router, which can be a complicated process.Also:The best travel VPNsIf you plan to use a VPN to also protect your day-to-day activities, streaming purposes, and for travel, we recommend signing up for one. A VPN is able to give you blanket security coverage, reducing the likelihood of being tracked online and giving you the option to shift to different locations, which can be useful in various scenarios. Show more How to use a VPN for gaming on your PC or console Charlie Osborne | ZDNETUsing a VPN for PC or mobile gaming starts with downloading your favorite VPN and running the installer. For this example, we're installing IPVanish on a Windows-based Lenovo laptop. You may need to provide permission for the installation software to finish. Charlie Osborne/ZDNETNext, sign in using your VPN account credentials or a device authorization code. Your VPN will now be active, and you can select the country server you want, change any further settings, and more. When your VPN is active, and you start up your online game, your connection should be protected. Charlie Osborne/ZDNETThe same installation principles apply when you play a game on your smartphone. Simply head over to the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store, download your VPN app, follow the installation process, and connect.Setting up a VPN on your gaming console, however, is not as straightforward. The easiest way is to use a VPN-enabled router that ensures blanket VPN coverage across all of your devices. Some routers will offer VPN support, while others you have to configure manually, depending on the VPN service you are subscribed to and your router model. Alternatively, you can force your console to share the internet connection of a PC running your favorite VPN.If the second option appeals to you, connect both devices via an Ethernet cable, head into PC network settings, ensure you are connecting via Ethernet, and allow other devices to share the PC connection. You will also need to change the favored internet connection in your gaming console's settings.How we test VPNs A gaming VPN should be secure and have the performance needed to handle the demands of online gaming. As a baseline, every VPN on our best VPNs for gaming list needs to have reasonable speeds, minimal gaming lag, and decent ping results.Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our ZDNET team. We've been talking about VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test them from all locations. Every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure.We analyzed the best VPNs for gaming below using the following criteria to help you make an informed decision:Performance:Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there's no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags, making multiplayer gaming impossible.Router support: Many routers don't make it easy to set up a VPN to cover all your devices. Considering that consoles do not natively support VPN apps, we highlighted the best options for VPN usage beyond a PC or a mobile device.Security: There's no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.Geo-blocks and streaming: VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. Considering these factors, we ensured that our top recommendations performed well and are unlikely to slow down your connection while streaming.Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for various hardware. Countries and servers: In how many countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide options.Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee of at least 30 days.Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensiveVPN testing methodology page. Show more Choosing the right gaming VPN Choosing the best gaming VPN will involve hands-on testing. All the VPNs on this list have 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can test out the service for a month and get a full refund if the performance isn't what you hoped it would be.Choose this VPN for gaming...If you want...ExpressVPNThe best gaming VPN overall. ExpressVPN provides consistent, rapid speeds and offers a variety of server locations.NordVPNTop-tier speed and reliability. NordVPN is less expensive than ExpressVPN and only marginally fell behind when used with resource-demanding games.SurfsharkThe most affordable option. While Surfshark doesn't offer the best speeds, you can connect as many devices as you like and the price point is attractive.IPVanishA configurable gaming VPN. IPVanish supports various protocols, including Wireguard, and lets you extensively customize your VPN experience.CyberGhostAn affordable gaming VPN with specialized servers. CyberGhost offers a solid VPN service at an excellent price point and operates servers designed to minimize lag time. Show more What are the factors to consider when choosing a gaming VPN? When you are selecting your new gaming VPN, you need to consider the following factors:Price: VPN prices vary, and although the most expensive services can cost you upwards of $10 to $20 per month, you can also find solid, reliable VPNs for as little as a few dollars. Keep an eye on renewal rates, as some VPN providers hike prices after introductory periods. Many VPN providers will also offer a free seven-day mobile trial. We recommend that you avoidfree VPNs-- with a few exceptions -- as they may sell your data or bombard you with ads.Simultaneous connections: If you're paying for a VPN suitable for your PC or gaming console, you might still want to use it across multiple devices, such as smartphones. We recommend signing up for a plan supporting at least six devices. Thankfully, many paid VPN plans now offer at least this or unlimited connections.Streaming:If you intend to use your gaming VPN to stream content on Twitch, for example, ensure that the VPN can accommodate your favorite services. You will need a fast connection that is unlikely to drop halfway through your gaming session.Gaming servers: Does the VPN provider offer specialized servers for streaming or gaming? You might prefer a VPN with servers specifically offered to reduce lag.Usage length: You need to consider your preferred price point given how long you think you will need a VPN. If you're in it for the long haul, consider a two-year subscription, as you also tend to earn the best prices with the most extended terms. Some VPNs offer longer options.Apps and extensions: When selecting a VPN, try its accompanying mobile apps and extensions to ensure you get the most out of your subscription. Some VPNs, for example, have great desktop software but a mobile app that may not be as intuitive.Also: The best VPN free trials Show more FAQs on gaming VPNsWhat's the best free or budget VPN for gaming? We recommend Surfshark as one ofthe most consistently affordable VPNsfor gaming, as it suits a variety of budgets and will not throttle you based on data usage. While the price point is excellent, Surfshark doesn't always match the speeds of the top VPNs on the market.Alternatively, you could try Windscribe's free plan, which is great in terms of server choice and speed. The downside is that you are limited to 2GB per month unless you agree to various initiatives, such as signing up with your email address. Show more Which VPN server should I pick while gaming? The answer to this question will typically depend on the best speeds you can achieve. If you aren't concerned about your server location, we recommend trying your VPN's "smart" or automatic connection function first. It will usually find a server close to you, improving latency and the available speed. If you want to appear as if you're in a different country, examine your VPN's available servers and try to find the "fastest" server recommendation. Show more What are VPN protocols, and which should I pick for gaming? VPNs use different protocols to manage data transfers between your device and VPN servers.Wireguard is the best protocol for gaming VPNs. It generally offers the best speed and stringent cryptographic protection to keep your connection private. Many of today's best VPNs support this protocol. Show more What's the difference between internet speed and ping time? Internet speed, often called bandwidth, is the speed at which data can be transferred over the internet. If you're downloading or uploading a big file, you want lots of bandwidth.Ping time is how fast you can send a request and receive an answer. It's the round-trip response time, and it's very sensitive to distance and hops. When watching a video, you want to get all that video information down to your machine, but once it starts to transmit, it's usually running at a steady flow.Ping time, however, is how long it takes after you pull the trigger in a game for it to know that you pulled the trigger. If the game thinks you squeezed off a shot half a second after you did, the results could be radically different -- and this can be significant, especially for people who aren't just gaming casually.Ping is the travel time between two points, so the ping you might see listed in VPN reviews may not mean much to you. Your two points and the reviewer's two points willalwaysbe different. This is one reason we haven't listed ping speeds for these VPNs. It's more important for you to measure the ping from where you are to where you're connecting. Show more How does a VPN protect you when you're using a game console? VPNs give you a level of security and privacy. They can protect you against distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, which could compromise your connection. A VPN also allows you to connect to servers in different locations.VPNs protect gaming consoles in the same way they protect your other devices. Unlike simply connecting via a PC or mobile device, a VPN connection with your PlayStation 5 or Xbox involves a more complicated setup. Gaming consoles don't support native VPN apps, but you can still get the protections, location spoofing, and anonymity of a VPN.The key is running your VPN client on a router or sharing a PC's internet connection and bridging your VPN connection. Most VPN vendors have guides that show you how to set this up. Show more Can you unlock games with a VPN? If you're trying to download an online game early such as when release times are locked to specific regions, or you want to take advantage of location-based sales and promotions, you might be able to do this if you connect to your VPN before you log in to the platform.A note of caution, though: Platforms like Steam may monitor your account for "consistency" in your location history and take a dim view of such activities. Using a VPN for these purposes is "strictly against the Steam Terms of Service and may result in restrictions on your Steam account."Separately, some games are geo-restricted and are unavailable in other countries. You could use a VPN to access them, but you might be shouldering the same risks of account suspension or deletion. Show more Is it illegal to use a gaming VPN? Using a VPN during gaming sessions isn't illegal as long as you are in a country that has not banned or heavily restricted overall VPN usage. However, if you're using a VPN to cheat or access game content that is not typically available in your home country, you may find yourself banned. Show more Which VPN has the lowest ping? In our tests, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost performed well in relation to low ping rates. However, depending on your location, server selection, and existing internet speeds, your experience may vary. Show more Can you be banned for using a VPN? Opinions and experiences vary, butgame developers tend to focus their ban efforts on cheaters, rather than those using a VPN to spoof their location. It might be the case depending on whether or not VPN usage is considered as going against a game developer's terms of service. Specific IP addresses might also be banned, so switching your location could work if you find yourself experiencing connectivity issues. Show more Other VPNs we've tested Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends