Gaming VPN lets you route your internet connection through a secure server to improve online gaming performance by offering low latency, access to geo-restricted games, and protection against DDoS attacks. A gaming VPN is specifically designed for gamers, keeping gaming needs like speed and performance in mind, making it most suitable.

Gaming specific VPN offer 5 key benefits to gamers as listed below.

  1. Bypass geo-restrictions to access games and servers that are unavailable in your region.
  2. Protect against DDoS attacks, ensuring uninterrupted gameplay.
  3. Avoid ISP throttling to maintain consistent gaming speeds and improve matchmaking by connecting to different regional servers.
  4. Secure personal data when gaming on public Wi-Fi networks and minimize lag spikes with low latency offered by gaming-optimized servers.
  5. Access early releases or game updates that are available in specific regions.

Geekflare has researched and listed the top gaming VPNs based on factors like the number of server locations, platform compatibility, latency, region unblocking, etc.

  1. IPVanish – Best for Low Latency
  2. ExpressVPN – Best for Wide Compatibility
  3. CometVPN – Best for Budget Gamers
  4. PureVPN – Best for Global Server Coverage
  5. NordVPN – Best for Privacy Features
  6. Surfshark – Best for Unlimited Devices
  7. OctoVPN – Best for User-Friendliness
  8. ProtonVPN Gaming – Popular Swiss-based VPN Provider
  9. CyberGhost Gaming VPN – Best for Optimized Gaming Servers
  10. hide.me Gaming VPN – Best for Speed and Simplicity

You can trust Geekflare

At Geekflare, trust and transparency are paramount. Our team of experts, with over 185 years of combined experience in business and technology, tests and reviews software, ensuring our ratings and awards are unbiased and reliable. Learn how we test.

IPVanish

IPVanish

Best for Low Latency

Geekflare rating score 4.0 out of 5
4.0
|
  • Server Locations
    90+
  • No. of Connections
    Unmetered
  • Customer Support
    Email
$12.99/month

About IPVanish

IPVanish stands out as one of the best VPNs for gaming because of its curated tools and features, which were developed to offer low ping times.

IPVanish safeguards IP addresses and personal data during online gaming as most game servers tend to be unsecure, preventing theft and exposure. During competitive gaming, DDoS attacks can turn concerning, and IPVanish addresses it by hiding IP addresses to maintain normal traffic.

The best part of IPVanish is that it addresses ISP throttling, a common issue faced by every gamer, where ISPs throttle their connection during high-traffic gaming times. With the split tunneling capability, the gamer can further enhance stable connection by allowing specific applications to route through the ISP or VPN.

While IPVanish offers features helpful to gamers, if you are new to VPNs, it is important to be clear about what is a VPN prior to going into the specific types for a better decision.

IPVanish Features

  • Key feature

    Offers a wide selection of servers globally spread across 90+ locations with unlimited bandwidth focused on reducing lag.

  • Key feature

    Ensures that the gamer is always secure while playing online games, irrespective of the network connected to, through pairing with the WireGuard protocol for further online gaming privacy.

  • Key feature

    Provides compatibility with multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

IPVanish Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Improve your gaming experience with reduced lag.

  • Advantage

    Maintain consistent speeds for uninterrupted gameplay.

  • Advantage

    Enjoy secure gaming across multiple platforms.

  • Disadvantage

    Doesn’t support routers and gaming consoles.

  • Disadvantage

    May have fewer servers in some regions.

  • Disadvantage

    Can be slightly more expensive compared to other VPNs.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Best for Wide Compatibility

Geekflare rating score 4.5 out of 5
4.5
|
  • Server Locations
    105+
  • No. of Connections
    Up to 8
  • Customer Support
    Live Chat
$12.95/month

About ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN addresses the issue of lack of compatibility that gamers face with a VPN by offering support not just for prominent operating systems but also for various gaming consoles, hardware, and platforms.

ExpressVPN masks gamers’ IPs. With this, the DDoS attacks are prevented, and gaming turns stable due to normal traffic. Since there is unlimited bandwidth offered, gamers experience minimal ping and lag while having the flexibility to early access to DLCs and new releases.

The best part of ExpressVPN is the detailed guides, where a gamer can refer to and change server regions, optimize settings, and resolve common gaming issues with ease.

ExpressVPN Features

  • Key feature

    Has unlimited bandwidth through its optimized gaming servers spread across 105 countries.

  • Key feature

    Ensures safety of gamers by masking their IP with 256-bit AES encryption and the Lightway protocol.

  • Key feature

    Offers ISP Throttle bypass and Split Tunneling to let the gamer address the issue of slower speeds, especially when connecting to game servers, making gaming private and secure.

ExpressVPN Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Experience smooth gameplay with minimal lag.

  • Advantage

    Stay protected from online threats while gaming.

  • Advantage

    Easily optimize your settings with detailed guides.

  • Disadvantage

    Higher price point compared to other VPNs.

  • Disadvantage

    Limited to five simultaneous connections.

CometVPN

CometVPN

Best for Budget Gamers

Geekflare rating score 4.8 out of 5
4.8
|
  • Server Locations
    Major
  • No. of Connections
    Multi-device
  • Customer Support
    Live Chat
$9.99/month

About CometVPN

CometVPN, like other prominent gaming VPNs, isn’t limited to a VPN for gaming and extends further by offering support for video streaming, social media browsing, and video conference calling.

CometVPN ensures you’re all covered by offering support for mobile devices and prominent operating systems like Windows and macOS.

CometVPN Features

  • Key feature

    Offers a network of high-speed unlimited bandwidth servers worldwide, allowing gamers to access game servers in different regions while having the flexibility to access new releases and DLCs.

  • Key feature

    Uses UDP protocol, which ensures faster connection speeds and lower latency, enhancing the private and secure gaming experience, especially during online games.

  • Key feature

    Provides encryption that is focused on securing online activities and maintaining a stable network, creating an ideal environment for gamers without security risks like DDoS attacks

CometVPN Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Enjoy faster connections for a better gaming experience.

  • Advantage

    Keep your online activities safe and private.

  • Advantage

    Access your games on various devices seamlessly.

  • Disadvantage

    Doesn’t support routers and gaming consoles.

  • Disadvantage

    Smaller server network compared to top competitors.

  • Disadvantage

    Lacks advanced features found in other VPNs.

PureVPN

PureVPN

Best for Global Server Coverage

Geekflare rating score 4.2 out of 5
4.2
|
  • Server Locations
    80+
  • No. of Connections
    10
  • Customer Support
    Live Chat
$12.95/month
FREE Trial

About PureVPN

PureVPN is yet another VPN with optimized servers that are ideal for different purposes, specifically for gaming and streaming.

PureVPN is spread across 80+ locations with 6000+ servers, and while not every server is gaming-compatible, the 20Gbps are optimized for gaming. With this, the gamer can efficiently play competitive games on different servers and access new releases and DLCs without restrictions.

PureVPN Features

  • Key feature

    Optimizes gaming with 20Gbps servers, allowing efficient gameplay on different servers and access to new releases and DLCs without restrictions.

  • Key feature

    Enhances security and privacy with PureVPN’s protocol and encryption, ensuring a secured identity, stable network, and prevention of DDoS attacks.

  • Key feature

    Improves gaming speeds and reduce ping times with split tunneling and leak-proof features, routing traffic through a masked IP without ISP tracking and throttling on specific gaming software or online games.

PureVPN Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Play games smoothly with low latency.

  • Advantage

    Game securely with enhanced privacy.

  • Advantage

    Maintain stable speeds for consistent gameplay.

  • Disadvantage

    Doesn’t support routers and gaming consoles.

  • Disadvantage

    Some servers may be slower during peak times.

  • Disadvantage

    Not all features in the base plan, and too expensive monthly plan.

NordVPN

NordVPN

Best for Privacy Features

Geekflare rating score 4.2 out of 5
4.2
|
  • Server Locations
    111
  • Device Connections
    10
  • Customer Support
    Email
$12.99/month

About NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the best conventional VPNs with exclusive features. To address the needs of different users, NordVPN offers various types of VPNs, including gaming VPNs.

NordVPN is spread across 111 countries with 6300+ ultra-fast unlimited bandwidth servers, offering gamers the flexibility to access different game servers and newer releases, including DLCs.

NordVPN Features

  • Key feature

    Eliminates bandwidth throttling and ensure gamer privacy by masking IP and allotting a VPN IP address, supported by NordLynx and standard encryption to prevent DDoS attacks.

  • Key feature

    Provides Meshnet for seamless multiplayer LAN gaming without lag or jitter, eliminating the need for a complicated setup.

  • Key feature

    Offers exclusive tools like Kill Switch, Dark Web Monitor, and Threat Protection, ensuring a secure and uninterrupted gaming experience.

  • Key feature

    Ensures compatibility with prominent operating systems, gaming consoles, mobile devices, and routers for a versatile gaming setup.

NordVPN Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Keep your gaming sessions secure and private

  • Advantage

    Access exclusive features for a superior gaming experience

  • Advantage

    Enjoy low latency for seamless multiplayer games

  • Disadvantage

    Can be more expensive than other VPNs

  • Disadvantage

    Distant servers may have inconsistent speeds

  • Disadvantage

    Lacks yearly plans

Surfshark

Surfshark

Best for Unlimited Devices

Geekflare rating score 4.8 out of 5
4.8
|
  • Server Locations
    100+
  • Device Connections
    Unlimited
  • Customer Support
    Chat
$15.45/month

About Surfshark

Surfshark stands out as one of the best VPNs for gaming because of its exclusive support and features, as well as simultaneous unlimited device connections.

Surfshark offers 3200+ gaming-ready servers with unlimited bandwidth, allowing gamers to play without limitations while having access to geographically locked DLCs and newer releases, and provides matchmaking on different region game servers.

Surfshark Features

  • Key feature

    Bypasses ISP throttling to prevent network drops and lags during gaming sessions caused by ISP throttling or DDoS attacks, using powerful encryption and VPN protocols to mitigate cyber threats and risks.

  • Key feature

    Ensures low ping times to provide the best gaming experience with the most popular online games, reducing latency and improving gameplay.

  • Key feature

    Offers features like Kill Switch and Split Tunneling as standard, enhancing security and allowing you to manage your internet traffic efficiently.

  • Key feature

    Provides exclusive compatibility by supporting different gaming consoles alongside prominent operating systems and streaming devices, including routers.

Surfshark Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Avoid slowdowns and cyber threats while gaming

  • Advantage

    Experience low ping for a smoother gaming experience

  • Advantage

    Connect multiple devices for gaming without limits

  • Disadvantage

    Some features could be presented in an easier way

  • Disadvantage

    Expensive plans when compared to other gaming VPNs

OctoVPN

OctoVPN

Best for User-Friendliness

Geekflare rating score 3.8 out of 5
3.8
|
  • Server Locations
    40
  • Device Connections
    Based on plan
  • Customer Support
    Live Chat
$6.99/month

About OctoVPN

OctoVPN is one of the emerging VPNs and is expanding to serve as a different type of VPN, including a gaming VPN.

OctoVPN is spread across 40 countries, featuring high-speed servers with unlimited bandwidth. With these, a gamer can connect with different players on various game servers and enjoy early access to DLCs and new releases.

OctoVPN Features

  • Key feature

    Enhances privacy and security while gaming and surfing the web with WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols paired with standard encryption.

  • Key feature

    Receives immediate alerts if your IP is under a DDoS attack, allowing for quick response and minimal disruption during competitive gaming.

  • Key feature

    Stays private while gaming and surfing websites by masking your IP address with a private dedicated IP.

  • Key feature

    Uses VPNs on different platforms to play with low ping times, thanks to OctoVPN’s cross-device compatibility.

OctoVPN Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Respond quickly to threats with instant alerts

  • Advantage

    Enhance your privacy and security while gaming

  • Advantage

    Play with low latency across different platforms

  • Disadvantage

    Doesn’t support routers and gaming consoles

  • Disadvantage

    Smaller server network compared to other VPNs

  • Disadvantage

    Limited to three simultaneous connection

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

Popular Swiss-based VPN Provider

Geekflare rating score 4.5 out of 5
4.5
|
  • Server Locations
    107
  • Device Connections
    10
  • Customer Support
    Email
$9.99/month
FREE Plan Available

About ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is known for its free plan and is recognized as one of the best VPNs. For gamers, ProtonVPN offers curated features through its new version of VPN for gaming.

ProtonVPN offers gamers a global high-speed server network with unlimited bandwidth paired with a VPN accelerator to ensure low ping times and a stable connection, allowing matchmaking on different game servers, live stream, and access to geo-locked games, new releases, and DLCs.

ProtonVPN Features

  • Key feature

    Ensures gamers can play securely irrespective of the network with the WireGuard Protocol paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, while also saving battery and boosting performance.

  • Key feature

    Bypasses ISP throttling and potential DDoS attacks to ensure privacy and security by masking IP addresses and the activity associated with them through dedicated VPN IP addresses, preventing network lags during gaming and improving the overall gaming experience.

  • Key feature

    Offeres compatibility with prominent platforms, including mobile devices and several browsers, to provide flexibility and convenience for gamers across different devices.

ProtonVPN Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Enjoy stable connections for smooth gameplay

  • Advantage

    Protect your gaming sessions from online threats

  • Advantage

    Access your games on various platforms easily

  • Disadvantage

    Doesn’t support routers and gaming consoles

  • Disadvantage

    Free plan has limited features

CyberGhost Gaming VPN

CyberGhost Gaming VPN

Best for Optimized Gaming Servers

Geekflare rating score 4.5 out of 5
4.5
|
  • Server Locations
    100
  • Device Connections
    7
  • Customer Support
    Live Chat, Email
$12.99/month

About CyberGhost Gaming VPN

CyberGhost stands out as one of the best VPNs for gaming and is known for its optimized gaming servers, making it ideal for gamers looking for a stable connection and lower ping times. It is spread across various countries, and its servers are located in 100 countries, reducing network congestion and enhancing the gaming experience.

CyberGhost Gaming VPN Features

  • Key feature

    Ensures gamer activity is kept private and secure with the WireGuard protocol paired with 256-bit AES encryption.

  • Key feature

    Addresses IP bans, allowing players to play their favorite games even in regions where they are banned, and include key features from the standard version of CyberGhost for multiple purposes beyond gaming.

  • Key feature

    Enhances usability by allowing gamers to connect to servers in various ways without complexity.

  • Key feature

    Supports all gaming platforms, including consoles and routers, ensuring broad compatibility for gamers.

CyberGhost Gaming VPN Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Experience low ping for better gaming performance

  • Advantage

    Stay secure while accessing restricted games

  • Advantage

    Connect effortlessly to multiple gaming platforms

  • Disadvantage

    Can be slower on some servers

  • Disadvantage

    Affordable pricing only in certain regions

  • Disadvantage

    Lacks a yearly plan

hide.me Gaming VPN

hide.me Gaming VPN

Best for Speed and Simplicity

Geekflare rating score 4.0 out of 5
4.0
|
  • Server Locations
    90
  • Device Connections
    10
  • Customer Support
    Live Chat, Email
$9.95/month
FREE Plan Available

hide.me Gaming VPN Description

hide.me emerges as one of the most efficient gaming VPNs because of its curated features that are capable of enhancing the gaming experience while being secure and private. It allows gamers to connect to over 89 server locations worldwide, significantly reducing ping times and latency for smoother gameplay without interruptions.

hide.me Gaming VPN Features

  • Key feature

    Bypasses ISP throttling and prevent DDoS attacks by maintaining a stable connection and consistent network traffic.

  • Key feature

    Allows play irrespective of the network and ensure security and privacy standards are met by masking your IP address and replacing it with a dedicated VPN IP address.

  • Key feature

    Provides compatibility for all prominent operating systems, including gaming consoles.

hide.me Gaming VPN Pros/Cons

  • Advantage

    Play with reduced latency for smoother gameplay

  • Advantage

    Avoid interruptions from slowdowns or attacks

  • Advantage

    Keep your gaming sessions private and secure

  • Disadvantage

    Doesn’t support routers and gaming consoles

  • Disadvantage

    Limited server network and features compared to competitors

  • Disadvantage

    The free plan is limited to one device connection

Top Gaming VPNs to Use in 2024 Comparison Table

Gaming VPN
Price (monthly)
Platform Compatibility
Free Trial
Console Support
Go to
IPVanish

IPVanish

$12.99
4.0
/5
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon, Chromebook
ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

$12.95
4.5
/5
iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, routers, etc.
CometVPN

CometVPN

$9.99
4.8
/5
iOS, Android, Windows
PureVPN

PureVPN

$12.95
4.2
/5
Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, iOS, Android, etc
✅ (on Windows)
NordVPN

NordVPN

$12.99
4.2
/5
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Surfshark

Surfshark

$15.45
4.8
/5
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, TVs, or routers
OctoVPN

OctoVPN

$6.99
3.8
/5
Cross-device compatibility
ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

$9.99
4.5
/5
Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Chrome, Firefox, Linux, Chromebook, Android TV
CyberGhost

CyberGhost

$12.99
4.5
/5
iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, FireTV, Chromebook, Firefox
hide.me

hide.me

$9.95
4.0
/5
Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Chrome, Firefox, Linux

What is difference between Gaming VPN and Regular VPN?

A gaming VPN is curated for gaming by offering specialized servers and features that focus on improving online gaming performance by reducing lag and providing stable connections, while protecting privacy and enhancing security.

On the other hand, regular VPNs does arguably the same, but with features focused on privacy and security for various needs. Thus, gaming VPNs are more focused on game experience.

How does a Gaming VPN improve online gaming performance?

A gaming VPN improves online gaming by reducing lag, lowering ping times, and preventing ISP throttling. It can provide more stable connections by routing your traffic through optimized servers closer to the game server, leading to smoother gameplay.

How to choose the best gaming VPN for your needs?

Choosing the best gaming VPN is crucial as it is responsible for the gaming experience. Here are 5 key factors to consider.

  1. Select a VPN that bypasses geo-restrictions to access games and servers with unlimited connections.
  2. Ensure the VPN offers protection against DDoS attacks for uninterrupted gameplay.
  3. Choose a VPN that prevents ISP throttling to keep your gaming speeds consistent.
  4. Opt for a VPN that secures your data when gaming on public Wi-Fi networks whether you play video games or mobile games. 
  5. Pick a VPN with gaming-optimized servers that offer stable connections and low ping times with AES-256 encryption.

Apart from these, most VPN providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is an added bonus. 

How to test the speed and latency of a gaming VPN?

To test the speed and latency of a gaming VPN, connect to a server and use online tools like Speedtest or Pingtest. Now, decide by comparing the results with and without the VPN to see the difference in ping, download, and upload speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best gaming VPN?

All VPNs listed in the compilation are ideal for gaming. However, Express VPN, Surfshark VPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost tend to offer more than the rest.

Is a VPN good for gaming?

Yes, a VPN is good for gaming as it can reduce lag, protect against DDoS attacks, and bypass geo-restrictions.

What VPN does gamers use?

Gamers prefer VPNs based on their region and requirements. If you’re looking for a gaming VPN, check out the VPNs listed in this compilation

Which VPN is fast for gaming?

All VPNs listed in this compilation offer promising gaming experience. It is your turn to try each and find what best fits your gaming needs.

Is using a gaming VPN legal?

Yes, using a gaming VPN is legal. However, it’s important to follow the terms of service of the games you play, as some may have policies against using VPNs to bypass regional restrictions.

Learn More About VPNs