10 Best VPNs For Gaming: Ultimate Guide

OUR TOP PICK

Express VPN

If you have done any research into VPN protection, then you’ve probably already heard of Express VPN. This company tops most lists of paid VPN services, with a network of servers that can easily handle the high bandwidth limits of most games. You can connect to the Express VPN server from 9 locations around the globe.

This company has a whopping 3,000 servers in 94 countries right around the globe, so the chances of you finding a lag-free server to protect your data is very likely. This comes with a military-grade killswitch which will come into effect as soon as the software notices a bad-faith actor on your machine.

Pros

• This VPN has a 30-day trial that you can be certain will deliver. After trying this for a few weeks, you’ll be able to see why it’s so popular and want to subscribe immediately.
• This will hide your IP address from anyone, ideal for protecting you against cyber threats. This will also be good if you are seeking a gaming experience that cannot be traced or hacked.
• This VPN is compatible with both PC and console games - it gives you a wide variety of subscription packages.
• When it comes to speed, this VPN is very hard to beat. If you are a fan of fast-paced gaming, then we would recommend that you pick up an Express VPN package.

Cons

• The price - this might set you back a little in terms of price, although remember that you are paying for the best package.

EDITORS CHOICE

Windscribe

This next VPN is compatible with most routers and gives you a data collection device with very few limitations. You can get 10GB of data for free every month, which roughly translates to around 33 hours of continuous gameplay - introducing Windscribe VPN.

If you are a fan of fast-paced shooters, then we would definitely recommend that you pick up this VPN. It has servers dotted around the globe in over 60 countries, meaning that you won’t be struggling to find a secure connection for your games. This is made with military-style encryption codes and comes with great adware protection.

Pros

• You can enjoy a free P2P server with a split-tunneling function. This allows you to protect your gaming and your browsing at the same time.
• You can subscribe for absolutely free - not only that, but you can get a 3-day money-back guarantee with each purchase.
• You can even use this with your Netflix account - if you want to browse exclusive programming around the world without having to experience any intrusion or blocks, then we would recommend that you go for this VPN.

Cons

• If you are looking to be gaming at peak times during the week, then you might experience some lagging.

BEST VALUE

PrivateVPN

This VPN is one that you can be sure will have everything that you need for a great setup, not only do you have a free 7-day trial, but you will have the ability to be able to access all of the services. This is a great way of being able to try out your VPN with your gaming to see whether or not it is suitable for you - introducing the PrivateVPN.

If you want a high-speed VPN, with hardly any limits on your bandwidth, then you can be sure that PrivateVPN has everything that you want. You’ll need latency and high speed for smooth and uninterrupted gaming. This will also protect you from DDoS attacks with a military-grade encryption code.

Pros

• This is probably one of the most affordable VPNs that we have. You can play it cautiously, signing up for the free trial before committing to a very reasonable price package.
• This has a wide range of features, such as a blocking device that will protect you from DDoS attacks and a military-grade encryption device that will keep your details secret from virus peddlers.
• This is also a very flexible package, you can try it out for a few days and then cancel if you like. However, you’ll have to make sure that you cancel within 30 days to make sure that you qualify for a refund.

Cons

• The price - this is another very expensive package, so be sure that you are committed to secure gaming before splashing out money on this.

RUNNER UP

Hotspot Shield

This next VPN service is completely free, not even requiring you to enter any payment details such as credit cards or account information. All you have to do is download your app, connect your account and have all the data protection that you need for your internet needs - introducing the Hotspot Shield.

This will give you around 500MB of data, which might not be considered a lot for your average gamer, but we can assure you that you’ll have everything that you need to get started. This gives you everything that you need for fast service and incredible lag-free gaming.

Pros

• This is very applicable to routers, guaranteeing you plenty of strength and security in your router.
• This is great for gaming, without enough hours to guarantee that you won’t experience any lag.
• This company has plenty of servers located across the world, allowing you to plug in at various sources. If you are using their services for free, then it will automatically connect you to the US server.

Cons

• This server is not suitable for use with a router, you will have to plug it into your games console.

RUNNER UP

ProtonVPN

This next service is one that you can have for absolutely free, with unrestricted access to a wide range of servers. This will allow you to game much faster without experiencing any lag. It has an automatic killswitch and plenty of encryption devices - introducing the ProtoVPN.

You can connect to over 54 countries with this server, although it runs best for those that are living in the US and Japan. You can have P2P servers, which will noticeably speed up your internet connection. They have DNS leak protection and plenty of adware blockers that won’t ruin your gaming session.

Pros

• This is brilliant for gamers who like that smooth interplay and no slowing down of graphics or connectivity.
• This comes with an automatic killswitch, which will automatically disconnect your computer if it detects any suspicious activity in the immediate vicinity.
• This comes with 54 countries worldwide, so you can be sure of connecting with a server if you are operating in the US.

Cons

• This does come with server restrictions that can hamper the speed of your internet connection, which will certainly cause your game to lag.

RUNNER UP

Hide.me

This is another VPN that gives you around 2GB of free data every month, with 7 hours of secure gaming, which is great for anyone who considers themselves a mere casual gamer. This comes with a killswitch and access to over 75 servers dotted around the world, although some people might find this too restrictive - introducing hide.me.

If you are looking for an entry-level VPN, then this one will certainly be a good place to start. Not only does it give you everything that you need for complete internet protection, but you also won’t have to pay that much. You can even subscribe for free for the first few months, having access to all the features if not all the servers.

Pros

• This comes with military-grade security, which will definitely give you peace of mind if you don’t want any malware sneaking in the back door if you are running a browser.
• This works with Spotify and Youtube, with very few speed restrictions. This is great if you are looking to run streaming services as well as computer games.
• If you are opting for the completely free option at the beginning, then we would recommend that you go with this one, as you get a very admirable 2GB of free space with this.

Cons

• Some of the more hardcore gamers will find the lack of space with the free subscription very lacking, so we would recommend that you dip into your pocket and shell out a few dollars on the full service.

RUNNER UP

Tunnelbear

This VPN is one that you might not have heard about, but we can assure you that it is very reputable. You have 500MB of free data if you sign up to this service for free, which guarantees you at least half an hour of gaming every month. This is great for those gamers who consider their usage to be casual - introducing Tunnelbear.

This is the perfect VPN for consoles, giving you everything that you need for a decent blocker that won’t reduce the running speed of your game. This comes with encryption that is military-grade and unlimited data output. However, one of the drawbacks of this is that you can’t get your money back if you subscribe.

Pros

• This has servers in 25 countries, making it a great VPN for use in territories such as the US and Japan. This will give you plenty of options to explore and at a reasonable price point.
• This VPN is very easy to navigate, perfect for anyone who might be literate with games but not-so-literate with internet security.
• This is compatible with a whole host of browsers and devices, including Android, Windows and Firefox. This is great if you plan on browsing alongside your gaming.

Cons

• This is not compatible with your router, so if you are hoping to block access to multiple devices, you might find yourself experiencing some backlog. 

RUNNER UP

Betternet

Betternet is another very little-known VPN, although you can be sure that you’ll have everything that you need for a secure gaming experience. Betternet gives you access to a lot of servers, providing you with a military-grade encryption level that you can be sure will give you everything that you need for the casual gamer - introducing Betternet.

This utilizes Hotspot technology to boost the speed of your gaming while you are using a VPN. This gives you 500MB of free data up top, which is great if you are cautious about committing your hard-earned dollars to the full package. This is also compatible with a wide range of mobile devices such as Android and Windows.

Pros

• The versatility - Betternet VPN can adapt itself to most consoles, so whether you are playing a PS4 or an Xbox, you won’t have to worry about slow frame rates and jumpy speeds.
• This uses Catapault Hydra technology to boost the speed of your machine to make sure that it has no lagging issues. This will definitely appeal to more hardcore gamers.
• The free 500MB of data will more than appeal to anyone who is looking for a decent VPN but at a cut-price.

Cons

• This is still definitely the preserve of the beginner gamer - if you are looking for smooth and secure gaming for longer than a few hours, then we would suggest that you pay money for a premium package.

RUNNER UP

Speedify

This VPN offers you something a little different, it uses channel bonding to create a super-fast VPN speed. This has plenty of lagging differentials that will prevent your computer from fully dropping whenever you are playing your game. This is great for those gamers who want a reliable and lag-free game - introducing Speedify.

This is adaptable to your game console, as well as Netflix, Spotify and Amazon. If you want to browse You still have an impressive 2BG of free space, so you won’t have to worry about it affecting your game for a good months before having to shell out for the deluxe package.

Pros

• This will give you premium speeds through the unique channel-bonding technology - this will really help you when it comes to playing those fast-paced shooting games.
• This has 2GB of free data when you join, which will definitely be a priority for the money-minded players who only consider themselves casual gamers.
• This VPN is compatible with routers, Netflix and other streaming devices. This means you can get complete coverage for a few months without having to pay a single dime.

Cons

• This is not compatible with routers, so if you are wanting to use it with gaming and streaming, we suggest that you find a different service.

RUNNER UP

Opera VPN

Our final VPN is one of the most secure that you can currently get on the market. With unlimited data and unrestricted speeds, this is the perfect option for those gamers who like to keep it fast and secure. This VPN will allow you to choose between US and Canada, which makes it a great option for people who live in those countries - introducing Opera VPN.

This is a great VPN for allowing you to play in a browser, giving you everything that you need for secure gaming, shopping and social media usage. This is compatible with Android, Windows and Mac, so you can be sure that it is the most versatile VPN on the market. If you are someone who likes to game in-browser, you should go with this VPN.

Pros

• You can get unlimited speed and storage space, which is amazing when you consider how little you’ll be paying for this service.
• This comes with a wide range of servers all over the globe, so this is the perfect option if you are browsing in the US, Europe or Canada.
• This is the least restrictive browser that you can find - this is great for those that like to play hard and spend very little.

Cons

• The fact that you can only operate this VPN in the browser might be very limiting if you are using any other gaming platform.