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Best VPNs for gaming

Compare VPNs by documented modern protocols and server-country coverage. VPNPlox has not independently measured gaming latency.

12 VPNs rankedTop pick: ProtonVPNHow we rank
#1
ProtonVPN logo

ProtonVPNTop pick

Trustpilot 4.1120 countries

Swiss VPN provider with open-source apps, a free tier, Secure Core multi-hop, and support for modern VPN protocols.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidandroid-tv6 audits
$3.59/mo
mo on the 24-month plan
30-day refund
#2
NordVPN logo

NordVPN

Trustpilot 4.2149 countries

Panama-based VPN provider offering NordLynx, multi-hop connections, threat-blocking features, and apps for major platforms.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidandroid-tv5 auditsFree trial
$3.49/mo
mo on the 24-month plan
30-day refund
#3
Surfshark logo

Surfshark

Trustpilot 4.4100 countries

Netherlands-based VPN provider offering unlimited simultaneous connections, WireGuard support, and apps for major platforms.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidandroid-tv4 auditsFree trial
$2.49/mo
mo on the 24-month plan
30-day refund
#4
Private Internet Access logo

Private Internet Access

Trustpilot 4.391 countries

United States-based VPN provider with WireGuard and OpenVPN support, port forwarding, and unlimited simultaneous connections.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidandroid-tv4 audits
$2.03/mo
mo on the 39-month plan
30-day refund
#5
CyberGhost logo

CyberGhost

Trustpilot 4.1100 countries

Romania-based VPN provider with dedicated server categories, apps for major platforms, and a refund window that varies by plan.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidandroid-tv3 auditsFree trial
$2.19/mo
mo on the 26-month plan
45-day refund
#6
Mullvad logo

Mullvad

Trustpilot 4.444 countries

Swedish privacy-focused VPN provider with flat pricing, account-number registration, open-source apps, and WireGuard connections.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidchrome4 audits
$5.72/mo
mo on the 1-month plan
30-day refund
#7
IVPN logo

IVPN

Trustpilot 4.650 countries

Gibraltar-based privacy-focused VPN provider with open-source apps, multi-hop connections, and published third-party audits.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidrouter3 audits
$4.00/mo
mo on the 12-month plan
30-day refund
#8
IPVanish logo

IPVanish

Trustpilot 4.590 countries

United States-based provider owned by Ziff Davis with two no-logs audits, unlimited device count, and a StrongDNS bonus for Fire TV users.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidandroid-tv2 auditsFree trial
$2.19/mo
mo on the 24-month plan
30-day refund
#9
Windscribe logo

Windscribe

Trustpilot 4.469 countries

Canada-based VPN provider with a free tier, flexible paid plans, unlimited connections, and Pro-plan port forwarding.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidandroid-tv2 audits
$4.08/mo
mo on the 12-month plan
7-day refund
#10
VyprVPN logo

VyprVPN

Trustpilot 4.270 countries

Switzerland-based provider with owned servers, two no-logs audits, and proprietary Chameleon protocol that bypasses restrictive networks in China.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidrouter2 audits
$3.33/mo
mo on the 12-month plan
30-day refund
#11
PureVPN logo

PureVPN

Trustpilot 4.696 countries

British Virgin Islands-based provider with a long-running always-on audit, very low introductory 2-year pricing, and broad device coverage.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidandroid-tv4 audits
$2.15/mo
mo on the 27-month plan
31-day refund
#12
Mozilla VPN logo

Mozilla VPN

Trustpilot 4.357 countries

United States-based Mozilla-branded provider, white-labeled on Mullvad's WireGuard stack with three audits.

windowsmaclinuxiosandroidrouter3 audits
$4.99/mo
mo on the 12-month plan
30-day refund

Expert guide

A VPN changes the network route to a game server and usually adds an extra hop. It may help a poorly routed connection, but it can also increase latency. This guide compares documented protocols and server-country coverage; VPNPlox has not independently measured in-game ping or DDoS protection.

What to check in a gaming VPN

  • WireGuard or proprietary equivalents like Lightway and NordLynx for the lowest possible latency.
  • Clear provider documentation for any DDoS-protection claim and the plans or servers it covers.
  • Low and stable ping on long-distance connections, not just local speed-test results.
  • Server locations near the game servers you actually play on (often Virginia, Frankfurt, Tokyo, or Singapore).
  • Apps for routers and consoles, since most gaming happens on consoles that do not support native VPN apps.

How to test a gaming VPN yourself

Connect to a server near the game server, then measure your ping in-game or with a tool like WinMTR. Compare that against your baseline ping without the VPN. If the added latency is under 20 ms, you are unlikely to feel it in-game. Anything over 50 ms will show up in twitch shooters and competitive titles.

Consoles and routers

PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch do not support native VPN apps. The most reliable way to VPN a console is to install the VPN on your router, which protects every device on your network at once. Look for providers with explicit router setup guides and dedicated router apps.

for gaming - frequently asked questions

Which VPN is the best for gaming?

The current top pick for gaming is ProtonVPN, based on the documented provider data and guide-specific criteria shown below. Prices and features should be verified with the provider.

How do you score VPNs?

Each VPN is assessed across 18 documented dimensions, including jurisdiction, audits, protocols, pricing, support, and product features. Use-case guides then apply criteria relevant to that guide. See the methodology page for the current rules and data limitations.

Do you accept payment to influence rankings?

No. Sponsored placements are clearly labelled and never affect a score. Affiliate links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you, but they never change where a provider ranks.

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