The best VPN for gaming
Overview
These are the tech, tools, and products — from laptops to e-readers, from earbuds to robovacs, and more — that Mashable ranks best in class.
Table of Contents
You've probably come across VPNs. These security services protect your data and identity when you're navigating the online world. They are increasingly important in today's world, as the fight against cyberthreats becomes more serious every day. Of course, not everyone uses these services for boosting cybersecurity.
A lot of subscribers sign up to unlock more content from around the world or give themselves an advantage when gaming.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is an essential service that secures your internet connection, giving you greater control over how your online activity can be tracked, and providing a combination of security (keeping your computer and data protected) and privacy (keeping your identity protected).
So how does a VPN accomplish this? By creating an encrypted connection between your computer and a server operated by the VPN service, that’s how. When you’re connected to the VPN server, all of your network traffic passes through a safe, protected tunnel that no one else should be able to monitor. That's the theory anyway.
Even the very best VPNs will likely have an impact on your connectivity, though, sometimes to the point where lag gets in the way of your gaming — which is unacceptable, particularly if you’re a first-person shooter fan.
Do you need a VPN for gaming?
First and foremost, VPNs should be used to protect your personal information when you're online, and that doesn't change if you're gaming. It's important to remain anonymous as hackers and other online threats can still access your personal details when you're playing your favourite titles. The best way to ensure that you're data is private is with a VPN.
There is an argument that using VPNs can also increase your chances of success when gaming. With games that use skill-based matchmaking, VPNs can help you find easier lobbies. By connecting to a VPN, you can hide your real IP address and connect to a secure server in another location. This simple process tricks the game into thinking you are based elsewhere. Why is this useful when it comes to games like Call of Duty: Warzone? You can connect to a country with fewer gamers, or connect to a country at a less busy time of the day. This reduces your chances of meeting skilled players.
What is the best VPN for gaming?
So how do you select a VPN when both security and gaming are priorities. You need a VPN that ticks three boxes — speed, ping, and protection — so that when you’re in a virtual life and death situation, lag doesn’t deliver the killer blow.
These are the best VPNs for gaming in 2025.
ExpressVPN
Best For Mobile
The Good & The Bad
- Custom apps for mobile
- Operates in 94 countries
- No free trial
- Limited number of simultaneous connections
Why We Like It
Read our full review of Express VPN.
You should be able to find a speedy server with ExpressVPN from anywhere in the world. That’s because they now operate across 94 countries.
In terms of gaming, ExpressVPN really excels when it comes to the mobile. ExpressVPN offers custom apps, in particular for Android and iOS, making it easy to stay protected on the go. That’s all well and good but being mobile doesn’t count for much if the speed drops off considerably when using the VPN. Well ExpressVPN delivers on that front too with strong performance levels across the board.
There’s no free trial with ExpressVPN so you can’t try before you buy, but there is a 30-day money back guarantee so if you aren’t satisfied, you aren't stuck.
Details
NordVPN
Best For Security
The Good & The Bad
- Security is a focus
- Good geographical spread
- Speed and ping remain strong
- Not the cheapest option
Why We Like It
Read our full review of NordVPN.
With over 5100 servers in 62 countries dotted around the world, NordVPN is able to supply a connection that isn’t too heavily impacted by reductions in speed and increases in ping.
Ping is a major issue for gamers, and particularly those who prefer fighting or first-person shooter games, where split seconds make all the difference. The fact that NordVPN does not result in a major increase in ping should be music to the ears of security conscious gaming lovers everywhere.
NordVPN is a strong contender when it comes to security, with a selection of offerings that boost protection. Traffic passes through two separate VPN servers, you get the option of a dedicated IP, and NordVPN operates a ‘no logs’ policy, meaning your data is secure.
Much like the majority of VPNs, monthly billing can be slightly pricey, but if you commit for longer, you’ll get much better value for money.
Details
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Simplicity
The Good & The Bad
- Good value for long-term subscriptions
- Fast live chat support
- 45 day money-back guarantee
- Some servers do cause reduction in speed and ping
Why We Like It
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
CyberGhost hosts 1300 servers in 90 locations across 58 different countries, making it a serious option for those that get around. Whether you travel for work or pleasure, you need a VPN that is going to back you up wherever you place your hat, and CyberGhost will do that.
CyberGhost also doesn't place any restrictions on your browsing habits, meaning there is no data caps and no throttling with this service. If you sign up to CyberGhost you'll benefit from unlimited traffic and bandwidth for the entirety of your contract.
CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs if you game because it is able to combine usability with clever features, as well as a strong privacy policy. What we are saying is that CyberGhost does what a VPN should, without overcomplicating things.
Details
TunnelBear
Best For Beginners
The Good & The Bad
- Strong privacy policies
- Easy to navigate interface
- Ad blocker
- Free option
- Limited data in free package
- Performance isn't great
- Lack of server locations
Why We Like It
TunnelBear has strong privacy policies, a pleasing and easy to navigate design, and browser extensions (including an ad blocker). It also offers a genuinely free package, with the caveat of limited data.
So how does this VPN compare when it comes to gaming? Speed results are pretty uninspiring, and a lack of geographic diversity in server locations is also a sticking point, but TunnelBear doesn't force you to compromise between security and usability like much of its competition, and usability is key.
So if you can get over the increase in ping, TunnelBear is an option, and should be something to consider, particularly if you are just dipping your toe into the world of VPN and want an easy VPN that doesn’t overcomplicate things.
Details
Private Internet Access
Best For Hardcore Gamers
The Good & The Bad
- Delivers great performance
- Affordable
- Ad blocker
- Kill switch
- Interface is crude
- No free version
- No specialised servers
Why We Like It
Private Internet Access VPN is a great example of function over form. There’s no getting away from the fact that the Spartan Interface is a bit crude and will probably confuse new users. The stats don’t lie however, and Private Internet Access VPN delivers when it comes to performance, and it’s affordable too.
Private Internet Access VPN also has a few useful features like an automatic ad blocker and a kill switch to immediately stop your Internet connection if the VPN drops. It could do with a little makeover but who really cares when it’s fast and affordable? It has everything you need to enjoy your gaming and your privacy.
There is no free version, and no specialised servers, but you shouldn’t need them with such strong performance.
Details
PureVPN
Best For Travel
The Good & The Bad
- Dedicated IP
- Great network of servers
- Not the best speed results
Why We Like It
PureVPN ticks a lot of boxes, with geographically diverse servers, a dedicated IP, and a strong privacy policy. It’s not the fastest, but it was faster than most and is definitely fast enough for most users.
So PureVPN boasts an outstanding network of international VPN servers and its performance is very solid.
Overall, PureVPN is a serious option for all gamers. Whilst it isn’t the absolute fastest VPN in terms of ping or upload/download speeds, it is one of the best thanks to its mix of competitive performance and a polished design.
Details
Topics Cybersecurity Gaming
Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.
