[Written By External Partner]
Are you tired of lag ruining your winning streaks during intense competitions or tournaments? You are not alone! Most gamers find it frustrating that their winning streak is ruined or a winnable match slipped away with no fault of theirs. If you have had enough high pings during your intense online games and cannot take it anymore, the solution is to use a VPN. VPNs also help you overcome data caps so you can enjoy hours of uninterrupted online gaming.
It isn’t easy to find a VPN that lowers latency while keeping gaming sessions secure. But that’s where this guide comes to your rescue. Here, we have compiled a list of the top VPNs that ensure a lag-free gaming experience while preventing ISP throttling, reducing latency, preventing DDoS attacks, and overcoming geo-restrictions. Take a look.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a top choice for gaming because it consistently delivers fast speeds and low pings. Whether you are playing Fortnite or Realm Royale Reforged, you won’t experience any lag.
The excellent gaming performance of this VPN is largely due to its Lightway protocol. This is a proprietary protocol optimized for stable connections and fast speeds. Also, it consumes less battery energy, so gamers can play hours of online games without their devices kicking the bucket. It is also available on ExpressVPN’s router application, so you can enjoy the same great speeds whether you are playing on your desktop or console.
ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can try it without any risk, and if it is not for you, you will get a full refund.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark plans are an absolute steal! This VPN provider allows gamers to shore up their digital privacy and take their gaming a few notches higher for as little as $1.99 a month. What’s more, you ask? The provider has included several functionalities in this itty-bitty price tag.
With a single Surfshark plan, each and every device in your house will be covered because the provider offers unlimited simultaneous connections. So, if you are gaming across multiple systems or enjoying a competitive match with a few of your roommates, you can count on Surfshark to provide you with the best package.
This premium VPN has a wide server network across 100+ countries, and it guarantees security and high speed. Its battle-tested encryption means you do not need to spend time worrying about doxing, swatting, and other IP-based attacks.
Other notable features are ad blocker, antivirus, kill switch, and no-logs policy. Overall, this is a budget-friendly VPN for gamers offering premium service.
3. CyberGhost
In the VPN industry, CyberGhost is a staple and offers a service that is packed with features to the brim. The provider organizes the server list so that you can easily see which ones are well-optimized for specific tasks, such as torrenting, streaming, and gaming. Although this is a basic feature, it comes in handy when you have a tournament starting in a few minutes and don’t have the time to find the right server after a trial-and-error method.
CyberGhost gives users 45 days to see how the VPN performs with their favorite multiplayer titles. If you are not happy, you will get a full refund.
4. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access not only offers consistent content unblocking and rock-solid protection from cyber threats but also a service that is well-optimized for Linux users. If your laptop or computer is running Linux, this VPN comes in handy due to its useful Linux GUI. Also, PIA is an excellent pick for anyone who is gaming via Steam Deck.
When it comes to customization, PIA stands out from the rest. It allows users to tweak the encryption setup by heading into its settings. Thanks to this, gamers enjoy a tailor-made balance between speed and security.
However, the only drawback is that it provides speeds of around 350 Mbps. Although this is sufficient for online gaming, you may have to choose a faster VPN if you are streaming live while gaming.
5. NordVPN
NordVPN needs no introduction because it is one of the most popular and high-ranked VPN service providers. It is known as the absolute speed demon and reaches speeds of over 950 Mbps due to the NordLynx protocol. So, with NordVPN, you will have no problem hopping into online tournaments or MMOs.
The server network of NordVPN is also astonishing. Gamers can take their pick of more than 5,400 servers across 111 countries. Whether you have the habit of shopping for better gaming deals or want to enjoy early access to your favorite games, NordVPN makes it as easy as pie.
What’s more, you ask? NordVPN protects gamers against DDoS attacks and has a strict no-logs policy to safeguard privacy.
6. VyprVPN
VyprVPN is known as the geo-restriction slayer. Its proprietary Chameleon protocol is capable of bypassing the most stringent geographical restrictions. So, if you love accessing global gaming tournaments and content, this VPN service is exactly what you need. Along with overcoming geo-restrictions, the VPN provider offers excellent security features and solid speeds. Overall, the package is impressive.
7. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is for casual gamers enjoying mobile gaming. Although this doesn’t offer much to serious gamers with a proper gaming rig, mobile gamers can hugely benefit from using this VPN service. Its apps are user-friendly, and the servers are optimized to ensure a smooth mobile gaming experience. You can connect to your preferred server and enjoy your favorite games while on the go. If you want to taste its capabilities, you can avail yourself of its free plan. Then, you can upgrade the plan as your situation changes.
The Bottom Line
So, these are seven of the hottest gaming VPNs that ensure a lag-free gaming experience on your mobile, laptop, computer, or console. These VPNs help you overcome geo-restrictions and access your favorite games instantly while ensuring security and top-notch speeds. Also, these VPNs prevent DDoS attacks and other IP-based attacks that may impact your gaming experience.
Since most of them offer a money-back guarantee, you can sign up for all and see which one works best for you.
