Best VPNs for Gaming in 2025: Play Without Lags

Last Updated on March 8, 2025 by Editorial

Online gaming has grown in popularity, but it’s not all fun and games. Gamers often grapple with lag, high ping rates, and the frustrating throttling by their internet service providers (ISPs). To counter this you need to use the best VPN for gaming, which based on the tests I conducted, is ExpressVPN.

Virtual private networks are game-changers for online gamers. They encrypt and route your internet traffic through a remote server, helping you bypass ISP throttling, access geo-restricted games, and reduce lag. In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 VPNs for gaming designed to enhance your gaming experience. 

Top 5 VPNs for Gaming

Let’s dive into getting you the top 5 VPNs for gaming.

ExpressVPN – Best Overall 

ExpressVPN is a popular VPN provider with valuable tools and features that help users secure their privacy and online browsing experience. The VPN is known for its solid security and lightning-fast speeds, which a seasoned gamer would love to experience when playing. 

This service is considered the best VPN for gaming overall due to several features. It has one of the best speeds, which is critical for avoiding lag during gaming and maintaining a smooth experience. The VPN also uses protocols such as Lightway, which is known for its minimal impact on connection speeds and efficiency.    

The VPN has servers in 165 locations across 105 countries with lightning-fast speeds that keep your gameplay responsive and smooth. The vast server network gives you more options for finding a server that fits your needs. If you are playing a game on another country’s server and need to change it, ExpressVPN allows you to connect to an alternative server. 

If you consider ExpressVPN when using various gaming gadgets, you have the ultimate package. With ExpressVPN, you can safely use your smartphone, tablet, PC, Mac, or console (Xbox and PlayStation). Its ease of use makes it easier to connect and disconnect this VPN quickly, regardless of the gadget used for gaming. 

ExpressVPN also offers more simultaneous connections of up to 8 devices. This means you can protect multiple gaming devices from IP leaks and benefit from the VPN’s privacy and security features. This eliminates the need for each device to subscribe separately. 

If your ISP throttles your bandwidth due to gaming traffic, ExpressVPN can help reclaim your initial internet speed. The VPN bypasses ISP throttling by encrypting data, preventing your ISP from identifying gaming activity and giving you unlimited access to gameplay. 

ExpressVPN currently restricts split tunnelling to its Android app. However, the VPN makes up for this with security and protection through features such as leak protection and 256-bit AES encryption. 

NordVPN – Fastest Gaming VPN

NordVPN boasts one of the fastest connection speeds, which enables the user to experience minimal lag and a smooth gaming experience. 

Lower speeds can lead to a frustrating and sluggish gaming experience. NordVPN consistently beats competitors, especially with connection speeds, thanks to an in-house variant, NordLynx, an open-source WireGuard protocol.

NordVPN also has great online security tools, torrenting, and streaming capabilities. The VPN efficiently manages customer traffic across 118 countries with over 7,000 server fleets. With this large server network, you are assured of finding a server closer to you. This geographical proximity helps keep latency low since a high latency will create a delay between your actions and what happens in your game. 

Considered one of the safest VPN providers, NordVPN has some of the market-leading encryption that safeguards the user’s online activity while gaming. NordVPN uses the AES-256-CBC cipher and ChaCha20 encryption to ensure their traffic is unreadable from external watchers. 

This includes protection from potential DDoS attacks. In 2013, NordVPN introduced a cyber protection benefits toolkit backed by insurance to support gamers dealing with cyber extortion and identity theft. 

Surfshark – Most Affordable

Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for gaming due to its affordability, unlimited simultaneous connections, and low pings. Surfshark uses the most updated technologies to ensure gaming security and supports a private browsing experience for any user who values confidentiality and smooth gaming.   

Surfshark VPN is safe and packed with excellent security features such as AES-256 and ChaCha encryption, RAM-only servers, and a kill switch that prevents exposing your IP address or unencrypted traffic from leaking out during gaming 

Being a no-logs VPN, Surfshark ensures your private information is not logged and stored on its servers. The VPN also exempts you from IP leaks. It automatically eliminates any information related to the game you were playing. 

Surfshark also has a kill switch, which prevents data from leaking if you lose connection. The kill switch is a safety net, meaning that if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops, it instantly shuts off your device’s internet access to prevent information leakage. This will . 

The VPN is capable of unblocking geo-restricted gaming platforms. You can test this by connecting to a Surfshark server in a location with a streaming service or content library and confirming whether you can access the content. 

CyberGhost – Large Server Network

CyberGhost combines a large server fleet and low pings providing the best experience for online gaming. CyberGhost has a WireGuard protocol with great special gaming-optimized servers. 

CyberGhost has a useful feature known as Smart Rules, which allows you to customize the app according to your needs. You also get NoSpy servers that allows your gaming sessions to be extra private by anonymizing your IP address, often reducing the risk of DDoS attacks. CyberGhost also has a kill switch and no-logs policy feature that keeps your data safe.  

When comparing different VPNs’ download and upload speeds, consider the ping, an essential factor for a smooth online gaming experience. CyberGhost is among the best gaming VPNs with excellent upload and download speeds.

CyberGhost is committed to user privacy, and with its strict no-logs policy, a gamer can be confident about the VPN’s confidentiality. For a gamer concerned with online privacy, the VPN ensures that it doesn’t track or store their online activity. This aspect is crucial today when privacy has become a growing concern for the gaming community. 

For those who often get updates and download games, CyberGhost has a P2P support system. The feature enables you to mask your P2P traffic like torrents to ensure you utilize different configurations or bandwidth allocations that ensure that a gamer makes fast and safe downloads. And even if the gamer runs into an issue, they have 24/7 customer support to ensure they do not leak their IP and logs. 

IPVanish – Reliable Gaming Privacy

IPVanish it offers fast connection speeds, helpful security features, user-friendly apps, and an adequate server fleet.  IPVanish has a seamless feature for beginners and season tech enthusiasts, working equally well and uncomplicated. 

IPVanish has servers in up to 52 countries, making it a decent VPN service provider. With its P2P optimization, the VPN provides users with crucial features for frequent downloaders who prioritize privacy and security for P2P traffic. 

If you are interested in the best VPNs for gaming and don’t know where to get started, IPVanish is a good starting point for gamers looking for general online privacy and impressive service. Its military-grade AES 256-bit encryption can consistently protect you from potential hackers and people trying to get into your browsing data. 

You can test the VPN using IPVanish’s Quick Connect feature, which connects you to the best servers in its network based on their existing performance. With a single click, the feature eliminates the guesswork of manually searching for the best server. Quick Connect also prioritizes servers based on real-time performance metrics. 

Selecting the Right VPN for You

Select a VPN that enhances your online experience and makes your streaming activities private. Here are the factors to keep in mind. 

• Speed and Performance: When choosing a VPN for gaming, consider low latency and high speeds to improve your gaming experience. Your preferred VPN should be fast enough to deliver the necessary speeds to keep you in the game, especially at a competitive stage.

• Security: When connected to a VPN for gaming, consider masking your IP address and substituting it with an IP address provided by the server you are connected to. If someone attempts to target you with a DDoS attack, the VPN should guarantee your safety when engrossed in playing an online game. 

• Device Compatibility: Your preferred gaming platform and devices must be compatible with the best VPNs for gaming. Whether you are gaming through your mobile phone, console, or gaming rig, ensure the VPN provides dedicated applications or has easy-to-follow setup instructions.

• Server Network: A VPN with fewer servers is overcrowded and has less optimal locations, reducing connection speed and causing high lag and ping. Consider the number of servers a VPN has in some of the most convenient locations.

• Cost: Avoid free VPNs. While getting a free VPN sounds excellent, all companies are in the business of making money and require finances to cover their costs. Some free VPNs contain ads or sell users’ data. They also have restrictions and may not offer essential features linked to the best VPNs for gaming. 

FAQs

What is the best VPN for gaming?

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gaming, with its excellent speeds and the number of servers worldwide. The VPN optimizes your gaming experience by reducing ping and lag and preventing DDoS attacks. ExpressVPN is a favorite for gamers looking for high speeds and strong reliability without compromising security and excellent customer support. 

Should I use a free VPN?

Yes, you can use a free VPN. However, free VPNs experience slowdowns due to congested servers with higher ping times and slower connection speeds. Free VPNs do not offer the strongest encryption protocols, and your log user activity may be exposed, potentially compromising your privacy. Some free VPNs might be bundled with intrusive advertising or malware, thus harming your device’s security and negatively affecting your gaming experience. 

Is it legal to use a VPN for gaming?

Yes, it is legal to use a VPN for gaming. VPNs are legitimate tools for security and privacy, considering gaming is a recreational activity. Always watch out for the game’s terms of service (TOS), especially since some games may entirely prohibit the use of VPNs. If you get caught using a VPN violating the TOS, you could temporarily get suspended or permanently banned from the game. 

Can I use a VPN to reduce ping when gaming?

You can use a VPN to reduce gaming ping, but this will not guarantee improvement. Sometimes, a VPN redirects your traffic to a more dependable path on the gaming server, leading to a lower ping. Most VPNs do this when your ISP’s routing is inefficient or congested. However, the further the distance of your connected server, the higher the ping will be. 

Can I use a proxy instead of a VPN for gaming?

A VPN is better than a proxy for gaming. A virtual private network will deliver better speeds and security than proxy servers. A VPN can encrypt your internet traffic to add a layer of protection, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks in gaming cafes or tournaments. However, proxies don’t offer such encryption. At the same time, proxies only mask your IP from a specific service or website you use. 

Can I get banned for using a VPN for gaming?

Yes, you can get banned for using a VPN for gaming if the game’s Terms of Service (TOS) have specific rules against using VPNs. Some games forbid the use of a VPN entirely, while others may restrict its usage only to certain features. Using a VPN to circumvent restrictions or in-game bans can also get you flagged. 

Conclusion 

The online gaming community is growing, and the landscape is evolving. Finding the best VPN for gaming is essential to give you a competitive edge. You must understand your priorities, whether prioritizing security, maximizing speed, or minimizing ping, to select a VPN completely complements your gaming style.

Consider factors that will improve your gaming experience. By thoroughly investigating these essential elements, you can make the best decision that aligns with your gaming needs.