In the competitive world of online gaming, a fraction of a second can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Lag, high ping, and DDoS attacks can ruin your gaming experience and give your opponents an unfair advantage. That’s where a high-performance gaming VPN comes in. A VPN can help you achieve lower ping, reduce lag, protect against DDoS attacks, and even access geo-restricted game servers. At VPNtesters.com, we’ve rigorously tested numerous VPNs to identify the best options for gamers in 2025.
Why is it important to have a VPN for Gaming?
- Lower Ping and Reduce Lag: By connecting to a VPN server closer to the game server, you can potentially reduce your ping and minimize lag, resulting in a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
- Protect Against DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are common in online gaming. A VPN masks your IP address, making it much harder for malicious actors to target you with DDoS attacks.
- Access Geo-Restricted Games and Servers: Some games or game servers are only available in specific regions. A VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions and play on servers worldwide.
- Bypass ISP Throttling: ISPs sometimes throttle (slow down) gaming traffic. A VPN encrypts your connection, making it harder for your ISP to identify and throttle your gaming activity.
- Early Game Access: Some games are released earlier in certain regions. A VPN can allow you to play them before they’re officially released in your area.
- Improve Security: Connecting to a VPN server will encrypt your connection, improving your security, and making it safer for you to play.
Our Top VPN Picks for Gaming in 2025
Here are our top-rated VPNs for gaming, ranked based on their speed, latency, server network, DDoS protection, and other gaming-specific features:
1. NordVPN: Excellent Speeds and Security for Gaming
Overall Gaming Rating: 9.5/10
Pros:
- Excellent speeds with the NordLynx protocol.
- Low ping and minimal lag on most servers.
- Large server network in 111 countries.
- Strong security features, including Double VPN and Onion over VPN.
- Dedicated gaming servers.
- Threat Protection feature blocks ads and malware.
Cons:
- Map interface can be clunky on mobile.
- Slightly higher ping on some servers.
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Excellent, with low ping on most servers.
- Speed: Very fast speeds, suitable for all types of online games.
- DDoS Protection: Strong protection against DDoS attacks.
- Server Locations: Servers in 111 countries, providing a wide range of options for connecting to game servers.
- Game Server Optimization: Offers dedicated servers optimized for online gaming.
- Supported Games: Works seamlessly with Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, LoL, Fortnite, MTG Arena, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, GTA V, Valorant, and other popular titles.
NordVPN is another excellent choice for gaming. Its fast NordLynx protocol and large server network provide a smooth and lag-free gaming experience. NordVPN also offers strong security features, including Double VPN and Onion over VPN, for added protection against online threats.
Learn More about NordVPN’s Gaming Capabilities
2. Surfshark: Affordable and Feature-Rich Gaming VPN
Overall Gaming Rating: 9.0/10
Pros:
- Very affordable, especially on longer plans.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Fast speeds with WireGuard.
- Good for gaming on multiple devices.
- Camouflage Mode obfuscates VPN traffic.
Cons:
- Smaller server network than NordVPN.
- Slightly higher ping than the top two providers.
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Very good, with low ping on most servers.
- Speed: Very fast speeds, suitable for most online games.
- DDoS Protection: Offers DDoS protection.
- Server Locations: Servers in 100 countries.
- Game Server Optimization: Offers some servers optimized for gaming.
- Supported Games: Performs well with Dota 2, Counter-Strike, LoL, Fortnite, MTG Arena, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, GTA V, Valorant, and other online games.
Surfshark is our top budget pick for gaming. It offers a great combination of speed, security, and affordability. With unlimited simultaneous connections, you can protect all your gaming devices with a single account.
Learn More about Surfshark’s Gaming Capabilities
3. CyberGhost: User-Friendly with Dedicated Gaming Servers
Overall Gaming Rating: 8.8/10
[Get CyberGhost]
Pros:
- Dedicated servers optimized for gaming.
- User-friendly apps, great for beginners.
- Large server network in 100 countries.
- 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Affordable long-term plans.
Cons:
- Slower speeds on long-distance connections.
- Higher ping than top-tier providers.
- Privacy concerns due to its ownership (Kape Technologies).
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Good, but can be higher on long-distance connections.
- Speed: Fast speeds, suitable for most online games.
- DDoS Protection: Offers DDoS protection.
- Server Locations: Servers in 100 countries.
- Game Server Optimization: Offers dedicated servers optimized for gaming.
- Supported Games: Works well with Dota 2, Counter-Strike, LoL, Fortnite, MTG Arena, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, GTA V, Valorant, and other popular titles.
CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN with dedicated gaming servers. It’s a good option for beginners who want a simple and straightforward way to improve their online gaming experience. However, its speeds and ping can be inconsistent on long-distance connections.
4. Private Internet Access: Large Server Network, Less Ideal for Gaming
Overall Gaming Rating: 8.6/10
[Get Private Internet Access]
Read Full Private Internet Access Review
Pros:
- Vast server network, including servers in all 50 US states.
- Affordable pricing.
- Strong focus on privacy.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Port forwarding for optimized torrenting.
Cons:
- Higher ping and slower speeds compared to top gaming VPNs.
- Based in the US (Five Eyes jurisdiction).
- Apps can be overwhelming for beginners.
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Good, but can be higher than top-tier providers.
- Speed: Fast, but not as fast as the best gaming VPNs.
- DDoS Protection: Offers DDoS protection.
- Server Locations: Servers in 91 countries, including all 50 US states.
- Game Server Optimization: No specific game server optimization.
- Supported Games: Works with Dota 2, Counter-Strike, LoL, Fortnite, MTG Arena, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, GTA V, Valorant, and other online games, but may not provide the optimal experience for competitive gaming.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a popular VPN with a strong focus on privacy. However, it’s not the best choice for gaming due to its higher ping and slower speeds compared to the top-tier providers. Its vast server network can be useful for accessing geo-restricted content, but it lacks dedicated gaming servers.
5. ExpressVPN: The Best Overall VPN for Gaming
Overall Gaming Rating: 9.7/10
[Get ExpressVPN]
Pros:
- Blazing-fast speeds with the Lightway protocol.
- Consistently low ping and minimal lag.
- Extensive server network in 105 countries.
- Strong security and DDoS protection.
- User-friendly apps for all major platforms.
- Excellent 24/7 live chat support.
Cons:
- Higher price compared to some competitors.
- Limited advanced features for gaming.
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Excellent, minimal impact on ping.
- Speed: Very fast, ideal for bandwidth-intensive games.
- DDoS Protection: Robust protection against DDoS attacks.
- Server Locations: Servers in 105 countries, providing ample options for connecting to game servers worldwide.
- Game Server Optimization: Offers servers optimized for gaming performance.
- Supported Games: Works flawlessly with Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends (LoL), Fortnite, MTG Arena, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), Valorant, and virtually all other online games.
ExpressVPN is a great vpn for gaming in 2025. Its exceptional speed, low latency, and robust security make it the perfect choice for serious gamers. ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol delivers blazing-fast speeds with minimal impact on ping, ensuring a lag-free gaming experience.
Learn More about ExpressVPN’s Gaming Capabilities
6. IPVanish: Fast Speeds on Nearby Servers, Limited Optimization
Overall Gaming Rating: 8.5/10
[Get IPVanish]
Pros:
- Fast speeds on nearby servers.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Strong security features.
- No-logs policy.
Cons:
- Higher ping on long-distance connections.
- Apps can be clunky and less intuitive than competitors.
- Based in the US (Five Eyes jurisdiction).
- No specific game server optimization.
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Good on nearby servers, but higher on long-distance connections.
- Speed: Very fast on nearby servers.
- DDoS Protection: Offers DDoS protection.
- Server Locations: Servers in 52 countries.
- Game Server Optimization: No specific game server optimization.
- Supported Games: Can be used with Dota 2, Counter-Strike, LoL, Fortnite, MTG Arena, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, GTA V, Valorant, and other online games, but may not be ideal for competitive play.
IPVanish offers fast speeds on nearby servers, making it decent for gaming if you connect to a server close to your location or the game server. However, it lacks specific gaming optimizations and its apps are not as user-friendly as some competitors.
7. Proton VPN: Security-Focused, Less Ideal for Gaming
Overall Gaming Rating: 8.3/10
[Get Proton VPN]
Pros:
- Strong security and privacy features.
- Based in Switzerland (strong privacy laws).
- Open-source apps.
- Excellent speeds.
Cons:
- Higher ping compared to top gaming VPNs.
- Limited server network for gaming.
- Expensive compared to competitors with better gaming performance.
- No 24/7 live chat support.
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Good, but can be higher than top-tier providers.
- Speed: Very fast speeds.
- DDoS Protection: Offers strong security features.
- Server Locations: Servers in 112 countries.
- Game Server Optimization: No specific game server optimization.
- Supported Games: Can be used with online games, but may not provide the optimal experience for competitive gaming.
Proton VPN is a security-focused VPN that prioritizes privacy. While it offers excellent speeds and robust security features, its higher ping and lack of gaming-specific features make it less ideal for competitive gaming.
8. Hide.me: Fast Speeds, Limited Gaming Optimization
Overall Gaming Rating: 8.1/10
[Get Hide.me]
Pros:
- Very fast speeds.
- Strong security features.
- No-logs policy.
- Good for torrenting.
Cons:
- Higher ping compared to top gaming VPNs.
- Apps can be complex for beginners.
- Smaller server network.
- Limited gaming optimization.
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Fair, can be higher than ideal for competitive gaming.
- Speed: Very fast speeds.
- DDoS Protection: Offers security features, but no specific mention of DDoS protection.
- Server Locations: Servers in 79 locations.
- Game Server Optimization: No specific game server optimization.
- Supported Games: Can be used with online games, but may not be ideal for competitive play.
Hide.me is a decent VPN for gaming, but its capabilities are somewhat limited compared to the top providers. However, it excels in speed and security, making it a good option for general browsing and torrenting.
9. PrivateVPN: Affordable, Decent for Casual Gaming
Overall Gaming Rating: 8.0/10
[Get PrivateVPN]
Pros:
- Affordable pricing, especially on longer plans.
- Good speeds for gaming.
- User-friendly apps.
- Strong security and privacy features.
Cons:
- Smaller server network compared to top competitors.
- Higher ping than top-tier gaming VPNs.
- Customer support can be slow to respond.
- No WireGuard protocol.
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Fair, can be higher than ideal for competitive gaming.
- Speed: Fast speeds.
- DDoS Protection: Offers security features, but no specific mention of DDoS protection.
- Server Locations: Servers in 62 countries.
- Game Server Optimization: No specific game server optimization.
- Supported Games: Decent for casual gaming, but may not be ideal for competitive play.
PrivateVPN is a reliable and affordable option for casual gaming. It offers good speeds and unblocks most games. However, its smaller server network and lack of WireGuard protocol may be drawbacks for some users.
10. Windscribe: Free Plan Option, Inconsistent for Gaming
Overall Gaming Rating: 7.9/10
[Get Windscribe]
Pros:
- Generous free plan (with limited servers and data).
- Strong security features.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds and ping.
- Smaller server network than top-tier providers.
- Customer support could be improved.
Gaming Test Results:
- Ping/Latency: Fair, can be inconsistent.
- Speed: Fast speeds on some servers, inconsistent on others.
- DDoS Protection: Offers security features.
- Server Locations: Servers in 69 countries.
- Game Server Optimization: No specific game server optimization.
- Supported Games: Can be used for gaming, but performance may vary.
Windscribe is a decent option for casual gaming, particularly if you’re on a tight budget and can utilize its free plan. However, its inconsistent speeds and ping make it less suitable for competitive gaming.
(How We Test VPNs for Gaming)
Our gaming VPN rankings are based on extensive testing and analysis. We evaluate each VPN’s ability to:
- Provide Low Ping and Minimal Lag: We measure ping and latency while connected to different servers and playing various online games. [Link to Internet Speed Test: /tools/internet-speed-test/]
- Deliver Fast Speeds: We conduct speed tests to ensure the VPN can handle bandwidth-intensive gaming.
- Offer a Wide Server Network: We consider the number of servers and countries, particularly those relevant for gaming (US, Europe, Asia).
- Protect Against DDoS Attacks: We analyze the VPN’s security features and any specific measures for mitigating DDoS attacks.
- Provide User-Friendly Apps: We assess the ease of use of the VPN apps, especially regarding features relevant to gaming.
- Game Server Optimization: If the VPN offers specific servers optimized for gaming.
- Price: For what they offer, is the price reasonable.
Conclusion
Choosing the best VPN for gaming depends on your specific needs and priorities. NordVPN currently leads the pack with its exceptional speed, low latency, and robust security. Surfshark is also an excellent choice, offering great performance at better prices.
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