The best VPN for gaming
Whether you’re at school, traveling abroad, or using a public Wi-Fi network, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gaming.
Game online with a VPN to lower ping, minimize lag, and enhance connectivity.
Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee
6 reasons ExpressVPN is essential for online gamers
Powerful protection
Avoid DDoS attacks by masking your IP. ExpressVPN also features 256-bit AES, leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling.
Boost connectivity
Enjoy unlimited, premium bandwidth. Minimize ping and lag with VPN servers in 105 countries.
Bypass throttling
Limit your ISP from slowing your connection. With a VPN, data can’t be inspected, so your bandwidth won’t be throttled.
Access more online
Get the latest DLC and games from early launch date countries. Play games even if they’re censored where you are.*
Play on all devices
Whether you prefer to play on a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, tablet, or phone, ExpressVPN has you covered.
Game without borders
No matter where you are around the world, simply change your region and play together with your friends.*
What is a gaming VPN?
A gaming VPN, or virtual private network, is a secure tunnel between your gaming device and the internet. Gaming online with a VPN can help with optimizing speed and stability, provide security against DDoS attacks, and protect against ISP throttling.
How does a VPN reduce ping?
Ping, or latency, refers to the time it takes for information—in this case, packets of data—to be sent from your machine to a server and its subsequent response time. Ping is measured in milliseconds, so the lower the ping number, the faster the connection.
Shorter connection routes between your device and gaming servers are preferable for lowering ping as they reduce any noticeable delays between your actions and what happens in-game. Using a VPN can help to shorten this route by connecting to a VPN server closer to the gaming server.
Use a VPN for all the most popular games
Whether you’re slaying demons in space, building strange new worlds from scratch, or taking your team to the playoffs, get more out of the most popular gaming titles. With lower ping, ExpressVPN makes it more enjoyable to play all your favorite games anywhere, anytime with your friends across the world.
Get ExpressVPN for all gaming devices
ExpressVPN offers easy-to-use apps to enhance gaming on a range of major platforms. Alternatively, the ExpressVPN app for compatible routers lets you secure every device in your network, including gaming consoles that can’t install a VPN directly. If you’re using a gaming console for live or on-demand video, ExpressVPN’s included MediaStreamer service can help you unlock the games and content you want* with no buffering, but it does not offer the privacy and other benefits of a VPN.
Get an edge with a VPN for cloud gaming
Much like streaming platforms, cloud gaming services stream games directly from remote servers to a variety of compatible devices, circumventing the need for high-end gaming machines—which means access to more games no matter your device of choice! ExpressVPN is perfect for upgrading your cloud gaming experience, no matter what platform you’re on.
Can I use a free VPN for gaming?
Free proxy services are not recommended for gaming online as they do not offer the same privacy and security benefits of a paid VPN. Many do not work as advertised, some may even sell your data, and most will leave your networks vulnerable to attack.
| Express VPN ExpressVPN | Most free VPNs | |
|---|---|---|
Monthly data limit | Unlimited | 10GB |
Number of countries with servers | 105 | <10 |
Customer support | 24/7 live chat | |
Compatible devices | All popular devices | Desktop and mobile |
Tracks your online activity | Never | Maybe |
Simultaneous connections | 8 | 1 |
Custom VPN protocol | Lightway | None |
Download ExpressVPN on all your devices
A single ExpressVPN subscription lets you download a VPN for every popular platform. Need a VPN for multiple devices? Set up ExpressVPN on everything you own, and use it on eight at the same time.
FAQ: Gaming VPN
How to choose a gaming VPN?
A good gaming VPN, like ExpessVPN, is optimized for speed and stability, secures against DDoS attacks, and protects against ISP throttling.
That said, the most important quality to consider when choosing a gaming VPN is trust. A trustworthy VPN provider:
is transparent in its privacy policy
has been independently audited
designs its systems to avoid storing personal data
shows a consistent commitment to internet privacy and digital freedom
Thereafter, choose your VPN based on the features you need, such as VPN server locations, compatibility with all the devices you own, and unlimited bandwidth. Learn about the various ways to judge a VPN service.
How do I use a VPN for gaming?
Subscribe to ExpressVPN and download its apps for computers, smartphones, and tablets—whatever your favorite devices are. For game consoles, use the ExpressVPN app for routers. Not ready for a VPN router? Your Mac or Windows computer can be used as a “virtual router” instead.
In addition to keeping your data and files safe within an encrypted network, ExpressVPN also protects you from potential DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks while gaming. You can also use our VPN to lower ping times between various gaming servers by connecting to locations closer to the network hosts.
If your ISP (internet service provider) is intentionally throttling certain kinds of network traffic, a VPN can bypass these restrictions and restore your network speeds to their default levels. In some instances, users have even reported faster gaming speeds.
What is the best VPN for gaming?
With servers across 105 countries, best-in-class encryption, and ultra-fast speeds that offer minimal buffering, ExpressVPN is the best and most reliable VPN for online gaming.
Is it legal to use a VPN for gaming?
VPNs are legal in jurisdictions around the world, and they are widely used by individuals to protect their private information and all kinds of online activity, including gaming online. VPNs can also bypass limitations enforced against certain services by ISPs or by local Wi-Fi operators in schools, offices, and public places.
Some gaming service providers or developers may have their own policies regarding the allowable use of VPNs. If in doubt, consult the service's terms of use. ExpressVPN is not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention.
Will a VPN speed up a slow internet connection?
VPNs have the potential to slow your internet connection, but ExpressVPN’s industry-leading speeds mean users rarely notice a difference. In fact, use of a VPN may actually improve your connection if your ISP has been throttling your traffic.
In any case, if you do notice that your connection has slowed down, try selecting a server location that is geographically closer to you.
Do pro gamers use VPNs?
With the emergence and growth of the eSports industry, more pro gamers are opting to use VPNs while gaming to enhance connectivity, increase security, defeat censorship, and protect against DDoS attacks.
DDoS attacks have become an increasing issue in recent years, and using a VPN for gaming provides powerful protection by changing your IP address.
* While you can use a VPN to change your apparent location while gaming or streaming, doing so may violate copyright or infringe upon the content provider’s Terms of Use and the ExpressVPN Terms of Service. As a privacy and security tool, ExpressVPN is designed so that no one can see or control what you do when connected to our VPN service—not even us. So you are responsible for verifying that your use complies with all relevant terms and laws.
What gamers say about us
@expressvpn I was able to get the service i needed for gaming 10/10 all platforms thx well worth service i needed!
Wow, @expressvpn thank you for the stable connection, allowing me to stream and game with minimal issues on my rural connection!
First #vpn to do that well for me.
Yeet! Yup. Its the fastest VPN I’ve ever used to date. I dont even bother switching it off for gaming anymore. Hardly notice it.
Try the risk-free VPN for gaming
Take advantage of our risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee:
If you’re not satisfied using ExpressVPN, contact Support within 30 days and get a full refund.