Best VPN for Gaming in 2025:

NordVPN offers the lowest ping increase (12ms avg.) with dedicated gaming servers. ExpressVPN is best for consoles with router support. Surfshark provides unlimited connections for gaming households. See full comparison →

Best VPN for Gaming: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs PureVPN vs PIA (2025)

We compared 5 top VPNs for gaming based on speed, ping optimization, and security features across platforms like PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch — helping you choose the best VPN to reduce lag and protect your connection.

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Gaming VPN Comparison: Key Stats

VPN Avg. Ping Increase DDoS Protection Gaming Servers Console Support Price
NordVPN +12ms ✅ Yes Dedicated servers in 20+ countries Router setup $3.09/month
ExpressVPN +18ms ✅ Yes All servers optimized Router app + DNS $4.99/month
Surfshark +22ms ✅ Yes Performance servers Router setup $1.99/month
PureVPN +32ms ❌ No Port forwarding Manual router config $3.66/month
Private Internet Access +38ms ❌ No Port forwarding Manual router config $2.03/month

Detailed Gaming VPN Reviews

1. NordVPN - Best for Low Ping Gaming Editors' Choice

NordVPN's specialized gaming servers deliver the most consistent low-latency performance we tested, making it ideal for competitive FPS and MOBA players.

Why Gamers Love It:

  • Dedicated gaming servers in 20+ locations
  • Only 12ms average ping increase
  • Meshnet for private LAN parties
  • Threat Protection blocks DDoS attacks
  • Works on routers for consoles

Potential Drawbacks:

  • No port forwarding
  • Limited customization for advanced users
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2. ExpressVPN - Best for Console Gaming Router Support

ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol and router app make it perfect for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch gamers who want lag-free connections.

Why Gamers Love It:

  • Pre-configured gaming routers available
  • Lightway protocol reduces ping spikes
  • All servers optimized for gaming
  • Easy console setup via DNS or hotspot
  • 24/7 live chat support

Potential Drawbacks:

  • More expensive than competitors
  • Fewer gaming-specific features than NordVPN
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3. Surfshark - Best Budget Gaming VPN Unlimited Devices

Surfshark offers unlimited connections for households with multiple gamers, with a respectable 22ms average ping increase.

Why Gamers Love It:

  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • CleanWeb blocks malicious ads
  • Good ping for price (+22ms avg.)
  • Works with most routers
  • Very affordable long-term plans

Potential Drawbacks:

  • Fewer gaming-optimized servers
  • Speeds fluctuate more than NordVPN
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4. Private Internet Access - Best for Advanced Users High Ping

PIA offers open-source apps and extensive configurability, but its 38ms average ping increase makes it our last choice for gaming.

Why Gamers Love It:

  • Port forwarding support
  • Massive server network (35,000+)
  • Proven no-logs policy
  • Very affordable

Potential Drawbacks:

  • Highest ping increase (+38ms)
  • No DDoS protection
  • US jurisdiction concerns
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5. PureVPN - Best for Port Forwarding High Ping

PureVPN supports port forwarding which can help with NAT issues, but its 32ms average ping increase makes it less ideal for competitive gaming.

Why Gamers Love It:

  • Port forwarding support
  • Large server network
  • Very affordable pricing
  • IPv6 leak protection

Potential Drawbacks:

  • Higher ping than competitors (+32ms)
  • No dedicated gaming servers
  • No DDoS protection
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Why Gamers Need a VPN

Reduce Ping & Lag

A good gaming VPN can improve routing to game servers, potentially lowering ping times compared to your ISP's default path.

Prevent DDoS Attacks

Hide your real IP address to stop toxic players from flooding your connection with traffic mid-match.

Play Region-Locked Games

Access games early or play titles not available in your country by connecting to servers in other regions.

Bypass ISP Throttling

Some ISPs throttle gaming traffic during peak hours. A VPN's encryption prevents this.

How to Set Up Your Gaming VPN

For PC Gamers:

  1. Download your VPN app (NordVPN recommended)
  2. Connect to a server near the game server location
  3. Enable the kill switch in settings
  4. Launch your game and check ping

For Console Gamers (PS5/Xbox/Switch):

  1. Router Setup: Install ExpressVPN/NordVPN on your router
  2. Alternative: Share VPN connection from a Windows PC
  3. Connect console to the VPN-protected network
  4. Test connection in network settings

Still Not Sure Which VPN is Right for You?

Let us help! Answer 5 quick questions and get a personalized VPN recommendation tailored to your streaming, security, and budget needs.

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Gaming VPN FAQs

Quality gaming VPNs add minimal ping (10-30ms). NordVPN averaged only +12ms in our tests. Some VPNs can actually reduce ping by providing better routing than your ISP.

Most games (like Fortnite, COD, Apex Legends) allow VPNs, but some competitive titles (e.g., Valorant) may block them. Always check the game's TOS.

NordVPN is our top pick for competitive FPS/MOBA games due to its dedicated gaming servers and consistent low ping.

Final Verdict: Best VPN for Gaming

After testing all five VPNs across 15+ games (Valorant, Warzone, LoL, Fortnite):

  • Best Overall: NordVPN (lowest ping + DDoS protection)
  • Best for Consoles: ExpressVPN (router app + Lightway protocol)
  • Best Budget: Surfshark (unlimited devices)

Note: PureVPN and PIA are only recommended if you need port forwarding and can accept higher ping times.