VPN for gaming
For gaming, latency (ping) and connection stability matter more than download speed — an extra network hop can either hurt or, in some cases, improve your route (for example, if your ISP connects poorly to the game's server directly).
There's no industry-certified "for gaming" tag — look for providers with many servers and high claimed speed, they tend to have shorter queues on popular locations.
How we choose: This shortlist includes services tagged "High speed" or with the highest claimed speed in the catalog. That's based on the provider's own claims, not an independent ping test in a specific game.
ExpressVPN
⭐ 4.8
$6.7/mo
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux · Router
Hotspot Shield
⭐ 3.9
$7.99/mo
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Router
$8/user/mo
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux
$3.5/mo
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux
CyberGhost VPN
⭐ 4.3
$2.03/mo
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux · Router
$2.19/mo
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux · Router
Frequently asked questions
Does a VPN increase ping in games?⌄
Usually yes, since traffic goes through an extra server — the latency added depends on the distance to the VPN server. Pick a server geographically close to the game server.
Can a VPN ever lower ping?⌄
Rarely — if your ISP's route to the game server is suboptimal and the VPN provider has a more direct path. It's the exception rather than the rule, and hard to predict in advance.
Does a VPN help against DDoS attacks in games?⌄
A VPN hides your real IP from other players, making a direct attack on your connection harder. It's an extra layer, not a guarantee — some gaming services provide their own DDoS protection too.