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If you think that a VPN only provides more anonymity while surfing, then you are wrong. A VPN can do so much more and is indispensable when it comes to gaming. Earlier access to games, reduced ping times, no more IP bans, and protection against cyber-attacks – all this is possible with a VPN. The only requirement: You choose the right provider.
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[Download] Top 10 best free VPN extensions for browsers 2019 (Features, Pro and Cons)
In this article, I will explain to you which VPN is best suited for gaming and how you can best use such a virtual, private network.
My Recommendation: The 3 Best VPN Providers for Gaming
It doesn’t matter whether it’s Call of Duty, Fortnite, or an online casino: If you want to gamble without interruptions, as often as you want, and also want to unlock all the advantages of a gaming VPN, then you should forgo a free service and choose a paid provider. So I present you my favorites. The best VPNs for gaming are:
1st place: Surfshark
Surfshark VPN application is my favorite VPN provider, and not just when it comes to online gaming. The service is very reliable and easy to use. Thanks to the fast transfer rate and the rich selection of servers from 94 countries, nothing stands in the way of the ultimate gaming experience. I took a close look at the service in my Surfshark VPN review. The result: Surfshark is the best VPN for gaming and streaming! It is also considered one of the safest providers. You don’t have to worry about the security of your data.
- Blazing fast speeds (up to 10Gbit servers)
- Top-notch security and privacy
- Unlimited bandwidth and devices
- 7-day free trial (on iOS, macOS, and Android)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
2nd place: NordVPN
NordVPN is also a very reliable service. I was particularly impressed by the beautiful user interface. Even as a beginner, you won’t have any problems finding your way around here. NordVPN is based in Panama. VPN operators do not have to store any user data there. You don’t have to worry about your privacy online either. Unfortunately, the transfer rate is a bit lower in comparison, so only 2nd place for NordVPN. As a VPN for gaming, NordVPN is perfectly adequate.
In addition to the usual suspects, the Xbox, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch are also supported. Some routers are also among the devices that NordVPN can be installed on. A 2-year subscription currently costs you 2.96 euros. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee here. The prices are constantly changing.
3rd place: CyberGhost
The VPN service CyberGhost , developed in Germany, made it number 3. I was particularly impressed by the function of the automatic kill switch and the friendly user interface. However, the general performance is comparatively a bit lower than that of the other two providers and the support can only be described as moderate. Nevertheless, CyberGhost is a wonderful gaming VPN.
Here you can get clients for the Xbox, PlayStation, and various routers. You cannot install CyberGhost directly on the Nintendo Switch. However, there is still the option of setting up the VPN on your PC and then connecting it to a game console of your choice with a network cable. An annual subscription currently costs you 3.50 euros per month. You get the cheapest tariff if you buy the VPN directly for 3 years. So you only pay 2.00 euros per month. Thanks to the 45-day money-back guarantee, you can also test this service risk-free.
The advantages of using a gaming VPN
Many people believe that a VPN is only useful if you want to surf the Internet with more anonymity or if you want to bypass geo-blocking when streaming. A VPN when gaming gives you many more advantages.
ISP bandwidth throttling protection
ISPs can monitor your steps online. Did you know that? Bandwidth throttling is a practice that slows down your internet speed. ISPs do this either because they want to avoid network congestion or because they want to persuade you to invest in a larger data package.
A VPN encrypts your data traffic. So you can hide your online activity from your ISP and keep your speed.
Reduce lag and ping times
If the gaming server is too far from your location, the ping times may increase. As a result, there are lags during gameplay, and that’s pretty annoying.
With a VPN, you can connect to a VPN server in a country where the gaming server is located. For example, if this is located in the USA, your ping times will be reduced as soon as you also connect to a server there. This ensures a smoother picture and fewer interruptions or lags when playing games.
Protection against DDoS attacks
You don’t have to be tech-savvy to run a DDoS attack these days. In principle, anyone is able to overwhelm the system and disconnect you from the server.
Especially when you are in multiplayer mode, such as in esport competitions, there is a high probability that such a cyber attack will be carried out. Not only will you lose the game, but your private data will also be at risk. A VPN reliably protects you from such attacks thanks to the encrypted connection.
Play games before the release date
When gaming platforms like Steam release new games, it doesn’t happen in all countries at the same time. So that you don’t have to wait days for your game, you can simply connect to a VPN server in the country where the game is already on the market.
However, you should be careful when using a VPN with Steam as you are violating their Terms of Service. So think carefully in advance about what you are using the VPN for and whether you want to take the risk of being banned. You should definitely be aware of this. However, the general use of a VPN is not prohibited in your country.
Are Free VPNs Suitable for Gaming?
There is more than one reason why it makes no sense to use a free VPN service for gaming. Starting with the fact that free providers do not generate any income from subscriptions and often try to make money in other ways. It can happen that your private data is sold to third parties.
In addition, free gaming VPNs often throttle your speed. Of course, this is not optimal for online gaming. Another problem with free versions is that they often only have a limited data volume and a limited number of server locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this chapter, I’ll quickly answer a few questions that many people have regarding VPN and gaming. If something is still unclear to you, please feel free to leave me a comment.
Can you gamble with a VPN?
You can gamble with a VPN, but it depends a lot on the provider because your speed must not be negatively affected. With a good VPN, your ping will even improve, making gaming even more enjoyable.
Is it legal to use a VPN for gaming?
Using a VPN is actually legal. If you use a VPN for gaming, you may be violating the terms and conditions of various providers. It is therefore important to use a VPN that is not detected in order to avoid a possible VPN Gaming ban.
Is a VPN banned at Warzone?
A VPN at Warzone is not forbidden in this sense, at most you violate the terms and conditions. In the worst case, your account may be blocked. Using a VPN for Warzone has many benefits, but it also comes with certain risks. The general use of a VPN for gaming is not prohibited in Germany.
How do I install a VPN on my gaming console?
If your VPN provider has a client for your gaming console, you can easily install the VPN on it by following the download instructions. If the VPN does not support your gaming console, you can still install the service on the PC and then connect to your gaming console using a network cable.
Which VPN is the best for gaming?
The best VPN for gaming in my experience is surfshark. Here you can get sophisticated clients for various game consoles so that you can install the VPN directly. In addition, your speed is not restricted with the Gaming VPN and you reliably bypass geo-blocking.
