Best VPN for gaming

Ease of use

NordVPN offers intuitive apps across all major platforms, and we found them straightforward to use. A particular highlight is its setup wizard, available on both Windows and Mac, which makes getting started completely hassle-free.

Although Nord's map style is fun and engaging on larger screens, it can feel a bit cramped or overwhelming on smartphones. If you prefer a more minimalist layout with a big one-tap connect button, you might want to consider ExpressVPN or Surfshark instead.

Speed & performance

With peak speeds topping 950 Mbps in our latest tests, NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs available right now. Whether you're mowing down enemies on a virtual battlefield or streaming 4K content from abroad, NordVPN’s blazing-fast speeds ensure a smooth, lag-free experience. The VPN also comes with optimized servers for gaming and torrenting, so you'll rarely run into performance hiccups irrespective of what you're up to.

Streaming

When you're done dominating the battlefield and just want to relax, NordVPN's top-tier unblocking capabilities let you kick back with your favorite movies, shows, and live sports, no matter the platform or your location.

NordVPN unblocked every single streaming platform we tested it with, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. Thanks to its fast speeds and dedicated streaming support, you can expect smooth, buffer-free playback in full HD or even 4K.

Privacy & security

NordVPN boasts a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited over five times. Combined with AES-256 encryption, robust kill switches, DNS leak protection, and double encryption, it ensures your gaming sessions stay private while also protecting you from DDoS attacks.

Even better, NordVPN comes with an all-in-one security suite that includes built-in blockers for ads, trackers, and malware courtesy of its Threat Protection Pro package. On top of that, you’ll also get a password manager, dark web monitoring, and even cyber insurance for an added layer of protection.

Ease of use

With a clean, consistent interface, a big one-click connect button that automatically links you to the fastest server, and a curated list of recommended server locations, ExpressVPN is arguably the easiest-to-use VPN out there.

It also comes with 24/7 live chat support – we’ve seen response times as fast as 30 seconds – so help is always just a moment away. Plus, its Smart Location feature automatically connects you to the best-performing server based on your location, latency, and download speed.

Speed & performance

We put ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol to the test, and it passed with flying colors, delivering top speeds of 898 Mbps. While that’s a notch below NordVPN and Surfshark, it’s still more than enough for online gaming, 4K streaming, and other high-bandwidth tasks like torrenting.

Better still, Lightway is built from scratch for stability and low latency, which are two things that matter when you’re deep into an online battle or connected to a distant server across continents.

Streaming

With servers in over 160 locations around the world, ExpressVPN is capable of unblocking all major platforms. That said, it occasionally requires a bit of trial and error to find the right server. For example, we couldn’t access Netflix Japan or Australia’s 10 Play on the first try, but switching servers did the trick.

It's also worth noting that ExpressVPN’s server coverage in the Middle East is relatively limited, so if you're looking for a VPN to stream regional content like the Saudi Pro League, check out NordVPN, our #1 streaming VPN.

Privacy & security

From reliable kill switches and rock-solid encryption to split tunneling and VPN obfuscation, ExpressVPN checks all the boxes for a secure gaming VPN. It follows a clear no-logs policy that has been independently audited over 18 times, which is more than any other VPN to date. Moreover, its TrustedServer technology ensures all servers are RAM-only, which means that all your data is wiped with every boot.

What really sets it apart, though, is its commitment to innovation. ExpressVPN is consistently one of the first providers to implement next-gen privacy tools, like post-quantum encryption, ensuring you're future-proofed against evolving cyber threats.

Ease of use

Alongside sleek apps for all major platforms, such as iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows, Surfshark is also available on routers, browsers, Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV, and it's also one of the very few to offer a proper GUI for Linux.

Getting connected is fast and simple via the quick-connect button right on the home screen. Personally, we like that important privacy tools like MultiHop and Alternative ID are not buried deep in menus, but accessible through the homepage itself.

Really, the only gripe we had is that Surfshark's focus on simplicity means that it misses out on some more technical settings, which might disappoint pro users. Still, it's a subjective matter, seeing as beginners will enjoy the clean, plug-and-play experience.

Speed & performance

In our last round of tests, Surfshark delivered eye-watering average speeds of over 950 Mbps on our 1 Gbps connection, and it knocked it out of the park with 1,300 Mbps on our 10 Gbps line.

It's worth noting, though, that these speeds are overkill for 99% of users, including gamers, as most domestic Wi-Fi networks simply can't deliver that kind of throughput.

So, in terms of speed, where Surfshark truly shines is in its OpenVPN performance. With speeds of 436 Mbps, Surfshark is nearly twice as fast as any other VPN on this list using that protocol. This makes Surfshark an excellent choice for router setups or bypassing censorship in restrictive countries, since OpenVPN connections are easier to disguise and harder to detect.

Streaming

Despite not having as many servers as NordVPN, Surfshark delivers comparable streaming performance. That’s likely due to its shared tech investment from Nord Security, which helps maintain high streaming reliability.

In our testing, Surfshark unblocked every platform we tried on the first attempt, and thanks to its ease of use, it might be the better pick for streaming over NordVPN for new VPN users.

Privacy & security

Don't be fooled by Surfshark's super-low prices; it's still a fully-featured VPN offering both the must-haves as well as useful extras. For starters, there’s an audited no-logs policy, a kill switch, and battle-tested encryption, so you won't have to worry about sore losers knocking you out of your games via DDoS attacks or your gaming sessions being monitored.

Gamers will also appreciate Surfshark’s unique Alternative ID tool, which lets you generate a fresh online persona, complete with a fake email address and a full name. This is a game-changer if you're tired of handing over your email to every launcher from Steam to Game Pass. Use it to sign up, stay anonymous, and keep your real data out of marketers’ hands.

Ease of use

Hotspot Shield covers all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, and also offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. For those who prefer it, you can even set it up directly on your router.

The apps are simple and beginner-friendly, with a large On/Off button, a clean layout, and an Always-On VPN option that automatically reconnects if your connection drops. While there’s room for improvement, especially around customization, the apps are generally fast, easy to use, and more than sufficient for everyday needs.

Speed & performance

Hotspot Shield runs on its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which earned it Ookla’s fastest VPN award back in 2019. That said, it’s no longer among the top speed demons, topping out at around 540 Mbps in our latest tests.

Admittedly, that’s more than enough to get you through your gaming or streaming sessions without lag, but it’s significantly slower than the likes of NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, especially if you’re someone who has ultra-fast Wi-Fi capable of benefiting from the gigabit speeds that some of these other options offer.

Streaming

Hotspot Shield doesn't sweep the floor with streaming services left, right, and center, but so long as your watchlist includes BBC iPlayer, ITV, C4, 9Now, or any of the Netflix libraries barring the US one, you should be in the clear.

As for other platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, Hotspot Shield failed to bypass their geo-restrictions. So, you’ll be better off with either NordVPN or Surfshark if you’re after a gaming VPN that’s also a streaming king.

Privacy & security

Hotspot Shield has quite a decent selection of privacy-focused features, including Tor over VPN (so you can access the super-secure Tor browser without downloading the browser), IP leak and DNS leak protection, and VPN obfuscation to keep your gaming sessions hidden from vengeful or prying eyes.

That said, Hotspot Shield hasn’t undergone an independent audit of its no-logs policy. While the provider states that it doesn’t log your browsing history and that any IP logging is deleted at the end of your session, these claims haven’t been independently verified, so we’d suggest taking them with a pinch of salt.

Ease of use

From the get-go, CyberGhost impressed us with how clearly it organizes its massive server list. Each server is labeled based on its optimal use, be it streaming, torrenting, or gaming, so you don't have to shuffle through its long list of servers.

While its apps are clutter-free, responsive, and easy to navigate, CyberGhost doesn't quite hit the sweet spot for VPN newbies that rivals ExpressVPN and Surfshark do, courtesy of its underwhelming support section. That said, there are friendly customer support agents available 24/7 to help you out.

Speed & performance

CyberGhost might not knock your socks off like the speed kings out there, but it’s no slouch either. We recorded top speeds of 630 Mbps using the WireGuard protocol. That’s plenty fast for high-intensity gaming, HD or 4K streaming, large torrent downloads, and even video calls that run for hours.

Streaming

CyberGhost is highly capable when it comes to bypassing geo-restrictions. It successfully unblocked Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and the like without issue during our tests. However, it stumbled with Disney+ this time around, so if you're looking for a VPN that performs a clean sweep of streaming services day in and day out, look at NordVPN or Surfshark.

Privacy & security

CyberGhost doesn't come with the bells and whistles of some other VPNs, but it gets the basics right where it counts. Its no-logs policy has been independently verified by the auditors at Deloitte, and it uses AES-256 encryption to scramble your data, keeping it safe.

This means your gaming sessions stay private, and you're protected from snooping ISPs or potential DDoS attacks from salty opponents. On top of that, CyberGhost runs a bug bounty program, where it pays up to $1,250 to experts who find and report any vulnerabilities in the service.