5 Best VPNs for Gaming in 2020

Our top option for the best VPN for gaming comes from the minds behind NordVPN. The company has received rave reviews over the years and offer more connections than anyone else. Whether you need to unblock a game from another region or prefer not to leave an online footprint, Nord has you covered.

While the all-around service provided by NordVPN is top-notch, the real draw for gamers are the servers. The company has over 5,000 of them… just let that sink in for a minute. Most are located in the states and Europe, but the Asia Pacific region is represented well with over 450 servers. What you get from each location varies, so while the U.S. has P2P, Double VPNs and dedicated IPs, New Zealand access only provides you with P2P.

Having servers located across the world may give you a better ping, but security is another reason we love NordVPN. The company keeps your data safe with AES-256 and utilizes newer encryption like IKEv1/IPsec as well. P2P is an option, speeds are excellent, and you’ll get access on up to six devices simultaneously through their service.

If there is a downside to this VPN, it would be the pricing. It’s not expensive considering what you’re getting, but may be overkill for some depending on how you plan to use the VPN. It’s $11.95 by the month, but drops down considerably if you are willing to commit to a plan for multiple years. Nord is compatible with all the major operating systems including Linux along with Android and iOS.

Private Internet Access is one of the more popular VPN providers and one we think you’ll be thrilled with depending on your needs. They offer some of the most competitive pricing in the industry and are ideal if you plan on using P2P services when you take a break from your gaming PC.

This VPN is packed full of features and provides unlimited bandwidth and a SOCKS5 proxy. Online trolls will not stand a chance of finding out your identity when you smash them in a match. It can also block ads and malware while you browse and is compatible with every operating system under the sun. That includes Linux, Mac, and Windows along Android and iOS devices.

As for access, PIA has over 3000 servers in more than 30 countries and offers 5 simultaneous connections. That’s impressive, and the speeds are solid as long as you don’t try to connect halfway across the globe. It’s also among the easiest VPN’s to use. The mobile apps are great if you need to download a regional game while PC access gives you total control over your settings and security.

PIA doesn’t offer a free trial like some of the options on our list, but they are affordable, and you’ll get a 7-day money back guarantee. The monthly rate is $6.95 and drops to $3.33 for a year or $2.91 for 2 years. You’ll have to pay upfront for that price, but it’s well worth it if you like what you see after a week.

Want to lower your ping and increase your efficiency in your favorite online game? If you answered yes to either of those questions, ExitLag may be the perfect program for you. It’s not a traditional VPN, but does share some similarities with those services and allows you to set a VPN for a variety of games.

If you’ve ever had an online game freeze up due to a connection issue or a sudden spike in the middle of the action, we feel your pain. It’s common more often than not, and sometimes the cause is on your end – not the servers. That’s where software like ExitLag can lend a helping hand by providing access to game servers in regions outside of your own.

As a result, your ping will decrease and a tool called an FPS Boost can kick things up a notch as well. This feature can increase the framerate and give you a boost by managing your system’s resources without tinkering with your GPU. Their lineup should have something for everyone to choose from with a mix of over 70 games including Black Desert, Fortnite, Lineage 2, DOTA 2, Revelation and Royal Quest.

ExitLag is something you’ll want to consider if ping or regional access are issues when you game online. They offer a 3-day trial, but after that you’ll need to pay monthly, quarterly or every 6 months. Prices start at $6.50 per month and you can request new games through customer support if they are missing your favorite title. Unfortunately, you’ll need to have a PC running a version of Windows higher than Vista as this one is not compatible with the Mac OS.

VyperVPN is an interesting VPN from Golden Frog. While not the first name to spring to mind when shopping for a VPN, they offer a free version of their software to try and have several unique features that help them stand out.

This is another VPN that’s great for gamers on the go. The company’s 700 servers are spread out quite nicely at over 70 locations around the globe. Geo-blocked locations will unlock in seconds, and we’re pleased to say there are no download caps so you can stream, torrent or game until you lose consciousness.

This software is secure, and the company uses their own protocol dubbed Chameleon. It allows you to get around regions that block virtual private networks and there is a no logging policy in place as well. VyprVPN Cloud is also an option if you need a dedicated VPN server based in the cloud. That said, you will only find Cloud and Chameleon on the Premium tier which is one of the few drawbacks of this particular service.

Moreover, guys at Golden Frog launched an OGN (optimized gaming network) called OutFox so if you’re looking to reduce ping and lag, it’s worth giving a try as well.

There is a limited trial with this VPN service, but it’s capped, and you’re required to upgrade when the data runs out. The cheapest package is $9.95 per month or $3.95 if you opt for a full year in advance. Unfortunately, you only get 3 connection and need to upgrade to the Premium plan at $12.95 for 5 devices and the aforementioned extras. That tier drops to $5 per month with a full year although both go up in price once that first year is over.