A VPN for gaming will shut up that kid in that chat who swears they hacked your PC.
Best VPN for gaming
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Hide your IP on Discord and chats
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Protect yourself from DDoS attacks
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Bypass bandwidth throttling
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30-day money-back guarantee (beat that, Valve)
Why Surfshark is best for gaming
Aside from the generic VPN benefits you get with every VPN provider (DDoS protection, overcoming censorship, safe gaming on public networks, etc.), Surfshark brings that and a bit more to the gaming table:
Worldwide matchmaking
So, are your friends playing on gaming servers in a region you can’t access? Are there some geographical matchmaking shenanigans getting in the way? Hop on a server close to them and get into the same matches as your buds.
DDoS protection
To execute a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack on you, a cheater has to know your IP address. But when you’re connecting via a VPN connection, they can only get the VPN server’s IP. Let them try their tricks on that — we will be ready.
As close to a “no lag VPN” as it gets
The closer a VPN server is to you, the less impact it has on connection speed. With 4,500+ VPN servers across 100 countries, Surfshark will likely have one close to you.
High-capacity ports
All Surfshark servers have up to 10Gbps ports — friggin’ fast! Combine that with 4,500+ servers being available, and you should never face lag due to server congestion.
No bandwidth limitations
A free VPN will hit you with bandwidth limitations harder than a free-to-play game with suggestions to buy premium currency. A good VPN has enough server or good server infrastructure and no speed limits — just like Surfshark.
Single account, unlimited devices
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Spread the security across all your devices, or better yet — set it up on your Wi-Fi router and protect the entire network!
A multi-tool VPN
Surfshark isn’t just a VPN provider! For example, with Surfshark One, you get Surfshark Antivirus to scan your device for malware and Alternative ID to reduce the potential for spam.
Split tunneling
Not all VPN providers offer an in-built split tunneling feature, but Surfshark does. It lets you choose which apps will use the VPN encryption and which will not.
Obfuscated servers
Surfshark uses obfuscated servers, which hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. Obfuscated servers are useful if you’re connecting from a place that censors the internet.
Disclaimer: Please note that using Surfshark services for any illegal activities is strictly forbidden and violates our Terms of Service. Make sure that any use of Surfshark services for your particular activities conforms to all relevant laws and regulations, including those of any service providers and websites you access using Surfshark.
Can you use a VPN to reduce ping and lag?
A VPN can reduce ping and decrease lag in two edge cases: when the game’s servers are overcrowded (causing lag) and when there’s sub-optimal routing (causing increased ping).
A game service may put you on an overcrowded server just because it’s automatically assigned to your region. A VPN can change your IP and connect you to servers in other locations, potentially with less busy servers.
Sometimes, your ISP routes your online traffic via a longer route, and a VPN may help by establishing a more direct connection to your game’s servers.
There is a caveat — all VPNs may increase ping. That happens because your online data has to take an additional step in its route to visit the VPN servers.
But to mitigate the ping bump, a reliable gaming VPN has to have a vast server selection and the fastest available protocols. Essentially, you’re safe with Surfshark!
Use a gaming VPN with all your popular games
Whether you’re playing online or emulating games on BlueStacks to camp spawns, farm creeps, or “pwn n00bs,” use a gaming VPN with all of them.
FFXIV
World of Warcraft (WoW)
Overwatch
Destiny 2
Elden Ring
Maplestory
Runescape
Rocket League
Battlefield 2042
Genshin Impact
Dota 2
How to choose the best VPN for gaming
Many VPNs have a lot to offer. But consider what benefits your gaming experience the most out of the entire VPN provider’s arsenal.
Look for a provider with static IPs
Your IP changes when connecting to a VPN server (and may keep on changing), which may be problematic when gaming. When you log into your game with your account from a different IP, most game providers flag that as suspicious “hacker-like” behavior and ban the account. Look for a provider that has static IPs or a Dedicated IP.
Choose a provider with a wide server selection
The further away from a server you are, the bigger the ping you’ll experience. Look for a VPN provider with servers near you and your game’s servers.
Check if the provider offers WireGuard
A VPN protocol determines how your data is processed (encryption, transfer, decryption, etc.). Not all protocols protect you the same or are equally fast. The WireGuard protocol offers the perfect balance between speed and security. Look for a VPN with Wireguard or an equivalent protocol.
VPNs for gaming: paid vs. free
Free VPNs have fewer servers, lower speeds, and they’re also a lot less secure. Paid VPNs are better and try to be worthy of their price. You know what they say — you get what you pay for, and when you pay nothing, you get…
| Surfshark | Most free VPNs | |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited | <5 |
| Bandwidth | As fast as your connection | Limited |
| Data limit | None | <10Gb |
| Servers | 4,500+ | ~1000 |
| Countries | 100 | ~10 |
| Customer support | 24/7 live chat, email | |
| Features useful when gaming | Split tunneling, obfuscation, static IP | None |
A gaming VPN for all your gaming platforms and devices
There are many gaming consoles and platforms out there, and all of them can benefit from additional protection:
If there’s no dedicated app for your gaming platform, set up a VPN on your router and protect all devices connected to that network.
How to set up Surfshark VPN for gaming
1. Pick a plan
Choose a Surfshark subscription plan.
2. Get the app
Download the VPN app from an app store or get the installation file from our website.
3. Log in
Sign in, type in your location, and connect to a server
4. Game on
Launch your game after you have connected to a VPN server
See why millions trust Surfshark
Check out what users and tech experts around the world have to say about Surfshark.
The reviews highlighted in this section were selected from publicly available posts on social media platforms. They reflect the opinions of individual users at the time of posting and may not represent the full range of our product features and qualities.
The reviews quoted on this page have been published by media outlets associated with Surfshark through affiliate partnerships. Their recommendations are based on their own independent research and insights to ensure value for the readers.
I have been using Surfshark since I got it and I love it!
When I am traveling, I use Surfshark to access the internet quickly and securely, works like a treat in China.
We love Surfshark because it is an easy-to-use app that you can download on all your devices.
The reviews quoted on this page have been published by media outlets associated with Surfshark through affiliate partnerships. Their recommendations are based on their own independent research and insights to ensure value for the readers.
“This is my first year and I absolutely love it. The fact I can have a good antivirus, great VPN, and incognito for like $120 a year is great.”
“I’ve been using Surfshark for 4 years on Android and ChromeOS with zero issues, it’s an absolute bargain”
“I’ve had it for 3 years and just renewed it for the next 2 years. I never have any issues with it and get my full internet speed…”
The reviews highlighted in this section were selected from publicly available posts on social media platforms. They reflect the opinions of individual users at the time of posting and may not represent the full range of our product features and qualities.
Frequently asked questions
Does using a VPN affect gaming?
A VPN may affect gaming, but to minimize any impact on performance, you can make sure you’re connected to a nearby server location. In the Surfshark app, you can use the quick connect feature to automatically select the server closest to you with the lowest load — and get the best possible speed.
If you’re worried about a VPN’s impact on system resources, you shouldn’t be. A VPN uses a negligible amount of battery power to do what it needs to do.
Do pro gamers use a VPN?
Some pro gamers use a VPN. They have various reasons for this: preventing high ping that comes from bandwidth throttling, preventing DDoS attacks, and stopping possible SWATing attempts. Not all cases apply to all of them, but VPNs do have uses in the pro gaming circuit.
Is it legal to use a VPN for gaming?
Yes, it is! Of course, it’s still illegal to commit crimes while doing so.
What is the best VPN for Android gaming?
Surfshark is a good choice for gaming on Android devices, as it’s fast, offers a lot of servers, comes with modern protocols like WireGuard, and has many other benefits.
If you want to enjoy Android games on your computer, you can use a VPN with Bluestacks and transfer your Android games to the big screen.
Which VPN protocol is best for gaming?
WireGuard is essentially the best VPN protocol for gaming on any platform.
What is the best no-lag VPN?
“No lag” is either a marketing term or an outright lie because all VPNs take up some of your bandwidth. However, if your ISP is throttling bandwidth or something, a VPN can decrease the lag by overcoming such measures. In that case, Surfshark is the best no-lag VPN.
Is there a good free gaming VPN?
There are no good free gaming VPNs. A good gaming VPN has many server locations and good speeds. Free VPNs can’t provide either; plus, they come with data limitations and other ways to push you to buy the full version.
Do I need a VPN for Steam?
Accessing the Steam store with a VPN is against their Terms of Service. However, you should use a VPN when playing online games on Steam to protect yourself from DDoS attacks, ISP throttling, and bad actors online.
Will Surfshark work with all games?
Surfshark is designed to enhance your online security and privacy, and we strive for broad compatibility. However, we cannot guarantee that Surfshark will work flawlessly with every game or gaming platform. Game developers and publishers frequently update their systems, and some actively block VPN connections to enforce regional restrictions or comply with their own Terms of Service.
Here’s what you need to know:
Compatibility varies: The effectiveness of a VPN with a specific game depends on several factors, including the game’s anti-VPN measures, the server location you choose, and ongoing updates to both Surfshark and the game itself.
Check the game’s terms of service: Before using Surfshark with any game, please carefully review the game’s or platform’s Terms of Service (ToS). Some explicitly prohibit the use of VPNs, and violating those terms could result in account suspension or termination. Surfshark does not endorse or facilitate the circumvention of any service’s ToS.
Performance considerations: Using a VPN can sometimes introduce latency (ping) and potentially affect gaming performance. Experiment with different Surfshark server locations to find the optimal connection for your game.
Legal compliance is your responsibility: You are solely responsible for ensuring that your use of Surfshark and any online gaming activity complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including copyright laws, and the terms and conditions of any gaming service you use.
Important Reminder: Using Surfshark for any illegal activities is strictly prohibited and a violation of our Terms of Service. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, hacking, or unauthorized access to game servers.
