VPNs can be good for gaming and are commonly used by gamers to avoid network latency and boost privacy.
But how effective a VPN will be for gaming will depend on where you live, and the quality of your ISP.
A VPN will only improve speed if you live far from the game server or your ISP just provides poor routing from your device to the game server.
Network latency is the time it takes for information to go from one computer system to another computer system.
By using a VPN, your IP address will be changed, which in turn changes the location of the server you connect to.
This re-routing around different parts of the world leads to less latency as long as the server your VPN is connecting to is close to your game’s server location.
For example: if you want to use a VPN to play a game that’s hosted in the United States but that VPN connects you to a server in Switzerland, your game is going to lag like crazy.
The opposite is also true: if you are in Europe and use a VPN to connect to a server close to where a game is being hosted in the United States, the lag time can be reduced.
And if you already live close to the game server and your ISP uses an efficient routing system, a VPN is likely to slow down your connection.
VPNs also offer an added layer of security for gamers against malicious software, like sniffing programs.
Sniffers are distributed programs that allow their users to monitor traffic on a computer network.
Without encryption measures being activated, sniffers can access all your data including sensitive information such as passwords and usernames.
VPNs also encrypt all incoming and outgoing internet traffic so even if somebody was able to use a sniffer program on you, they would not be able to see any of your data that was being routed through the VPN.
Table of Contents
How To Use A VPN For Gaming
A good VPN provider, like Nord VPN, will allow you to increase speed and privacy when accessing and playing games in various regions with players from all over the world.
Simply sign up for a VPN you like the look of – NordVPN, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are all great choices.
Download your VPN of choice and launch the application on your PC or another device.
Choose a server location that’s as close as possible to the servers where your game is being hosted.
Connect to that server on your VPN and enjoy reduced latency and increased security during gameplay.
For the best experience when consistently using a VPN for a game in a certain region it’s recommended to get a static IP address.
After you set up your account with your chosen VPN, simply contact them and ask what options are available for getting a static IP in the country that offers servers closest to where you plan on playing most of the time.
You Might Also Like: Can A VPN Stop Doxing? (Answered)
What Are The Best VPN Providers For Gaming?
When researching VPN providers most tend to focus too much on the cheapest option.
However, VPNs are just like other products and pieces of software in that you usually get what you pay.
And often you only have to pay a little bit extra to get some really useful added features and superior customer service.
Many of the best VPNs for gaming are those that offer static IP addresses.
Static means you are assigned to the same one every time you connect, whereas dynamic (most common) will vary depending on availability.
If you’re looking to play with friends, it’s recommended to get a static IP address otherwise it might be hard for them to join you depending on where they live or if there’s heavy traffic on that route at that moment in time.
Other than offering static IP addresses, some VPN providers have servers located near popular multiplayer game hubs so users can benefit from being closer to other gamers and game servers, which is great news for gamers who don’t want long-distance lag ruining their experience.
The following VPNs come highly rated by gamers:
1. NordVPN
NordVPN always ranks high on the list of top VPN providers.
They always rate among the best for privacy and security features, they provide fast and stable speeds all around, they have over 5,000 servers located in 59 countries and their price is always competitive.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another top pick that usually earns a spot on the list of recommended VPNs due to its fast performance and all of the features it packs in.
3) CyberGhost
CyberGhost VPN is a top pick for many gamers as it allows for 7 simultaneous connections and provides over 6000 servers in over 90 countries ensuring your VPN connection is never too far from the gaming server you’re looking to access.
Do Pro Gamers Use VPNs?
Pro gamers do use VPNs and VPN providers even sponsor some pro gamers for promoting their services.
Many pro gamers live in countries with strict internet laws that restrict what they can do and play online.
And governments of certain countries associate competitive online gaming with cyber criminality which can result in some gamers being blacklisted by certain ISPs.
VPNs are able to bypass these restrictions which is one of the reasons why so many gamers use them worldwide.
Pro gamers also travel a lot for shows and competitions and need to connect to WiFi hotspots when they can.
A hotspot is a location with an internet connection that can be shared with multiple devices such as laptops, smartphones, and more.
Hotspots are popular in coffee shops and hotels, allowing their customers to connect to the internet without using their own personal data plan on their device.
The danger of using a public hotspot that may not be well secured is that anybody else who uses that same hotspot can potentially log your activity just like you would at home on your private network.
Furthermore, free wireless access points are perfect for hackers or intruders who want to fool unsuspecting victims into connecting to what they think is safe but really isn’t.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt VPNs are great for gaming due to their ability to encrypt traffic and keep users anonymous from sniffers while also allowing them access to new servers located all around the world.
