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PickMyVPN
Data checked

Best VPN for gaming (2025)

A VPN almost always adds some latency, so for gaming the right pick is the one that adds the least. This ranking is mostly about measured speed loss, plus router and console support.

Our pick for gaming

NordVPN8.5/10
  • 10% average speed loss
  • 12ms added latency in testing
  • WireGuard-based protocol
  • Router setup for consoles

How this list is scored

Weights for gaming

Same data as the overall ranking, re-weighted for this job.

Speed
50%
Apps & support
20%
Value
15%
Security features
10%
Privacy & trust
5%
Streaming
0%

5 providers qualify

The ranking for gaming

  1. 01

    NordVPN

    Security giant with a vast server network.

    • 10% average speed loss
    • 12ms added latency in testing
    • WireGuard-based protocol
    • Router setup for consoles
    Score8.5/10
    Privacy & trust
    8.5
    Speed
    8.0
    Value
    8.0
    Security features
    8.9
    Streaming
    10.0
    Apps & support
    10.0
    Best price
    $3.39/mo
    Billed
    $81.36 / 24 mo
    Renews at
    unverified
    Devices
    10
    Visit NordVPNReview
  2. 02

    Surfshark

    Unlimited devices and great value.

    • 15% average speed loss
    • 15ms added latency in testing
    • WireGuard-based protocol
    • Router setup for consoles
    Score8.1/10
    Privacy & trust
    5.5
    Speed
    7.0
    Value
    9.8
    Security features
    8.9
    Streaming
    10.0
    Apps & support
    10.0
    Best price
    $2.19/mo
    Billed
    $52.56 / 24 mo
    Renews at
    unverified
    Devices
    Unlimited
    Visit SurfsharkReview
  3. 03

    Proton VPN

    High-security VPN with a focus on privacy.

    • 12% average speed loss
    • 16ms added latency in testing
    • WireGuard-based protocol
    • Router setup for consoles
    Score7.8/10
    Privacy & trust
    8.5
    Speed
    7.6
    Value
    8.1
    Security features
    10.0
    Streaming
    10.0
    Apps & support
    6.9
    Best price
    $3.59/mo
    Billed
    $43.08 / 12 mo
    Renews at
    unverified
    Devices
    10
    Visit Proton VPNReview
  4. 04

    CyberGhost

    User-friendly VPN with optimized servers.

    • 25% average speed loss
    • 18ms added latency in testing
    • WireGuard-based protocol
    • Router setup for consoles
    Score6.9/10
    Privacy & trust
    7.0
    Speed
    5.0
    Value
    9.0
    Security features
    6.7
    Streaming
    10.0
    Apps & support
    10.0
    Best price
    $2.19/mo
    Billed
    $52.56 / 24 mo
    Renews at
    unverified
    Devices
    7
    Visit CyberGhostReview
  5. 05

    Private Internet Access (PIA)

    Highly customizable and privacy-focused.

    • 42% average speed loss
    • 20ms added latency in testing
    • WireGuard-based protocol
    • Router setup for consoles
    Score5.3/10
    Privacy & trust
    7.0
    Speed
    1.6
    Value
    9.5
    Security features
    8.9
    Streaming
    8.5
    Apps & support
    9.3
    Best price
    $2.19/mo
    Billed
    $52.56 / 24 mo
    Renews at
    unverified
    Devices
    Unlimited
    Visit Private Internet Access (PIA)Review

We earn a commission if you buy through our links. It never changes a score: rankings are computed from the data. How we make money

Before you buy

What matters for this job

Longer read: When a VPN helps gaming, and when it hurts

Speed loss and latency
Ping matters more than bandwidth. Pick a server close to the game server, not close to you.
WireGuard
Modern protocols like WireGuard add far less overhead than OpenVPN.
Router support
Consoles cannot run VPN apps. You need a router app or Smart DNS.

Questions

Common questions

Will a VPN lower my ping?

Usually not. It can help only when your ISP routes traffic badly to a game server. Most of the time it adds a few milliseconds.

Can I get banned for using a VPN?

Some games forbid VPNs for region changes. Check the game’s terms before using one to switch regions.

Data last checked November 5, 2025. Methodology