Low latency, zero packet loss, DDoS protection. We tested each VPN's gaming performance with real ping measurements.
| # | VPN | Speed | Gaming Rating | Best Protocol | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NordVPN | Fastest | Best | NordLynx | $2.99/mo |
| 2 | Surfshark | Fastest | Great budget | WireGuard | $1.99/mo |
| 3 | ExpressVPN | Fast | Premium | Lightway | $2.44/mo |
| 4 | Proton VPN | Very Fast | Good | WireGuard | $2.99/mo |
| 5 | Mullvad | Good | Decent | WireGuard | €5/mo (~$5.50) |
| 6 | Private Internet Access | Fast | Good | WireGuard | $2.03/mo |
| 7 | CyberGhost | Good | Good | WireGuard | $2.03/mo |
| 8 | IPVanish | Fast | Very good | WireGuard | $2.19/mo |
| 9 | Windscribe | Good | Decent | WireGuard | $5.75/mo |
Fastest VPN with the strongest security features
Best value VPN with unlimited devices
Premium VPN with the best user experience
Most private VPN with the best free plan
The most private VPN — no name, no email, no tracking
A VPN adds a small amount of latency (typically 3-10ms on nearby servers). NordVPN adds only 4-7ms on nearby servers, which is imperceptible in most games. Distant servers will add more latency.
In some cases, yes. If your ISP throttles gaming traffic, a VPN can bypass throttling and actually reduce lag. A VPN can also provide a more direct route to game servers.
WireGuard-based protocols (NordLynx, WireGuard) offer the best gaming performance due to their lightweight design and minimal overhead. Avoid OpenVPN for gaming — it's slower.