Best Gaming VPNs for 2025: Speed, Security, and Zero Lag

Gamers know the drill: having fast internet isn’t always enough.

Lag spikes, region-locked servers, and the occasional security scare can ruin a good session in seconds, which explains why more and more players are turning to VPNs.

With the right setup, a VPN will do more than just hide your IP address. It can cut down on ping, shield you from DDoS attacks, and unlock servers you’d normally never get to touch.

Today’s players are exploring more digital spaces than ever, too, from cloud gaming platforms to side hustles like streaming. In all of these cases, a VPN is a must-have tool.

If gaming is a serious part of your downtime (and let’s face it, for most of us it is), here are seven VPNs that are worth your attention in 2025.

NordVPN – Best all-round performance and gaming features

A top choice for gamers who want strong security and low lag, Nord VPN offers a large server network, modern fast protocols, and extra tools built for gaming.

It hosts thousands of ultra-fast servers in 165 locations and uses the NordLynx protocol (based on WireGuard) for speed and stable connections.

Nord’s meshnet feature lets you create virtual LANs over the internet for playing with friends like local LAN, and it also provide protection from DDoS attacks and ISP throttling.

Best for

Competitive multiplayer, console gaming via router, those who want good security without sacrificing speed.

ExpressVPN – Beginner-friendly with strong security and console support

Express is an exceptionally reliable tool, which is excellent at keeping ping low and offering strong privacy features. This means it works nicely on consoles and routers.

Highlights for gamers include low-lag and low-ping options across many devices and consoles and server choices for over 105 countries for server choices.

The tool also comes with protection against DDoS, strong encryption, and features like split tunnelling and kill switches to maintain connection even if something fails.

Best for

Users who want ease of use, strong privacy, and gaming on consoles.

CyberGhost – Gamer-friendly servers and top-class security

CyberGhost has taken extra steps to appeal to gamers specifically, including dedicated gaming servers optimized for reduced ping.

Benefits for gamers include:

Servers designed for Xbox and PlayStation
Easy-to-use interface (perfect for VPN beginners)
Huge server network (11,000+ servers worldwide)

It’s also a smart choice if you’re gaming on platforms where payment options matter. If you’ve tried out a few free casino games, for example and would like to deposit in an online casino that has them, then a VPN with CyberGhost’s stable connection will let you play on sites abroad.

Best for

Gamers looking for a beginner-friendly VPN with dedicated servers for consoles, a massive global network, and stable connections. It’s perfect for playing online games with reduced lag, accessing geo-restricted content, or using platforms where secure, reliable connections matter, like online casinos or international gaming sites.

Surfshark – Budget-friendly with a solid performance

Surfshark is good value for people gaming on multiple devices, who want security and excellent speed without breaking the bank.

Highlights for gamers include unlimited simultaneous device connections, which is great if you have PC, phone, or games console.

Surfshark also boasts a strong speed, especially when using WireGuard. It’s also designed to reduce ping.

Extra features include DDoS protection, while bypassing geo-restrictions (new games, region-locked content) is easier.

Best for

Budget users, households with several gaming devices, or those who travel and need flexible device coverage.

Private Internet Access (PIA) – High customizability and large network

PIA boasts a huge server network and is fast enough for many games with more control (settings and tools) if you want them.

Highlights for gamers:

10 Gbps servers and a big spread of servers (90+ countries) means you can pick near-game servers to reduce latency.
Strong privacy tools, split tunneling (you can exclude non-gaming apps to optimize performance).
SmartDNS support for consoles, so you can do region changes / access stuff not supported natively.

Best for

Savvy gamers who want configurable VPN, or those who use Linux / Steam Deck / have many devices.

Proton VPN – Privacy-first with solid performance

Proton VPN is ideal if privacy is your top priority.

Based in Switzerland with a strict no-logs policy, it balances strong security with speed and ease of use.

Gamers benefit from its Secure Core multi-hop servers for extra protection and the WireGuard protocol for faster speeds and lower ping.

Split tunneling lets you route just your game traffic through the VPN, keeping other apps out of the encrypted connection for smoother gameplay. Reliable nearby servers make it a solid pick for both competitive gaming and streaming.

Best for

Gamers and privacy-conscious users who want top-notch security without sacrificing performance.

Mullvad – Maximum privacy, no-nonsense security

Mullvad keeps things simple, focusing entirely on privacy.

No personal info is needed to sign up, just a randomly generated account number, and it even accepts anonymous payments like cash or crypto.

For gamers, this means you can play securely without worrying about logs. Mullvad’s lightweight apps are quick to set up and deliver low latency on nearby servers, especially in Europe, with consistent speeds for casual or competitive play.

Its smaller server network can mean higher ping for long-distance connections, but it excels at offering a clean, privacy-first experience.