Best Free VPN for Gaming in 2023
A VPN service can indeed provide access to geo-restricted content and blocked websites while maintaining online privacy. However, while there are free VPNs available, they often come with limitations. These typically include bandwidth restrictions, fewer server options, and data caps, which can be particularly limiting for activities like extended gaming sessions.
The reasons for using a VPN extend beyond just accessing restricted content; they include enhanced security, privacy protection, and safe data transmission. When choosing a VPN, it’s important to consider these factors, and often, the most effective VPNs are the ones that come with a subscription, offering more features and fewer limitations than their free counterparts.
In case you don't want to read the entire article, here’s a quick summary of the best VPN services according to our independent tests and research:
- NordVPN Best VPN for general work and entertainment purposes. I found it to be reliable, high-speed, and easy to set up, and it's one that I use daily for work.
- ProtonVPN (Free Version) Proton is often referred to as the single most trustworthy company in the VPN business. They focus on security over anything else and offer the best free VPN available. This is the company behind ProtonMail.
- CyberGhost VPN was voted as the best gaming VPN for 2023 and is one of the cheapest VPN services among the whole top 10.
Best Gaming VPN 2023
RANK
BRAND
DEVICES
STATS
DOWNLOAD
1
6
6 simultaneous devices.
- ● Fastest VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 5300+
- ● Countries: 60+
WHY I LIKE NORDVPN NordVPN has long been regarded as one of the strongest brands in cybersecurity. With one of the largest server offerings on my list and support for most, if not all operating systems, making NordVPN an obvious choice for many. They have 24/7 customer support if you need help getting started. Their app is one of the most well-designed apps I have ever used. NordVPN even accepts cryptocurrencies as payment for extra anonymity.
2
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Cheap VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 65+
WHY I LIKE SURFSHARK: Surfshark VPN is perfect for those who want a cheap and reliable VPN that also has many extra features. "Camouflage Mode" hides your usage from your ISP, "Kill Switch" suspends your connection and protects your information if you temporarily lose Internet access, "MultiHop" to connect from multiple countries at the same time just to name a few. My favorite feature of Surfshark is "Whitelists" which allow the user to exclude specific apps and programs from the VPN connection.
3
7
7 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Torrent VPN
- ● Servers: 7400+
- ● Countries: 91+
WHY I LIKE CYBERGHOST CyberGhost VPN is the first choice of many other cybersecurity experts, and the reason is clear; they have the most complete VPN service. An incredible number of extra features that are best suited for the more advanced users but also work flawlessly for every-day purposes like P2P-filesharing. Cyberghost VPN also has the longest stretching money-back guarantee at a full 45 days.
4
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Netflix/Streaming VPN
- ● Servers: 35500+
- ● Countries: 84+
WHY I LIKE PIA VPN: PrivateInternetAccess is at the top of my streaming tests, which is a great combination with their easy-to-use UI, Open-Source software and built in adblocker. PIA is also perfect for those who want to be able to pay with PayPal which for some reason, many other VPN services do not support. 30-day money-back guarantee, multiple Netflix libraries, and extremely affordable are the three main selling points for this VPN service.
5
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Robust/Security focused
- ● Servers: 750+
- ● Countries: 43+
WHY I LIKE ATLAS VPN: Atlas VPN is one of the best new free VPN services. With the free version, you get unlimited data, no ads and zero logging. During my speed tests, Atlas VPN performed very well and could compete with mainstream services. Kill Switch, Ad-blocker, and P2P support all included with a regular subscription, which is incredibly cheap for such a robust service.
6
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Free VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 1713+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PROTONVPN: ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland and is most known for their e-mail service ProtonMail. They currently offer the safest free VPN services on the market. There is also support for TOR usage and P2P file sharing. I highly recommend ProtonVPN if you are intending to do some extensive online sharing. It goes without saying that Proton does not collect logs of any kind and is completely safe to use.
7
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best VPN for Gaming and Streaming
- ● Servers: 200+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PRIVATEVPN: PrivateVPN is the strong underdog in the world of VPNs. With a shy number of servers, it is evident that they are focusing on quality over quantity. Overall, PrivateVPN is a very decent choice of VPN, especially if you had enough of the excessive advertising by some of the other more known brands in this list. Setting up the VPN requires extremely little intervention, and you can even pay with Bitcoin.
8
49%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best Mobile VPN app
- ● Servers: 3000+
- ● Countries: 94+
10
77%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
45 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Fastest free VPN
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 80+
11
85%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Great free VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 26+
12
68%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
10 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best reputation
- ● Servers: 91+
- ● Countries: 17+
14
79%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
15 day money-back guarantee.
- ★ Great adblocker included
- ★ Servers: 1800+
- ★ Countries: 20+
15
66%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices simultaneously
- ● Unlimited usage
- ● 50+ locations
16
70%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Unlimited traffic
- ● Up to 1 Gbps
- ● Free trial
17
85%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Unlimited bandwidth
- ● Countries: 60+
19
$5.00 /user
14 day free trial/money-back guarantee.
- ● Simple Cloud VPN Setup
- ● Site-to-site VPN Tunneling
- ● Easy Server & User Management
21
67%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices
- ● Locations: 65+
- ● 24/7 live support
22
80%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Countries: 20+
- ● P2P Optimization
23
66%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
Basic, advanced, and pro plans.
- ● Countries: 22+
- ● Locations: 36+
- ● 24/7 live support
24
79%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best multi-device VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 200+
Why should gamers use a VPN?
Using a VPN can indeed enhance the gaming experience by providing access to games that might be restricted due to a country’s censorship, licensing, or age rating requirements. For instance, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) has faced bans in countries like China and India due to lack of government approval or other regulatory issues.
VPNs offer gamers several benefits, such as bypassing geo-restrictions to access games not available in their region, reducing latency and ping times for a better gaming experience, and avoiding ISP throttling, which can slow down gaming traffic. They also provide security advantages, like protecting against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which are common in online gaming, and encrypting internet traffic to protect personal information from hackers.
It’s important to choose a VPN with fast speeds and low latency to avoid introducing additional lag during gaming. NordVPN and Surfshark are examples of VPN services that offer fast speeds, a large network of servers, and strong security features suitable for gaming.
While free VPNs are available, they often have limitations such as data caps, slow speeds, and limited server locations, which can be less suitable for gaming. Paid VPNs typically offer faster speeds, more server locations, and better security features, making them a preferable option for a seamless gaming experience.
NordVPN
NordVPN, highly popular in 2023, offers impressive speeds, strong security, and a wide server network with over 5,800 servers in 60+ countries. It features robust security protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and its proprietary NordLynx, along with a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
Based in Panama, NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy. While there’s no permanent free version, a 7-day trial is available through its Android app and a 30-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN is user-friendly and provides setup guides for various devices, making it suitable for both novice and experienced users.
PrivateInternetAccess VPN
Private Internet Access (PIA), founded in 2009, has expanded its server network to approximately 10,000-35,000 servers across 91 countries. It offers robust security features, including OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, 256-bit AES encryption, a reliable kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
PIA is notable for its no-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte, and its use of RAM-only servers that erase data upon reboot. Additionally, PIA now allows unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single subscription, enhancing its appeal for users with multiple devices.
CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN offers over 9,370 servers in 100 countries, including specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. It supports a range of devices like PCs, gaming consoles, and smartphones. CyberGhost provides a 24-hour free trial for Windows and macOS, a three-day trial for Android, and a seven-day trial for iOS.
The service includes standard security protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, along with AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. It also upholds a no-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is recognized for its strong privacy features, including a no-logs policy, open-source software for transparency, and Secure Core servers for extra security. With 2,656 servers across 69 countries, it offers a stable VPN service, although not the fastest for gaming.
It’s ideal for users who prioritize privacy, offering robust protection against DDoS attacks with minimal latency. ProtonVPN is a good fit for casual gamers and those who emphasize security while gaming. It also provides a free VPN option and has been audited for transparency and security.
Surfshark
Surfshark is an excellent choice for families or LAN party hosts, supporting unlimited devices including PCs, routers, and smartphones. It offers high speed and security, enhanced by WireGuard protocol. Surfshark’s plans cater to various needs, with the Starter plan providing basic VPN features and higher tiers offering extra security functions.
Its gaming performance is reliable, with features like a kill switch and multi-hop servers for enhanced security, making it suitable for protecting against DDoS attacks and hiding IP addresses in chat apps. Surfshark combines affordability with comprehensive coverage and strong performance, ideal for multiple-device households or gaming groups.
FAQ
How do I utilize a VPN?
You must download and install the program, log in, and choose a nation to connect to and then you’re ready to go.
Are VPNs secure?
Yes! In reality, security is one of the primary advantages of VPN use. Premium VPNs safeguard your personal data with 256-bit encryption.
Why is a VPN necessary?
Protect yourself against identity thieves and hackers. A VPN will protect your connection whether you are surfing from home or using your phone to connect to a public WiFi network.
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