3 Best Low-Ping VPNs for Lag-Free Gaming in 2024

Dealing with high ping during online gaming can be incredibly frustrating, especially when things get competitive. A VPN can certainly help, but it isn’t easy to find one that can lower latency while keeping your gaming sessions secure. Some VPNs that claim to be great for gaming fail to give you a usable ping, while others don’t protect you from DDoS attacks at all.

My team and I tested 50+ providers to find the best low-ping VPNs for gaming. We evaluated average ping, speeds, server networks, and security features. Based on this, I shortlisted VPNs that not only prevent ISP throttling and reduce latency but also enhance gaming security.

My top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It offers consistently low ping and fast speeds for lag-free gaming, and it’s one of the easiest VPNs to set up on a gaming console. You can also try it completely risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can cancel your subscription and get a full refund. Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Lag-Free Gaming in 2024

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Best VPNs to Lower Ping — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best VPN to Lower Ping and Play Without Lag

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested May 2024

Available on:

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www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN has the lowest ping of all the VPNs I tested. This makes it a perfect choice for online gaming. On its nearby UK servers, I recorded an average ping of 6ms, and the speed drop never exceeded 4%. In my tests, I could play PUBG Mobile on my Android phone without any lag. My connection remained stable throughout my gaming session with no ping fluctuations.

Its performance is impressive even over longer distances. I had a ping of 60ms on its LA server (way lower than other VPNs I tested). Part of the reason why ExpressVPN is so fast is due to Lightway, its proprietary protocol. It’s optimized to provide fast speeds and low ping without compromising security. Plus, it’s super lightweight, which improves initial connection time and preserves battery life.

ExpressVPN’s biggest selling point for me was its ease of setup on consoles. VPNs don't work natively with most game consoles and usually require a complex router installation. But ExpressVPN offers custom firmware for popular router models, simplifying this process and making it easy to lower your ping on any console.

My only problem with ExpressVPN is that it’s a bit more expensive than other VPNs on this list. However, it often offers great discounts that can make your subscription a bit more affordable. You can also test it risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with its performance, you can get a full refund.

Useful Features

• Dedicated router app. ExpressVPN lets you control and configure your VPN connection from a dedicated router app. You can easily sort your devices into separate groups, assign different server locations for each device group, and more, all without ever touching your router settings.
• DDoS protection. In my tests, ExpressVPN never leaked my IP or DNS address. This meant I didn’t have to worry about DDoS attacks. Plus, it uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, so your ISP can’t track your online activity or throttle your gaming sessions.
• APK support. If you're unable to access the Google Play Store or prefer not to use it, ExpressVPN provides a simple solution. You can directly download the APK file from its official website and install the VPN on your Android device with ease.

2. CyberGhost — Dedicated Gaming Servers to Easily Find a Low Latency Connection

Available on:

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Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

What makes CyberGhost a great option for lag-free gameplay is its gaming-optimized servers. These are strategically located and designed to minimize ping. The gaming-optimized servers are clearly marked in the app and accessible with a single click, so I never had to trawl through a long list to find a server with usable ping.

During my tests, I got excellent speeds and ping. For instance, I recorded an 8ms ping when I connected to its gaming-optimized server in London. And it has plenty of specialized servers in the UK, France, Germany, and the US. This means you won’t experience overcrowded connections, which can result in ping spikes.

CyberGhost is already easy to use thanks to this, but I could make things even easier with its Smart rules. These allow you to automate the VPN to behave in certain ways — for example, I could set my VPN to automatically connect to a UK gaming-optimized server when I launched Fortnite on my Windows PC.

On the downside, CyberGhost long-distance connections can be a bit slow. For instance, when I connected to its LA server, I had a 28% speed reduction, and my ping rose above 80ms. However, I always had reliable connections on nearby servers. You can try CyberGhost for free yourself, thanks to its money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it, simply ask for a refund.

Useful Features

• URL-based split tunneling. You can set certain URLs to ignore the VPN tunnel and to stay on your normal connection. This is useful if you’re using the VPN to game in another region but you’d still like access to local streaming services.
• Automatic WiFi protection. This feature automatically launches CyberGhost and connects you to a server when an untrusted WiFi network is detected. This let me lower my ping securely while on the go without having to remember to manually connect the VPN.
• Router setup available. While there’s no automatic installation or a dedicated app for routers like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost is still mostly straightforward to set up on a router, thanks to its easy-to-follow guides on the subject. These cover most popular router models.

3. Private Internet Access — Customizable Security to Optimize Your Connection for Low Latency

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

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Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most customizable VPNs out there. This lets you tinker with your VPN settings and optimize your connection for low ping. You can adjust encryption levels, switch between OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, and more, all to match your gaming needs.

I usually use WireGuard to get low ping and fast speeds while gaming. If you choose OpenVPN, I recommend using 128-bit encryption while gaming because it delivers slightly faster speeds and lower ping than 256-bit.

Thanks to its extensive server network, PIA makes it easy to find a low-latency server — regardless of where you are located. With over 29,650 servers in 91 countries, the risk of server overcrowding or only having faraway servers to choose from is nearly non-existent. Throughout my tests, I got a stable ping of just 9ms while playing Minecraft on my Windows laptop.

Since PIA's apps have a lot of customization options, it might be a bit much for VPN beginners. However, it comes pre-configured and ready to go from the start, so you don’t have to change any settings before gaming. All of PIA’s plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it for free and see if it fulfills your gaming needs.

Useful Features

• Performance display. When you’re connected to a server, the PIA app shows a neat graph that clearly displays the ongoing trends in your download and upload speed. It makes it easy to tell if your current server is having issues, at which point you can just quickly switch to a more stable one.
• Ping metrics. With PIA, you can also check the ping on each server. This makes it easy to find a low-latency connection for gaming.
• Value for money. PIA is the most affordable VPN on this list — you can get a subscription for as low as $2.19/month. Plus, you can protect all your devices simultaneously with it.

Quick Comparison Table: Low-Ping VPN Features

The table below provides a quick comparison of the key features of the best low-ping VPNs. It includes essential information such as the lowest monthly price, average ping on nearby servers, and speeds on those servers. The base speed for these comparisons was 127Mbps.

I also looked at the size of each VPN's server network and the number of devices you can connect simultaneously. The table also includes whether each VPN offers a dedicated router app, which makes it super easy to switch servers and adjust VPN settings. Plus, you can see which VPNs offer port forwarding for hosting multi-player games.

Tips on Choosing the Best VPN to Lower Your Ping

In my assessments, I focused on particular features of a low-ping VPN that I believe are essential for it to be considered a top-level choice for gaming. Should you wish to conduct your own evaluations, you can use the criteria outlined below to determine the gaming VPN that best meets your requirements.

• Low-latency servers. Look for VPNs that have servers located close to your physical location, as this will help reduce latency. The best gaming VPNs have servers optimized to deliver low ping, strategically located in population centers. You can use free tools like Ookla to check ping on the server you’re connected to.
• Minimal impact on download speed. Choose a VPN that has high-speed servers and optimized protocols to minimize the impact on your download speed. That way, you can download game content and patches securely without waiting an age. If you’re looking to stream games, upload speed is another factor you should take into account.
• Extensive server network. Ensure that the gaming VPN has plenty of servers across many countries. You’ll be able to easily find low-latency servers, and you’ll have no problems connecting to other regions to play with friends from abroad.
• IP/DNS leak protection. The VPN you choose should have strong encryption and leak protection features to ensure that your IP address is never exposed. That way, you can avoid DDoS attacks and other forms of harassment while gaming online.
• Gaming device compatibility. Make sure that the VPN is compatible with the device you plan to use for gaming. Most VPNs are natively compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. However, if you’d like to play on a game console, you’ll have to look for a gaming VPN with router support.
• Affordability. Choose a gaming VPN that offers affordable pricing plans and a risk-free money-back guarantee. For the best deal, try to pick a VPN that offers a big discount if you purchase a long-term subscription, along with a large number of simultaneous device connections.

What Causes High Ping and How Does a VPN Impact It?

High ping in online gaming is often due to the distance to the game server, poor internet quality, or network congestion. Longer distances mean data takes more time to travel between your device and the server, resulting in higher ping. Similarly, a poor internet connection or heavy traffic on your network can slow down data transmission, further increasing ping times.

A VPN can influence your ping in different ways. By rerouting your internet traffic through a server that is closer to your game server, it can reduce the distance data needs to travel, potentially lowering your ping. If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) throttles your connection, that can also cause high ping. A VPN can circumvent this by changing your IP and obfuscating your VPN traffic, thus improving your speeds and lowering ping.

On the flip side, a VPN might also increase your ping. This happens if the VPN server adds extra distance to the route between you and the game server or if the VPN's server is not performing optimally. Plus, the process of encrypting data with a VPN can introduce a slight delay, although with fast and reliable VPNs, this impact is often minimal.

Additional Tips to Lower Your Ping

Beyond using a VPN, there are several other strategies you can use to lower your ping and enhance your online gaming experience:

• Wired connection. Switch from WiFi to a wired Ethernet connection. This can significantly reduce latency as wired connections are generally more stable and faster than wireless ones.
• Disconnect devices and background apps. Ensure no unnecessary devices are connected to the internet and close any applications that are running in the background. Programs consuming bandwidth, like streaming services or downloads, can increase ping.
• Update network drivers. Keep your network drivers up to date. Outdated drivers can lead to suboptimal performance and higher ping.
• Optimize game settings. Lowering certain in-game settings can reduce the strain on your network and hardware, potentially leading to lower ping.
• Choose the right server. Play on a server that is geographically closer to you. The shorter the distance your data has to travel, the lower your ping will be.
• Upgrade your internet plan. If possible, upgrade to a higher-speed internet plan. Faster internet can lead to better ping rates.
• Use a gaming router. Consider investing in a gaming router. These are designed to prioritize gaming traffic and can help reduce ping.
• Regularly restart your router. Periodically restarting your router can clear out any issues that might be causing increased latency.

Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.

FAQs on VPNs to Lower Your Ping

Will a VPN lower my ping for games like PUBG, BGMI, and Free Fire?

Yes, in certain situations. If you connect to a VPN server that’s closer to the game server than you are, it creates a more direct route for your data, reducing the travel time and potentially lowering your ping. But it’s important to choose a VPN with a wide range of servers near the game's servers for the best results. A VPN can also help if your ISP is throttling your gaming traffic by hiding what you're doing online.

How do VPNs affect speeds?

Using a good VPN can result in a minor reduction in internet speeds. This is due to the extra step your data takes to get encrypted by the VPN's server. But the best low-ping VPNs keep the speed loss to a minimum, so you can play without lag.

Besides, the advantages make up for this slight slowdown. A VPN stops your ISP from intentionally reducing your speed during intensive activities like gaming or streaming. It also adds a layer of protection against online threats like DDoS attacks.

Can I use a free VPN for gaming?

I generally do not recommend using free VPN services for gaming. It’s much better to use a low-cost premium VPN that comes with a money-back guarantee. This is because free VPNs often have a limited number of servers, and these servers are often overcrowded with users. This can result in slower connection speeds and increased latency, which can have a negative impact on your gaming experience.

Additionally, many free VPN services have strict monthly data caps, which can be quickly exceeded while gaming. Once the limit is reached, the VPN connection will be disconnected, and you'll need to wait until next month to use the service again.

Also, free VPNs often have weaker security and privacy features compared to paid VPNs. This can make you more vulnerable to DDoS attacks and harassment from other players.

What’s a good ping rate for online gaming?

For online gaming, a good ping rate is generally considered to be between 20 to 50ms. This range ensures a smooth and responsive gaming experience, minimizing lag and delay in real-time action. All the VPNs I recommended above offered this range on nearby servers.

Ping rates below 20ms are exceptional and often seen in high-speed internet connections close to the game servers. Ping rates higher than 50ms can start to introduce noticeable delay, affecting gameplay, especially in fast-paced games. Values above 100ms may significantly impact performance, making competitive play difficult.

Can you get banned for using a VPN to lower your ping while gaming?

Using a VPN to lower your ping in gaming typically doesn't lead to a ban, as most online games don't have rules against improving connection quality. However, it’s important to review each game's terms of service.

Some game providers have policies against using VPNs, but these are often in place to prevent accessing regional content or exploiting regional pricing differences rather than simply lowering ping. While using a VPN for better connectivity and lower ping is generally acceptable, you shouldn’t use one if the game provider explicitly prohibits it. Always check the specific policies of the game to ensure compliance.

Get the Best Low-Ping Gaming VPN

After extensive testing, I shortlisted the fastest VPNs that offer you low latency for competitive online gaming. These VPNs also ensure your ISP cannot see your online activity and hence will be less likely to throttle your connection. You also won’t have to worry about DDoS attacks, as your real IP address will be hidden. This means you can enjoy a stable gaming session free of harassment from the opposing team.

Out of all the VPNs above, my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It was really easy to set up with my PS5, which is a rarity with VPNs. Plus, it offered some of the fastest download speeds I’ve seen from a VPN and consistently provided me with low latency that didn’t feel any different from my normal connection. You can test it risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it’s not for you, it’s easy to get a refund.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs to lower your ping…

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