VPNs are beneficial and commonly used to avoid issues like bandwidth throttling, DDoS attacks, high ping, and latency. They also enhance security, particularly when browsing on public networks, by protecting your system from unauthorized access. When it comes to gaming, VPNs are crucial in several ways, with their primary focus being to provide an additional layer of security against various online threats. By encrypting your network traffic, a VPN ensures that the data exchanged between your PC and the web is accessible only to you, preventing third-party tools or attackers from intercepting it. VPNs have proven effective in preventing hacking attempts.
With many VPNs offering a wide range of impressive features, we’ve selected the five best VPNs for 2024. These VPN tools come packed with features ideal for gamers. Since many games involve important login credentials and microtransactions, a VPN serves as a protective barrier, preventing sensitive information such as login details and credit card numbers from being exposed.
Top 3 VPNs for Gaming
We reviewed various lists of VPNs and selected the top three based on features, functionality, bandwidth management, pricing, and more.
NordVPN:
With over 6,400+ servers in 111 countries, NordVPN offers features like DoubleVPN servers, which encrypt traffic through two servers—crucial for those who prioritize security. NordVPN uses AES encryption with 256-bit keys and supports three VPN protocols: IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and NordLynx (based on WireGuard technology). All servers run on diskless RAM, ensuring that no data accessed via the VPN is stored locally. NordVPN’s infrastructure is secured with colocated servers, making it nearly impossible to breach. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or traveling, NordVPN provides peace of mind, even when using public hotspots.
If you’re planning to visit the dark web on your gaming PC, there’s still nothing to worry about. NordVPN features a kill switch, split tunneling, CyberSec (which blocks ads and malicious websites), and dark web monitoring. NordVPN also goes the extra mile by offering Threat Protection Pro, which scans for malware, trackers, and intrusive ads to ensure maximum privacy.
NordVPN’s Meshnet allows users to connect multiple devices simultaneously. You can enable private file sharing, secure LAN gaming, or remote access to your systems via encrypted tunnels. Up to 10 systems and 50 external devices can be connected to Meshnet at the same time.
- Plans:
- Basic: $3.59 /mo.
- Plus: $4.49 /mo.
- Complete: $5.49 /mo.
The Basic version offers a high-speed secure VPN for up to 10 devices. If you need strong malware protection, opt for the Plus plan. The Complete plan includes password management and 1TB of encrypted storage along with threat protection.
Surfshark:
Surfshark is ideal for watching movies and accessing video content. For example, the Hulu service is not available in every region, but Surfshark provides faster bandwidth for video streaming. It’s also more affordable compared to NordVPN, making it a good option if your main use is watching video content or chatting. However, if you plan on streaming or playing online games on public hotspots, you might need stronger protection.
Surfshark is ideal for watching movies and accessing video content. For example, the Hulu service is not available in every region, but Surfshark provides faster bandwidth for video streaming. It’s also more affordable compared to NordVPN, making it a good option if your main use is watching video content or chatting. However, if you plan on streaming or playing online games on public hotspots, you might need stronger protection.
- Starter: $2.19 /mo.
- One: $2.69 /mo.
- One+: $4.29 /mo.
Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a great choice for first-time VPN users to test an affordable plan.
TotalVPN:
TotalVPN provides features similar to Surfshark, including VPN + Antivirus protection at a more affordable price. It offers protection against viruses, phishing scams, adware, and spyware. Additionally, it includes a system disk cleaner that scans and removes unwanted files from your PC—though this feature isn’t particularly useful for a VPN tool. TotalVPN focuses on simplicity and essential features, but there are some speed issues with gaming. High latency has been observed during online multiplayer gaming. Otherwise, it performs well for video streaming and browsing.
One downside is that TotalVPN’s plans can seem overpriced at times, and it doesn’t unblock all streaming platforms. For instance, if Disney+ is blocked in your region, you won’t be able to access it with TotalVPN. However, many of its features are free, making it a good alternative to paid options. If you need a free VPN, you can try TotalVPN but expect some latency issues with the free plan.
Verdict
In conclusion, these are our top three VPNs for gaming. Among them, we recommend NordVPN due to its pricing, features, and security. It is a feature-rich VPN that offers private file sharing of up to 1TB—crucial for users who share data online and for gamers who play multiplayer games on public hotspots. With NordVPN, you can enjoy high-speed connectivity without worrying about losing your valuable credentials.
