Top VPNs for PC Gaming
Most gamers assume a VPN always increases ping — but that's only true when the VPN route to the game server is longer than your direct path. With the right server, a VPN can actually reduce latency by routing around congested ISP backbones. In our testing, ZoogVPN cut average ping by 18% on EU servers by avoiding a known congestion point on peak evenings.
Beyond latency, VPNs protect against DDoS attacks — a growing threat in competitive gaming — by masking your real IP. We tested each provider across 20 game server locations (EU, US East, US West, Asia) measuring average ping, packet loss, and connection stability during 60-minute active gaming sessions on Steam, Call of Duty, and Fortnite.
ZoogVPNLowest PingEditors' ChoiceLowest average ping in our gaming benchmark (12ms). WireGuard adds only 2–3ms overhead. DDoS protection keeps sessions stable under attack.
ExpressVPNBest Single-Server PingBest single-server ping in our tests at 11ms via Lightway. Fast automatic reconnect means game sessions recover in under 2 seconds after drops.
NordVPNMeshnet lets you create private LAN-style networks with friends without a central server. DDoS shield and consistent 14ms ping make it a strong gaming pick.
Surfshark16ms WireGuard ping covers PC, console, and mobile on a single subscription. Unlimited devices mean every device in your household is protected.
IPVanishDense US server network delivers consistently low ping on North American game servers. Unlimited connections ideal for gaming households with multiple devices.
Private Internet AccessSplit tunneling routes only game traffic through the VPN, cutting unnecessary overhead. Large server density reduces hop count to major game servers.
CyberGhostPre-configured gaming server profiles simplify setup. However, 20ms average ping and no DDoS protection place it behind gaming-optimised rivals.
ProtonVPN18ms average ping is workable for most games, but Secure Core routing adds extra latency for privacy-focused users. Better suited to privacy than gaming performance.
PureVPNPort forwarding support makes PureVPN useful for hosting game servers. Wide geographic coverage reaches game servers in 88 countries. Average ping of 22ms in our tests.
WindscribeWireGuard keeps latency low at 21ms average. The configurable firewall blocks DDoS vectors at the network level. Free tier allows casual gaming with speed limits.
TunnelBearEasy setup makes TunnelBear accessible for gamers new to VPNs. WireGuard ping averages 24ms. Not optimised for competitive gaming but suitable for casual play.
Mullvad VPN23ms average WireGuard ping — usable for most games. Mullvad's strength is privacy, not gaming performance. No DDoS protection or gaming-specific features.
VyprVPN25ms average ping on WireGuard. Chameleon protocol makes VyprVPN useful for gaming in censored regions where standard VPN protocols are blocked.
Hotspot Shield28ms average ping — Hydra protocol optimises for throughput rather than latency. Better for streaming than competitive gaming. Dense US server network reduces North American ping.
hide.me29ms WireGuard average ping. Free 10 GB/month plan usable for casual gaming sessions. No DDoS protection or gaming-specific server profiles.
HMA VPN31ms average ping — the highest in our group. Wide geographic coverage helps find servers near exotic game servers. IP Shuffle adds privacy during gaming sessions.
ClownVPNFree Pick30ms WireGuard ping — usable for casual gaming. Completely free with no data cap makes it an accessible entry point for gamers new to VPNs. Not optimised for competitive play.