NordVPN
All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices
- Up to 10 devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No-logs policy checked by independent auditors
VPN guide
★ Our pick
Best VPN for Gaming Privacy
Protect your IP address and reduce DDoS risk while gaming. NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN compared for gamers.
Online gaming exposes your IP address to other players, which can lead to targeted DDoS attacks in competitive play. A VPN masks your real IP and encrypts your connection, adding protection without noticeably affecting your ping — especially with a nearby server.
Surfshark
Big households: unlimited devices on one account
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
- No-logs policy independently assessed (2025 report)
Proton VPN
Try before you pay: a free plan for one device
- Free plan to start (1 device)
- Up to 10 devices on the Plus plan
- Swiss company, also behind Proton Mail
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Side by side
Best VPN for Gaming Privacy
Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days (first purchase) | 30 days (paid plans) |
| Devices | Up to 10 | Unlimited | 10 on Plus · 1 on the free plan |
| Free option | No free plan | 7-day free trial (conditions on the official site) | Free plan (1 device) |
| Company base | Panama (parent company in the Netherlands) | Netherlands (Surfshark B.V.) | Switzerland (Proton) |
| Best for | All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices | Big households: unlimited devices on one account | Try before you pay: a free plan for one device |
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
Tips
Tips
Use a nearby server for low ping
The closer the VPN server to the game server, the lower the latency. Test a few servers to find the best one.
Enable DDoS protection
NordVPN has dedicated servers designed to absorb DDoS attacks — useful if you play competitive games.
Use a wired connection
A wired Ethernet connection plus a VPN gives you the best combination of speed and security for gaming.
Questions
Will a VPN increase my ping?
A nearby server adds 1–5 ms of latency at most. The DDoS protection is often worth that small trade-off.
Can a VPN prevent DDoS attacks?
It hides your real IP address, so attackers can't target your connection directly. The VPN's infrastructure absorbs the attack instead.
Is a VPN allowed in online games?
Most games allow VPNs. Check the specific game's terms of service, as a few competitive platforms restrict them.
Complete your setup