Best No-Lag VPNs: Fast Speeds, Low Ping (Tested 2024)

Ever experienced the frustration of lag in the middle of a critical gaming match? Or maybe you’ve missed out on the latest releases because of geographical restrictions? A Virtual Private Network (VPN) might just be your knight in shining armor. As the gaming universe continues to expand, the best no-lag VPNs can provide you with an edge. You can use it to enhance your connection speed, bypass geo-blocks, and secure your online presence from potential threats.

Naturally, if you want the best, you’ll have to look for paid premium services. Not every VPN provides the same benefits, so we’ve tried out every premium service on the market.

When the dust has settled we were left with these four no-lag VPNs that performed the best in our test results:

1. NordVPN – The best no-lag VPN available, providing the best speed, encryption, and network size (use our 74% off coupon).
2. Surfshark – Best budget choice for a no-lag VPN, offers unlimited connections.
3. ExpressVPN – Long-running no-lag VPN with a beginner-friendly interface.
4. IPVanish – This no-lag VPN offers strong security and support for multiple devices.

In this guide, we’ll cover all of these VPNs in detail, show you how they work, and provide you with more reasons why you should use them in the first place. We’ll also teach you how to set them up on your PC or gaming console, as well as how to test your connection to make sure it is perfectly optimized. So, buckle up, and let’s dive into the world of gaming VPNs.

How No-Lag VPNs work

Aside from providing you with a new online identity and great gaming speeds, top VPN will also enhance your security while keeping you completely private. It also starts with a process called encryption, which obscures your outgoing traffic from third parties.

This data is then re-routed to any no-lag VPN server you've decided to connect to. You will also get a new IP address, which lets you bypass gaming geo-restrictions and access bot lobbies. Here's how you can set up a VPN on your computer:

1. Subscribe to a premium no-lag VPN (we recommend using NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN on your PC or other gaming device.
3. Register and log in with your user credentials.
4. Connect to a close VPN server for best performance.
5. Enjoy gaming with minimal ping and low latency!

Note: This process will be different if you want to use a no-lag VPN on your gaming console. We will cover this process a bit later in the article.

Why Should I Use a VPN for Gaming?

A premium VPN is important for gaming, as it can lift various geo-restrictions while providing high-end protection and fast speeds. Of course, there are a lot more benefits you will experience, such as…

• Unlock Bot Lobbies – By connecting to a server in Cambodia or Nigeria, you can generally find games with weaker players, which can make competitive titles more enjoyable for casual gamers.
• Protection From Hackers – Malicious players may use DDoS attacks to sabotage your gameplay. By using a top no-lag VPN you will get access to advanced security features that will prevent this from happening.
• Access Games Early – By connecting to a VPN server in New Zealand or Australia, you will be able to play new games way before your friends.
• Unlock Geo-Restricted Games – Some games, or in-game events, may be limited to certain regions. Using a VPN will let you unlock this content.
• Game in School – Schools and workplaces usually have network restrictions that prevent you from gaming or even streaming content on platforms like YouTube. A VPN will also help you remove these limits.
• Get Games at a Discounted Price – By connecting to a VPN and changing your Steam region, you may find better gaming deals and save some money. Note that this can get you banned on a platform.
• Improve Your Speed – Your ISP may slow down your connection while gaming, as this uses a lot of data. This is unfortunate since slow speed and high ping can determine the outcome of a game before you even start. Luckily, you can bypass this limit by using one of the top VPNs for gaming.

How to Get the Best No-lag VPN

Finding a good VPN for gaming can be problematic, as there are tons of high-end services on the market. Here are the criteria we’ve focused on when looking for a no-lag VPN:

• Excellent Speed – All of the VPNs we’ve chosen provide fast connection with low latency and minimal ping. They offer a variety of advanced VPN protocols, all of which have their advantages depending on the platform you use.
• Vast Server Network – To get the best gaming performance, you’ll want a VPN server that’s close to the game server. Luckily, the VPNs on this list all provide huge worldwide server networks.
• Premium Security – We looked for advanced tools like AES 256 encryption, multiple leak protection features, and a powerful kill switch.
• Unblocking Capability – We looked for a lag-free VPN that can bypass all types of restrictions.
• Compatible with Gaming Platforms – The best services will provide apps that work on every gaming platform, either by providing router support or solid Smart DNS service.
• Holds Many Simultaneous Connections – To get the most out of your money, we looked for VPNs that will also let you protect other devices in your household.
• Intuitive User Interface – We focused on user-friendly services that anyone can start using immediately.
• Best Bang for your Buck – Top services have a solid price-to-quality ratio, offering premium features at a reasonable price.

With this out of the way, let's see what each no-lag VPN has to offer.

NordVPN – Secure and Swift No-Lag VPN for Gamers

NordVPN is a premium provider with 6,300+ servers in 111 countries around the world, which will allow you to easily access geo-restricted games. It supports various advanced protocols, with NordLynx being the most impressive.

This is an iteration of a popular WireGuard VPN protocol, and offers premium security, along with instant connection and blazing speeds. In our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison, we have easily passed 750 Mbps. Our ping and latency were also minimal, and our performance remained consistent on both close and remote servers. So, you can expect that this VPN will give you an edge while playing competitive games.

NordVPN's speed is impressive, but it wouldn't mean much if it wasn't backed with high-end security measures. Luckily this is the case. This VPN uses AES-256 GMC encryption to obscure all of your outgoing Internet traffic and prevent disruptive DDoS attacks. It also has multiple leak protection features (WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS) in place that make sure your real identity doesn't end up online. As a final measure, there's a VPN kill switch that will disable your connection if there's an unexpected error.

NordVPN is a no-logs VPN policy and uses exclusively RAM servers. This means that you will remain completely private since your sensitive information is never stored. This was confirmed by PwC, which did an independent audit of its privacy guidelines. VerSprite, a reputable cybersecurity firm, also did a pentest and concluded that this VPN has airtight security.

NordVPN Premium Tools

What makes NordVPN the best VPN for gaming is its sheer number of advanced features:

• Obfuscation – By default, your ISP will be aware that you are connected to a VPN, even though they won't know for what purpose. You can eliminate this and gain full anonymity by connecting to NordVPN's obfuscated servers. This feature is crucial if you are living under censorship, and is frequently used in countries like China or Russia.
• Double-VPN servers – Re-route your outgoing data through two VPN servers to improve your security. While it's safer, this will have some impact on your speed.
• Split Tunneling – Split tunneling allows you to control which apps can use your NordVPN traffic. You can use this to create an exclusive connection for no-lag gaming and improve your security
• Threat Protection – A real-time scanner that will search for malware and trackers, while also preventing phishing attempts and blocking intrusive ads (the best VPN ad blocker).
• VPN browser extension – NordVPN browser extension available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
• SmartPlay – This is a built-in Smart DNS service that allows you to access geo-restricted games and similar content on devices that don't have VPN support. The drawback is that it doesn't encrypt your data.
• Meshnet – A private network that lets you connect devices without using the Internet. It is perfect for creating virtual LAN parties. This is why many gamers use it as one of the go-to go-to VPNs for Call of Duty.
• Kill Switch – If for any reason your connection gets interrupted, a kill switch will disable your Internet access to protect you.
• Onion over VPN servers – This lets you connect to the Tor network on top of NordVPN to give you the safest connection possible. Unfortunately, it will significantly slow down your speed, so we wouldn't recommend that you use it for gaming.

See all NordVPN features here >>

Strong Cross-Platform Compatibility

NordVPN is available on computers and smartphones, and you can install it on your router to use it on your PlayStation and Xbox consoles. You can use it to unlock popular gaming platforms, making it an ideal VPN for Steam.

Aside from the speed and security, NordVPN offers additional benefits for gamers. These include Meshnet technology for creating virtual LAN parties and SmartDNS, which allows you to unblock content on your gaming consoles that don't support VPNs.

A single subscription will allow you to connect 10 devices simultaneously. With it, you will also get 24/7 access to live chat support. Lastly, NordVPN has a 30-day refund guarantee and is one of the most powerful free trial VPNs that you can start testing out today.

Head on to our NordVPN overview to find more info about this service. Don't forget to check this NordVPN for Gaming guide. We've also covered how to install NordVPN on PS5.

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Surfshark – Affordable and Fast VPN for Gaming

Surfshark is the best option for those looking for a no-lag VPN on a budget. Its server network offers over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, giving you plenty of locations to choose from.

Since speed is the priority for a gaming VPN, you’ll be pleased to know that Surfshark supports WireGuard. This is one of the fastest VPN protocols available that also provides instantaneous server connection. In fact, when we compared it with NordLynx in our NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison, their speeds were nearly identical. So, you can use it for very competitive games where every millisecond counts. For example, it is easily one of the Best VPN for PUBG

Surfshark employs AES 256 encryption to make your data unreadable to any third party. It follows a no-logs policy and uses RAM servers, which is excellent for your privacy.

This VPN has shown its reliability through many independent audits, most notably, a pentest from Cure53. Its results speak for themselves, showing that both the app and browser extensions provide extensive security.

Surfshark opted for complete transparency when it comes to user privacy, which is why you can find a warrant canary directly on its website. So far, they’ve never disclosed any user information or suffered a data breach.

Surfshark Security Features

• Surfshark One is an add-on bundle that offers additional features (antivirus, data leak alert, and search engine) for a decent price.
• No Borders lets you use Surfshark on geo-restricted networks.
• Clean Web blocks ads, pop-ups, and trackers, and protects you from malware.
• VPN Proxy is a minimalistic browser extension with solid WebRTC leak protection.
• Dynamic multi-hop is a more customizable version of the usual double VPN feature.
• Split tunneling
• Obfuscated servers
• Smart DNS
• Kill switch

See all Surfshark features here >

Surfshark is supported on many devices, which is ideal if you like gaming on various platforms. In fact, it is one of the best VPNs for Android. You can even use it on consoles by installing it on routers. Its user interface is simple and intuitive, which makes it ideal for beginners.

This VPN also has a remarkable price-to-quality ratio, offering unlimited simultaneous connections for just $1.99/month. A week-long trial is available on Android and iOS, while other gamers can use its 30-day refund guarantee to test it out.  Its customer service is available 24/7 through live chat, so you can always ask for help.

There's a lot more you can learn by checking out our Surfshark review. This Surfshark for Gaming guide will teach you how to set it up on multiple platforms.

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ExpressVPN – Reliable VPN Without Lag

ExpressVPN has been on the market for quite some time and is known for its safety and reliability. By subscribing, you'll get access to 3,000+ servers in 105 countries that will help you achieve the low latency needed for no-lag gaming.

This service has designed its very own protocol – Lightway. Its performance and speed are much better than OpenVPN, but they still can’t compare to NordLynx or WireGuard. At its best, ExpressVPN offers half the speed of NordVPN and Surfshark. This is still enough for playing games that don't require very fast bandwidth. For example, you can use it as a solid VPN for Minecraft

All of the ExpressVPN's servers run in RAM mode due to its TrustedServer technology. Since this is also a no-logs VPN, no user information is stored. You can count on its AES 256 encryption to make your outgoing data unreadable.

If you need further proof, just know that ExpressVPN has successfully completed 10+ independent audits. The latest pentest from Cure53 focused on their Lightway protocol and the results were solid. If you’re worried about your safety during gaming, you won’t find a safer option than ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN Advanced Features

• Device groups – Lets you connect your devices to different VPN servers simultaneously.
• Split tunneling
• Network Lock (Kill switch)
• Media Streamer (Smart DNS)
• Obfuscated servers
• VPN proxy
• IPv6 leak protection
• Threat manager

See all ExpressVPN features here >>

Besides your PC, the app is also available on smartphones, tablets, browsers, and routers. Actually, ExpressVPN is a top VPN for iPhone & iOS. You can also purchase its Aircove router with built-in protection which helps secure devices that don't support VPNs. It stands among the best VPNs on Xbox.

ExpressVPN allows you to connect up to 6 devices simultaneously, so you can probably use it to protect your entire home network. There’s also a 30-day refund guarantee in case you're not impressed with its performance. If you encounter any issues while using ExpressVPN, just contact its 24/7 live chat customer support at any time.

If you are in doubt, check out our ExpressVPN review for more details about this provider. This ExpressVPN for Gaming manual will show you how to set it up on many devices.

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4. IPVanish – Lightning-Fast Gaming VPN

IPVanish is a great no-lag VPN Provider based in the US. It offers 2,000+ servers in 50+ countries which are placed in strategic geographic locations.

This VPN supports various VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard. It provides breakneck speeds that went up to 830 Mbps during our speed tests. While it is fast, our IPVanish vs NordVPN article showed that it still not the best no-lag VPN available. Still, we consider it a top VPN for Modern Warfare 3 and other fast-paced games.

If you wish to remain completely anonymous, you can use its unique Scramble feature which will connect you to obfuscated servers. To keep you secure, this VPN uses AES 256 encryption and a powerful kill switch.

IPVanish is yet another no-logs VPN on our list, but unfortunately, it lacks RAM servers. This VPN is also based in the US, which is not the best privacy jurisdiction. Still, it passed through many independent audits and we haven't found any reports from users that deem IPVanish problematic.

IPVanish Premium Features

• SOCKS5 proxy will further enhance connection speed at the expense of encryption.
• IPv6 and DNS leak Protection
• Kill Switch
• Obfuscation
• Split Tunneling

See all IPVanish features here >

This high-end VPN is available on many modern platforms, such as smartphones, computers, routers, and tablets. Aside from reducing your lag, you can use it to unlock or improve your cloud gaming, as it is an excellent VPN for GeForce Now. IPVanish also sells pre-configured routers, in case yours isn't compatible with this VPN. By the way,  this is a perfect VPN for multiple devices as you can hold unlimited simultaneous connections.

If you decide to get an annual or a two-year subscription, you will also get a 30-day refund guarantee. As expected, IPVanish also provides 24/7 live chat support.

Our full IPVanish review covers the service in much greater depth.

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Configuring VPNs for Gaming Consoles

Setting up a VPN on your gaming console might sound like a daunting task, but it’s simpler than you think. There are few methods you can try.

1. Installing a No-Lag VPN on Your Router

What you'll need to do is install a VPN directly onto your router and then connect your gaming console to your PC. Here are all the steps you'll need to take:

1. Figure your router model
   
   Your router should have a sticker on the back with a model number. Do a little Googling to see if it is compatible with VPN apps. Here's Surfshark's and NordVPN's list of unsupported routers. IPVanish router list is also worth checking out.
2. Subscribe to a no-lag VPN app
   
   We highly recommend using NordVPN (which you can get for 74% off here).
3. Go to your router's Control Panel
   
   To do this, simply copy the IP address from the back of your router into your browser.
4. Follow the guide from your VPN provider
   
   Every router's installation process is a bit different, so we are unable to address them all. Luckily,  NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish all provide guides for many models on the market, as well as excellent customer support.
5. Connect your gaming console to your router
   
   We recommend using an ethernet cable instead of a Wi-Fi connection since it is faster and more reliable. If you don't know how to do this, check out our best VPNs for Xbox and top PS5 VPNs guides.

By the way, installing a VPN on a router isn't just perfect for gaming. This is also a convenient method of protecting all of your modern devices, without needing to install a VPN app on each one separately.

2. Setting up a Virtual Router

This method is great for those who own a router that isn't compatible with VPN firmware and don't want to buy a new one. For this to work, you will need a computer and an ethernet cable.

1. Download and install your no-lag VPN app on your PC.
2. Register and sign in by using your user credentials.
3. Head on to Control Panel > Network and Internet. Open Network and Sharing Center and click on Change Adapter Settings.

4. Find your VPN, click on it, and open Properties.
   
   You will need to use admin privilege to open it.
   

5. In Ethernet properties, visit the Sharing tab and enable the first box.

6. Locate your gaming console connection under Home Networking Connection.
7. Connect your computer to your console via an Ethernet cable.
   
   You should avoid using a Wi-Fi connection, as it is inconsistent and will likely cause lag.
8. Test your connection
   
   This step will differ depending on which console you use. In our case, we've used Xbox Series S and opened Settings > Network > Test Network Connection.
   

9. Enjoy all of the benefits of having a no-lag VPN

3. Using Smart DNS

Every premium VPN we have mentioned comes with a Smart DNS feature. This lets you use them on gaming consoles and other devices that don't have VPN support. You may even get a faster connection since it doesn't go through a traditional VPN network. The downside is that Smart DNS doesn't offer encryption, which will leave you vulnerable to potential DDoS attacks, and your identity also won't be concealed.

In this example, we will show you how to activate NordVPN's Smart DNS feature on PlayStation 5. This process will be similar on other no-lag VPNs.

1. Subscribe and register to a VPN with no lag.
   
   We would recommend using NordVPN.
2.  Open your dashboard.
3. Open Smart DNS> Enable > Activate SmartDNS.

You will need to confirm this via email. Once you do, you will get primary and secondary DNS values.

4. Start your PS5 and go to Network Settings. 
5. Choose your connection and visit Advanced Settings > DNS Settings > Manual.
6. Input your primary and secondary DNS values that you have received from NordVPN.

7. Use Smart DNS to improve your gaming connection. 

How to Improve Gaming with No-Lag VPNs

You can further improve your gaming experience by following these tips:

• Use Advanced VPN Protocols – NordLynx, WireGuard, and Lightway will all provide a much better connection than OpenVPN. Specifically, this translates to lower latency and ping, instant server connection, and faster speeds.
• Avoid Wi-Fi connection – Wi-Fi is notoriously unstable for gaming and will give you slower speeds, possibly even frequent disconnects. Instead, get an ethernet cable and reap all the benefits of using a no-lag gaming VPN.
• Don't use Obfuscation – Obfuscated servers are generally slower than regular VPN servers. You should only use them if absolutely necessary, like if you are living in an oppressive country like China or Russia.
• Keep your VPN Updated – Premium VPNs are frequently releasing updates that can further improve your connection or fix security weak points.
• Keep your Security Tight – Make sure that your kill switch and leak protection features are all enabled, as they can prevent DDoS attacks and keep your sensitive information safe.
• Exit all Unnecessary Apps – BitTorrent and similar apps can consume a lot of bandwidth and cause high ping which can ruin your gaming.
• Search for Close Servers – Your connection will be far from ideal if you use remote servers located on different continents. If possible, use locations in the neighboring countries and always do a speed test to make sure your connection is optimized.

A Quick Method of Testing Gaming VPNs

Speed tests are an easy and reliable way of figuring out how good your connection really is. You can also use them for comparing VPN speeds and reliability, which is crucial when you're still testing out multiple services. To carry out a personal test, just follow these four steps:

1. Disable your VPN and do a speed test to figure out your original speed.
2. Start a VPN and connect to any server you want.
3. Repeat your speed test on the same website.
4. Compare your results to see how your VPN impacts your connection.

Troubleshooting Gaming VPNs

Unfortunately, even premium no-lag VPNs aren't perfect. Here are the most common problems you may encounter, along with their solutions.

1. My Speed is Slow/ My Latency and Ping are High

There are multiple ways to solve high ping and latency, and they are usually straightforward. First, experiment by connecting to other close VPN servers and doing some speed tests to compare results. You can also try restarting your VPN or using another advanced protocol, like IKEv2/IPSec. As mentioned before, it is important to use a wired connection for best performance.

2. I Can't Connect to a VPN Server

This is generally caused by your firewall, so we should disable it to see if that's the case. To do this on Windows, visit Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall. If it worked, create an exception for your VPN app and turn your firewall back on.

Note: Disabling your firewall for longer periods of time can cause security problems.

3. My IP Address Didn't Change

This usually means that a background app, like μTorrent, is leaking your real location. In case you also use a VPN to stream shows and access websites, you may also need to clear your cookies and cache. You can easily do this on your Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser.

If none of these methods worked, here are some other VPN tests you can try. Alternatively, you can contact your VPN's customer service 24/7 through live chat.

Key Points of No-Lag VPNs for Gaming

• High-performance gaming VPNs like NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish offer low latency and high-speed connections essential for smooth and uninterrupted gaming.

• Quality no-lag VPNs can bypass ISP throttling and protect you from DDoS attacks.

• A premium service with a large server network allows you to easily find bot lobbies and get access to geo-restricted games.

• Using a paid VPN over a free one for gaming is recommended due to faster speeds, more reliable connections, and advanced security features like split tunneling, that can greatly enhance your gaming experience.

The Pitfalls of Free VPNs in Gaming

Some might think that instead of paying for a premium service, you can utilize a free VPN and get all the benefits of lag-free gameplay. Unfortunately using a free VPN isn’t something we’d recommend, as they usually cause more issues and the service they provide is fairly limited.

1. Limited bandwidth

Most free VPNs limit their bandwidth with a monthly cap that's usually between 1GB and 2 GB. Considering that most modern games use up a few hundred MBs every hour, you can easily spend all of your data in just a few days. Once that happens, you’re stuck waiting for the end of the month for the cap to reset. This alone makes free VPNs unsuitable for gaming.

2. Inferior VPN protocols

Since free services don’t make much money, they don’t focus on developing new cutting-edge protocols like Lightway. They’re stuck using L2TP/IPSec and PPTP, which lack in both speed and security when compared to protocols offered by premium VPN services.

3. Small server network

Maintaining a huge server network simply isn’t feasible for anyone providing a free service. That’s why all free VPNs offer networks ranging from one server to a few hundred, located in a couple of locations around the world. There’s also the fact that they are often overcrowded, which can cause slow speed and frequent disconnects.

4. Security issues

A study done on 270+ free Android VPN apps concluded that most of these services are harmful to their users. It showed that:

• ⅖ of services simply don’t use any encryption
• Over ⅘ of free VPNs offered terrible encryption
• ¾  of free VPNs monitor their users
• A ⅓ of the apps contained malware

As we can see, using a free VPN may lead to data theft, as there are many vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Even worse, most of these apps exist solely to extract and sell user data to advertisement agencies and make a profit. Anyone who wants a VPN is better off paying for a premium service that offers vastly better performance and security.

If you still insist on using a free VPN, there are some services that actually function as intended. We’ve made a list of 7 free VPNs that will work well enough for your needs.

Summary

From boosting your connection speed to bypassing geo-restrictions, a VPN can significantly enhance your gaming experience. We recommend that you use NordVPN, as it's currently the best no-lag provider on the market. With it, you can easily connect to bot lobbies and unlock early-access games. In fact, it is one of the best VPNs for Warzone.

However, keep in mind that Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish all have unique features and advantages that may better suit your needs. In any case, a good VPN is your passport to an unrestricted, seamless, and secure gaming experience. So gear up, select the perfect provider, and let the gaming begin!

Other VPN Gaming Guides

• Best VPN for Streaming
• Best VPNs for Pokemon Go
• Best VPNs for Warzone Mobile
• Setting up a Meta Quest VPN
• Best VPN for WoW
• Best VPN for FFXIV
• Best GTA Online VPNs
• Best VPNs for LoL
• Best VPNs for Roblox
• Best VPNs for Quest 2
• Best VPN for Dota 2
• Best VPN for CS:GO

No-Lag VPNs FAQ

This article on the best no-lag VPNs was last updated on April 7, 2024.