Best VPNs for GTA 5 Online (Easy Setup, Fast Speeds)

GTA Online is the multiplayer version of GTA 5 (GTA V), the best-selling installment of Rockstar's popular franchise. Although it is really fun to play with your friends, there are several problems you should be concerned about. Specifically, DDoS attacks, doxxing, and high latency can ruin your gaming.

However, you can use a high-end VPN to effectively solve these issues. Its military-grade encryption offers protection from DDoS attacks, while its numerous privacy features ensure that your identity remains hidden and safe. 

While plenty of VPNs are available on the market, only some of them can significantly improve your security and provide you with fast speeds. After numerous tests, we managed to find 4 top VPNs for GTA Online:

1. NordVPN – The best VPN for GTA Online with premium security, a vast global server network, and extremely fast speeds (with a 74% off coupon).
2. Surfshark – A budget VPN with fast speed and unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. ExpressVPN – A premium no-logs VPN with a consistent connection.
4. IPVanish – Top VPN for GTA Online with incredible speed and excellent cross-platform support.

In this guide, we will do an overview of each service and show you how to set your VPN on various devices. We will also provide answers to all of the frequently asked questions. 

Let's start with some key points for using a VPN with GTA.

Key points for using a VPN for GTA 5 Online

• By using a VPN for GTA Online, you can improve game performance, reduce lag, shield personal information, avoid ISP throttling, and enhance privacy.
• Setting up a VPN is straightforward across different devices, and it provides benefits like avoiding IP bans, ISP throttling, and accessing geo-blocked content, with premium VPNs offering more reliable and secure services.
• The best VPN for GTA Online is NordVPN, and it comes with a 74% off coupon. NordVPN offers fast speeds, a huge server network, advanced security, and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions.

How GTA Online VPNs Work

VPNs will protect your outgoing traffic through encryption, safeguarding it from third parties. This will also shield you from infamous DDoS attacks, which can easily ruin your gaming sessions.

By connecting to a VPN server, you will get a new IP address. This will fool algorithms into thinking that you are physically located in the said country, allowing you to access servers that would otherwise be geo-restricted.

Here are all the steps that you need to take to create a VPN connection on your computer:

1. Subscribe to a high-end VPN for GTA Online.
   
   We got the best results by using NordVPN (plus it comes with a 74% off coupon).
2. Download and install your VPN on your PC.
3. Start a VPN app and log in with your user credentials.
4. Connect to the VPN server of your choice.
   
   We recommend choosing a server that's either close to your real location or a gaming server. This way, you will likely get the most optimized connection.
5. Play GTA Online from anywhere.

This process will be completely different if you want to use a VPN on your gaming console. We will cover that a little bit later. For now, let's go through all of the reasons why you should consider using a VPN.

Why Use a VPN for GTA 5 Online?

A GTA Online VPN will improve your privacy and security while giving you an edge when gaming. Here are some of the benefits you can expect:

• Prevent DDoS Attacks – Malicious players can launch DDoS attacks which will either significantly slow your connection or disconnect you from the server. A VPN will give you a new IP address and encrypt your data, which will stop this from happening. 
• Improved Privacy – The best VPNs for GTA Online follow a no-logs policy and use RAM servers, which means that they cannot store user data. They also have leak protection tools and a kill switch to prevent your identity from being exposed online in real-time.
• Stop ISP Throttling – If you spend a lot of your time playing GTA Online, your ISP might decide to limit your traffic and tank your speed. Premium VPNs provide obfuscation, which hides your traffic from your ISP, so your connection won't be affected.
• Access geo-restricted servers – Depending on your location, some servers will be unavailable by default. With a VPN, you can easily unlock all servers and play with friends on the other side of the world.

Ranking criteria for the best VPNs for GTA 5 Online

It is easy to feel overwhelmed with the number of premium VPNs on the market. Here are all the criteria we've searched for to find the best options.

• Worldwide Server Network – We focused on VPNs that provide thousands of servers in key locations around the world.
• Blazing Speeds – All gamers know the importance of speed coupled with low ping and latency. Every VPN on this list uses advanced protocols such as WireGuard and NordLynx that will provide you with reliable performance and instant server connection.
• High-End Security – An ideal VPN for GTA Online uses AES256 encryption to protect your outgoing data and neutralize DDoS attacks. Additionally, they offer advanced security features such as split tunneling, leak protection, and a solid kill switch.
• Total Privacy – We searched only for no-logs VPNs that are powered by RAM-mode servers. This will ensure that your private information doesn't get stored on one of its servers.
• User-Friendly – Each VPN we've mentioned has a minimalistic UI that you can master in minutes.
• Holds Simultaneous Connections – A high number of simultaneous connections will allow you to use the VPN for multiple devices and protect every device on your network.
• Affordable Pricing – Every VPN service offers annual subscriptions that won't make a huge dent in your budget. They still provide a lot of extra premium features that will make your life that much easier.

With this out of the way, it is time to cover all the best VPNs for GTA Online in greater detail.

NordVPN – Best All-Around VPN for GTA Online

NordVPN is currently the best VPN for GTA Online. It provides a huge network consisting of 6,300+ servers in 111 countries, allowing you to access every lobby you want. With NordVPN, you get to choose between three advanced protocols: NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec.

When it comes to gaming, NordLynx is the ideal choice. This is a variation of the WireGuard VPN protocol that provides impressive speeds, low latency, and instant connection. During our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison, we have done numerous speed tests and consistently achieved 750+ Mbps when using NordLynx. This is just one of the things that make NordVPN the best VPN for gaming on the market.

Another impressive aspect is its security. NordVPN relies on advanced AES 256 GCM encryption to prevent third parties from accessing your outgoing data. It also has many leak protection features (WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS), as well as split tunneling and a powerful kill switch. Since this is a no-logs VPN with RAM servers, your privacy will also be preserved.

NordVPN was independently audited by multiple cybersecurity companies. For example, Cure53 performed an extensive pen test which confirmed that the app has impressive security. Deloitte combed through its no-logs policy and found that it is successfully and consistently implemented.

NordVPN Security Features

• Double VPN Servers – Reroute your outgoing traffic through two VPN servers to improve your encryption at the expense of speed. The same feature is present in both Surfshark and ProtonVPN.
• Onion over VPN Servers – A powerful combination of Tor and NordVPN designed to give you the safest online connection. It will significantly impact your speed, which is why you shouldn't use it for regular browsing. This feature is a must if you are looking for a VPN for the Dark Web. 
• Obfuscated Servers – Allows you to camouflage your NordVPN traffic and hide the fact that you are using it. This is crucial if you're living in a country that monitors online behavior. In fact, it is an ideal VPN for China. Unfortunately, obfuscation shouldn't be used when playing GTA online, as it will have a negative impact on your speed.
• Split Tunneling – Similar to a firewall, a split tunneling VPN lets you control which apps can connect to NordVPN. You can use it to significantly improve your security by making an exclusive tunnel for GTA Online.
• Smart Play (Smart DNS) – Allows you to unlock new servers and access restricted games on gaming consoles and other devices that don't support VPNs. NordVPN may easily be the top VPNs for PS5 and other consoles where GTA Online is available.
• Dedicated IP – A dedicated IP VPN will give you a new IP address that is exclusive to you. This guarantees that you will be able to get an optimized connection while playing games. Keep in mind that NordVPN's dedicated IP feature has to be bought separately.
• Kill Switch – Will prevent your real identity from leaking online if everything else fails. If it notices that something is off, a kill switch will automatically disconnect you from your Wi-Fi.
• VPN Proxy – A powerful browser extension that is available on Firefox, Chrome, and Edge.
• Meshnet – Allows you to create a safe virtual network without connecting directly to the Internet. It is ideal for big LAN sessions, as up to 60 players can connect.
• Threat Protection – Premium real-time protection tool that searches for and eliminates malware and trackers. It will also stop you from opening phishing sites and block intrusive ads.

See all NordVPN features here >>

Impressive Cross-Platform Support

NordVPN can be installed on every platform on which GTA Online is available, from computers to consoles. You can also set it up on your router and protect multiple devices without the hassle. This includes gaming consoles, and we have an excellent guide for installing NordVPN on PS5. By subscribing, you will be able to hold 10 simultaneous connections, quickly bypass regional blocks, and unlock new gaming servers.

NordVPN is easily one of the best VPNs for streaming. Based on our tests, the app also has a very intuitive user interface.

If you experience any problems, you can quickly get in touch with NordVPN's 24/7 customer support team through live chat. Since this VPN has a 30-day refund policy, you can test out all of its features before fully committing. Basically, it is an ideal free trial VPN.

We have also done a complete NordVPN overiew, which will teach you everything you need to know about the service. If you are wondering how to set it up on multiple devices, check out this NordVPN for Gaming guide.

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Surfshark – Affordable VPN for GTA Online

Surfshark is one of the most affordable premium VPNs you will find. It has an impressive network of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries that will give you consistent performance. Surfshark allows you to use multiple VPN protocols, but we recommend that you focus on using WireGuard to get the best results. You can expect fast speeds, as seen in our Surfshark vs CyberGhost showdown article. 

This VPN can also run head-to-head with the best of them, which was clearly shown in our NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison. Both had nearly identical speeds, but NordVPN proved to be a bit more consistent. When all is said, Surfshark stands out at the top of the best cheap VPN services.

User privacy is a non-issue, as Surfshark combines RAM servers with a strict no-logs policy. To keep you secure, this VPN uses AES 256 encryption, a powerful kill switch, split tunneling, and many leak protection tools.

Surfshark went through multiple independent audits initiated by cybersecurity companies. Cure53 did a thorough sweep of its browser extension, with results showing that it is one of the best on the market. This VPN also consistently updates its warrant canary, which is a statement that shows all of the requests for data disclosure. So far, there have been none.

Surfshark Premium Features

• Dynamic Multi-Hop – Works similarly to double VPN servers but is more customizable.
• Clean Web – Powerful VPN ad-blocker that protects you from malware, trackers, and ads.
• Nexus Technology – Frequently switches your IP without disconnecting you from the server. This will further improve your security without sacrificing convenience.
• NoBorders – Lets you use Surfshark freely, even while using a restricted network. In fact, this service is the top VPN for UAE and Dubai.
• VPN Proxy – A premium extension available on all popular browsers. It will prevent identity leaks and warn you if you are accessing suspicious websites.
• VPN Kill Switch
• Split Tunneling
• Smart DNS
• Obfuscation

See all Surfshark features here >

Surfshark is among the most popular gaming VPNs, as it has excellent cross-platform support. You can set it up on a wide variety of devices, including routers. It stands among the best VPNs for Modern Warfare 3 and is very user-friendly. Surfshark is also very adept at unlocking popular cloud gaming platforms. As such, many gamers use it as one of the go-to VPNs for GeForce Now

This VPN can be yours for less than $3/month, which is one of the best deals when you consider everything that is included. Aside from all of the fancy advanced features, Surfshark will let you make unlimited simultaneous connections.

For any questions, you can always contact customer support service, as it is available 24/7 through live chat. You can thoroughly test it without taking any risks, as there's a 30-day refund policy in place.

We recommend diving into our full Surfshark review to find more details about this service. Check out our Surfshark for Gaming guide if you need help with setting it up on different platforms.

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ExpressVPN – Highly Secure and Consistent Premium VPN

ExpressVPN is among the most consistent VPNs for GTA Online. It provides 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, so it is easy to find an optimized connection. They rely on four VPN protocols: IKEv2, Open VPN, L2TP/IPSec, and Lightway, which is ExpressVPN's direct response to WireGuard and NordLynx.

Unfortunately, Lightway still has a way to go in terms of speed. We did an extensive comparison of ExpressVPN and Surfshark and were only able to reach 330 Mbps. This was much less than we achieved with WireGuard. In theory, this should still be enough to play GTA Online comfortably, but you may experience higher latency from time to time, especially if you are connecting to remote servers. It would be more suitable to use it as a solid VPN for Minecraft.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN offers impressive protection to its users. To start, we have AES 256 encryption which will prevent third parties from accessing your outgoing data. This VPN relies on TrustedServer technology, meaning that its servers work only in RAM mode. Of course, ExpressVPN also follows a no-logs policy.

During its 10+ years on the market, this VPN successfully completed many independent audits. Cure53 famously did a pen test report on Lightway protocol and found it was very secure. KPMG checked if ExpressVPN implements its privacy guidelines, and the results were satisfying.

ExpressVPN Premium Tools

• VPN Proxy: A powerful browser extension that makes ExpressVPN among the best VPNs for Chrome.
• Device Groups: Connect all of your devices to various servers at the same time.
• Smart Location: Lets you automatically join to an optimized nearby server.
• Split Tunneling
• Obfuscation
• IPv6 Leak Protection
• Threat Manager
• Network Lock (Kill Switch)
• Media Streamer (Smart DNS)

See all ExpressVPN features here >>

Thanks to its intuitive user interface, ExpressVPN is suitable for all users . Its app is available on every device on which you can play GTA Online. You can either install it on your router or purchase their Aircove model, which will protect you out of the box. This is a top VPN for Steam, and many people use it to unlock geo-restricted games and get better deals on this platform.

While the subscription is a bit pricey, you will be able to hold eight simultaneous connections. In case you need more, we advise you to take a look at Surfshark and IPVanish. ExpressVPN also provides 24/7 access to live chat customer service if you need help with setting up. If you find that this service doesn't satisfy your needs, you can get a refund thanks to its 30-day money-back policy.

The devil is in the details, so we recommend that you check our ExpressVPN review to get a clear picture of this service. Our ExpressVPN for Gaming guide will teach you how to easily set it up on various devices.

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IPVanish – Blazing Fast GTA V VPN

IPVanish is a promising premium VPN service based in the US. This may not be the most ideal jurisdiction when it comes to privacy, but we found that this provider has a lot going for it.

IPVanish has a decent global network that consists of 2,200+ servers in 50+ countries. It has three VPN protocols you can use: OpenVPN and WireGuard, and IKEv2. WireGuard gave us the most impressive results during our speed tests, with download speed reaching up to 830 Mbps on close servers. Our ping was also very low, which cemented IPVanish as one of the best No-Lag VPNs currently available.

Of course, this will depend on the quality of your base speed, but you shouldn't experience any issues while playing GTA Online. We did a direct comparison of IPVanish and NordVPN that will definitely be of interest. In short, we concluded that NordVPN was more reliable on remote servers. We would still use IPVanish even for more competitive games, where every millisecond counts. It ain't no wonder why many consider it one of the top VPNs for CS:GO.

IPVanish also has impressive security. It uses a combination of AES 256 encryption and a no-logs policy to protect us and give us a sense of privacy. However, complete privacy is highly unlikely, given that the US is in the 5-Eyes alliance. If deemed necessary, the government can still request your sensitive user info. Let's not forget that IPVanish doesn't use RAM servers, meaning that some of your data is probably stored on its servers.

IPVanish Premium Tools

• SOCKS5 Proxy: Will give you faster speeds at the expense of encryption. This makes IPVanish an excellent VPN for torrenting. 
• DNS Leak Protection
• IPv6 Leak Protection
• Split Tunneling
• Kill Switch
• Obfuscation (Scramble)

See all IPVanish features here >

This VPN is available on a variety of modern devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets. Router installation allows you to use it on gaming consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X. IPVanish is a solid budget VPN that will let you hold unlimited simultaneous connections. As such, it is a good VPN for multiple devices.

Don't worry if you're experiencing technical difficulties, as you can contact customer support 24/7 through live chat. A 30-day refund guarantee is included in the annual and two-year subscription plans.

For a deep dive, take a look at our complete IPVanish review.

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How to set up GTA Online for Consoles

Gaming consoles don’t support VPNs by default. Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use to bypass this limitation. To cover most scenarios, we will do each guide on a different console.

Connecting to PlayStation 5 via SmartDNS

This method hides your location but doesn’t provide any encryption, so you will still be vulnerable to DDoS attacks. To get a full VPN experience, you will need to install it on your router or create a virtual one. We will cover both options later.

1. Find out your IPv4 address by using this website.
2. Log in to NordVPN and access the dashboard.
3. Visit Smart DNS> Enable > Activate SmartDNS.

4. Turn on your PlayStation 5 and visit Network Settings. 
5. Click on your connection and open Advanced Settings > DNS Settings > Manual.
6. Fill out Primary DNS and Secondary DNS with values you've got from starting Smart DNS.

7. Start playing GTA Online on PS5 with VPN protection.

Connect to Xbox with a Virtual Router

In case your router doesn’t support VPN firmware and you can’t afford a new model, you can create a virtual one. Simply follow these steps:

1. Download and install the VPN on your computer.
2. Sign in with your credentials. 
3. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.

4. Right-click on your VPN and go to Properties

5. Move to Sharing and tick the first box.

6. Find your Xbox connection in the Home Networking Connection window below.
7. Connect your VPN to your Xbox with an ethernet cable.
   
   Don't use Wi-Fi as it will give you slow and inconsistent connection.
8. On your Xbox, open Settings and select Test Network Connection to pair it with your virtual router.

9. Now you can play GTA Online on Xbox with your VPN

If you are still not sure which service to use, head on to our guide on the best VPNs for Xbox.

Installing a GTA Online VPN on Your Router

This is the best way to start using a VPN on your console, as it will allow you to also protect other devices in your network without any additional setup.

1. Check if your router is compatible with your VPN for GTA Online.
   
   If you are using NordVPN, here is a list of compatible routers. Surfshark's router list is very similar to models compatible with ExpressVPN. IPVanish router list is available as well.
2. Find out the IP address of your router.
   
   It should be written on a sticker on the back side or under your router. If you can’t find it, just Google control panel IP address for *insert your router model* .
   
3. Access the router's Control Panel by copying IP into your browser tab.
   
4. Manually set up a VPN on your router.
   
   We cannot give one specific guide since this process is different for each router. You should visit your VPN’s tutorial page and search for your model.
5. Restart both your PC and router.
6. Start playing GTA Online.

Improve your GTA Online VPN

You can gain even more advantage over other players by implementing these tips. 

• Update your VPN – Make sure to always update your VPN, as new updates can improve your speed, as well as fix any privacy and security issues.
• Connect to the Best VPN Server – Using the server that’s closest to you will likely improve your speed and lower your ping and latency. To make sure you’re choosing the best possible VPN server, perform a speed test every time you connect to a new one.
• Don’t use Obfuscated Servers – Unless you really need to keep yourself anonymous, using an obfuscated server slows your connection and isn’t recommended.
• Enable Advanced Security Tools – Make sure that your kill switch and all leak protection features are enabled. You can go even further and use split tunneling to create an exclusive VPN tunnel for GTA Online.
• Use the Best Protocol – Premium VPNs on our list use protocols such as WireGuard, NordLynx, and Lightway. All of them can provide you with an optimized gaming experience.
• No Unnecessary Apps – You should exit any app you don’t need, as they can easily eat up your bandwidth from the background.

Can I Use a Free GTA Online VPN?

Free VPN services are all around the internet, so it seems logical to use one. Unfortunately, they are mostly unsuitable for gaming because of many limitations. Here they all are, in no particular order:

1. Poor Server Network

It takes a lot of money to maintain and grow global server networks. As expected, this makes it very challenging to find a solid connection with a free VPN. Not only are there far fewer servers, but they usually get overcrowded fairly quickly. When that happens, your speed will either drastically slow down, or you will be completely disconnected from the game. This is why we would never use these services as a VPN for PUBG and similar Battle Royale titles.

2. Monthly Bandwidth Limits

Free VPN providers frequently cap user bandwidth to prevent servers from getting overcrowded. The limit will vary but usually goes from 1 to 5 GB. This is enough for casual surfing, but gamers can easily hit the limit before the month is due. If that happens, you won't be able to connect to your free VPN until your month runs out.

3. Below Average VPN Protocols

Even in ideal conditions, don't expect to get speeds that can compare to premium services. Free VPNs use outdated protocols like PPTP, which won't give you low latency and an optimized connection.

4. Numerous Security Risks

By far, our biggest problem with free services is that they are simply unsafe. Consider the results of this in-depth study of 270+ free mobile VPNs:

• 18% of free providers don't have encryption.
• More than 38% of free apps had malware.
• 66% came with subpar DNS leak protection.
• 75% of free VPNs use trackers to monitor users.
• 84% of services had very weak IPV6 protection.

Although this study was done on free mobile VPNs, there is currently no evidence that the situation is different on other platforms. Unfortunately, a wide majority of free VPN apps make money by exploiting the trust of their users. They extract and then sell your sensitive data to ad agencies to generate income.

Luckily, we have found 7 free VPNs that actually do their job. We would not use them to play GTA Online, but they are the best options that you can get for free. If you ask, it is much better to try one of the top free trial VPNs.

Fixing issues with your GTA Online VPN

Technical difficulties may happen even if you are using a premium VPN. We’ll describe the most common problems you can encounter and their solutions.

1. VPN IP Address Won’t work

There are various reasons why this happens. To start, you should check your VPN settings and make sure every Leak Protection feature is enabled.

One of your background apps may be leaking your actual location, so make sure to exit all apps you don’t need.

If this only happens when you are surfing the Web, your browser’s tracking cookies are most likely to blame. They are helpful for shopping but will reveal your location and make your VPN useless.

To fix this, simply clear your cache and cookies. Here is how you can do this on Firefox, Edge, and Chrome.

2. Can't connect to a VPN server

This is a common problem for PC users and is usually linked to your firewall. You can quickly test this by temporarily disabling it. If your VPN starts working normally, you will need to make a firewall exception. Here is how to do this on Windows:

1. Visit Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Click on Change Settings and locate your VPN in the list below.
   
   Make sure to tick the box that says Public. If you don't see your VPN, go to Allow another app and click Add once you find it.
4. Confirm all of the changes by clicking OK.

If you are using a Mac, you can do the same thing by following this Apple firewall guide.

Note: For security reasons, don't disable your firewall for a longer period of time.

Summary 

Using a premium VPN for GTA Online provides many benefits. It will keep you safe and private, effectively preventing doxxing and DDoS attacks. Your latency and ping may also improve, and you will be able to access more servers.

After many tests, we have found that the best VPN for GTA Online is NordVPN. It has a huge global server network, many advanced security features, and provides blazing speeds on both close and remote servers. In fact, we believe that it is the best VPN Service on the market.

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GTA Online VPN FAQ

The guide on the best VPNs for GTA Online was last edited on April 8, 2024.