Best VPNs for FFXIV in 2024 (Only 4 Passed All Tests)

Final Fantasy XIV is one of the best MMORPGs on the market. Unfortunately, the quality of gameplay can be severely impaired by overcrowded servers and your ISP throttling your connection. You may also become a victim of DDoS attacks, which can slow down your speed or completely kick you off a server.

For the ultimate gaming experience in Eorzea, you'll need a VPN. With it, you can easily bypass geo-restrictions and find more optimized servers. A good VPN will also protect you from DDoS attacks, increase speed, and reduce latency.

However, it is quite challenging to find the best one. The Internet is filled with subpar services that can actually ruin your gaming experience. This is why we have taken the matter into our own hands and tested dozens of premium VPNs. In the end, we have managed to find 4 best VPNs for FFXIV: 

1. NordVPN – Ultimate VPN for FFXIV that provides airtight security, huge worldwide server network, and blazing-fast connections (use our coupon for 74% off).
2. Surfshark – An affordable VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and impressive speeds.
3. ExpressVPN – A highly secure and reliable premium no-logs VPN app.
4. IPVanish – A US-based FFXIV VPN with very fast speeds and excellent support.

This article will give you an in-depth overview of each VPN and teach you how to set them up on different platforms. We will give you many tips to improve your performance and answer frequently asked questions.

First, here are the most important things you should know about a Final Fantasy VPN.

Key takeaways for using a VPN with FFXIV

• A premium VPN for FFXIV ensures low latency, robust security, DDoS protection, a fast connection, and improved privacy.
• When using a VPN for FFXIV, select a server near you or close to the game server for an optimized performance. Also, ensure that your VPN offers a static IP to avoid potential bans or locks on your gaming account.
• We found that NordVPN is the best VPN for FFXIV. It provides blazing-fast speeds, military-grade security, instant connections, and an impressive global server network. 

Benefits of Setting up FFXIV VPN

Once you connect to a VPN server, you will get a new IP address. This will trick geo-blocking algorithms into believing that you are physically located where the server is, so you will be able to access servers that would otherwise be unavailable.

A VPN will also encrypt your outgoing data. This security protocol prevents third parties from accessing your information and neutralizes DDoS attacks, which have become prevalent in the gaming community.

Setting up an FFXIV VPN on your PC is super easy:

1. Subscribe to a premium VPN for FFXIV.
   
   We recommend using NordVPN (with the 74% off coupon).
2. Download and install your VPN app on your computer.
3. Register and log in to your VPN.
4. Connect to a VPN server that you wish to use.
   
   You will get the best performance by choosing the server close to a gaming server or your actual location.
   
5. Play FFXIV from anywhere, securely and privately.

It is also possible to install the VPN on your console. This setup is a bit more complex, and we will cover it a bit later in the article.

Why Do I Need a VPN for FFXIV?

Aside from improving your overall gaming experience, here are other crucial advantages you'll get from a VPN:

• Protection From DDoS Attacks – Hackers initiate DDoS attacks, which can disrupt or completely ruin your gaming session. A premium VPN encrypts all of your data, stopping DDoS attacks in its tracks.
• Stop ISP Throttling – Playing an MMO like FFXIV uses up a lot of bandwidth, which can cause your ISP to slow down your connection speed. A VPN with obfuscation will hide your traffic and prevent your ISP from knowing how much data you spend. This way, your speed won't be affected.
• Bypass Geo-restrictions – You can use a VPN to bypass geo-blocks and access servers that would otherwise be restricted. This way, you may also unlock unique regional events.

Criteria for the FFXIV VPN

To find the best premium VPN for Final Fantasy XIV, it is important to know what features to look for. Here is a list of crucial criteria for a smooth gaming experience.

• Excellent Speeds—We searched for the best no-lag VPNs that provide instant, blazing-fast connections with minimal latency and ping. This is only possible if the service uses advanced protocols like NordLynx, WireGuard, and Lightway.
• Global Network of Servers – Every VPN on this list offers thousands of servers spread around key global locations.
• Complete Privacy – We focused on no-logs VPNs that exclusively use RAM servers. This guarantees that your sensitive information won't be saved long-term.
• Airtight Security – A perfect FFXIV VPN will have AES 256 encryption that secures your outgoing traffic and protects you from potential DDoS attacks. It will also have many high-end safety features like split tunneling, kill switch, and leak protection to prevent your real identity from ending up online.
• Many Simultaneous Connections – This will allow you to conveniently set up your VPN on multiple devices. In an ideal scenario, you can protect your whole home network.
• Intuitive Design – We only included VPNs that are minimalistic and user-friendly so that everyone can use it, no matter their skill level.
• Affordable yet Premium – All top VPNs provide a reasonably priced annual subscription. Better yet, they don't skimp on advanced features that will elevate your experience.

Now, the time has come to provide a thorough overview of each VPN.

NordVPN – Top VPN for FFXIV in 2024

NordVPN is the best FFXIV VPN that we have found on the market. It has one of the biggest networks, with 6,300+ servers in 111 countries, allowing you to play Final Fantasy from anywhere. You can access them by using one of these advanced VPN protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and NordLynx.

NordLynx is by far the best gaming protocol and it is ideal for FFXIV. This is a fresh iteration of a WireGuard VPN offering cutting-edge speed, instant server connection, and low latency. We have thoroughly tested it in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN showdown and found that we can consistently reach 750+ Mbps. With speeds like this, NordVPN is easily the best VPN for gaming currently available.

We believe that privacy and security are equally important. Luckily, NordVPN also stands out in this area. It uses military-grade AES 256 GCM encryption to prevent third-party access to your outgoing data. This premium no-logs VPN relies solely on RAM servers, so your privacy won't be compromised. In addition, you will get various leak protection features (DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC), a solid kill switch, and split tunneling.

Various cybersecurity companies have independently audited NordVPN. Cure53 did a thorough pen test, proving that this VPN has airtight security. Deloitte thoroughly analyzed its no-logs policy with excellent results.

NordVPN Security Features

• Obfuscated servers: With obfuscation enabled, nobody will know you are using NordVPN. This is a must-have if you are from a country that strictly monitors online activity. That's why many people use this service as a default VPN for China. However, you should know that obfuscation will also slow your speed, so we wouldn't use it for playing FFXIV.
• Onion over VPN servers: Uses Tor network on top of NordVPN to provide you with the safest online experience currently available. While secure, this will heavily limit your connection speed. Still, it is crucial if you need an excellent VPN for the Dark Web. 
• Double VPN servers: Pass your outgoing data through two servers to significantly improve your encryption, which will impact your speed. Surfshark and ProtonVPN also have this feature.
• Dedicated IP VPN: Guarantees you an exclusive IP address. This will further boost your security and prevent your server from being blacklisted. NordVPN’s dedicated IP will cost you a bit extra.
• Split tunneling: This feature, similar to a firewall, lets you manage which apps can use NordVPN. You can use split-tunneling VPN to further strengthen your security by creating an exclusive VPN tunnel for FFXIV.
• VPN proxy: A lightweight yet powerful browser extension that you can install on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
• Smart Play (Smart DNS): Lets you access restricted servers on consoles and other platforms that don't have VPN support. This makes NordVPN one of the best VPNs for PS5.
• VPN Kill Switch: Your last line of defense that will stop your identity from ending up online. A kill switch will disable your Wi-Fi if it notices that something isn't right.
• Meshnet: This tool lets you quickly create a safe virtual network for up to 60 players. It is ideal for setting up an epic LAN gaming session.
• Threat Protection: A high-end scanner that actively looks for and removes trackers and malware. It is also able to block ads and will prevent you from accessing phishing sites.

Best VPNs for Call of Duty

See all NordVPN features here >>

NordVPN is available on all devices that support FFXIV, including gaming consoles. Although you cannot install a VPN directly on them, you can set it up on your router to protect multiple devices in your home network. This is also a great VPN for GeForce Now, as it can easily unlock this popular cloud gaming platform from anywhere.

NordVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections and can easily bypass any restrictions to unlock new servers for gaming. This VPN also has a minimalistic interface that everyone can master in minutes.

If you need help with troubleshooting, you can easily contact NordVPN's customer service, which is available 24/7 through live chat. This VPN also comes with a 30-day refund guarantee, allowing you to thoroughly test it and avoid unnecessary risks.

You also might want to take a look at our full NordVPN overview. To learn how to install it on various devices, check our NordVPN for Gaming guide.

---

Surfshark – Affordable FFXIV VPN with Unlimited Connections

Surfshark is an ideal budget VPN for FFXIV. Over the years, it has built a solid network of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries placed in strategic locations. Surfshark offers numerous protocols, but we will focus on WireGuard since it is the best for gaming. With it, we reached impressive speeds, which you can see in our Surfshark vs CyberGhost comparison article.

Although affordable, our NordVPN vs Surfshark test guide showed that it can compete with the best providers. Both offered virtually identical speeds, although NordVPN was more consistent on remote servers. Overall, this is the best cheap VPN service you will currently find.

Surfshark also provides excellent security to its users. To keep you protected, it uses a combination of AES 256 encryption, split tunneling, leak protection, and a kill switch. This is also a no-logs VPN that relies exclusively on RAM servers.

But we shouldn't just take their word for it. Luckily, Surfshark was the subject of many independent audits, and it achieved excellent results. Cure53 did a thorough pentest of its browser extension, and the results were very positive. Surfshark is also the only VPN on this list that posted a warrant canary on its website. This is an official statement that counts received requests for data disclosure. Surfshark still hasn't received any.

Surfshark Premium Features 

• Clean Web – A high-end VPN ad-blocker that is also very good at eliminating trackers and malware. 
• Nexus Technology – Frequently changes your IP address without disconnecting you from a VPN server to strengthen your security.
• Dynamic Multi-Hop – A variation of double VPN servers that provides more customizability.
• No Borders – Allows you to connect to Surfshark even if you are currently on a restricted network. This feature makes it one of the top VPNs for UAE and Dubai.
• VPN Proxy
• Smart DNS
• Obfuscation
• Split Tunneling
• Kill Switch

See all Surfshark features here >

Surfshark has solid cross-platform support, making it an ideal FFXIV VPN. If you have an adequate model, router installation is also possible. This service has a minimalistic, user-friendly interface and is also an ideal VPN for Modern Warfare 3. Surfshark is also an ideal VPN for Steam because it allows you to unlock geo-restricted games and purchase new titles at a discounted price by connecting from a different country.

Best of all, Surfshark provides all of these features for less than $3 per month. It would be very challenging to find a better deal on the market. You will also be able to hold unlimited simultaneous connections.

Also, you don't have to worry if you are experiencing technical difficulties while using Surfshark. Simply get in touch with its 24/7 customer support via live chat to get proper guidance. A 30-day money-back policy is available with each subscription tier, so you can try it without commitment.

To get a better picture, head on to our in-depth Surfshark review. We also have a Surfshark for Gaming article that will show you how to install it on various platforms. 

---

ExpressVPN – Consistent VPN with High-End Security

ExpressVPN is a solid choice if you want a consistent VPN for FFXIV that will let you experience Eorzea unbothered. With a vast network of over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, you'll be able to quickly find an ideal connection. ExpressVPN uses four advanced protocols: Lightway, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and OpenVPN.

Lightway is their custom VPN protocol and a direct competitor to WireGuard. Unfortunately, as we can see from our ExpressVPN and Surfshark comparison, it still lacks speed. At best, we reached 330 Mbps, which is around half the speed of previous VPNs. You can still play FFXIV without problems, but stuttering is possible. We would rather use ExpressVPN for games that are not as demanding. For example, it is a solid VPN for Roblox.

ExpressVPN stands out in its privacy and security features. It uses TrustedServer Technology to ensure that all of its servers can work in RAM mode. ExpressVPN also has advanced AES 256 encryption and follows a no-logs policy.

Over the last 15 years, ExpressVPN has passed dozens of independent audits. KPMG has proven that this VPN strictly follows its own privacy guidelines. Cure53 also challenged Lightway’s security via a pentest.

ExpressVPN Premium Features

• Device Groups: Lets you connect all of your devices to different servers simultaneously.
• VPN Proxy: This browser extension makes ExpressVPN a top VPNs for Chrome.
• Smart Location: Automatically connects you to a nearby server with an optimized performance.
• Media Streamer (Smart DNS)
• IPv6 Leak Protection
• Network Lock (Kill Switch)
• Threat Manager
• Split Tunneling
• Obfuscation

See all ExpressVPN features here >>

Due to its intuitive UI, you’ll easily be able to learn the ropes and use this VPN to its full potential. The app is available on most modern devices, including PCs and tablets, and is one of the best VPNs for Android devices. ExpressVPN also sells Aircove routers with pre-built VPN protection suitable for consoles.

This VPN allows for 8 simultaneous connections, so you can protect many, if not all, devices on your network. A 24/7 live chat support is always available if you’re experiencing any problems. If ExpressVPN lacks what you need, you can simply get a refund within 30 days.

To learn even more, head on to our ExpressVPN review. We've also made a ExpressVPN for Gaming guide that will show you how to install it on different devices.

---

IPVanish – Very Fast VPN for FFXIV with Cross-Platform Support

While IPVanish came last, it is still worth considering. The only downside is that it is based in the US, a problematic privacy jurisdiction. If that is not a problem, you will find that this VPN has a lot to offer.

This VPN has a vast network comprising 2,200+ servers in 50+ countries. It relies on three advanced protocols: IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. We've done multiple speed tests on WireGuard and received some excellent results. In the best conditions, we managed to reach ~830 Mbps. This is more than enough to allow you to play Final Fantasy XIV smoothly.

During our IPVanish and NordVPN comparison, we found that both services, overall, had similar speeds. Still, NordVPN has an edge regarding performance on remote servers, which is far more reliable.

IPVanish follows a strict no-logs policy to give its users some sense of privacy. However, since the United States is a member of the 5-Eyes alliance, the government can still request your private information. They will also likely receive it, as IPVanish doesn't provide RAM servers. Nonetheless, this VPN provides AES 256 encryption to protect you from other third parties and DDoS attacks.

IPVanish Premium Features

• SOCKS5 Proxy: Sacrifice encryption to get the fastest speed available. This is why many users use IPVanish as a solid VPN for torrenting.
• Split tunneling
• Obfuscation (Scramble feature)
• DNS leak protection
• IPv6 leak protection
• Kill switch

See all IPVanish features here >

The IPVanish app is available on every platform that you can use to play FFXIV. It also supports router installation, so you can use it as a top VPN for Xbox. This is one of the better budget VPNs. By subscribing, you can make unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal VPN for multiple devices.

If you get an annual or two-year subscription plan, you will be eligible for a 30-day refund guarantee. IPVanish also has excellent 24/7 customer service that you can contact via live chat in case you get stuck.

Our IPVanish overview provides a more complete look into the service.

---

Tips to Improve Your FFXIV VPN

Playing Final Fantasy XIV with a VPN can elevate your experience, but this requires strategic planning. By using these tricks, you can further optimize your connection and gain a competitive edge:

• Avoid Obfuscation – Obfuscated servers are great for keeping you anonymous, but they will slow down your speed.
• Strengthen Your Security – You should always enable your kill switch and every leak protection tool available. If you want to go a step further, you can turn on split tunneling and make a tunnel exclusively for playing Final Fantasy. This will minimize the chances of you experiencing DDoS attacks or other hacking attempts.
• Rely on Advanced Protocols – This will vary depending on your VPN, but you should focus on using NordLynx, WireGuard, or Lightway. With them, you can gain an instant server connection and the fastest speeds available. Using them is crucial if you need a VPN for CS:GO and similar highly competitive shooters.
• Find Optimal Connection – In most cases, you will want to use a VPN server that is closest to you or next to a gaming server. Once connected, don't forget to do a speed test to see if your speed, latency, and ping are within an acceptable range. For smooth gaming, your ping should be between 20-50 ms.
• Disable Background Apps – They can use your bandwidth without you knowing, which may affect your in-game performance.
• Keep Your VPN Updated – These updates may fix important security problems and further optimize your connection speed.

Is It Wise to Play FFXIV with a Free VPN?

You might be tempted to use a free VPN for FFXIV. However, they come with many limitations, so we wouldn't recommend them for online gaming. Here are all of the major problems that you will encounter: 

1. Limited Server Network

Free VPNs can’t afford to maintain a vast server network. With fewer servers available, it can be tough to find an optimal connection. Free services also frequently get overcrowded, which will negatively affect your speed. You may even get disconnected mid-game.

2. Monthly Bandwidth Limits

Free VPN apps often limit their users’ monthly bandwidth to prevent overcrowded servers. These limits are set to anywhere between 1 to 10 GB, which is likely not enough to comfortably play Final Fantasy XIV. You'll likely be able to game for just a few hours before having to wait for your monthly limit to reset.

3. Subpar VPN Protocols

Regarding speed and performance, free services are miles behind premium VPNs. They solely rely on outdated protocols like OpenVPN or PPTP, which can’t begin to compare with WireGuard, Lightway, or NordLynx.

4. Security and Privacy Risks

The biggest problem with free VPNs is the level of danger associated with using them. This study of 270+ free mobile VPNs, had some alarming results. 

• 18% of free VPNs didn't have any encryption.
• Over 38% of the apps contained malware.
• At least 66% of services offer weak DNS leak protection.
• 75% of free VPNs monitor their users with trackers
• 84% of free providers have terrible IPv6 protection

While this study was done on mobile VPNs, we doubt that the situation is any better on other platforms. Most free VPNs are created just to extract sensitive user data and sell it to ad agencies. They are a security risk to anyone using them. 

However, these 7 free VPNs are an exception to the rule. While they may not be ideal, you won't find better free alternatives. We would still highly recommend for you to try these top free trial VPNs instead.

Overcoming Common VPN Issues with FFXIV VPN

Even while using a premium VPN, you may occasionally experience technical difficulties. In the following section, we’ll list the most common problems and ways to fix them.

1. Your New IP Address Isn’t Working

Many issues can cause this problem. For starters, go to Settings > Leak Protection and ensure all of these features are enabled.

Some background apps, like BitTorrent, can leak your location even if you use a premium VPN. To fix this, just exit every application that you don't need.

If you’re also using your VPN for browsing, you may have tracking cookies that reveal your location. To solve this, you must clear your cookies and cache. Here's how to do it on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

2. Trouble Connecting to a VPN Server

In this instance, you should check your firewall. Simply disabling it will prove if it is problematic. If that is the case, you will have to make an exception for your VPN.

Windows users can follow these steps:

1. Go to the Control Panel and then visit System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Choose Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Click on Change Settings and find your VPN in the list.
4. Click on the box saying Public.
   
   If you can’t find your VPN, go to Allow another app and click Add when you locate it.
5. Hit OK to save all of the changes.

Mac users can do the same by using this Apple Firewall guide.

Conclusion on FFXIV VPNs

By getting a high-end VPN for FFXIV, you will gain numerous benefits. For one, you will regain privacy and strengthen your security, blocking all doxxing and DDoS attacks. A VPN will also lower your latency and ping, and give you access to geo-restricted servers.

In the end, we concluded that NordVPN is the ultimate VPN for Final Fantasy XIV. It has a massive server network, numerous high-end security tools, and follows a strict no-logs policy. This VPN will also give you an excellent connection from anywhere, while also allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions.

Other VPN Gaming Guides

• Best VPN for Streaming
• Best VPNs for Warzone
• Top VPN for League of Legends
• Best VPN for Minecraft
• Best VPN for WoW
• Best VPNs for PUBG
• Setting up a Meta Quest VPN
• Best GTA Online VPNs
• Best VPNs for Quest 2
• VPN for Dota 2
• Best VPNs for Call of Duty

Frequently Asked Questions

The “Best VPNs for FFXIV” guide was last edited on April 15, 2024.