thatll slow down your speeds and cause high ping.
It has the fastest gaming speeds on the market thanks to its Lightway protocol.
The protocol is very lightweight because it has fewer code lines than most VPN protocols.
This gets you super-fast connections with lower latency, which is perfect for online gaming.
This also means it wont cause your system to overheat as it uses resources more efficiently.
Plus, it minimizes battery drain, which is great if youre gaming on a laptop.
If you want to reduce further load on your connection, you could use ExpressVPNs split-tunneling feature.
ExpressVPN is great for accessing different in-game regions in multiplayer online games.
I like that ExpressVPN has a dedicated router app.
I installed ExpressVPNs router app in a little over 5 minutes.
you might also purchase the providers own router (Aircove), which has the app preinstalled.
ExpressVPN works with all top cloud gaming services, including Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, and more.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for gaming, though its not free.
Its lightning-fast speeds are great for multiplayer and single-shooter games where every second counts.
However, as with all free VPNs, there are some limitations.
This is a good variety of options, but you cant pick a server location.
That said, its no match for ExpressVPN, which has super-fast speeds, even on distant server locations.
Proton VPN is my favorite truly free VPN for gaming in 2025.
I like that it offers breakneck speeds for gaming, despite the VPN saying the free plan limits speeds.
In my tests, I mostly had low ping when I played games likeFortnite.
I also didnt experience any lag or random disconnects.
I like that hide.mes free plan lets you customize your connections.
hide.mes paid plans provide access to servers in 58 countries.
This is great since it essentially accesses lobbies in Europe, America, and Asia.
Hotspot Shield maintains very good speeds for gaming on the free servers.
Plus, the free version gives you access to its fast proprietary Hydra protocol.
WireGuard is also available on the free plan.
Hotspot Shields paid plans add access to all of Hotspot Shields servers in 85 countries, including gaming-optimized servers.
If you need more data, though, just getProton VPNorhide.mesince they both have unlimited bandwidth.
I like how Windscribe doesnt throttle the connection speeds of free users.
Windscribe plans provide access to servers in 69 countries.
Windscribe is a really user-friendly VPN for gaming.
This adds extra layers of security during gaming sessions, protecting your data, and maintaining anonymity.
However, most free VPNs lack features that premium VPNs offer.
Free VPN services often come with throttled speeds and data caps, which can seriously hinder your gaming performance.
Upgrading to a premium VPN significantly enhances your gaming experience.
Premium VPNs provide better speeds, and more servers, ensuring a smoother and more reliable connection.
Yes, there are somecompletely free VPNs that are decent for gaming.
So if budget allows, I would strongly recommend getting an affordable paid VPN instead.
Which free VPN is best for gaming?
Proton VPNis the best free VPN for gaming in 2025.
Proton VPNs free version also provides very fast gaming speeds.
ExpressVPNdeserves special mention as well.
Will a VPN lower my ping?
Most of the time, using a VPN will actually increase your ping slightly.
This is because your traffic is routed through an additional server owned by your VPN provider.
Most times, youre actually increasing the distance your data needs to travel to reach its original destination.
A VPN also takes some extra time to encrypt your traffic so you can safeguard your privacy and security.
All ofthe free VPNs I recommendare able to maintain decent speeds.
What is the fastest VPN for gaming?
ExpressVPNis the fastest VPN on the market in 2025, which makes it my top pick for gaming.
Why use a VPN for gaming?
The main reason to use a VPN while gaming is to secure your privacy and security.
Finally, a VPN can sometimes increase your speeds.
If youre looking for a high-quality VPN for gaming, I recommendExpressVPN.
Can I use a free VPN to play games from other countries?
A VPN connected to a server in Asia can access a game thats only available there.
Will a free VPN work with Steam?
However, I recommend making sure that the game youre playing allows players to use a VPN.
I testedall of the VPNs on my listwith Steam, and I never experienced any issues.
Can I use a free VPN on my PlayStation?
Yes, but its more complicated than using a VPN on a PC.
Quick Overview of My Top Recommendations:
