3 Best VPNs to Help You Lower Ping For Gaming in 2025

I started hunting for a quality gaming VPN that could help me avoid ISP throttling after watching my ping skyrocket into the hundreds during an Apex Legends match for the 5th time in one night.

The search wasn’t easy — many VPNs claiming to be great for gaming couldn’t give me a usable ping, while some didn’t even hide my IP. Ultimately, I managed to shortlist only a few that stabilized my ping and offered robust IP/DNS leak protection.

My top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It offered impressively low ping and fast download speed. It was also the easiest VPN to set up on my gaming console. Thanks to its 30-day guarantee, you can also try it completely risk-free. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Try ExpressVPN for Gaming >>

Best VPNs for Gaming — Full Analysis (Updated 2025)

1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall Gaming VPN for PC, Mobile, and Console

Try ExpressVPN >

ExpressVPN is impressive from a performance standpoint and the easiest VPN to set up for consoles. The most reliable method requires installing the VPN on your router, which is usually time-consuming.

However, thanks to its custom firmware, ExpressVPN safely automates the installation process in minutes for popular router models. I could easily play Apex Legends on my PS5 without messing around with router config settings.

I was at no competitive disadvantage with a ping of just 7 ms on nearby servers. I could even securely download patches, DLC, and new games quickly — ExpressVPN gave me an impressive download speed of 122 Mbps during my tests. This is a mere 4% drop from my usual connection.

But, there is a slight downside — ExpressVPN costs a little more than your average VPN, starting at $4.99/month. That said, it frequently runs discounts and deals. I got 61% off my 12-month plan. ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day guarantee. If you don't like it, you can cancel within the first month and get a full refund. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Useful Features

• Lightway Protocol. Part of the reason why ExpressVPN is so fast is due to Lightway, its proprietary protocol. It’s lightweight, which improves initial connection time and overall performance.
• Robust Security. ExpressVPN never leaked my IP address or DNS requests — not once. Plus, it uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption so that my ISP and other snoopers couldn’t see what I was doing online.
• Court-Proven No-Logs Policy. Turkish law enforcement once tried to compel ExpressVPN to hand over identifiable data for one of its users. However, ExpressVPN could not comply due to its strict no-logs policy — this data is never stored.

Try ExpressVPN for Gaming >>

2. CyberGhost — Gaming-Optimized Servers Make it Easy to Find the Ideal Server

Try CyberGhost VPN >

CyberGhost’s gaming-optimized servers make it an excellent choice for low-latency gaming. These servers are designed and strategically located to minimize ping. In my tests, I got an impressive 8ms to ping connecting to its closeby gaming-optimized server in London. The gaming-optimized servers are clearly marked in the app, so I never had to trawl through a long server list to find a server with usable ping.

All the best servers for gaming are clearly marked and accessible with a single click. And with 79 across the UK, France, Germany, and the US, I had plenty to choose from. Such a large number of gaming servers also mean that I never experienced ping spikes due to server overcrowding.

One issue with CyberGhost is that its short-term plans only come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. However, it makes up for this with its extended 45-day guarantee, available with its highly affordable long-term subscriptions. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Useful Features

• Smart Rules. With this feature, you can automate the VPN to behave in specific ways. For example, I set the VPN to automatically connect to a UK gaming-optimized server when I launched Fortnite on my Windows PC.
• WireGuard Protocol. This protocol is designed to be lightweight and efficient, minimizing the impact on your connection speed.
• Router Setup Available. While there’s no automatic installation or a dedicated app for routers, CyberGhost is still mostly straightforward to set up on a router thanks to its easy-to-follow guides. These cover the most popular router models.

Try CyberGhost for Gaming >>

3. Private Internet Access — Huge Server Network to Find a Nearby Server With Low Latency

Try Private Internet Access >

Thanks to its extensive server network, PIA makes it easy to find a low-latency server from anywhere. With so many servers, the risk of overcrowding is nearly nonexistent. Throughout my tests, I got a stable ping of just 7 ms while playing Minecraft on my Windows laptop.

However, the VPN is based in the US. This is the heart of the 5 Eyes Alliance, an international surveillance network. However, PIA abides by a strict no-logs policy, so there would be none to give even if the government attempted to compel it to hand over data.

It’s also worth noting that the VPN is affordable, starting at just $2.03/month. Plus, you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously on a single subscription. On top of that, you can also try PIA risk-free for 30 days, thanks to its money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Useful Features

• Highly Customizable. You can adjust encryption levels, switch between OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, and more, all to match your current needs. For example, I use WireGuard with 256-bit encryption or OpenVPN with 128-bit encryption to get the best gaming speeds.
• Split Tunneling. PIA allows you to set entire applications on your device to ignore the VPN tunnel. I set my browser to only use my normal internet connection, while games always used the VPN.
• Impressive Upload Speed. PIA is an excellent option if you’re a video game streamer. My tests revealed an upload speed of 18 Mbps, which is just a 4% drop from my usual connection.

Try PIA for Gaming >>

Get the Best VPN for Gaming in Minutes

All the VPNs I’ve shortlisted offer low latency, perfect for competitive online gaming. You also won’t have to worry about DDoS attacks, as your real IP address will be hidden. This means you can enjoy a stable gaming session free of harassment from the opposing team.

My top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It was really easy to set up with my PS5, which is a rarity with VPNs. Plus, it offered some of the fastest download speeds I’ve seen from a VPN, and consistently provided me with low latency that didn’t feel any different from my normal connection. You can test ExpressVPN for yourself risk-free, thanks to its 30-day guarantee.

To summarize, the best VPNs for gaming are...

Rank

Provider

Our Score

Discount

Visit Website

1

9.9 /10

9.9 Our Score

Save 61%!

Find Out More

2

9.7 /10

9.7 Our Score

Save 84%!

Find Out More

3

9.5 /10

9.5 Our Score

Save 83%!

Find Out More