A Virtual Private Network (VPN) keeps personal data away from prying eyes. It can also unblock geo-blocked content, which is useful for those who want access to content from around the world. For gaming, using a VPN can afford players access to some geographically restricted titles, such as Japanese titles that are only available in Japan, while offering protection against DDoS attacks. If your connection is being throttled by your ISP, a VPN can even improve speed and reduce latency.
But, if you want to ensure the best performance from your gaming sessions, you need a VPN that offers the best possible connection speeds, servers that are close to the game servers you access, and compatibility with the type and number of devices you have.
What Does A VPN Do?
Virtual private networks are commonly used to mask geographic location so users can access geo-blocked content. For example, they enable UK users to access US-only Netflix content. They’re also used because they allow greater anonymity when browsing online.
This can be useful for gamers that play browser-based games, using Chrome or other browsers. The VPN extensions shortlisted here are considered some of the best for use on Chrome. And, according to Krishi Chowdhary, they offer internet anonymity and complete peace of mind, which is essential when gaming online.
What Type Of Gamer Are You?
Choosing the best VPN depends on the type of gamer you are. If you’re a console gamer, you need one with router compatibility. If you have multiple devices, your VPN should support this. Below, we highlight 8 tips to help you find the best VPN for your gaming activities.
1. Choose One With A High-Speed Connection
Using a VPN means adding another layer to your Internet connection, and this can lead to slower connection speeds. For gamers, slower speeds are unacceptable, so high-speed connections matter, especially for online gaming.
While connection speed isn’t as important for solo turn-based strategies, a poor connection speed means you’re always on the back foot in a multiplayer lobby, and while that might give you a great excuse for placing last, it won’t help you get the win. It’ll be very frustrating. Check advertised speeds, read reviews and verified comparisons of connection speeds, and also do your own tests using connection speed testing apps or websites.
2. Check The Available Server Regions
Generally, you get the lowest lag and the best connections when you use a local game server. But, if you’re based on the other side of the world to where all the action is for your preferred title, you don’t have to miss out.
VPNs rely on having large networks of servers, and you can take advantage of this. If you play a lot of different multiplayer games, choose a VPN with the most servers in different locations. If you play games with servers in specific locations, choose a VPN with good coverage in that area. It will help reduce lag and can broaden game possibilities.
3. Check Device Compatibility
Most VPNs are designed for PC or Mac use, and most will work on cell phones and tablets. However, you do need to check, and this is especially true if you’re a console gamer. Consoles don’t offer native support for VPNs, at least not yet, which means the VPN will have to run on your router which your console then connects to. This offers the same functionality, but router support isn’t offered as standard with all VPNs.
4. How Many Devices Can Connect?
As well as ensuring you can connect with your main device, make sure that you are allowed enough connections to match the devices that will be online at any time. If you’re the only user in the house, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Most VPNs offer up to five simultaneously connected devices to operate at any given moment. But if other people in the house want to connect to streaming services or surf the Internet anonymously, while you’re gaming, you might need more than the standard five connections. Determine the most devices that will need to use the VPN at once and make sure any VPN you consider offers access for this many devices.
5. Good Customer Support Is Invaluable
Once you get the hang of using a VPN and it is up and running, things usually go smoothly. But there will be times when you struggle to get connected or you’re having issues with the VPN interface. At times like these, the company needs to offer good customer service so you can get solutions to your issues quickly, otherwise, you will have downtime.
As well as how responsive the company is when you call or email, look for online reviews, and check review aggregation sites to determine the VPN’s customer service reputation. If you prefer to deal with people over the phone, make sure phone support is offered, and look for those services that have customer support operating at the times you’re most likely to need them.
6. Cost Matters
VPNs can range from a couple of dollars a month to $20. And the highest costs don’t necessarily align with the best service and the widest coverage. You can usually get a deal if you subscribe and pay for a year or more at a time, and this is worth taking advantage of. You might also be able to get discounts and deals if you look around online, but don’t just opt for the cheapest service because you might regret it.
There are also free VPN services, but these offer very restricted features and they are unlikely to have the kind of connection speeds you need for online gaming.
7. Privacy And Security Matter
Multiplayer gaming and streaming typically require that you have an account, so a VPN can only offer so much anonymity and privacy. However, if you stream your gaming, you will need to button up your security. If so, check your VPN protects against DDoS attacks, in particular.
DDoS attacks essentially force you offline, which is annoying if you’re halfway through a game, but can also prove costly if you’re streaming that gaming session. Some have been found to specifically target gaming servers, which means you could be at risk. You should have security and privacy features on your own hardware, but you need an extra layer on your VPN connection.
8. Find An Intuitive Interface If You’re New to VPNs
Some VPNs assume a certain degree of technical knowledge and experience using that kind of software. If you’re new to VPNs, and this is your first time gaming through one, find the software that offers the most intuitive interface, has guides to help you through setup, and makes the entire process as simple as possible. Video guides are especially useful, but so too are customer service representatives who are available to answer your questions and resolve your queries.
If you struggle to set the VPN up, you will either end up in prolonged conversations with customer support or give up the virtual private network altogether.
Conclusion
While people most often use VPNs to be able to browse the Internet anonymously or access geo-locked content, they are useful privacy and security tools. For gamers, they can also improve access and connections to games that are hosted elsewhere around the world. Choose the one that best matches your style of gaming and your gaming setup, and do consider any other uses you might have for the technology.
