5 Best Free VPNs for Gaming in 2023: Fast Speeds, Low Ping
Contents
- 1 5 Best Free VPNs for Gaming in 2023: Fast Speeds, Low Ping
It’s not just nearby servers that performed well in my tests. Even when I connected to its long-distance New York server, the ping remained below 78ms. In comparison, a similar connection with a free VPN typically has a ping of more than 150ms. This meant I could choose from more server locations without worrying whether it would impact my gaming session.
Free Gaming VPN
Enjoy UrbanVPN’s famous protection & performance for free on the go!
Why should I use Urban-VPN for gaming?
Blazing VPN Speeds
Urban-VPN’s fast servers lowers latency between a player and the server client (ping);
Play first
Gamers can be the first to play certain games by downloading from countries with earlier launch dates;
Private & secure
Individuals can keep their data and save files safe behind an encrypted gaming private network.
The advantages of Urban-VPN for gaming are exceptional. Urban-VPN’s fast servers lowers latency between a player and the server client (ping); gamers can be the first to play certain games by downloading from countries with earlier launch dates; individuals can keep their data and save files safe behind an encrypted gaming private network. In addition, Urban VPN allows playing multiplayer games in every region – it can connect to servers around the world to play with your friends, even if a title (such as PUBG or Fortnite) requires an IP address from a specific country to play. And if someone you played with is a sour looser and wants to take revenge by hacking your digital assets – you know a VPN app will prevent that from happening!
No-lag VPN
None of the household applications for the internet is more sensitive to lagging than gaming. When your (virtual) life is on the line, sometimes even a few milliseconds make the difference between victory and defeat. Gamers aspire to use a connection that delivers a ping of up to 60 milliseconds, and in Esports competitions the rate is often reduced to less than 40. So how can you keep your ping minimal while still adding a layer of security? UrbanVPN of course! Through our unique array of broadband IPs and load-balancing servers, UrbanVPN delivers ultimate security without any impact on your connection speed – an exclusive feature in the world of free VPNs.
5 Best Free VPNs for Gaming in 2023: Fast Speeds, Low Ping
A free gaming VPN seems like a great idea, but you can rarely achieve low enough ping (or fast enough speeds) using one. Most have congested servers that actually increase your ping, while others have data caps that don’t even cover an hour of online gaming. That’s not to say that you can’t find a good free VPN for gaming – simply that they’re hard to find.
After testing 45+ free VPNs, my team and I found a few good options for gaming. These have good speeds that maintain gaming performance, plus robust security to keep you safe. You won’t escape restrictions, but the limits that exist won’t interrupt your gaming as much as some other free VPNs. If you don’t want any restrictions, it’s best to use a low-cost premium VPN instead.
I recommend ExpressVPN for gaming because it delivers fast speeds and consistently low ping without limitations. Plus, it has a worldwide server network and strong security features, so you can safely play region-locked games from anywhere. While it’s not totally free, it comes with a legit money-back guarantee, so if you’re not impressed you can get a full refund within 30 days.
Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free VPNs for Gaming in 2023
- ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN with fast speeds and unlimited data. Try it risk-free for 30 days.
- CyberGhost — Gaming-optimized servers prevent lag with low ping connections. Try it risk-free.
- Proton VPN — Free gaming VPN with no data caps (but server overcrowding can increase lag).
- Avira Phantom VPN — Free VPN for gaming with unlimited device connections (but a 1GB/month data cap).
- hide.me — Free VPN with settings to optimize gaming connections (but it doesn’t work on routers).
Best Free VPNs for Gaming — Full Analysis (Updated September 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best VPN for Gaming With Fast Speeds and Low Ping
Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested September 2023
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome Router Smart TV More
Try ExpressVPN >
www.ExpressVPN.com
| Best Feature | Lowest ping of all the VPNs I tested |
| Server Network | 3,000+ servers in 94 countries |
| Data Limit | Unlimited |
| Free Trial | 30-day money-back guarantee |
ExpressVPN remains my top choice for gaming because it consistently delivers low ping and fast speeds. During my tests on its nearby UK servers , I recorded a ping rate of 11ms and an average download speed of 121Mbps (a speed drop of only 5% from my baseline connection). This is miles better than the results I had using free VPNs — I didn’t experience any lag while playing Fortnite on my Android phone.
Split tunneling allows you to only encrypt your gaming traffic, which helps improve ping rates for smoother gameplay
It’s not just nearby servers that performed well in my tests. Even when I connected to its long-distance New York server, the ping remained below 78ms. In comparison, a similar connection with a free VPN typically has a ping of more than 150ms. This meant I could choose from more server locations without worrying whether it would impact my gaming session.
ExpressVPN’s excellent gaming performance is largely thanks to its Lightway protocol . This proprietary protocol is optimized for fast speeds and stable connections. Plus, it consumes less battery, so you can play mobile games for longer. It’s also available on ExpressVPN’s router app, so you’ll get the same great speeds whether you’re playing on a console or desktop.
Even though ExpressVPN isn’t 100% free, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can try it risk-free and get a full refund if it’s not for you. Plus, you also get 3 months of service completely free when you sign up for its annual plan.
ExpressVPN Offer September 2023: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off ! Don’t miss out!
Useful Features
- Large server network. This means you can access region-locked games and find easy lobbies without running into overcrowded servers. The entire network supports P2P, so you won’t have any problem connecting with other gamers in P2P games like Super Smash Bros.
- Built-in speed test tool. You can use this to see each server’s latency, so you can easily find a low-ping connection for gaming. Generally, you will get the lowest ping on the server closest to your physical location.
- Port forwarding. This feature allows you to easily host games and invite friends to play with you. Set it up on your router and create a specific path for incoming traffic on a particular port so your friends can easily connect.
- Strong security. ExpressVPN offers military-grade encryption and IP/DNS leak protection to protect your gaming sessions from DDoS attacks. I tested 7 of its servers for leaks and never found any.