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Introduction to VPNs for Gaming
So let’s address a bit of basic stuff: what exactly is a VPN, and why is it a requirement for gaming? Let’s also preview for you some of the top gaming VPNs that gaming fanatics can enjoy.
Definition of VPNs and their Role in Gaming
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are connection tunnels you can create to access the internet privately and anonymously. VPNs are encrypted connections between your device and a remote server, which masks your browsing activity from your ISP, hackers or government agents.
Why buy a VPN for gamers? Well, for one it will help you bypass regional limitations to play certain games or gaming services that might be banned in your area. Secondly, a good VPN will safeguard your gaming and any other internet activities from hackers or identity thieves. Lastly, a VPN helps gamers avoid throttling by your ISP, to reduce latency issues and play your games faster.
Key Takeaways
Importance of VPNs for Gaming
For gamers, security is really important, so VPNs provide a significant boost of security. When you connect to a gaming server, you keep your real IP address concealed, and all your internet activities remain encoded, so it becomes very hard for anyone to trace or capture your data. It is especially important in the case of online multiplayer games since your login details or purchases might get stolen.
Another important factor is speed. A good VPN shouldn’t impact your speeds too much, so it should make gaming online as lag-free and smooth as possible. Most high-end VPNs have specialized servers for gaming, working to give you faster connections and lower latency.
Accessibility is another benefit of using a VPN for gaming purposes. If you are a regular traveler or live in an area with internet restrictions, a VPN could help you bypass geoblocking and play your favorite games or game platforms from anywhere in the world.
Brief Overview of the Top VPNs for Gaming
There are hundreds of VPN providers out there, but not all of them are good for gaming. Here’s a quick list of the VPNs that the gamers themselves swear by:
- ExpressVPN: Gaming-focused, with rapid connections, strong security and an extensive server network. This VPN is a favorite for gamers around the globe.
- NordVPN: This provider’s zero-logs policy, state-of-the-art encryption and gaming servers ensure a safe and seamless gaming experience.
- Surfshark: though one of the newer VPNs on the market, Surfshark is already one of the most popular thanks to its low cost, unlimited number of concurrent connections and excellent unblocking.
- CyberGhost: Great for gamers who need a large number of servers and good performance from all of them, CyberGhost has more than 7,000 servers in 91 different countries.
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Perfect for gamers who want their privacy butter, and their performance bread. This is a service with a user-friendly interface, solid security features, and a reasonable price tag.
These are just a few examples. we’ll look more closely at some of their key features and advantages and disadvantages later in this article.
When you’re looking for a VPN for gaming, first and foremost, you need to consider what makes a good gaming VPN. Not all VPNs are equal and some are much better for gaming than others. The following section breaks down what characteristics you can expect from a VPN that is really going to meet your needs.
What to Look for in a VPN for Gaming
Gamers put a premium on the values of privacy, security and performance. A VPN can help meet these needs, but only if you choose the right one. Let’s look at the key features that might make or break your VPN experience.
Security Features
Security is arguably the most important factor when choosing a VPN for gaming. Ideally, you should ensure that whichever VPN you select has the following security features:
| VPN | Encryption | VPN Protocols | No-Logs Policy | Kill Switch | Split Tunneling | Leak Protection | Multi-Hop/Double VPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | AES-256 | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Audited No-Logs | Yes | Yes | Yes (IP/DNS/WebRTC) | Yes |
| NordVPN | AES-256 | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Strict No-Logs | Yes | Yes | Yes (IP/DNS) | Yes (Double VPN) |
| Surfshark | AES-256 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Strict No-Logs | Yes | Yes | Yes (IP/DNS/WebRTC) | Yes (Multi-Hop) |
| CyberGhost | AES-256 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Strict No-Logs | Yes | Yes | Yes (IP/DNS) | No |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | AES-256 | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Strict No-Logs | Yes | Yes | Yes (IP/DNS) | No |
Encryption and Decryption Methods
The most important feature of a VPN, by far, is the encryption it provides. The current gold standard is AES-256 encryption, which is effectively unbreakable. Make sure that the VPN you choose has this encryption level and, ideally, more security features, such as perfect forward secrecy and secure hash algorithms (SHA-256 or higher).
No-Logs Policy and Data Protection
Another must-have is a rock-solid no-logs policy. The VPN you choose should never, ever keep any kind of logs about your activity or online history. They should also refuse to provide your user data even when directly requested by government agencies, so opt for VPNs that are based in places like Panama or the British Virgin Islands where they don’t have anyone forcing their hand.
Anti-DDoS Protection and Leak Protection
One of the most common forms of attack in gaming is a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, where an attacker bombards a target with so much traffic that everyone trying to use it is left with an unusable connection. So, ensure that your VPN comes with a robust anti-DDoS network to keep you protected. Also, look for other features like IP/DNS leak protection, which stops the router or modem from revealing your real IP address if the VPN connection suddenly drops.
Speed and Performance
Speed and performance are a huge determining factor, because who wants to be gaming with lag? Here is a quick overview of the speed and performance of various VPNs.
| VPN | Avg. Download Speed | Avg. Upload Speed | Ping/Latency | Gaming Servers | WireGuard Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 135 Mbps | 65 Mbps | 45 ms | Yes (Optimized) | Yes |
| NordVPN | 115 Mbps | 50 Mbps | 60 ms | Yes (Specialized) | Yes (NordLynx) |
| Surfshark | 100 Mbps | 45 Mbps | 70 ms | Yes (General Servers) | Yes |
| CyberGhost | 90 Mbps | 40 Mbps | 75 ms | Yes (Optimized) | Yes |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | 85 Mbps | 35 Mbps | 80 ms | No (General Servers) | Yes |
Server Network and Location
It is important to find a VPN that has a decent server network (more servers means more options for rarely-used games) and the right number of VPN servers in the right locations. You’ll want to find VPNs with servers located in countries near the servers you connect to for the games you play frequently. VPN servers located closer to gaming servers will often produce lower latency and ping times.
Connection Speeds and Latency
Although it might slow down your internet connection by a small degree occasionally, since you’re routing your traffic through a detour, the best VPNs for gaming shouldn’t. Especially when you choose your VPN carefully. In addition to seeking out fast download and upload speeds, many VPNs will advertise specifically low latency, or ping times, which is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to its destination and back. This is what causes lag so you’ll definitely want to pay attention if you are a gamer or are online for any portion of time playing a game.
Compatibility with Gaming Platforms
Different gaming platforms require different levels of VPN compatibility. Make sure the VPN you pick supports your specific gaming platform whether it be a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch or PC. Some VPNs have dedicated apps or setup articles for gaming consoles.
Ease of Use and Compatibility
A VPN can certainly enhance your gaming, provided you pick one that is easy to use and has intuitive apps and settings for different devices across multiple operating systems.
| VPN | User Interface | Mobile Apps | Desktop Apps | Browser Extensions | Router Support | Max Devices | Platform Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Intuitive | Excellent | Excellent | Yes | Yes | 8 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| NordVPN | Clean, Customizable | Very Good | Very Good | Yes | Yes | 6 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Surfshark | Modern, Straightforward | Very Good | Good | Yes | Yes | Unlimited | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| CyberGhost | Beginner-friendly | Good | Good | Yes | Yes | 7 | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | Simple, No-frills | Good | Good | Yes | Yes | 10 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
User-Friendly Interfaces and Apps
It can make a huge difference, especially if the VPN has also been designed to be intuitive. A VPN with a clean, easy-to-use app that connects at the push of a few buttons will make for a much better gaming experience than an equivalent service with a dauntingly clunky interface. As a gamer, you might also want features such as split tunneling or server load indicators.
Compatibility with Various Devices and Operating Systems
Most of us play on a variety of devices, from PCs and laptops to smartphones and tablets. Make sure that the VPN that you choose works with the operating systems you use, whether it’s Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or even Linux.
Support for Multiple Simultaneous Connections
If you have more than one gaming device or other family members who need to connect simultaneously (multiplayer gaming, anyone?) you’ll want to choose a VPN provider that supports multiple simultaneous connections. Then you can cover every device in your household at once.
FEATURED PARTNERS: Optimized for Gaming
Additional Features
Although the basic features mentioned above are important, there are advanced features in some VPNs that can further enhance your gaming experience.
Split-Tunneling and Port Forwarding
Split-tunneling lets you take traffic that you select through the VPN, and leave other traffic on your regular internet connection. This would allow you to route your gaming traffic through the VPN while keeping other traffic – say, videos you want to stream or files you want to download – on your regular connection.
If you need to play an online game that runs on your own computer, such as your house’s own game server, or play cooperatively using a peer-to-peer game (eg, DirectIP or Kali), you’ll need to open up ports on your router and forward them to your computer.
Support for Cloud Gaming and Streaming
Many people are using cloud gaming services, such as Google Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming, to achieve remote gameplay without the hassle of downloading games or worrying about hardware upgrades. Users should take time to search for a VPN service with premium features, optimized servers or dedicated streaming mode for cloud gaming.
Customer Support and Help Resources
Even the best VPNs can struggle occasionally or, if you are participating in a gaming tournament, for particular games, what you need is at its most optimal. Make sure your VPN provider has a robust customer service team that knows its stuff and, if there isn’t already a dedicated gaming section, ask for it.
Keeping all these critical attributes in mind will help you be better prepared to select a VPN that keeps your privacy and safety intact while delivering an optimal gaming session.
No matter where you live, an ultra-reliable, high-performance VPN can be an essential component of computer-based gaming above and beyond the basic requirements. The marketplace for Virtual Private Networks today is swollen with choices of service providers to confuse the most die-hard techie with trying to choose just one or two from among the hundreds, if not thousands of companies offering this vital security measure for every digital device.
Obviously, that’s a tall order, but we’ve done the homework for you, selecting the best VPNs for gaming plus all their vitals, performance and specific pros and cons.
Top VPNs for Gaming
We gamers are not willing to settle for less than the best, neither when it comes to performance nor security, speed and privacy. These VPN providers offer the highest rated services and are excellent for online gaming.
1.ExpressVPN:
Best For Speed  9.7 / 10 | Outstanding | |
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Privacy 98% | Interface 97% | Speed 98% | Features 96% |
Key Facts
Overview of its Features
ExpressVPN is one of the most respected providers of VPNs available today. It has a pro-gaming focus and several features that make it a great choice for gamers. This includes sleek desktop apps, industry leading security, and an extensive server network.
Performance
With its fast speeds enabled by its vast network and state of the art tech, ExpressVPN can help you avoid lag and maximize your gaming experience.
Privacy and Security
ExpressVPN takes your privacy and security seriously. The AES-256 encryption, for example, is the same encryption used by governments and militaries the world over. Their VPN protocols include OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Lightway (their own proprietary protocol). On top of this, their no-logs policy ensures that your online activity remains 100 percent private.
Servers
ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 servers situated across 94 countries, which means you have access to some of the largest and fastest gaming servers around the world. It also means that if gaming platforms and games themselves are geo blocked in your region, you’d be able to access them.
Pricing
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN service so it’s somewhat expensive, but you can choose 1, 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions and 12 month subscription will automatically give you 49% discount and also 3 months free.
Pros and Cons of Using ExpressVPN for Gaming
2.NordVPN:
Best Overall  9.8 / 10 | Outstanding | |
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Privacy 97% | Interface 96% | Speed 95% | Features 97% |
Key Facts
Overview of its Features
Another VPN provider worth mentioning is NordVPN, which ranks highly among VPNs and is widely used by gamers, thanks to its robust security measures, special servers for gaming, and fast-responding customer service.
Performance
NordVPN’s speeds and low latency make it a great choice for gaming thanks to these features, and the fact that it has a massive server network. This makes it both reliable and consistently usable.
Privacy and Security
Secure connections are just the beginning: you can be sure that NordVPN will keep your data safe with 256-bit AES encryption, perfect forward secrecy and a no-logs policy. You can even compliment them with double VPN, Onion over VPN and CyberSec (ad and malware blocker) if you’d like to dig deeper.
Servers
Particularly noteworthy is NordVPN’s extensive server pool with more than 5,500 servers in 59 countries, plus servers optimized for online video gaming by way of low-latency, lightning-serious speeds.
Pricing
NordVPN has various plans at relatively decent prices. Their best plan is 2 yrs at $3.29/mo which they often discount.
Pros and Cons of Using NordVPN for Gaming
3.Surfshark:
Best For Value  9.4 / 10 | Excellent | |
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Privacy 95% | Interface 93% | Speed 93% | Features 94% |
Key facts
Overview of its Features:
Surfshark is a fairly new kid on the VPN block, but one with a strong contingent of dedicated users, particularly among gamers, due to some very powerful (and inexpensive) feature sets and easy-to-learn apps.
Performance:
Although Surfshark is a newer VPN provider, it offers fast speeds and low latency, which makes it a solid choice for gaming. In our tests, the WireGuard-based protocol and optimized servers made for a fast, unlagged experience.
Privacy and Security:
Surfshark privacy and security should be a priority for the company and its services: they offer AES-256 encryption, options for multiple VPN protocols, and a no-logs policy. It also has extras such as MultiHop (double VPN), split-tunneling and its own camouflage mode, which is obfuscation.
Servers:
Surfshark has a smaller server network than some of the more established VPN services, with around 3,200 servers in 65 countries, but still a decent enough range of server locations to pick from.
Pricing:
Its bestselling plan ensures unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription and is arguably the most affordable of all the VPN providers.
Pros and Cons of Using Surfshark for Gaming
4.CyberGhost:
Best For General Purpose  9.1 / 10 | Very Good | |
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Privacy 92% | Interface 95% | Speed 89% | Features 87% |
Key facts
Overview of its Features
Another popular choice for gamers is CyberGhost, a VPN that has consistently attracted attention for its great feature set and ease of use. CyberGhost’s wide network of servers performs well whether you’re aiming for the high score in Overwatch, or dominating the weekly match in FIFA.
Performance
CyberGhost achieves this by having intelligent servers that are optimized to distribute the load and use its excellent technology. It might not be the speediest VPN in the world (games can, theoretically, be slowed down by up to 80 percent by the presence of a VPN), but in our tests, it still worked perfectly fine for your everyday gamer.
Privacy and Security
CyberGhost offers military-grade AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy and a kill switch, as well as protection against DNS leaks and IPv6.
Servers
CyberGhost stands out for its sheer breadth of servers. It has around 7,000 across 91 countries, with a range of dedicated servers for gaming that promise to enhance latency performance.
Pricing
CyberGhost has competitive pricing and a wide range of subscription plan options, like a 3-year plan – their lowest priced subscription – and they often offer promotions and discounts to customers in the form of coupon codes.
Pros and Cons of Using CyberGhost for Gaming
5.Private Internet Access (PIA):
Best For P2P  8.7 / 10 | Excellent | |
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Privacy 92% | Interface 87% | Speed 86% | Features 89% |
Key facts
Overview of its Features
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the longest-lived modern VPN providers, operating for more than 10 years and being a popular option for those looking to add security to their games on a budget.
Performance
PIA turns in overall good speeds, though a bit slower than some of the big names in VPN services, combined with fairly low latency. So, it will get you through an online gaming session with no problems, even if it doesn’t deliver the top speeds possible on the market.
Privacy and Security
It’s also worth noting that PIA abides by privacy and security protocols: not only does it use military-grade AES-256 encryption, it has a zero-logging policy and provides what it calls ‘automatic kill switch’ and ‘DNS/IP leak protection’.
Servers
Operating a server network of more than 35,000 servers spread across 78 countries, PIA provides one of the largest VPN server networks in the industry. For gamers, having a large number of server locations to choose from translates to quality gaming every time by allowing access to gaming servers on all continents.
Pricing
PIA has always been lauded for its value price point and still is! PIA offers some of the best subscription plans you can get so if you’re a gamer on a budget, you’ll find a lot to like.
Pros and Cons of Using Private Internet Access for Gaming
How to Choose the Best VPN for Gaming
Gamers are a special breed, and all of us have needs that differ somewhat from the norm in the world of online privacy, security, and performance. Your life as a gamer can be radically improved if you choose the right VPN.
While there are several options for VPNs for gaming, choosing the best one for you can be quite a difficult process. Keeping in mind that you’re going to be investing in a VPN for gaming, here are the key factors you should consider when comparing two or more services in order to select the best for you. We are going to share with you some key considerations when it comes to making that important decision.
Consider Your Gaming Needs:
So first of all, it’s important to know what your needs and preferences are, so that you can choose the right kind of VPN solution for your gaming.
Types of Games You Play:
The type of game you play can heavily sway the type of VPN you’re after. Someone who frequently plays online multiplayer games will want a VPN with speeds that offer extremely low latency, or ping. On the other hand, those of us who play single player games might be more concerned with security and privacy than with speed.
Your Internet Connection Speed and Quality:
The state of your internet connection, with its features such as bandwidth and latency, is another factor that can affect VPN performance. If you have a fast connection, you might not mind losing some of your speed to the VPN encryption process. But if your speeds are already slow, you’ll need to find a VPN with optimized servers, as well as speed-enhancing protocols, that can lose you the least amount of speed.
Your Device and Operating System:
Remember that the devices and operating systems you use to play games on will need to be factored in as well: some VPNs have better support for some hardware or software than others. For instance, if you’re a console gamer, you’ll need to make sure that the VPN has dedicated apps or setup guides for your console (be that a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch or another kind).
Evaluate VPN Performance:
Now that you know what it is you’re looking for in a VPN, the next step is to check the raw performance of each VPN you’re considering against your likely needs. For gaming, performance is key – even the tiniest gain or loss can mean the difference between winning and losing a game online.
Test Latency and Ping Times:
For playing online, especially competitive games that move at a breakneck pace, latency and ping times are especially important. Find VPNs that have low latency and ping times. These will generally help to minimize the load and lag time during gameplay.
Evaluate Customer Support and Help Resources:
Even the best VPN may not perform as intended or may require special configuration for optimal gaming. Research your provider for customer support that’s helpful and responsive, and that has resources devoted to gaming specifically such as guides to setup or FAQs.
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Read Reviews and Compare VPNs:
As anyone who’s ever looked at the countless VPN providers knows, the marketing material is rarely able to give you a good idea of what each service offers. Review sites and gaming communities can be helpful in finding out more about the actual performance and reliability.
Look for Reviews from Gaming Communities and Forums:
Gaming communities and forums are a great source to find unbiased reviews and feedback from other gamers. There are often threads or sections dedicated to logging the findings of users who tried certain VPNs and how they perform.
Compare VPNs Based on Their Features and Performance:
After you’ve read the reviews and gotten feedback from other sources, line up the VPNs and compare them regarding features and performance, such as which ones contain more security features than others, have a larger server network, are faster for connection speeds, and/or are compatible with the gaming platforms you most enjoy using.
Furthermore, pricing and subscription structures are very relevant to VPN services, meaning some may opt for a higher-cost service versus others who are more cost-conservative but still want good performance.
This should help you to weigh your gaming requirements and assess the performance of a VPN to help you choose the best VPN based on your game. The good news is that the right VPN can solve all those problems and more, including protecting you from malicious actors online.
Conclusion
In the current world in which data security and privacy are a matter of great concern, having a VPN is an important part of the gaming experience. Let’s look at the reasons why a VPN is essential for gaming, and why you should invest in a VPN today.
Importance of VPNs for Gaming:
The world’s most popular games have gone global, where millions of players spanning continents and countries regularly log in to play together in fantastic online worlds, epic real-time battles, and collaborative multiplayer environments. While eSports is booming, there’s an inherent risk in the global nature of today’s games, such as cybercrime, censorship and online profiling of our activities.
Enter the VPN — a virtual private network, a virtual tunnel through which your web traffic can be securely sent. Which security issues can be mitigated by using a VPN for games? Well …
- Enhanced Online Privacy and Security: Your VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making your data nearly impossible to decode and thus your data is safe from anyone trying to eavesdrop on your internet connection and stealing your data. It makes your internet banking and payment data below the reach of cyber criminals, your game credentials and your in-game communications safe from hackers.
- Bypass Geo-Restrictions and Censorship: Due to your locality, you could see certain games or gaming services that are restricted or censored. With a VPN connection to a server of another country, you can break through these boundaries to get unrestricted access to your favorite games and gaming platforms.
- Improved Gaming Performance: Many VPNs now have servers optimized for gaming which can cut down latency, and lag, and give you faster speed. This all adds up to a better gaming experience, especially for fast twitch, multiplayer gameplay.
- Protection from Bandwidth Throttling: Many internet service providers (ISPs) intentionally slow down ping times for online games to minimize download bandwidth. This disadvantages casual or new players who rely on a consistent connection. When you use VPN anonymization, your gaming traffic is encrypted; this masks your IP address, which some ISPs use to throttle your speed.
- Access to Exclusive Game Releases and Deals: If you connect to servers in another territory, you might get access to an early release of a game in your area, or even receive an exclusive offer or discount that’s not available where you live.
With all of these benefits, it is safe to say that a VPN is an important tool that every gamer needs to keep his online privacy, security and gaming experience as efficient as possible.
Final Recommendations for Choosing the Best VPN for Gaming:
We have covered some of the best VPN for gaming services in this guide with their benefits and weaknesses, and it is now time to make a final choice. There is no one service that will fit everyone, so consider the following points when making your final selection.
- Speed and Latency: If you’re a gamer, then you will care a great deal about speed and low latency. Check that your potential new VPN has optimized server locations, fast connection speeds and as low ‘ping’ times as possible.
- Security and Privacy Features: Stronger security features are always better, so choose a VPN with the highest security features available (AES-256 encryption, strict no-logs policy, advanced protocols such as WireGuard or Lightway).
- Server Network and Locations: The more and wider the server network is, that is, the more servers it has in gaming hubs, the more efficient the service, and the more games and services whose use in a certain region one might have the right for.
- Compatibility and User-Friendliness: Does the VPN work on gaming devices and operating systems you use? User-Friendliness: Does it come with user-friendly apps or interfaces for easy setup and use?
- Pricing and Subscription Plans: Decide how much you’re willing to pay and find VPNs with flexible subscription plans, and make sure those VPNs have discounts or promotions frequently.
Our research and testing have led us to strongly recommend ExpressVPN, NordVPN or Surfshark for gamers who need speed, safety and flexibility in one package.
Recommended VPNs:
We realize that picking a good VPN is challenging – we hope you feel inspired to take action to get one for yourself, as many of the security-focused providers we recommend provide a risk-free trial period or money-back guarantee.
Picture yourself engaging in your favorite games and video calls without being spooked by a single cyber threat, a region locking, bandwidth throttling and slow internet speed. Suppose you found a reliable VPN resource to rely upon, how effortlessly you would revel in the world of the game knowing that your network traffic is being protected and secure? You do not have to constrain your gaming desires due to petty region lockings.
Don’t just settle for ‘good enough’ gaming anymore – get your privacy and security in gear today. Head over to the websites of the VPN providers we’ve recommended on this page, read through their feature lists and pricing options, and get started towards a safer, faster experience that you can truly enjoy.
The gaming world is constantly changing – and you’ll need to be in it for the long run. So, by opting for a VPN that can keep up with your gaming needs, not only will you be safe and sound on the web today, but you’ll also be preventing countless headaches from arising in the future.
