You've probably come across VPNs. These security services protect your data and identity when you're navigating the online world. They are increasingly important in today's world, as the fight against cyberthreats becomes more serious every day. Of course, not everyone uses these services for boosting cybersecurity.
A lot of subscribers sign up to unlock more content from around the world or give themselves an advantage when gaming.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is an essential service that secures your internet connection, giving you greater control over how your online activity can be tracked, and providing a combination of security (keeping your computer and data protected) and privacy (keeping your identity protected).
So how does a VPN accomplish this? By creating an encrypted connection between your computer and a server operated by the VPN service, that’s how. When you’re connected to the VPN server, all of your network traffic passes through a safe, protected tunnel that no one else should be able to monitor. That's the theory anyway.
Even the very best VPNs will likely have an impact on your connectivity, though, sometimes to the point where lag gets in the way of your gaming — which is unacceptable, particularly if you’re a first-person shooter fan.
Do you need a VPN for gaming?
First and foremost, VPNs should be used to protect your personal information when you're online, and that doesn't change if you're gaming. It's important to remain anonymous as hackers and other online threats can still access your personal details when you're playing your favourite titles. The best way to ensure that you're data is private is with a VPN.
There is an argument that using VPNs can also increase your chances of success when gaming. With games that use skill-based matchmaking, VPNs can help you find easier lobbies. By connecting to a VPN, you can hide your real IP address and connect to a secure server in another location. This simple process tricks the game into thinking you are based elsewhere. Why is this useful when it comes to games like Call of Duty: Warzone? You can connect to a country with fewer gamers, or connect to a country at a less busy time of the day. This reduces your chances of meeting skilled players.
What is the best VPN for gaming?
So how do you select a VPN when both security and gaming are priorities. You need a VPN that ticks three boxes — speed, ping, and protection — so that when you’re in a virtual life and death situation, lag doesn’t deliver the killer blow.
These are the best VPNs for gaming in 2023.
NordVPN
Best For Security
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- 1 year plan: £5.35/month
- 1-year plan: £3.64/month
- 2 year plan: £3.05/month
- 2-year plan: £2.91/month
- 3 year plan: £2.29/month
- Annual plan: $4.99/month (billed $59.88 for your first two years, then $99.48/year thereafter)
- Monthly: £10.39/month
- Monthly (Complete plan): $14.19/month
- Monthly (Plus plan): $12.89/month
- Monthly (Standard plan): $11.99/month
- Monthly plan: $11.99/month
- One year: £5.66/month
- One-year plan: £3.99/month
- Three-year plan: £2.82/month
- Two years: £4.04/month
- Two-year plan: £3.19/month
NordVPN is one of the most popular services for securing your online activities. NordVPN now has almost 5000 servers around the world, making it one of the largest services in the world, too.
Privacy is a major issue when it comes to VPNs, and NordVPN makes all the right noises about keeping your information private. NordVPN states that the company does not insert ads into your web traffic, and doesn’t profit from the sale of user data. On top of that, NordVPN only collects aggregated app-crash statistics and voluntary diagnostic data, meaning that the service doesn’t collect any personally identifiable information. Good news.
NordVPN is consistent across every platform on which it's offered, and includes ad blocking as an added bonus. You can also connect up to six devices at the same time.
Even if NordVPN doesn’t work out for you, they have a 30-day money-back guarantee. So you are completely covered either way. You can either be impressed with the service, and continue with your plan, or — if you don’t like what NordVPN offers — you can get out for free.
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Newbies
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/c/cyberghost/cyberghost-vpn_69f7.1024.png)
- 1 year plan: £4.59/month
- 1-year plan: £3.45/month
- 2 year plan: £3.09/month
- 2-year plan: £2.98/month
- 3 year plan: £2.10/month
- 3-year plan: £1.59/month
- Jurisdiction: Romania
- Kill switch: Yes
- Money-back guarantee: Yes (14 days with monthly plans, 45 days with long-term plans, ); free 24-hour trial
- Monthly: £10.89/month
- Monthly plan: $12.99/month
- Most recent external audit: 2022
- Network size: Over 9,100 servers in 91 countries
- One-year plan: $4.29/month (billed $51.48 every year)
- Pricing: $2.11-$12.99/month
- Simultaneous connections: 7
- Six-month plan: £6.19/month
- Split tunneling: Yes, but only for Android
- Support options: Live chat, online support center
- Three-year plan: £2.10/month
- Three-year plan + 3 months: $2.29/month (billed $89.31 every three years)
- Three-year plan + three months for free: £1.59 per month
- Two-year plan: £1.92/month
Private Internet Access
Best For Server Network
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/p/private-in/private-internet-access_khqn.1024.png)
- 1-year plan: £2.52/month
- 2-year plan: £2.20/month
- Monthly: £10.99/month
- Monthly plan: £5.25/month
- One year: £2.71/month
- One-year plan: £2.71/month
- Six-month plan: £5.39/month
- Two years: £2.19/month
- Two-year plan: £1.69/month
PureVPN
Best For Globetrotters
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/p/purevpn/purevpn_h63f.1024.png)
- 1-year plan: £4.25/month
- 2-year plan: 2.46/month
- Monthly: £8.37/month
- Monthly plan: £8.30/month
- One-year: £2/month
- One-year plan: £2.86/month
- Two-year plan: £1.75/month
When looking for a VPN that will keep you connected to all the content that the Fire Stick potentially provides, Pure VPN ticks an awful lot of boxes.
PureVPN has a strong network of geographically diverse servers, a dedicated IP, and a strong privacy policy. So the key message is that this VPN boasts an outstanding network of international servers so you can keep watching your favourite series wherever you may be. Ideal for those that get around the globe.
It isn't all perfect. PureVPN is not the fastest VPN out there, but it is faster than most, and is definitely fast enough for most users to stay connected and enjoy the Fire Stick content buffer-free.
Overall, PureVPN is a serious option for anyone wanting to enjoy all of Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and Netflix, without being blocked. It's one of the best VPNs thanks to its mix of competitive performance, polished design, and diverse server locations.
TunnelBear
Best For Interface
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/t/tunnelbear/tunnelbear_mdnb.1024.png)
- 1 year plan: £3.92/month
- 1-year plan: £3.77/month
- 2 year plan: £3.28/month
- 2-year plan: £3.15/month
- Monthly: £7.78/month
- Monthly plan: £7.55/month
- Monthly Unlimited plan: $9.99/month
- One-year plan: £3.89/month
- One-year Unlimited plan: $4.99/month (billed $59.88 every 12 months)
- Three-year plan: £2.59/month
- Three-year Unlimited plan: $3.33/month ($120 billed once)
- Two-year plan: £3.41/month
ExpressVPN
Best For Streaming
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/review/e/expressvpn/expressvpn-review-a-stylish-minimalist-vpn-service-with-soli_jbrg.250.jpg)
- 15 month plan: £5.24/month
- 15-month plan: £5.25/month
- 6 month plan: £7.85/month
- 6-month plan: £7.44/month
- Annual plan: $8.32/month (billed $99.95 every 12 months)
- Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
- Kill switch: Yes ("Network Lock")
- Money-back guarantee: Yes (30 days)
- Monthly: £10.19/month
- Monthly plan: $12.95/month
- Most recent external audit: 2022
- Network size: 94 countries
- One-year plan: £5.05/month
- One-year plan + three months for free: £5.13 per month
- Pricing: $6.67-$12.95/month
- Simultaneous connections: 5
- Six-month plan: £7.86/month
- Split tunneling: Yes
- Support options: 24/7 live chat, email, online support center
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