For years, the conventional wisdom among competitive gamers, including myself, has been clear: VPNs and gaming do not mix due to the perceived latency increase. However, after conducting an exhaustive week-long test of the best VPNs for gaming, our advice on using VPNs while gaming is undergoing a significant revision. The surprising outcome? Certain VPNs can actually lower your latency, as evidenced in our Counter-Strike 2 tests.
The core of our surprise stemmed from the realization that a VPN's impact on latency isn't universally negative. By routing data through a server closer to the game server than our ISP's designated path, or by providing a more direct route, VPNs can sometimes improve ping times. A standout example from our tests was Windscribe, which reduced our Counter-Strike 2 ping from 12.58 ms to 12.34 ms on average, with one run achieving as low as 12.27 ms. ExpressVPN also showed promising results, dipping to 12.16 ms in one of our tests, though Windscribe was preferred overall due to trust in the company's data handling practices.
| VPN | Average Ping (ms) | Lowest Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|
| Windscribe | 12.34 | 12.27 |
| ExpressVPN | N/A | 12.16 |
About the Testing Process
The testing involved a comprehensive comparison of latency (using Counter-Strike 2 as the benchmark), jitter (via Cloudflare speed tests), and download times (with a 15.3 GB Team Fortress 2 download on Steam). Key findings included not just the potential for lower latency but also the importance of compatibility and features like split tunneling for managing apps that might not work seamlessly with a VPN enabled.
NordVPN, despite slightly higher pings than our native connection, stood out for its broad compatibility, extensive server network, and additional features such as ad blockers. However, challenges were encountered with Windscribe and Surfshark, particularly with Valorant, where login and gameplay issues required the use of split tunneling to bypass the VPN for specific apps.
Implications for Gamers
The shift in our advice is multifaceted:
- Privacy and Security: Keeping the VPN on provides protection against doxxing attempts by malicious teammates or opponents.
- ISP Throttling: VPNs can mask gaming traffic, preventing intentional speed reductions by ISPs.
- Performance: The right VPN can either maintain or even improve latency, a game-changer for competitive play.
What This Means for Players
In practical terms, our findings suggest that the era of toggling VPNs on and off for gaming sessions may be coming to an end. With the correct choice of VPN, such as Windscribe for low ping or NordVPN for overall reliability, gamers can now prioritize both performance and privacy. However, it's crucial to weigh the benefits against minor inconveniences, like the need for split tunneling with certain games or services.
A word of caution: while our tests yielded positive results, the VPN landscape and game server configurations are dynamic. Ongoing testing and community feedback will be key to refining VPN recommendations for gaming. Nonetheless, the door to a more secure, latency-conscious gaming experience has undoubtedly opened wider.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Our week-long deep dive into VPNs for gaming has challenged the status quo, revealing a viable path for gamers to protect their privacy without sacrificing latency. As the gaming and VPN ecosystems evolve, we'll continue to monitor developments, seeking the optimal balance between security and performance. For now, the message is clear: the right VPN can be a gamer's new best friend.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Explore our recommended VPNs (Windscribe for low ping, NordVPN for overall package).
- Test VPNs with your most played games to find the best fit.
- Follow our gaming tech section for updates on VPN gaming performance.
