DDoS protection, low ping, bypassing geo-restrictions, and playing on distant gaming servers are only some of the benefits of a quality gaming VPN. However, when talking about free VPNs for gaming, there are some caveats that people should be aware of.
First of all, gaming is a bandwidth-intensive activity that requires fast speeds and unlimited traffic. This is why gamers usually go for premium providers that offer these commodities. Free gaming VPNs aren’t great in this regard, so they’re often put aside.
While this sounds discouraging, our team is still going to address your question. Today, we’ll present you with a couple of really free VPNs for gaming that you can use without payment. As long as you’re aware of their shortcomings, they’ll most likely fulfill your needs.
Best Free VPNs for Playing Games At a Glance
- Proton VPN – best free VPN for gaming overall
- Hide.me – safe 100% free gaming VPN with unlimited bandwidth
- PrivadoVPN – fast no-lag connections for gamers
- NordVPN – the best overall option, free for 30 days
- ExpressVPN – great for gaming on all devices, free for 30 days
Shortcomings of Free VPNs for Gaming
Before we unwrap our list, it’s vital to talk more about the shortcomings of these providers. As you can guess, these providers are usually much slower than their paid counterparts. A free VPN that’s fast isn’t a common occurrence but when it happens, it’s usually combined with limited traffic.
Proton VPN has unlimited bandwidth with slow speeds, while PrivadoVPN is incredibly fast but with a bandwidth limit.
Another problem with the majority of free gaming VPNs lies in security. Many of them aren’t safe and if we’re talking about the lowest class, they even fail to encrypt your connection.
This rids you of the DDoS protection you need and robs you of the ability to hide your IP. Free providers offer smaller server fleets. Bigger server networks require money for maintenance, which free VPNs don’t have in abundance.
As a result, overcrowding is pretty common, where latency tends to skyrocket. Not only that but a small server fleet and the lack of many VPN locations means you can’t effectively get over geo-blocks in gaming! This isn’t great if you’re looking to unlock particular items or play League of Legends in other regions while enjoying good performance.
That’s not to say that free VPNs for gaming won’t work. They will but with the decreased capacity, so to say. Non-demanding, casual gamers can still enjoy them. But if you’re a hardcore gamer, you’d be better off with the paid alternatives we present after the list below.
The 3 Best Really Free Gaming VPNs of 2025
Gamers and those who feel like it often don’t have a big budget. After all, you can’t play games all day and be rich, except if you’re a famous Twitch streamer. Our jokes aside, we have the 3 best free gaming VPNs for you, so if you’re hell-bent on saving money, take a look below.
All our providers are REALLY free and they don’t even require your credit card. All you’ll have to do is create a free account on their site, install the app, and connect to a server.
The 3 best free gaming VPN providers we want to talk about include:
1. Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a refreshment in the free gaming VPN compartment. It offers unlimited bandwdith with impeccable security that gamers would enjoy. Proton VPN’s OpenVPN/WireGuard support is impressive and its free version even includes a kill switch and bank-grade encryption.
Furthermore, the service works on a plethora of gaming devices. You can even install the VPN on PS5 if you want, as it fully supports Smart DNS and routers. Proton VPN’s unlimited traffic is backed by a certified no-logs policy, so you seemingly get the full package.
Of course, DDoS protection is here and gamers can enjoy a wide variety of US, Japanese, Romania, Polish, and Dutch servers. With 5 server locations, Proton VPN isn’t impressive but the number of servers is decent. The US servers tend to be overcrowded, though, with a load of 90+ percent on average.
Also, Proton VPN’s free gaming VPN servers are 1 Gbps, so they’re not particularly fast either. Important to mention is that the service doesn’t support torrenting or streaming, and features like Secure Core and NetShield are missing.
If you’re looking to play games on multiple devices, you’ll be gravely disappointed. Proton VPN lacks simultaneous connections as well. And if you need any help urgently, its lack of 24/7 live chat support will most likely infuriate you, as response times aren’t the best.
Still, we think Proton VPN is the best free VPN for playing online games – not remarkable compared to paid options. If you can get over its shortcomings and expect just the bare minimum, you’ll be able to enjoy this provider. However, hardcore gamers are most likely going to end up despising it.
Pros
- No bandwidth limits
- Support for WireGuard and OpenVPN
- Kill switch
Cons
- Slow speeds
- You can’t choose the server location
- Subpar customer support
- No simultaneous connections
2. Hide.me VPN
Hide.me VPN’s premium plan comes with some cheap prices that most users can afford. However, its free plan is way more attractive to some, as it offers almost the same level of security with a few shortcomings. For one, Hide.me VPN is pretty fast, so lagging won’t be a problem.
Having a VPN that isn’t lagging is a big deal and this provider’s WireGuard support takes care of that. Moreover, the provider packs AES-256 encryption to keep you safe, which is complemented by IP/DNS leak protection to sway the potential DDoS/swatting attacks.
Our team likes Hide.me VPN’s ease of use, as its apps are simple and supported by every platform. If you live in the US or the Netherlands, you’ll be happy because the provider offers these locations and a few more. If you’re abroad, chances are gaming won’t be as enjoyable due to the increased distance to the server.
Hide.me VPN offers unlimited bandwidth, which gamers will adore, whether they’re occasional or seasoned gamers. Hide.me is a stellar option for playing shooters because of its snappy connections, although the higher server load can occasionally negatively impact the gaming experience.
This best free VPN for gaming also doesn’t have any simultaneous connections. This means you can protect only one device at a time and log out of all the other devices each time – such an annoyance. The silver lining is 24/7 live chat support for both paid and free users.
Sadly, the provider lacks premium features like an ad blocker or Multi-Hop servers, both of which would make the service much safer. Regardless, Hide.me houses a few third-party audits, along with a no-logging policy, ensuring your gaming activities are 100% anonymous.
Pros
- Fast speeds for gaming
- DDoS protection
- User-friendly apps for all devices
Cons
- Only one connection per account
- Just a few server locations
- No Multi-hop in the free version
- Occasional slowdowns
3. PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is another VPN from Switzerland – like Proton VPN. It’s, on the other hand, much faster than its neighbor, offering uncapped speeds thanks to 10+ Gbps servers. The service even has 12 server locations, which is the size of Proton VPN and Hide.me’s free server network combined.
We found PrivadoVPN very reliable for gaming, as it has low ping and even works on gaming consoles like Xbox, thanks to proper router support. Another perk is amazing security, where PrivadoVPN’s encryption takes care of your security, along with a stringent, Swiss-grade no-logs policy.
PrivadoVPN has no external audits, unfortunately, but it’s safe and secure either way. That’s not the problem, though. The problem is, once again, limited monthly bandwidth. The provider gives you just 10 GB a month, which won’t be enough if we’re talking about long daily gaming sessions.
Its 12 server locations will let you circumvent geo-restrictions and even unblock Netflix and BBC iPlayer. However, some servers are under heavier load, so expect a bit of increased latency in some instances. Furthermore, PrivadoVPN isn’t different than your typical free VPN for gaming.
The provider still lacks simultaneous connections and some of the premium features. In addition, it has no Linux app, which is a huge miss for gamers on Ubuntu or Linux Mint. Although 24/7 support is here, the provider’s lack of an audit makes it a bit underwhelming.
Therefore, PrivadoVPN is a good free VPN for gaming if you’re focused on speed and security. But if you’re gaming a lot and you want it to be your companion at any moment, you’ll have to go for another VPN.
This one simply won’t be there for you since its limited bandwidth will evaporate in a day or two!
Pros
- 12 server locations
- Works for streaming and P2P
- No-logging policy
Cons
- 10 GB bandwidth cap
- Subpar support for Linux
- It has no third-party audits
- Frequently overcrowded servers
Paid VPNs That You Can Use for Free (Recommended)
If you’re up for a premium experience after checking out the free VPNs we tested, we have something special for you. As said, premium VPNs are way better for gaming but the problem is that they’re… well, premium! The trick we want to show you will make you smile.
What if we told you that you can use premium VPNs for free for 30? Does that sound okay to you? And if you combine the two VPNs we presented below, you can get up to 60 days of free use. Does that sound okay or awesome now? We’d say it’s awesome!
NordVPN: The World’s #1 Free VPN for Gaming for 30 Days
If you’re interested in NordVPN, you’re looking at an affordable pick with some outstanding features. For the start, its longest plan will not cost you more than $3.4 a month, making it among the least expensive VPNs. On top of everything, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for long-term plans!
NordVPN is, therefore, extremely suitable for gamers whose budget isn’t too high. Using the button below, gamers can subscribe to NordVPN for a reduced price and get the aforementioned money-back guarantee.
The procedure is very simple here. You’ll install and use NordVPN for 30 days and request a refund before that period expires. With the trick we explained many times, you can combine NordVPN with ExpressVPN and enjoy 60 days of relentless VPN protection for gaming.
That’s… how many hours of gaming? We’ll let you do the math. You get the point, though. It’s risk-free and requires you to pay upfront, albeit, with a refund that you can get in the first 30 days.
Why Gaming Is Better With NordVPN?
NordVPN’s affordable pricing does make this provider very attractive. In fact, its performance is impressive, thanks to the NordLynx protocol and cutting-edge 10 Gbps servers. For gaming, this VPN won’t reduce your internet speed that much, so latency will remain low.
This is crucial when playing Warzone with friends and you want to show your remarkable skills. NordVPN includes 7,400+ servers in almost 120 countries, with the addition of P2P, Onion Over VPN, and Double VPN servers. Undoubtedly, this will diversify your entire experience.
We like that the VPN’s servers are optimized for gaming as well, and you can enjoy features like IP/DNS leak protection, an ad blocker (Threat Protection Pro), and even a reliable kill switch. NordVPN supports mobile devices too, so gamers can relax while playing Apex Legends Mobile or some great RPG titles.
Unlike ExpressVPN, which we’ll discuss soon, NordVPN sports 10 simultaneous connections, so 2 more devices can be protected. This is even better when you pair everything with bank-grade encryption and a no-logging policy audited by Deloitte.
Now, you can truly be an anonymous online gamer!
NordVPN’s apps are user-friendly, and although its Windows client can be a bit complicated, it’s nothing you won’t learn in the end. It’s riddled with features, even having malware protection and Meshnet as an interesting addition for secure file sharing and remote access.
If need a dedicated IP, NordVPN will let you purchase one, just in case you’re planning on owning a game server, for example. In short, NordVPN will most likely impress even those with the highest demands, so if you’re one of them, don’t hesitate to test it risk-free!
ExpressVPN: A Free Gaming VPN for 30 Days
ExpressVPN has been supporting gamers since its inception, offering extreme performance and security. No wonder it’s often cited as the best VPN for Roblox.
This is a premium provider, so a subscription is required. However, the service has a 61% discount and 4 free months for the 24-month plan.
This makes it far cheaper, on top of which, you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee for all subscriptions. Using the button below, you can claim this special deal and save a lot of money. Or you can simply choose the monthly plan, pay around $13, and still be able to get a refund.
Speaking of which, you can use it as the best free VPN for gaming thanks to a 30-day refund policy. Right before this period expires, contact ExpressVPN saying that you want a refund and it’ll issue it right away. This, of course, means you’ll lose nothing, as you obtained a FULL refund on your purchase.
It’s not an indefinite solution but you can at least enjoy lag-free gaming for 30 days or 480 hours if you sleep 8 hours a day.
Why Play Games with ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is very versatile, even offering proper Steam Deck VPN support. On top of that, its 3,000 servers in 160 locations make it easy to get over geo-blocks and unblock gaming-related content. Gamers can now play with other gamers in Asia or Africa, for example.
Plus, there’s top-of-the-line DDoS protection coupled with RAM-based servers, which only add to your privacy. ExpressVPN’s 256-bit encryption does a phenomenal job, while its automatic kill switch prevents your IP address from going public.
It’s very user-friendly too and supports one-click connections. Within seconds, you’ll encrypt your traffic and enjoy anonymous gaming. ExpressVPN comes with unlimited bandwidth and 10 Gbps servers, further improved by Lightway – an in-house VPN protocol.
All of this makes this cutting-edge VPN among our favorite free VPNs for gaming for 30 days. What’s more, the VPN works on all devices, so it’s not strange to see people using it for gaming on iOS or Android phones/tablets.
In fact, ExpressVPN is among the most popular VPNs for this purpose, thanks to its overwhelming support for gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. With 24/7 support through live chat and 8 simultaneous connections, it’s easy to play games online on multiple concurrent devices.
And if we factor in its 61% discount for the biennial plan where you get 4 free months, it’s even better. This is for those saying that ExpressVPN is expensive. At least it gives you something for free, unlike Astrill VPN which terrorizes your wallet with extremely high prices.
Conclusion
Today, we learned that the best free VPN for gaming, Proton VPN, isn’t enough for serious gaming. Sure, you can get decent speeds with solid security but with apparent limitations that will cripple the experience. The same, more or less, applies to Hide.me VPN and PrivadoVPN.
With NordVPN and ExpressVPN, the gaming experience is completely transformed. You’ll enjoy no bandwidth caps, fast speeds, and the highest level of security. Coupled with easy-to-use apps for all platforms, these VPNs are truly your best choice overall.
Having explained everything, it’s your choice in the end. Choose your favorite free gaming VPN according to your needs and financial possibilities. With these providers, you truly can’t go wrong, as long as you’re aware of their benefits or shortcomings.
FAQ
We’ll top up our free gaming VPN guide with a few more answered questions.
🆓 Can I play games on my phone with a free VPN?
You can. All free providers on our list offer mobile-optimized apps for iOS and Android. Simply visit your respective app store, install the service, and connect to a server. This will rid you of potential DDoS attacks and preserve your privacy, no matter which network you’re using.
🕹️ How to use a free VPN for gaming?
It’s even simpler than you think. Choose one from our list, go to its website, and sign up for an account. Now, you can download and install the desired free VPN on your device and sign in with the credentials provided during the sign-up process. All that’s left is enjoyment.
Connect to the server, boot up your favorite game, and voila! The enjoyment begins.
✅ Do I even need to use a VPN during gaming sessions?
Yes and no. You can play games without a VPN fine but this service has its advantages. If you appreciate privacy and want to keep snoopers away, consider using one. Moreover, it’s good to take a rest sometimes and perhaps, watch some foreign TV channels or streaming services.
A VPN can help you by alleviating geo-blocks and unblocking the content you want.
Besides, if you opt for a 100% free gaming VPN, you’ve invested no money, so you have nothing to lose. Choose one, see how it fares, and decide whether you want to use it for the long term.
