The best PS4 and PS5 VPN in 2021
The best PS4 or PS5 VPN is a handy way to enhance your console’s capabilities. Here are the top choices
Getting the best PS4 VPN or best VPN for PS5 has its advantages. For one thing, it can potentially improve your connection. For another, it keeps your data safe. You could even join a different region's multiplayer lobbies to get into the action faster, or watch another country's streaming services. The world is your oyster.
Do you really need a VPN, though? Well, it depends on what you want to achieve with it. If security is on your mind, the best PS4/Ps5 VPN (or ‘Virtual Private Network’) can protect you from possible DDoS attack by rerouting your data through a server. What’s more, the best VPN for gaming will get around bandwidth-throttling that your provider may run during peak hours (though this isn't guaranteed, and could potentially have the opposite effect - proceed with caution). While lag is frustrating at the best of times, it’s a different kettle of fish altogether when it’s forced on you.
Finally, you can use a VPN to access another region's streaming services. That means you can try out the best Netflix VPN and watch a show not normally available in your country. Cool, right? If you want more details on the pros and cons of VPNs and gaming, you can get the skinny in our handy guide for do I need a VPN for gaming?
In the meantime, we've gathered up examples of the best VPN for PS5 and PS4 below. Each of our picks is secure, quick, and reliable. To save you some cash, we've also tried to include as many deals as possible.
The best PS4 and PS5 VPN
Why you can trust 12DOVE
1. ExpressVPN
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
As the best all-rounder when it comes to PS4 VPNs, ExpressVPN allows you to hop between 148 spoofed locations in 94 countries. That provides plenty of choice in terms of international access. Plus, it has plenty of advice about setting up a VPN on PS4/PS5 on its website. It's a reliable service you can count on, and with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can feel secure in your ability to test it without major financial commitment.
Better still, connection speeds are pretty good as far as VPNs go. Because it's a tried-and-tested service when it comes to streaming services like Netflix, it's also versatile. This isn't just a good VPN for PS4 and PS5 - it's a winner for everything else, too.
2. NordVPN
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Want to make sure your PS4 is as secure as possible? NordVPN is a safe bet. It takes the matter very seriously, with 2048-bit security and optional DDoS protection on certain servers. And with over 5,000 servers in total, you're spoilt for choice.
Naturally, that kind of extensive coverage comes at a price. Although it's an excellent service, NordVPN is one of the pricier VPNs on this list. As such, we'd recommend paying monthly - you'll get the best possible deal, particularly if you're able to commit to a longer membership.
Just be aware that you won't be able to get NordVPN directly on your PS4 - you'll have to set it up via your router. You can find out how below.
Connect NordVPN to PS4
3. VyprVPN
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
VyprVPN is an impressive beast. It's got hundreds of servers across multiple locations, has an NAT firewall to block unwanted traffic, and offers blazingly fast speeds in terms of downloads. In testing, it managed to boost download speeds by 2.5 times compared to a vanilla connection. That's awesome, especially because of PS4 gaming's frequently chonky file sizes.
All the same - and as with the options listed above - you can't download VyprVPN directly onto your PS4. Instead, it works via your router (the VyprVPN Router App, more specifically). As a result, it protects your entire household network at once. Sweet!
There's a free trial, too; you can safely try before you buy.
Setting up VyprVPN on your router
4. Buffered VPN
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If responsiveness in a game is important to you, Buffered VPN is your best choice. While other VPNs may increase latency, this beauty ended up lowering it in our tests. That's a cool feature worth shouting about.
Even if downloads weren't quite as fast, upload speeds were strong as well. What's more, Buffered VPN offers a refund so long as you haven't gone over 10 hours, 100 sessions, or 10GB of useage. That allows you to dip a toe in the water and decide whether the service is for you or not.
Set up Buffered VPN on PS4
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As the site's Tabletop & Merch Editor, you'll find my grubby paws on everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news. I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and can normally be found cackling over some evil plan I've cooked up for my group's next Dungeons & Dragons campaign.