Best VPN for PUBG (Free & Paid): Top Picks & Advice

In the highly competitive world of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), having a stable and secure connection is crucial for an optimal gaming experience.

With players scattered around the globe, many are looking for ways to reduce latency, bypass geo-restrictions, and protect their privacy while playing their favorite battle royale game. This is where Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) come in handy.

By connecting you to a server in a different location, VPNs can enhance your gaming experience and provide an extra layer of security.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best VPNs for PUBG to help you achieve the fastest, most secure, and most enjoyable gaming experience possible.

In a Hurry? Here’s our Picks

Don’t have time to read through all the reviews? Here are our top picks for Fortnite players …

VPN	Best For
NordVPN	🏆 Overall Best
Surfshark	🎮 Best for Multiple Devices
IPVanish	🇺🇸 Best for USA
ExpressVPN	⛔️ Best for IP Ban Bypass
CyberGhost	✅ Best All Rounder
Hotspot Shield	🔥 Best Free VPN

How We Test

Our dedicated team of experts goes above and beyond to ensure that our VPN recommendations are accurate, trustworthy, and cater to the diverse needs of our readers. Read on to find out how we test VPNs.

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Best VPNs for PUBG

The best VPNs for PUBG and other online games are thoroughly examined below:

🏆 Overall Best: NordVPN

• Website: https://nordvpn.com/
• Based in: Panama
• Servers/countries: 5,600+ servers in 60 countries
• Unblocks Netflix: Yes
• Current Pricing: $3.29/month for 2 years (plus 3 months extra) on Standard Plan
• Supported Platform: Desktop, Mobile, Gaming Consoles, TVs, Raspberry Pi and Browser extensions.

NordVPN provides high-speed servers that ensure minimal latency when playing games like PUBG, Fortnite, League of Legends, Minecraft, and Hearthstone. The VPN also features NordLynx, an enhanced WireGuard protocol that improves download speeds and the overall gaming experience. With a base speed of 52.4Mbps, our tests showed an average download speed of 43.5Mbps using NordVPN.

See the table below for a brief overview of NordVPN:

List of key features:

1. WireGuard modern tunneling – Available
2. P2p-optimized servers – Available

Boasting over 5,600 servers across 60 countries, NordVPN offers a vast selection of server locations to ensure high-speed gaming performance. The tailored NordLynx tunneling protocol has been tested and proven to enhance the gaming experience.

The Kill Switch feature in the NordVPN app effectively blocks internet access if the VPN server connection is interrupted. To start using NordVPN for PUBG and other online games, we recommend the 2-year standard subscription plan as the most cost-effective option.

Check out the major pros and cons of NordVPN below:

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🏆 Best for Multiple Devices: Surfshark

• Website: https://surfshark.com/
• Based in: Netherlands
• Servers/countries: 3,000+ servers in 100+ countries
• Unblocks Netflix: Yes
• Current Pricing: $2.39/month for 24 months (plus 1 month extra)
• Supported Platform: Desktop, Mobile, TVs

With servers in over 100 countries, it’s simple to find a nearby Surfshark server for better ping and speed. Top games like PUBG, Call of Duty: Warzone, Overwatch, Minecraft, and Apex Legends perform well with Surfshark VPN. In our tests, Surfshark achieved an average download speed of 23.7Mbps from a base speed of 39.2Mbps.

See the table below for a brief overview:

List of key features:

1. Unlimited devices per license – Available
2. Ad blocker – Available

One Surfshark license allows usage for PUBG and other online games on multiple devices simultaneously. Gamers can connect various devices to different Surfshark servers, with over 3,000 servers available in 100+ countries and locations. Additionally, Surfshark provides a heavily discounted 2-year plan at $2.39/month.

Surfshark VPN employs AES-256 GCM encryption technology to safeguard gamers online, along with a built-in ad blocker for an enhanced gaming experience. As one of the few VPNs supporting the WireGuard tunneling protocol, Surfshark improves download speeds and ping rates for online gaming. For added security, it’s recommended to enable the Kill Switch feature, which blocks unprotected connections when the VPN server is down or disrupted.

Below are the significant benefits and drawbacks of Surfshark VPN for gaming:

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🏆 Best for USA: IPVanish

• Website: https://www.ipvanish.com/
• Based in: United States
• Servers/countries: 2,200+ servers in 75+ locations
• Unblocks Netflix: Yes
• Current Pricing: $3.33 for 2 years (only the first two years)
• Supported Platform: Desktop, Mobile, Fire TV

Gamers can choose the discounted 2-year plan to enjoy PUBG, Fortnite, Minecraft, Valorant, and Overwatch with incredibly low latency, thanks to IPVanish’s ultra-fast VPN servers. In our tests, the minimum speed we recorded was 10Mbps. IPVanish also allows online gaming on multiple devices using a single VPN license, making it a convenient choice.

IPVanish is among the few VPNs that permit one license to be used on multiple devices, suitable for PUBG gaming, video streaming, and more. With over 2,200 servers in 75+ countries, gamers have numerous options for connecting. IPVanish’s 2-year plan at $3.33/month is reasonably priced, considering it supports multiple simultaneous connections.

See the table below for a quick overview:

List of key features:

1. Unlimited connections per license – Available
2. Unlimited bandwidth – Available

A notable feature of IPVanish is its combination of high-end encryption and XOR cipher obfuscation, making connections virtually uncrackable. This makes it nearly impossible to track down any gamer using IPVanish.

For the best online gaming experience with IPVanish, it is recommended to use the WireGuard tunneling protocol, which enables gamers to enjoy fast download speeds and low ping rates.

Here are some of the pros and cons of IPVanish that gamers should note:

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🏆 Best for IP Ban Bypass: ExpressVPN

• Website: https://www.expressvpn.com/
• Based in: British Virgin Islands
• Servers/countries: 2,000+ servers in 94 countries
• Unblocks Netflix: Yes
• Current Pricing: $6.67 for 1 year (plus 3 months extra with discount)
• Supported Platform: Desktop, Mobile, Game Consoles, TVs, Router

ExpressVPN servers excel at reducing ping time and bypassing IP bans with ease. Another advantage of ExpressVPN is its ability to unblock Netflix and circumvent geo-restrictions effortlessly. It’s an excellent VPN for online games like PUBG, Minecraft, and Call of Duty. In our network tests with a base speed of 53.3Mbps, ExpressVPN achieved an average download speed of 48.9Mbps, which is quite impressive.

See an overview of ExpressVPN below.

List of key features:

1. Netflix Unblocking and geo-restrictions bypass – Available
2. Numerous servers – Available

ExpressVPN is ideal for playing PUBG and other online games requiring low latency. The 2,000+ servers are adequate, but its presence in 94 countries is the main selling point. Gamers worldwide can always find a nearby server for optimal ping rates and faster download speeds.

While ExpressVPN doesn’t offer the WireGuard protocol on its apps, it provides a high-speed Lightway protocol as an alternative. This proprietary Lightway protocol has been tested and observed to deliver a smooth gaming experience. Users’ data remains protected with AES-256 encryption, regardless of the protocol used. The Kill Switch feature, which ExpressVPN calls “Network Lock,” effectively safeguards a gamer’s device, activating when there’s a connection loss or the VPN server goes down.

On the downside, ExpressVPN comes with a premium price tag, which might be a deterrent for gamers seeking a more budget-friendly option. However, ExpressVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial to test its service.

Below are the pros and cons of using ExpressVPN for Minecraft and other online games:

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🏆 Best All Rounder: CyberGhost

• Website: https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/
• Based in: Romania
• Servers/countries: 9000+ servers in 91 countries
• Unblocks Netflix: Yes (with Netflix servers)
• Current Pricing: $2.11 for 2 years (plus 3 months extra with Spring Sale discount)
• Supported Platform: Desktop & Mobile

CyberGhost stands out as the top VPN for PUBG and a wide range of online games. As one of the few VPN services offering dedicated high-speed servers for gaming, CyberGhost boasts an average connection speed of 45Mbps and a ping of 41ms in our speed tests.

See the table below for an overview of CyberGhost VPN:

List of key features:

1. Dedicated Gaming servers – Available
2. Dedicated Torrenting servers – Available

Gamers worldwide can enjoy an exceptional gaming experience with CyberGhost’s extensive network of 9,000+ VPN servers in 90+ countries and locations. The VPN service goes the extra mile by providing game-optimized servers – an ideal feature for gamers.

CyberGhost apps include the WireGuard tunneling protocol, which enhances download speed and ping rate for online gaming. The VPN service also offers a Kill Switch feature to ensure maximum privacy during connection losses. CyberGhost employs the AES 256-bit encryption standard to protect gamers’ data and all users of its VPN service.

In terms of subscription and pricing, CyberGhost offers competitive plans, including a 2-year plan at $2.19/month with a 3-month bonus. Additionally, the company provides a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is longer than most competitors.

While CyberGhost has numerous benefits, it also has some drawbacks. Below are the pros and cons of using CyberGhost VPN for PUBG, online gaming, and other purposes.

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🏆Best Free VPN: Hotspot Shield

• Website: https://www.hotspotshield.com/
• Based in: California (U.S)
• Servers/countries: 3200+ servers in 80+ countries and 35+ cities
• Unblocks Netflix: Yes
• Current Pricing: $8.66 per month (Yearly plan)
• Supported Platform: Desktop, Mobile, TVs, Routers

Hotspot Shield has a total of 3200+ fast VPN servers spread across 125+ locations across the globe. There are more than sufficient VPN server options available to gamers.

At a base speed of 37.9Mbps, Hotspot Shield VPN connection delivered an average speed of 28.7Mbps. More importantly, its stable and fast connection powered PUBG, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Minecraft, Roblox, Age of War, and Overwatch.

See the table below for a brief overview of Hotspot Shield:

List of key features:

1. Connect 10 gaming devices per license – Available
2. VPN for Router – Available
3. Extended money-back guarantee – Available

By supporting up to 10 simultaneous connections, Hotspot Shield connects multiple gaming devices to different servers simultaneously. It also has 3200+ servers in over 80 countries. This helps to get the best server with low latency and ping rate for games like PUBG.

Hotspot Shield protects users’ connection with the 256-bit AES encryption standard, which is military-grade. It also masks the IP address and location of users connecting through its network. This is why it can be tough for hackers and stalkers to track down gamers using the Hotspot Shield VPN.

One thing Hotspot Shield also excels at is bypassing geo-restrictions and IP bans. It’s a faster means of getting back into a game that has initially banned a gamer’s original IP address.

Hotspot Shield supports the modern WireGuard connection protocol, which is best for achieving a better and more stable VPN connection. It’s a protocol that is not yet supported by some other VPN apps.

In terms of securing devices locally, the Hotspot Shield app comes with a Kill Switch feature. This blocks the internet whenever the VPN connection drops. This feature is essential for gamers using the VPN to bypass IP bans. The Kill Switch ensures they don’t get caught mid-way into the game if there’s a connection error.

How we selected and tested this VPN

Hotspot Shield was picked as the best Free VPN for PUBG after considering the following factors:

1. Servers and locations

The Hotspot Shield app gives access to 3200+ premium servers in over 80 countries and 35 cities worldwide. It was a better choice to get the fastest server for smooth PUBG gaming. All the nearby servers gave lower latency and ping rates than far away ones.

2. Speed

Hotspot Shield gives consistent download speed when playing PUBG on desktop and mobile devices. It’s worth reiterating that nearby servers often perform better for gaming than long-distance servers.

Another important factor for getting good speed is by connecting with the WireGuard protocol on Hotspot Shield. This VPN connection protocol delivers faster speed and stable connection than the other protocols.

3. Security and privacy

Hotspot Shield VPN app uses military-grade encryption (256-bit AES) standards to protect users’ data and internet traffic. It also changes the IP addresses and location of gaming devices.

When evading IP Bans, the Kill Switch feature of Hotspot Shield comes in handy. It helps to block the internet whenever there’s a network glitch. If this feature isn’t enabled, the game servers will detect a gamer’s real IP address when the VPN connection drops.

4. Additional features

Hotspot Shield supports and provides appropriate apps for multiple platforms like Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. More importantly, it has Router support.

Installing Hotspot Shield on a router enables the VPN to easily power multiple gaming consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation.

5. Price

Hotspot shield offers a free plan for those looking to try the VPN service at no cost. However, this free plan is limited to 1 device per license, 1 server location, and a 500MB daily data limit.

As for the premium subscription plans, it doesn’t come cheap. But that’s not much of a surprise, considering how the VPN powers PUBG and other games smoothly. It follows the popular saying, “good things don’t always come cheap.”

The amazing thing about Hotspot Shield’s subscription is that it offers a yearly pricing plan with a little discount. This option is good for long-term gamers looking for a premium VPN service that works with PUBG.

Can Online Games ban you from using a VPN?

Most games don’t ban people outrightly for just using a VPN. It’s usually the actions of a player that gets them banned.

Suspicious activities, and cheating, among other things that violate a game’s rules, will likely get a player banned despite using VPNs. The fact that a player is connected via VPN doesn’t shield them from getting banned for violating game rules.

How to use a VPN for Online Gaming

Getting started with VPN for online gaming is easy. Here are the steps involved in setting things up for the first time:

• Create a new Account – Head over to the VPN provider’s website and create a new account.
• Pay for the VPN subscription – Check their subscription plan and pay for any preferred one.
• Download the VPN app – Check for app download links on the VPN provider’s website and download the right app.
• Install and set up the VPN app – Install the downloaded app and set it up by login in with a premium subscription account.
• Configure gaming device or router – Follow the VPN provider’s guide for setting up routers or gaming devices to use their VPN connection.

Online Games keep kicking you out? Here’s how to fix it

There are so many reasons why online games kick people out. Below are some of the common ones and the quick fixes for them:

• Slow or Bad Internet connection: This is the first cause of online games kicking people out. A quick fix is to connect to a better Wi-Fi or LAN network. In some cases, the solution is upgrading to a better internet service provider (ISP).
• Conflicting apps: Antivirus software and apps sometimes conflict with game apps on mobile and desktop devices. Its often recommended to disable the Antivirus software for the period of gaming.
• Missing or Corrupted game files: When game files are missing on a device, it will likely kick out the gamer mid-way into the game. That’s why game launchers often come with a “Repair” tool. It helps to fix such issues relating to missing or corrupted game files.
• VPNs are disallowed: Certain online games disallow the use of VPNs. The best way to know this is by disconnecting from VPN and re-running the game to see if it works.
• Outdated drivers: Some games kick people out when the software drivers on the gamer’s device are outdated. The simple fix is to frequently update device drivers.
• Unusual causes: In certain unusual cases, most of the quick fixes listed here won’t work. The best thing to do in such a situation is to contact game support directly and ask for help.

Where are Online Game’s servers located?

Developers and companies behind online games determine where the game servers are located. The good thing about this day and age is that many game production companies spread their servers across the world. They do this because the players are usually from various parts of the world.

The important thing about game servers is not their location. It’s the latency and ping rate they offer at a given time. Also, game servers with low latency and ping rates are most likely closer to a gamer’s location.

The best way to pick a good server is by checking the one with the lowest latency and ping. This is if the game server location is not revealed.

How to choose the best Online Game server location?

Here are some good tips for choosing the best online game server location:

• Checking with other players: Gamers in the same area might have an idea of the best game server location for a specific game. It’s just a matter of asking them to know.
• Trying out different game servers: Sometimes, the best way to find a good game server location is by trying out different ones and taking notes.
• Checking the server Latency & Ping: It’s general knowledge in the gaming world that game server locations with lower latency and ping are the best.
• Checking the server load: It’s not uncommon to see overpopulated game server locations performing worse than less populated servers. The solution is as simple as picking a server with fewer players.
• Understanding the needed speed: Online games have different genres. Some games don’t necessarily require the lowest possible ping to enjoy them. Games that don’t require a high response time should run smoothly on a server with higher latency and ping.

Can using a VPN reduce ping in Online Gaming?

Yes, good VPNs can help reduce ping in many online games. Good VPN services often pass their traffic through a more direct route than most Internet Service Providers (ISPs). That’s why a good VPN service can reduce game ping by a fair percentage.

Important Note: If a gamer’s internet connection is slow by default, a VPN app will not make it faster in any way. The first step to take in reducing game pings is to upgrade to a faster internet service provider. When a gamer’s internet connection is fast enough, VPNs would be like “icing” on the cake. They will make the games sweeter by reducing ping.

Can I play Online Games with a free VPN?

Online games can be played with a free VPN. Unfortunately, the experience can never be compared with using a premium VPN service. Free VPN servers are often congested and not so secure. This usually makes gaming difficult, messy, and unenjoyable with free VPN services.

Final thoughts

In choosing the best VPN for PUBG, the focus should be on getting a premium VPN service with a fast and reliable connection. Other factors that must be considered include the ping time, server locations, and the refund policy of the VPN provider.

It’s also recommended to use the free-trial plan in testing out a VPN service before going ahead to pay for a premium subscription. A refund can also be requested within the money-back guarantee period if the premium service doesn’t meet expectations. And it’s crucial to bear in mind that games like PUBG may penalize players who use VPNs to bypass region restrictions.

PUBG VPN FAQs

Which VPN country is best for PUBG?

Many gamers claim that Asian VPN servers often give the best PUBG gaming experience. However, it’s recommended that a gamer try out different VPN servers and countries to know which works best in their location.

Which server is best for PUBG?

There is no absolute best server for PUBG, as many would claim. The best thing to do is try different servers to know which works best for a gamer.

How do I increase my PUBG speed?

A player can upgrade their PUBG speed by upgrading to a faster internet connection. It can also make a difference if a player connects to a server with the lowest latency and ping rate.

Which region is PUBG most popular?

The United States has the most online players in the PUBG game. Followed by India, Brazil, Turkey, and Russia. This is the PUBG players’ population by country.

How do I lower my ping in PUBG?

The easiest way to lower ping in PUBG is by connecting to a faster internet source. Other tips include using a native game booster, disabling background syncing, and changing to faster servers. Gamers can also create enough space on the gaming device.

Which VPN is the strongest and free?

There are several VPN providers offering free trials and “free forever” VPN services. It’s difficult to tell which is the strongest. But there are some popular VPN companies that offer a free plan. These include Hotspot Shield, ProtonVPN, Windscribe VPN, Atlas VPN, PrivadoVPN, and Turbo VPN.

Which is the No 1 gaming VPN in the world?

Many VPN providers in the world offer fast connection speeds for online gaming, streaming, and every other usage. A few include Hotspot Shield, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, IP Vanish, CyberGhost, and Surfshark VPN, among others.

Which country VPN is the strongest?

There is no strongest VPN country. The strength or stability of a user’s VPN connection is heavily dependent on their location and local internet service provider.

Which server is easy in PUBG?

It is generally believed that the Middle East and Korean Republic/Japan are the easiest PUBG servers. Similarly, it’s common to see gamers praising the North American and Asia servers for being more difficult.