Best VPNs for PS5

Want to access early game releases in another region? Or get additional content from your favorite streaming platform? The best VPNs for PS5 can help, and protect against DDoS attacks.

A virtual private network (VPN) allows users to assume the IP address of any server in the VPN network, simply by connecting to it. This provides access to geo-restricted content as well as a measure of anonymity. Furthermore, all traffic flowing to and from the connected-to VPN server is encrypted, preventing your ISP from seeing which websites you visit. 

We’ll get into more detail about why we recommend particular VPN providers for PS5 consoles in greater detail later. For now, here’s a summary of our top choices:

Best VPNs for PS5: 

1. NordVPN: Our #1 VPN provider for PS5. Has 6,000+ RAM-only servers in 60+ countries. Its SmartPlay feature enables PS5s to access geo-restricted content, and it’s easy to configure with routers. Plans come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for PS5. Great for streaming and allows unlimited device connections. Compatible with routers and has a Smart DNS feature to spoof PS5 DNS addresses. Allows MultiHop connections and works in China.
3. ExpressVPN: Has a dedicated app for routers and RAM-only servers in 105+ countries. Works seamlessly with major streaming platforms and is fast enough for 4K streaming. Its MediaStreamer tool can spoof PS5 DNS addresses.
4. Proton VPN: Strong on privacy and great for both torrenting and streaming. Servers in 67+ countries, with high-security options that route traffic through dedicated Proton VPN data centers. Can be configured with routers to protect PS5 consoles.
5. CyberGhost VPN: Notably fast connection speeds and servers optimized for individual streaming platforms. Works with routers and has a smart DNS tool for spoofing PS5 DNS addresses. Has an audited no-logs policy and issues quarterly transparency reports.
6. PrivateVPN: Fast connection speeds and able to access a range of streaming platforms. Works with routers and its customer support can provide remote control assistance with configuring connections. 
7. IPVanish: Owns the majority of its network hardware and provides very fast connection speeds. Can be configured with routers to protect PS4 consoles and works with some streaming platforms. 

Summary Table

To obtain the above recommendations, we compared providers against a specific list of criteria. This enables us to more efficiently sift through the hundreds of available services. The criteria used are summarized below and expanded upon later in the article.

• Compatible with routers
• Large server network
• Fast connection speeds
• Strong privacy and security features
• Ability to access streaming services
• Good value for money
• Helpful customer support

To be included as one of our top three providers, we also require that VPNs have a RAM-only server network, independently audited software and infrastructure, effective obfuscation, and a location beyond the reach of cross-border spying alliances.

Best VPNs for PS5

Now let’s take a more detailed look at the best VPNs to use with a PS5.

NordVPN has thousands of servers worldwide and a raft of privacy and security features, which makes it a solid choice for consoles like the PS5. 

It provides detailed instructions on how to configure a connection with a router, which is the best way of protecting a PS5. Compatible devices include various Asus routers and select models from D-Link, Linksys, and Netgear.

Users who are willing to go online without encryption can alternatively use NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature to bypass geo-restrictions through DNS proxies. You do this by changing your PS5’s default DNS servers to Nord’s DNS servers in the console settings. In either case, the company adheres to a no-logs policy, which has been independently verified. 

NordVPN is great for streaming as well as gaming. It has impressively fast connection speeds – thanks in part to its lightweight NordLynx connection protocol. Moreover, it can access all of the most popular streaming platforms.  

Other features include 256-bit encryption; a kill switch; split tunneling; built-in leak-protection; and an automatic ad, tracker, and malware-blocker. NordVPN’s obfuscation is able to bypass Chinese VPN blocks in China, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. NordVPN has also made its Meshnet private tunnel free for everyone.

The company has servers in 60+ countries. These are all RAM-only, with some optimized for easy access to the Tor network, and others providing a Double VPN service that changes users’ IP addresses twice for additional encryption. 

Following a 2018 attack on a third-party data center in Finland, NordVPN began the process of colocation, which involves buying – rather than renting – all of its servers and managing them from purpose-built data centers. 

BEST VPN FOR PS5: NordVPN is our top recommendation. It works with a range of routers and is fast enough for intensive gaming. It’s able to access the major streaming platforms and its subscription plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark is a competitively priced provider with a number of interesting features. These include GPS-spoofing, a full GUI for its Linux app, the ability to rotate users’ IP addresses in-session for additional privacy, and the option to create bespoke MultiHop connections.

The company has 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries, all of which are RAM-only. These provide connections fast enough for PS5 gaming or streaming video in 4K. The service works well with all of the most popular streaming platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Surfshark is compatible with a range of Asus routers, as well as those running DD-WRT or Tomato firmware. Configuring a Surfshark connection will protect every device on the router’s network.

Those who are only interested in accessing region-locked content can use Surfshark’s smart DNS service to change their device’s DNS address. This is only useful for those devices that can’t natively support VPN apps – like the PS5.

Other Surfshark features include unlimited device connections; static IP addresses; a kill switch; built-in leak protection; and a CleanWeb feature that blocks malware, trackers, and ads. The company’s NoBorders mode enables connections in China, and there’s automatic connection for P2P clients.

Surfshark adheres to a strict no-logs policy that’s been verified via independent audits. It protects users’ internet traffic with 256-bit AES encryption, in conjunction with a SHA512 authentication hash and 2048-bit DHE-RSA key exchange. 

As of 2022, Surfshark is no longer independent. It merged with NordVPN’s parent company, Nord Security, which also owns Atlas VPN. 

GREAT VALUE: Surfshark has RAM-only servers in 100+ countries and a smart DNS tool to help devices like PS5s bypass geo-restrictions. It can be configured with routers and has fast connection speeds. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is a stalwart of the VPN industry, with security as its primary focus. Its Trusted Server technology, for example, involves the reinstallation of every server’s operating system on a weekly basis.  

The provider is relatively rare in that it produces a dedicated router app. This makes it easy to install ExpressVPN firmware on routers made by Asus, Linksys, and Netgear. These can then protect devices like PS5s, which don’t natively support VPN apps. 

Those with other types of routers – such as D-Link, Netduma, or Sabai – can configure a connection manually. If they want to bypass geo-restrictions without any encryption, they can use ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer tool.

The company has RAM-only servers in 105+ countries and speeds fast enough for lag-free gaming. The custom Lightway protocol allows for impressive speeds, while excellent streaming capabilities include access to Netflix US. It’s consistently able to access a large number of content libraries from the most popular streaming platforms. 

Other ExpressVPN features include a kill switch; a built-in ad, tracker, and malware-blocker; and split tunneling. The company has an Onion site on the Tor network and its obfuscation enables connections in restrictive countries like China. 

In 2021, ExpressVPN was bought by Kape Technologies – which was previously better known for the creation of software designed to inject adware into users’ browsers. Now an avowed cybersecurity company, Kape has added ExpressVPN to its roster of VPN providers. 

For its part, ExpressVPN says that it continues to operate independently. Since being acquired it has had independent audits of its software and infrastructure.

TRUSTED SERVERS: ExpressVPN has a router app to make protecting PS5s easier. It has very fast connection speeds and a MediaStreamer tool that can help bypass geo-restrictions. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Proton VPN places great emphasis on privacy and has garnered much respect from grassroots activists and journalists. It has 3,000+ servers spread across 71+ countries. It also has an additional 98+ Secure Core servers that route traffic via high-security Proton VPN data centers in Iceland, Switzerland, or Sweden. 

Connections are fast, which is partially due to the company’s VPN Accelerator tool. This uses a modified version of the OpenVPN protocol to more efficiently route traffic. The provider works well with streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. 

Proton VPN provides specific instructions on how to configure connections with a range of routers. These include models from Asus, pfSense, and Vilfo, as well as those running DD-WRT, OpenWRT, and Tomato firmware. 

In use, Proton VPN protects internet traffic using 256-bit-AES encryption for the OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, and ChaCha20 for the WireGuard protocol. The company has a clearly defined no-logs policy that’s been independently verified through independent audits of its software and servers. 

Subscriptions allow up to 10 simultaneous device connections and come with built-in leak protection; optional port forwarding; Tor-optimized servers; split tunneling; and an ad, tracker, and malware blocker. 

STRONG ON PRIVACY: Proton VPN works with several brands of router and is a good option for streaming and torrenting. Subscription plans include 10 simultaneous device connections and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

CyberGhost VPN is a great choice for PS5, combining notably fast speeds and dedicated gaming servers. It can be configured with any router that supports OpenVPN protocols.

The company has a huge server network of 10,000+ RAM-only options in 105+ countries. Some of these are optimized for individual streaming providers, making it easy to access multiple content libraries from the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

Those who are willing to go online without encryption can use CyberGhost VPN’s smart DNS tool to connect to DNS proxies and bypass geo-restrictions.  

Other CyberGhost VPN features include DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection; a kill switch; and 24/7 customer support. What the service doesn’t have is obfuscation or access to MultiHop servers. 

Split tunneling is available, but only on Android. Windows users can approximate the feature by creating a URL bypass with the SmartRules tool. This tool can also be used to automatically connect named apps to specific CyberGhost VPN servers. 

CyberGhost VPN was one of the first VPN providers to be acquired by Kape Technologies – a company that had previously specialized in making adware, before moving into the cybersecurity field. Since being acquired, CyberGhost VPN has had its no-logs claims verified through independent audits of its server network and management systems.  

FAST CONNECTIONS: CyberGhost VPN has RAM-only servers in 100+ countries and works with routers that support OpenVPN. It has very fast connection speeds and can access all major streaming platforms. Impressive VPN for gaming, plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

PrivateVPN is an independent Swedish provider that provides a good alternative to the more mainstream VPN companies. It works well with the major streaming services and has decent connection speeds to boot. 

The company provides detailed guides on configuring a connection with routers from Asus, Synology, and Linksys. It also works with those running Tomato and DD-WRT firmware. Reassuringly, PrivateVPN’s customer support can provide remote control assistance if needed.

Features include app-specific and system-wide kill switches, access to a SOCKS5 and HTTP Proxy, and built-in leak protection. PrivateVPN allows port forwarding, which is good news for torrenters – as is the existence of servers optimized for P2P traffic. The company’s stealth mode is able to bypass blocks imposed by China and other similarly restrictive countries.

Easily customizable apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. Subscribers can choose the level of encryption they want to use on their data and select from the following connection protocols: OpenVPN with UDP/TCP, L2TP, IPsec, PPTP, and IKEv2.

PrivateVPN acts as its own server host and ISP, which is a plus for security. It has a strict no-logs policy and is based in a country with strong data privacy laws. However, it’s worth noting that Sweden is also a member of the SIGINT Seniors Europe international intelligence-sharing alliance. 

STEALTH MODE: PrivateVPN supports a range of routers and works well with major streaming platforms. It allows port forwarding and its stealth mode can bypass Chinese VPN blocks. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

IPVanish owns the majority of its network hardware and provides subscribers with some of the fastest available connection speeds. Its 2,200+ servers are spread across 51+ countries and provide access to some streaming platforms – the most popular of which is Netflix.

The service can be configured with modern Asus routers as well as those running DD-WRT and Tomato firmware. IPVanish provides instructions on its website for configuring connections and its customer support team can also offer assistance. 

Subscriptions allow unlimited device connections and provide access to split tunneling, automatic start-up, a kill switch, and a SOCKS5 proxy.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, and FireTV. There’s no Linux app, though a connection can be configured manually. All apps come with built-in DNS leak protection and 256-bit AES encryption. Subscribers can choose to connect using the WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, or IPSec protocols.

IPVanish has over a decade’s worth of experience in the VPN industry and has changed ownership several times – with some owners seemingly more liberal in their definitions of privacy. In 2016, it provided the US Department of Homeland Security with details of one of its customers – despite claims that it kept no logs. The company was since acquired by J2 Global and has undergone independent audits to verify its no-logs policy.

FAST SPEEDS: IPVanish provides very fast connection speeds and owns most of its network hardware. It is most easily configured on Asus routers. Subscriptions include unlimited device connections and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

Methodology for choosing the best VPNs for PS5

Not all VPNs are suitable for use with a PS5. For us to consider a particular provider, they must fulfill a number of requirements outlined in our testing methodology guide. These are discussed below. 

• Compatible with routers: The PS5 cannot support VPN apps directly. However, owners can still get the benefits of a VPN by configuring a VPN connection on their WiFi router. All of the providers in our list are compatible with a range of routers and provide instructions for how best to configure connections. This makes it easier to connect to your gaming console. 
• Large server network: We look for providers that have a global network of reliable servers. VPNs with comprehensive networks make it easier to establish fast, low-latency connections and to source IP addresses in specific countries. Access to servers worldwide is a prerequisite. 
• Fast connection speeds: For the smoothest gaming you’ll need a VPN that can match your base connection speed. We perform regular speed tests to check that our recommended providers are fast enough for lag-free gaming. 
• Strong privacy and security features: All VPNs should be able to provide secure and private connections. To do this, they need to – at the very least – have a clearly defined no-logs policy, 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. Ideally, we also like providers to have split tunneling, obfuscation, MultiHop servers, and port forwarding. The VPN must improve digital security. 
• Ability to access streaming services: Although VPNs are frequently associated with being able to access region-locked content, not every provider is good at it. Video streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer are able to block all but a select few VPN services. As such, we regularly test whether VPN providers work with the most popular streaming platforms.
• Good value for money: Anyone who wants access to a decent VPN service will need to pay for it. One-month subscriptions are almost always expensive, so it’s best to sign up for at least a year. To ensure users get the best value for money, we only recommend providers that can justify their fees. If they can’t, then we don’t include them.
• Helpful customer support: The better VPN providers make it easy to get in contact with them. We prefer those that have 24/7 live chat available, with email support as back-up. Providers should also have a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge base. 

Bonus points

In order to secure a position among our top three providers, VPN companies must also meet the following criteria:

• Access to China: China has one of the most sophisticated VPN-blocking systems in existence. It renders all but a few VPNs ineffective or only sporadically functional. VPN services that can bypass these blocks will likely bypass any other restrictive country’s blocks and are therefore highly prized.
• Diskless servers: Traditional VPN servers store their operating systems on physical hard drives or solid-state drives. The problem with this is that data remains saved until overwritten, requiring time-consuming wiping protocols that decrease server uptime and longevity. If a server is compromised, any non-wiped data becomes accessible. Our top providers have addressed this issue by exclusively running their servers on volatile RAM. This ensures that all data is lost as soon as the server is turned off or rebooted. 
• Incorporation outside the scope of intelligence alliances: Numerous countries are part of intelligence sharing alliances, with the most well-known being the Five Eyes. This comprises Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These alliances allow members to request that partner countries conduct surveillance on their behalf, with resulting information accessible to all participants. To avoid becoming co-opted by these groups, the better VPN providers choose to incorporate their companies in countries which are not part of any publicly-known intelligence alliance. 
• Audited software and infrastructure: Consumer VPNs often require users to trust their claims – particularly those regarding zero-logs policies. A preferable approach is to bring in independent auditors to verify no-logs claims by evaluating the relative privacy and security of the VPN’s software and server networks.  

Can I use a free VPN with a PS5?

Probably not. The majority of free VPNs are incompatible with routers. Even if you do find one that works with a router, we wouldn’t recommend using it. Free VPNs can lack essential security features like strong encryption or a kill switch. Many log user data, including browsing activity, IP addresses, and device information.

Free VPNs have limited server networks, making it impossible to establish connections in more than a few countries. What servers are available typically become congested, with resulting connections that are slow and unsuitable for gaming. 

How to use a VPN with a PS5

Sony doesn’t allow VPN apps in its PlayStation store, though there are a few workarounds to ensure your PS5 connection is protected. We've listed a trio of connection methods below. 

Configure a VPN connection on a router

Configuring a VPN connection on a home router protects every device connected to that router – regardless of whether it natively supports VPN apps. Better still, the connection only counts against one of the allocated device connections included with subscriptions.

The best VPN providers offer detailed guidance on how to configure a connection for routers running various flavors of firmware. It’s relatively easy to do, though our recommended providers' customer support teams will be able to provide additional assistance if needed.  

Before signing up to a VPN subscription, check that the service is compatible with your router. Trying to flash your router with firmware to make it compatible with a particular VPN is complicated and risks permanently damaging your router. Many VPNs on this list sell pre-configured routers if you don’t feel confident in flashing firmware yourself.

Use a smart DNS tool

The top providers in our list provide users with access to a smart DNS tool. This doesn’t encrypt connections, but can help PS5s access otherwise geo-restricted content. 

Follow these instructions to use the PS5 smart DNS feature: 

1. Navigate to the PS5 homepage and click on the “Settings” tab
2. Open “Network Settings” and select “View Connection Status”. Write down the displayed IP address.
3. Open your chosen VPN app on another device. We recommend NordVPN for the best experience.
4. Choose the Smart DNS option and then “Activate SmartDNS” – this wording may vary between providers. 
5. Enter the PS5’s IP address, which you previously noted down. This will generate a primary DNS number and a secondary DNS number. Write both of these down.
6. Go back to the PS5 and navigate to “Advanced settings” and then “DNS settings”. Enter the two DNS numbers you wrote down. 
7. Use your favorite streaming services as normal, but with access to additional content libraries.

Use an ethernet cable

You can share your desktop computer’s VPN connection with your PS5. Follow these instructions to find out how to use an ethernet connection:

Windows

1. Open the “Control Panel” and then the “Network and Sharing Center”.
2. Click “Change adapter settings”.
3. Right-click the relevant active connection and select “Properties”.
4. Open the “Sharing” tab and select the “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection” option.
5. Click “OK”.
6. Go to “Network settings” on your PS5 and choose “Set Up Internet Connection”.
7. Choose the “Use a LAN Cable” option and click “Easy” on the following screen. 
8. Decline to use a proxy server when asked.

macOS

1. Open “System Preferences” and select “Sharing” and then “Internet Sharing”.
2. Click “WiFi” from the “Share your connection” menu.
3. Select “Ethernet” from the “To computers using” menu.
4. Enable “Internet Sharing” if it isn’t already enabled.
5. Go to “Network settings” on your PS5 and choose “Set Up Internet Connection”.
6. Choose the “Use a LAN Cable” option and click “Easy” on the following screen. 
7. Decline to use a proxy server when asked.

Best VPNs for PS5 – FAQs

Is it illegal to use a VPN with PS5?

VPNs are only illegal in a few countries, such as North Korea, Iraq, Oman, and Turkmenistan. However, using a VPN to bypass the geo-restrictions of a particular streaming or online gaming service is likely to breach the terms and conditions of that service. If VPN use is subsequently detected, this can result in the associated account being suspended. In practice, it’s more likely that access will simply be blocked. 

Can a VPN improve connection speeds?

On the whole, VPNs slightly reduce connection speeds due to the additional routing and encryption required. For the better providers, this reduction is negligible. To ensure the fastest speeds and least lag, try to connect to a VPN server that is nearest the game server being used. This is easier when using providers with large server networks.

Why use a VPN with PS5?

A VPN can help protect against distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) while gaming online. This is achieved by swapping out the player’s real IP address with that of a VPN. When DDoS traffic comes flooding in, it will hit the VPN server instead of your own device.

Can I buy games cheaper with a VPN for PS5?

Yes! By connecting to a VPN server abroad, you can access a regional PlayStation store. This causes the prices of games to change, and because of exchange rates and the difference in earnings around the globe, this can have a substantial effect on the cost of a game. 

The nice thing about purchasing games via download directly from the PlayStation store's website is that you can easily purchase the game you are interested in on any international version of the store. The price will be lower, but you will still be able to download and install the game to your PS5 in exactly the same way as usual.

If you are worried that it might be a bit hard to use a VPN to switch the region of a PlayStation store, don't be! The process couldn't be easier. All you need to do is subscribe to one of the PS5 VPNs we have recommended in this guide. Next, connect to a VPN server in the country where you believe a game is cheaper (we recommend locations like Brazil and Turkey, but you can shop around as much as you like!).

As soon as the VPN connects, simply hit refresh on the PlayStation store in your browser and you will notice that Google asks you whether you want to use Google Translate to show you the site in your usual language. If the PlayStation store does not switch regions automatically when you hit refresh, just delete some of the URL until it looks like this "https://store.playstation.com/" and then press enter. This will cause the regional version to load (thanks to your VPN).

Now, simply agree to Google Translate and navigate to the game you want to buy. The price will now show in the foreign currency, and you can check how much that is in your local currency using Google to see if it is cheaper.

Below, we have included one example of the different costs of Madden NFL 24 Deluxe Edition in three different locations. As you can see, the game price varies significantly in different regions, which means you can make some sweet savings by connecting to a VPN.

Madden NFL 24 Deluxe Edition

• USA: US $129.99
• Brazil: BRL 528.90 (US $109.26)
• Turkey: TL 2,000 (US $84.02)