7 Best Free VPNs for Gaming (for PC, Mobile, PS4, Etc.)

Cyberattacks happen in different online activities, including gaming. For example, while playing your favorite game, you could be a target for DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) or DoS (Denial of Service) attacks. Such attacks ruin your gaming experience by shutting you out of the game servers.

Additionally, among top online games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, PUBG, and GTA online, you may encounter certain geo-restrictions or come across blocked content. This doesn’t just apply to gaming on PC or console, but also now applies to gaming through VR headsets like the Oculus Rift, Quest, or Steam VR. One of the best solutions to such issues is using a gaming VPN (Virtual Private Network).

A VPN is an excellent solution to protect yourself from DDoS attacks, bypass geo-restrictions, and unblock gaming content. There are tons of VPN services available these days, ranging from paid services to completely free ones.

A free gaming VPN may be a good idea, but you must use the best there is. This article will discuss the best risk-free VPN services, the best free VPN services, and more. Stick with us.

Recommended Risk-Free VPN Services for Gaming

There are different reasons why you may want to use a free VPN for gaming. However, we can’t deny that paid VPN services offer better speeds, unlimited bandwidth, no-log policies, and other innovative features. This is why we recommend you opt for a risk-free VPN. 

Simply put, risk-free VPNs allow you to use the VPN for a while without the risk of losing your money. That is, these VPNs offer money-back guarantees on subscription plans, so if you end your subscription within the time the guarantee covers, you get a complete refund.

They are excellent replacements for free VPNs because you get the same premium features at no cost. Here are two risk-free gaming VPNs that are worth considering:

Overall Best in Our Tests

ExpressVPN

Overall score: 9.8

• Super-fast servers
• AES 256-bit encryption
• Supports private protocol, Lightway
• Money-back guarantee

Try ExpressVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

ExpressVPN is arguably the best gaming VPN service on the market. It is also our top risk-free VPN because it offers blazing fast internet speeds, robust security, and easy-to-use client apps compatible with major operating platforms and game consoles.

This provider operates more than 3000 servers in over 90 countries and has its headquarters in the British Virgin Islands. This extensive network of lightning-fast servers ensures that you don’t experience any interruptions during game pay, including lags.

ExpressVPN’s servers allow you to bypass geo-restrictions, unblock content and connect to layers in various regions in the world. This VPN also has unlimited bandwidth. Additionally, it uses special obfuscated servers to conceal your VPN usage.

ExpressVPN guarantees the security of your gaming activity. It uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption protocol to protect your data traffic. It also provides DNS leak protection, DDoS protection, perfect forward secrecy, and an automatic kill switch.

This VPN provider maintains a strict no-log policy. Additionally, its TrustedServer technology guarantees you that your data isn’t stored on a hard drive.

ExpressVPN client apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, routers, Playstation, and Xbox. Although it is a paid VPN, you can try its features risk-free, and if you choose to end your subscription within 30 days, you get a complete refund. A single account allows you to connect up to five devices simultaneously.

Cheapest Option

NordVPN

Overall score: 9.6

• Incredibly fast servers
• Great security features
• Verified no-logs policy
• Unblocks streaming platforms

Try NordVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Another risk-free service you could use is NordVPN. This VPN provider has a server network that’s optimized for speed and gaming. In addition, it guarantees your security, gives you the ability to unblock content, and provides other VPN features.

This VPN provider is based in Panama and operates more than 5700 servers in 60+ countries. This gives you so many server options, so you can connect to servers in different regions and enjoy your game. Thanks to its NordLynx protocol, its servers deliver lightning-fast internet speeds, which is super important for gaming. Additionally, there is no data cap, so you don’t have to worry about limited gameplay.

NordVPN boasts of a robust security system. It is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption which is currently being used by government agencies. It is also equipped with CyberSec to protect your connection from hacking, phishing, and malware. Additionally, NordVPN comes with a kill switch and DDoS protection.

In terms of privacy, NordVPN maintains a strict no-log policy. This means that there is no data about your activities or personal information stored on a hard drive or server. Furthermore, it uses Double VPN to provide an extra layer of privacy and security.

NordVPN is a paid service, but you can try the VPN risk-free for 30 days. In addition, its subscription plans have a refund guarantee, so as long as you end your plan within the 30-day money-back guarantee window, you won’t lose your money.

NordVPN has client apps available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and other devices. A single account allows you to connect up to six devices. So, if you need a fast, secure, and private VPN to play games for a while, this is a great choice.

Recommended Free VPN Services for Gaming

If you feel our risk-free VPNs isn’t what you’re looking for, here are five of the best free VPN services for gaming:

Best VPN with a Free Version

ProtonVPN

Overall score: 9.0

• Free version available
• Strong security features
• Reliable no-logs policy
• Allows Perfect Forward Secrecy

Visit ProtonVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

ProtonVPN is the best free VPN you could use for gaming. This VPN has a paid option with various subscription plans, a free version, and a free trial period that gives you access to all the premium features. The company is based in Switzerland, and it has over 1200 servers in 55 countries. It is one of the few free VPNs that offer almost all its VPN services for free. 

All its servers are optimized for high-speed connections and P2P sharing, which works well for gaming. However, with the free version, you can only access servers in about 3 locations. The downside to this is that the servers could get congested, resulting in slow and unreliable connections.

For a free VPN, ProtonVPN still has the best security measures. Your traffic will be protected by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. You also get an automatic kill switch, a built-in ad blocker, and DNS leak protection as a free user.

ProtonVPN is available on all major platforms you play games on, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. The apps are minimalistic and easy to use. With a free account, you can only protect one device at a time, while the paid plans let you connect up to 10 devices.

The good news is that you get access to all paid features for 7-days into your free plan. And if you decide to subscribe to this VPN, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee you can make the most of.

One of The Cheapest VPNs

Hide.me

Overall score: 9.1

• Advanced IP Leak protection available
• 1,800+ servers in 72 countries
• AES 256-bit encryption
• Offers a completely free version

Visit Hide.me

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Hide.me is our second-best free VPN service. It provides blazing fast speed for smooth gaming. It’s a popular name among free VPNs and for all the right reasons. This VPN operates 1900 servers in 75 countries, but you only access the entire network through a paid subscription. As a free user, you can only access five locations, including Canada, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the US.

The servers are fast, but you may experience faster speeds when connecting to a server near you. However, with few locations available for free, you may experience high pings. Hide.me also bypasses restrictions you may encounter in games and unblocks tons of content.

Although Hide.me doesn’t have any speed restrictions for free users, there is a data cap of 2GB monthly. This gives you less than 10 hours of secure gaming. It might not be enough if you regularly play data-consuming games like Destiny 2.

Hide.me protects you from malicious gamers with AES 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch. In addition, it supports several VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and others. Hide.me also protects you from privacy leaks and maintains a serious no-log policy.

Hide.me is compatible with most devices, including Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and routers. You’ll need to pay a subscription to use all its VPN features, but all the plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee to let you test the waters.

VPN with Easy User Interface

Hotspot Shield

Overall score:

• Super-fast server speed
• Remarkable unblocking ability
• Intuitive user interface

Visit Hotspot Shield

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

The next free VPN provider we recommend you use for gaming is Hotspot Shield. This VPN has the perfect blend of security and speed.

Hotspot Shield has an extensive server network, with servers located in more than 80 countries worldwide. However, only premium users have access to the entire network. As a free user, you’ll only be able to access the US server.

Hotspot Shield comes with data limits for free users, but they offer more data than other VPN providers. You get 500MB of bandwidth daily, which means in a month, you have about 15GB. This is quite reasonable because it allows you to play games for almost two hours.

This VPN provides fast speeds to both premium and free users. It uses its Catapult Hydra protocol to ensure you get the best speeds and security during your gameplay. In addition, Hotspot Shield uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data traffic and has built-in malware-blocking technology, so you have nothing to worry about.

Hotspot Shield is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. One account allows you to connect up to 5 devices, but only one device can stay connected on the free plan.

Best Completely Free Version

TunnelBear

Overall score: 8.4

• Offers a totally free version
• Available in 26 countries
• AES 256-bit encryption available
• Relatively reliable speed

Visit TunnelBear

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

If you’re new to using VPN services for your games, TunnelBear is a well-suited option. The VPN app is intuitive and has a beginner-friendly user interface. Then, with just a click, you can connect to one of its servers.

TunnelBear is based in Canada and operates a network of servers in more than 20 locations, which is open to free users. This allows you to connect to game servers in different regions or choose a server closest to you for faster speeds. If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is one to throttle your data, this VPN has a working solution. With its GhostBear mode, you can play your games without interruptions.

TunnelBear provides free users with 500MB of free data monthly. Unfortunately, this is a lot less than other VPN providers, and it means that you won’t be able to play games for as long as you like.

TunnelBear has some great security features in place. It is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption, and it also has a VigilantBear feature, which serves as a kill switch. TunnelBear also supports OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.

With a free account, you can connect up to five devices at once. Additionally, TunnelBear has client apps for desktop and mobile devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. If you decide to upgrade to a paid account with TunnelBear, you get its features, including unlimited data. However, there is no money-back guarantee.

VPN with the Best No-Log Policy

Windscribe

Overall score: 8.3

• Available in 60+ countries
• Unblocks geo-restricted platforms
• Offers a free version
• Blocks ads and malware

Visit Windscribe

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

This is the last VPN on our list, but Windscribe is still an excellent choice for gamers looking for free VPN services. It has multiple server locations available to free users, robust security, and other exciting features ideal for games.

Windscribe has a server network spread across 60 different countries, but only about 10 of these locations are available for free. These countries include the US, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Hong Kong, so you should connect to most major game servers. Not only are these servers fast, but they are also P2P-friendly.

For free, Windscribe allocates 10GB of free data monthly. However, you could increase your data allocation by engaging the company on social media. Unfortunately, Windscribe doesn’t boast of the fastest internet speeds out there, so you may experience some lagging or pings during gameplay.

Windscribe is equipped with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data traffic and split tunneling. It also has a built-in ad and malware blocker that protects your connection from malicious gamers and other third parties. Furthermore, Windscribe has a no-log policy.

Windscribe is compatible with most devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, and more. If you want more from Windscribe, you can upgrade to a premium account and enjoy unlimited access. However, the subscription plans have a brief 3-day money-back guarantee.

What to Consider Before Choosing a Free Gaming VPN

We’ve discussed the best VPNs out there that offer free services for gaming that are worth it. However, if you want to extend your search, here are a few things to consider before making a choice:

Speed and Data Limits

As much as you want the VPN to protect your privacy, it should also provide fast speeds. Many factors affect speed, such as the current online traffic, the device you’re using,  and proximity to the server. Choose a free VPN that can guarantee a smooth gaming experience with fast internet.

Additionally, free VPNs usually have limited bandwidth, so ensure that the one you use offers enough data to allow you to enjoy your games.

Security

A significant reason for using a VPN is to protect your data through encryption and other security features. Unfortunately, some free VPNs have a reputation for selling users data to third parties for profit. Ideally, you should choose a VPN provider that maintains a no-log policy or collects only the barest minimum and deletes it after a short while.

Conclusion

A VPN is the best way to protect yourself from DDoS and DoS attacks during gameplay. They also help you bypass geo-restrictions and unblock content in games. However, you only get the most from a VPN if you’re using the best.

Finding the best free VPN services can be tricky because of their limitations, such as slow speeds, data caps, and limited server networks. However, if none of these is a problem for you, you’ll find the best free gaming VPN on our list.