My team and I tested 45+ VPNs and shortlisted the best ones for Steam. We analyzed security features, connection speeds, average ping, and the extent and reliability of the server network to rank our choices. Based on these factors, I found a few VPNs that let you play securely with minimal latency. My top choice is ExpressVPN because it has superfast speeds and a reliable worldwide server network for low-ping gaming. Plus, its top security features, such as its IPv6 leak protection and server obfuscation, prevent DDoS attacks and help it avoid Steam’s detection methods. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not impressed, it’s easy to get a full refund. Access Steam With ExpressVPN Important! It’s possible Steam could ban your account for using a VPN. As long as you don’t use it to cheat, access games banned in your region, or to take advantage of foreign markets for cheaper games, then you should be safe to use a VPN with Steam.
Best VPNs for Steam — Full Analysis (2023 Update)
1. ExpressVPN — Lightning-Fast Speeds and Reliable Server Network Offers Consistent Lag-Free Gaming
Out of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds. During my tests, I connected to its nearby London server and got a download speed of 60 Mbps (only a 3% drop from my baseline connection). The ping never rose above 30 ms, which let me play Apex Legends on my Windows PC completely lag-free. For context, a download speed of 10 Mbps and a ping below 100 ms is recommended for smooth gaming in fast-paced online shooters like PUBG. For downloading games, you should have a bare minimum 30 Mbps. Its fast speeds can be attributed in part to ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol, which is optimized for speed and security. It’s much faster than the popular OpenVPN and just as secure, making it an excellent choice for gaming. Plus, you can use its split tunneling feature to send only your Steam traffic through the VPN tunnel, which improves overall device performance. Thanks to ExpressVPN’s extensive server network, you’ll always have reliable servers in the locations you need. This makes it easy to change your Steam region and maintain access to your full library while traveling abroad. Plus, if you’re playing on a restrictive network (like a university campus or in a country that censors the internet), ExpressVPN will automatically enable server obfuscation. This hides the fact you are using a VPN and lets you play Steam games even if the platform is usually blocked for you. Security is also top-notch to keep your Steam sessions secure. It uses AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, which is virtually impossible to crack. In addition, it offers IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection and an automatic kill switch. These prevent hackers from finding your personal IP address and initiating DDoS attacks against your home network. On the downside, ExpressVPN is a bit more expensive than other VPNs on this list — the cheapest plan you can sign up for is $6.67/month. However, ExpressVPN often offers generous discounts on its long-term plans. When I signed up for its yearly plan, I got 49% off my subscription. You can try ExpressVPN totally risk-free as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy, you can get a full refund. Curious about the guarantee, I contacted support via ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat and requested a refund. After a brief chat, the live chat agent approved my refund request without pressuring me to stay. I had my money back in 2 days. Try ExpressVPN With Steam
2. CyberGhost — Dedicated Gaming Servers Let You Easily Connect to the Ideal Location
CyberGhost offers gaming-optimized servers, so you can have a smooth gaming experience right away. You can easily find them under the “For Gaming” category within the app. These are optimized for fast speeds and low ping, meaning you don’t have to waste time finding the best server for online gaming. During my tests on its specialized Frankfurt server, I received a download speed of 54.5 Mbps (a 12% speed drop) and an average ping of 41 ms. This is perfect for online gaming — I never experienced any delay while playing multiplayer on GTA 5. CyberGhost is super easy to use. It took me 2 minutes to download and install the app on my Windows PC. If you’re not sure what the best server is, just use its “Best Server Location” feature to connect to the fastest available server. Using this, my VPN download speed increased to 56 Mbps. I also liked that CyberGhost has a built-in NAT firewall. It assigns each user a unique private IP address and blocks all communication that isn’t specifically requested by a device on your home network. This (plus military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch) provides solid protection against hacking attempts and DDoS attacks. The problem with CyberGhost is that its long-distance connections can be hit or miss. When I connected to its Melbourne server, my speeds dropped to 45 Mbps (around a 28% drop) — I had much better results with ExpressVPN. However, this won’t be a problem if you have a fast baseline connection. The plans are affordable — you can get a subscription for just $2.11/month. It also offers a dedicated IP add-on, which can reduce Steam flagging suspicious activity. While it isn’t confirmed how Steam detects VPNs, a common method is to block IPs that many users are sharing at once. A dedicated IP is your own personal IP, meaning you’ll dodge such detection methods. Each plan comes with a money-back guarantee which extends up to 45 days, so you can try CyberGhost for free. To ensure this guarantee is legitimate, I contacted support via the 24/7 live chat after 24 days. The rep only asked a couple of questions about my satisfaction and approved my request within 5 minutes. The money was back in my account after 3 days. Try CyberGhost With Steam
3. Private Internet Access — Customizable Security for Faster Speeds & Smooth Gameplay
PIA offers tons of customization options, allowing you to configure your VPN connection to fit your preferences. For instance, you can choose between AES 128-bit and 256-bit encryption. The former is a bit faster, but still strong enough to keep your Steam gaming sessions secure. You get IP and DNS leak protection no matter which encryption you use, and never once was my real location revealed during my leak tests. There’s also an option to choose between WireGuard and OpenVPN. During my tests, WireGuard gave me 17% faster speeds than OpenVPN. I also set up split tunneling, so only Steam was using the VPN connection — this just puts less stress on your machine and reduces slowdowns. You can easily increase your download speeds by tweaking your VPN settings. The server network is massive, letting you access your regional Steam library from anywhere. With 29,650 servers in 84 locations, if one server is giving you slow speeds, you’ll have plenty of alternatives to choose from. I tested 9 of its servers across Europe and North America — the connection always remained stable. Plus, I never experienced a ping rate of higher than 70 ms even on distant connections. On nearby servers, it was consistently below 47 ms. Since PIA has a lot of configurable settings, it can be a bit overwhelming — especially if you’re new to VPNs. However, it comes pre-configured in a working state, so you don’t have to customize anything if you don’t want to. You can sign up for PIA for as low as $2.03/month. Its 3-year plan is the most affordable option on this list. While a 3-year subscription is a big commitment, it’s definitely a good deal if you need a VPN for the long term. You can also add a dedicated IP for an extra cost. Included with every PIA plan is a 30-day money-back guarantee. After using the service for 26 days, I requested a refund over the 24/7 live chat. The support agent did try to get me to stay but approved my request after I said no. I got my money back in 4 days. Try PIA With Steam
4. NordVPN — NordLynx Protocol to Game Safely at Good Speeds
NordVPN comes with its own NordLynx protocol which offers top speeds and safety while gaming. It’s based on the industry’s fastest protocol, WireGuard, but it’s more secure. My ping on nearby servers was never more than 50ms. While testing NordVPN’s Germany server, I played Apex Legends (via Steam) lag-free. You can also stream UHD videos and download files without interruptions. The service has plenty of security features, such as AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and Perfect Forward Secrecy, which regularly changes your encryption key, making it even more difficult to steal your sensitive information. Using its double NAT tech, you’re well protected against DDoS attacks. This lets you game safely also on unsecured public WiFi networks. I ran several DNS/WebRTC/IPv6 leak tests, and my actual location wasn’t revealed. Besides, your personal data can’t be shared thanks to a no-logs policy. NordVPN offers Double VPN for extra protection — it means your traffic goes through 2 servers. You can use this feature on Windows, Mac, and iOS. One disappointment was that some servers took too long to reply, resulting in connection time-outs. However, the network is large (across 60 countries), so finding a reliable server takes a few seconds. Subscriptions are affordable — you can get started for as low as $3.29/month. I chose the 2-year plan, which is the most pocket-friendly. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, NordVPN lets you try all its features for free. If you’re not impressed, it’s possible to cancel your subscription by sending an email to customer support (24/7 chat also available). The process is pretty straightforward, and my credit card was reimbursed 5 days later. Try NordVPN With Steam
5. Surfshark — Camouflage Mode for Gaming on Restrictive Networks
Surfshark offers a special feature called Camouflage mode, which uses obfuscation to hide the fact that you’re connected to a VPN. This allows you to bypass VPN blocks, meaning you can game securely even on restrictive networks like at work or school. While testing Surfshark in China, I easily access my Steam account. Plus, NoBorders mode automatically lists the best servers to use in your current restrictive location. The VPN keeps your Steam games secure with strong security features, like AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. There’s the Bypasser feature (split tunneling) too, which lets you route only your chosen traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel. I recorded decent speeds on nearby connections. During my tests on the UK servers, the speeds clocked at 53Mbps, which is a 14% speed loss from my base connection. But my ping was consistently low, hovering around 57ms. I played Dota 2 and Warframe with no lag. One downside is that Surfshark doesn’t display the ping and load next to the servers when you’re connected. However, finding the best gaming server is easy by using the Fastest location button. The VPN also comes with 24/7 live chat support and Unlimited simultaneous connections to safely play Steam games on all your devices. You can get Surfshark for just $2.30/month. I recommend the 3-year plan, which saves you the most in the long run. Getting a refund is convenient since the service is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I contacted support through live chat, and the money was transferred to my bank account after a week. Try Surfshark With Steam
Quick Comparison Table: Best Steam VPNs
The table below offers a quick side-by-side comparison of VPNs on this list. If you’re still unsure which Steam VPN is right for you, take a look below. Game With ExpressVPN
Tips on How to Choose the Best VPNs for Steam
Knowing what metrics to look out for when choosing a Steam VPN will help you make the right decision. I used the following criteria to rank my top picks.
Fast speeds and low ping. Choose a VPN that offers fast speeds and low ping. If you experience a speed drop of more than 40% with your VPN on a local server, then you might want to explore other options. I thoroughly tested each VPN on this list to ensure that they have fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and low ping, so you can download games quickly and play without lag. Reliable servers worldwide. Each VPN on this list has plenty of server locations worldwide. This means that you can easily change your Steam region to whatever you like. Also, if the server you’re connected to stops working, you’ll have plenty of other options to connect to. Top security features. Make sure your VPN includes essential security features, like IPv6 leak protection, military-grade encryption, and an automatic kill switch. This way, you can have safe and secure gaming sessions protected from DDoS attacks. Plus, your VPN should have a strict no-logs policy, which ensures your online activity is kept private. Ability to unblock Steam. If you’re looking to game on a restrictive network, you’ll need a VPN that can reliably unblock Steam. Look for features like multihop and server obfuscation, as these help hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. Some networks, such as censorship-heavy countries like China, or even just your work or school WiFi, can detect and block a VPN connection that lacks these features. Easy to use. Get right to gaming by choosing a Steam VPN that takes minimal setup. The VPNs I’ve chosen can start securing your connection with just a few clicks. They also offer native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and many other modern devices. Responsive support. Be sure to choose a VPN that offers reliable support over live chat, email, or phone. Live chat is particularly nice, as it’s the least time-consuming. You can get answers to your queries almost instantly. Money-back guarantee. You should be able to test your VPN with Steam before committing to a subscription. Ensure your VPN has a trustworthy money-back guarantee. This way, you can try the VPN without risk and get a full refund if it’s not for you.
Will Steam ban me for using a VPN?
Using a VPN with Steam goes against Valve’s Steam Subscriber Agreement, and the company does reserve the right to terminate your account if you do this. However, I haven’t heard of a single instance where a user account was banned just because they were using a VPN to play games securely. You can also use a VPN to change your Steam region, giving you access to geo-restricted games. However, Steam takes this more seriously. If detected, action may be taken against your account. In addition, Steam games are available at much cheaper prices in countries such as Argentina and Turkey. So, if you change your region to one of these countries just to get a better deal, you’ll be risking a ban.
Why can’t I change my Steam region?
It’s possible that your VPN is leaking your true location. That’s why it’s so important to choose a VPN with robust security, like IPv6 leak protection and an automatic kill switch. In addition, Steam no longer allows you to change your region with the click of a button because too many users were taking advantage of foreign markets. Nowadays, you need to connect to a VPN server in your chosen country, add a valid payment method from that country, and make a purchase to prove your account matches your true location. Either that or contact Steam support to request a region switch, which takes a while. If you have a valid payment method and a solid VPN but you’re still running into issues, there could be a few other reasons why you can’t change your Steam region.
3-month cooldown period. You can only change your Steam region once every 3 months. This is to stop you from abusing the region change feature to access region-locked games and take advantage of cheaper prices. It’s possible that you recently changed your region and your 3-month cooldown period isn’t over yet. Steam has detected VPN use. It’s possible that Steam has detected VPN use and reset the 3-month cooldown period. Choosing a VPN that uses server obfuscation can help avoid this. For the best chance, do not change your VPN server location with Steam during the cooldown period. This reveals to Steam you’re likely using a VPN.
Will using a VPN with Steam slow down my internet connection?
A VPN usually slows down your internet speed to some extent. That’s because it routes your traffic through one of its own servers. As a result, your internet traffic has to make an extra stop, which can increase latency and slow down your connection speed. In addition, there are encryption mechanisms in place, which can also contribute to reduced speeds due to the additional overhead. However, the drop in speeds is barely noticeable when you use a top VPN provider, like ExpressVPN. During my tests, I encountered a speed loss of only 3% with ExpressVPN’s nearby servers. However, in some cases, a VPN might actually increase your connection speeds. If your download speed is really low during peak hours, your ISP is likely throttling your connection. With a VPN, your traffic is encrypted, so your ISP cannot see where it’s going and won’t slow it down. This means you can patch your favorite games or download new ones without days of waiting.
Can I use a free VPN with Steam?
You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Free VPNs often have slow speeds and limited data, so they’re not suitable for online gaming. It’s always better to use a low-cost premium VPN with fast speeds and unlimited data. In addition, free VPNs can have weak security, so they don’t protect you against DDoS attacks. Some collect and share your data, putting your privacy at risk. Even worse, free VPNs are often easily detected by Steam, which could get you banned.
Is using a VPN with Steam legal?
Yes, using a VPN with Steam is legal in most countries. However, some countries (like China and Iran) have restricted or banned VPN use. Using one in such countries can be against the law. My team and I don’t condone illegal activities, so please check your country’s latest laws regarding VPN use to ensure that you’re staying compliant. Play Steam Games with ExpressVPN
Get the Best VPN for Steam Today
It isn’t easy to find a VPN that works great with Steam. Thankfully, all of the above options ensure lag-free gameplay, while providing you with top-tier security and privacy protection. My top recommendation is ExpressVPN because it has ultra-fast speeds, a worldwide network of obfuscated servers, and top security features. This all ensures you can game without worry. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a trustworthy money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it, you have up to 30 days to get your money back.
To summarize, the best VPNs for Steam in 2023 are…
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