Best VPN for PS4 in 2022: Stealth Gaming
Setting up a VPN for your PS4 offers a ton of benefits, such as access to better game deals, added security while gaming and the ability to unblock popular streaming services, like Netflix U.S. Read on to see which is the best VPN for PS4 and PS5.
— Last Updated: 2021-05-06T13:12:38+00:00
Setting up a VPN for your PlayStation is a smart move, as it offers many benefits. For example, using a PS4 VPN can get you better game deals. Most VPN providers, like NordVPN, come with a large network of servers around the world, which allows you to change between different countries and find cheaper game deals in the PlayStation Store.
There is also security, too. Oftentimes, players are open to hostile DDoS attacks and swatting, leading to doxing or worse. Using a premium VPN service, like ExpressVPN (which is also the top choice on our best VPN list), will effectively cloak your IP address and prevent such attacks from happening.
Key Takeaways:
- Using a VPN service on your PS4 and PS5 offers added privacy and security while gaming, as well as access to more gaming servers.
- ExpressVPN is our top recommended VPN for PS4 due to its impressive speeds, low latency and ability to bypass geoblocking.
- The easiest way to set up a VPN connection on your PS4 and PS5 is through your router. This also effectively protects all of your other devices.
Read on to see what other benefits there are to using a VPN for PS4 and PS5 and check out our free VPN option, as well.
Yes, you can effectively enjoy a VPN connection on your PS4 or PS5 by setting up a VPN on your router or with an ethernet connection using your laptop or PC.
Windscribe is the best free VPN for the PS4 and PS5. With that said, we usually don’t recommend using a free VPN service — like Hola VPN (read about the worst free VPNs) — for consoles, since the service can often cause more harm than good.
Users will undoubtedly see a slight decline in their ping, upload and download speeds when using even the best VPN. However, the pros definitely outweigh the cons in this regard, since a VPN can help you avoid IP bans, bandwidth throttling and other unfair gaming restrictions.
It’s possible to use a proxy server for the PS4 and PS5, such as HideMyAss Proxy. However, while it might be free, it doesn’t offer the same security and privacy as a premium VPN provider.
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What Makes the Best PS4 VPN?
There are a number of criteria that helped us choose the top VPNs for PS4 and PS5. For example, is it secure enough? Are all the major streaming platforms accessible? Will it improve gaming performance (or not)? We considered all of these questions when creating this list. Here is a quick look at the top VPNs for PlayStation.
- ExpressVPN — Lightning-fast speeds and very secure
- NordVPN — Highly secure with a large server network
- Surfshark — Excellent for unblocking popular streaming channels
- CyberGhost — Very secure and easy to use
- Windscribe — Great free plan and easy to use
Security is crucial when gaming online. Luckily, the VPN providers on our list use AES-256 encryption, as well as an OpenVPN protocol, both of which ensure that your data remains private. Plus, your IP address is hidden, preventing the aforementioned DDoS attacks and swatting — where another player gains access to your IP address to uncover your true location and potentially send police to your door.
Speed is another important aspect to consider. While a minor drop in your upload and download speed is inevitable, a premium VPN provider shouldn’t cause too much of a decrease and ensure you can still enjoy a relatively fast gaming experience.
Since the PlayStation Store doesn’t have the option of directly installing a VPN app, you will need to connect your PS4 by accessing your laptop or PC’s network settings with an ethernet cable. You can also install the VPN directly onto your router. Overall, the router option is easier and ensures all of your gadgets are protected.
The Top 5 VPNs for PS4 and PS5
Read on to see which VPN is our top choice for your PS4 or PS5, as well as how each compares to one another.
1. ExpressVPN
More details about ExpressVPN:
- Pricing: $6.67 per month, billed at $99.95 for 12 months, plus three months free
- Provider website: www.expressvpn.com
Pros:
- Very fast
- Easy to use & safe
- Large network of servers
Cons:
- Expensive
The main reason we tend to favor ExpressVPN over other VPN providers boils down to its fast speeds and reliable security — a must for avid gamers. The same goes for streaming, too. If you decide to use ExpressVPN to access popular content — like Netflix or HBO Max — on your PS4, you won’t be let down.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN employs AES-256 encryption, paired with a solid OpenVPN protocol that’s almost guaranteed to keep all of your data private and away from prying eyes. Plus, ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 servers across 94 countries, allowing access to even better game deals and content.
Game Like a Pro With a Faster Response Time
Circling back to ExpressVPN’s speeds, during our testing, we found that our ping and latency remained low. This means that you can enjoy a much smoother gaming experience, without any unreliable connection issues. ExpressVPN excelled in this area compared to all the other VPN services on this list. You can read more in our ExpressVPN review.
It’s no exaggeration that ExpressVPN is expensive if you go for its monthly plan or even the six-month option. However, users can save more by opting for the annual plan, and they even get an extra three months free on top. If you aren’t satisfied with ExpressVPN’s performance, you also have a tried-and-trusted 30-day money-back guarantee.
- : Unlimited GB
- : 5
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ExpressVPN earned its top spot on this list not only based on its speed and security but also because of its ability to bypass geoblocking with the biggest streaming platforms, like BBC iPlayer and Netflix. Therefore, despite the high price, it’s definitely worth it.
2. NordVPN
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $89.00 for the first two years
- Provider website: www.nordvpn.com
Pros:
- Large number of network servers
- Highly secure
- Fast
Cons:
- No PayPal option
- Pricey monthly plan
NordVPN comes in at a close second to ExpressVPN. Both VPN services are fantastic, though you can see some of their differences in our ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison. Long story short, NordVPN rivals ExpressVPN when it comes to security, and it’s the top choice for torrenting.
The only minor downside to NordVPN is its speed. While it still earns the second-place spot on our fastest VPN list, sometimes you might need to play around with it a bit to find the best server. However, everything else is pretty great about NordVPN, including its ability to bypass geoblocking to access popular streaming channels.
Get the Best Game Deals With NordVPN
New game releases often differ from country to country, and if you want to snag the latest PS4 or PS5 game — or even a cheaper version of it — you’ll need to change your IP address. NordVPN has an impressive 5,700 server locations spread across 59 countries, giving you a wide range of options.
NordVPN’s long-term plans work out much cheaper than its monthly option. Therefore, its best deal is the two-year plan. If you are still on the fence about it, NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you still have the option to cancel.
- : Unlimited GB
- : 6
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Overall, NordVPN is still a very solid VPN service that provides exceptional security functions, can bypass geoblocking and more. Check out the other features in our NordVPN review.
3. Surfshark
More details about Surfshark:
- Pricing: $2.49 per month, billed $59.76 every two years
- Provider website: www.surfshark.com
Pros:
- Affordable
- Plenty of servers
- Secure
Cons:
- Average streaming performance
- No phone support or user forum
Surfshark is the second most affordable VPN on our list, just behind Windscribe. This well-rounded VPN service offers a lot of features we like, including access to all major streaming services and an excellent privacy policy — especially since it’s located in the British Virgin Islands, which boasts strong privacy laws.
This VPN provides an impressive 3,200 servers in up to 65 countries, including the Middle East and Africa. This allows you to access more game deals on your PS4 and PS5, as well as the ability to stream even more geo-restricted content.
NoBorders Mode to Game Anywhere
Surfshark can bypass geoblocking and access all the popular streaming sites, including Netflix U.S. and HBO Max. Plus, Surfhsark’s NoBorders mode allows you to automatically mask your VPN traffic as regular traffic in restrictive regions, so you won’t have any issues accessing servers even when gaming or streaming in countries with internet censorship.
While Surfshark’s monthly subscription isn’t the cheapest, its two-year plan is a very affordable, long-term option. Additionally, you’ll also have a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you change your mind.
- : Unlimited GB bandwidth,Unlimited devices
- : Unlimited GB
- : Unlimited
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Overall, Surfshark is a great, cheap VPN for PS4 and PS5. It offers great security against online attacks, it can access popular streaming sites. While we wished to see better speeds in general, if you’re connected closer to home, you shouldn’t see too much of an impact on Surfshark’s speed and latency. You can learn more in our Surfshark review.
4. CyberGhost
More details about CyberGhost:
- Pricing: $2.25 per month, billed $87.75 every three years, plus three months on top
- Provider website: www.cyberghostvpn.com
Pros:
- Plenty of features
- Secure
- Affordable
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds
CyberGhost comes in 4th on our list for various reasons. It’s a great choice for the PS4 and PS5, and it has even earned a spot on our best VPN for gaming list. While it might not be the fastest VPN, its ping remained consistently low across various locations, which reduces the chance for a connection loss or buffering while gaming.
Plus, CyberGhost has an impressive 6,100 servers spread across 112 locations in 89 countries. This gives you more access to a server network that’s less likely to be overloaded in one location, plus the more server locations allow you to get better game deals.
Stream Your Favorite Shows on Your PS4 & PS5 Console
CyberGhost is highly effective in its ability to bypass geoblocking and get into various Netflix libraries. Not only that, but we were also able to effectively stream content from BBC iPlayer, Hulu and Amazon Prime on our console, as well.
While CyberGhost is an affordable VPN service, its monthly plan actually costs more than ExpressVPN’s, and it offers only a 14-day refund period. However, CyberGhost’s three-year plan is much cheaper and even comes with a staggering 45-day money-back guarantee. What’s more, you can also opt for CyberGhost’s one-day free trial to give it a whirl.
- : Unlimited GB
- : 7
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While there are some factors, such as CyberGhost’s speed, that keep it from the top of our list, they still don’t change the fact that CyberGhost is a great choice for your PS4 and PS5. If you want to learn more, check out our full CyberGhost review.
5. Windscribe
More details about Windscribe:
- Pricing: A generous free plan, or $49 for the annual subscription
- Provider website: www.windscribe.com
Pros:
- Generous free plan
- Unblocks popular streaming sites
- Users can build their own plan
Cons:
- A little slow
- No WireGuard
Windscribe might be the last VPN on this list, but it’s by no means the worst. Windscribe provides one of the best free VPN plans and is very secure, employing AES-256 encryption with an OpenVPN protocol. While it may have scored a little low on our initial speed tests, after enabling the IKEv2 protocol, we saw a much better performance. You can read more about that in our Windscribe review.
For such an affordable VPN, Windscribe could also effectively bypass geoblocks surrounding Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and BBC iPlayer. Plus, it offers around 165 server locations spread across more than 60 countries, for better game deals.
The Best Free VPN for PS4
Windscibe’s generous free plan makes it one of the best free VPNs for PS4. You’ll have access to 10GB per month for free, which isn’t much for streaming, but it’s plenty of traffic for moderate gaming. This generous free plan blows other top affordable providers, like TunnelBear, out of the water with its cheap deals. It’s a great option for students on a budget who just need to take a load off from all their exams.
The free plan’s list of servers to choose from is limited, but if you want more locations to access better game deals, you can simply add extra Pro locations for just $1 per month each, which is part of Windscribe’s “build a plan” option. Otherwise, users can also opt for Windscribe’s affordable annual plan, which includes unlimited data.
- : Per “Pro” server location
- : 10 GB
- : Unlimited
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Overall, Windscribe is an impressive VPN, with only a couple of downsides. While we hoped to see a better speed performance, especially for gaming, it still performed very well during our streaming tests. Plus, it’s very safe to use. The fact that it also comes with a “build a plan” version gives it a major point, as it allows you to choose your own Pro locations, for an affordable price.
Honorable Mention: Private Internet Access
More details about Private Internet Access:
- Pricing: $2.69 per month, billed $69.95 every two years, plus two months free
- Provider website: www.privateinternetaccess.com
Pros:
- Large server network
- Uses WireGuard
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not great for streaming
- Inconsistent speeds
Private Internet Access (PIA) might be our list’s honorable mention, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s an affordable and well-rounded VPN service. While it does have some inconsistencies regarding its speed and streaming capabilities, PIA is highly secure and will go nicely with the PS4 and PS5. Plus, it offers over 3,400 servers spread across 64 locations.
PIA also comes with MACE, which is a sophisticated type of ad blocker (check out the best ad blockers). Furthermore, similar to NordVPN, PIA offers WireGuard, for advanced security protection and faster gaming performance. PIA also wins points for its affordability, especially regarding its monthly plan. Pop over to our full Private Internet Access review to learn more.
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To conclude, PIA offers a lot of benefits for its low price tag. It’s easy to use and can unblock Netflix U.S. on your PS4. However, from a gaming performance point of view, unfortunately, PIA’s speeds aren’t up to par, and it doesn’t really outshine any other VPN in any specific feature, which prevents it from earning one of our top-five spots.
How to Use a VPN on PS4 and PS5: Router vs Ethernet Cable
Setting up a VPN on your PS3, PS4 or PS5 isn’t overly complicated, and all of the providers on our list have handy guides on the official websites to help you to do so.
However, to keep it short, there are two possible ways to set up your VPN on your PS4 and PS5. You can use your PC or laptop’s internet connection and an ethernet cable, or you can set it up on your router.
We prefer the router method, as it’s the easiest connection method, and this way, all of your devices are protected behind the VPN. Each VPN has a different method for installing it on a router and usually has a guide for that.
Guides on How to Set Up Your VPN via a Router:
- ExpressVPN on your router on ExpressVPN’s website
- NordVPN on your router on NordVPN’s website
- Surfshark on your router on Surfshark’s website
- CyberGhost on your router on CyberGhost’s website
- PIA on your router on Private Internet Access’s website
- Windscribe VPN on your router on Windscribe’s website
Final Thoughts
Using a VPN provider on your PS4 or PS5 can greatly benefit your overall gaming performance, offer better game deals and earlier releases, protect you against DDoS attacks and more. It’s also easy to set up the VPN on your router and protect all of your devices at the same time.
ExpressVPN remains our top choice due to its impressive speeds, ability to bypass geoblocks and large server count. However, other providers, like NordVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost, also include great security features for cheap to protect you while you game. Windscribe comes with a generous free plan if you are still on the fence about getting a VPN.
Have you tried any of the VPNs on our list? Do you use a VPN on your gaming console? Let us know what you think down below in the comments, and as always, thanks for reading.