Best VPN for PUBG in 2022: Mobile & Desktop Gaming With a VPN Server
PUBG has been one of the go-to battle royale titles, both for mobile and desktop gamers. That being said, adding a bit of security to your connection when you’re playing PUBG is always a good idea, and the best way to do that is to use the best VPN for PUBG.
— Last Updated: 2022-03-18T17:44:19+00:00 Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu
PUBG, which stands for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, is a game that seemingly came out of nowhere. The whole “battle royale” idea was initially implemented as a mod for ARMA 2, and its developer, Brendan Greene (who goes by the alias “PlayerUnknown”), turned it into an entire game. If you’ve been playing it, or are considering checking it out, you should consider the best VPN for PUBG alongside it.
The game is available for Windows as a desktop platform, and Android and iOS in the form of PUBG Mobile. You can also get it on consoles, as well as on Google’s Stadia, which we took a look into. Whichever platform you’re playing it on, it’s a good idea to add some kind of protection to your connection, which will keep you safe from things like swatting or a DDoS attack.
Key Takeaways:
- Using a VPN to play PUBG will secure your connection and add protection from DDoS attacks, as well as make sure that your user data remains private and for your eyes only.
- The best PUBG VPN is ExpressVPN, thanks to a combination of excellent speed and latency results, apps for every platform and an overall great feature set.
- NordVPN is only second because of its inconsistent speed results and somewhat complicated settings menu, but otherwise is just as good.
- Surfshark, CyberGhost and Windscribe are great choices if you want to save a bit on subscription prices, but each has some kind of compromise.
We reviewed all the best VPNs for PUBG, and the overall winner was ExpressVPN. It has apps for all platforms the game is available on, it gets you excellent speeds and latency, and it has a solid focus on security that will keep your connection private. It is a bit expensive, though, which is why we have four other alternatives, so let’s take a look at them.
Yes, you can play PUBG with a VPN, but you’ll need to choose a VPN provider that has an app for the platform you’re playing on.
There are several VPNs that are great for PUBG, but if money is no object, ExpressVPN is the best PUBG VPN.
Windscribe and ProtonVPN both offer free plans, albeit with some compromises. Windscribe imposes a 10GB data limit and gives you 10 locations to choose from, whereas ProtonVPN will throttle your speed and let you connect to only three locations.
Top VPNs for PUBG
- 1
- : PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, regional payment systems, WebMoney
- : 5
- :
- :
- :
- :
- 2
- : Credit card, Google Pay, AmazonPay, ACH Transfer, UnionPay, Crypto Currencies, PayPal (via Paddle)
- : 6
- :
- :
- :
- :
- 3
- : PayPal, Credit card, Google Pay, Amazon Pay
- : Unlimited
- :
- :
- :
- :
- 4
- : PayPal, Credit card, bitcoin
- : 7
- :
- :
- :
- :
- 5
- : PayPal, Credit card, bitcoin, Paymentwall
- : Unlimited
- :
- :
- :
- :
What Makes the Best VPN for PUBG Mobile & Desktop
When you need a PUBG VPN, you’re looking for a virtual private network service that has minimal impact on speeds and latency, has apps for desktop and mobile (and routers, if you’re a console player) and has a strong focus on security. These five VPNs tick all those boxes, and come with a few other qualities too.
- ExpressVPN — Premium VPN with blazing-fast speeds
- NordVPN — Very secure low-latency VPN
- Surfshark — Versatile VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
- CyberGhost — Affordable VPN with specialty gaming servers
- Windscribe — Highly configurable VPN with an optional free plan
The first thing you should consider with a PUBG VPN is its impact on speed and latency. Online gaming is all about fast reactions, and a slow connection and high latency aren’t doing you any favors. A good VPN will have a minimal impact on both, and will allow you to play PUBG Mobile (or desktop) without waiting for hours just to get to the pregame lobby.
Then, you should find a VPN that has an app for the platform you use to play PUBG. Almost all VPNs have a desktop app, but the same can’t be said for mobile apps — not every VPN has them for both Android and iOS. To make matters worse, console players need a router app, and very few VPN providers have one.
Last but not least, you should opt for a VPN that has good security. Not only will it encrypt your connection, but it will also add things like IP and DNS leak protection, as well as split tunneling and a kill switch to make sure you’re protected from DDoS attacks. It also needs a strict no-logs policy, which makes sure your user data is kept private.
The 5 Best PUBG VPN Services
By considering the aforementioned criteria, we chose five VPN services for the best VPN for PUBG. We also considered their subscription prices and overall features; with that in mind, these are the best VPNs if you want to play PUBG.
1. ExpressVPN
More details about ExpressVPN:
- Pricing: $6.67 per month for the yearly plan, plus three months free
- Provider website: expressvpn.com
Pros:
- Blazing-fast speeds
- Negligible impact on latency
- Easy-to-use apps
Cons:
- Very expensive
ExpressVPN isn’t just our pick for the best VPN or fastest VPN, it’s also the best PUBG VPN. It is hands down the best option when it comes to performance, but it doesn’t compromise on security or features. You can find out more in our ExpressVPN review.
When it comes to security and features, ExpressVPN ticks all the boxes. The proprietary Lightway VPN protocol is blazing fast and very secure, and you get IP and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, split tunneling and a strict no-logs policy. It also has apps for desktop, mobile and routers, so you can play PUBG on any platform.
ExpressVPN Speed Test Results
ExpressVPN doesn’t compromise when it comes to performance. Using it over the Lightway protocol resulted in negligible impact on both speeds and latency, which makes it an excellent pick for a PUBG VPN — a mere 3ms increase in latency isn’t something you’re likely to notice.
There’s no getting around the fact that ExpressVPN is expensive, and even the yearly subscription is still much pricier than most competitors. There is, however, a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you don’t like it.
2. NordVPN
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $3.71 per month for the two-year plan
- Provider website: nordvpn.com
Pros:
- Low latency on nearby servers
- Excellent security
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds when using OpenVPN
- Confusing settings menu
NordVPN is an excellent alternative for anyone who doesn’t feel like spending too much money on ExpressVPN, yet wants similar performance. The VPN service has apps for almost any platform, including routers, and you can read more about it in our NordVPN review.
NordVPN doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to security — you get the standard assortment of features, as well as access to obfuscated VPN servers that hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. The settings menu is a bit of a mess, and you’ll spend quite some time digging through it for advanced settings.
NordVPN Speed Test Results
NordVPN offers a speedy VPN connection with a minimal impact on latency, provided you stick to its NordLynx protocol. Unfortunately, the results weren’t consistent when we tried different servers when using OpenVPN, so you’ll need to go through a bit of trial and error until you find a VPN server that works for you.
NordVPN isn’t the cheapest VPN out there, but it does get you a better value than ExpressVPN if you subscribe for two years. If you find that it doesn’t cut it for you, you have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. Surfshark
More details about Surfshark:
- Pricing: $2.30 per month for the two-year plan, plus two months free
- Provider website: surfshark.com
Pros:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Optional static IP address
- Multi-hop servers for added protection
Cons:
- Expensive monthly subscription
Surfshark is the only VPN service on our list that offers unlimited simultaneous connections, bandwidth and data, and doesn’t throttle your speed. That, alongside the standard suite of security features and an excellent mobile app make it a great choice for a PUBG VPN.
To add to this, it offers the option to use a static IP address, which reduces the chances of your account being flagged for sharing, as well as multi-hop servers that add a second VPN server to your connection, improving security. You can find out more about it in our Surfshark review.
Surfshark Speed Test Results
Surfshark’s test results were solid, with a 10ms increase in latency and a negligible impact on speed. Even if you use multi-hop servers that introduce additional latency, you can still play PUBG without any issues.
Surfshark leans toward the more affordable side, if you’re willing to stay subscribed for two years. If you change your mind, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- : Unlimited GB bandwidth,Unlimited devices
- : Unlimited GB
- : Unlimited
- :
4. CyberGhost
More details about CyberGhost:
- Pricing: $2.15 per month for the three-year plan, plus three months free
- Provider website: cyberghostvpn.com
Pros:
- Specialty gaming servers
- Affordable pricing
- Apps for any platform
Cons:
- Mediocre speeds & latency over OpenVPN
When it comes to gaming, CyberGhost has an ace up its sleeve — it comes with specialty gaming servers, which are low-latency optimized servers in several locations. In addition, it gets you all the necessary security features, and you can find out more in our CyberGhost review.
CyberGhost’s apps are another of its strong suits. Not only are they available for almost any platform, but they’re easy to navigate and use. The desktop VPN app shows useful information like your upload and download speed, as well as the protocol you’re using without having to dig through menus.
CyberGhost Speed Test Results
Speaking of VPN protocols, if you want to get the best performance from CyberGhost, you should go with IKEv2. Unlike the mediocre performance over OpenVPN, IKEv2 resulted in a mere 12ms increase in latency and it didn’t heavily impact our speeds either, making it perfect for PUBG.
If you don’t mind subscribing for three years, CyberGhost is very affordable. It’ll even throw in three free months, as well as a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
5. Windscribe
More details about Windscribe:
- Pricing: Free plan;$1 per location per month, plus $1 for unlimited data
- Provider website: windscribe.com
Pros:
- Optional free plan
- Apps for any platform
- Minimal impact on latency
Cons:
- Poor speed performance
Windscribe is our usual suspect for the best free VPN, but 10GB of data isn’t a lot when you’re playing PUBG. The paid plan, however, removes that limitation and adds an ad blocker on top of all its features. These features include things like split tunneling, a network kill switch and a strict no-logs policy, making it a great VPN for PUBG.
Windscribe has a vast selection of apps for almost any device, including desktop and mobile platforms, routers and TV platforms. What’s great about Windscribe is that you can create your own plan with locations and features, and you can find out more about that in our Windscribe review.
Windscribe Speed Test Results
While Windscribe’s impact on latency was negligible, the same can’t be said for the speed. Speed results were poor across servers, and it will likely take a lot of trial and error until you find one that works for you.
Windscribe’s pricing structure is very versatile — you can build your own plan with unlimited data at just $1 per location, plus another $1 for unlimited data. It does need to step up its refund policy, though, as the three-day money-back guarantee is far from impressive.
- : Per “Pro” server location
- : 10 GB
- : Unlimited
- :
- : Unlimited GB
- : Unlimited
- :
How to Play PUBG Mobile With a VPN
Playing PUBG Mobile with a VPN will let you focus on getting that chicken dinner, knowing that your connection is private and protected from malicious intent — here’s how to do it.
- Install a VPN
Go to the App store or the Play store, depending on your operating system, and search for ExpressVPN. Then, download the app, let it install and log in.
- Choose a Server Location
For the best results in terms of speed and latency, you want to connect to a server that is physically close to you. Start the ExpressVPN app and connect to a server that is close to you.
- Play PUBG Mobile
When you’ve connected to a server that’s suitable for your needs, start up PUBG and get in a game.
Final Thoughts
When all is said and done, you should absolutely value your privacy and security when you’re playing online. The best way to keep your connection encrypted and private when playing PUBG is with a PUBG VPN, and there are several excellent VPN services that we can recommend.
ExpressVPN is the crème de la crème, with blazing-fast speeds and great security, and apps for any platform you could think of. Beyond PUBG, it’s a great Lost Ark VPN and FFXIV VPN, if MMORPGs interests you.
NordVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost are all more affordable alternatives, though each comes with some kind of compromise when compared to our top pick. Windscribe is the most versatile of the bunch, and it lets you build your own plan.
Which one of the best VPNs for PUBG is your favorite for PUBG Mobile? Do you prefer ExpressVPN’s approach, which is expensive, but with zero compromises, or do you want to pay a bit less in exchange for slightly slower speeds and fewer features? Let us know in the comments, and as always, thank you for reading.
