Bruce Dias 
Online gaming is more popular than ever. But as you play with people around the world, you might wonder if you should use a VPN. A virtual private network can have some benefits for gaming. But it’s not the right choice for every gamer. Here’s what you need to know to decide if a gaming VPN is a good idea for you.
What is a VPN?
First, let’s make sure we understand what a VPN does. A VPN is a service that creates a private network connection over the Internet. The VPN hides your real IP address and location. All your online activity goes through the VPN’s encrypted tunnel.
People use VPNs for many reasons, like protecting privacy and accessing geo-blocked content. Some gamers hope a VPN can improve their online gameplay, too. Whichever option you choose to use a VPN for, it is important to observe the law.
Notably, if you plan to use a VPN to access an online gambling site, it is advisable to do so only if online gambling is legal in your country. For example, in Canada, it’s legal to gamble online as long as you play at a licensed online gambling Canada site. Thus, you can still access your preferred casino even if you are out of the country using a VPN.
Potential Gaming Benefits of a VPN
There are a few possible perks a VPN could provide for gaming. The main one is the ability to choose which server you connect to. This could potentially lower your ping, or latency.
Ping is how fast your device can communicate with the game’s server. The quicker, the better. High ping means lag and puts you at a disadvantage.
Connecting to a VPN server closer to the game’s servers than you are might reduce ping. This mainly applies if you live far from the game’s servers to begin with. The VPN could provide a more direct connection.
Another gaming benefit is hiding your IP address from other players. This protects you from DDoS attacks and doxing by sore losers and trolls. Lastly, a VPN can prevent your internet provider from throttling your gaming speeds. They won’t know you’re gaming and can’t selectively slow down that activity.
Downsides of Using a VPN for Gaming
For most gamers, a VPN will probably not improve the experience. In fact, it could make it worse. The main drawback is slower speeds overall.
A VPN’s encryption process and routing will slightly reduce your internet speed. For gaming, it likely won’t be enough to notice. But it could slow downloads, making updates and new games take longer.
Cheap or slow VPN services could introduce extra latency too. More lag is the last thing you want when gaming. Stick to known fast VPN providers if you go this route. Another issue is possible terms of service violations. Some games and platforms don’t let you use VPNs. It could be seen as cheating or trying to bypass regional pricing. Check the fine print before you risk getting banned.
Finally, a VPN costs money. The top VPN choices are around $5-$15 per month. It might not be worth it unless you really need the benefits.
Gaming VPN Alternatives
For most players, the ping and speeds from your normal internet connection are good enough. Many games let you choose servers in the game settings anyway. You don’t need a VPN to do it.
Still, worried about a slow connection? Try these tweaks before getting a VPN:
- Use wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi if possible
- Close background websites, downloads, and streams while gaming
- Check that your router’s firmware is up to date
- Upgrade to faster internet speeds from your provider
These steps can reduce lag and disconnects without a VPN. No extra cost or setup is needed.
Conclusion
Whether you should use a VPN for gaming comes down to your specific needs and concerns. For the average gamer, the small chance of lower ping probably isn’t worth the cost and potential drawbacks. You’re better off optimizing your home network for gaming performance.
But if you struggle with high latency, unfair throttling, or privacy threats, a VPN could help. Serious competitors might find the investment worthwhile for the edge.
In the end, a VPN is just a tool. Whether it meaningfully improves your gaming comes down to how well it fits your unique situation. Most gamers will be fine without one. Focus on the fun and leave the VPNs for when you really need them.
