Updated on: April 26, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for Xbox in 2024:
- 🥇ExpressVPN: Maintains lightning-fast speeds for gaming and streaming, has top-notch security features, and provides support for cloud gaming platforms. Also, you get a user-friendly dedicated router app to protect your Xbox.
A VPN is a must-have for secure online gaming on your Xbox. It protects you from DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks, hides your gaming activity from your ISP (Internet Service Provider), minimizes lag, and even helps you unlock region-restricted titles.
But finding a good VPN for Xbox isn’t easy. Xbox doesn’t natively support VPNs, so you need a VPN that has router support. And, unfortunately, many VPNs can’t be configured on a router.
I tested dozens of VPNs and found that ExpressVPN ticks all the boxes for Xbox. It’s one of the few VPNs that has a dedicated router app, lightning-fast speeds, and great security for your gaming sessions.
Quick summary of the best VPNs for Xbox:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best VPN for gaming on Xbox in 2024 with cloud gaming support + very fast speeds.
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Secure and cheap VPN for playing games on Xbox with top-notch privacy features.
- 3. 🥉CyberGhost VPN — Great VPN with gaming-optimized servers for minimal lag when playing on Xbox.
- 4. NordVPN — Fast speeds on all servers for interruption-free gaming sessions on Xbox.
- 5. Surfshark — Affordable VPN for gaming on an Xbox with intuitive apps for beginners.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Xbox in 2024
ExpressVPN is, by far, the best VPN for gaming on an Xbox. It’s one of the only VPNs that has a native router app and supports cloud gaming on Xbox Cloud Gaming on Xbox Game Pass — ExpressVPN is also our #1 choice for gaming.
The router app is pretty easy to install. It took me roughly 8–10 minutes to set it up on my router and connect my Xbox to it. I really like the Device Groups feature in the app, which lets you set up different connection rules for each device in your home. For example, I created a “Gaming” group with my Xbox and computer, so whenever I’m gaming on my Xbox, the VPN connects me to the nearby server for the fastest possible speed.
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market. I didn’t experience any lag in my Call of Duty: Modern Warfare games on nearby or distant servers. Plus, when I streamed content on my Xbox, videos started right away, and there was no buffering.
I like that ExpressVPN offers anti-DDoS protection on all of its servers. This means that a sore loser won’t be able to DDoS you or the VPN server you’re connected to and force you to disconnect from it in-game.
The VPN also has other advanced security features, including an audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers (they wipe all data on every reboot), perfect forward secrecy (generates a unique encryption key for each session to protect past and future traffic), and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks — I ran 10+ leak tests and didn’t experience any leaks.
ExpressVPN lets you stream on your Xbox, too. Its reps confirmed that it works with 100+ streaming apps, including Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. But if you don’t want to set up the VPN on your router just for that, ExpressVPN has a smart DNS feature called Media Streamer that will let you use the VPN with your Xbox.
ExpressVPN offers several plans that start at $6.67 / month. It backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Xbox. It has a dedicated router app that’s easy to set up, supports cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, offers the fastest speeds on the market for lag-free games, and is very secure. All of its plans come with a money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great Privacy & Security for Safe Xbox Gaming
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a good pick for secure gaming on an Xbox. It has anti-DDoS protection on all servers and full leak protection, and it comes with RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. I also really like how transparent the VPN is — all of its apps are open-source, which means anyone can test for vulnerabilities. In addition, it regularly releases transparency reports that show how it didn’t comply with any data requests, so you know your data is safe.
PIA has good router support. You have to manually set it up since it doesn’t have a dedicated router app like ExpressVPN, but It works with a lot of router brands — it offers easy-to-follow guides with screenshots for every type of router it supports. I was able to configure it on my router in less than 15 minutes, which is pretty fast.
PIA delivers impressive speeds. I tested it on both local and distant servers while playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. I had low ping on the local server, and though there were some slowdowns on more distant servers, it wasn’t game-breaking.
PIA has a smart DNS tool that will let you use the VPN with your Xbox. PIA works with popular streaming sites, too. I had my colleagues in the UK and the US test it, and they confirmed it works with Netflix US and UK, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
Unlike ExpressVPN, PIA lacks support for cloud gaming platforms. I was able to use it on GeForce Now, but there’s no guarantee it’ll work for you.
Private Internet Access offers affordable plans that start at $2.03 / month, all of which are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access has advanced security features for safe gaming on Xbox. It offers fast speeds, maintains low ping, has good router support, and comes with a smart DNS feature. It backs each plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Great For Xbox Gaming On Optimized Servers
CyberGhost VPN offers dedicated gaming servers optimized for low ping. It has 70+ gaming-optimized servers in the US, UK, France, and Germany, so it’s a really great pick for gaming on an Xbox if you’re located in Europe. That said, all of its servers in 100 countries come with pretty fast speeds, so you’ll still be able to game without any interruptions on its regular servers.
I had really fast speeds with CyberGhost. I played a couple of Dota 2 games while connected to nearby and distant servers, and I barely even noticed any lag. The ping was stable in all of my games, though it was high on more distant servers — ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access were faster.
Setting up CyberGhost on a router is super easy. The VPN includes step-by-step guides with screenshots for every router it supports, which makes them really easy to follow. It took me only about 12–15 minutes to configure it on my router.
CyberGhost has anti-DDoS protection on all servers, comes with an independently audited no-logs policy, and uses RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and DNS leak protection. It also has an Identity Guard that lets you check if any of your usernames or passwords associated with your gaming accounts have leaked.
CyberGhost VPN’s plans start at $2.19 / month, which is pretty cheap for a top VPN. Its longer-term plans come with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, and its monthly plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN’s gaming-optimized servers make it a great choice for Xbox gamers. It can be set up on a lot of different routers and comes with really good speeds and strong security features. The VPN also backs its long-term plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is longer than any VPN on this list.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
4. NordVPN — Fast Speeds for Smooth Gaming Sessions on Xbox
NordVPN maintains low ping across all of its servers thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol. I played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare on my Xbox on both nearby and more distant servers, and I didn’t experience any significant lag. My ping was sometimes high on distant servers, but it didn’t disrupt my games.
NordVPN offers simple tutorials for every router it supports. All tutorials include screenshots, so you won’t spend any extra time figuring out how to set it up — I managed to configure it on my router in about 13 minutes.
NordVPN protects you from DDoS attacks, but it doesn’t have anti-DDoS protection on its servers like ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and CyberGhost VPN. This means that gamers on the opposite team won’t be able to DDoS your IP address, but they can target the IP address of the VPN server you’re connected to, which might force you to reconnect to the VPN.
NordVPN also comes with advanced security features, including an independently audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, full leak protection, and perfect forward secrecy. Plus, it has a smart DNS feature, which lets you use a VPN with devices that don’t normally support VPNs, like Xbox.
I really like NordVPN’s Meshnet feature, which lets you create a LAN network and connect up to 60 devices to it. That means you can host secure virtual LAN parties and make sure all of your friends’ connections are protected when gaming on your Xbox.
NordVPN $3.09 / month offers competitive plans. Plus, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of them.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN has really fast speeds, which is great for gaming and streaming on Xbox. It has great privacy and security features and easy-to-use tutorials for setting up the VPN on your router. All of its plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Super Affordable Plans to Game on an Xbox
Surfshark offers budget-friendly pricing plans, so it’s a perfect choice for Xbox users who are on a tight budget — no matter what plan you pick, you’ll get all VPN features.
Surfshark supports manual router configuration. It includes step-by-step guides on its website for the routers it works with, and I like that there are screenshots which made it easier to set up the VPN — I didn’t have any problem following the tutorial for my router. It took me around 15 minutes to finish the entire setup.
I had good speeds with Surfshark on local servers, with low ping and a stable connection for a couple of League of Legends games. When I connected to a more distant server in the US, my ping was high and there was some lag, but it didn’t affect my game. Still, I prefer ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access because they’re much faster.
Surfshark has anti-DDoS protection on its servers, so nobody would be able to DDoS the server you’re connected to and force you off it. It also comes with an independently audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and DNS leak protection.
Surfshark’s plans start at $2.29 / month, and it includes a 30-day money-back guarantee with all plans.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark makes a good pick for Xbox gamers on a budget — its plans are very affordable, and it has really good security features and anti-DDoS protection on its servers. The VPN’s speeds on nearby servers are great, and its router setup tutorials are very easy to follow. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Xbox in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN for Xbox in 2024
- Get a VPN that offers router support. As Xbox consoles do not natively support VPNs, having router support is a must. All the VPNs on my list support manual router configuration — ExpressVPN even has a dedicated router app.
- Choose a provider that has a smart DNS tool. This will let you use a VPN with devices that don’t normally support VPNs, such as Xbox consoles. All VPNs on my list offer smart DNS.
- Test for fast speeds. Due to the encryption process and the path that your connection needs to travel to get routed through the VPN server, VPNs slow down your speeds. But you’ll only notice minimal latency with top VPNs like the ones on my list. In my tests, ExpressVPN was the fastest.
- Go for a VPN that secures your gaming sessions. All VPNs on my list include industry-standard security features, including military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch that disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection drops, a no-logs policy, leak protection, and protection against DDoS attacks.
- Pick a provider with good value for money. All the VPNs I recommend offer affordable pricing plans, extra features like a smart DNS tool, and great money-back guarantee.
How to Set Up a VPN on Your Xbox
How to Set Up a VPN on Your Router
The VPN router configuration is slightly different for every router, as it largely depends on your router’s brand, model, and firmware. The instructions below can help you set up the VPN on your router, but for the best possible results, I recommend following your VPN’s instructions, which can typically be found on your provider’s site.
- Choose a VPN provider that offers router support. Make sure it’s compatible with your router. I prefer ExpressVPN because it comes with a native router app, and all you have to do is download it and set it up. But if your router doesn’t support the app, or if you’re using a VPN that only allows for manual configuration, you’ll need to follow the next steps.
- Get your router’s IP address. If you’re using Windows, open the Command Prompt by clicking Start and then typing “cmd” into the search box. In Command Prompt, type “ipconfig” and press Enter. You’ll find the IP address next to Default Gateway.
- Log into your router’s control panel. If you don’t know the login credentials, try any personal credentials you might have set up. If those don’t work, search for the default login details using a format like “[router model] default login” on your browser. Alternatively, check the router itself for any stickers with this information.
- Follow the VPN’s router installation guide. All VPNs on my list offer step-by-step guides for each router they support. All you have to do is find your router on your VPN provider’s website.
- Download the VPN server’s configuration files. Now, log into your router’s control panel again and upload the files. Once the configuration files are uploaded, your router will ask for the VPN login credentials. Enter the username and password you got from your VPN provider.
- Select a server. Pick a server location and enable the VPN connection by clicking on a button labeled Connect, Start, or Enable. Once clicked, you’ll see the connection status change.
- Connect your Xbox. Since your router is now connected to the VPN, all you need to do is connect your Xbox to the router as you normally would, via an ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. And that’s it! Your Xbox is now connected to the VPN.
How to Set Up a VPN Using a Smart DNS
- Register with a VPN provider that includes smart DNS services. Every VPN on my list has smart DNS, but my favorite is ExpressVPN.
- Get the smart DNS server addresses from your VPN provider. If not provided, press Windows key + R, type “ipconfig /all”, and press Enter. Note down the primary and secondary DNS server addresses.
- Add the primary and secondary DNS server addresses. Navigate to your Xbox network settings. Select Manual network setup under Advanced Settings.
- Save changes and reboot your Xbox. That’s it! You can now use the smart DNS tool with your Xbox console.
How to Set Up a VPN Using Ethernet + Wi-Fi Connection
- Download and install a VPN app on your PC. Launch the app on your computer and sign in with your VPN credentials.
- Connect your Xbox to your desktop with an ethernet cable (the faster option) or Wi-Fi.
- Set up the connection. Navigate to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center. Click on Change adapter settings. Find the VPN connection, click on Properties, and select the Sharing tab. Check the box that says “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.” In the dropdown menu below, select the ethernet or Wi-Fi connection you’re using to connect your Xbox.
- Check the connection on your Xbox. Navigate to Settings > Network > Network Settings > Wired Network. If you’re using Wi-Fi, select Wireless Network instead of Wired Network. Then, select Test network connection to ensure it’s working correctly.
- Connect your VPN. Open your VPN app, select a server you want to connect to, and start gaming.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Private VPN. Private VPN has router support and offers anti-DDoS protection, but it doesn’t offer many extras, and it wasn’t as fast as the other VPNs on this list.
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear is a beginner-friendly VPN with great security features, but it lacks router support and doesn’t have a smart DNS feature, so you can’t use it with your Xbox.
- Norton Secure VPN. Norton Secure VPN is secure and pretty fast, but it doesn’t have router support, so it won’t work with Xbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need a VPN on your Xbox?
Using a quality VPN on your Xbox offers lots of advantages. It secures your gaming sessions, keeps all of your online activities on your Xbox private, and masks your IP address, so nobody would be able to tell your actual location.
A VPN also helps you avoid bandwidth throttling, as it masks your online activities from your ISP, so they can’t slow down your speeds based on what you’re doing online. This allows for fast speeds, low ping, and stable connections.
What’s the best VPN for Xbox?
My top pick for Xbox is ExpressVPN. It’s one of the only VPNs with a native router app, which is very easy to install. It also has cloud support for Xbox Game Pass, lightning-fast speeds on all servers, and top-notch security features, including anti-DDoS protection on all of its servers in 105 countries.
Can I use free VPNs for my Xbox?
Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it. To start with, free VPNs don’t typically have router support, so your Xbox can benefit from the connection anyway. Then, even though there are good free VPNs, most of them often come with limitations, such as restricted server locations, slow speeds, and data caps. This way, you’ll have lots of lags and buffering while gaming.
Instead, I recommend investing in a reputable premium VPN like ExpressVPN. While it requires a subscription fee, you’ll get a native router app, lightning-fast speeds, top-notch security measures, and a wide range of server locations, so that you’ll get a smooth and protected gaming experience.
What is the fastest VPN for gaming on Xbox?
In my tests, the fastest VPN for playing games on my Xbox was ExpressVPN. It delivers blazing-fast speeds and low latency, and it has a vast server network in 100+ countries, so you can always find a nearby server to connect to and get faster speeds. When I tested it, I never experienced any lag in my games.
