The best Xbox and PS5 VPNs in 2024

PlayStation 5
De bedste tilbud på PS5 (Image credit: Mohsen Vaziri / Shutterstock.com)

With next-gen consoles finding their way into more and more homes across the world, the Xbox Series X and PS5 are still the most played consoles out there. These powerful machines are obviously made for gaming first, but also let you do much more. No matter where your online adventures with these consoles may take you, it's wise to have the backing of a VPN along for the ride.

Whether you'll be trying to hit some easier Warzone lobbies, skipping around geo-restrictions or streaming otherwise inaccessible content, a VPN can be one of the most useful tools on your console. 

Many users don't just use their Xbox or PlayStation to play games, but also to stream content from any number of online services. For this, a VPN can help navigate around region-specific content, for example, allowing you to access content even when traveling far away from home. 

In addition, a VPN will help keep you safe online, protecting your identity and shielding you from online hackers and threats that would otherwise breeze through the near non-existent defenses on your favorite console. 

But as there are so many excellent VPN providers out there, choosing the best service to suit your needs isn’t an easy task. To make things easier for you, we’ve rounded up the top VPNs for the Xbox Series X and PS5 you can get right now. 

Top 3 Xbox Series X and PS5 VPN

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Image

1. <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fexpressvpn.com%2Fvpn-server%2Fuk-vpn%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN - our favorite gaming VPN
ExpressVPN constantly tops our best lists for good reason. With great speeds, stellar security and robust apps, it's no wonder it's so well known. Bundle that with extra features and 24/7 support, and you really can't go wrong with this one.

Image

2. <a href="https://get.surfshark.net/aff_c?offer_id=61&aff_id=1691&aff_click_id=hawk-custom-tracking&aff_sub2=hawk-article-url" data-link-merchant="get.surfshark.net"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Surfshark - our favorite fast VPN
Surfshark reigns supreme at the top of our <a href="https://www.techradar.com/vpn/fastest-vpn" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="get.surfshark.net"">fastest VPN list, which means you won't have any speed issues while gaming – but there's much more to it. With superb security features, easy-as-pie mobile and desktop apps and a multitude of support options, this one really has it all where it matters.

3. NordVPN - a gaming VPN that wins

3. <a href="http://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=564&url_id=10992&aff_id=3013&aff_click_id=hawk-custom-tracking&aff_sub2=hawk-article-url" data-link-merchant="go.nordvpn.net"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">NordVPN - a gaming VPN that wins
NordVPN has been around for quite a while and learned a lot along the way. It's fast, super secure and is fantastic at getting around geo-restricted streaming services. Above -average speeds will keep your downloads flowing and your games from lagging, too! 

The best Xbox and PS5 VPN:

(Image credit: ExpressVPN)

1. ExpressVPN

Best overall VPN for Xbox and PlayStation - plus much more

Fast speeds: Very | Number of servers: 3,000+ | Server locations/countries: 160/94 | Maximum devices supported: 5 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu | Support: 24/7 live chat, web guide

Two ways to install on consoles
Clear instructions and great support
Vast server network
Unblocks most major streaming services
Not the cheapest VPN

The superb ExpressVPN tops a number of our best VPN lists, and this one is no exception. Sporting a long list of outstanding features, ExpressVPN can really transform the way you use your game console.

ExpressVPN offers access to a vast network of over 3,000 servers across 94 countries, all of which boast unlimited speeds for an improved gaming and streaming experience. Thanks to a built-in speed test feature, you can quickly connect to the best available server, and unlimited bandwidth means there’s no limit on the number of games you can download either. 

If web browsing or streaming is your thing, you’ll be happy to learn that you can unblock Facebook, Twitter, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Spotify and many other platforms with ease. What’s more, ExpressVPN boasts security and privacy features such as a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, zero-knowledge DNS and a no-logs policy.

So, what's the catch? 

Well, there isn’t a dedicated ExpressVPN app for Xbox or PS5 (but then, there aren't from any of the competition, either), but you can use it via the company’s MediaStreamer service or by installing it on a router (perhaps you want to check out ExpressVPN's own Aircove). Either way, there are clear instructions on how to do this via the ExpressVPN website. If you get stuck and need help, there’s 24/7 customer support, and you can get a refund within 30 days should you not be happy with the service.

Image

<a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fexpressvpn.com%2Fvpn-software%2Fvpn-consoles%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Special offer on best Xbox and PS5 VPN
As well as offering an all around great service, ExpressVPN also gives TechRadar readers the benefit of a special offer. Sign up for a year now, and you'll get an extra 3 months absolutely FREE! And if you're still unsure, you can also take advantage of its no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark - vpn for PS5 and Xbox

(Image credit: Surfshark)

2. Surfshark

A super cheap VPN option for gamers

Fast speeds: Yes | Number of servers: 3,200+ | Server locations/countries: 100+/63 | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu | Support: 24/7 live chat, web guide

Very affordable prices
Large server network
Unlimited devices
 May be too basic for some  

Surfshark is another fine option that is compatible with both Xbox and PlayStation. Topping our list of fastest VPNs, it’s extremely straightforward to use on these consoles thanks to its smart DNS feature, and it's hard to argue with the pricing!

As well as being relatively easy to set up, Surfshark allows users to connect to over 3,200 servers in 63 countries. It provides excellent speeds, a private DNS and won’t track your internet activity.

One of the most attractive things about Surfshark is that there isn’t a cap on the number of devices you can use, either, meaning you can take out a single subscription for all your devices. Surfshark also allows users to unblock Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Peacock and other streaming platforms, while promising to “reduce ping time and latency”.

There are also some nifty security features, too, such as protection against malware, adverts and web trackers, a kill switch, private DNS and leak protection, 256-bit encryption, secure protocols like IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN - as well as a camouflage mode to stop ISPs from finding out that you have a VPN.

If this all sounds good, you can pick up a subscription for around $2.30 per month. A bargain price for an excellent piece of software.


(Image credit: NordVPN)

3. NordVPN

Using VPNs doesn't come much easier than Nord

Fast speeds: Yes | Number of servers: 5,500+ | Server locations/countries: 80+/59 | Maximum devices supported: 6 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu | Support: 24/7 live chat, web guide

5,000+ servers
Double VPN for enhanced privacy
Unblocks major streaming platforms
We prefer mobile apps on other VPNs

If you’re looking for a VPN that is powerful, fast, easy to use and reasonably priced, NordVPN certainly has your back. It boasts more than 5,000 servers in 59 countries, giving you plenty of choice when it comes to finding available connections globally, and unlimited bandwidth. For Xbox and PlayStation, you can either connect via Smart DNS or your router.

NordVPN lets you access streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime TV, BBC iPlayer, and many other platforms from overseas. And thanks to the NordLynx protocol, you’ll experience impressive speeds when streaming and playing games on your Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. As well as this, NordVPN will help prevent your ISP from slowing down your internet speeds and allows you to connect up to 6 devices via a single subscription.

One of Nord’s more unique features is Double VPN, which will send your internet traffic via two VPN servers to improve privacy. And assuming that you're going to use your new VPN on other platforms, it's good to know that they come equipped with nice features including a malware and ad blocker, kill switch, extensions for Chrome and Firefox, DNS leak protection, a no-logs policy, as well as 24/7 support.

Subscriptions start at under $4/month (if you're happy to commit to a multi-year subscription), and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide that this isn’t for you.


(Image credit: CyberGhost)

4. CyberGhost

Massive server network and jam-packed with features

Fast speeds: Yes | Number of servers: 6,900+ | Server locations/countries: 110+/89 | Maximum devices supported: 7 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu | Support: 24/7 live chat, web guide

Huge amount of servers
Access to loads of websites
Lots of great features
Support website could be better

Looking for a VPN provider that offers an enormous amount of available servers? Then look no further than CyberGhost, which allows you to connect to over 6,000 servers across around 90 countries.

CyberGhost allows you to access numerous streaming platforms and websites, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook and Pandora. Although, in our experience, some of these are a bit more hit-and-miss than the providers above offer.

That’s on top of high-end features like 256-bit encryption, DNS and IP leak encryption, a kill switch, a choice of different protocols, a no log policy, unlimited bandwidth and traffic, high speeds, 24/7 customer support and a 45 day money-back-guarantee. Like the other providers, you can either connect a game console via connection sharing or by installing CyberGhost on a router.


PIA on a range of devices

(Image credit: Private Internet Access)

5. Private Internet Access

Protection for you gaming console that won't break the bank

Streaming sites unblocked: US Netflix, Amazon, Disney | 24/7 support: Yes | Refund period: 30 days | Number of servers: 10,000+ | Server locations: 100+ | Countries: 84 | Simultaneous connections: 10

So many servers
Dedicated IPs available
Loads of genuinely useful features
Still no security audit
Overwhelming apps

PIA rounds out this list nicely as an "all around" VPN that offers plenty of features. Its price sits in the middle of the pack, as does its speeds, performance and overall usability. Speeds suffered a bit over the past few years, but as of our latest testing, PIA is a strong contender that won't slow you down. 

The network of PIA servers is huge, with over 10,000 high-speed servers spread out across more than 84 countries. With a limit of up to ten devices, you can surely fire up your Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 and whatever other devices you have and still have room for more! PIA's Chrome extension is also top-notch if that's your thing. 

PIA has a slew of features, some of which can be overwhelming at times, but that also means you can tweak away to your heart's content. Streaming is a non-issue as you can unblock iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more as well. 


Xbox and PS5 VPN FAQ

What makes the best Xbox / PS5 VPN?

Our number one PS5 and Xbox VPN is the excellent ExpressVPN. It ticks all the boxes we'd expect from the best options, offering numerous high-speed servers, improving privacy and, if you use your machine as a TV box, unblocking a variety of streaming platforms.

Getting your VPN working with gaming consoles requires a few steps and isn't as easy as simply downloading an app, so we like providers to have easy-to-follow instructions online or - even better - instant 24/7 live chat support that you can access for quick answers to any problems you may encounter.

Affordability helps, of course. And we also favor providers that enable you to connect a range of devices simultaneously, so you can get the most from your subscription on your home computer, smartphone, tablet and more.

How do I use a VPN on my PS5 / Xbox?

Although using a VPN on your game console will provide you with a wide range of benefits, the downside is that installing one of these services can take a bit of time and tinkering.

That's because games consoles like the Xbox and PS5 aren’t designed for being used with VPNs, and so you can’t download dedicated apps for them. Therefore, it’s not as easy to install a VPN on a game console when compared to platforms like iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux – or even a VPN for Amazon Fire TV.

Before you can begin using a VPN on your Xbox or PS5, you’ll need to select a compatible provider, sign up for a subscription via their website and then get set up. Depending on the service you choose, there are different ways of connecting your game console to the VPN, which include:

- Setting up Smart DNS on your console

- By sharing your VPN connection via another device

- Install the VPN on your router

Whichever method you choose, your provider should provide comprehensive instructions of how to install and use the VPN via its website. If you run into any issues during this process, you can make use of the 24/7 customer support that most VPN companies offer. 

Nicholas Fearn is a freelance technology journalist and copywriter from the Welsh valleys. His work has appeared in publications such as the FT, the Independent, the Daily Telegraph, The Next Web, T3, Android Central, Computer Weekly, and many others. He also happens to be a diehard Mariah Carey fan!

With contributions from