If you're looking for the best VPN for PS5, look no further. NordVPN is our top pick right now for PS5 as it delivers the fastest speeds and the best Smart DNS implementation for unlocking foreign content. That said, ExpressVPN is also a great alternative if you’d prefer running your PS5 through a VPN router instead, with an easy setup process and stable, low-latency connections ideal for gaming.
We’ve been testing VPNs for over a decade and regularly update our findings with hands-on experience and performance data. It’s this expertise that you’ll see reflected in our guide to the best VPNs for PS5.
You should be aware that there isn’t a VPN client for the PS5 that you can install in the same way you can for your desktop, mobile, or Smart TV. Instead, you’ll either need to set up a Smart DNS connection on your PS5 or route it through one of our VPN providers' other methods.
5 best PS5 VPNs: a quick overview
The best PS5 VPN services 2025
NordVPN regularly features on our list of the overall top VPNs, so it should be no surprise that it’s the best VPN for PS5 right now. NordVPN’s Smart DNS allows you to get the most out of your subscription without needing a VPN client, making it ideal for covering your PS5. You’ll automatically be connected to all of the services on your PS5, bypassing regional restrictions in a flash.
The actual VPN servers are no slouches, either. NordVPN doesn’t offer its own VPN router, so you’ll need to set up your router firmware yourself, but it’s worth it. We’ve found that NordVPN’s servers are especially good at keeping ping times low and maintaining stable connections during long gaming sessions.
If you’re also gaming on PC, it’s worth checking out NordVPN’s MeshNet feature too, as it allows you to create instant LAN parties using NordVPN’s secure servers without any extra fuss.
Read more about NordVPN ▼
Ease of Use
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NordVPN doesn’t offer a native PS5 app, but it does make setup easy through Smart DNS. All you have to do is enable the DNS service in your NordVPN web dashboard. Then, head over to your PS5 and go to “Settings”, then “Network”, then “Settings” again, and finally “Set up internet connection”. Once you’re there, go to “Advanced settings” and hit “DNS settings”. Selecting “Manual” will allow you to enter the IP addresses you’ve copied down from the NordVPN dashboard.
That’s all there is to it, and now, when you connect to the internet on your PS5, you’ll be covered.
If you’d prefer to cover your PS5 via a router instead, NordVPN has some pretty thorough guides on how to load OpenVPN onto your router.
The NordLynx protocol is essentially an improved WireGuard, but currently it’s not compatible with the WireGuard implementation available on open firmware routers. As such, you’ll need to either stick to OpenVPN or check out another VPN provider like Surfshark for the time being.
Streaming
NordVPN is the reigning champion when it comes to streaming, too. Our speed tests averaged out at over 950 Mbps on our 1 Gbps testing line, making it one of the fastest VPNs on our list. Frankly, only Surfshark can keep up with these speeds.
During testing, there wasn’t a single streaming site we couldn’t access. We also didn’t notice any buffering during our tests, even when streaming in 4K.
Of course, if you’re using a VPN for gaming, there’s another stat you’ll also be concerned about: your latency. On OpenVPN, we found the lowest latency on our geographically closest server averaged out at about 11.1ms. NordVPN also had the lowest jitter of any VPN we’ve tested on PS5, making your connection incredibly consistent for those marathon gaming sessions.
The best beginner VPN
ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for PS5 users who want simplicity and reliability. Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN also offers a Smart DNS solution for PS5. However, where ExpressVPN really shines is in its router support.
Aircove is ExpressVPN’s custom router solution that runs its proprietary VPN protocol, Lightway. It’s been built from the ground up to provide top-tier VPN speeds and customisation, vastly outperforming other VPN routers using either OpenVPN or WireGuard.
While it’s a bit more expensive than the other VPN providers on our list, ExpressVPN justifies the cost by delivering powerful VPN coverage that’s simple to set up and 24/7 support coverage just in case anything goes wrong.
Read more about ExpressVPN ▼
Ease of Use
The installation process for ExpressVPN on PS5 is exactly the same as NordVPN. Setting up the custom router is a little different, however.
Purchasing an Aircove router comes separately from the ExpressVPN subscription, it’ll set you back roughly $100 on Amazon. Once you’ve got your hands on one, you just need to put your ExpressVPN login details into the router alongside your ISP login details.
There’s a lot of extra complicated setup you can dive into on the backend, but Aircove comes ready to use out of the box. When you connect your PS5 to it (or any device for that matter), you’re completely covered by ExpressVPN.
If you’d like to customize your experience on a per-device basis, ExpressVPN’s device groups feature allows you to change your location and other settings without interfering with other devices already on the network.
Streaming
Streaming on PS5 with ExpressVPN was smooth throughout our testing process. ExpressVPN has a strong reputation for streaming, and we didn’t find anything to the contrary. All of the streaming sites we accessed worked, whether we were using Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ or just YouTube.
While ExpressVPN clocked in slightly below our top performers at 898 Mbps, this is still blazingly fast on a 1 Gbps connection. As you’d expect, that meant no buffering or lag while streaming in 4K.
Our latency tests were just as impressive, as we found an average delay of 11.9 ms when connecting to our nearest server. Although NordVPN is just very slightly faster, you’re not going to notice the difference.
The best cheap PS5 VPN
Surfshark is the best cheap VPN available, but it’s on our list today for a combination of some incredibly thorough support literature and the flexibility provided by an unlimited simultaneous device policy.
Surfshark doesn’t offer a custom router firmware you can use to cover your PS5, but if you’re comfortable with doing a little more work to get your router working with Surfshark, there’s a great payoff for a really cheap price.
Read more about Surfshark ▼
Ease of Use
Surfshark is exceedingly simple to configure on PS5 using its Smart DNS settings. We found its setup guides clear, and the process took just under 10 minutes. Surfshark also comes with instructions on how to connect your PS5 directly through your PC or Mac desktop, allowing you to benefit directly from the full suite of Surfshark features on your PS5.
Surfshark’s Nexus network allows you to automatically change your IP address every five minutes, so if you can’t connect at first, all you’ll have to do is wait a bit, and you’ll eventually find a server that’ll get you into a PS5 lobby without any hassle.
Streaming
Surfshark handled streaming on our PS5 setup with ease. We expect consistently high speeds out of Surfshark, and it didn’t disappoint here at 950+Mbps on our 1 Gbps line.
We streamed full-length 4K videos from several streaming sites, including Netflix and Amazon Prime, with no lag or resolution drops. As for latency, Surfshark clocked in at 18.5ms to our closest server. That’s slightly higher than you’d see from NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but still well within what we’d consider a fast VPN for gaming.
A solid ping-busting alternative
Hotspot Shield isn’t quite as impressive as the providers we’ve already mentioned, but it’s here because the unique Catapult Hydra protocol delivers some seriously low latency when you connect your PS5 through a PC.
For online gaming where reaction time matters, that’s a big deal. There’s also the option to connect to Hotspot through a router, but the support isn’t quite as impressive as Surfshark, so it’s strictly for if you already know what you’re doing.
Read more about Hotspot Shield ▼
Ease of Use
Like the other options on our list, there’s no PS5 app for Hotspot. You’ll need to set up Hotspot Shield via router or Smart DNS for PS5. We opted for Smart DNS first and found that navigating through Hotspot’s web menus to find the IP address we needed wasn’t as easy as it could be, but we got there in the end.
As for router setup, it’s significantly more difficult. Parts of the Hotspot site are clearly outdated, and while at one point you could have bought a router pre-set up with Hotspot on it, that’s no longer the case. You’ll have to set up Hotspot yourself, and if you’re using one of the latest routers, you’ll probably find that there’s no good support for it on the site, meaning you’ll have to Google your way through it instead.
Basically, Hotspot definitely isn’t for a first-time VPN user, and unless you’ve really got a particular use case for it, we’d recommend you try out NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark instead.
Streaming
Hotspot Shield is not great at streaming for multiple reasons. First up, we weren’t able to access several streaming sites during our tests on PS5, including Netflix US, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and 10Play.
Considering that the providers above provided access to all of the streaming providers we tested, it’s a little disappointing to see Hotspot Shield can’t keep up. We also weren’t particularly impressed by the speeds offered by Hotspot Shield, as we only recorded a peak connection of 489 Mbps when using our 1 Gbps testing line.
This is a bandwidth loss of about 50%, far greater than the other VPN providers on our list. It’ll still work for streaming video, but don’t expect miracles on a slow connection.
However, Catapult Hydra did put in some serious work to get Hotspot Shield onto our list. 11ms is outrageously low latency, smoking every other provider on our list, barring CyberGhost. If all you care about is latency and SmartDNS support, check Hotspot Shield out.
Easy to use and super speedy
CyberGhost wraps up the tail end of our list with some gaming-optimized servers and an outrageously low latency. We’d definitely recommend you try out some of the other providers on our list first, but if every frame counts, then CyberGhost might be the provider for you.
You’ll need to connect to CyberGhost through either a router or bridging via your desktop to make the most out of those connection speeds, as the SmartDNS feature alone will only handle your domain requests instead of your in-game traffic while playing multiplayer games.
One issue with CyberGhost’s SmartDNS is that it only supports servers in the UK and the US, making it significantly less useful if you need to connect to other locations. That said, you’ll still get the privacy benefits of connecting to a no-logs DNS provider.
Read more about CyberGhost ▼
Ease of Use
Finding the Smart DNS credentials you need to enter into your PS5 was pretty easy, but we wouldn’t recommend you use them because of CyberGhost’s extremely small pool of Smart DNS servers.
Instead, CyberGhost shines when you use it through a router. You won’t get custom firmware like ExpressVPN offers, but the support guides required to set up OpenVPN on your router were pretty clear and straightforward. However, if you really need to walk through the setup from scratch, we’d recommend you go with Surfshark instead.
As for the actual desktop app, if you’d rather route your PS5 connection through a computer, it’s not too difficult to use. That said, it’s a little cluttered and rough around the edges compared to ExpressVPN’s simple-to-use client and doesn’t quite pack as much functionality into it compared to NordVPN or Surfshark. Overall, it’s really a jack of all trades in most ways except one, which we’ll get onto now.
Streaming
CyberGhost held up pretty well in our PS5 streaming tests. We were able to access every streaming site we tested, from the large ones like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, to regional streams like BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, 9Now, and 10Play. Our speed tests came back about as good as can be: 950+ Mbps on our 1 Gbps testing line.
We also saw some incredibly low latency when connecting to the nearest server, at only 2 ms. That’s practically unnoticeable, making CyberGhost one of the best choices if you’re concerned about your VPN connection getting in the way of your gaming session.
How we test VPNs
TechRadar's VPN testing starts at the provider's website, where we analyze its privacy policy, support options, and any claims it makes. We then anonymously sign up for the VPN service and download its apps on various devices, including setting it up on routers.
Next, we evaluate the apps' features, performance, and ease of use and compare them to the competition. To find out the connection speeds of a VPN, we test it at least 120 times by using two systems (a UK data center and a US home connection), multiple speed test sites, and various VPN settings.
Lastly, we try to access geo-blocked content from streaming giants Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer from three different locations around the world. This gives us an accurate reading of whether the VPN is worth recommending for users looking to unblock content on their gaming consoles.
How to choose a PS5 VPN
Choosing a VPN for your PS5 involves considering a lot of factors, most of which will be down to your personal preferences. However, there are a few criteria you mustn't ignore, including:
- Speed: a good gaming VPN has to be fast, as it must ensure little to no buffering, lag, and latency for a smooth and enjoyable gaming (or streaming) experience.
- Servers: a VPN with a vast network of servers around the world will give you more choices when it comes to spoofing your location and accessing geo-blocked content and game libraries.
- Security: pick a VPN with a bulletproof kill switch, strong encryption, and a strict no-logging policy. It should be able to not only anonymize you from your ISP but also protect you against DDoS attacks, swatting, and other malicious hindrances to your gaming.
- Compatibility: you'll want a VPN that works with your PS5, your other gaming gadgets (PC, Xbox, etc.), and your mobile devices. If you want to protect a number of devices, it's also worth looking at the number of simultaneous connections on offer.
- Ease of use: setting up a PS5 VPN isn't as straightforward as using a mobile VPN app. You should opt for an easy-to-use provider with sleek apps, plenty of guides (including how to install the VPN on a router), and great customer support.
- Unblocking: most VPNs offer Smart DNS for PS5, and they should back that up with great unblocking powers to allow you effortless access to geo-blocked content from all corners of the world.
- Price: the VPN you choose shouldn’t break the bank for you. While all of our recommended options offer excellent bang for your buck, you can consider getting a an inexpensive pick if you’re a bargain hunter.
PS5 VPN FAQs
Can you put a VPN on PS5?
Technically, you can’t install a VPN directly onto a PS5. Although the PS5 supports multiple streaming apps, it doesn’t support VPN apps. You can still use a VPN with your PS5 by setting it up on your router or using a Smart DNS feature provided by the VPNs on our list. While using a Smart DNS routes your domain requests through the best server to unblock access to regional gaming content, you’re best off sending your traffic through a VPN server, keeping your traffic private and potentially reducing the lag you experience while gaming.
How to use a VPN on PS5?
There are two main ways to use a VPN on PS5: via router setup or Smart DNS. Router setup protects every device on your network, while Smart DNS only affects the DNS requests of your console. Most of the time, Smart DNS is faster to set up and easier to manage. However, with an Aircove router from ExpressVPN, all of the hard setup work is taken care of for you, allowing you to plug in the router and get back to your favourite multiplayer games in just a few minutes.
How to check that a VPN is working on PS5
There isn’t a browser on the PS5, so there’s no easy way to check that your VPN is working. The best way is to see which content you’re being served with when you access an app like Netflix or YouTube, or to see which servers you’re being added to when you connect to a multiplayer game.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
