The best PS5 VPN in 2025

PlayStation 5
(Image credit: Unsplash)

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

1. NordVPNThe best VPN overall

1. NordVPN – from $3.09 per month
The best VPN overall
NordVPN is our #1 pick for PS5, and it’s all about performance. With its proprietary NordLynx protocol, NordVPN gave us consistently low ping rates during our gaming sessions. Streaming on NordVPN is also seamless, even if you’re just using the Smart DNS feature to make sure the streaming site you’re using isn’t blocked. At only $3.09 per month when you buy into the two-year plan, NordVPN’s a cheap addition to your gaming setup that makes sure you won’t be locked out of regional DLC or gaming sessions in specific regions. A 30-day money-back guarantee means you can test it out risk-free, too.

2. ExpressVPNThe best VPN for beginners

2. ExpressVPN – from $4.99 per month
The best VPN for beginners
ExpressVPN is the easiest VPN to set up on PS5 thanks to its custom router firmware baked into Aircove routers. Yes, the routers are expensive at $100 a pop, but if you need rock-solid VPN support and don’t want any extra setup, there’s no better alternative. During our tests, it handled long-distance gaming sessions smoothly, with stable speeds across North America and Europe. It’s a bit pricier at $4.99 a month on the two-year subscription deal. That said, this does include 24/7 support in case you need help setting your PS5 up with ExpressVPN. Also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. SurfsharkThe best cheap VPN (and the fastest!)

3. Surfshark – from $1.99 per month
The best cheap VPN (and the fastest!)
Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections mean that if you’re trying to cover a household of gaming devices in addition to your PS5, there’s no better value for money. Surfshark also offers blazingly fast performance on local servers and some powerful security options in case you’re worried about your gaming credentials being stolen. We’ve got to spotlight their deep-web identity theft scanner here, which will also notify you if your banking information or personal details have been stolen, in addition to your PSN account. At $1.99 per month when you purchase a subscription for two years, it’s a smart choice for covering households with more than one gamer on the cheap. Like our other options, Surfshark comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. Hotspot Shield A solid pick forlow latency

4. Hotspot Shield – from $5.00 per month
A solid pick forlow latency
While Hotspot Shield certainly isn’t the best provider on our list, we were quite surprised with how well it works for gaming, thanks to its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol. If you play fast-paced competitive titles, it’s one of the more responsive options we tried. It’s also compatible with routers, which makes PS5 integration easier. Hotspot’s also a little more expensive than the competition at $5 per month, but you only need to lock in for a single year to get this price. If you’re unhappy with the service, there’s a 45-day money-back guarantee included.

5. CyberGhostSimple and speedy

5. CyberGhost - from $2.19 per month
Simple and speedy
CyberGhost offers specialized servers optimized for gaming, and they really do help. We saw improved ping and lower jitter when connected to these locations compared to every other provider on our list. That said, the Smart DNS support could definitely be better, so you’ll need to make sure you’re happy with getting the lowest ping at the expense of all the other benefits a worldwide Smart DNS network offers. It’s also one of the cheapest providers on our list at $2.03 per month for two years, with four extra months thrown in for free. There’s plenty of time to get familiar with CyberGhost and see if it’s for you, as you get a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

The best PS5 VPN services 2025

NordVPN running on a desktop, mobile devices, Apple TV, a router and game consoles

1. NordVPN

Elevate your gaming experience with an all-in-one security suite

Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 Play | Server locations: 140 in 110+ countries | Maximum devices supported: 10 | Can be used with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux (CLI), routers, PlayStation, Xbox

Tons of features for all-around security
Fantastic speeds
Competitive pricing
Unblocks all popular streaming services
Mobile apps can be awkward to use
Not the best for torrenting

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.

The best beginner VPN

ExpressVPN gaming VPN app running on PC, laptop, tablet and mobileTechRadar Editor's Choice award logo

(Image credit: ExpressVPN)

2. ExpressVPN

Instant protection from easy-to-use apps

Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 Play | Server locations: 160 in 105 countries | Maximum devices supported: 8 | Can be used with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox

Rock-solid privacy features
Perfect for beginners
Servers in 105 countries
Awesome unblocking power
Expensive plans 
Limited to eight simultaneous connections

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.

The best cheap PS5 VPN

Surfshark VPN for gaming on multiple platforms

(Image credit: Surfshark)

3. Surfshark

Blazing speeds and unlimited connections at budget-friendly prices

Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, C4, 9Now, 10 play | Server locations: 100+ | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | Can be used with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux (GUI), PlayStation, Xbox

Exceptional value for money
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Great unblocking power
The quickest service available
Windows kill switch isn't bulletproof 
Lots of virtual servers

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.

A solid ping-busting alternative

Hotspot Shield Free VPN on multiple devices

(Image credit: Hotspot Shield)

4. Hotspot Shield

Decent unblocking and speeds, but no Smart DNS

Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 | Server locations: 130 in 90 countries | Maximum devices supported: 25 | Can be used with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, PlayStation, Xbox

Fairly simple to use
Unblocks almost everything
45-day money-back guarantee
Below-average speeds
No Smart DNS
No kill switch with the free version

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.

Easy to use and super speedy

CyberGhost VPN app running on multiple devices and operating systems

5. CyberGhost

Dedicated gaming servers and tons of security benefits

Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock | Server locations: 126 locations in 100 countries | Maximum devices supported: 7 | Can be used with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox

Very useful server filters
Dedicated gaming and streaming servers
Easy to set up and use
Dedicated IPs are expensive
Apps aren't the most polished

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.

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.

Disclaimer

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.

Sam Dawson
VPN and cybersecurity expert

Sam Dawson is a cybersecurity expert who has over four years of experience reviewing security-related software products. He focuses his writing on VPNs and security, previously writing for ProPrivacy before freelancing for Future PLC's brands, including TechRadar. Between running a penetration testing company and finishing a PhD focusing on speculative execution attacks at the University of Kent, he still somehow finds the time to keep an eye on how technology is impacting current affairs.