Want to cut straight to the chase? The best VPNs for PS4 & PS5 right now are NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
Get the most from your Playstation with a VPN
If you’re an avid gamer, there’s a fair chance you own either a PlayStation 4 or the more recent PlayStation 5. One of the most popular features of these consoles is the ability to play online against your friends, but does it ever feel like they have a slight advantage? Like they react a little faster? Or they shoot a little straight?
As it turns out, you may be right! Some ISPs have a ‘soft data cap’; once you reach a certain amount of data, they will reduce your bandwidth and leave you with a higher ping. So what can you do?
A VPN could be the solution.
What is a VPN, and what does it do?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and essentially they exist to protect your data from prying eyes. When you connect to the internet through a VPN, your data is encrypted, so things like your location or browsing history are private, even from your ISP. This is especially useful if you are using unsecured networks such as public Wi-Fi.
A good VPN has many useful features that should enhance your online gaming experience when using your PlayStation 4 or 5.
- Data encryption will prevent any sensitive information from being stolen and keep you secure. Most VPNs have powerful encryption these days.
- No Data or Bandwidth cap will allow you to enjoy your gaming without worrying about high ping or big downloads. Call of Duty: Modern warfare alone is 140GB, so downloading this monster can be a pain for some gamers. Low ping is crucial for being competitive in games.
- Region-blocking will be a thing of the past. A choice of server location allows you to appear to be almost anywhere on earth, allowing you to play your favorite games on new servers. You can also access streaming sites like Netflix and Disney+, which offer different catalogs based on location.
- Online Censorship can be circumvented to use websites and play games that are banned in your region.
Can I install a VPN on my PS4 or PS5?
Unfortunately, both the Playstation 4 and the Playstation 5 use a proprietary operating system that Sony has developed. This means that third-party apps and programs can only be added to the Playstation Network once approved by Sony itself. Currently, there a no VPNs available on the PSN, and it’s unlikely Sony will allow any in the near future.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to use a VPN on your PlayStation, however. Depending on what you have available to you, there are several ways you can still connect to a VPN with your PS4 or PS5.
- Router VPN
- Virtual Router
- Smart DNS
It’s worth noting, however, that using a VPN will not change the location of your PSN account; you select this manually during setup. Depending on your VPN provider, you may also experience slower speeds than usual as your data is encrypted.
Router VPN
If supported by your router, you can use a configuration file and set up the VPN directly. Instructions will vary between routers and VPN services, so your best bet is to check the company websites for directions.
This route can be a little daunting if you aren’t technically minded, although some apps are easier to install than others. Even if your router is not app-compatible, it may still be possible to install a VPN using a config file; this is not for the faint-hearted, however. Router interfaces can be challenging to navigate and very basic; this option may be best left for the experts.
Some VPN companies, like ExpressVPN, have detailed guides on their websites on how to set up a router VPN. Take a look at their guide here.
Virtual Router
If you have a PC or Mac, then a virtual router may be your best bet. To set up a virtual router, you will need a computer with a Wi-Fi adapter, or two ethernet ports, and a VPN installed.
Once you have your VPN installed on Windows 10, simply head to the settings, set up a mobile hotspot if you’re using Wi-Fi, or share your connection in the adaptor settings if you’re connecting the PlayStation via an ethernet cable. If you use Wi-Fi, you can connect multiple devices like mobile phones and laptops to your VPN encrypted connection. A google search is the best way to find out how to do this with your VPN.
The downside to this method is that it requires a PC/Mac to be turned on, even if not in use. If that’s not a problem, then great, just remember to check that the VPN is switched on.
Smart DNS
If you want to use your Playstation to use streaming services like Netflix and view their extended catalogs, or get around geo-blocking, then using smart DNS might be the best route.
Altering your DNS (Domain Name System) to make your PlayStation appear to be in a different location is pretty straightforward. Just follow these steps:
- On your PS4 or PS5 got settings
- Then network
- Select set up an internet connection, then select custom
- Select either Wi-Fi or LAN
- Select Automatic IP address
- Select Do not specify DHCP Host Name
- Select Manual DNS settings
- Enter the Primary and Secondary DNS addresses from your VPN provider
- Select Next
Once you restart the Playstation, you should now be able to access extra content. We should point out that there is no universal unlock, so each region you want to access will need a different address.
It’s important to realize that using smart DNS does not give you the data protection that using a full VPN does. Since you aren’t connecting directly to the VPN servers before using the internet, your data is never encrypted. Keep that in mind if you plan to use the Playstation web browser to make online purchases or enter credit card details on the PSN.
The best PS4 and PS5 VPNs
So with all that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best VPNs available for Playstation and weighed up the pros and cons of each for you. In the end, the best VPN for you will come down to what equipment you have available, your budget, and whether or not you want to get your hands dirty.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look;
| Brand | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. NordVPN | $11.95/month | Ad Blocking |
| 2. ExpressVPN | $12.95/month | Security |
| 3. Private Internet Access | $11.95/month | Easy access |
| 4. IPVanish | $3.49/month | Multiple Servers |
| 5. Surfshark | $12.95/month | Powerful Servers |
1. NordVPN
- 60 countries with 5460 servers
- Smart DNS works with Netflix, Hulu, etc
- $11.95 per month or $117.36 for two years
- Fast speeds
- Lag-free gaming
NordVPN is a solid choice for any gamer to use on their Playstation console. They don’t have a dedicated router app, but they give instructions on setting one up here. High speeds and low ping on some servers make for a great gaming experience but be warned, some servers, such as Japan, had much higher ping.
The Smart DNS service works exceptionally well, even connecting to Amazon Prime, which has strong geo-restrictions. Instructions for changing your DNS can be found here.
We found NordVPN to be priced reasonably for the service they offer and great value if you take the two-year deal on offer.
Get started with NordVPN today.
>>MORE: VPNs For Sports Betting | Crypto Exchange VPNs | VPNs For ASUS Routers | VPNs For Apex Legends
2. ExpressVPN
- 90 countries with over 3000 servers
- 256 Encryption and IP leak protection
- Split tunneling
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- MediaStreamer service
- Router app
ExpressVPN is one of the more substantial entries on this list. High speeds and low ping on even the most remote server mean that online gaming is a seamless experience. This is reflected in the price, which is slightly higher than most VPNs, $12.95 per month or $99.95 for 15 months.
The router app makes installing ExpressVPN a doddle on supported routers, instantly protecting all connected devices. They also offer a MediaStreamer service, their version of Smart DNS. Take a look at how to set it up here. ExpressVPN allows six simultaneous connections, although it only counts as one connection and allows unlimited connections if installed on the router.
Support is 24/7 and very helpful, and the 30-day money-back guarantee is always honored.
Get started with ExpressVPN today.
3. Private Internet Access
- 77 Countries and 3500+ servers
- $11.95 per month or $69.95 for two years
- Ten simultaneous connections
- Split tunneling
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA has long been one of the most popular VPNs on the market, although this was due primarily to its formerly rock bottom prices. The increased costs have seen a service improvement, however, so it’s not all bad news. You can still grab a bargain with the two-year deal working out around $2.69 per month.
PIA offers middle-of-the-road speed and inconsistent latency, resulting in high ping, meaning it’s no longer a top choice VPN for Playstation. PIA connected to most streaming services like Netflix quickly on UK and US servers, but other countries were less reliable.
Private Internet Access has a robust tutorial section on their website, found here, which will guide users through router VPN setup and several other procedures. However, there is some concern about privacy as PIA has just been acquired by Kape technologies, whose reputation is less than stellar.
Get started with Private Internet Access today.
4. IP Vanish
- 75 Countries and 1600 servers
- Strong 256bit encryption
- 30-day money-back guarantee and seven day trial for IOS
- High speeds and low ping
- $3.49 per month or $31.49 annual (then $89.99 each subsequent year)
- Unlimited connections
IP vanish is something of a surprise package. They have stolen PIA’s crown as the cheapest VPN, but this doesn’t mean the service is cheap, far from it. IP Vanish allows you to select individual servers and shows the ping in the menu next to them, perfect for Playstation gamers looking for a fast server.
If you’re on a budget, IP Vanish could be your best option for gaming on PS4 and PS5. While not offering Smart DNS for streaming services, it hardly matters with close to 10,000 available IP addresses, and we had no problem logging into Netflix.
IP Vanish is available pre-installed on certain routers and has a manual setup guide here for the rest. The app is very lightweight and easily configured and comes highly recommended.
Get started with IPVanish today.
>>MORE: PS5 VPNs | VPNs With Static IPs | TextNow VPNs | Zee5 VPNs
5. SurfShark
- 65 countries with 3200 servers
- Unlocks Amazon Prime and other streaming services
- High speeds and low ping
- $12.95 per month or $59.76 for two years
- RAM servers
Surfshark is another excellent choice for Playstation owners. Almost every server has incredible bandwidth and high upload and download speeds; ping was never an issue. Surfshark also allows you to choose your security protocol. This is good news for gamers, as some encryptions are faster than others, and protocols like Wireguard hardly affect gaming at all.
Surfshark can also connect to just about any streaming service, although some, like Amazon Prime, have stricter restrictions and may need to be tried on several servers before they work. Once connected, though, the services work great with minimal buffering even at the worst of times.
Support for Surfshark is excellent, and instructions for setting up a router VPN can be found here, and Smart DNS here. Another great security feature is RAM servers. Unlike HDD servers, RAM servers wipe all their data after each use so that no personal data can be retained.
Our recommended VPN for Playstation
There are some strong showings here, and we’d recommend several of these VPNs for PS4 and PS5 gaming. If you’re on a budget, IP Vanish would be a solid choice, and if security without compromising speed is a priority, we would highly recommend Surfshark.
Overall though, there was one clear winner. ExpressVPN was comfortably the best option for Playstation gamers and anyone who wants to use streaming services. ExpressVPN was the most user-friendly option on our list and enjoyed superb 24-hour support. Lag was never an issue while gaming, and even the most troublesome sites like Amazon Prime connected quickly. ExpressVPNs router setup was the most painless by far and allowed us to connect unlimited devices easily.
If you’re looking for a great VPN to use on PS4 and PS5, get ExpressVPN.