Best VPNs For Ps4/ps5 + How To Set Up Easily
I wanted to use a VPN to watch geoblocked streaming content and protect my privacy on my PlayStation like Ive been able to do easily on my PC. But I was worried it would be complicated to set up and slow my speeds down while gaming.
My team and I tested 100+ VPNs to see if they could easily unblock streaming apps and keep you safe on PlayStation without affecting gameplay with slow speeds. There are a handful of VPNs that have great speeds, can bypass geo-restricted streaming content and are easy to configure on a PlayStation console.
My favorite is ExpressVPN because it has superfast speeds for gaming, strong security features, and was really easy to set up. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN risk-free.
Will A VPN Improve My Speeds When Gaming
No, this is a common misconception. Only in rare circumstances can a VPN improve your connection speeds when gaming. In fact, you can typically expect a very slight reduction in your speeds when using a VPN due to the encryption and additional distance that your packets need to travel. If you want more information about this, check out Hannah’s guide on what is the best VPN protocol for gaming.
However, the services we recommend all provide top of the line servers, so the impact on your speed will not be noticeable.
Setting up a VPN on PS4
If you already have a VPN subscription and you want to know how to set the VPN up on your PlayStation, please read how to set up a VPN on PS4.
Does A Warzone VPN Improve Ping
It’s unlikely a VPN will decrease your ping as a VPN service tends to run slower than your own network’s peak speed. That said, there are ways a VPN can improve your connection.
Firstly, ensure you’re getting the strongest VPN connection possible, by choosing a server based nearby. It’s also worth taking a moment to run trial and error to see which server offers the best speeds. In turn, this can offer a more reliable performance throughout your gaming session, ensuring you maintain consistent speeds.
The alternative is relying on your own network, which may at times be faster, but could quickly deplete in the event you’re throttled.
Read more:
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How To Use A VPN On Ps4 Without A Pc
– by content
In this article we are going to explain how to use a VPN on PS4 without a PC. Virtual Private Networks are most commonly used with desktop computers, laptops and smartphones to access content that are geo restricted and to protect your privacy.
But it seems a little out of the ordinary to use a VPN with your PS4, a gaming console, so why exactly would you want to install one? What are the benefits of using a VPN to browse games on the PlayStation 4, and how can you install one without needing to hook up a personal computer?
In this how-to, well take a shot at persuading you to get a PS4 VPN up and running and guide you through how exactly!
Installing A VPN To Your Router
An easy way to get started with a VPN for your console is to install a VPN on your router.
This will allow you to simply reconnect to your Wi-Fi and have the ease of a VPN without much set-up work.
Heres how to get started:
Step 1. Open your routers control panel and find the tab where you can enter the VPN details.
Depending on the type of router, it may be labeled Setup,Settings, or Network. You can do this by heading to the control panel and clicking View network status and tasks.
Next, click on the Wi-Fi connection that you are using:
From here, click on Details to proceed:
Look for the selection of IPv4 Default Gateway and the accompanying number:
Copy the value of the gateway and head to your internet browser. Paste the value and hit enter:
You are now logged into your routers settings.
Step 2. Enter the VPN information, such as username, password, and address in the appropriate fields. You should have received this information after initially signing up for the VPN service.
Step 3. Save all of these changes and exit the control panel.
Step 4. Open the system settings for your Xbox or PS4 console and navigate to network settings.
Step 5. Choose the VPN connection and select to connect the Xbox or PS4 to the router.
Step 6. Save changes and exit.
With your VPN in place, you can enjoy a wider selection of entertainment without worrying about how your information is being transmitted and who is monitoring your activity.
Read Also: How To Setup VPN On Att Uverse Router
Reduce Ping Latency Spikes & Lags
Although latency is a real issue and something you expect when you set up a VPN for PS5 or PS4, however, in reality, a PlayStation VPN can actually sometimes help in this situation.
One method that works for reducing lag is setting up a VPN connection to a physically closer to the gaming server you are trying to play in. This can provide better ping than your regular internet. However, there is no guarantee that this method would always work.
This is why it is a good idea to check out the best VPNs with a free trial for their ability to reduce pings before you decide to pay for one. You might be thinking about using a free proxy server for PS4 and PS5, but it will not give you premium results as a VPN does. If youre looking for more VPNs for gaming, you can check out this list.
How To Install A VPN On Ps4
If you want to install a VPN on PS4, read our step-by-step guide to learn how to do it and benefit from avoiding bandwidth throttling, and also bypassing geo-restrictions on your console
ByNikshep MyleLast updated 2021-05-10T09:38:18.709Z
As more of us begin to work remotely, the VPN has become a staple of our online lives. Whether for providing enhanced privacy or for bypassing geo-restrictions on content, a VPN gives you greater and more secure access to the vast internet landscape. Whats even better is that everyday users can now access the best VPN services in the market.
While its a relatively straightforward task to install a VPN service on your computer and phone, its a little more complicated to install it on the PS4. In this article, we provide step-by-step instructions on how you can install a VPN on PS4.
ExpressVPN – The top performer when it came to speed, security features, and the ability to unlock our favorite streaming services, ExpressVPN reigns supreme as the best overall VPN. Complete with a 30-day money back guarantee, new customers can also enjoy three months added to their one year plan free, saving you 49%.View Deal
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Testing Methodology: How To Choose The Best VPN For Playstation
All the VPNs mentioned above work with both PS4 and PS5. Here are some important criteria to keep in mind when it comes to choosing the best VPN for PlayStation:
What Is The Best Ps4 VPN
The best PS4 VPN needs to have great speeds, Smart DNS support, simple apps for routers and other devices as well as top streaming performance and that’s why we’ve ranked ExpressVPN as the best PS4 on the market today.
Its MediaStreamer Smart DNS is class-leading, and it’s one of the few VPNs that offers a dedicated app for setting up a VPN on a router. Plus, it’s super simple to use, and if you have any trouble the support teams are responsive and helpful. What more could you want?
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Game Like A Pro With A Faster Response Time
Circling back to ExpressVPNs speeds, during our testing, we found that our ping and latency remained low. This means that you can enjoy a much smoother gaming experience, without any unreliable connection issues. ExpressVPN excelled in this area compared to all the other VPN services on this list. You can read more in our ExpressVPN review.
Its no exaggeration that ExpressVPN is expensive if you go for its monthly plan or even the six-month option. However, users can save more by opting for the annual plan, and they even get an extra three months free on top. If you arent satisfied with ExpressVPNs performance, you also have a tried-and-trusted 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN Plans
- No PayPal option
- Pricey monthly plan
NordVPN comes in at a close second to ExpressVPN. Both VPN services are fantastic, though you can see some of their differences in our ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison. Long story short, NordVPN rivals ExpressVPN when it comes to security, and its the top choice for torrenting.
The only minor downside to NordVPN is its speed. While it still earns the second-place spot on our fastest VPN list, sometimes you might need to play around with it a bit to find the best server. However, everything else is pretty great about NordVPN, including its ability to bypass geoblocking to access popular streaming channels.
How To Set Up Your Warzone VPN And Secure Easier Lobbies
Avoid SBMM with a Warzone VPN
We get it, life can be hard. Sometimes you just want a guaranteed win. When it comes to gaming, a VPN can really help with that. Using its location spoofing qualities to access easier lobbies, you can get trigger-happy and boost your winning streak.
Available to play for free across a number of platforms, it’s hardly surprising the most popular Battle Royale game, Call of Duty: Warzone, has reached ridiculous levels of competition. So much so that players are endeavouring to find new ways to secure a win – enter the need for a Warzone VPN.
With the game said to use SBMM to connect players to their next opponent, as you accrue more wins you could be looking at a far more challenging match. Using a Warzone VPN, you could manipulate who your next opponent is, though, and have more say in who you fry next.
Throwing in the other perks of the best gaming VPN, keep reading as we go into detail about why a Warzone VPN is an essential piece of kit for COD players, as well as how it works, and how to secure those easy lobbies.
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How To Use A VPN On A Ps4 With A Windows Pc
To use a VPN on your PS4 via a Windows PC, you can set up a virtual access point on your computer and connect to it. Essentially, your computer will share the VPN connection with your PS4.
Youll need an Ethernet cable, and your computer needs an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi card to make all the connections. This method is not as technical as it may sound. Heres how to quickly set it up:
Sharing A VPN Connection Over A Wi
You can also share a VPN connection by essentially turning your computer into a virtual router and connecting your console to your computer over Wi-Fi .
Its worth noting that while this method might be a bit easier than installing directly to your router, the VPNs performance will be considerably worse.
Heres how to do it on Windows and Mac computers.
Sharing a VPN connection on Windows 10
Sharing a VPN connection on macOS
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How Easy Is A Ps4 To Connect To A VPN
Generally, VPNs dont offer dedicated software for the PS4. However, thats surprisingly easy to get around using a number of methods. The most reliable and easiest way is by installing your VPN directly onto your wireless router. This method not only completely protects your consoles internet connection, but the connections of all devices on the network. Not sure how to begin? Check out our VPN router walkthrough.
Alternatively, you can use your computer to protect your PS4. Simply download the VPN software onto your Mac or PC, connect your device to the PS4, then navigate to the appropriate settings to share your internet with the PS4. This process creates an encrypted local area network , which offers the same level of protection as a dedicated app.
- On Mac: System Preferences > Sharing > Internet Sharing > Share your connection from > To computers using
- On Windows: Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adaptor Settings > right-click your VPN > Sharing > Home Networking Connection > select a connection to share with the PS4
Once youve done one of the above, fire up your PS4 and do the following:
- Settings > Network Settings > Set Up Internet Connection > Use a LAN Cable > Easy > Do Not Use a Proxy Server
Simple, right? In any case, it is very possible to equip your PS4 with the strongest VPN protection.
Set Up Expressvpn For Ps4 Via Virtual Wi
If you dont wish to install ExpressVPN on to your router, then you try the alternative method that involves using your computer to provide a hotspot connection running ExpressVPN to your PS4. This method is also comparatively easier than the previous method.
To create a virtual hotspot connection using a Windows computer, follow the steps listed below:
Step 1: To begin, right-click the network icon located at the bottom right of your screen. When a small window pops up, click on the Open Network & Internet settings option.
Step 2: Click on the Mobile hotspot option.
Step 3: Next, enable the hotspot option by using the toggle switch. If you dont mind the default username and password, you can move on to the next step. But if you want to change it, click on the Edit option.
Step 4: Now, in the Network Connections settings, you will see a new network adapted that should show up when you enabled the hotspot option just now.
Step 5: Next, right-click on the network adapter of ExpressVPN and then click on the Properties option.
Step 6: When you click on properties, a new window will show up. Click on the Sharing tab and tick mark the option that says: Allow other network users to connect through this computers internet connection. Next, click on the dropdown menu and choose the hotspot connection that you enabled earlier.
Step 7: Lastly, click on the OK button, and youll be done.
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Can I Use A Free VPN For Ps4/ps5
You could certainly try to use a free VPN with your PS4/PS5, but while you might think youre saving money, it may not be the bargain you think it is.
There are two types of free VPN, and they dont really compare to a paid VPN for a number of reasons.
Fully free VPNs are usually very poor features-wise. Theyre slow, arent good for unblocking content, dont have many servers, and they certainly wont be easy to install on a router – if you can do that at all. But even if you could somehow get a free VPN working on your console, there are even more reasons to avoid them.
A VPN that doesnt charge any money from its users still has to make money somehow – usually from nefarious methods like selling your personal data to third parties, as well as filling their apps with ads. Weve even heard that some free VPNs have been found to be hiding malware.
Alternatively, you could try a freemium VPN. This is a scaled-down version of a paid VPN. Youll get a provider you can trust, but youll still be lacking features and will have restrictions and data caps getting in your way – the last thing you want when youre gaming and streaming content.
Some freemium VPNs can be OK – like Windscribe, which offers a 10GB data cap each month. But for features, security, and ease of use – its worth your while to ditch the free options and find a trusted paid VPN that has a subscription plan you can afford.