Best VPN for Steam in 2024: Unlock games anywhere (2024)

Want to access your Steam account from abroad? With a VPN for Steam, you can play regional game servers and access region-restricted games.

A VPN for Steam is a versatile tool that can give you a ton of benefits. Whether you want to play a regional game server, access your usual Steam region while on vacation, or take advantage of international discounts and offers, a Steam VPN can help.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an online privacy tool that encrypts your data and conceals your IP address from the websites you visit. This gives you online privacy and helps to protect you against DDoS attacks during competitive games.

The encryption provided by a VPN means you can access Steam at work or school with complete privacy. A VPN can even improve your connection speed and reduce ping to give you a better chance of getting the dub. No matter why you need a VPN for Steam, this guide will help.

If you are in a rush to find the best VPN for Steam, the quick list below will help. If you want to know more about each VPN, simply scroll down for our detailed summaries.

Best VPNs for Steam:

1. NordVPN:The best Steam VPN. Includes AES-256 encryption and IP spoofing to protect against DDoS attacks and hackers. Access different Steam catalogs and regional game servers. Works to stream Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and more. Allows torrenting. 24/7 live chat support and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark:Best cheap VPN for Steam. Allows unlimited device connections, perfect for sharing your VPN with gaming buddies. Reliable encryption and the fast WireGuard protocol ensure a secure and smooth gaming experience. Works with popular streaming services.
3. ExpressVPN: Reliable and Secure. ExpressVPN is a trusted and secure option, offering a kill switch, obfuscated OpenVPN protocol, and a vast server network spanning 105+ countries. Works to access restricted games, blocked VoIP, and popular streaming services from anywhere. 24/7 live chat support.
4. CyberGhost: Perfect Steam VPN for beginners. CyberGhost keeps things simple, making it easy to use. Fast servers in 100+ countries. Strong encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. Works to play regional game servers, and with popular streaming services such as Netflix.
5. ProtonVPN: A highly advanced VPN. Offers split tunneling, obfuscation, tracker blocking, and a choice of protocols. Reliable encryption and solid no logs policy. Perfect for torrenting thanks to its port forwarding feature. Has a free plan.
6. IPVanish: US-based VPN with fast speeds and servers in 50+ countries. Seamless Steam gaming from anywhere in the world. Not as good for streaming. Apps for all devices have a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, and encryption. Allows unlimited connections.
7. Atlas VPN: Rising star in the VPN industry. Fast WireGuard protocol is perfect for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Apps provide ad blocking, malware filtering, MultiHop, and split tunneling. Has a limited free plan that provides access to servers in two countries.

Summary table

No value	TEST WINNER	No value	No value	No value	No value	No value	No value
No value	NordVPNwww.nordvpn.com	Surfsharkwww.surfshark.com	ExpressVPNwww.expressvpn.com	CyberGhostwww.cyberghost.com	Proton VPNwww.protonvpn.com	IPVanishwww.ipvanish.com	Atlas VPNwww.atlasvpn.com
Ranking	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Avg Speed (Mbps)	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps
Number of Servers	5,400	3,200	3,000	9,308+	3,800	2,000+	750
Simultaneous Connections	6	Unlimited	5	7	10	Unlimited	Unlimited
Logging Policy	No identifying data	No logs stored	No identifying data	No identifying data	No logs stored	No logs stored	No logs stored
Best deal (per month)	$3.09 SAVE 63% + FREE months	$2.29 85% off 2yr starter plan	$6.67 Save 49%	$2.03 SAVE 84%	$4.99 SAVE 50%	$2.50 SAVE 77%	$1.83 SAVE 83%

The internet is packed with competing VPNs, which can make it hard to find the perfect one for your specific needs. When compiling this list of the best VPNs for Steam, we took into account all of the following criteria:

• Fast speeds.This will allow you to play games, watch videos, and do other data-intensive tasks with the full speed you pay your ISP for.
• A choice ofserversaround the world. This will allow you to access your home Steam region, or to access various different regions and international game servers.
• Strong encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS leaks. Our recommendations keep your data secure and allow you to play games without being tracked and without concerns about DDoS attacks.
• A no-logs policy. This ensures that everything you do online stays private both now and in the future.
• Excellent compatibility. Our recommendations work on many devices and work with popular services such as Steam, Twitch, Discord, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.
• Reliable customer support. We prefer VPNs that offer live chat support, email support, and plenty of useful resources.
• Apps for all popular platforms. This will allow you to use the VPN to play games on any device.
• To be included in our top three positions, the VPN provider must operate a server network that runs entirely on RAM andundergone audits conducted by a reputable third party.

For a more detailed insight into our testing method and selection process, scroll below the summaries.

The best Steam VPNs

Here's our list of the best VPNs for Steam:

NordVPN is our favorite VPN for Steam for a variety of reasons. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, which makes it versatile. It can be used on up to six devices simultaneously, meaning you can use it at home, at work, and on mobile devices while on public WiFi. The apps come with advanced features such as Double VPN, obfuscated servers, DNS leak protection, malware filtering, ad blocking, and split tunneling.

The VPN is based in Panama, which is great in terms of privacy because it is a country that lacks mandatory data retention directives and invasive intelligence agencies. As you would expect from a leading provider, it has solid encryption that can protect your data against ISP tracking, government surveillance, and hackers trying to access your data.

Servers are available in 60+ countries, and NordVPN has more than 6,000 servers in total. This allows it to engage in load balancing and to ensure that servers do not get sluggish due to congestion. In our recent tests, the VPN had average global download speeds of 198 Mbps, which is perfect for playing games on Steam.

The security provided by NordVPN means you can access games banned or restricted in certain countries. You can use features like in-game VoIP chat without concerns in countries where VoIP is banned, such as the UAE. Plus, the encryption provided by NordVPN means you can play games at work or in school without being found out. The provider has also madeits Meshnet private tunnel free for everyone.

You can use Nord for streaming around a dozen Netflix regions, YouTube TV,Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, iPlayer, and just about any other service you can think of. Live chat support is available 24/7 to allow you to get help with setting up or using the VPN and you can try it completely risk-free due to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST OVERALL VPN FOR STEAM: Lightning-fast servers where you need them to access Steam. Works with all popular games. Secure enough to unblock and play games at work. Lots of advanced features make it a highly versatile privacy service. Solid no logs policy. 24/7 live chat support. Works with Netflix and other popular streaming services. Has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Readour fullreview ofNordVPN.

Surfshark is by far the best VPN for Steam if you are specifically looking for something cheap. The VPN has managed to put together a secure VPN that is packed with features for just $2.30 per month, as long as you commit for two years. Admittedly, the single-month plan is a touch pricey, but the longer plans are unrivaled.

The VPN has a vast network of servers in 100+ countries. This is perfect for getting an IP address just about anywhere in the world, allowing you to build up a game library that spans multiple regions.

In addition to its large server network, Surfshark is also speedy thanks to its WireGuard implementation. In our most recent tests, it had a global average of 188 Mbps, which is plenty of overhead for playing games, torrenting, and streaming in HD on a normal home broadband setup.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and Firestick. This makes it a highly versatile VPN that you can use on any device. Plus, you can install and use this VPN on an unlimited number of devices, so you can share your account with friends and family.

Surfshark boasts advanced features such as split tunneling, MultiHop connections, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, obfuscation for OpenVPN, split tunneling, ad and tracker blocking, and protection against malicious websites. It even throws in a free Smart DNS service to let you spoof your IP address on set-top boxes and consoles. This makes it an exceptional all-rounder.

Admittedly, it doesn’t have port forwarding, so if you like to seed torrents regularly, this may be a consideration. It does allow torrenting throughout its network, and due to its fast speeds, it is a decent option. Plus, this VPN works with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, ESPN, Peaco*ck, iPlayer, and many others.

BEST CHEAP VPN FOR STEAM: With its exceptionally low price point and fast servers, Surfshark willbe many people’s dream Steam VPN. It works to accessVoIP services and games with VoIP. Easy to use, and works with popular streaming services. 30-day money-back guarantee lets you compare it to our top recommendation yourself.

Read our fullreview ofSurfshark.

ExpressVPN is a well-known VPN originally launched in 2009. It is a fast and trusted choice for gamers seeking a secure and private online experience. With a decent choice of advanced features, ExpressVPN is perfect for gamers looking to bypass restrictions, unlock regional game content, prevent DDoS attacks, and enhance their gaming experience on Steam.

Lightning-fast servers are located in 105+ countries. Apps are powered by ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, which is fast enough for seamless browsing, unrestricted streaming, and efficient downloading for gamers worldwide.

ExpressVPN is secured with DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, AES-256 encryption, a reliable kill switch, and obfuscation. You can trust it when playing restricted games, or to bypass blocks to play games at work or in school without being tracked.

Torrenting is permitted throughout its network, and ExpressVPN works to access Twitch, Discord, Reddit, Hulu, iPlayer, and around 20 Netflix regions. It even throws in its free MediaStreamer feature to access US streams on devices that won’t let you install a VPN directly.

The biggest drawback is that ExpressVPN is quite expensive compared to our other recommendations. However, you get what you pay for, which is a highly reliable VPN with 24/7 live chat support and everything you need to use the internet privately whether at home or on public WiFi.

RELIABLE ALL ROUNDER: ExpressVPN is a veteran VPN with an impeccable reputation. Fast speeds, a no logging policy, and strong encryption ensure that you can use the VPN connection to play video games anywhere without being tracked. Fast Lightway protocol is designed to give you the fastest connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our fullreview ofExpressVPN.

CyberGhost may not have as many features as the other VPNs we have recommended in this guide, but it has proven time and time again to be a reliable VPN that is perfect for most users’ needs. It has a solid no-logs policy and is based in Romania, a country that is free of mandatory data retention directives.

Subscriptions start at just $2.03 per month, which makes it exceptionally cheap, and users get access to over 10,000 servers in 100+ countries. Add in the Wireguard protocol and you have a fast VPN that can provide access to Steam in just about any country.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Those apps come with strong encryption, a choice of protocols, a reliable kill switch, auto-connect to protect you when you join an unknown WiFi network, and DNS leak protection. Those are all the basics you need to use the internet privately and securely, whether at home, at work, or on public WiFi.

CyberGhost works with Netflix, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, Peaco*ck, Crunchyroll, Hulu, HBO, and tons of other international services – so if streaming and gaming are your priorities, you may have found exactly what you need. If you want features like split tunneling and port forwarding to host servers or to seed torrents, you may want to look elsewhere.

Live chat support is available 24/7, which means you can always ask questions about using the VPN, and if you would like to check it out yourself to see whether it has what you need, then you can do so using its generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

EASY TO USE: CyberGhost is the perfect option for beginners who want a reliable VPN for Steam that won’t break the bank. Strong encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. Works to access popular games like PUBG and provides fantastic speeds. Can access over a dozen Netflix regions. Well worth testing using its 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our fullreview ofCyberGhost.

Proton VPN might be right up your street ifyou want an impressive all-rounder that has extremely good provenance and a lot of advanced features. The VPN is based in Switzerland, a country that has strong data protection laws. It was developed by the makers of the secure email service ProtonMail, which is popular with privacy advocates.

Proton VPN is not the cheapest option on this list, but it has apps for all popular platforms. Users get access to strong encryption, a choice of reliable VPN protocols, obfuscation, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, port forwarding, and self-owned secure core servers that provide the highest possible levels of control, security, and privacy.

Servers are available in 67+ countries, which lets you easily get an IP address where you need it to access your home Steam catalog – or any other regional Steam library that interests you. It is an incredibly fast VPN, which makes it perfect for gaming and streaming in HD.

If you want a Steam VPN that also doubles as a reliable VPN for torrenting, Proton VPN may be your favorite choice. Its port forwarding feature makes it ideal for seeding, and its split tunneling feature means you can torrent with the VPN while surfing the web in your browser normally.

In our tests, Proton VPN did work with Netflix USA and a few other popular streaming services. We recommend you test it with all your personal streaming platforms during the trial period to be sure it works with everything you need it for.

Proton VPN has a free plan that allows you to download as much data as you like. However, the free servers are only available in the US, the Netherlands, and Japan – and they are not fast enough for gaming. They also won’t work to watch Netflix or other streams, so you'll need a premium account for faster speeds.

BEST FREE VPN FOR STEAM: Proton VPN has a free plan that you can use to accessSteam and play games privately and securely. However, you should note that the free servers may be too slow for gaming and streaming in HD. The premium plan, on the other hand, is super-fast and offers a wide choice of servers. You can try it out using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our fullreview ofProton VPN.

IPVanish is a reliable VPN choice for gamers looking to access Steam in countries where it is unavailable or to play games at work, school, or on other restricted networks. Self-owned servers are available in over 50 countries. IPVanish offers impressive average speeds exceeding 268 Mbps, ensuring seamless and secure browsing for gamers worldwide.

With a vast network of over 2,000 servers, IPVanish allows gamers to securely access a wide range of online platforms and services, including games, social media sites, and streaming services that may be blocked in your location.

It works with Netflix US, but it may not be compatible with other streaming services like Hulu. For this reason, we recommend testing it yourself with your preferred streaming platforms.

IPVanish provides user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, equipped with IP and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and obfuscation. It even offers a dedicated KODI app, which means you can maintain solid privacy when streaming from your favorite repositories.

IPVanish lacks tracker blocking, ad blocking, port forwarding, and MultiHop servers. But it does provide the necessary features to ensure your safety when using public WiFi and allows you to accessgames and VoIP services. Additionally, it works with Twitch and Discord, making it a solid all-rounder for gamers.

Live chat support is available to assist you at any time of the day. The only real caveat is that this VPN is based in the United States, a jurisdiction that may raise concerns for some users due to potential government surveillance. Thankfully, IPVanish has a solid no-logging policy that has been fully verified by a third-party auditing firm.

ALLOWS UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS: IPVanish lets you connect an unlimited number of devices so you can share your account with friends and family. Apps are available for all popular platforms and are easy to use. Works to access restricted games, bypass IP bans, and play game servers back home on vacation. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

AtlasVPN was launched in 2019, and since then, it has risen to global popularity worldwide. The VPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android that come with WireGuard, a tunneling protocol that is secure, easy to audit, and designed to provide fast connections.

Servers are available in 44+ countries around the world, which gives you plenty of opportunities to shop around for a cheaper game or to play on international game servers. Strong encryption and a kill switch mean that you can use this VPN to securely unblock and play games at work, in school, or on any other restrictive network around the world.

We used the VPN to access streaming services in the US, the UK, Australia, India, and many other locations around the globe with great success. It’s perfect for watching popular international streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Peaco*ck, HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and just about anything else that takes your fancy.

Torrenting is allowed with this VPN, and it has a split tunneling feature. Just bear in mind that no port forwarding is available. The VPN also provides MultiHop connections, auto-connect, ad blocking, and protection against malicious websites. You can see just how fast this VPN is yourself by testingyour games using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

You can use this VPN to download 5 GB of data each month using its free plan. However, the free servers are fairly sluggish and do not work to access streaming services.

SOLID ALL ROUNDER: AtlasVPN will let you accessforeign game servers, Steam, Twitch, Discord, and anything else game related you can think of. Secure connections allow you to play games without being tracked at work, in school, or elsewhere. Servers in over 40 countries to access Steam from anywhere. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our fullreview ofAtlas VPN.

Steam VPN testing methodology

To recommend the best VPNs for Steam users, we have tailored our suggestions to meet the specific needs and preferences of gamers worldwide. For a more comprehensive understanding of how we test and recommend VPNs, read our full testingmethodology guide. Below, we have included the key features we considered when recommending the best VPNs for Steam users:

• Strong privacy and data security: We only recommend VPNs that offer strong encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a choice of reliable protocols known to provide protection against data snoops and hackers.
• Fast speeds: A slow VPN will hinder your gaming experience on Steam. We only recommend VPNs that have fast servers and protocols such as WireGuard, perfect for playing games that require the full power of your internet connection.
• Reliable support: Not everyone has years of experience using VPNs. That's why we recommend VPNs that take customer support seriously. The options in this guide offer email support, live chat, and plenty of useful guides to get you up and running quickly.
• Superb accessibility: Not all VPNs work reliably with popular entertainment and game platforms. We tested each VPN to ensure it can access Steam and popular games, regardless of your location. Extra points were given to VPNs that also work with popular streaming services like Netflix.
• Value for money: Some VPNs can be unnecessarily expensive. We recommend VPNs that offer exceptional service at a fair price. We even recommend VPNs that have a limited free plan you can use without paying a dime.
• Third-party audits: Our top three recommendations have all undergone third-party audits of their infrastructure and policies. This eliminates the need to blindly trust the VPN's claims and ensures that their security has been verified.
• Diskless servers: Our top three recommendations feature a network of diskless servers that can be instantly erased by pulling the plug. This enhances the VPN's security by allowing remote erasure of all data passing through a server in case of an emergency.

Steam VPN: FAQs

Can I use a free VPN for Steam?

Although you are free to try a trustworthy free VPN with Steam, it is unlikely to give you the performance you require. Most free VPNs only have a few servers that are hugely congested with users all around the world. This causes those VPNs to be very slow, which will increase ping when you try to play games.

Even the reliable VPN providers in this guide that have a basic free plan (ProtonVPN and AtlasVPN) are highly limited. They only have a few free servers to pick from and have slower speeds than their premium counterparts. Of course, you can try the free plan before you make a purchase. You should not expect the free plan to perform anywhere near as well as the paid version.

In addition to the performance issues associated with free VPNs, it is important to remember that most free VPNs are not secure. Many free VPNs have hugely invasive privacy policies that allow them to track their users for profiling purposes. These VPNs create a revenue stream by selling user data to third parties such as marketing firms and data brokers. This is the opposite of what a VPN is supposed to do, which is to provide privacy and protection for your browsing.

Studies have also revealed that free VPNs have app and server vulnerabilities, lack reliable encryption, suffer IP and DNS leaks that allow your ISP and the websites you visit to track you, and even hide spyware in their apps. It is essential to stick to trusted providers (such as the ones in this guide) which offer a free plan that has strong encryption, reliable apps, and trustworthy policies.

Why do I need a VPN for Steam?

With a VPN in your toolkit, you will be able to enjoy all of the following benefits:

• Access region-restricted content. Steam offers region-specific games, discounts, and promotions. By using a VPN, you can change your location to access games and offers that are only available abroad. Even if a game is available where you live, you may still want to use a VPN to change the game server to a different region.
• Earlier game releases. Sometimes, games are released in certain regions before others. By connecting to a VPN server abroad, you can get early access to a game to start playing before it is officially available in your own country.
• Bypass censorship: In some countries, Steam, specific Steam features, or games carried by Steam may be restricted or censored. With a VPN, you can bypass these blocks to regain access to all games and features, such as in-game VoIP.
• Lower prices: Due to international purchasing power and exchange rates, game prices can vary around the world. With a VPN, you can connect to various different regions to price check and save money when purchasing games on Steam.
• Playing with friends: If you are on vacation, studying abroad, or traveling for work, you may find that you are connecting to a different game server. By connecting to a VPN server back home, you can connect to your usual server to play with friends or people who speak your native language.
• Gain privacy: In some countries, games like PUBG, Fortnite, and Battlefield are blocked. Playing those games could potentially get you in trouble, which is why it is a good idea to use a reliable VPN that offers watertight encryption for your data. This will prevent ISPs and the government from knowing you are playing a restricted game.
• Avoid IP bans: If you have violated the rules or terms of service of a game, you may face a temporary or even permanent IP ban. If this happens, you will need to change your IP address with a VPN to be able to continue playing. Note that this could be a breach of the ToS and may potentially lead to a complete account ban.
• Avoid ISP bandwidth throttling: If your ISP is using bandwidth throttling to slow down your internet when you play Steam games, you may want to try a VPN. Encryption prevents your ISP from knowing what you are doing online. This can rectify the problem, leading to improved gaming performance.
• Protect against DDoS attacks: If you are a competitive player who enjoys tournaments and other game competitions, you can use a VPN to conceal your home IP address from other players. This helps to protect you against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks that can cause you to be kicked from a match.
• Access foreign game libraries: Some people use a VPN to build up a game library in various different regions. By using a VPN, you can connect to whichever region you need for a specific game.

What games are restricted around the world?

Below, we have included a list of games that are known to be restricted around the world. We have included the country where that game is blocked to give you full visibility.

If you are living in or visiting the country where the game is unavailable, simply connect to a VPN server in a different country to regain access.

Please note that this list is not comprehensive, and there may be other games that are either region-locked or blocked in specific countries for cultural, moral, religious, or political reasons.

1. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG):

• China
• Nepal
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Libya
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• Syria

2. Fortnite:

• China

3. Battlefield 4:

• China
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO):
• China

4. World of Warcraft (WoW):

• China

5. Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V):

• United Arab Emirates

6. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege:

• China

7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt:

• United Arab Emirates

8. Fallout 3:

• Australia: A censored version is available but you will need a VPN to play the uncensored version.
• Germany: A censored version is available that shows less violence than in other regions. You will need a VPN to play the uncensored version.

9. Outlast:

• Saudi Arabia

10. Red Dead Redemption 2:

• United Arab Emirates

11. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4:

• China

Do I need a fast VPN for gaming?

Yes. The vast majority of VPNs have slow servers that are unsuitable for playing games. Those VPNs will slow you down, cause lag and high ping, and make it impossible to stay competitive when playing multiplayer online games.

The Steam VPNs we have recommended in this guide all have fast servers and protocols such as OpenVPN UDP and WireGuard. This allows them to provide reliable speeds for gaming, no matter where you are in the world

Can a VPN make my internet faster for gaming?

Under normal conditions, a VPN cannot speed up your internet.

Your internet speed is controlled by your ISP and the level of service you pay for. Thus, if you are paying for a 5 Mbps connection, you should not expect a VPN (even the fastest VPN in the world!) to speed up your internet beyond that.

A VPN has to encrypt your data and route it to a VPN server on its way to the game server you are using. This will usually add some lag. The fastest VPNs have excellent tunneling protocols and Tier-1 servers that will minimally impact your internet speed.

There is one specific circ*mstance when a VPN can help you to get better speeds: Some ISPs engage in bandwidth throttling to prevent network congestion. If you believe that your ISP is throttling specific games – not your entire internet connection – then a VPN may be able to speed up your internet.

Will a VPN reduce my ping when gaming?

Using a VPN may or may not improve your ping, depending on your individual circ*mstances. Whether a VPN can help depends on various factors. Unfortunately, in some cases, a VPN can actually introduce additional latency andincrease your ping. Results vary, so you will need to test a VPN yourself with your game to find out whether it can help you.

When you connect to a VPN server, your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through an intermediary server location before reaching its destination (the game server). The process of encrypting your data and routing it to the VPN server can result in a slightly longer response time, which may lead to a higher ping. Generally speaking, a VPN cannot speed up your internet, so please bear this in mind.

With that caveat out of the way, it is worth knowing that there are instances where a VPN can potentially improve your ping. If your ISP is throttling your bandwidth, a VPN can help to speed up your connections and potentially improve your ping.

A VPNmay also improve your ping if your ISP has backbone contracts that cause traffic to be routed badly. A VPN can sometimes improve the routing process, so it is worth trying various servers – closer to you, near the game server, and directly between your physical location and the location of the game server – to see if the VPN improves your ping.

The benefit provided by a VPN can vary depending on the distance to the VPN server, the quality of your internet connection, the server load, and network conditions. This is why it is a good idea to stick to a recommended VPN for Steam with fast servers, plenty of capacity, and fast tunneling protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN UDP.