The Best VPNs for Fortnite: Our Top 3 Picks
Hop onto the Battle Bus and compete in battle royale action lag-free with these VPNs.

Fortnite: Battle Royale, or simply Fortnite, is still one of the most popular video games more than half a decade since its launch. We’re not surprised. It combines the battle royale mechanics of PUBG with the first-person shooter action of Call of Duty, the structure-building creativity of Minecraft, dancing avatars, and a flying bus of all things! It’s no wonder it captured the hearts of young and adult gamers alike.
As more people hop onto Fortnite and the competition gets fiercer, some savvy gamers have discovered that using a VPN gives them unique advantages. It can, for instance, provide a workaround to ISP throttling and lagging.
Just as looting the right items and weapons is crucial to winning the game, choosing the best VPNs to use with Fortnite is key to successfully powering-up your strategy. We’re no Fortnite pros, but VPNs? That’s our expertise! Keep reading for our recommendations.
Tip: The best VPNs for Fortnite also happen to be the best VPNs for online gaming. So, if you like to change things up every so often, you can also use these VPNs to play other online games.
The Three Best VPNs for Fortnite
- NordVPN - Best Latency
- Surfshark - Best DDoS Protection
- Private Internet Access VPN - Best Server Selection
Overview of the Best Fortnite VPNs
System |
NordVPN
|
Surfshark
|
Private Internet Access VPN
|
---|---|---|---|
Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
Ratings | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
Server locations | 60+ countries | 100+ countries | 80+ countries |
Works on PCs? | Windows and Mac | Windows and Mac | Windows and Mac |
Works on mobile? | iOS and Android | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
Works on consoles? | Via router VPN | Via router VPN | Via router VPN |
Average latency* | 78.3 ms | 135.8 ms | 86.7 ms |
Read Review | NordVPN Review | Surfshark Review | Private Internet Access VPN Review |
*Based on our latest VPN speed test results.
Let The Battle Begin: The Best Fortnite VPNs In Detail
-
1. NordVPN - Best Latency
Product Specs
Multi-hop Yes Camouflage Mode Yes Kill switch Yes Split Tunneling Yes Netflix Yes Torrenting Yes Fortnite is a game of reflex, but just as you need fast hands to win, you also need a fast network. Sometimes, however, ISP throttling and a number of other issues can slow down your network. It’s tough to win when you’re in that situation.
Fortunately, NordVPN can help. It can change your IP address by routing your traffic through one of its servers, essentially concealing you from your internet provider so it stops throttling your network speed. Without the limiters in place, you’ll have a much more enjoyable gaming experience.
What We Liked
- 24/7 live chat support
- Support for mobile, desktop, and routers (for console gamers)
- Over 5,000 servers
- Low-latency servers
What We Didn’t LIke
- Limited to six simultaneous connections
- Pricier than other options (starts at $3.99 monthly)
- No native app for consoles
- Fixed encryption; can’t be lowered to further improve speed
NordVPN Mac App Low-Latency Servers
Although NordVPN can help if you’re experiencing ISP throttling or when your connection to Fortnite servers are sub-optimal, using a VPN can actually cause your network latency to spike. A VPN inserts an additional stop for your online traffic – the VPN server – and because of that, it will take your data a few milliseconds longer to reach Fortnite servers than when you’re not connected to a VPN.
Epic Games recommends a 40- to 60-millisecond latency for the best gaming experience.1 When we compared the speed of VPNs, NordVPN ranked second in terms of latency with 78.3 milliseconds. That’s a little over the recommended range, but note that we conducted that test with a VPN server in Australia. The latency improves if you connect to a server closer to you, so it’s certainly possible to get a 40- to 60-millisecond latency with NordVPN.
Pro Tip: Outside Fortnite, NordVPN works great as a day-to-day VPN, with its strong encryption and features like split tunneling and DoubleVPN (multihop). Those things make NordVPN’s pricing, which is slightly higher than average, more than worth it.
-
2. Surfshark - Best DDoS Protection
Product Specs
Multi-hop Yes Camouflage Mode Yes Kill switch Yes Split Tunneling Yes Netflix Yes Torrenting Yes In competitive online gaming, there’s a type of attack called DDoS (distributed denial of service) wherein the perpetrator uses bots to flood the victim’s IP address with junk traffic, causing the latter’s network to crash. That’s a particular concern for players of highly-competitive tournaments like the Fortnite World Cup, where the stakes can be as high as $3 million.
Fortunately, VPNs can prevent DDoS attacks, and Surfshark is especially equipped for this. It uses top-notch encryption and high-quality VPN protocols to hide your IP address from attackers. What they’ll likely see instead is one of Surfshark’s server IP addresses.
Even if the attackers turn their attention to the VPN servers, Surfshark can handle large influxes of traffic. Each server port has at least one Gbps bandwidth capacity, and the company is in the process of upgrading that to 10 Gbps. In short, it will take a whole lot of junk traffic to overwhelm Surfshark.
What We Liked
- Up to 10 Gbps server ports
- RAM-only servers for maximum privacy
- Affordable pricing
- Optional dedicated IP address
What We Didn’t Like
- Latency could be improved
- No native app for consoles
- Limited servers outside Europe and North America
- App’s high CPU usage (due to it having antivirus features, as well)
Surfshark VPN Connected Surfshark for Non-Competitive Gamers
Surfshark isn’t just for competitive gamers, though. It also has features for casual Fortnite players, such as:
- Server relocation: You can choose from Surfshark’s menu of over 3,000 servers in 100 locations to connect to a different Fortnite server when, for instance, your usual server is under maintenance.
- Getting around restrictions: If Fortnite is blocked on your network, or if your government restricts online gaming such as in China3, Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode can help you get around those restrictions.
- Earlier game releases: If you want early access to new updates or game titles, you can use Surfshark to change your IP location to where it’s already available, and gain earlier access than everyone else in your area.
Those are just some of the benefits of using Surfshark. As one of the best VPNs around, we also recommend using Surfshark outside of online gaming to protect your privacy and personal online data.
-
3. Private Internet Access VPN - Best Server Selection
Product Specs
Multi-hop Yes Camouflage Mode No Kill switch Yes Split Tunneling Yes Netflix Yes Torrenting Yes Our two previous picks address very specific issues Fortnite players encounter – ISP throttling, high latency, and DDoS attacks – but some players just want a reliable VPN they can use to play Fortnite to protect their privacy or change their virtual location. For that, we recommend Private Internet Access.
Private Internet Access offers similar benefits as NordVPN and Surfshark, but it has a couple of advantages. For starters, it has an expansive fleet of servers in over 80 locations around the world, all of which offer encryption and the ability to hide your IP address.
It gets even better if you’re in the U.S. Private Internet Access has at least one server in each of the 50 states. Remember, your distance to a VPN server matters in terms of speed and latency. With PIA, wherever in the U.S. you may be playing from, there’s always a nearby server for you.
What We Liked
- Large server network spanning 84 countries
- Strong focus on U.S. servers
- User-friendly mobile apps
- Affordable pricing
What We Didn’t Like
- Unreliable customer support
- U.S.-based, a potential privacy risk if not for the “no-logs” policy
- Frequent server maintenance
- No servers optimized for gaming, specifically
Connecting to Private Internet Access Customizable VPN Connections
One other advantage of Private Internet Access is its customizability. You want to enjoy the best gaming experience, and sometimes, that calls for a little bit of tinkering. With PIA, you can adjust your VPN settings to an impressive degree to really fine-tune your experience.
For example, you can adjust the encryption and lower it down to 128-bit AES from 256-bit, or even forego encryption altogether. We don’t recommend doing that last one when you’re browsing, but when you’re just casually playing Fortnite, that would be a good way to speed up your network.
Lastly, Private Internet Access is affordable. It starts at just over $2 per month if you choose a long-term subscription or $3.33 per month if you pay every year.
Conclusion: Which VPN Is Right For You?
Ultimately, the choice is yours to make. We all have different strategies and preferences, but whichever type of Fortnite gamer you are, NordVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access are going to be the best VPNs for you.
Keep in mind, though, that VPNs are more than just for improving your gameplay. They are made for a grander purpose – protecting your online privacy. Whether you’re clashing with other Fortnite players or just browsing the internet casually, using a VPN is a must!
FAQs
Before you hop on the Battle Bus, here’s some more information about VPNs and Fortnite you might find useful.
-
Does Fortnite allow VPNs?
Formally, using a VPN violates the Terms of Service of Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite. However, there haven’t been any reports yet of users getting banned for using a VPN.
-
Why is using a VPN a violation of Fortnite Terms of Service?
Epic Games shares three primary reasons why players shouldn’t use VPNs. First, VPNs give players an unfair advantage (e.g. early access to updates, hidden location, etc.). Second, VPNs help bypass bans and account restrictions set forth by Epic Games. Third, the use of VPNs may disrupt Fortnite’s normal operations and can cause issues for other players.
-
Will my Fortnite account get banned if I use a VPN?
That is a possibility, but there haven’t been any reports of that happening yet. To stay on the safe side, use a secondary or dummy account if you want to play Fortnite with a VPN, preferably one that doesn’t have item purchases yet.
-
Is Fortnite safe?
If you’re asking whether it contains malware or other digital risks, Fortnite is safe. Just like everything in life, however, a little too much of something can be dangerous. Too much playtime can cause addiction, behavioral changes, or even physical injury due to repetitive motion or overexposure to screen radiation.
-
Should I allow my child to play Fortnite?
Fortnite is rated safe for kids 13 years old and older. However, it’s still your discretion as the parent whether or not to allow your child to play the game. Despite the colorful animation, Fortnite features fantasy violence and weapons. It’s also an online game with a social feature, so there’s alway a risk of your child meeting predators or people with ill intent within the platform.
Epic Games. (2023). Understanding latency or ping in Fortnite.
epicgames.com/help/en-US/fortnite-c5719335176219/technical-support-c5719372265755/understanding-latency-or-ping-in-fortnite-a5720393283867The New York Times. (2019, Jul 29). This Fortnite World Cup Winner Is 16 and $3 Million Richer.
nytimes.com/2019/07/29/us/fortnite-world-cup-winner-bugha.htmlBBC News. (2022, Nov 23). China claims youth gaming addiction resolved.
bbc.com/news/technology-63730316