The Best VPN For Xbox


- Protects you from DDoS attacks, common with gaming
- Low latency means smoother gameplay
- Set up on your router and you can use your VPN with your XBox and all your other devices

- Works with all versions of XBox
- Use your XBox to access Netflix libraries around the world
- Match up against players around the world with servers in 148 different countries

- Hide your IP address with DNS but bypass encryption and keep your speeds up
- With dedicated IP addresses, you don’t have to keep re-entering your XBox credentials
- Access all gaming platforms, even when you’re in countries that restrict gaming
Choosing a VPN for your Xbox can be tricky. First of all, not all VPNs work with Xboxes, and secondly, you don’t want your VPN to cause lag and ruin your game. But we’ve found Xbox-compatible VPNs with fast speeds to help you out. Without further ado, we give you the best VPNs for Xbox.
Testing Statistics
Total VPNs tested | 35+ |
---|---|
Monthly price range | $0 -$12.99 |
Number of servers | 31-5,246 |
Number of countries | 22-190 |
As people who take internet security incredibly seriously, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to make a rigorous comparison of all VPNs to see which best fit Xbox gamers. From speed tests and security to customer support and privacy, our methodology is rigorous. On top of all that, we test each VPN’s iOS and Android apps to be sure that we’re protected on the go. Essentially, we save you a ton of Googling and clicking, so there’s more time in the day to hit the books.
Summary of the Best VPNs for Xbox
- NordVPN - Best VPN for Xbox Overall
- ExpressVPN - Best VPN for Watching Netflix on Xbox
- Private Internet Access VPN - Best Xbox VPN with Smart DNS
- Surfshark - Best Xbox VPN with Free Trial
- CyberGhost - Best VPN for Xbox One
- Ivacy - Best Xbox VPN with Split Tunneling
- Trust.Zone VPN - Best VPN for Xbox 360
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Xbox
System |
NordVPN
|
ExpressVPN
|
Private Internet Access VPN
|
Surfshark
|
CyberGhost
|
Ivacy
|
Trust.Zone VPN
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th |
Ratings | 9.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
Xbox compatibility | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 | Xbox One | Xbox One | Xbox 360 |
Netflix access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes*with some prerequisites in different countries | Yes | Yes* on some servers in U.S, U.K, Canada and France |
Torrenting access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Split tunneling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Five Eyes member | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
General price range per month | $4.13- $11.95 | $8.32- $12.95 | $2.19- $9.95 | $1.99- $11.95 | $2.25- $12.99 | $2.25- $9.95 | $2.66- $6.99 |
Read Review | NordVPN Review | ExpressVPN Review | Private Internet Access VPN Review | Surfshark Review | CyberGhost Review | Ivacy Review | Trust.Zone VPN Review |
Detailed List of the Best VPNs for Xbox
-
1. NordVPN - Best VPN for Xbox Overall
A good balance between speed and security is what we’re mainly looking for in VPNs for Xbox, and that’s exactly what we saw in NordVPN. Although you need to set up NordVPN on your router in order to connect your Xbox to it, the experience is seamless and there isn’t much tinkering needed to start playing. It simply works, which is why it’s our top-pick VPN for Xbox users.
What We Like
- 2-year plan is very affordable
- Easy setup through router
- 5,200+ servers available globally
- Fast speeds, low ping
- Anti-DDoS protection
What We Don’t Like
- No phone support
- A bit laggy on Windows
- Limited to six simultaneous connections
Protect Yourself from DDoS
One of the reasons why gamers use VPNs on their Xbox is to protect themselves from DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks. A DDoS attack is when someone uses multiple computers to flood your network with empty traffic. Especially if you’re gaming competitively, a DDoS attack can slow your network down or even kick you out of your game. NordVPN built its servers in a way that can absorb DDoS attacks. Its servers can withstand the flooding of data, so that even during an attack, your gameplay will remain largely the same.
Play In More Competitive Servers
Tired of meeting the same people on your game’s local server? NordVPN has over 5,200 VPN servers in 60 countries, so that if you want, you can make it appear as if you’re in another location and play on a different server. We hear that the European and South East Asian servers on Fortnite are especially competitive, so why don’t you pop on there and test your skills?
Don’t Sacrifice Your Speed
We’ve tested NordVPN ourselves, and we’re impressed by its speeds. On our Mac, we only noticed a 10-percent increase in ping time (latency) when connected to NordVPN, so lags won’t be a problem. As for upload and download speeds, which are also important when you’re gaming, we saw a decrease of no more than 25-percent. (We detailed our speed test results in our NordVPN review, so pop on there to learn more.) With those speeds, raiding bosses and killing zombies won’t be a problem.
-
2. ExpressVPN - Best VPN for Watching Netflix on Xbox
Aside from working with any type of Xbox, ExpressVPN is one of our top choices for VPNs in general. Trustworthy with a solid logging policy, high-quality encryption and fast speeds on our devices, there’s not much to dislike about this British Virgin Islands-based VPN company. And with over 2,000 servers in 148 locations around the world, it’ll work well for tons of people outside of the U.S, where we’re based.
What We Like
- Compatible with all types of Xboxes
- Non-member to Five Eyes
- Over 2,000 servers in almost 150 locations
- Strict logging policy
What We Don’t Like
- Relatively expensive
- Limited to five simultaneous connections
- No multi-hop
- No phone support
Support for Multiple Devices
The four Xbox consoles aside, ExpressVPN is a great choice to use on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Blackberry, Apple TV, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 or Kindle devices. It also works on routers, so if you don’t want to use it directly on your Xbox, you can simply encrypt your router and then connect your Xbox to its network. And with ratings above four stars for its iOS and Android device, it’ll be easy to use on your phone, as well.
Rotating IP Addresses
Every time we connected to ExpressVPN, we were given a new IP address for our Xbox consoles, which is ideal for getting ahead of hackers or government censorship. With rotating IP addresses, we basically put on a new disguise every time we connected, ideal for bypassing firewalls like the Great Firewall of China.1
ExpressVPN WebRTC Leak Test Good Entertainment Options
Sick of playing on your Xbox? Once we had had our fill, we switched to watching movies and TV shows on Netflix, and when that wasn’t sufficient, through uTorrent. It was nice to be able to stay on both our Xbox and our VPN while enjoying some content, and the fast speeds meant that we never had those frustrating “spinning wheel” moments.
Did You Know: Netflix works with Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox One S and Xbox One X.2 To connect it, we had to configure the settings in our Xbox LIVE accounts.
-
3. Private Internet Access VPN - Best Xbox VPN with Smart DNS
We found Private Internet Access to be an easy-to-use VPN with great features and consistent speeds. It’s affordable, too, which we know many gamers will appreciate with the already high cost of AAA game titles. If you do choose Private Internet Access, though, note that it’s not the fastest VPN we’ve tested, but in terms of latency, it managed to keep our ping low and lags at a minimum while gaming on Xbox.
What We Like
- Low latency means less lags
- Smart DNS is available
- Servers in 84 countries
- Offers dedicated IP addresses
What We Don’t Like
- Harder to set up on a router than other VPNs we’ve tested
- No native Xbox app
- Based in the U.S.
- Mixed customer support experience
Smart DNS
A typical VPN setup encrypts your web activity and hides your IP address. That’s great for your privacy, but if you’re gaming and you want to establish a proxy connection so you can join an online gaming server in another country, you probably don’t need encryption. Private Internet Access’ solution is Smart DNS, which you can configure on your Xbox without downloading anything. Just change your Xbox’s DNS settings to the one provided in your PIA dashboard, and you’re good to go. Keep in mind that Smart DNS won’t encrypt your web traffic, but it will let you change your virtual location. And since it doesn’t encrypt data, it’s faster than your typical VPN — a huge plus for competitive gamers.
Dedicated IP Address
Now, if you’d rather use Private Internet Access as a VPN (as opposed to a proxy network or Smart DNS), you can of course set up the VPN on your router and connect your Xbox to it. In addition, PIA sells dedicated IP addresses. Usually, with a VPN, you get IP addresses that are shared between you and other VPN users connected to the same server. This sometimes results in being banned from multiplayer rooms as your online game might think you’re a bot. With a dedicated IP address, you’re paying for the IP address, so only you can use it. This minimizes the risk of being banned.
Good Latency
Lastly, and this comes from our own experience, Private Internet Access is great for gaming because it has low latency, especially if you connect to a nearby server. Low latency means fewer lags and a smoother gaming experience, and aren’t those what we want to see as gamers? In addition, Private Internet Access’ speeds were consistently good. It’s not the fastest, but it didn’t let us down in terms of connection speeds. Overall, Private Internet Access is a solid VPN for Xbox.
-
4. Surfshark - Best Xbox VPN with Free Trial
For some people, a money-back guarantee won’t be good enough, and they’ll want to try out a VPN without laying down a credit card. Enter Surfshark, one of the best free VPNs. It has a 30-day trial period so you can play Xbox with the VPN connected and see how it works for yourself. And the best part is that, unlike some other free VPNs that shall remain nameless, Surfshark didn’t put any limits on the number of servers we connected to, our browsing speeds, or the amount of data we used. Basically, the service we got in the 30-day trial period was equal to the service we’d get when the trial ended, making it a truly fair trial.
What We Like
- Low prices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Fast on Macs
- Netflix and torrenting access
What We Don’t Like
- Static IP addresses
- Servers in only 63 locations
- No customer support over the phone
- Doesn’t work on Xbox 360, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S
Kill Switch
We were deep into a game of Fortnite on our Xbox One when our new puppy stepped onto our router’s HDMI cable, disconnecting Surfshark. However, in a flash, Surfshark shut down our game and all of the other web activity we had going on on our other devices, a feature called a kill switch. Many VPNs don’t have kill switches, so if they got disconnected, there would go our privacy. We’re lucky that Surfshark has a Plan B in mind.
Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
Most Xbox users aren’t just using their Xbox and no other devices at a time, and with Xbox Live members spending an average of five hours a day on their Xbox One,3 you can bet that they’re using a ton of other devices in that time period. Unlike many other VPNs, Surfshark didn’t limit the number of devices we could connect at the same time, we had them all going; we played Minecraft on our Xbox One, chatted with friends on our iPhones and used an Echo speaker to turn the lights off for maximum TV-viewing. Sure, the more devices we added, the slower our Internet was, but at least we had the option.
Surfshark Kill switch Multi-Hop
Using AES-256, Surfshark encrypted our Xbox gaming not once but multiple times through a few different servers. That’s ideal for privacy, although it did slow us down slightly. Again, we like to have options, so we’re pleased that Surfshark gives us this additional privacy.
-
5. CyberGhost - Best VPN for Xbox One
With 3,157 servers in 60 countries, you’ll have no issue playing Xbox with CyberGhost connected around the world. From the good ole U.S.A to the E.U and Asia, CyberGhost is ideal for traveling gamers, but wherever in the world you are, they won’t log where you go online (although they will log your IP address, unfortunately). Still, for those that aren’t as concerned about privacy, CyberGhost is a solid option for Xbox.
What We Like
- Based in Romania
- 256-bit encryption
- Shared IP addresses
- Fast speeds
What We Don’t Like
- No dynamic IP addresses
- Can only connect seven devices total
- Logs IP address
- Logs when we used the VPN and where we used it in
Split Tunneling
One huge issue that gamers run into is lag, otherwise known as ping or latency. Skill aside, lag can really hurt your stats, but with CyberGhost, we directed our non-important web traffic, like our iMessages, directly to the public Wi-Fi network while we were on so we only encrypted our Xbox traffic. This lowered bandwidth and made for faster speeds, which, if you’re as competitive as we are, that’s essential to win. And let’s be honest: it is about winning, not just playing the game.
CyberGhost App Quick Support Over Live Chat
When we were having issues configuring CyberGhost on our Xbox one, we decided to ask someone for help over live chat. Much to our surprise, we weren’t answered by a robot but by an actual human, and within a few seconds to boot! With a few messages, we got our answers and were able to connect CyberGhost to our Xbox One and start playing.
Low Prices
Aside from its quick speeds and support, one of the biggest advantages of going with CyberGhost is its pricing, which starts at $2.25 a month with the three-year plan and includes three months for free. That’s the most cost-effective option, but if you don’t feel like making such a long commitment, there’s also two year, one year and one month options. Personally, we paid $12.99 for the month-to-month plan, although we should’ve just bitten the bullet and bought the three-year package; after all, CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee, so the financial risk was virtually nil.
-
6. Ivacy - Best Xbox VPN with Split Tunneling
Like we said, split tunneling really helped us out when we were connected to Ivacy VPN. It was especially helpful when we were working from home one day and needed to access an office network. Now, we’re not implying that we were playing Grand Theft Auto during the workday, but let’s just say we had a nice lunch break, routing our Xbox traffic to the VPN and keeping our office network on our Wi-Fi directly. This really reduced our lag so we could steal virtual cars and contribute to a meeting effectively (just kidding, but not really).
What We Like
- Headquartered in Singapore
- Compatible with four different types of Xboxes
- Split tunneling
- Dedicated IP addresses
What We Don’t Like
- Logs application usage and aggregated bandwidth use
- Kill switch only on Androids and Windows
- Limited to five devices total
- No free trial
Great for Gaming and Entertainment
Aside from working with the four types of Xboxes, all of which we tested out, Ivacy VPN also works on:
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Kodi
- Linux
- Raspberry Pi
- Smart TVs
- Routers
- Roku
- Blackberry
- PlayStation 4.
For us, that meant that after we were done playing on our Xboxes, we had a ton of options for more entertainment, all of which we connected to Ivacy. In fact, we decided to connect it directly to our router so it could cover the five devices we had on the network. While we wish they allowed for more than five simultaneous connections, we definitely appreciate how compatible Ivacy is across all of the most popular devices.
Ivacy VPN Windows Screenshot Dedicated IP Addresses
If you’re located in China, then using a VPN that has thousands of users sharing a single IP address may not cut it, but Ivacy VPN has a solution. For an extra $1.99 a month, we bought a dedicated IP address, meaning that we were the only ones using it. That worked to get the VPN up and running on our Xbox 360, and it’s also available in countries like the U.K, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Canada and Hong Kong. Guess that Great Firewall isn’t so great anymore!
No Traffic Logs
Not that we’re doing anything particularly shady on our Xbox, but we don’t like the idea of our Internet Service Provider (ISP) tracking our every move. We also don’t appreciate targeted ads that follow us from game to game, from site to site as we use the Internet. And if a VPN is tracking us too, then guess what? We don’t want to use it. Well, we’ve read their privacy policy from start to finish, and we can firmly say that Ivacy’s logging policy is pretty minimal, not keeping track of our domain names or IP addresses. Here’s what they did log:
- Name
- Email address
- Payment method
- Crash event reports and performance data
- Failed connection attempts
- Application usage
- Bandwidth usage (aggregated).
Sure, that’s not the most minimal logging policy we’ve ever seen, but it’s certainly on the right side of privacy.
-
7. Trust.Zone VPN - Best VPN for Xbox 360
Last on our list is Trust.Zone, a VPN company based in the Seychelles Islands. Never heard of them? Just know that they’re non-members to Five Eyes, making Trust.Zone ideal for someone who wants to play privately on their Xbox 360. Plus, the only information of ours they kept was our email address, so even if the government came knocking, they wouldn’t have anything useful to give them, especially if we had created a fake email.
What We Like
- Torrenting
- Kill switch
- Strict logging policy
- Dynamic or static, personal IP addresses available
What We Don’t Like
- Only works with Xbox 360
- Free trial only lasts three days
- Disappointing Android app
- Netflix only works on some servers
Discount with Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies
If you already use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin on your Xbox 360, then you’re in luck, because Trust.Zone gives 10 percent discounts for these payment methods. While we paid with a typical old credit card, this is a fantastic option for someone that prefers to pay in crypto, and an offer we haven’t seen from any other VPN company.
Trust.Zone App Only Collects Email Address
Aside from being based in the non-member Seychelles Islands, Trust.Zone didn’t keep much of our data, and none of our traffic on our Xbox or its IP address. Rather, they only kept our email address, and if you’re particularly concerned about privacy, putting down a fake email address is always an option. Combine that with anonymous payment methods and you can stay truly invisible when you play Xbox, or use the Internet at all, with Trust.Zone.
Pro Tip: Those especially concerned about privacy should make up fake names and email addresses to sign up for VPN subscriptions.
Quick Speeds
Gaming aside, Trust.Zone worked really well on our Macbook Pro and Windows Vivobook, increasing our latency by only 33 and 54 percent, respectively. We also saw our upload and download speeds decrease only by 44 and 34 percent on our Mac and 14 and 13 percent on Windows. These slowdowns were largely unnoticeable, making Trust.Zone one of the fastest VPNs whether you’re gaming on your Xbox or just web surfing on your desktop.
Methodology
We tested out all of the above VPNs, as well as many other XBox-compatible VPNs, on the Xbox One, the Xbox Series S, the Xbox Series X and the Xbox 360, playing Fornite, Minecraft and other games with and without the VPNs connected. Since lag is such an important consideration when it comes to gaming VPNs, we performed speed tests using the website Ookla, which measures upload and download speed along with latency in Mbps and ms, respectively. Aside from speed, we also took into account the number of consoles that each VPN was compatible with and how easy it was to configure the VPNs on the consoles. Those were the main considerations that we took, but of course, we also applied the same methodology we’ve applied to all of the other VPNs that we’ve tested. This includes looking at features such as:
- Headquarters location: Many people using a VPN are doing so due to privacy reasons, so we make sure that the company behind the VPN isn’t headquartered in a country that’s part of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes.
- Number and location of servers: We like to see a wide global reach across all continents.
- Logging policy: Given the privacy concern, we read each VPN’s privacy policy to ensure that they’re not logging our devices IP addresses or the content of our web sessions. We also prefer VPNs that don’t log our connection timestamps, the amount of data we used, or other non-essential information; the best privacy policies only log essential account information like our names, email addresses and payment information.
- Kill switch: Every VPN should have a kill switch to kill any Internet browsers or apps in case the VPN fails. Sometimes, kill switches are enabled by default, but sometimes, we need to turn them on manually.
- Torrenting and Netflix access: For those that want to use their VPNs on devices aside from Xboxes, especially for entertainment purposes, we make sure that the VPN’s IP addresses aren’t blocked on torrenting sites or Netflix, along with other top streaming services.
- Split tunneling: One way to enhance speeds is to use split tunneling, tunneling some traffic through the VPN and some directly to the public Wi-Fi network. Not all VPNs have split tunneling, but we prioritize the ones that do, as it’s a great way to reduce bandwidth and decrease latency while gaming.
- Encryption methods: Today, the most trusted encryption method is AES-256, which means Advanced Encryption Standard 256-bit. Most VPNs use AES-256 to encrypt our IP addresses and web traffic, and we give less clout to the ones that are still stuck on 128-bit, an outdated method.
- IP addresses: There are a few different ways that VPNs can handle the IP addresses they give us when they connect. With dynamic IP addresses, we get a new one each time we connect, while static means that they stay the same. However, static IP addresses are typically shared between thousands of users, making them untraceable; unfortunately, some email providers block these shared IP addresses. In that case, users may prefer to get a dedicated IP address or even an entire dedicated VPN server; it depends on your need and the needs for your organization, if any.
- App: We check the iOS and Android apps to make sure that they are easy to use, preferring apps with a rating of at least three out of five stars on the Apple or Google Play stores.
- Pricing: Finally, pricing is also a consideration; we prefer VPNs with monthly and yearly options that range from around $5 to $10 a month or less.
Commonly Asked Questions
VPNs are a relatively complicated topic in general, but when it comes to using them on your Xbox, you may have more questions than ever before. We’re here to help!
-
What is the best VPN for Xbox One?
The best VPNs for Xbox One are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, Surfshark, and Ivacy VPN.
-
How do I set up a VPN on Xbox One?
To set up a VPN for Xbox One, typically you will configure the VPN on your router then connect the Xbox to the router’s network, encrypting its IP address and web traffic.
-
How can I get a free VPN for Xbox One?
The VPN Surfshark works with the Xbox One and has a 30-day free trial. To order it, download the app onto your device, create an account, and then configure Surfshark on your router; from there, put the Xbox One on the router’s network and it will be encrypted.
-
Can I use NordVPN on Xbox One?
You can use NordVPN on your Xbox One by setting it up on your router. Another option is to share a connection through a Windows PC or through an Ethernet cable connected to your Windows PC. However, NordVPN doesn’t work on Xbox One directly.
Bloomberg. (2020). The Great Firewall of China.
bloomberg.com/quicktake/great-firewall-of-chinaNetflix. (2020). Using Netflix on your Xbox.
help.netflix.com/en/node/23889Xbox. (2014). Twitch Sets Record-Breaking Numbers as Xbox One Usage Booms.
news.xbox.com/en-us/2014/04/01/ent-twitch-record-breaking-numbers/