Our Top VPN Picks for 2026

Our team tested 5 VPNs over 6 weeks, running over 500 individual tests covering speed, privacy, streaming, and ease of use. Every VPN on this list has been independently verified — we don't accept payment for rankings.

How We Tested

Every VPN in this guide was tested using a standardized methodology developed over 3 years of VPN reviews. We test on real hardware — not virtual machines — in multiple geographic locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Use a VPN on PS5? The Real Benefits

The PlayStation 5 doesn't have a native VPN app — Sony hasn't built one in, and the PlayStation Store doesn't carry VPN applications. But that doesn't mean you can't use a VPN with your PS5. In fact, connecting your PS5 through a VPN unlocks several meaningful advantages that PlayStation gamers increasingly seek out in 2026.

• Early game access: Many games release at midnight in different time zones. By connecting to a VPN server in New Zealand or Australia, you can access PS Store releases up to 24 hours before your local region's launch time. This is one of the most popular reasons PS5 owners use VPNs.
• Region-locked content: Some PS Store games, DLC packs, and demo versions are only available in specific countries. A VPN lets you access stores in other regions to purchase content unavailable in your territory.
• Lower game prices: PS Store pricing varies enormously by region. Games that cost $69.99 in the US may sell for significantly less in Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, or India due to local pricing adjustments. A VPN allows you to purchase from lower-priced regional stores.
• DDoS protection in competitive gaming: In high-stakes online matches, opponents can attempt to DDoS (flood with traffic) your IP to lag you out. A VPN hides your real IP, making you an untargetable moving target.
• Reduced ISP throttling: Some ISPs specifically throttle gaming traffic, particularly during peak hours. A VPN encrypts your connection type, preventing your ISP from identifying gaming traffic to throttle it.
• Accessing PSN in restricted regions: If you travel to a country with restricted PlayStation Network access (some Middle Eastern and Asian countries), a VPN allows you to continue accessing PSN normally.

Method 1: VPN via Router (Best Method)

The most seamless way to use a VPN on PS5 is at the router level. When your router runs a VPN, every device on your network — including the PS5 — automatically connects through it. No configuration needed on the console itself.

This requires a compatible router (see our VPN router guide for hardware recommendations). The steps:

1. Configure your VPN on the router using OpenVPN or WireGuard (refer to your VPN provider's router setup guide).
2. Connect your PS5 to the router via Ethernet (strongly preferred over Wi-Fi for gaming).
3. Verify the VPN is active on the router dashboard.
4. On PS5: Settings → Network → Test Internet Connection. You'll now be connecting through the VPN.

Tip for split tunneling: If your router supports it, configure the PS5's MAC address or IP to bypass the VPN when you want native speed for competitive gaming, while other devices remain VPN-protected. This gives you maximum flexibility.

Method 2: Smart DNS (Fastest for Streaming, No Encryption)

Smart DNS is a DNS-level service that redirects only specific DNS requests through proxy servers, making your PS5 appear to be in a different region without routing all traffic through a VPN server. This means Smart DNS provides zero speed impact — your full connection speed is maintained — but it also provides zero privacy or security protection. Your traffic is unencrypted and your real IP is still visible.

Smart DNS is the right choice specifically for accessing geo-restricted PS Store content or streaming services with no concern for privacy. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all include Smart DNS in their subscriptions at no extra cost.

How to set up Smart DNS on PS5:

1. Log into your VPN account dashboard and find the Smart DNS section. Register your home IP address if required (many providers ask this to activate the service).
2. Note the Smart DNS server IP addresses provided by your VPN.
3. On PS5: Settings → Network → Settings → Set Up Internet Connection.
4. Select your network → Advanced Settings → DNS Settings → Manual.
5. Enter the Smart DNS primary and secondary DNS addresses from your VPN provider.
6. Save and reconnect. Your PS5 should now access region-locked content as if in the VPN provider's country.

Method 3: VPN via Windows PC Hotspot (No Router Needed)

If you don't have a compatible router, you can share a VPN connection from a Windows PC to your PS5 using Windows' built-in Mobile Hotspot or Connection Sharing feature.

1. Connect your PC to the internet and activate your VPN.
2. On Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot → Turn on (share the VPN adapter connection, not your physical adapter).
3. Alternatively, go to Network Connections (ncpa.cpl), right-click your VPN adapter → Properties → Sharing → Allow other users to connect → select your Wi-Fi adapter.
4. Connect PS5 to the PC's hotspot via Wi-Fi, or use an Ethernet crossover cable for a wired connection.
5. All PS5 traffic now routes through the PC's VPN connection.

This method works but introduces the PC as a dependency — your PS5 VPN will stop working if the PC's VPN drops or the PC goes to sleep. It's best as a temporary solution. The router method is more reliable for permanent setup.

Does a VPN Reduce Ping on PS5?

This is one of the most common questions from PS5 gamers considering a VPN. The short answer: a VPN can reduce ping in specific situations, but usually it increases it.

A VPN can reduce ping if your ISP is routing your gaming traffic inefficiently — taking a longer route to game servers than necessary. By connecting to a VPN server closer to the game server, you may get a more direct routing path. This occasionally happens, and gamers in certain regions (particularly Southeast Asia and South America) sometimes see meaningful ping improvements with a VPN. However, this is the exception, not the rule.

In most cases, a VPN adds latency because your packets now travel to the VPN server first before reaching the game server — an extra hop. On a fast protocol like WireGuard/NordLynx with a nearby server, this overhead may be only 3–8ms. But if you choose a distant server, you could add 50–150ms. For competitive games where every millisecond matters, use a VPN server in the same city as the game server, or don't use a VPN for competitive play at all.

Best VPN Features Specifically for PS5 Gaming

When evaluating VPNs for PS5 use, these features matter most:

• Smart DNS included: All top providers include this. Essential for region access without speed overhead.
• Router support: The VPN must provide OpenVPN or WireGuard config files for router setup. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all do.
• WireGuard/NordLynx protocol: Fastest protocol, minimum latency overhead. Critical for router-level gaming VPN use.
• Server proximity to game servers: For major games (CoD, Fortnite, FIFA), choose VPN servers near the game's datacenter cities (Virginia, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Tokyo).
• Consistent IPs: Some gaming platforms flag VPN IPs and require re-authentication. Providers with larger server pools are less likely to trigger this.

Our Verdict: Best VPN for PS5 in 2026

NordVPN is our top recommendation for PS5 gamers in 2026. Its NordLynx protocol delivers the lowest latency overhead of any VPN protocol, its 7,000+ server network covers all major game server locations, and its comprehensive router setup guides make installation on compatible hardware straightforward. Smart DNS is included and activates immediately from the account dashboard.

ExpressVPN's Aircove router is the premium pick if you want the absolute easiest PS5 VPN setup — it's a purpose-built VPN router that handles everything automatically, ideal for users who don't want to touch router firmware. Surfshark is the best value, especially for households with multiple consoles and devices needing VPN coverage on a budget.