Best VPN for Valorant

1. NordVPN: the top overall choice, a widely recommended all-rounder with a 30-day refund window.
2. Surfshark: the value pick, with 4,500+ servers and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. ExpressVPN: the simplest setup, with servers in 113 countries and up to 10 connections on the Basic plan.
4. Proton VPN: the largest network on this list, with 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries.
5. Private Internet Access: a beginner pick that shows server latency so you can choose a faster server.

The best Valorant VPNs, reviewed

The top VPNs here are judged on what Valorant players care about: price, speed, the feature that matters for gaming, and one honest drawback. We did not run our own latency tests. The speed notes below rely on provider claims and third-party reviews, and those sources are affiliate or review sites with a stake in the outcome, so treat them as a starting point.

1. NordVPN

Roundups that recommend VPNs for Valorant most often name NordVPN, which is why it leads this list. Reviews put its 2-year plans at about $3.39 to $3.49 per month, and monthly billing runs roughly $12.99 to $14.99. Prices change often, so confirm the current figure at checkout. Most reviews agree on a 30-day refund window, which gives you time to test servers during real matches.

For speed, it is regularly named a safe default for gaming, but we have no first-party benchmark. The feature that matters most for Valorant is the size of its server network, because more servers in your region means more choices when one is crowded. Sources disagree on the exact server and country counts and we could not confirm them on the provider’s own site, so we do not quote a number.

The drawback is the same one every VPN shares: it adds a hop between you and the match, so your ping usually rises. It is also not the cheapest after the introductory term ends, so check the renewal price before you commit.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark VPN is the value choice. Its pricing page lists 4,500+ servers in 100 countries and a 30-day money-back guarantee. On the 24-month plans, Starter and One are each CA$3.39 per month (CA$91.53 for the first 27 months, including 3 bonus months), and One+ is CA$5.39 per month. The page we checked showed Canadian dollars, so your price may display differently.

For speed, the only measured result we found is one reviewer’s single test, which saw ping rise from 15 ms to 26 ms, about 11 ms more. That is one data point, not a benchmark, and your result will depend on your ISP and the server you pick. The feature that stands out here is the value: you get many servers at a low monthly cost, which suits Valorant gamers who want a VPN on several devices.

The drawback is the refund fine print. Monthly plans bought through the Apple App Store or Google Play are reportedly excluded from the 30-day guarantee, and sources disagree on whether renewals are covered, so buy directly and read the terms.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN focuses on simple setup and low latency. Its order page lists servers in 113 countries on every plan and a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The Basic plan costs $3 per month on the 2-year term ($84 for the first 28 months) and renews at $99.95 per year. Advanced is $4.50 per month and Express Pro is $7.50 per month. These prices were part of a Black Friday promotion, so expect them to move.

For speed, third-party reviewers point to its Lightway Turbo protocol as a latency advantage. We did not confirm that claim on the provider’s site, so test it yourself. The feature that matters for Valorant is the app’s simplicity and the 10 simultaneous connections on Basic, which covers a PC, a console and phones in one household.

The drawback is cost. The higher tiers add up, and the renewal price is well above the promotional rate.

4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN offers 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries on paid plans, the largest network we found. VPN Plus is $3.49 per month on the 2-year plan ($83.76 for the first 24 months), and Proton Unlimited is $7.99 per month. All subscriptions carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. The Free plan connects to 10 countries, randomly selected, which makes it a poor fit if you want to choose a server near the game.

The feature that matters is the sheer number of servers, which can help you find a lightly loaded VPN server. We found no source that tests Proton VPN specifically for Valorant or measures its latency, so its gaming performance is unconfirmed.

The drawback is exactly that gap. Proton VPN is a strong privacy product, but we cannot point to evidence that it is tuned for low latency, so run your own tests before relying on it for ranked play.

5. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is recommended by third-party reviewers as a beginner choice. Its standout feature for this keyword is that it displays server latency, so you can pick the VPN server with the lowest number instead of guessing. That directly addresses the main complaint about VPNs for games.

We could not open PIA’s pricing page, so we do not quote a price, server count or refund period. Check its pricing page before you buy. PIA also has its own Valorant page on its site, which we did not review.

The drawback is the missing first-party detail here. The latency display is a third-party claim, and without confirmed pricing you should compare PIA’s cost against the other four before choosing it.

What to look for in the best VPN for Valorant

These are the criteria we used to compare providers.

• Ping and routing. A virtual private network routes your traffic through a VPN server and changes your IP address, so it adds a hop and usually raises ping. Any improvement depends on your ISP’s routing and the server you choose. Pick a server location near you, and look for providers with many servers there so you can test several.
• Server network. More servers give you more options when one is crowded. Surfshark lists 4,500+ servers, ExpressVPN covers 113 countries and Proton VPN lists 20,000+ servers.
• Latency tools. A server list that shows latency, as PIA’s does, saves guesswork.
• Price and refund period. All five providers with confirmed details offer a 30-day guarantee or are reported to. That window is enough to test servers during real matches.
• Device support. The 10 connections on ExpressVPN’s Basic plan suit a shared household, and Surfshark is positioned for many devices.
• Policy risk. Riot’s public statement on VPNs is limited, which we cover below.

Free VPNs

A free plan is rarely the best fit for a fast shooter like Valorant. Proton VPN’s Free plan, for example, picks from 10 randomly selected countries, so you cannot choose a nearby server. A paid VPN service lets you choose, and the 30-day guarantees reduce the risk of trying one.

What Riot says about a Valorant VPN

Riot has no Valorant-specific VPN statement that we could find. A 2020 Riot post said it blocked some of the highest-volume VPN services for cross-region access, citing lag spikes and language barriers. That post was prompted by the League of Legends: Wild Rift regional beta and does not mention Valorant. It also said players who log into their home region through a VPN should not be affected, and that players with login trouble should contact player support.

Some vendor guides say Riot bans VPN users and others say it does not, but neither cites a Riot document. The safe reading is that there is no confirmed Valorant-specific ban, and that you should not expect a VPN to change your region, because your region is tied to your Valorant account.

How to set up the best VPN for Valorant

Setting up a VPN for Valorant takes a few minutes.

1. Pick a provider from the list above and subscribe. Buying directly from the VPN provider keeps you eligible for the money-back guarantee.
2. Install the app on the device you play on and sign in.
3. Connect to a VPN server close to the Valorant server you will play on. Use the latency display if your app has one, and try two or three servers.
4. Launch Valorant with the VPN connection active and check your in-game ping. Compare it with your result without the VPN.
5. If the VPN makes things worse, switch servers or disconnect, and keep whichever setup gives you the best possible latency. A VPN is optional, not required.

If Vanguard, Riot’s anti-cheat, throws an initialization error, one third-party guide suggests disabling the VPN before you launch the game. That fix is unverified, and Riot’s support pages describe Vanguard without mentioning VPNs. Contact Riot player support if the problem persists.

For more picks across games, see our gaming VPN guides.

Best VPN for Valorant FAQs

Can I use a VPN to play Valorant?

Yes, you can access Valorant through a VPN, and we found no confirmed Valorant-specific ban. Riot’s only VPN statement we found is a 2020 post about cross-region access that does not mention Valorant. It says players logging into their home region through a VPN should not be affected.

Can a VPN give me low ping in Valorant?

Usually no. A VPN adds a hop, so ping typically rises. The only measured result we found was one reviewer’s single test, in which Surfshark added about 11 ms. A VPN could give you better ping if your ISP routes poorly, but you have to test servers yourself.

Which are the best VPNs for Valorant?

NordVPN is the most frequently recommended, which is why it is first here. Surfshark is the value pick and ExpressVPN is the simplest to set up. We did not run our own tests, so we cannot name the fastest VPN on your connection. Use the 30-day guarantees to check how each one performs.

Can I play Valorant in a different region with a VPN?

A VPN does not officially change your Valorant region, because the region is tied to your account. Riot also said in 2020 that it blocked high-volume VPN services for cross-region access. Do not expect a VPN to unblock Valorant for another region.

Is a free VPN good enough for Valorant?

Rarely. Free plans limit your choice of servers, and Proton VPN’s Free plan connects to 10 randomly selected countries. For a game where latency matters, a paid VPN with a 30-day guarantee is the safer test.

Which server gives the best Valorant ping?

Connect to the server closest to your Valorant game server. If your VPN displays latency, such as PIA’s, pick the lowest number. Try two or three servers and compare your in-game ping.

Can a VPN cause Vanguard errors?

It can. A third-party guide suggests disabling the VPN before launching if you see the “Vanguard is unable to initialize” error. This is unverified, and Riot’s Vanguard pages do not mention VPNs, so contact player support if it continues.