What is the best VPN for Xbox?
NordVPN is the best VPN for Xbox overall, with a class-leading 3% average internet download speed loss. With its lightning-quick connectivity, Nord is a phenomenal VPN for competitive gaming and buttery-smooth 4K video streaming.
Our Picks
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ExpressVPN is the most user-friendly Xbox VPN on the market, offering blazing-fast internet speeds for gaming, a generous server selection and exceptional streaming service compatibility.
Surfshark is the best value VPN for Xbox, with a terrific price-to-performance ratio -- its fast speeds and great streaming unblocking make it a wallet-friendly virtual private network for Xbox consoles.
Proton VPN sports a solid free VPN tier that’s shockingly competent, and its outstanding paid plan is well worth the upgrade for its expanded server network and terrific streaming support.
Why use VPNs for Xbox
VPNs provide many benefits, like enhancing your online privacy and letting you unblock region-restricted content, such as foreign Netflix or Disney Plus libraries. While gaming, using a VPN can boost your privacy, minimize lag and help you circumvent internet service provider throttling (which can slow down your internet connection). That's not to say that using a VPN won't slow your internet speeds a tad; they absolutely can.
Aside from gaming, Xbox consoles are also entertainment hubs, so you might want to use a VPN for streaming. Popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video offer a ton of content, with international titles that vary depending on your physical location. Plus, you can use a virtual private network with Xbox Game Pass to reduce load times and ping, or even use Xbox cloud gaming in a country that doesn't otherwise support it.
Using a VPN with Xbox consoles -- whether you own a Series X, Series S or One -- can be complicated. With operating systems like Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android, you can usually download a user-friendly VPN app. When you're on an Xbox or gaming console competitors like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, connecting to a virtual private network is more roundabout. Setting up a VPN with an Xbox usually requires a whole-home router setup, or you can also use a Windows PC as a bridge between your VPN and Microsoft Xbox console.
At CNET, we’ve rigorously tested dozens of VPNs, analyzing everything from speed loss and privacy to streaming performance and price. We also pored over individual providers' help documentation for using VPNs with Xbox consoles, which factored heavily into our selection criteria. Whether you want to use Game Pass while traveling abroad to play Gears of War: Reloaded, lower ping on your Series X console or stream The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix, these are the best VPNs for Xbox.
How to use a VPN with Xbox consoles
Unlike most other platforms, such as Windows, MacOS, iPhone and Android, you can’t install VPN apps directly on Xbox consoles. Microsoft isn’t unique -- there aren’t any VPN apps for the PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch either. Instead, you’ll need to use your router as a VPN or a Windows PC as a bridge. Here’s how to use a VPN on Xbox:
- Log in to your router by heading to the correct IP address and entering your username/password combination. Check your router’s documentation if you have it on hand, or if you’re like me, Google it since you recycled that pamphlet already.
- Navigate to a tab like Control Panel, Settings or Network/WAN Setup (when you see fields including DHCP, IP Address, Gateway Address and Subnet Mask, you’re in the correct spot).
- Check the instructions on your VPN provider’s website to set up that service on your Wi-Fi router, then save your changes once you’ve punched in the correct information.
- Connect your Xbox to your router if you haven’t already done so by pressing the Xbox button, heading to Settings > Network > Set up wireless network, then selecting your Wi-Fi network name and entering your password.
Some of the most common IP addresses to use when logging into your router include:
- 10.0.1.1
- 10.0.0.1
- 192.168.1.1
- 192.168.0.1
- 192.168.1.100
- 192.168.2.1
Often, the default username might be admin, user or username. Typical passwords are admin or password. I’m sure that, unlike me, you changed yours to something more secure, so enter the customized username/password combination that you definitely didn’t forget to write down. (If you’re lucky, perhaps it’s saved in your password manager.)
You can also use your Windows PC as a mobile hotspot to connect your Xbox with a VPN
If you don't want the hassle of running a VPN on your router -- or your router doesn't support VPNs -- you can use a Windows PC as a bridge to route your Xbox traffic through a VPN. Here's how:
1. Download and install your VPN provider's app on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Log in with your username and password.
3. Navigate to System > Network & internet in Windows.
4. Enable Mobile hotspot.
5. Head into Mobile hotspot to see the network name and password -- you can change these by clicking Edit in the Network properties section.
6. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
7. Find an option that lists your VPN provider with an Ethernet cable icon -- for me, this said ProtonVPN TUN Tunnel or ExpressVPN TAP Adapter, depending on the VPN I was using.
8. Right-click the box that shows your VPN provider info and choose Properties > Sharing.
9. Enable Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection and Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection.
10. In the Home networking connection dropdown, pick the correct option, which should say Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter in the Network Connections dashboard. On my computer, that was Local Area Connection 2.
11. On your Xbox, press the Xbox button, then head to Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings and choose Set up wireless network.
12. Choose your Windows 11 computer's mobile hotspot name and enter the password.
You'll need to have your VPN running, and be connected to a VPN server that you'd like to route your Xbox console through.
Streaming Xbox Game Pass with a VPN is even easier
Microsoft’s cloud game streaming service, Xbox Game Pass, provides an assortment of titles like Halo, Gears of War: Reloaded and Hollow Knight: Silksong, available to play nearly anywhere you’ve got a reliable internet connection. I regularly use Game Pass on my OnePlus 10 Pro Android smartphone while out and about. If you’re in a region where the service isn’t supported or servers are far away, a VPN lets you enjoy your favorite Xbox games. Thankfully, you won’t have to fiddle with router settings; just install your VPN provider’s app on your preferred platform. Then, enable your VPN and fire up Xbox Game Pass in the app or in a browser.
Factors to consider in a VPN for Xbox
Leveraging our years of hands-on testing, we’ve curated the following factors to consider when selecting a VPN that works with your Xbox.
Speed
Your VPN’s speed plays a crucial role in gaming or streaming video. Fast internet speeds and low latency enhance your gaming experience. Because all virtual private networks result in some speed loss, you’ll want one of the fastest VPNs available. 4K video streaming on Netflix, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime requires solid internet to avoid buffering and pixelation. A high-performance VPN could also lower your ping. For instance, if you’re connecting to a game server far from your physical location, a virtual network near the game server might keep input lag to a minimum. If you’re having issues, you can attempt to fix your VPN connection.
Generally, we recommend an average internet download speed loss of 25% or less. NordVPN, Mullvad, Surfshark, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN all clocked 25% or less -- with some like Nord, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN falling below 20%.
Server network
Whether for tapping into game servers, accessing Xbox Game Pass internationally, or streaming foreign Netflix and Disney Plus libraries, an extensive server network is essential. Look for a high number of servers and a diverse set of countries as well. There are limited choices if your VPN provider boasts a vast list of servers clustered in a small number of locales. Wherever you are around the globe, you’ll enjoy more reliable connectivity with servers closer to your physical location.
Price
Most VPN providers deliver competitive discounts for first-time subscribers, and you’ll usually save more money when signing up for a longer term, like a year or two. We generally advise against springing for more than a 12-month plan. Although your VPN service may be fast, secure and feature-rich initially, that company may go bankrupt, be acquired or suffer a data breach over the next year. Because of the VPN space’s volatility, you should stick to an annual subscription for maximum savings without too much commitment. It’s not just about the lowest price; often more expensive virtual private networks tout fast speeds, large server networks and excellent amenities. Ultimately, you should pick a VPN with the benefits you need.
Streaming support
Since Xbox consoles are all-around multimedia devices, think about entertainment. Streaming with a VPN lets you unlock access to international libraries on services like Netflix, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime. For instance, with a UK VPN enabled you can stream Prey -- normally a Hulu exclusive in the US -- on Disney Plus. The best VPNs for streaming can unblock many streaming services, letting you access foreign content or even enjoy videos while traveling abroad.
Help guides and customer support
Because there’s no directly installable app, using a VPN on Xbox consoles isn’t as straightforward as on other platforms. Instead of downloading an application on your Xbox, you’ll need to run a VPN on your router or connect with your PC as a bridge. We suggest sticking with a company that provides detailed guides explaining how to use a VPN with your Xbox. Additionally, access to 24/7 live chat online and over the phone is helpful if you run into issues during setup.
Privacy
Although gaming is relatively safe, aside from “one more match before bed” morphing into several hours, there are dangers associated with online play. As Kaspersky explains, distributed denial of service, or DDoS, attacks often target gamers. A VPN encrypts your network traffic for additional protection, giving you peace of mind while playing.
How we test VPNs for Xbox
Selecting a VPN can seem daunting with the numerous available options and braggadocious marketing from providers. To properly assess VPNs for gaming, we tested speed loss, checked for DNS leaks and analyzed pricing information. We concentrated on internet connection performance and reliability for gaming, but heavily factored in streaming support since many folks use Xbox consoles as media hubs for watching Netflix, Disney Plus and other apps. Additionally, we pored over each provider’s help guides explaining how to connect Xbox consoles with VPNs, a tedious task which some gamers may require assistance with. Since chances are you’ll use your VPN with other platforms, we checked terms of service, logging policies, third-party audits and privacy features like encryption or kill switches.
The best Xbox VPNs in 2025
Best VPN for Speed
NordVPN
Pros
- Blazing-fast internet speeds
- Strong privacy and transparency
- Great for streaming service unblocking
- User-friendly apps
Cons
- Inconsistent pricing structure
- Not as transparent as other VPN rivals
NordVPN is the best VPN for Xbox overall. You’ll get blazing-fast connection speeds, feature-rich apps and outstanding security. Its best-in-class speed loss (a 3% average in our 2025 testing), makes Nord a great choice for both gaming and streaming -- NordVPN came out on top as the fastest VPN we tested. Nord provides a user-friendly guide to using a VPN with Xbox consoles, a big plus. Its Meshnet feature lets you create a personal gaming server for throwing virtual LAN parties with friends from around the globe to play titles like Stardew Valley.
Why we like it
Thanks to its blisteringly fast internet speeds, NordVPN is great for gaming and streaming. It's an exceptional choice for unblocking geographically protected content like foreign Netflix or Disney Plus libraries. I had no issues watching Stranger Things in 4K on Netflix or The Abyss on Disney Plus using a UK server (normally, The Abyss is on Hulu in the US). You'll enjoy a generous fleet of 8,000-plus servers peppering 126 countries, making Nord an excellent VPN for travel.
On the privacy front, NordVPN boasts a bevy of advanced features like a Double VPN and Onion Over VPN (Tor Over VPN) servers, which offer extra encryption, making it more difficult to trace your data back to its source. You'll also get the usual slate of privacy basics, like a kill switch, split tunneling and top-notch encryption (AES-256-bit with the OpenVPN or IKEv2 VPN protocols and ChaCha20 with NordLynx). NordVPN sets you back $13 per month, $60 per year or $83 total for two years (the one- and two-year plans jump to $140 annually upon renewal). For the price, you'll pay more than wallet-friendly options such as PIA and Surfshark but less initially than other premium VPNs like ExpressVPN.
- Also featured in: Best VPN for Netflix, Best VPN for Amazon Fire TV
Best VPN Service Overall
ExpressVPN
Pros
- Cutting edge privacy and security
- Excellent for streaming
- Easy to use across platforms
- Strong commitment to transparency
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction (British Virgin Islands)
Cons
- Exceedingly expensive
- No way to opt-out of potentially unneeded extra features
- Speed performance getting progressively worse
- Only eight simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN is the most user-friendly VPN for Xbox game consoles and Game Pass. With a minimal speed loss of around 18% in our 2025 testing, Express offers compromise-free gaming. Fast internet is a must-have for competitive online play, and Express doesn’t disappoint. Its generous server network spanning 105 countries means there’s probably an optimal choice regardless of where you -- or the game server you’re connecting to -- are located.
Why we like it
Setting up a VPN with an Xbox is tricky, but thankfully, ExpressVPN features in-depth guides that simplify the process. You can install Express on a router or even use its own Aircove Wi-Fi 6 router or Aircove Go, both of which feature a virtual private network preinstalled. Alternatively, you can connect a console with your Windows computer as a hotspot or configure MediaStreamer for DNS switching. Note that MediaStreamer isn’t a virtual private network but instead a smart DNS service that lets you bypass regional restrictions. While it’s great for entertainment needs -- like gaming or streaming -- it doesn’t provide privacy protections. With split tunneling, ExpressVPN lets you enable a virtual private network on your Xbox while other devices or services bypass it for a direct network connection. This is an especially handy feature with a router VPN. For instance, split tunneling lets you play games over a VPN while your partner’s work laptop -- connected with the same router -- eschews the virtual network, therefore avoiding two-factor authentication when logging in.
On the entertainment side, I found ExpressVPN outstanding for streaming. It handled 4K ultra HD videos without stuttering or freezing. Unblocking geo-restricted content and accessing foreign Netflix or Disney Plus libraries worked flawlessly. For example, with ExpressVPN, I could stream Prey -- usually a Hulu exclusive in the US -- on Disney Plus in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Whether you want to play Halo on your Xbox Series X, stream Goldeneye 007 on Xbox Game Pass on Android or explore international Netflix libraries, Express has you covered.
You’ll pay a premium for its service: $13 monthly, $75 for the first 15 or $98 total for the first 28 month (the one- and two-year plans renew at $100 annually). Granted, ExpressVPN gives you more than just a VPN, bundling in a password manager and identity theft insurance. But if you don't need these amenities, you can get cheaper VPN service elsewhere. Otherwise, you get what you pay for: An ExpressVPN subscription affords best-in-class privacy, fast speeds for gaming and top-notch streaming support.
- Also featured in: Best VPN for Gaming, Best VPN Service
Best cheap VPN
Surfshark
Pros
- Fast
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- RAM-only server infrastructure
- Lots of unique features
- Split tunneling on Windows, Android, MacOS and iOS
Cons
- 14-Eyes jurisdiction (Netherlands)
- Major renewal price increase
Surfshark is the best value VPN for Xbox. Its reasonably priced plans start at $15.45 a month, $48 for your first year or $60 total for your first two years of service (the one- and two-year plans renew at $79 a year). Though its two-year package is the cheapest option per month, we suggest skipping multi-year purchases. With the unpredictable nature of VPN providers, the stellar service you pay for initially could slow down or be affected by a data breach, or the company could be acquired or go out of business.
Why we like it
Although Surfshark keeps prices lower than its rivals, it remains a privacy feature-rich VPN. You get split tunneling, obfuscation and a kill switch. With servers in 100 countries, you’ve got plenty of connectivity options. Notably, Surfshark’s incredibly detailed installation guide for Xbox consoles offers a helpful video alongside written instructions. With unlimited simultaneous connections, you can watch movies on international Netflix libraries with Surfshark while your partner plays Gears of War on their iPhone using Xbox Game Pass in an otherwise unsupported country with a VPN.
Moreover, Surfshark works splendidly for TV lovers and film fanatics, thanks to solid streaming support. We discovered that Surfshark could unblock over 22 different global Netflix libraries, including those in Belgium, Hungary and Denmark. In our 2025 testing, we found that Surfshark maintained blisteringly fast speeds with just an average 21% speed loss. We measured the fastest speeds with WireGuard, so we'd recommend using that VPN protocol during an intense Call of Duty match. Ultimately, Surfshark is an exceptional budget-priced VPN with a slew of servers and plenty of customization options.
- Also featured in: Best VPN for Amazon Prime Video, Best VPN for Streaming
Best Open-Source VPN
ProtonVPN
Pros
- Strong reputation of parent company
- Multi-hop and split tunnelling
- Open-source
Cons
- No 24/7 live chat support
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Xbox -- and the only free VPN we recommend enthusiastically. While many free virtual private networks are lackluster and should be avoided, ProtonVPN’s free tier is surprisingly competent. As expected, Proton VPN’s no-cost option lacks the perks of its paid subscriptions. Nevertheless, free users can choose from servers in several countries, including the US, Japan, Poland, Romania and the Netherlands. While Proton's zero-dollar tier is solid, its paid plan is a worthy consideration if you need more choices, like international servers. You get an enormous server network consisting of 15,000-plus servers throughout 122 countries, outstanding streaming unblocking and an allowance of 10 simultaneous devices.
Why we like it
You’ll find robust privacy that’s vouched for by regular third-party audits. Proton VPN apps are entirely open-source. Its free tier packs a kill switch, AES 256-bit encryption (OpenVPN and IKEv2), ChaCha20 encryption (WireGuard) and DNS leak protection. In our use, we saw just a 16% average internet speed loss, which is great for gaming or 4K video streaming.
On the entertainment side, Proton VPN's premium tier let me stream nearly every foreign Netflix library I tried, including some like Egypt Netflix that competitors Nord weren't able to unblock. I especially liked Proton’s comprehensive guides for sharing a VPN connection from Windows or Linux, as well as installation on various routers -- both of which help you set up virtual private networks on Xbox game consoles. Notably, Proton VPN lacks 24/7 live chat support, and split tunneling is relegated to Windows and Android/Android TV only. If you’re looking for a dependable free VPN for Xbox, Proton is hands-down your best choice.
- Also featured in: Best VPN for Windows, Best VPN for Multiple Devices
ExpressVPN has cutting-edge privacy and security features and is a recipient of a CNET Editor’s Choice award. It’s extremely simple to use, fast and excellent for streaming. Right now, you can get 61% off when you sign up for a two-year subscription, plus four free months on any of ExpressVPN’s three subscription tiers.
Other VPNs we tested
PIA
At merely $12 per month or $40 for the first year (renewing at $50 per year), Private Internet Access is a cost-effective virtual private network that’s priced lower than even Surfshark. Alternatively, PIA offers a $79 three-year package, although we typically advise against shelling out for more than 12 months of service for a VPN upfront. Its beefy privacy and top-shelf transparency make PIA a worthy choice over other budget-friendly VPNs. All its apps are open-source, and we appreciate PIA's commitment to privacy as well as transparency. Streaming content works well on PIA. Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video libraries from the US and UK played great.
While its middling 48% average internet speed loss makes Private Internet Access unsuitable for competitive gaming, it's great for casual users -- and at the price, it's hard to complain. Sporting a vast server network spanning 91 countries, Private Internet Access offers an optimal connection for most folks. Although PIA has fewer server locations than Surfshark, ExpressVPN and NordVPN, it touts more servers than IPVanish. Its excellent Xbox VPN setup guide makes PIA a worthy consideration as a VPN for your Xbox Series X and S. But the unreliable connectivity holds Private Internet Access back when compared with other virtual private network choices with meaningfully faster speeds, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN.
IPVanish
IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous connections, intuitive apps and 24/7 customer support via phone or live chat. (IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) It handles streaming sites like Hulu, Disney Plus, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video with aplomb. However, its uneven speed loss -- we measured an average 44% in our benchmarks -- means IPVanish isn’t as suitable for gaming as other providers. Additionally, IPVanish's price hikes are among the highest we've seen from any VPN we've tested -- even higher than premium VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. While IPVanish costs a reasonable $13 a month, $40 for the first year or $53 total for the first two years, it renews at an absurdly high $156 a year or $312 total for two years (which breaks down to $156 a year, paid upfront). IPVanish is fine for casual users, but because of its high internet download speed loss and exorbitantly high renewal prices, it's not ideal for serious gamers. We also found IPVanish’s Xbox VPN guides underwhelming, so it’s a better option for non-Xbox users.
