Lost Ark is only available in South Korea, Japan, and Russia.
But as a lifelong MMORPG player, I wanted in on the action – so I put the top VPNs for online gaming to the test again.
And in conclusion, I found Surfshark is the fastest of only three providers with VPN servers in all three countries, making them my top pick as the best VPN for Lost Ark!
So, if you want to defeat Kazeros and his demon army, keep reading!
Top 3 VPNs for Lost Ark
As one of only three providers with VPN servers in Russia, plus South Korea and Japan, ProtonVPN offers Lost Ark Players security and speed – at a premium price.
Surfshark has everything Lost Ark players around the world need – including the most budget-friendly access to the fastest VPN servers in South Korea, Japan, and Russia.
With VPN servers in South Korea and Japan, NordVPN unblocks Lost Ark and protects you from DDoS attacks simultaneously so that you can enjoy the game in a safe online environment.
If you want to enjoy the MMORPG Lost Ark from anywhere in the world, you need a VPN with servers in South Korea, Japan, or Russia – ideally, all three!
You also need robust security features to keep you safe and hidden and fast server speeds for an uninterrupted gaming experience.
Luckily, all the VPNs listed in this guide offer robust security features, fast speeds, and servers in one (or more) of the three listed countries – while our top pick offers servers in all three.
Join me below as I discuss my research and findings!
A Quick Peek at the Best VPNs for Lost Ark
In this guide, I’ll discuss my research and findings in-depth.
But if you’re in a rush, don’t stress it!
Here’s a quick peek at my top five best VPNs for Lost Ark:
- Surfshark – Best Lost Ark VPN
- ProtonVPN – Secure Russian Servers
- NordVPN – Best for South Korean Players
- ExpressVPN – Premium Low-Latency Lost Ark VPN
- CyberGhost VPN – Beginner-Friendly Lost Ark VPN
Detailed List of the 5 Best VPNs for Lost Ark
1. Surfshark – Best Lost Ark VPN
Surfshark makes unblocking Lost Ark easier than controlling your character’s movement in-game.
To start, they’re nearly the only provider with servers in South Korea, Russia, and Japan – the only countries Lost Ark is currently available in.
On top of that, I consistently get some of the best VPN speeds while using Surfshark – even on Russian servers.
Speed Without Surfshark:
Speed With Surfshark:
I never worry that latency or a high ping rate will cause my game to crash or my character to die while playing with Surfshark.
And thanks to much more stable connection quality, I can bank on a smooth gaming experience from start to finish!
And on top of DDoS protection, Surfshark also has two obfuscation features: Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode.
While the latter sacrifices some speed, both features hide that you’re using a VPN from Lost Ark, protecting you from IP and VPN bans.
Camouflage Mode is enabled by default when you connect to Surfshark using either OpenVPN protocol.
NoBorders Mode is enabled by navigating to Settings > Advanced and sliding the NoBorders option to the right.
Surfshark is also incredibly affordable:
Even better, you can save on a 2-year subscription by using this link instead!
Pros
- 3,200+ VPN servers in 65 countries worldwide – including South Korea, Russia, and Japan
- Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode bypass network blocks and VPN detection methods
- Blazing fast speeds with low-latency
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
- DDoS protection
- Unlimited multiple device connections
Cons
- Need to manually enable the Kill Switch to protect yourself from IP leaks
2. ProtonVPN – Secure Russian Servers
Like Surfshark, ProtonVPN offers some of the fastest VPN speeds on the market – and is one of only three providers with servers in Russia!
When we did our ProtonVPN vs. NordVPN In-Depth Comparison a few months ago, we were pleasantly surprised to find the privacy-conscious Swiss provider was very nearly as fast as NordVPN.
It performed just as well this time around, delivering low latency and a stable ping rate.
Speed Without ProtonVPN:
Speed With ProtonVPN:
It also offers 16 servers in Russia, 8 in South Korea, and 23 in Japan.
Still, if NordVPN had Russian servers, ProtonVPN would be stuck in third place as one of the best VPNs for Lost Ark.
This is because, while ProtonVPN is one of the most secure VPN providers with user-friendly apps and Secure Core DDoS protection, they’re also quite expensive.
This is especially so if you want access to all of their servers – most that will help you unblock Lost Ark are only available with the Plus Plan.
Luckily, you can give them a test run with the free version using this link!
Pros
- 1,200+ VPN servers in 55 countries worldwide – including Russia (16), South Korea (8), and Japan (23)
- Fast speeds with low-latency
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
- Secure Core DDoS protection
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
- Free Version available (not suitable for unblocking Lost Ark)
Cons
- Most servers that unblock Lost Ark are only available with the ProtonVPN Plus Plan
- No live chat support
- More expensive than most of the other top Lost Ark VPNs
3. NordVPN – Best for South Korean Players
NordVPN used to be my top pick for the best VPNs for online gaming – and thanks to its superior DDoS protection, it’s still in my top three.
One of the biggest reasons I pushed it down to third place as a Lost Ark VPN is that no Russian servers are available.
This means if you lack a valid South Korean phone number, you won’t be able to use NordVPN to play Lost Ark.
Luckily for South Korean and Japanese players, you can still choose between 10+ VPN servers in South Korea and 80+ in Japan.
But you’ll either need to sacrifice speed or security.
While their proprietary NordLynx protocol offers a blazing fast connection for gamers, you’ll be stuck with OpenVPN if you want to use NordVPN’s obfuscation feature to protect yourself from VPN blocks.
Worse, the obfuscation feature isn’t available with all of their servers.
If you’re a closed-beta Japan tester, you’re in luck.
But if you’re in South Korea, you’ll have to stick to non-obfuscated servers.
The good news is Smilegate (Lost Ark’s developers) doesn’t seem to block players who use a VPN to play their game – at least not yet.
So, for me, it’s an easy choice: I’d rather have fast speeds with low latency.
Unfortunately, even with NordLynx, NordVPN’s South Korean servers are slower than the other best VPNs for Lost Ark on this list.
Speed Without NordVPN:
Speed With NordVPN:
Comparing monthly plans, NordVPN is also the most budget-friendly of my top three best VPNs for Lost Ark.
But you can also enjoy a huge discount on their Two-Year Plan by using this link to sign-up!
Pros
- 5,447+ VPN servers in 94 countries worldwide – including 10+ in South Korea and 80+ in Japan
- Fast speeds with low latency when using the NordLynx protocol
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
- DDoS protection
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections
Cons
- No Russian servers
- Obfuscation feature sacrifices fast gaming speeds
- Speeds are still slower than other top Lost Ark VPNs
4. ExpressVPN – Premium Low-Latency Lost Ark VPN
ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 VPN servers worldwide – and all of them are already obfuscated against VPN trackers thanks to their TrustedServer technology!
The only downside is there are only four options for Lost Ark players: 1 South Korean VPN server location and 4 in Japan.
This means you’ll either need to be an accepted closed beta tester for the Japanese version of Lost Ark or a South Korean citizen (or expat) with a valid phone number.
But the good news is, every time I put ExpressVPN to the test, I get some of the fastest VPN speeds, with very low in-game latency.
Speed Without ExpressVPN:
Speed With ExpressVPN:
My ping rate is slightly higher than when I’m not using a VPN at all, but playing with ExpressVPN means it isn’t jumping all over the place.
And as all gamers know, the more stable your connection, the better the experience!
ExpressVPN certainly rivals other VPNs for Lost Ark, especially as it offers DDoS protection.
But to enjoy their superior service, you need to pay their premium subscription fees.
However, if you use this link, you can save a huge amount on their 1-Year Plan!
Pros
- 3,000+ VPN servers in 94 countries worldwide – including South Korea and Japan
- All servers optimized for obfuscation to prevent IP and VPN blocks
- Blazing fast speeds with low-latency
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
- DDoS protection
Cons
- No Russian servers
- More expensive than other top Lost Ark VPNs
- No automatic app updates
- Only 5 simultaneous connections
5. CyberGhost VPN – Beginner-Friendly Lost Ark VPN
CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN for Lost Ark players with servers in Russia, South Korea, and Japan!
Unfortunately, CyberGhost also regularly cuts my internet speed in half, introducing unwanted latency.
Speed Without CyberGhost:
Speed With CyberGhost:
Plus, if you want to prevent VPN bans, you’re stuck using CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers, which also negatively influence server speeds and cost extra.
And although the provider advertises 60 VPN servers in Russia, none of them are physically located there.
Connecting to a Russian IP address tends to drop the speed even more.
But if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly VPN that will give you a South Korean, Japanese, or Russian IP address to unblock Lost Ark, CyberGhost is still one of the best – and it offers DDoS protection!
You can even get an exclusive discount, plus three free months on a 3-year subscription if you sign up with this link!
Pros
- 6,818 VPN servers in 91 countries worldwide, including South Korea (24), Japan (53), and Russia (60)
- Beginner-friendly, easy-to-use apps for all devices
- DDoS Protection
- Up to 7 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Russian servers aren’t physically located in Russia and tend to be much slower
- Regularly cuts internet speed by 50% with relatively high-latency
- NoSpy servers also negatively influence speed and cost extra
- Doesn’t work in restricted areas like China
How to Choose the Best VPN to Access Lost Ark From Anywhere in the World?
If you want to shop around before committing, here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a VPN to access Lost Ark:
- Servers in South Korea and Russia – only accepted closed-beta players can access Lost Ark using Japanese VPN servers.
- Fast VPN speeds with low latency and stable ping rates ensure a high-quality gaming experience.
- DDoS protection guarantees underhanded players can’t maliciously interrupt your gameplay – especially in Lost Ark’s PvP mode.
- Obfuscation isn’t an absolute must, but it’s always better to have the option in case of VPN blocks.
- Price is the last thing to consider – if you’re paying a premium subscription fee, does it come with the premium features to match?
How Does a VPN Unblock Lost Ark?
Although Lost Ark is blocked outside of South Korea, Russia, and Japan, it encrypts your data and hides your real IP address behind the VPN server’s IP when you use a reliable VPN.
So, when you connect to a VPN server with a South Korean, Russian, or Japanese IP address, Lost Ark’s geo-targeting system lets you through instead of blocking the connection.
How to Set Up a VPN for Lost Ark?
Setting up a VPN for Lost Ark is the easy part – but there’s a catch.
Unless you’re a South Korean citizen with a working South Korean mobile phone number trying to log into your Lost Ark account while abroad, you need a VPN with Russian servers.
Otherwise, it’s impossible to even download the game.
What about Japan? Unfortunately, only Japanese players who were accepted as beta-testers have access to the closed-beta version of Lost Ark at the moment.
I’ll show you how to access Lost Ark on Russian and South Korean servers in a minute.
But first, here’s the short version of how to set up a VPN for Lost Ark:
- Purchase a subscription for one of my recommended VPNs for Lost Ark.
- Download and install the VPN app.
- Launch the app, log into your VPN account, and connect to a VPN server in Russia.
- Follow the guide below to download and install Lost Ark.
Access Lost Ark on a Russian Server
If you don’t have a valid South Korean number (or are a closed-beta player from Japan traveling abroad), follow these steps to access Lost Ark on a Russian server from anywhere in the world.
- While connected to a Russian VPN server, create a free mail.ru email address – it’s free to do so, but you’ll want to use Google Chrome’s auto-translate feature (or the Translate plug-in if you use a different browser).
- Visit the official Russian Lost Ark website.
- If you’re using Translate, click on the “Play for Free” button. This is what it looks like in Russian:
- You’ll get the Login or Registration page. Click on the lower-left box, “Log in with Mail.ru.”
- Enter your mail.ru address and password.
- Click the “Proceed” button on the next page.
- When prompted, accept the Terms and Conditions and select “Register.”
- On the top-right screen, select “DOWNLOAD A GAME.”
- Follow the installation instructions and enjoy Lost Ark while connected to your VPN!
Access Lost Ark on the South Korean Server
Remember, this is only possible if you have a valid South Korean number!
If not, use the instructions above to access Lost Ark on the Russian server instead.
Follow these steps below to access Lost Ark on a South Korean server:
- While connected to a South Korean VPN server, visit the Stove website.
- Click “Login” then “Register.”
- Agree to the Terms of Service and choose a nickname for yourself (if you want) that includes Hangeul characters.
- When the “Send verification mail” button turns orange, click on it.
- Stove will send you an email with a verification code; you can’t proceed until you enter it on the site.
- Finally, you’ll be asked to verify your age – which can only be done with a valid South Korean mobile number.
FAQ
Will Using a VPN for Lost Ark Slow Down My Internet Connection?
Yes, using a VPN for Lost Ark will slow down your internet connection.
But with a fast VPN like Surfshark, the drop in speed should be barely noticeable.
Is a Free VPN Good For Lost Ark?
A free VPN is not good enough for Lost Ark.
In the unlikely chance a free VPN unblocks the game, you’ll have slow speeds, high latency, and barely finish downloading the game before reaching the bandwidth limit.
Conclusion
As the most budget-friendly option with blazing-fast speeds and servers in Russia, South Korea, and Japan, Surfshark is undoubtedly the best VPN for Lost Ark.
Start your journey to defeat Kazeros and his demon army with Surfshark by using this link to unlock our exclusive discount!
