If IP bans and network blocks are ruining your Minecraft experience, then using a VPN is the ultimate solution. But not just any VPN will work! Luckily, I did the hard part for you: after thoroughly testing hundreds of VPN providers, NordVPN came out as my top pick because it consistently bypasses Minecraft IP bans and VPN detection measures.
With NordVPN, you’ll also get 7,000+ servers to rotate through after a ban, obfuscated servers for school and office networks, and DDoS protection for streamers! But the competition is close.
In total, I found 7 VPNs that work best for Minecraft players worldwide. And my runner-up, Surfshark, and PrivateVPN, my third pick for hosting your own server, do the job almost as well as my top pick.
Keep reading to find out which VPN is best for you!
Top 3 VPNs for Minecraft (October, 2026)
Surfshark
Best for Minecraft households
- Camouflage and NoBorders modes
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Kill switch and CleanWeb
NordVPN
Best for beating Minecraft bans
- 7,000+ servers to rotate after a ban
- Obfuscated servers for school Wi-Fi
- Optional dedicated IP
PrivateVPN
Best for hosting Minecraft
- Port forwarding on select servers
- Full-system kill switch
- 10 devices from $2.00 a month
Finding the best VPN for Minecraft means finding a VPN that consistently bypasses IP bans and VPN detection measures.
Not only are all of the VPNs listed in this guide great at doing both, but they also offer apps for all popular Minecraft platforms, multiple simultaneous connections, and fast gaming speeds.
Stick around to find out how I came to my conclusions and what each top VPN for Minecraft excels at!
The Best VPNs for Minecraft at a Glance
In this guide, I discuss in-depth why each VPN provider is great for Minecraft. But if you’re in a rush, here’s a quick look at my list:
- NordVPN – Best Minecraft VPN
- Surfshark – Obfuscation for Every Device in the House
- PrivateVPN – Port Forwarding for Hosting Minecraft Servers
- ExpressVPN – Premium Low-Latency Minecraft VPN
- PureVPN – Obfuscated Servers to Beat VPN Detection
- Private Internet Access – Huge Server Network
- CyberGhost VPN – Beginner-Friendly Minecraft VPN
How Do I Play Minecraft With a VPN? It’s Easy – Just Follow These 6 Steps!
Using Surfshark as a base, here’s how to play Minecraft with a VPN:
- Choose a plan for a Minecraft VPN and pay the subscription fees to activate your account.
- Download the VPN app for the device (or devices) you play Minecraft on.
- When the app installation is complete, launch it and sign in to your account.
- Click or tap on the “Connect” button, so your VPN automatically connects you to the fastest server based on your real location.
- After launching Minecraft on your device, click Multiplayer > Proceed > Add Server and enter the Minecraft server connection details.
- Click the Join Server button and enjoy!
Detailed List of the 7 Best VPNs for Minecraft
1. NordVPN – Best Minecraft VPN
NordVPN is my top pick for Minecraft because it solves the problem most players arrive with: a server that won’t let them back in.
With 7,000+ servers in 150 countries, a fresh IP address after a ban takes a single reconnect, and there are enough locations to join a server anywhere in the world with low latency.
If you want to beat Minecraft’s VPN detection methods or a school firewall, NordVPN’s obfuscation setup is easy to implement. It requires changing some advanced settings, but it’s still user-friendly.
First, navigate to Settings > Auto-connect and make sure OpenVPN TCP is selected under “VPN Protocol.”
Then, go to Advanced and move the “Obfuscated servers” switch to the right.
The trade-off is that obfuscation limits you to the OpenVPN TCP protocol (as shown above), so you miss out on the faster speeds of NordVPN’s proprietary protocol, NordLynx. With obfuscation on, it was slightly slower than Surfshark and ExpressVPN.
On a normal connection, it’s a different story: in my gaming roundup, NordLynx lost under 6 Mbps of a 212 Mbps line, and I’ve never experienced latency issues while playing Minecraft with NordVPN!
Another downside is that NordVPN’s obfuscation feature isn’t available on every server, so you pick from a shorter list when you need it.
If a server keeps flagging you because other VPN users share your address, NordVPN’s dedicated IP add-on ($3.69 a month on the 2-year plan, in 31 countries) gives you an address nobody else uses.
It’s also my pick for streamers looking for the best VPN for DDoS protection, and Threat Protection blocks malicious sites before a dodgy mod or texture-pack download reaches your PC (its Pro version on the higher-tier plans scans the downloads themselves).
What its standard plans can’t do is port forwarding (NordVPN only offers it with a paid Dedicated Server add-on), so if you host your own server, PrivateVPN (below) is the better fit.
NordVPN also has dedicated apps for all your devices and lets you connect up to ten of them simultaneously.
Plus, you can get a big discount on the two-year subscription, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, by signing up with this link!
Pros
- Beats Minecraft IP bans
- 7,000+ servers in 150 countries worldwide
- Obfuscated servers for networks that block VPNs
- Optional dedicated IP for servers that flag shared addresses
- DDoS protection and Threat Protection
- Automatic internet kill switch
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Obfuscation feature isn’t available on all servers
- Obfuscated servers run on OpenVPN, which is slower than NordLynx
- No port forwarding on standard plans (paid Dedicated Server add-on only)
2. Surfshark – Obfuscation for Every Device in the House
Surfshark is my runner-up, and it has almost everything a Minecraft player needs!
No matter how familiar you are with VPNs, using Surfshark to bypass Minecraft IP bans or unblock the game on your school’s internet is easy.
With 4,500+ servers in 100 countries worldwide, you can enjoy blazing-fast speeds that help keep your latency low, so you don’t get wiped out by an Enderman when you least expect it.
Surfshark also has two obfuscation features, which help hide the fact you’re using a VPN from Minecraft.
Camouflage Mode is a lightweight version that works perfectly for most gamers, while NoBorders Mode sacrifices some speed to protect Minecrafters in countries where VPNs are restricted or illegal.
Camouflage Mode is enabled by default when you connect to Surfshark using either OpenVPN protocol.
NoBorders Mode can be enabled by navigating to Settings > Advanced and sliding the “NoBorders” button to the right.
The kill switch also needs to be manually enabled.
This can be done by navigating to Settings > Connectivity and sliding the “Kill Switch” button to the right.
If you’re starting a Minecraft tutorials channel on YouTube or streaming your gameplay on Twitch, Surfshark is also one of the best VPNs for streamers. It protects you from DDoS attacks, so haters and trolls can’t intentionally crash your internet connection.
Regardless of what Minecraft Edition you play, Surfshark has you covered with easy-to-use apps for all device types.
You can even connect as many devices as you want with a single account!
NordVPN beats it here on one count: its 7,000+ servers, about 50% more than Surfshark’s, give you more IP addresses to rotate through after a ban. If you’d rather put the whole family’s PCs and phones on one plan, though, Surfshark is the better deal, with CleanWeb and a 30-day money-back guarantee included.
Pros
- Beats Minecraft IP bans
- 4,500+ servers in 100 countries worldwide
- 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 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Need to manually enable the kill switch to protect yourself from IP leaks
- Fewer IP addresses than NordVPN for rotating past bans
3. PrivateVPN – Port Forwarding for Hosting Minecraft Servers
PrivateVPN is the one I’d pick if you run a Minecraft server rather than just join one.
Hosting a Java server at home normally means opening a port on your router and handing your real IP address to every player who connects. With PrivateVPN’s port forwarding, available on selected locations, the app assigns you a port on the VPN server instead, so friends connect to the VPN’s address and your home IP stays hidden. Set that port as the server port in your server.properties file, and you’re in business. Surfshark doesn’t offer port forwarding at all, and NordVPN only includes it with its paid Dedicated Server add-on.
For joining servers, every location gives you a shared static IP, and selected locations add dynamic dedicated IPs over OpenVPN. If Minecraft or a school network spots the VPN, its Stealth VPN mode disguises the traffic, at some cost to speed.
The kill switch is system-wide on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, so your server or session never falls back to your real IP. Consoles need a router setup, since there’s no console app or Smart DNS.
I haven’t run it through this page’s tests, but in my gaming roundup, its ping on Windows stayed between 14 and 16 ms, close to NordVPN’s 11 to 14 ms and plenty for Minecraft.
The catch is scale: 200+ servers in 63 countries means far fewer IP addresses to rotate through after a ban than NordVPN or Surfshark offer, so it settles for third. It’s also based in Sweden, and its no-logs claim has never been independently audited.
On price, it’s hard to beat: $2.00 a month on the 36-month plan (then $72 a year) for 10 devices, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. My PrivateVPN Minecraft guide walks through the setup, console workaround included.
Get PrivateVPN at its lowest price here.
Pros
- Port forwarding on selected locations for hosting your own Minecraft server
- Shared static IPs on every location
- Stealth VPN to get past VPN blocks
- Full-system kill switch on every platform
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
- $2.00 a month on the 36-month plan
Cons
- Only 200+ servers in 63 countries, so fewer IPs to rotate after a ban
- No console app or Smart DNS
- No-logs policy has not been independently audited
4. ExpressVPN – Premium Low-Latency Minecraft VPN
ExpressVPN also makes it easy to bypass Minecraft’s VPN detection methods – because all its servers in 113 countries are automatically optimized for obfuscation thanks to its TrustedServer Technology!
You’ll never worry about latency issues, either. Every time I test ExpressVPN, I get VPN speeds nearly as fast as Surfshark’s. The difference is so small you have to run a speed test online to notice it!
ExpressVPN is also a great VPN for streamers, with excellent DDoS protection.
Plus, their apps are easy to use: simply install, login, and connect – no fiddling with the settings (unless you want to).
Best of all, you can get the ExpressVPN app for just about every device you can imagine.
Its Basic plan now covers ten simultaneous connections, too.
It’s also worth mentioning ExpressVPN is a premium provider.
Though their monthly subscription fees are tied with several others, they still cost more than budget picks like Surfshark and PrivateVPN, even with the savings from their long-term plan. That premium is why it sits fourth here: the three VPNs above cover the same Minecraft needs at similar or lower prices.
The good news is you can unlock a 35% discount and three free months by signing up with our link!
Pros
- Beats Minecraft IP bans
- Servers in 113 countries worldwide
- All servers optimized for obfuscation
- Blazing fast speeds with low-latency
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
- DDoS protection
- Automatic internet kill switch
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections on the Basic plan
Cons
- Pricier than budget picks like Surfshark and PrivateVPN
- No automatic app updates
5. PureVPN – Obfuscated Servers to Beat VPN Detection
PureVPN is the one I’d grab when Minecraft keeps recognizing my VPN.
Its secret weapon is a set of obfuscated servers, which PureVPN says are designed to mask your VPN usage – so a server running VPN detection (or a school network that blocks VPNs) sees what looks like ordinary traffic.
You’ll find them among PureVPN’s specialized servers, right next to its quantum-resistant ones, so switch to one manually as soon as you get flagged.
For IP bans, PureVPN runs 6,000+ servers in 65+ countries, which gives you plenty of addresses to hop between. And if you’d rather have an IP address nobody else uses, it sells a Dedicated IP add-on – plus a Dedicated IP + Port Forwarding add-on if you host your own world.
When we tested it for our PureVPN Minecraft guide, it had us playing on a US server without any trouble.
PureVPN also covers the basics: an internet kill switch, split tunneling, and the WireGuard protocol for fast connections. One subscription covers up to 10 devices, too.
The downside? Its obfuscation isn’t automatic the way ExpressVPN’s is, so you have to remember to switch servers when Minecraft starts blocking you.
On the plus side, the price is low: the Standard plan costs $2.15 a month on the 2-year deal ($58.20 for the first 27 months), with a 31-day money-back guarantee.
To grab that deal, just sign up using this link!
Pros
- Obfuscated servers designed to mask VPN usage
- 6,000+ servers in 65+ countries to rotate after a ban
- Dedicated IP and port forwarding add-ons
- Kill switch, split tunneling, and WireGuard
- Up to 10 devices at once
- Cheap 2-year plan + 31-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Obfuscated servers must be picked manually
- Dedicated IP and port forwarding cost extra
6. Private Internet Access – Huge Server Network
If you’re looking for a Minecraft VPN to help you bypass IP bans, then Private Internet Access has servers in 91 countries, including all 50 US states, to offer!
Their apps are also user-friendly, no matter what device you’re using.
You can even connect unlimited devices simultaneously!
PIA also gives you the option of using the SOCKS5 proxy connection instead of a VPN protocol.
This way, you can boost your speed for even lower latency!
However, SOCKS5 won’t encrypt your connection.
But even without SOCKS5, I’m enjoying low-latency and high speeds – even faster than with NordVPN’s obfuscated servers!
Still, PIA has a couple of drawbacks.
You’re more likely to get caught by Minecraft’s VPN detection measures, as PIA doesn’t have any obfuscation features.
They’ve promised obfuscated servers from as far back as 2017, but since the new parent company took over, PIA deleted all mentions of it on their website and forums.
Luckily, I haven’t run into any issues using PIA for Minecraft so far.
The second drawback: not all servers have dedicated DDoS protection, and there’s no way to tell if the one you’re connecting to does.
The provider recently clarified on Reddit that “user-level DDOS prevention is not available as a specific function.”
What they don’t make clear is how a DDoS attack on their servers affects connected users.
I couldn’t find any complaints from users being disconnected as a result, though PIA admits a 2016 DDoS attack negatively affected its users.
I still think PIA is a good Minecraft VPN and their 30-day money-back guarantee means you can test them yourself risk-free.
Grab your 73% discount (including two months free) by signing up with this link!
Pros
- Beats Minecraft IP bans
- Servers in 91 countries, including all 50 US states
- Relatively fast speeds with low-latency
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
- Automatic internet kill switch
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- SOCKS5 proxy available
Cons
- No obfuscation features
- No guarantee of DDoS protection
7. CyberGhost VPN – Beginner-Friendly Minecraft VPN
CyberGhost is another popular VPN for Minecraft.
After all, with 9,000+ servers in 100 countries worldwide, it’s easy to bypass IP bans!
But there are a couple of catches.
As shown in our CyberGhost vs. NordVPN Comparison, we regularly found connecting to CyberGhost cut our internet speeds in half.
That’s a pretty steep drop that can introduce a lot of latency when trying to play Minecraft.
Fortunately, CyberGhost offers dedicated gaming servers. While this limits your options, it also improves speed and reduces latency significantly.
But for beating the Minecraft VPN detection methods, you’ll have to use the NoSpy Servers instead.
This is a drawback, as the NoSpy servers introduce severe latency and cost extra.
This is as good as not having obfuscation at all – you’re better off sticking to the “gaming” servers.
Back to the positives, CyberGhost’s apps are beginner-friendly and available for all devices.
You can even connect up to seven of them at the same time.
CyberGhost is also moderately priced. It’s not the cheapest VPN on this list, but it’s not the most expensive either.
But if this is your first VPN experience, sign-up with this link to get an exclusive 83% discount, plus three free months on a three-year subscription!
Pros
- Beats Minecraft IP bans
- 9,000+ servers in 100 countries worldwide
- Dedicated streaming servers offer the best gaming speeds and latency
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
- DDoS Protection
- Automatic internet kill switch
- Up to 7 simultaneous connections
Cons
- NoSpy obfuscation servers introduce latency and cost extra
What Is the Best Free VPN for Minecraft?
The best free VPN for Minecraft is Windscribe.
However, I strongly recommend against using a free VPN for Minecraft.
But if you have no choice, Windscribe offers 2GB of bandwidth every month (10GB/month if you sign-up with an email address), making it a decent free VPN for Minecraft.
That said, I can’t guarantee Windscribe’s free version will work consistently.
Windscribe is a premium VPN, meaning they subsidize the cost of offering a free version with premium subscriber fees.
For this reason, free users can only choose from a small portion of servers.
This is still better than most other free VPNs that limit servers and bandwidth while also spying on users and selling their personal information to advertising companies.
Overall, free VPNs will rarely, if ever, pass under the radar when it comes to Minecraft’s VPN detection methods.
Although Mojang doesn’t outright ban using a VPN when playing Minecraft, they’re known to block connections they recognize as coming through a VPN.
Windscribe won’t always work. Most of the time, it’s more likely not to work at all. So, if you find a free server that works, consider yourself lucky.
This is why I recommend sticking to a paid VPN provider with a proven track record.
Don’t forget you can get a big discount on NordVPN when you sign-up using this link!
Read Also: Can You Be Tracked With a VPN? (7 Privacy Tips)How to Choose the Best VPN for Minecraft?
If you’re determined to shop around, this cheat list of must-have features will help you choose the best Minecraft VPN:
- Many VPN servers (and IP addresses) – the more, the better! This will help you bypass Minecraft IP bans with ease and give you plenty of options for reconnecting if you get an IP ban on one of the VPN’s servers.
- Fast, consistent VPN speeds – without fast speeds, you’ll struggle with a poor ping rate and high latency. Having many VPN servers usually helps with this because users can spread out more easily without causing network overload.
- Ability to bypass Minecraft’s VPN detection measures – you won’t be able to connect otherwise. Obfuscated servers (or an obfuscation feature) are the most sure-fire way for a VPN to meet this requirement. But generally speaking, if it works with Netflix, it’ll work with Minecraft too!
- DDoS protection – this is especially important if you’re streaming your Minecraft gameplay or even uploading edited clips to platforms like YouTube.
- Easy-to-use apps for your devices – you can’t use your Minecraft VPN if the provider doesn’t have an app for the device you’re playing on, after all! And the easier it is to install and use, the more time you can spend playing instead of fiddling with the VPN settings.
- Budget-friendly – it doesn’t help to find the perfect VPN for Minecraft if you can’t afford the subscription fees.
NordVPN ticks all the right boxes, from a huge pool of IP addresses to obfuscation and DDoS protection – especially if you sign-up with this link!
But overall, all 7 best VPNs for Minecraft listed in this guide will do the job.
How to Bypass the Minecraft VPN Blocker?
Here’s how to bypass a Minecraft IP ban or get past their VPN blocker:
- Sign-up with a Minecraft VPN (we recommend NordVPN).
- Install the VPN app and use the connect button to connect to the fastest VPN server or choose your preferred location.
- Launch Minecraft and join one of the online servers.
- If Minecraft detects you’re using a VPN, close the Minecraft app. Turn on your VPN’s obfuscation feature and then try again.
- If you get an IP ban while using your VPN, close the Minecraft app and reconnect to a different VPN server before logging back into the game.
Why Is Minecraft Blocked?
Minecraft is most likely blocked because you’re trying to launch the game on your school or work’s internet connection.
Schools and businesses usually block games because they want to limit online distractions so you can focus on learning or work.
Like IP bans (which are typically issued because a player using the same IP broke a multiplayer server’s rules), you can unblock Minecraft with one of our recommended VPNs.
FAQ
Does Surfshark Work on Minecraft?
Yes, Surfshark works on Minecraft and will help you beat an IP ban, unblock the latest Minecraft features no matter your location, or bypass your school’s firewall.
Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for Minecraft, thanks to its fast speeds, large server network, and obfuscation features. Plus, it has unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices!
Does NordVPN Work on Minecraft?
Yes, NordVPN works on Minecraft and will help you beat an IP ban, unblock the latest Minecraft features no matter your location, or bypass your school’s firewall.
Thanks to fast connection speeds, a large server network, and obfuscation features, NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Minecraft.
NordVPN also offers ten simultaneous connections for all your devices.
Can You Play Minecraft With a VPN?
Yes, you can play Minecraft with a VPN to bypass an IP ban, unblock censored Minecraft content in your country, or get through your school or workplace’s firewall.
However, not all VPNs work on Minecraft.
NordVPN is our recommended best VPN for Minecraft, as it offers obfuscated servers, fast NordLynx speeds, 7,000+ servers, and DDoS protection for all your devices.
Can You Get Banned for Using a VPN on Hypixel?
Yes, you can get banned for using a VPN on Hypixel and almost always will.
Hypixel doesn’t directly forbid it but still issues a security ban for using a VPN to connect to their server and map.
Does Hypixel Ban IPs?
No, Hypixel does not ban IP addresses. Instead, they ban user accounts and flag the connected IP as a security threat for about a week (unconfirmed).
New account login attempts on a flagged IP will also receive a security alert ban.
Will I Get Banned for Using a VPN on Minecraft?
Your IP might get banned for using a VPN on Minecraft – unless your VPN can beat Minecraft’s VPN detection.
All of the VPNs listed in this guide are excellent choices for avoiding Minecraft’s VPN detection methods.
What Countries Are Minecraft Banned In?
Minecraft is not banned in any countries at the time of writing.
However, China and Turkey both have censored versions of Minecraft.
You’ll need to use a VPN with powerful obfuscation features, like Surfshark’s NoBorders Mode, to access the regular Minecraft from these countries.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re trying to enjoy your lunch break, beat an IP ban, or bypass your country’s censorship, the best VPNs for Minecraft will help you dive back into the world’s favorite sandbox game!
My favorite Minecraft VPN is NordVPN, thanks to its huge server network, obfuscated servers, and DDoS protection.
Sign-up with this link to get a major discount on the best Minecraft VPN!
