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5 Best VPNs for Xbox One, Series X, and 360

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Are you in search of the Best VPN for Xbox? Look no further, as NordVPN is the best option to help unleash your Xbox console’s true potential.

NordVPN lets Xbox gamers access geo-blocked MMO games, protects them against DDoS attacks, and keeps swatting hoaxes at bay.

But if NordVPN fails to charm the gamer inside you, I’ve got more apt choices.

You can try ExpressVPN for fantastic gaming speeds, Surfshark for infinite simultaneous connections, Private Internet Access for a mammoth-sized server network, and CyberGhost for optimized gaming servers.

In this extensive guide, you’ll also learn how to set up these VPNs on your Xbox.

Let’s cut to the chase.

Top 3 VPNs for Xbox One, Series X, 360

FASTEST SPEEDS
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN different devices

ExpressVPN delivers blazing-fast speeds for low-latency gaming, using dedicated router firmware and MediaStreamer Smart DNS support. It has numerous servers for server hopping & high-quality encryption to prevent DDoS attacks.

4.6/5
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BEST-IN-CLASS
NordVPN
NordVPN devices

NordVPN gives foolproof encryption to your Xbox traffic and offers security features like a kill switch & DNS leak protection. It also has a massive server network to play unreleased Xbox games in your region, and a dedicated IP add-on for exclusive gaming.

4.8/5
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BEST VALUE
Surfshark
Surfshark Devices

Surfshark offers the best value for money with its infinite simultaneous connections., DNS leak protection and a MultiHop feature to safeguard from revenge swatting. It even helps avoid ISP throttling to play online games faster on multiple servers.

4.6/5
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Finding a reliable VPN for Xbox isn’t easy as the console doesn’t natively support VPN apps. Fortunately, there are workarounds to using a VPN on Xbox, like installing the VPN on your router, changing the Smart DNS details, or even sharing the VPN connecting via a PC or Mac.

I’ll go over the instructions for all these methods in the later part of this guide.

But why would you need a VPN for your Xbox gaming console?

Plenty of popular Xbox games are only available in certain regions. 

Moreover, the Xbox Game Pass is unavailable in countries like China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Also, consider streaming geo-restricted content on platforms like Netflix or BBC iPlayer with your Xbox, which is made easier with a VPN.

Tackle Cyberattacks and Get Early Access to Unreleased Games With These 5 Best VPNs for Xbox Consoles

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary of my top five VPNs for Xbox.

  • NordVPNExtensive server catalog of 5200+ servers in 59 countries and solid protection from DDoS attacks. Its in-house NordLynx protocol delivers remarkable speeds for online gaming.
  • ExpressVPNFastest gaming speeds with its Lightway protocol. Besides that, ExpressVPN has 3000+ servers in 94 countries to unblock Xbox games and content streams anywhere.
  • Surfshark – Pocket-friendly VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and industry-standard security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, Camouflage Mode, and Multihop. Plus, it’s great for streaming 4K content on your Xbox.
  • Private Internet Access – PIA has one of the largest server networks in the VPN industry. It’s an ideal Xbox VPN to find the best deal on games, allowing for up to ten simultaneous device connections.
  • CyberGhostOptimized gaming servers, a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, and 9200+ servers in 91 countries to seize the best deals on Xbox games and DLCs.

Reviews and Comparisons of My Best VPNs for Xbox

Continue reading to get a full picture of how these Xbox VPNs compare and how to set up a VPN connection with your Xbox.

All the speed tests you’re about to witness are done using a 100 Mbps connection, optimal for online gaming.

NordVPN - Best-In-Class VPN for Xbox Consoles

Location Servers Router Support Average Speeds Smart DNS Best Deal
Panama 5200+ Manual 90 Mbps Yes Show Offer
nordvpn for xbox

If you play eSports titles like Apex Legends or PUBG on Xbox where you don’t want your VPN connection to back out mid-headshot, go for NordVPN

The VPN provider is acclaimed for its massive and trustworthy server network, solid security, and high bang-for-buck ratio.

If you’re tired of meeting the same folks on your game’s local server, switch to any of NordVPN’s 5,200+ servers in 59 countries. Only Private Internet Access and CyberGhost offer more servers.

I used to test my Fortnite competitive skills by switching to NordVPN’s Southeast Asian servers, but I’ve stopped since it started negatively impacting my self-pride. Those guys are just miles ahead!

nordvpn speedtest result
NordVPN's speed test on a 100 Mbps connection.

Bandwidth-intensive FPS gaming is a breeze with NordVPN’s low server ping and blazing-fast speeds, delivering an average of 90.98 Mbps download and 39.58 Mbps upload speed. In comparison, only ExpressVPN surpasses NordVPN’s speed, but at a higher cost.

If you notice any lag, VPN IP detection, or stability issues with NordVPN on Xbox games, consider getting its Dedicated IP add-on

It will provide an exclusive, stagnant IP to combat this issue since it’s associated with only you.

However, Xbox gaming is no fun when wicked opponents from the lobby use DDoS attacks to slow you down. Luckily, NordVPN helps your Xbox tackle cyberattacks so you can enjoy gaming freely, thanks to its AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS & IP leak protection.

xbox next gen encryption

Xbox consoles can’t download a native VPN app, making it challenging to set up Xbox. Fortunately, you can install NordVPN on your router to broadcast the VPN connection to your Xbox.

Since the VPN provider supports six simultaneous device connections, you can pair your mobile, PCs, and other devices to your NordVPN account, beyond the Xbox unit. But if you want more connection slots, Private Internet Access offers four more devices, and Surfshark has infinite connections.

Alternatively, NordVPN has SmartDNS technology to unblock content and access geo-restricted games on Xbox. It’s wicked fast, too, giving 30-40ms ping on some servers. This is much more pleasing than the 70-80ms ping I got with CyberGhost and Private Internet Access.

pubg on xbox series x
PUBG on Xbox Series X

Moving on, Xbox has a beautiful UI, so thousands of users prefer it as their streaming device to watch their favorite movies and TV shows. 

With NordVPN, you can spoof your location to unblock buffer-less, 4K content streams on Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and more.

Did you know that the Xbox Game Pass costs considerably less in some locations, like Turkey? NordVPN has servers in Turkey to get the Game Pass at a great deal, and the Turkey code activates worldwide.

NordVPN pricing
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NordVPN’s prices are justified for all these premium features and less than what you would spend on a new game title. With a 30-day money-back guarantee and our limited discounts, you can seize a once-in-a-lifetime deal on a NordVPN subscription.

Pros

Cons

ExpressVPN - Terrific Low Latency for Xbox Gaming

Location Servers Router Support Average Speeds Smart DNS Best Deal
British Virgin Islands 3000+ Custom Firmware 94 Mbps Yes Show Offer
expressvpn for xbox

ExpressVPN consistently provides dream latency for gamers (40-60ms) to get the best Xbox gaming experience on titles like Call of Duty: Warzone and Apex Legends. It beats NordVPN’s speeds in most tests, thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol, making it an ideal VPN for Xbox if you want lightning-fast speeds.

I tested a few gaming servers on ExpressVPN, and it averaged 94.54 Mbps download/56.35 Mbps upload speeds.

expressvpn speedtest on few gaming servers
ExpressVPN's speed test on a 100 Mbps connection.

Besides speed, ExpressVPN also has 3,000+ servers in 94 countries

So, you can easily grab the latest game that’s already out in a foreign country by connecting to a server there, and maybe even at a discounted price. 

Only Surfshark has a wider location base in 100+ countries.

Plus, you can get access to exclusive DLCs and upgrades in games like Halo & Fortnite and even play in bot lobbies to uplift your stats.

I swear, I won’t judge you for this.

fortnite on xbox series x
Fortnite on Xbox Series X

Moreover, ExpressVPN protects you from DDoS attacks initiated by sore losers, thanks to its extensive security features like 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection.

I tested the DNS and IP leak protection, and my IP address stayed camouflaged. Thus, rival players can never find your real location.

It also offers fast obfuscation that masks your VPN traffic to look like regular internet traffic (to bypass VPN blocks) without compromising on speed. 

This is ideal for gamers residing in heavily restricted countries like China.

In comparison, every other VPN on this list (besides CyberGhost) has obfuscated servers, but ExpressVPN’s obfuscated servers provide the best speeds for gaming. However, the VPN service lacks dedicated IP addresses, as you get on NordVPN or Private Internet Access.

What I like the most about ExpressVPN is that it’s the only Xbox VPN to provide custom firmware with installation wizards for almost all routers. 

So, you can get it up and running on your Xbox console in no time.

expressvpn for xbox easy setup options

Another easy method to connect ExpressVPN to Xbox consoles is via its Smart DNS service – MediaStreamer. Like NordVPN, it gives you DNS addresses to add to your Xbox network settings to unblock mostly US-based gaming titles.

ExpressVPN isn’t just a great gaming VPN but also helps you unblock and stream Netflix, Disney+, and other platforms on Xbox.

Note that ExpressVPN only allows 5 simultaneous connections, but that won’t be an issue if you connect all your units to a router. 

After all, the router serves as one device that can connect your Xbox, PCs, mobile, and other devices.

ExpressVPN plans
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There’s no hiding that ExpressVPN is the most expensive Xbox VPN here, but it’s among the best that money can buy, making it worth the extra dollars.

You can always take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. Moreover, we provide our beloved readers with these exciting discounts.

So, snatch them while they last.

Pros

Cons

Surfshark - Most Affordable VPN for Xbox Consoles

Location Servers Router Support Average Speeds Smart DNS Best Deal
The Netherlands 3200+ Manual 88 Mbps Yes Show Offer
surfshark for xbox

Surfshark is an excellent budget-friendly VPN for Xbox One, Series S, and 360. It offers a pocket-friendly two-year plan that draws an ideal line between utility and affordability.

It’s a perfect Xbox VPN to access geo-restricted MMO and MMORPG games by hopping 3200+ servers in 100+ countries.

On top of that, given its unlimited bandwidth, there are no limitations to how much speed you get. However, the speed won’t be as consistent as ExpressVPN.

surfshark speedtest for gaming
Surfshark's speed test on a 100 Mbps connection.

Using WireGuard, Surfshark’s fastest protocol, I averaged 87.84 Mbps download and 60.38 upload speed.

I admire Surfshark’s simple and intuitive user interface with presets like “Fastest location” and “Nearest country” for a one-click VPN connection

No wonder it’s such a popular VPN among beginners.

Despite costing way less than ExpressVPN or NordVPN, it gave me a similar Xbox gaming experience when playing Minecraft and GTA 5 Online.

gta v online on xbox series x
GTA V Online on Xbox Series X

You even get absolute DDoS protection with Surfshark, combined with various security features like 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch that automatically cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing IP leakage.

Like NordVPN’s Double VPN feature, Surfshark also offers a double encryption technology called Multihop that adds an extra security layer to protect you from revenge swatting. Although, it did slightly decrease the speeds for me, so only use it if you need it.

Surfshak also has a quick SmartDNS setup for Xbox consoles. 

And if you have many consoles or other VPN-compatible devices, you can secure them all with Surfshark’s infinite simultaneous connections

Or, configure Surfshark on your router and connect to as many devices as you want.

Sadly, Surfshark doesn’t offer dedicated IP addresses like NordVPN or CyberGhost, so you may be found out for using a VPN-assigned IP address if it’s been logged by Xbox.

Fortunately, that rarely happens, and you can even bypass geo-restrictions on platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Plex, and Amazon Prime with Surfshark on your Xbox consoles.

Screenshot MS 1 1
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Besides being the most cost-efficient Xbox VPN isn’t all, as you still get a 30-day money-back guarantee. Here are some excellent discounts that further sweeten the deal. 

Pros

Cons

Private Internet Access - Widest Server Network on Xbox

Location Servers Router Support Average Speeds Smart DNS Best Deal
United States Concealed Manual 87 Mbps Yes Show Offer
private internet access for xbox

Private Internet Access (PIA) is another remarkable Xbox VPN with low latency and consistent speeds. Like Surfshark, it’s also a low-cost VPN provider. Although it’s based in the United States, part of the Five Eyes alliance, it pursues a strict no-logs policy.

At one time, PIA claimed to have the largest server networks in all VPNs. However, the provider has removed the server count from its site. 

So, I’m not sure about the exact number, but the last known count was 30,900+ servers in 84 countries.  

Thus, you’re not lacking options to connect to gaming peers elsewhere or download games unavailable in your region. For instance, if you’re in Australia (with high Xbox Game Pass prices), you can get better deals on Xbox purchases by connecting to servers in Turkey and Argentina.

However, I noticed PIA has a less beginner-friendly user experience than contenders like NordVPN or Surfshark. It takes some getting used to, but you’ll figure it out in little time.

private internet access speed test for gaming
PIA's speed test on a 100 Mbps connection.

Using the WireGuard protocol, PIA averaged 87.24 Mbps download/16.97 Mbps upload speed on a US server. The speeds were even faster with nearby servers in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka. So, you don’t have to worry about low gaming refresh rate, latency, or lag.

Furthermore, PIA offers impeccable DDoS protection on every server to protect you from disgruntled players and cybercriminals. 

It combines this with industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption and a dual kill switch for double security.

PIA also offers dedicated IP addresses to reduce the risk of getting banned in certain online lobbies.

During my Xbox gaming tests, PIA gave me the lowest ping on Rocket League when connected to the closest server. ExpressVPN came close, while Surfshark performed the worst at this title.

rocket league on xbox series x
Rocket league on Xbox Series X

Luckily, there are multiple ways to use PIA on your Xbox console. 

I set it up on my Xbox One X using the Smart DNS settings, but you can connect it via a router, which could be tricky. The good part is that you can connect up to ten simultaneous devices while gaming on Xbox with PIA.

Private Internet Access Plans & Price
Image for illustration only. Design, deals, and details may differ. Click on the image for current info.

PIA comes with affordable plans that won’t break the bank. 

I recommend you go for its two-year plan to get four months of free access.

Pros

Cons

CyberGhost - Optimized Gaming Servers for Superior Xbox Gaming

Location Servers Router Support Average Speeds Smart DNS Best Deal
Romania 9200+ Manual 86 Mbps Yes Show Offer
cyberghost vpn for xbox

CyberGhost is the only Xbox VPN with dedicated gaming servers

These servers are spread across the US, the UK, Germany, and France.

Unfortunately, the gaming servers rarely work for me.

But when they do, the ping is lower, and I get a sweet gaming experience.

But they’re limited to Windows, so you can only use them on Xbox by sharing the VPN connection via your PC.

Looking elsewhere, CyberGhost boasts a massive network of 9200+ servers in 91 countries, making it a reliable VPN to unblock Xbox games, purchase Xbox Game Pass cheaper, and play against peers abroad.

cyberghost vpn speed test for gaming
CyberGhost's speed test on a 100 Mbps connection.

CyberGhost lets you switch between IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols, of which IKEv2 is the fastest. My IKEv2 revealed an average 86.22 Mbps download/30.87 Mbps upload speed, more than enough to enjoy smooth Xbox online gaming and streaming.

Speaking of streaming, CyberGhost allowed me to watch live TV on BBC iPlayer and watch 4K HDR content on Netflix, DAZN, and more.

Like the other contenders, CyberGhost can be configured on a router and supports up to seven simultaneously-connected devices

Alternatively, connect CyberGhost VPN to your Xbox connection via its SmartDNS offering, which is included in your initial purchase.

While playing Call of duty: Warzone, CyberGhost delivered 50-60 ms ping.

This wasn’t as good as ExpressVPN, but the game ran smoothly anyway. 

Thus, making this VPN a prime choice to play fast-paced shooters or MOBA games.

call of duty warzone on xbox series x
Call of Duty: Warzone on Xbox Series X

Furthermore, CyberGhost packs all the essential security features you’ll need when gaming, including DNS & IP leak protection and a kill switch for better anonymity and the avoidance of DDoS attacks.

You can also buy dedicated IPs from CyberGhost as an add-on if you don’t want to play games from a shared IP. With that, you can get around and prevent IP bans. Or you could just switch to another shared server in the preferred location.

Similarly, CyberGhost allows you to grab the best deals on games and DLCs.

For instance, Warzone releases new DLCs to excite gamers, which are limited to certain locations. Want that German-exclusive DLC or discount? 

Change your location with CyberGhost, and you can access exclusive Xbox content anywhere.

cyberghost vpn subscription plans and pricing
Image for illustration only. Design, deals, and details may differ. Click on the image for current info.

CyberGhost’s plans are quite inexpensive with our limited-time offers

Plus, you can try the VPN risk-free with its benevolent 45-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

Cons

How to Install a VPN for Xbox One, Series S, 360? (Step-By-Step Guide)

Now that you’ve chosen a top-grade VPN for your Xbox console, I’ll illustrate the procedure for using the VPN with your Xbox console.

Setting up VPN on WiFi Router

Re-configuring your WiFi Router to install a VPN is my preferred method to pair with Xbox.

Before following the steps, ensure that your VPN provider supports your router

I’ll use ExpressVPN for this demonstration since it has the dedicated firmware for my Asus router.

  1. Purchase an ExpressVPN plan.
  2. Login to your ExpressVPN online account.
  3. Go to your dashboard and select the Router option under “Set up your devices.”
select the router option under set up your devices
  1. Scroll down and select the firmware of your router. Download the latest firmware.
download the latest firmware
  1. Go to your router’s admin panel and log in with your credentials. For most routers, you can type 192.168.1.1 in your browser’s address bar.
  2. Look for the VPN option. In my case, it’s under “Advanced settings.”
look for vpn option
  1. Choose the VPN client tab and select “Add profile.”
  2. Click the “OpenVPN” protocol, enter your ExpressVPN credentials, and upload the .ovpn config file you downloaded in Step 4. Once done, click OK and Activate.
enter your expressvpn credentials
  1. Connect your Xbox to the router’s WiF/via Ethernet and click “Test network connection.” Your Xbox console should now be fully secured with ExpressVPN.
click test network connection

Sharing a VPN Connection to Xbox via PC or Mac

If your router is unsupported by the VPN provider or the setup process seems too complex, you can set up the VPN connection on your PC or Mac and share it with your Xbox console.

For Windows

I’ll go with the Ethernet setup method (via Surfshark) here because a wired connection offers faster speeds, which is ideal for gaming. If you don’t have an Ethernet cable, skip the Ethernet part and follow the same instructions for a wireless connection via a mobile hotspot.

  1. Buy a Surfshark subscription.
  2. Download and install the Surfshark Windows PC app.
  3. Ensure you’ve connected to Surfshark on your PC and the selected protocol is OpenVPN TCP or UDP.
  4. Choose the “Network & Internet” option from your PC’s settings sidebar and select “Mobile hotspot.”
select mobile hotspot
  1. Toggle the mobile hotspot slider ON, and select “WiFi” under “Share my Internet connection from.”
select wifi under share my internet connection from
  1. Click “Edit Properties” and switch to the “Sharing” tab.
  2. Select your Xbox ethernet connection under the “Home networking connection dropdown.”
select your xbox ethernet connection under the home networking connection dropdown
  1. Enable “Allow other network users to connect through the computer’s connection” and click “OK.”
enable allow other network users to connect through the computers connection
  1. For Ethernet connection, press the RB button thrice on your Xbox controller and select “Test network connection” from the network settings.

Or

  1. For Wireless connection, go to WiFi settings on your Xbox and connect to your PC’s connection to relish the goodness of a VPN on your console.
go to wifi settings and connect to your pc connection

For Mac

You can connect your preferred VPN to the Xbox console only via an ethernet cable on MacOS by following these instructions:

  1. On your Mac device, navigate to System preferences > General and select “Sharing.”
select sharing
  1. Toggle the Internet sharing slider to the right and click on the “i” beside it.
toggle the internet sharing slider to the right and click the i beside it
  1. Choose your VPN adapter from the “Share your connection from” dropdown and select “Ethernet.”
select ethernet
  1. Open your VPN app on Mac and connect to a server to avail the same connection on your Xbox console.
connect to a server

Smart DNS Setup Method

The last technique to use a VPN on Xbox is changing the DNS server addresses

I’ll use Surfshark for this demonstration too.

  1. Sign up for Surfshark.
  2. Login to your Surfshark dashboard and click “Smart DNS” under the VPN section in the left menu.
click smart dns under vpn section
  1. Click “Activate Smart DNS”. This will take about 30 seconds.
click activate smart dns
  1. Copy the DNS addresses once it displays Active.
copy the dns addresses
  1. Press the Options button on your Xbox controller to access settings.
  2. Go to Network settings > Advanced Settings > DNS settings.
go to dns settings
  1. Choose the “Manual” option.
choose manual option
  1. Enter the Primary and Secondary IP addresses you copied in the fourth step.
enter primary and secondary ip addresses
  1. Test your internet connection to finalize the Xbox VPN connection.

Should You Use a Free VPN for Xbox One, Series S, or 360?

No, it would be best to avoid free VPNs for Xbox gaming since most free VPN providers use shady tactics to compensate for the lack of an upfront cost.

For starters, free VPNs give you terrible latency, offer limited servers to connect to peers, leak your IP/DNS and don’t offer DDoS protection, making your Xbox gaming experience intolerable.

Instead, get a reliable yet affordable VPN like NordVPN to make a positive gaming and streaming influence on Xbox.

Interesting Reads:

FAQ

No, you’re not going to get banned for using a VPN on Xbox Consoles.

There are no rules that prohibit the usage of VPNs. In fact, it’s a smart way to safeguard your cyberspace gaming identity and avoid ISP throttling while at it.

That’s a Wrap!

So there you have it; the best five VPNs for Xbox One, Series X, 360.

I’m sure you now understand which Xbox VPN best fits your needs and how best to set it up for your console.

While all of these VPNs are perfectly capable of serving you a superior Xbox gaming experience, I prefer NordVPN for its top-tier speeds, DDoS protection, reliable unblocking services, and top-shelf gaming privacy.

So, take advantage of this incredible NordVPN deal to unleash the full potential of your Xbox console.

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