Minecraft is a classic sandbox that originally released in 2009. Its single developer, Notch, what would become one of the most played games of all time. Now Microsoft owns the title. They have added a lot to the game like mobs, items, and environments. You can currently play Minecraft on PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Android, iOS, FireTV, and Gear VR. There is even a chance that you might eventually be able to play it in a Tesla. There are many versions like pocket, bedrock, Java, and education editions. There are many different ways you can play online, but many people experience problems with lag and slow connection. Rubberbanding in Minecraft can be infuriating. A VPN can help you with these problems.A VPN can reduce lag, improve ping, protect against DDoS attacks, and help you get around firewalls at school or work. Please join me as I share the best VPNs for Minecraft.
Minecraft VPN Quickstart
Here is a quick guide to get you started playing Minecraft with a VPN.
- Sign up for ExpressVPN (includes a 30-day money back guarantee)
- Download the ExpressVPN app and connect to a server in the region you wish to play in.
- Launch the game and enjoy!
Minecraft Game Info
Before I get into the best VPNs for Minecraft let me tell you about the game. The sandbox title has limitless possibilities. Each world expands almost infinitely and there is always a place for you to build what you would like. Whether you want build in a treehouse, travel to the Nether, find an End City, or create a mob farm, you can do it in Minecraft. The things you can build in the game vary widely just based on skill. Some people enjoy working with Redstone and making things like calculators in the game. Others like making dirt shacks. Neither way to play is wrong because Minecraft is a game where you do what you want. If you want to change the way you play, you can even mod the game pretty easily. There are thousands of mods to choose from.
There are a few different ways to play Minecraft Online with others. Online Servers are one of the easiest ways to play with others on Java edition. If you are in the same place as the others you are playing with, then you can set up a Minecraft LAN server on the PC, Xbox, and mobile versions. Realms are the payed servers that can be accessed at any time. They are all private worlds that are backed up on the cloud. You can have up to 10 worlds on one account and you add the more than 50 packs that Microsoft has developed. Minecraft is an excellent game that I am sure you and your friends will enjoy playing together.
Game Server Locations
Microsoft uses a few different methods to host Minecraft servers. The Online Server and LAN server modes are hosted by the IP or wed address of the owner. This means you will want to connect to a location close to where the server is being hosted. Microsoft has not announced the locations they use for Realms. However, we believe that they might use Azure as a host. We recommend connecting to a VPN server in Washington DC or Los Angeles to play in the United States. London, Paris, Frankfurt, Toronto, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Tokyo, and Sydney are also good options for international gamers.
Here are the best VPNs to use with Minecraft.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our choice for best VPN. It allows you to unblock content from all over the world. You will be able to play with friends from completely different regions. You can also get around geo-restrictions to play any games. Split tunneling will allow you to select which apps pass through the VPN connection. ExpressVPN has 160 server locations across 94 countries. It will allow you to play in regions that you would not normally be able to. If you want a harder gaming experience, the Asian servers host some of the most hardcore gamers. ExpressVPN will mask you location, while allowing you to unblock content around the world.
ExpressVPN has an exciting discount that is only offered to our users. You will be able to get 49% off a year of VPN with an extra 3 months added for free. This means you will be able to use the VPN and MediaStreamer service for over a year. If you are not satisfied, ExpressVPN offers a 30 day money back guarantee. Play online with less lag on PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, and more. You will also be able to take advantage of the service by using as much bandwidth as needed. I hope ExpressVPN improves your gaming experience
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is another great choice for gaming online. They might not have performed quite as well as ExpressVPN in our test, but they still offer fast gaming at an affordable price. Like many VPN companies, NordVPN prioritizes privacy. They will encrypt your data and protect you from DDoS attacks. NordVPN has servers in 59 countries, which means most of your major gaming regions are covered. They also have an easy to use app for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Those who have a more technical background can run NordVPN through their router to play on consoles like Xbox One, PS4, or Nintendo Switch. It helps to have DD-WRT or Tomato firmware on your router. NordVPN is an excellent choice, but takes a little more technical background for console users.
NordVPN can help decrease your ping and lag. It will help you get around geo-restrictions to unblock games. You can also find discounts on titles by connecting to different regions. While doing this, you will be safe as NordVPN does not log user activities when connected to their network. They mask your IP. When playing, we recommend not using double protection as this might decrease speed. NordVPN is a great service that you can try out with a 30 day money back guarantee.
3. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access in another good choice for gamers. They will help you change your IP. All you have to do is select the location in one of the 48 countries. They have over 3000 servers around the world. PIA keeps you safe by cloaking your actual location and encrypting your data. Private Internet Access is a company based in the United States. They host over 1500 servers across 14 locations in the US. You will also be able to play with friends from different regions of the world. This is not always an option on many competitive games because they restrict players to certain servers. Private Internet Access is great for changing your location and gaming with friends internationally.
Unlike the other VPNs in our list, Private Internet Access is headquartered in the United States. Some have reservations using a VPN service based in the US for privacy reasons, but we have found PIA to be one of the fastest VPNs in North America. This makes them a great choice for gaming in the United States and Canada. The PIA team manages thousands of servers in key locations. This gives them an advantage over most VPNs when it comes to performance. We recommend connecting to their VPN servers in NYC and Los Angeles for gaming. PIA offers all new members a 30 day money back guarantee.
Why are Games Blocked at School or Work?
Most gamers have experienced the frustration of network restrictions. Whether it’s a firewall at school or work, you will find that popular game servers and social media sites are often blocked. A VPN will hide your traffic so that the network can not detect that you are playing a game or visiting your favorite sites like YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, etc. The VPN will encrypt your data which will stop it from being blocked by your network administrator.
Why is the Game Restricted by Region?
You will find that many games (and streaming sites like Netflix) have set restrictions based on the region of the world you are in. For example, Rainbow Six has servers in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Players are restricted to playing in their own region. What if you want to play with friends in another country? The solution is to use a VPN. Simply connect to a VPN server in the region you wish to play in. Preferably as close to the game server as possible for the best performance. You can also use a VPN to buy and play games that are not otherwise available in your region.
Not All VPNs Support Fast Online Gaming
It doesn’t help to have a VPN that won’t place you in the proper geographic region or isn’t fast enough for gaming. There are literally hundreds of VPN services that won’t cut it for online gaming. There are very few that support the speeds necessary to fix lag issues and provide the proper IP location. The key is using a leading VPN and making a connection close to the game server you wish to play on. The difference in routing can boost your speed. We recommend using ExpressVPN for the best performance.
