The PlayStation 4 is one of Sony’s most successful consoles. It originally came out in 2013 and has grown in popularity since. The PS4 Pro is the upgraded version. It increases the graphics to 4K on game that will support it and a boost mode that will increase your speed on select titles. Along with this the system has more free space for those who like to buy games digitally and PS4 Pro is a faster system. Luckily, you can play the same games whether you have a PS4 or PlayStation 4 Pro. A VPN can reduce lag, improve ping, protect against DDoS attacks, and help you get around geo-restrictions. Please join me as I share the best VPNs for PS4.
PlayStation 4 (PS4) VPN Quickstart
Want to fix lag spikes on PS4? If so follow these instructions.
- Sign up for ExpressVPN (includes a 30-day money back guarantee)
- Log into Expressvpn.com and go to the “DNS Settings” tab.
- Click the button to register your IP address.
- You can also set dynamic DNS (more technical users)
- Click on the “Dashboard” tab
- Look for the “Set up on all your devices” section and click on the “see all devices” link.
- Click on the set up guide for your console. ExpressVPN MediaStreamer supports PS4, PS3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360. They also have a YouTube video to help Nintendo Switch users get set up.
- Make note of the IP address given in the set up box to the right of the screen.
- Set the DNS on your console to the IP given on the ExpressVPN site.
If you want to save on PlayStation Store and its games, then a VPN could help you. You can save up to 30%. Here is a quick look at the difference in prices on MLB The Show 20 Digital Deluxe Edition in different regions:
- Brazil – R$415.90 which is $70.29 USD
- Canada – $133.49 CAD which is $94.75 USD
- Australia – $150.95 AUD which is $96.94 USD
- United Kingdom – £79.99 which is 97.53 USD
- United States – $99.99
- Japan – 10890 yen which is $101.67 USD
PS4 Gaming Info
As i have said, the PS4 is a console developed by Sony. The console allows for more online activity than in the past. It allows you to have 2000 friends and make party chats to talk with up to 8 at one time. You are also able to live stream your games and use screenshot functions to share on Twitter or YouTube. The PlayStation app, available for mobile devices, allows you to message friends when your not playing. Sony even came out with VR that has added fun titles like Superhot and Beat Saber to the console. The console has also had some great exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-man and God of War. Overall, the PS4 and PS4 Pro are great consoles that I hope you enjoy playing on.
Game Server Locations
Sony has not released the server locations used for the PSN. However, they display that they have servers around the world. If you want to check to see if your region is currently down you can check the PSN server status page. Based on this we recommend connecting to a VPN server in Washington DC or Los Angeles to play in the United States. Frankfurt, London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo, or South Korea are also good options for international gamers.
Here are the best VPNs to use with PS4.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our pick for best VPN. One of the most important factors to playing online is the balance between fast game-play and a safe experience. ExpressVPN helps you improve both. First off, they give you access to server locations in 94 countries and unlimited access to as much bandwidth as you need. They also protect your information by masking your IP address. They will make it look like you are in a different location. ExpressVPN encrypts your traffic through a secure tunnel. They also use kill switch which protects you if the your VPN connection was to drop. ExpressVPN keeps you safe online.
We’re excited to share an exclusive discount on ExpressVPN for our readers. You can save up to 49% off a year of VPN and receive an extra 3 months of free VPN. Enjoy unlimited access to both their VPN network and MediaStreamer service. Save on your favorite games and reduce lag. Protect against DDoS attacks and unblock restrictions at school or work. ExpressVPN offers a 30 day money back guarantee so you will have a month to test their VPN and experience all the benefits of the service.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is our second choice for gamers. They are an excellent service that will help improve your speed. You can do this by connecting to a server location close to where your game is being hosted. They have over 5000 servers around the world. NordVPN will help decrease the distance between you and the game server to improve ping and reduce lag. They mask your IP and replacing it with one of NordVPN’s. This will ensure the server you are playing on will see you in the same region. NordVPN will protect you online and help improve the performance of gaming online.
NordVPN is a reliable VPN service that values privacy. You can feel safe knowing that your data will be encrypted while connecting to one of their over 5000 servers located globally. Take advantage of regional game discounts and use the service across multiple devices at once. NordVPN also has 24/7 support if you ever need more help. This includes lice chat support for quick answers. They will also give you a 30 day back guarantee. I hope you enjoy using NordVPN when gaming.
3. Private Internet Access
PIA is our third option for great VPNs to use when gaming online. Private Internet Access will help you avoid ISP throttling. This occurs when a server gives your traffic lower priority. They will also help you gain access to regionally restricted DLC, games, and content. PIA will give you an IP in the location where it is unblocked and keep your identity anonymous. This can also be used to take advantage of regional price differences. Many times countries have limited editions of games that give you extra benefits, while others just simply pay less for titles. Australia is not a good country to connect to for taking advantage of price differences, but its is great for gaining access to games early.
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.
