Twitch or twitch.tv is a popular live streaming service. Streamers do a variety of different things, but the biggest on the site live streaming games. Some of the most popular include Minecraft and League of Legends. Those in the Esports community often practice while streaming Twitch. It allows them to get to know the fans better and give out tips on how to get better at the game. Some other popular areas of twitch include the just chatting and music areas. A VPN can improve your gaming experience. It can reduce lag, improve ping, protect streamers against DDoS attacks, and help you get around firewalls at school or work. Please join me as I share the best VPNs for Twitch.
Twitch VPN Quickstart
Here is a quick guide to get you started using Twitch 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.
- Console users can set up the ExpressVPN MediaStreamer feature to change your DNS location. Otherwise you can run the VPN through your router.
- Launch the service and enjoy!
Twitch Info
Twitch is a place where you can build a community. If you are a streamer, then you should know that building a loyal audience is hard. Some of the best ways to help create a better community includes remembering some of your most common viewers and streaming on a consistent basis. Doing these two things could help you bring in more viewers. On the other side of the camera, Twitch has millions of users. The best part about this is you as a user have the ability to choose what stream you watch. There are more than 3 millions streamers. They stream thousands of different games, while on the site every day. There are even some channels that don’t play video games. Many people even do charity live streams that are used to raise money for many causes. Each person’s Twitch channel is different and you are bound to find a streamer that you enjoy the content of.
Game Server Locations
Twitch is owned by Amazon, so it would make sense that they use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host there servers. Based off this we recommend connecting to a VPN server in Washington DC or Seattle to watch or stream in the United States. London, Frankfurt, Stockholm, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, or Sydney are also good options for international users.
Here are the best VPNs to use with Twitch.
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.
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 gamers. One of the core values of most VPN companies is privacy. NordVPN is dedicated to keep you safe online while gaming. They will mask your IP and encrypt your data. You also have an option to change your IP twice. This keeps you safer from DDoS attacks, which is where other gamers try to slow down your connection by sending traffic to your IP. NordVPN has a built in ad and malware blocker called CyberSec. For those playing games on Chrome or Firefox browsers, they have an extension to keep you more secure. NordVPN does not keep activity logs and is P2P friendly. They also have a kill switch that will keep you safe if your VPN was to drop. NordVPN values your privacy when gaming.
NordVPN is an easy to use VPN service with support for many devices. The service is reasonably priced and comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. By connecting to a VPN server location close to where you play, you can experience less lag. You can avoid malware and ads by using the NordVPN CyberSec feature. They also have a browser extension for Firefox and Chrome. NordVPN can be used on up to 6 devices. I hope you enjoy gaming with a VPN.
3. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is our last pick for VPNs to use while gaming. They are a great company with a history of protecting users data. PIA is a secure VPN that is available to you for an affordable price. They do not have a Smart DNS service. This makes using PIA harder on consoles. It means you will have to run the VPN through a router. You will need technical background to do this. However, Private Internet Access has easy to use apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. They also have servers in 48 countries around the world. Private Internet Access is a reliable VPN that can help improve your gaming experience.
PIA is an easy to use VPN service across a variety of devices. You will not have to worry about sending too much traffic with their premium bandwidth. Private Internet Access has a reliable service that will keep you safe online. You can rest easy knowing that your IP is cloaked. PIA can help you gain access to some of gaming’s best deals by connecting to other countries. You will also be able to earn early access before other users in the same region. They have servers in 48 countries. PIA has a 30 day money back guarantee, so you can see how the service can help.
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.
