Best VPN for Xbox: How to set up a VPN on any Xbox

There are lots of reasons you might want to use a VPN on an Xbox. Some apps are geo-restricted and won’t work if you’ve taken your console abroad. Perhaps you’re trying to avoid a wrongful ban or are playing a game that doesn’t let you switch regions manually. You may just be looking to protect yourself against SWATTING or doxxing. This is an extreme example, but given EA, CD Projekt Red, and Crytek have all been breached in recent years, we could all benefit from a little extra anonymity. Luckily, you can gain that extra protection easily by using a VPN.

Once you connect to a VPN, all of your internet traffic is encrypted and, therefore, unreadable to any snoopers. Since this data is routed via servers elsewhere in the world, your true IP address and location are hidden, too. While Xbox consoles don’t officially support any VPNs, there are two main ways you can get around this, and we’ll cover them both later on.

The first step is choosing a suitable VPN, and you’ll find our top picks below. If any catch your eye, just scroll down for a more detailed review and instructions on how to use them.

Best VPNs for Xbox:

1. NordVPN is the best VPN for Xbox. Its extremely high speeds, powerful security toolkit, and no-logs policy make it perfect for privacy-conscious gamers. Best of all, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
2. Surfshark The best budget option for Xbox owners. This low-cost VPN has strong streaming potential and even stronger security tools. Boasts fast servers and the ability to protect every device you own.
3. Total VPN Top-notch VPN services for Xbox users.
4. Proton VPN Privacy-centric protection for Xbox. Proton offers an array of privacy-centric services and apps, including an excellent VPN service. It provides comprehensive online privacy and security for your connected devices.
5. ExpressVPN A speedy, versatile VPN that’s as comfortable with gaming as it is streaming, torrenting, and bypassing online censorship. Easy to use, with 24/7 support.
6. IPVanish A well-respected provider with top-tier speeds and a great set of security features. What’s more, there’s no connection limit, no logs, and around-the-clock support over live chat.
7. CyberGhost This user-friendly service has over 10,000 high-speed servers, including some that are specially optimized for gaming. All security tools are enabled by default.

Best VPNs for Xbox: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Xbox.

How we found the top Xbox VPNs

Getting a VPN up and running on your Xbox is a bit more complicated than simply installing one on your PC or phone. As such, there were a few additional things we looked for when deciding on the best VPNs for Xbox users. Here’s a quick rundown of our must-have characteristics (more on these later):

• Compatible with the most common router firmware
• Provides high enough speeds for uninterrupted gaming and streaming
• Can bypass regional blocking on a wide variety of games and services
• Uses powerful encryption to protect your activities from snoopers
• Follows a no-logs policy to keep your privacy intact

Want to know more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend? Check out our methodology section below. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made our list. 

Best VPNs for gaming on Xbox

At Comparitech, we’re committed to bringing you the most helpful and accurate VPN recommendations possible. To do this, we personally use and test every VPN, and the following reviews are based on our first-hand experiences.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for OG Xbox, Xbox 360, One, Series S, and Series X consoles:

1. NordVPN

Feb 2026

NordVPN is the best VPN for Xbox users. It has over 8,000 servers in 160+ countries around the world and boasts some of the highest speeds we’ve seen, making it perfect for uninterrupted gaming. It’s an equally strong choice for streaming since it works with platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. This VPN supports 15 different types of routers, so there’s a solid chance your home router will be supported.

This service leads the industry when it comes to security. To begin with, it offers its own connection protocol, NordLynx, that’s faster and easier to audit than OpenVPN. There’s also a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and tracker-blocking built-in, as well as a true no-logs policy. Further, NordVPN recently moved to using RAM servers for even greater privacy. 

NordVPN has apps for most popular platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire devices. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions are also available. To protect and enhance your Xbox gaming, you can take advantage of the aforementioned routers, including those with DD-WRT and Tomato firmware.

Customer support is available day and night over live chat. Plus, if you decide NordVPN isn’t the right VPN for your gaming needs, you can cancel and get a full refund any time in the first 30-days of your subscription.

BEST VPN FOR XBOX:NordVPN is our top pick. With blazing fast speeds, a large network, and some of the strongest security tools on the market, it’s perfect for anyone hoping to play online games securely. This VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

For more information, check out our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for gaming on Xbox. Despite its low price point, this service delivers exceptionally high speeds, averaging 324 Mbps in our latest tests. With more than 4,500 servers in 100 countries, you shouldn’t have any issues finding one that’s suitable for your needs. Additionally, you’ll be able to access services like Netflix and HBO Max while connected. One other advantage of this VPN is that it allows any number of simultaneous connections.

This VPN packs a punch where security and privacy are concerned. It uses 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch to ensure your activities remain private. Plus, there’s a stealth mode that can help you access services that normally block VPNs outright. Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs and recently updated its privacy policy to make it easier to understand. Although its apps are very user-friendly, Surfshark provides 24/7 support over email and live chat.

Surfshark offers apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS. Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV devices. Browser extensions are available for the Chrome, Firefox, and Edge platforms. While it supports multiple router makes and models, you will have to configure the device manually.

Although its apps are very user-friendly, Surfshark provides 24/7 support over email and live chat.

Trying Surfshark is a risk-free proposition, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our top budget pick. Blends incredible speeds, a great set of security tools, and a zero-logs policy to create a privacy-first gaming VPN that won’t break the bank. New subscribers can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our comprehensive Surfshark review.

3. Total VPN

Total VPN has 1,800+ of servers located in 90+ countries, providing reliable access to gaming and streaming content, as well as other geo-fenced services and content.

Total VPN keeps all of your online travels undercover, thanks to its 256-bit encryption, kill switch option, and other online privacy and security measures. The provider’s custom connection protocol, Hydra, is optimized for excellent performance and online obfuscation. The provider also offers antivirus protection, and a strict no-logs policy means that there are no records to be found of your online antics.

Total VPN’s fast connections mean it can easily handle gaming, streaming, and other popular online activities. The provider’s native app support is somewhat limited, with apps only for the macOS, iOS, Windows, Apple TV, and Android platforms. Total VPN lacks support for Linux devices, browsers, and routers. (You can share your VPN connection from your PC with your Xbox.) Users can simultaneously connect up to five devices to the provider’s servers.

Customer support is available 24/7 via email, and a 30-day money-back guarantee is available for annual subscriptions (14 days for shorter plans).

PROTECTED ACCESS TO XBOX CONTENT:Total VPN offers comprehensive online security and privacy in addition to access to content around the globe. and virus protection. The provider has servers located in 90+ countries around the globe. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available for extended subscription plans.

Read our Total VPN review.

4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN has more than 16,800 servers located in 125+ countries around the globe, providing reliable access to geo-blocked Xbox content and other services. In addition to its quality VPN services, Proton also offers several other top-notch privacy and security-enhancing apps and services, including an encrypted password manager, private cloud storage, and a private AI assistant.

The provider keeps your online travels private by using the 256-bit WireGuard protocol, along with a kill switch option and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. ProtonVPN never saves any user logs on its servers, so there are no records of your online travels while connected to Proton VPN servers.

ProtonVPN offers native app support for Android, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV devices. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available. The VPN can also be configured to work with select routers.

Users can connect up to 10 devices at once to the ProtonVPN server network.
24/7 live customer support chat is available in your time of need. A 30-day no-risk money-back guarantee is available.

GREAT ALL-AROUND ONLINE PRIVACY AND MORE:Proton VPN offers top-notch VPN services, as well as other privacy-enhancing services. The VPN provides fast, protected access to Xbox content and other services around the world. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our comprehensive Proton VPN review.

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has a lot to offer. For instance, it has thousands of server locations, spread among 105 countries around the globe. What’s more, its custom Lightway protocol is optimized for both security and exceptionally high speeds, making it easy to stream and game securely while avoiding lag. 

This VPN works with services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. An interactive setup guide for routers will help you get up and running in no time, and the provider offers custom firmware for select router makes and models.

This service keeps your activities private with the help of 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Not only that, but it can block access to local devices such as printers. You can choose to let specific apps through the VPN, too. 

ExpressVPN doesn’t log any data that could personally identify you, but users are free to pay in Bitcoin for another layer of privacy. The provider was one of the first providers to run its VPN servers strictly from RAM, writing no data to a physical storage device.

ExpressVPN keeps all of your devices protected, thanks to native app support for the Windows, Android, Linux, macOS, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire device platforms. Its customer router firmware makes it as easy as possible to secure every device on your home network. Keep your browsing safe with ExpressVPN’s Chrome browser extension.

24/7 customer support is available. A 30-day money-back guarantee makes trying ExpressVPN a no-risk proposition.

EASY ROUTER SETUP:ExpressVPN boasts new and improved router firmware, taking the hassle out of getting set up. Thanks to its high speeds, strong security tools, and no-logs policy, it’s perfect for security-conscious gamers. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Interested? Why not read our in-depth ExpressVPN review?

6. IPVanish

IPVanish offers access to more than 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, providing over 56,000 IP addresses, giving you the freedom to use services from all around the world and play with whoever you’d like. Better still, this provider has massively improved its speeds lately and averaged a staggering 488 Mbps in our latest testing. IPVanish doesn’t limit your bandwidth or the number of devices you can connect, and it works with popular platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max.

Despite its user-friendly appearance. IPVanish is packed with strong security features. There’s 256-bit encryption, for instance, plus DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a feature that can scramble your traffic to avoid detection. This service recently added support for the speedy, easy-to-audit WireGuard protocol as well. IPVanish doesn’t keep any logs whatsoever and provides 24/7 customer support over email and live chat.

IPVanish offers native app support for the Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS, Apple TV, Amazon TV, and Amazon Fire TV apps. Alternatively, it’s possible to manually configure AsusWRT, Merlin, DD-WRT, or Tomato routers to use this VPN.

The provider offers a no-risk 30-day money-back guarantee.

EXCEPTIONAL SPEED:IPVanish is one of the fastest VPNs around, and its security offering is fantastic as well. A great choice whether you’re looking to play online games safely or simply access your favorite Xbox apps as you travel. Annual plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our complete review of IPVanish.

7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has one of the largest networks around, with roughly 11,500 servers in 100+ countries. Notably, some of these are optimized for specific tasks (gaming, streaming, torrenting, and avoiding censorship). These are listed separately from the general-use servers to make them easier to find. Users will find that this VPN’s speeds are more than enough for most tasks, and since there’s no bandwidth limit, you can game as much as you like.

We’re big fans of services that prioritize usability, and CyberGhost checks all of the boxes. Its security features are enabled by default, its apps are well-organized, and support is on hand 24/7 to help with any issues you might have. As well as powerful encryption, a kill switch, tracker-blocking, automatic Wi-Fi protection, and leak protection, this VPN boasts a no-logs policy. As such, it can’t reveal details of your activities under any circumstances.

When not gaming on your Xbox, CyberGhost apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Apple TV, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox extensions protect your browsing. You can manually install it on supported home routers.

Agents are always available via chat in your time of need. A 45-day money-back guarantee is available on extended subscriptions, 14-days on monthly subs.

VERY EASY TO USE:CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN that comes packed with security tools. What’s more, it offers specific servers for gaming and is fast enough to handle whatever you throw at it. There’s even a 45-day money-back guarantee!

Still have questions? You’ll find answers in our full review of CyberGhost.

How to game safely on Xbox using a VPN

Although you won’t find any VPN apps in the Microsoft store, it’s still possible to hide your true location and encrypt traffic from your console. Better still, while the exact menu options you’ll have to select will change between console generations, the following steps will work on any semi-recent Xbox. This includes Xbox 360 and all variants of Xbox One, including Series S and Series X consoles.

Method 1: Share your VPN connection from another device

If you have a second device, such as a PC, cell phone, or tablet, you might be able to create a portable wireless hotspot. This is relevant because, as long as this device is connected to a VPN, anything that connects to the hotspot will be as well. It’s fairly easy to get started with this method, and you won’t have to manually configure anything, so we’d recommend it for novices who are interested in gaming with a VPN but not quite ready to face a router installation.

Here’s how to set up a VPN for your Xbox:

1. First, sign up for one of the VPNs above (we recommend NordVPN)
2. Install the VPN on your secondary device and log in
3. Connect to a server in your desired location
4. Now, set up a wireless hotspot on your PC or phone
5. All that remains is to connect your Xbox to the hotspot and start gaming

Method 2: Install a VPN on your home router

This method is a little more complicated, but it has a couple of advantages over simply sharing a connection with your Xbox. First, every device that connects to your home network will gain the benefits of the VPN without any additional configuration. Additionally, you should see higher speeds since your traffic isn’t being routed through two devices.

The catch is that installing a VPN on your router is a pretty involved process that’s different for every model. Note that it can even render the router unusable if you do it wrong. On the plus side, most major VPNs offer step-by-step installation instructions (with images) on their websites. Just make sure that your router uses a supported firmware before beginning.

If you’re having trouble, feel free to contact support and ask them to guide you through the process; they deal with questions like this all the time and will be more than happy to help.

Check out our dedicated articles on setting up virtual routers on Windows and Macs for more information.

Final step: connecting your Xbox to the VPN

Now, we have to actually connect your console to the new, encrypted network that you’ve just created.

Here’s how to connect your Xbox to the VPN:

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller
2. Scroll across to the gear icon and press A
3. Select Network settings under the General tab
4. Choose Set up wireless network
5. Finally, find your network in the list and enter the password
6. That’s all there is to it. All of the data to and from your Xbox console is now encrypted.

Related: How to fix high pocket loss on Xbox

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for Xbox consoles

You can’t just use any old VPN to protect your Xbox traffic. For a start, some of them won’t be reliable enough for playing online games or fast enough for streaming. Further, some VPNs can’t be installed on routers, and others offer lacklustre security tools at best. To eliminate all but the best VPNs for Xbox, we created a list of key areas to consider and what we expect in each:

• Speed: If you’re looking to play online games or use your Xbox for streaming, slow VPNs simply won’t do. We regularly speed-test leading providers and only recommend those that boast top-level performance.
• Server choice: The larger the network, the higher the chance that there’ll be a suitable server near your physical location. Additionally, having lots of servers around the world helps the VPN shrug off DDoS attacks, ensuring that you’re always able to keep playing.
• Ease of use: We’re big fans of anything that makes your job easier. This might be 24/7 support, a lack of a connection limit, or even something as simple as user-friendly apps. In this scenario, we’d particularly like to see support for lots of different router firmwares and step-by-step installation instructions
• Unblocking ability: A VPN can’t help if games detect it and prevent you from playing. We look for providers that are able to beat VPN detection and geographic restrictions so that nothing can stop you from securely accessing your favorite services
• Security and privacy: SWATTING and doxxing are real threats, so we won’t recommend any VPNs that don’t boast exceptional security and privacy tools. These must include, at a minimum, 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy. Of course, we like to see providers go even further than this
• Pricing: For a service to make our list, it has to be priced fairly for the functionality it offers. As well as comparing it to similarly capable rivals, we seek out the best deals and let you know about any trials or guarantees that the VPN offers

Seems like a fairly comprehensive list, right? However, this is only the beginning of our testing. There’s a whole post breaking down how we test VPNs at Comparitech if you’re interested.

Playing Xbox securely with a free VPN

There are a couple of major problems with free VPNs, but in a nutshell, they’re just a poor choice for gaming. The vast majority limit the amount of data you can use, with some going as low as 500 MB per month, so you wouldn’t be able to protect yourself every time you play. Additionally, these services are usually fairly slow, so you could run into problems like stuttering, rubberbanding, or random disconnection.

To make matters worse, these services often aren’t as secure as they like to make out. For example, we previously discovered that UFO VPN lied about keeping no logs. In actuality, it logged all sorts of information, stored the data in plain text, and hosted them online in a place where anybody could access them. Needless to say, you’d hope that the company you’re trusting with your personal information had a bit more of an eye for detail.

If all of the above isn’t enough to turn you off from the idea of using a free VPN with your Xbox, this should be the clincher. Free VPNs seldom offer router features, meaning you likely won’t be able to use one with your Xbox.

We strongly recommend researching providers and taking other factors like their privacy policy and reputation into account, rather than making a decision based on price alone. 

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