5 Best VPNs for Dota 2 – For Safe and Low Ping Gaming in 2024
Playing Dota 2 can come with risk. You’re exposed to hackers who retaliate with DDoS attacks or data theft when they lose. There’s also the chance you’re not playing at optimal speeds because you’re too far away from the game’s servers.
A high-quality VPN can hide you from malicious third parties and keep your speeds high. But, it’s not easy to find a VPN that works for Dota 2. After rigorous testing of several VPNs, I found the best ones for Dota 2 so you can join in the 5v5 team clash safely.
The best VPN for playing Dota 2 is ExpressVPN because of its strong security protocols that don’t sacrifice speeds and its global server network. You can play Dota 2 with ExpressVPN risk-free. If you find it’s not for you, you can get a refund with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Short on Time? Here are the Best VPNs for Dota 2 in 2024
- ExpressVPN — The best VPN for Dota 2 with the fastest speeds, impressive security features, and a global server network. You can see for yourself how Dota 2 plays with ExpressVPN and if you’re not satisfied you have up to 30 days to claim a refund.
- CyberGhost — Has gaming-optimized servers for the best connection for Dota 2, but it has slower speeds on long-distance servers.
- Private Internet Access — Largest global network that lets you play Dota 2 from anywhere, but it’s not located in the most privacy-focused country.
- NordVPN — Dedicated IPs for stable Dota 2 gameplay, but has fewer simultaneous device connections.
- Surfshark — Camouflage mode hides the fact that you are using a VPN for playing Dota 2, but the connection is less reliable on more distant servers.
Best VPNs for Dota 2 — Fully Tested for 2024
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for Dota 2 With Lightning-Fast Speeds and Strong Security Features
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers across 105 countries
- Offers AES-256 encryption, a no-log policy, DNS leak protection, and RAM-based servers
- Unlimited bandwidth to play Dota 2 without any restrictions
- Connect up to 8 devices simultaneously
- A 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans
ExpressVPN is the #1 choice for Dota 2 as it has the best speeds, security, and customer support. Its Lightway protocol is the best setting to ensure you don’t lose the match because of lag spikes.
Since it has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, you can connect to a VPN server closest to your Dota 2 server to ensure you have optimal speeds. On servers in the US, Australia, and Singapore, ExpressVPN consistently gave me fast speeds and low ping regardless of my distance from the server.
ExpressVPN offers robust security and privacy features to protect your data while playing Dota 2. It comes with the following:
- Military-grade encryption — encrypts your internet traffic from possible data surveillance.
- A strict no-logs policy — ensures your personal data isn’t logged so no one can track your online activities.
- Network Lock — automatically stops data transfer to maintain your privacy even when the VPN connection drops.
- Split-tunneling — this lets you choose which apps make use of the VPN connection.
ExpressVPN allows you to connect up to 8 devices simultaneously, including computers, mobile devices, and gaming consoles. It is also compatible with a wide range of devices, so you can connect all your devices whenever you need to.
I found that ExpressVPN’s pricing is higher compared to some other VPN providers — it costs $6.67 a month for a 1-year + 3 months plan. However, it often offers coupons and discounts to make the subscription more affordable. I also believe that since ExpressVPN has so many features it provides the best value for money.
However, you don’t have to take my word for it. You can play Dota 2 with ExpressVPN and see how it runs for you. If you have any problems you can contact customer support for help. You can also get a full refund within 30 days with its money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is compatible with: Wi-Fi-enabled gaming consoles, Xbox, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, smart TVs, Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge for desktops and laptops.
2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — Gaming-Optimized Servers to Enjoy Dota 2 With Low-Latency
Key Features:
- More than 11,800 fast servers across 100 countries
- Offer AES-256 bit encryption, a no-log policy, and DNS leak protection
- Unlimited bandwidth to play Dota 2 without restriction
- Connect up to 7 devices simultaneously
- A 45-day money-back guarantee on all plans
CyberGhost stands out with its gaming-optimized servers you can use to play Dota 2. I tested the VPN’s servers in various locations, including the UK, the US, and Australia. I was able to connect seamlessly to fast servers within 10 seconds.
During my tests in these locations, I noticed the ping was as low as 48 ms. This gave me a seamless gaming experience. CyberGhost’s speed surpassed the minimum requirements for Dota 2, so I had a lag-free gaming experience with no sudden FPS drops.
When it comes to security, you can rely on CyberGhost’s rock-solid security architecture to protect your online activity. CyberGhost masks your real IP address to safeguard against DDoS attacks. Its main security features include:
- DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection — make sure your DNS request never leaks outside the secure connection tunnel.
- A kill switch — cuts off your connection in case it becomes unstable for any reason.
- Military-grade encryption — hides your data behind an unbreakable cipher so it can never be seen by hackers and spies.
Including the gaming servers, CyberGhost has a total of 11,800 servers across 100 countries. The amount of servers means you’re more likely to find a server that works for Dota 2 close by to the game servers.
If you’re using non-optimized servers, you may experience slower speeds over long distances. But, if you’re only using the VPN to play Dota 2, I recommend you use the gaming-optimized servers.
CyberGhost offers a cost-effective option of $2.19 a month for a 2-year + 2 months subscription plan. And with CyberGhost’s 45-day money-back guarantee, you can try all its features with Dota 2 for free. If unsatisfied, you can request a refund, which the 24/7 support team approved for me within 5 days.
CyberGhost is compatible with: Gaming consoles, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, smart TVs, Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.19 per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Extensive Server Network for Dota 2 Gaming Anywhere
Key Features:
- 35,000+ servers in 91 countries
- Solid security features, including robust encryption protocol, ensure a secure online gaming experience
- Unlimited bandwidth so you can play Dota 2 without data caps
- Connect unlimited gaming devices simultaneously, including your router
- A 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans
You can easily access Dota 2 from anywhere with Private Internet Access’ huge global server network. PIA has 35,000+ servers in 91 countries, which are suitable for secure online gaming. This amount makes it unlikely you’ll ever connect to a server that has too many users, so you won’t have to worry about speed drops from user congestion.
With PIA, I obtained an average speed exceeding 25 Mbps, which is more than enough for Dota 2. The ping consistently stayed below 50 ms, ensuring a smooth gaming experience without high latency or delays.
With PIA, your true identity remains concealed during gaming sessions. PIA offers excellent security features to protect gamers against malicious threats. This includes:
- Port forwarding — offers an easy setup process for port forwarding so you can set up your own gaming servers.
- Kill switch — safeguards your data if your connection fails.
- A strict no-logs policy — ensures your information is never logged so no one can discover your online activities.
Private Internet Access also has an easy-to-use port forwarding feature, which lets you connect with other players on your server. This feature is useful for establishing a secure connection between two or more players in online gaming.
The only major issue with PIA is it’s located within the 5 Eyes alliance. However, it has a verified no-logs policy that has been verified by the third party Deloitte. This means your data can’t be shared with anyone.
PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its plans including its $2.19 a month for 2-year + 2 months plan, so you can try PIA out for yourself completely risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, you can always get a full refund. In my own experience, my refund request was promptly approved.
PIA is compatible with: Gaming consoles, routers, Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, SmartTV, and more.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as $2.19 per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 82%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!
4. NordVPN — Dedicated Gaming IPs for Stable Dota 2 Gaming
Key Features:
- 6,300+ high-speed servers in 111 countries
- Robust security features, including a no-logs policy and strong encryption
- Unlimited bandwidth for uninterrupted Dota 2 gameplay
- Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
NordVPN allows you to sign up for dedicated IPs, which assigns you a lesser-used IP for Dota 2. This will make sure you won’t experience an IP ban due to the actions of someone else on the same VPN server.
During testing, NordVPN provided very fast speeds including a low ping of less than 12 ms. This is down to the proprietary NordLynx protocol that is specifically designed for NordVPN to offer fast speeds without sacrificing safety.
Alongside the secure NordLynx protocol, NordVPN has the following security features:
- Kill switch — disconnects your connection if it becomes unstable for any reason.
- DNS leak protection — protects you from IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks.
- Ad-blocker — this keeps you safe from ads and malware when you’re looking up Dota 2 advice online.
NordVPN has 6,300 servers in 111 countries that you can use to play Dota 2. This amount of servers means you’re unlikely to experience user congestion while you’re trying to play.
Unfortunately, with NordVPN you can only connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. This is fewer than other VPNs and means you might not be able to connect all of your devices. However, if you’re just playing Dota 2 on your PC you won’t need that many devices connected anyway.
NordVPN also offers a competitive pricing plan of $3.09 a month for a 2-year + 3 months plan. This is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, if the service fails to meet your expectations, you can request a refund within the specified time frame.
NordVPN is compatible with: Gaming consoles, routers, Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and more.
5. Surfshark — Camouflage Mode Hides Your VPN Connection When Playing Dota 2
Key Features:
- 3,200 servers in 100 countries
- Includes a no-logs policy and strong AES-256-bit encryption
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Protects unlimited devices at once
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode is a fantastic asset for Dota 2 players. This obfuscation feature effectively masks your VPN usage, making it appear as regular internet traffic. It lets you bypass any restrictions or throttling that you may be facing with regular VPN connections, ensuring uninterrupted and smooth gameplay for you in Dota 2.
In addition to obfuscation, Surfshark offers the following features:
- A kill switch — disconnects your connection if it becomes unstable to prevent your data from leaking.
- DNS leak protection — ensures your data stays within the encryption VPN connection so no one can spy on you.
- Strict no-logs policy — this means your browsing activity is never saved so it can’t be exposed.
During my tests, Surshark allowed me to connect to a few static servers (in Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US), at no extra cost. This means that you can use the same shared IP address every time you play Dota 2. This is great if you find an IP that works and wants to reconnect to it in a future gaming session.
The only disadvantage to Surfshark is its distant servers aren’t as reliable. When I tested a server further away from me, it didn’t give me the fast speeds I expected. If you want fast speeds, use the local servers.
Surfshark has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you get to try it risk-free. If you don’t like the service, contact customer support to get a full refund.
Surshark is compatible with: Gaming consoles, routers, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux devices, Google, Brave, and Firefox.
Comparison Table: 2024’s Best VPNs for Dota 2
| VPN | Latency | Global servers | Best Plan and Price | Device Limit | Money-Back Guarantee |
| ExpressVPN | Under 40 ms | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries | 1-year + 3 months plan at $6.67 a month | 8 | 30 days |
| CyberGhost | Under 48 ms | 11,800+ servers in 100 countries | 2-year + 2 months plan at $2.19 a month | 7 | 45 days |
| PIA | Under 50 ms | 35,000+ servers in 91 countries | 2-year + 2 months plan at $2.19 a month | Unlimited | 30 days |
| NordVPN | Under 12 ms | 6,300+ servers in 111 countries | 2-year + 3 months plan at $3.09 a month | 10 | 30 days |
| Surfshark | Under 12 ms | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | 2-year + 3 months plan at $2.19 a month | Unlimited | 30 days |
How to Choose the Best VPN for Dota 2
Using a VPN can enhance your Dota 2 gaming experience. Here are the critical factors I considered when testing the best VPNs to find one for Dota 2:
- Strong security and privacy features — When selecting a VPN, you want to prioritize essential features, such as an automatic kill switch, military-grade encryption, and IP leak protection, that will prevent DDoS attacks.
- Global server network — Choosing a VPN with a global server network allows you to access Dota 2 from anywhere with a lower risk of experiencing user congestion.
- Fast speeds — A delay of just milliseconds can be the difference between victory and death. A fast VPN ensures fast response times and prevents lag.
- Apps for popular devices — I opted for VPNs with user-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux so you don’t have to be an expert in using a VPN to play Dota 2 safely.
- Customer support — I chose VPN providers that offer robust customer support, including 24/7 availability and a generous money-back guarantee, so I could test them risk-free.
3 Easy Steps to Playing Dota 2 With a VPN
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN as it’s the best all-around VPN for Dota 2 gaming.
- Connect to a server. Select a nearby server that you want to connect to.
- That’s it! You can now log in to Dota 2 and start playing.
FAQs on VPNs for Dota 2
Will I get into trouble for playing Dota 2 with a VPN?
No, you won’t get banned if you play the game with any of the best VPNs for Dota 2. Steam has clarified that playing the game while connected to a VPN is not a bannable offense, although using a VPN to purchase games at lower prices still violates the agreement. Since Dota 2 is free to play, you can install and play it with a VPN without any problems.
Which VPN is the best for playing Dota 2?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for playing Dota 2. It offers super-fast speeds and a wide server network, ensuring a lag-free gaming experience. It has strong security features, including an automatic kill switch, strict no-logs policy, AES-256 encryption, and DNS leak protection.
ExpressVPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, is easy to set up, and is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing.
How to play Dota 2 on another server using a VPN?
You can follow this guide to play Dota 2 with a VPN. Simply connect to a preferred VPN server and log into your Dota 2 account. Using a VPN with Dota 2 will keep you safe from DDoS attacks while you’re playing the game.
Can a VPN reduce lag and ping in Dota 2?
Yes, a VPN can reduce lag and improve ping in Dota 2. A VPN optimizes your internet connection by routing your traffic through efficient server networks. But be sure to choose a VPN with fast and stable servers.
Is it possible to play Dota 2 in China and elsewhere with a VPN?
Yes, you can play Dota 2 in China with a VPN, as long as the VPN works in China. You may want to try a reliable option like ExpressVPN.
However, note that the use of VPNs may be subject to restrictions in some countries. You should familiarize yourself with the local regulations before using VPNs and playing Dota 2 in your location.
Can I play Dota 2 with a free VPN?
No. While playing Dota 2 with one of the top free VPNs is technically possible, it is generally not recommended. Free VPNs often come with limitations, such as slow speeds, data caps, and restricted server choices, which can result in a poor gaming experience with high latency and lag.
Additionally, free VPNs may not prioritize user privacy and security, potentially exposing your personal information. Choose a reliable paid VPN service for the best gaming performance and security.
Get the Best VPN for Dota 2 Today!
If you desire safe and low-ping Dota 2 gaming, you should consider a VPN. But when choosing a VPN, it is important to consider factors like extensive server network, latency, connection speeds, security features, and compatibility with gaming platforms.
The VPNs discussed above are the top best for playing Dota in 2024. Additionally, you can use them to conveniently access and play other heavy-duty online games like CoD: Warzone safely.
For the best performance and security, I recommend using ExpressVPN for playing Dota 2. With its global server network, fast speeds, robust security measures, and support for various devices, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for secure online gaming without lag.
