5 Best VPNs for Overwatch in 2024 for Low Ping and Less Lag
You might experience lag spikes playing Overwatch while traveling. Unfortunately, its servers aren’t uniformly available across regions, so some players are forced to connect to distant servers and play with high latency.
A VPN can reduce latency to ensure lag-free gaming, and will also protect you from hackers and DDoS attacks. However, not all VPNs are suitable for Overwatch. Some may slow your connection, leak your IP address, or have limited servers.
I extensively tested the top 20 VPNs and picked the best ones for Overwatch. ExpressVPN is my #1 pick because it offers blazing-fast speeds even on distant servers. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Play Overwatch with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for Overwatch in 2024
- ExpressVPN — ExpressVPN is the best VPN for playing Overwatch as it provides blazing-fast speeds and excellent security against possible DDoS attacks.
- CyberGhost — Has optimized servers for gaming to give you an immersive Overwatch experience, but its distant servers take longer to connect.
- Private Internet Access — Its extensive network lets you join global Overwatch gaming lobbies, but it’s not based in the most privacy-friendly location.
- NordVPN — Double VPN servers make your Overwatch traffic impenetrable to third parties, but you’ll have to provide some personal data during sign-up.
- Surfshark — Invisible to Devices feature hides your device on public networks for complete gaming privacy, but its Onion over VPN servers can be a bit slow.
Play Overwatch with ExpressVPN
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Best VPNs for Overwatch — Updated 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Playing Overwatch From Anywhere
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including the US, Canada, and Singapore
- Uses TrustedServer technology, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DDoS attack protection
- Works on Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and more
- Offers 8 simultaneous device connections
- Provides a 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is my #1 choice for playing Overwatch because it’s the most well-rounded. Its Lightway protocol is built for minimizing speed loss and latency on distant servers, so you won’t miss any kills while playing Overwatch. It also uses state-of-the-art security and privacy features to prevent DDoS attacks while gaming.
In my tests, ExpressVPN averaged 95Mbps on distant servers in the US and Canada. Despite the 7,000 miles distance, that’s just a small drop of 5% from my baseline speed. My latency increased from 23ms to 45ms, enough for fast-paced battles without any lag and disruptions.
Besides that, ExpressVPN protects your Overwatch sessions from possible DDoS attacks with its:
- Military-grade encryption — protects your data and identity from hackers and snoopers who might try to intercept your online traffic while playing Overwatch.
- Kill switch — prevents your IP address and location from being exposed if Overwatch crashes unexpectedly.
- Private DNS — ensures that your DNS requests are handled by ExpressVPN, so third parties can’t know you’re playing Overwatch.
- TrustedServer network — uses RAM-only servers that are physically incapable of storing your gaming session data.
With obfuscation built into all its 3,000+ servers, ExpressVPN makes Overwatch 2’s voice chat easily accessible in VoIP-restricted countries. It also has the largest global coverage in 105 countries, so you can connect to a nearby country that has Overwatch servers. Besides Overwatch 2, you can use ExpressVPN to play:
Team Fortress 2 | Fortnite | Smite | Splitgate |
Destiny 2 | CS:GO | Paladins | Gears 5 |
Valorant | Rocket League | Apex Legends | Spellbreak |
A small drawback of ExpressVPN is that it’s slightly more expensive than other VPNs. However, the value it offers makes ExpressVPN well worth the investment. For instance, no other VPN has a proprietary protocol that provides such high speeds even if you play Overwatch 2 on 8 devices, ExpressVPN’s connection limit.
You can get a 82% discount with ExpressVPN’s 2-year + 6 months free plan. You can try it confidently as all its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested its refund guarantee, and the live chat support agent didn’t ask me any questions while approving my request. I got my money back after 4 business days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN works on: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, smart TVs, routers, and more.
Get ExpressVPN's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as $ 4.99 per month + get extra 6 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.
2. CyberGhost — Specialized Gaming Servers Offer Low-Latency Overwatch Sessions
Key Features:
- 11,670+ servers in 100 countries and those with Overwatch servers like London, Paris, and Rome
- Has NoSpy servers, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP leak protection for secure gaming
- Compatible with all major platforms, including Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, and more
- Lets you play Overwatch on up to 7 devices simultaneously
- Provides a 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost’s gaming-optimized servers are built for playing lag-free Overwatch. They’re available in Frankfurt, London, New York, and Paris — Overwatch hosts its servers in all these locations, so you can expect lightning-fast speeds and perfectly execute Zarya’s ultimates and dominate the competition.
All of CyberGhost’s 4 gaming server locations averaged a ping of 37ms, which is excellent for making split-second decisions in Overwatch to guarantee your victory. Even on regular servers, speeds never dropped below 10% from my 100Mbps baseline.
With CyberGhost, you can play Overwatch on up to 7 devices without fearing possible DDoS attacks that can disrupt your gaming experience. It includes:
- NoSpy servers — guarantee 100% privacy while playing Overwatch as these special servers are owned and maintained by CyberGhost itself.
- WiFi protection — automatically encrypts your device when you join a network so that you’re safe from DDoS attacks while gaming even if you forget to turn the VPN on.
- Kill switch — prevents your real IP address from getting exposed while gaming during lost VPN connections (though all 20 of its 11,670 servers I tested remained stable).
- Military-grade encryption — makes your gaming traffic undecipherable to third parties by encrypting it with a 256-bit cipher.
As Overwatch’s matchmaking system relies on region-specific lobbies, playing with friends located far away or during travel isn’t possible. CyberGhost’s vast network in 100 countries lets you team up with your friends back home and enjoy exciting gaming sessions together in Overwatch and:
CS:GO | Gears 5 | Fortnite | Rocket League |
Apex Legends | Splitgate | Paladins | Valorant |
Spellbreak | Smite | Destiny 2 | Team Fortress 2 |
One minor issue I noticed is that it took about 8 seconds to connect to CyberGhost’s distant servers. That’s a bit annoying, but I was willing to overlook this as CyberGhost offers excellent overall performance in terms of fast and secure gaming.
You can get CyberGhost at a 84% discount with its 2-year + 4 months plan. Its 45-day refund guarantee lets you try the VPN risk-free. I got my refund in 5 days after submitting a request via live chat, which took less than 2 minutes.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
CyberGhost VPN works on: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, smart TVs, and more.
Get Black Friday Deal and Cyber Monday Deal from CyberGhost! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 84%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Private Internet Access — Extensive Network Can Access Overwatch Voice Chat in VoIP-Restricted Regions
Key Features:
- Has 35,000+ servers in 91 countries and virtual connections in restrictive locations like Brazil and Hong Kong
- Includes flexible encryption, Perfect Forward Secrecy, a kill switch, and IP leak protection for secure gameplay
- Supports Windows, macOS, Xbox One, PS4, iOS, Android, and more
- Offers unlimited simultaneous connections for playing Overwatch on all your devices
- Try it risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA’s extensive network lets you join your home Overwatch lobby while traveling and playing with your friends. It has 35,000+ servers in 91 countries with over 400 connections per country — that’s 4 times that of most other VPNs. This gives you the flexibility to choose a server near Overwatch’s regional lobbies for low-latency gaming.
In my tests, distant servers in the US, UK, and France averaged speeds of 88Mbps, while maintaining ping below 53ms. PIA’s NextGen network uses 10Gbps ports to facilitate lightning-fast data transfer and uninterrupted gameplay, so you can execute perfect headshots as Widowmaker or swiftly evade enemy fire as Tracer.
While playing Overwatch, I had no fear of being DDoS’d as PIA includes top-of-the-line security and privacy features such as:
- Perfect Forward Secrecy — generates unique encryption keys for each VPN session, preventing unauthorized access to previous or future Overwatch data.
- Military-grade encryption — uses a 256-bit cipher to hide your Overwatch traffic from third parties, but can reduce it 128-bit to get faster speeds.
- RAM-only servers — can’t log your gaming data as they have volatile memory, so you can play Overwatch in global lobbies with complete privacy.
You can play Overwatch safely on all your devices with PIA’s unlimited simultaneous connections. I used it on my Windows PC, MacBook, iPhone, iPad, and Android phone and PIA didn’t glitch, crash, or reduce my connection speeds.
My only reservation is that PIA is located in the US, a core part of the 5 Eyes alliance of intelligence-sharing countries. However, PIA has a no-logs policy verified by Deloitte so it can’t share your browsing data even if requested by authorities.
The 2-year + 4 months plan offers the best value with a 83% discount. You can try PIA risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I had to provide my invoice number while processing my refund request via live chat and got my money back after 5 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
PIA VPN works on: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Amazon Fire TV, routers, and more.
Get PIA's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as 2.03$ per month + get an extra 4 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!
4. NordVPN — Double VPN Servers Make Your Overwatch Data Invisible to Prying Eyes
Key Features:
- 6,300+ servers in 111 countries such as the US, Canada, Germany, the UK, and more
- Offers Tor-supported servers, a no-logs policy, IP leak protection, and secure protocols
- Lets you play Overwatch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, and works on all other major platforms
- Provides hassle-free gameplay on up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Try it risk-free for 30 days with its refund guarantee
NordVPN’s Double VPN servers provide the ultimate privacy while playing Overwatch. They encrypt your data twice by routing it through 2 different servers, making it incredibly difficult for anyone to intercept or decipher your gaming traffic. To further enhance your gaming privacy, NordVPN offers:
- DNS and IP leak protection — ensures that your real IP address and DNS queries don’t leak outside the encrypted tunnel while playing Overwatch.
- Split tunneling — lets you choose which traffic goes through the VPN, allowing you to optimize your Overwatch experience while still accessing local streaming platforms.
- Obfuscation — masks your VPN traffic and makes it indistinguishable from regular data to make Overwatch voice chat available even in restrictive regions.
Its proprietary NordLynx protocol lets you play Overwatch with minimal latency. It combines the benefits of WireGuard with a double NAT system that ensures no identifiable data is stored on the VPN servers — in other words, it provides excellent speeds without compromising privacy.
With NordVPN’s 6,300+ connections in 111 countries, you can easily find a server near Overwatch’s regional servers and you. This minimizes the distance your data needs to travel for smooth and lag-free gameplay, even if you utilize its 10-device limit.
Unfortunately, NordVPN stores some sign-up data like your email address and billing information. However, it has a verified no-logs policy and doesn’t record your IP address or browsing activities. You can even sign up anonymously by using a fake email and paying via cryptocurrency.
I recommend NordVPN’s 2-year + 3 months plan as it offers a 2-year + 3 months% discount. You’ll have 30 days to try it risk-free — if you change your mind, just submit a refund request via live chat. It took me 5 minutes to do so and got my money back in 6 business days.
NordVPN works on: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and more.
5. Surfshark — Invisible to Devices Hides Your Device While Playing Overwatch on Public Networks
Key Features:
- 3,200+ servers in 100 countries for joining multiple Overwatch regional lobbies
- Has IP and DNS leak protection, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and RAM-only servers
- Compatible with the latest consoles like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch
- Lets you play Overwatch on unlimited devices simultaneously without lag
- Backs your purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Surfshark’s Invisible to Devices feature makes your Overwatch gameplay invisible to others on the same network. For example, while playing Overwatch on my hotel’s public WiFi, I didn’t want other users to see my device for better privacy and to stay safe from hackers. Surfshark also offers:
- IP address rotation — changes your IP address at regular intervals to avoid tracking by Overwatch servers or other players.
- GPS Override — spoofs your GPS location, so your device physically appears to be in the country of the server you’re connected to.
- Camouflage and NoBorders Mode — lets you access Overwatch voice chat in VoIP-restricted countries like the UAE.
With Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections, I didn’t have the anxiety of running out of devices while playing Overwatch with my friends. The apps didn’t slow down at all while I encrypted 8 of my home devices, including my gaming PC, MacBook, and smartphones.
Throughout my gaming session, all of Surfshark’s 30 servers I tested delivered consistently fast speeds for lag-free Overwatch gameplay. I downloaded the 2GB update on my Battle.net launcher in just 3 minutes using the WireGuard protocol.
One issue I faced was the occasional lag while playing Overwatch using Surfshark’s Onion over VPN servers. However, these servers aren’t built for gaming. Surfshark’s regular servers are more than safe enough for gaming so you don’t need to use the Onion over VPN option.
While Surfshark is one of the best affordable monthly VPNs, I suggest getting the 2-year + 4 months plan as it comes with a 87% discount. You can try it risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee. Getting my refund was super easy via Surfshark’s live chat — it took less than 2 minutes to submit my request and I was reimbursed within a week.
Surfshark VPN works on: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, macOS, iOS, Android, and more.
Comparison Table: Best VPNs for Overwatch
VPN | Lowest price | Server network | Highest ping recorded | Proprietary protocol | Refund period |
ExpressVPN | $4.99 per month | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries | 45ms | ✔ | 30 days |
CyberGhost | $2.03 per month | 11,670+ servers in 100 countries | 52ms | ✘ | 45 days |
PIA | $2.03 per month | 35,000+ servers in 91 countries | 54ms | ✘ | 30 days |
NordVPN | $2.99 per month | 6,300+ servers in 111 countries | 59ms | ✔ | 30 days |
Surfshark | $1.99 per month | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | 64ms | ✘ | 30 days |
Play Overwatch with ExpressVPN
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Overwatch
Not all VPNs are good for gaming. During my thorough tests, I considered the following attributes when selecting the best VPNs for Overwatch:
- Low latency and fast speeds — your VPN should offer low ping and minimal speed drops even on distant servers, so you can make split-second decisions in Overwatch.
- Server locations — I picked VPNs with extensive networks and obfuscation, so you can join Overwatch’s regional lobbies and access its voice chat from anywhere.
- Security and privacy — I ensured that my VPNs had military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP leak protection to prevent DDoS attacks while gaming.
- Device compatibility — you should pick a VPN that works on major platforms and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.
- Overall value — I chose VPNs that provide good value for money with multiple simultaneous connections and a verified money-back guarantee.
Buy ExpressVPN with confidence
3 Easy Steps to Use a VPN for Overwatch
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN for Overwatch because it provides the best combination of speed and security for seamless gaming.
- Connect to a server. The closer the server is to you, the more speeds and lower ping you’ll get.
- That’s it! Now you can play Overwatch securely from anywhere.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
FAQs on VPNs for Overwatch
What internet speeds does a VPN need for Overwatch?
20Mbps baseline speeds and a ping below 50ms are enough for playing Overwatch. I recommend ExpressVPN as it delivers lightning-fast speeds for lag-free gameplay irrespective of the server distance.
Note that all VPNs will slow down your connection, but the trick is to choose a VPN that minimizes the impact. You should select a nearby server to reduce speed loss as the data has to travel shorter distances, resulting in lower latency.
Can I be banned if I use a VPN to play Overwatch?
No, you won’t. According to Blizzard Entertainment, using a VPN is not against its terms of service. But you need a reliable VPN like one from this list for seamless gaming — some VPNs may interfere with the game’s performance or cause connection issues.
A good VPN enhances your gaming experience by reducing lag and protecting you from DDoS attacks. Here are some of the best VPNs for playing online games — they offer fast speeds, low ping, unlimited bandwidth, and servers in countries where Overwatch is available.
How do I fix high ping on Overwatch?
- Check your internet connection speed and stability. Measure your download and upload speeds and latency. If your internet is slow or unstable, try restarting your router.
- Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi. A wired connection using an Ethernet cable can be more reliable and faster than Wi-Fi.
- Close any background programs or apps that use bandwidth. Some background processes may hog your bandwidth like updates, downloads, or cloud services.
- Change your Overwatch server region. You can connect to the nearest server region in the Battle.net launcher settings to get low ping while playing Overwatch.
- Use a VPN service. Top VPNs have optimized servers built for data-intensive gaming. A VPN can also bypass third-party throttling by encrypting your traffic.
Can I use the Overwatch voice chat with a VPN?
Yes, but it’s illegal to do so in VoIP-restricted countries like the UAE and India. As long as you’re following the law, you can set up and use a VPN for Overwatch in 3 easy steps. Using a VPN is the best way to encrypt your in-game voice chat communications from prying eyes.
A VPN routes your data through an encrypted tunnel, making it unreadable to anyone who intercepts it. It hides your real IP address and makes it nearly impossible for someone to launch a DDoS attack on you to steal your win in Overwatch.
Do Pro Overwatch gamers use a VPN?
Yes, professional gamers have to use VPNs to protect themselves from possible DDoS attacks. Here’s a quick guide to the best VPNs for Overwatch, which took dozens of hours of rigorous testing.
A VPN can access Overwatch’s global gaming lobbies, so you can play with your friends even while traveling. The right VPN like ExpressVPN will minimize speed loss and maintain your ping to ensure lag-free gameplay.
Can I use a free VPN to play Overwatch?
You can, but it’s risky. Instead, I suggest using a premium VPN like CyberGhost free for 45 days with its money-back guarantee. You can get a full refund if you submit a request before the period expires.
Many free VPNs collect and sell your data to third parties. The worst of them can even infect your device. While some free VPNs are safe to use, they still have severe limitations like data caps and overcrowded servers.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Get the Best VPN for Overwatch Today
Playing Overwatch without encrypting your data can expose you to potential security risks, geographical limitations, and the threat of DDoS attacks. Using a VPN is the best way to securely play Overwatch from anywhere. Unfortunately, most VPNs aren’t built for gaming and suffer from high latency, slow speeds, and unreliable connections.
I extensively tested all the top names in the industry and picked the best VPNs for playing Overwatch. ExpressVPN is my #1 pick due to its best overall performance across speed, latency, server coverage, and security. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Summary: These are the Best VPNs for Overwatch in 2024
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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