The Short Answer
In most cases, a VPN will add 5-20ms of latency rather than reduce it. However, there are specific scenarios where a VPN can genuinely lower your ping by finding a more efficient route to the game server. Understanding when and why this happens is key to using a VPN effectively for gaming.
How We Tested
We connected each of 17 VPN services to their nearest server and ran 1,000 ping tests to game servers for Valorant, League of Legends, Fortnite, and CS2 across NA, EU, and Asia regions. We measured baseline ping without a VPN, then with each VPN connected, calculating the average ping difference.
Average Ping Impact by VPN
Our top performers added minimal latency. NordVPN added just 7-12ms on average, while Surfshark added 12-15ms. The worst performers like FastestVPN added 28-40ms, which is noticeable in competitive play.
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The VPN protocol makes a significant difference. WireGuard-based protocols consistently outperformed OpenVPN by 10-15ms in ping impact. If your VPN supports WireGuard, always use it for gaming.
When a VPN Can Actually Reduce Ping
We observed genuine ping reduction in three specific scenarios. First, when the ISP routes traffic inefficiently, a VPN can find a more direct path to the game server. This happened in about 15 percent of our test cases, primarily with smaller regional ISPs.
Second, during ISP throttling of gaming traffic, connecting through a VPN prevents the ISP from identifying and slowing your game packets. We confirmed throttling on two major ISPs that specifically targeted popular game traffic.
Third, when connecting to distant game servers, a VPN with a server near the game server can sometimes provide a faster route than your ISP default path. This was most common when connecting from NA to EU or Asian game servers.
Our Recommendations
For the lowest possible ping impact, use NordVPN with NordLynx protocol and connect to the server closest to your game server. If you suspect ISP throttling, any VPN will help, but faster ones like ExpressVPN or Surfshark will have the least additional overhead.
See our complete VPNs for PC Gaming guide for detailed setup instructions.
