Steam is the world’s biggest digital video game distribution service. Available across the world, Steam has over 120 million active users per month, downloading or playing hundreds of thousands of different games.
It’s easy to see why Steam has become so popular since its launch in 2003. Not only is it a one-stop-shop for both best-selling games from the biggest developers in the world, but it’s also a great place to discover something new. Many indie developers publish unique games on Steam that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
In this helpful guide, we explain exactly why you should use a gaming VPN with Steam. We also look in detail at the VPNs that work with the platform and present you with the very best VPN for Steam. Deciding between hundreds of VPN products can be confusing and very time-consuming, so we’ve done the hard work for you. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know. Show more
We have reviewed hundreds of VPN providers and came up with this concise list of the very best VPNs for Steam. These products came out on top during each testing stage and truly are the ideal choice for Steam users. Keep reading to see which we recommend!
| Max Speed: | 115000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 6 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 12 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Ultra-fast connection
No-logs policy
5400 servers in 54 countries
Limited payment options
No Split Tunneling on desktop
Only 6 simultaneous connection
NordVPN has some of the most advanced privacy features of any VPN on the market. This keeps players safe while they game and protects them from DDoS attacks using Steam. Here are some more benefits:
You can say goodbye to restrictions on Steam with NordVPN. The super-secure VPN allows you to connect from a choice of 59 countries and access game content to purchase from across the world. A dedicated IP address means that you are not sharing with other users and will not be penalized or put at risk by their individual activities. This is perfectly complemented by the double IP address protection, which changes your real IP twice for maximum security. One NordVPN account and subscription is all you need to connect up to 6 devices simultaneously.
Using a VPN with Steam couldn’t be any easier than with NordVPN. The user-friendly app and website are as simple as logging in, choosing your country, and clicking connect. You can be playing your favorite games on Steam in just seconds, with a more reliable connection than that from your Internet Service Provider. Thanks to 256-bit AES encryption, a network kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy on all servers, privacy and security are guaranteed.
NordVPN is actually one of the most affordable services on this list. All you need is an email address and a payment method to open an account. A monthly subscription costs $11.95, whereas a 6-month plan is $9 per month. There is also a 2-year plan at $3.71. All of these prices are inclusive of a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Max Speed: | 58000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 12 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows |
Tons of payment options
24-hour live chat suppot
30-day money back guarantee
More expensive than competitors
Only 5 simultaneous connections
No servers in Russia
ExpressVPN is a popular choice for gaming because of its market-leading server speeds. But that isn’t all; there are many great benefits to using ExpressVPN for Steam, including:
ExpressVPN comes up time and time again, particularly for those that require fast speeds and reliable performance. Whether you’re using Steam to play games, download games, or browse, ExpressVPN can make sure you do it all safely. ExpressVPN can also be used on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon prime and anything requiring high bandwidth.
Although speed is the biggest selling point of ExpressVPN, it also has some fantastic security and privacy features. Because using a VPN is against the Steam terms of service, the network kill switch is very convenient if your VPN connection drops. The kill switch will end your internet connection so that Steam doesn’t detect that you’re using a VPN. ExpressVPN has fewer server options than many of the competition, but it makes up in power and performance for what it lacks in choice.
A 1-month plan with ExpressVPN costs $12.95 and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. There is also a 6-month plan at $.99 and a 12-month plan at $8.32, both of which are also covered by the satisfaction guarantee.
| Max Speed: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Shared |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | Unlimited |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 15 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Full 15 Netflix Libraries
Tons of server locations
Great deal on 24 months
No Apple Pay Payment Option
Very expensive monthly
Allows P2P from all servers
Surfshark is one of the biggest VPNs in the world, used by millions to protect every device. There are several reasons why Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for Steam, including:
Surfshark is an incredibly generous VPN provider, giving users not only unlimited bandwidth but unlimited simultaneous connections too. This means no expensive upgrades or multiple subscriptions are required, all for a similar price range as the competitors offering less. If you’re looking to circumvent geographical restrictions on Steam, there are over 65 countries to connect to in the Surfshark network. Doing so means that you can change the Steam store country and enjoy unlimited access to game content.
Top-level 256-bit encryption is just the beginning of the security and privacy services at Surfshark. Private DNS means that you aren’t sharing your connection with other users, making VPN usage harder to detect. There is also a strict no-logs policy so that none of your personal information, IP addresses, or browsing history is saved. As far as private internet access is concerned, Surfshark really performs in this department.
Surfshark pricing is in line with the competition, costing $12.95 per month. A 12-month plan costs just $6.49, and a 24-month plan is $2.49. A 30-day money-back guarantee covers all subscriptions if you’re not completely satisfied.
| Max Speed: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 7 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 4 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Servers in unusual countries
Great support options
Great blog and guide universe
Limited payment options
Poor press area for affiliates
Few Netflix libraries
CyberGhost is a VPN designed for gamers, promising privacy and speed on every device. It’s a great Steam VPN for many reasons, including:
What is unique about CyberGhost is that it has dedicated gaming servers specifically designed to handle HD games and game content on Steam. It is also one of the few VPNs for Steam with designated public-wifi protection, so you’re covered even if you’re playing away from your home network. This, paired with the military-grade encryption and kill switch, means you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) without ever being caught by Steam.
Most impressively, CyberGhost is the sheer number of server locations that take IP proxying to a whole new level. Restrictions on game content are almost non-existent with CyberGhost, with a whopping 7,000 servers in 91 countries to connect to. The VPN also works great on all devices, including IOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux, and benefits from up to 7 simultaneous connections.
The slightly higher price of $12.99 per month is completely justified, and this product even surpassed our tough reviewing standards. A 12-month plan costs $7.99 per month and 2-years just $2.79. Unlike those offering 30 days, CyberGhost providers users with an extended 45-day money-back guarantee.
| Max Speed: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dynamic |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 13 |
| Information sharing: | 14 Eyes Member |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Lightning fast VPN
Optimized for streaming
PayPal payment option
Poor support
14-eyes VPN
Only 5 devices
Hotspot Shield strikes the perfect balance of military-grade encryption and optimized gaming speeds. Here are some of the other benefits that make it perfect for Steam users:
Hotspot Shield promises VPN server speeds up to 2.2x faster than most of the competition. This means that it can’t just handle gaming content and Steam, but also Netflix, Prime, Youtube, and more. Although internet access isn’t an issue thanks to unlimited bandwidth, Hotspot Shield only supports up to 5 simultaneous connections. This may be all you need, but it’s still fewer than many of the other VPNs on this list.
It’s not just the fast speeds that make Hotspot Shield one of the best VPNs for Steam, but also the top-level security and privacy. There is 256-bit encryption and its own proprietary Hydra VPN protocol, which promises to be the most secure way to connect. In fact, Hotspot Shield is one of the very few VPNs on the market that develop its own exclusive technology, demonstrating real expertise in the field.
Enjoy private internet access and unlimited access to all Steam services with Hotspot Shield by subscribing to one of their premium or premium family plans. Premium costs $12.99 per month, and premium family costs $19.99 but supports up to 25 simultaneous connections. Regardless of which plan you choose, you are protected by a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Steam is a great platform to buy games and play online, but it has one frustrating limitation: the dreaded location and region restrictions. Certain gaming content can only be downloaded and accessed from specific locations, causing many of us to miss out. Unlimited access to Steam and all of its content would be great, right? This is exactly what you get when you use a VPN. You can connect to VPN servers anywhere globally and access Steam games you would otherwise be blocked from.
More importantly, using a VPN while gaming online is the only way to protect yourself from hackers, phishing, and DDoS attacks. Although no VPN can promise to eradicate these, the chances of being a victim of such attacks reduce significantly. With a VPN, your internet access is protected, and so is your personal identity, IP address, and true location. Using Steam without a VPN is not worth the risk, especially when considering the reasonably low pricing of a VPN product.
Fast speeds also play a huge part in why you should use a VPN with steam. There is nothing more frustrating for gamers than lag and bad network connections. This can happen with many standard Internet Service Providers (ISPs), especially when many devices are connected to the same network. The best VPNs for Steam are optimized for speed and designed to handle hours of uninterrupted gaming. Part of this is the technology built into VPN servers and the benefit of choosing a location close to the gaming servers for preferential speeds.
It is worth noting that using a VPN goes against the Steam subscriber agreement, and this means that there are risks involved. If caught using a VPN, your Steam Account can be closed, and you may be handed a lifetime ban. This highlights the importance of using a high-quality VPN provider that can help you to fly under the radar and remain undetected.
Many things make a good VPN, but this doesn’t always mean that it’s the best VPN for Steam. It requires a combination of performance and security, not found in all products. Here are just some of the specifics that we look at.
Every VPN listed on this page has been tried and tested with Steam and works perfectly. So how do you choose between them? Much of it comes down to personal preference and requirements. The first thing to consider is which countries, areas, or regions you wish to access the content. That way, it makes sense to select the VPN that has servers in your chosen country. If you’re unsure, the safest bet is to go with the one that has the most options. Other things to consider include the number of simultaneous devices you can connect to and the general look and feel of the app.
Each VPN service we have recommended can help you to overcome any geographical restrictions and limitations. Firstly, browse Steam on a server in your true location to discover what content is blocked and what country you need to access the content. Then, close Steam, select a server in that specific country, click connect, and you’re ready to enjoy all of the services available in your new location. Remember to always close the Steam app or website when completing this process, as sudden country changes are a tell-tale sign of VPNs.
Yes, your VPN account can be used for many other purposes. When you’re not playing games on Steam, your VPN can help you access more content on Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming sites. You can also connect it to your IOS, Android, or Windows phone to protect yourself while browsing social media. Although we recommend these VPNs for Steam and other high internet traffic activities, they’re also great for general browsing.
Games that are downloaded and played on Steam are integrated within the Steam platform. This means that although the games won't know you're using a VPN, the Steam website or app might. Using a VPN to connect to different countries can be risky and could result in your Steam account being permanently closed. Each product on this page has all of the required safety measures to ensure that this does not happen.
No, VPNs are not a necessity if you are browsing Steam, although it is recommended. A VPN is a great way to ensure privacy while connected to the internet, even if you don't need to connect to other countries or bypass any restrictions. Online gaming users not using a VPN are at higher risk of DDoS attacks and other threats.
Unfortunately, no VPN service can guarantee 100% protection. For example, DDoS attacks can still happen, but with a significantly reduced risk to you and your personal data. VPNs are a fantastic way to add extra layers of security to your internet connection, but they cannot completely prevent attacks from happening.
Hi there! I'm Monique, and I am a writer at VPNSurfers. I live in New York, but I'm originally from Delware. I love traveling, but the US will always be home to me.
I have more than 5 years of experience using VPNs, and I ha...
Read more about the author