League of Legends (LoL) is one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games in the world. With over 115 million active monthly players, this free-to-play game has taken the gaming community by storm since its release in 2009.
However, with LoL‘s competitive nature and ranked gameplay, a stable and fast internet connection is crucial for optimal performance. Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to improve ping, reduce lag, and enhance your overall gameplay experience.
VPNs route your traffic through remote servers, encrypting your data and hiding your IP address. This allows you to bypass bandwidth throttling by internet service providers (ISPs), avoid network congestion, and connect to game servers with less latency.
But with hundreds of VPN services out there, which ones work best for LoL in 2024? We tested and reviewed dozens of providers to find the top 10 recommendations:
Contents
- 1. NordVPN – Best Overall VPN for LoL
- 2. ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for League of Legends
- 3. Surfshark – Best Budget VPN for LoL
- 4. CyberGhost – Simple VPN for Gaming and Streaming
- 5. Hotspot Shield – Fastest VPN for Pings and Lag
- 6. Private Internet Access – Private VPN for Gaming
- 7. IPVanish – Low Ping Times for High Elo Gameplay
- 8. TunnelBear – Simple Free VPN for LoL Beginners
- 9. Windscribe – Feature-Packed VPN for LoL
- 10. Hide.me – VPN with Free Trial for LoL
- What Makes a Good VPN for League of Legends?
- In Summary:
1. NordVPN – Best Overall VPN for LoL
With over 5400 servers worldwide, NordVPN is our top choice for LoL due to its excellent speeds, low ping times, and gaming-optimized servers. During testing, we experienced almost no latency issues and lag while connected to nearby NordVPN servers.
The provider offers a user-friendly app for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. You can connect with just one click and all traffic gets encrypted with military-grade security. NordVPN also has a strict no-logs policy, protects your IP address, and offers 24/7 customer support.
For the best value, go for the 2-year plan which comes out to only $3.29 per month. This includes access on up to 6 devices simultaneously. If you‘re not satisfied, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why We Recommend It:
- 5400+ servers in 60 countries, many near LoL game servers
- Fast speeds with minimal latency and lag
- Dedicated IP option available
- Works in China and can unblock restricted content
- SOCKS5 proxy support for added anonymity
2. ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for League of Legends
In our performance tests, ExpressVPN provided some of the fastest speeds for gaming, making it a top contender. This VPN has 3000+ servers across 94 countries but more importantly, its network is finely tuned for speed.
During our game play of LoL, we saw lower ping times and less lag spikes when connected to nearby ExpressVPN servers. Pages loaded instantly and there was no buffering, even at peak times
ExpressVPN also offers advanced leak protection with split tunneling and a kill switch. Their apps are very reliable and easy to use on various devices. For ultimate privacy online, ExpressVPN offers a strict no-logs policy.
Get ExpressVPN today and benefit from the 30-day money back guarantee. This top-tier VPN comes at a premium price but the performance speaks for itself.
Why We Recommend It:
- Blazing fast speeds for ultra low latency gaming
- MediaStreamer unblocks content on any device
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries located near gaming servers
- 24/7 live chat support for gaming-related questions
- Works seamlessly on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more
Get 3 Months FREE of ExpressVPN
3. Surfshark – Best Budget VPN for LoL
Surfshark is the clear choice if you‘re looking for an affordable but high-quality VPN. Priced at only $2.49 a month on the 2-year plan, Surfshark offers fast speeds and a reliable service that‘s great for LoL.
During testing, its 800+ servers delivered low ping times and minimal lag while gaming. Websites and streams loaded instantly without any buffering issues. Surfshark also offers unlimited device connections at this low price point.
The provider has VPN servers in over 100 countries, allowing you to bypass geo-blocks and access LoL from anywhere. Other features include a kill switch, multihop connections, and private DNS and leak protection for added security.
With its budget-friendly pricing, Surfshark is a top choice for getting a value VPN service that performs well for online gaming. The provider also offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
Why We Recommend It:
- Costs just $2.49 a month for the 2-year plan
- Fast speeds with low latency for gaming
- Unlimited device connections allowed
- Bypasses geo-restrictions easily
- Extras like Whitelister, Split Tunneling available
4. CyberGhost – Simple VPN for Gaming and Streaming
CyberGhost is one of the easiest VPNs to use for gaming, streaming, torrenting, and other activities. With just a click, you can connect to a server optimized for your needs. For gaming, there are dedicated servers labeled for high speeds and low latency performance.
We tested LoL using the gaming-optimized servers in locations near Riot Games servers and experienced fast speeds with minimal lag and almost no ping spikes. Servers in locations farther away did result in some latency issues.
Some other highlights of CyberGhost include military-grade encryption, malware blocking, and access to stream content on over 15 Netflix libraries. There‘s also a generous 45-day money back guarantee so you can test it out risk-free.
Based in Romania, CyberGhost follows a strict zero logging policy and offers good value on longer plans. Priced at only $2.25 a month for 3 years, it provides reliable performance for LoL beginners and advanced players alike.
Why We Recommend It:
- Easy to use with dedicated gaming server connections
- Fast speeds with optimized gaming servers
- Unblocks Netflix and other streaming sites
- Malware & ad blocking features
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more
5. Hotspot Shield – Fastest VPN for Pings and Lag
Hotspot Shield is another top performer for lag-free LoL gameplay. This VPN uses next-gen Catapult Hydra protocol to provide some of the fastest speeds we tested. During gaming, pages loaded instantly and we experienced almost no buffering or lag issues.
Connecting to nearby servers located close to LoL game servers gave us the lowest ping times. Performance was consistent across multiple devices too. The VPN network is finely tuned for gaming, streaming, and downloading.
Aside from speed, Hotspot Shield offers military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to keep your connection secure. There‘s also protection against IPv6 leaks, tracking cookies, and malware. A customizable kill switch prevents IP exposure when disconnecting.
For gaming, the premium version is recommended as this unlocks access to Hotspot Shield‘s fastest servers. There‘s also unlimited bandwidth and supports connecting 5 devices simultaneously.
Why We Recommend It:
- Utilizes Catapult Hydra protocol for fast speeds
- Optimized gaming servers keep latency very low
- Consistent performance across devices
- Customizable kill switch and IP leak protection
- Unblocks geoblocked gaming content worldwide
Try Hotspot Shield with 45% OFF!
6. Private Internet Access – Private VPN for Gaming
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a highly secure VPN that also works well for online gaming. It has over 30,000 shared IPs available, meaning you can hide behind an IP address that is shared among many users for added anonymity.
During our LoL testing, websites and game streams loaded quickly with zero buffering issues. Ping times were quite stable when connected to nearby servers. PIA also has port forwarding available for optimized gaming.
Some other features that make PIA great for gaming and privacy are a kill switch, split tunneling, and WireGuard protocol support. Apps are available for all major platforms so you can stay protected on the go. PIA accepts crypto payments and includes a 30-day money back guarantee.
With budget pricing starting at $2.19 per month, PIA offers excellent speeds and security for playing LoL. It‘s a good choice if you prioritize privacy and want extra features tailored for gamers.
Why We Recommend It:
- Shared IPs provide added privacy
- Low ping times, fast speeds for gaming
- Port forwarding optimized for games
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, routers
- Accepts crypto payments like Bitcoin
Sign up for Private Internet Access today!
7. IPVanish – Low Ping Times for High Elo Gameplay
IPVanish is a top VPN for achieving low ping times and reducing lag, which can give you a competitive edge during ranked LoL matches. This provider has 1500+ worldwide servers optimized for high speeds.
In our gameplay tests, IPVanish delivered extremely low ping and latency when connecting to nearby servers in major cities. We experienced very minimal lag and rubberbanding issues even during teamfights and ganks.
The IPVanish app makes it easy to pick the fastest server. You can filter by country, city, and ping times. Other features include unlimited P2P traffic, AES 256-bit encryption, and protection against DNS leaks.
IPVanish is based in the US but still offers a strict zero logging policy to protect your privacy. For ultimate value, go for the 1-year plan at just $3.99 per month and get 250GB SugarSync cloud storage for free.
Why We Recommend It:
- Optimized servers provide very low ping
- Easy to connect to fastest servers within the app
- Great speeds and minimal lag
- Unlimited P2P and 10 simultaneous connections
- SugarSync cloud storage free with annual plans
Visit IPVanish to Get Lowest Ping
8. TunnelBear – Simple Free VPN for LoL Beginners
TunnelBear is a top-rated free VPN that works well for LoL if you‘re just getting started. While speed and server count is limited on the free plan, it‘s an easy way to test a VPN for gaming without paying.
By connecting to locations near you, TunnelBear can reduce lag and ping spikes versus using your ISP-assigned connection. During testing, we saw improved latency and speeds compared to not using a VPN.
Some areas for improvement include adding more server locations, increasing the free data limit from 500MB per month, and allowing P2P activity for gamers. But TunnelBear is extremely easy to use and even has fun bear-themed apps.
The unlimited paid plan lifts all restrictions for $9.99 per month. Overall TunnelBear is best for new gamers who want a simple, free option without advanced configuration.
Why We Recommend It:
- Straightforward free VPN plan with no credit card
- Reduces lag versus ISP connection
- Easy to use with fun bear themes
- Improves speeds and latency when nearby
- Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
Start Using TunnelBear For FREE
9. Windscribe – Feature-Packed VPN for LoL
Windscribe is a versatile VPN with a generous free plan that makes it great for gaming. Beyond the basics, this provider offers add-ons like a customizable R.O.B.E.R.T. firewall and Windflix to access streaming sites.
The free VPN tier gives you 10GB monthly and access to servers in 11 countries. This should be plenty to reduce ping times and improve speeds for LoL gaming versus not using a VPN. Just make sure to connect to a server geographically close to you.
Paid plans unlock unlimited data and access to servers around the world. Windscribe offers a 1-month free trial so you can give the full service a test drive risk-free. Other features include port forwarding, P2P support, and split tunneling.
Based in Canada, Windscribe follows a strict no logging policy. It‘s a worthy VPN to try if you want more features tailored for gamers and streaming fans.
Why We Recommend It:
- 10GB free data monthly
- Reduces ping versus your ISP
- P2P and port forwarding available
- R.O.B.E.R.T. firewall to block ads and trackers
- Unlimited premium plan for $9/month
Start Using Windscribe For FREE
10. Hide.me – VPN with Free Trial for LoL
Hide.me is another good VPN with a generous free trial. You can take the premium service for a test drive with 10GB of data over 14 days for free. This should give you enough time to evaluate performance for LoL gaming.
During our tests, Hide.me delivered stable speeds and latency when connecting to servers near us. 10GB is also plenty for running ping tests and playing a few matches of LoL.
If you decide to upgrade to paid, Hide.me is affordably priced at around $10 for the monthly plan. It unblocks streaming sites, allows P2P traffic, and provides apps for all major platforms. A kill switch prevents IP leaks if the VPN drops.
With thousands of servers worldwide, you can easily find a low-latency connection for LoL gaming. Try out Hide.me with the free plan and upgrade if you need more data and service benefits.
Why We Recommend It:
- 14-day free trial with 10GB of data
- Enough to test LoL performance risk-free
- Affordable paid plans if upgrading
- 3200+ servers worldwide
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
What Makes a Good VPN for League of Legends?
When choosing a VPN for LoL, you want to look for a few key criteria:
- Speed – Fast download and upload speeds keep latency low for real-time gaming. Look for VPNs that offer gigabit network capacity.
- Pings – Ping is the reaction time between making an action and seeing results. Lower ping times mean less lag and delays. VPNS with servers near you provide the best ping.
- Zero Logging – Choose a VPN with a strict no logs policy to keep your gaming activities anonymous.
- Reliability – A VPN should offer consistent performance and minimal connection drops. Look for services with 99.9% uptime.
- Bandwidth Limits – Unlimited bandwidth prevents throttling that can happen after reaching a monthly data cap.
- Server Count – More servers worldwide means you can find ones close to LoL game servers for low latency.
- Gaming Servers – Optimal if a VPN offers dedicated gaming servers optimized for speed.
Using a VPN can give your LoL gameplay a competitive edge with faster speeds, lower ping, and less lag. All of our top recommendations excel in these criteria to be the best performing VPNs for League of Legends.
In Summary:
- NordVPN– Best overall VPN for LoL with fast speeds and lowest latency.
- ExpressVPN – Fastest speeds out of all VPNs tested. Great for competitive ranked play.
- Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited devices and fast performance.
- CyberGhost – Easy to use with dedicated gaming servers. Unblocks streaming sites.
- Hotspot Shield – Uses Catapult Hydra protocol for ultra fast speeds and lowest ping times.
A VPN can improve your League of Legends connection and overall gameplay experience by reducing ping, preventing lag spikes, and keeping your traffic encrypted. NordVPN stands out as the top choice thanks to blazing fast speeds, servers located near gaming servers, and gaming-optimized features.
We recommend trying out a few VPNs with money back guarantees to test performance with LoL before committing. The right VPN can give you a competitive advantage with lower latency and might just help you climb the rankings!
Have you used a VPN for League of Legends or other online multiplayer games? Let us know your experience and if your ping times improved in the comments!
