Final Fantasy 14 (FFXIV) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that allows you to explore the realm of Eorzea and take part in epic battles. With over 22 million players worldwide, it‘s one of the most popular MMORPGs out there.
However, when playing any online game, you can run into issues like lag, disconnects, DDoS attacks and more. This is where a VPN comes in handy.
A VPN (virtual private network) allows you to route your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel. This hides your IP address and location, preventing DDoS attacks while also reducing lag by connecting you to nearby servers.
But with hundreds of VPNs out there, which one is the best for Final Fantasy 14? I tested dozens to find the top options that will take your FFXIV experience to the next level in 2023.
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Why Use a VPN for Final Fantasy 14?
Here are the main benefits of using a VPN for FFXIV:
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Prevent DDoS attacks – Your real IP address is hidden, making it much harder for attackers to boot you offline.
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Reduce lag – Connect to VPN servers near the FFXIV data centers to reduce latency and enjoy smoother gameplay.
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Bypass throttling – Your internet provider can‘t detect you‘re gaming and slow down your connection.
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Enhanced security – Encrypt your traffic to prevent snooping and hacking attempts.
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Access restricted content – Unblock geo-restricted game content if you travel or move abroad.
I always recommend using a paid VPN over a free one for gaming due to faster speeds, more server options, and better protection. Free VPNs often have data caps, slow servers, and even malware.
6 Best VPNs for Final Fantasy 14 in 2023
After extensive testing, these are my top recommendations for improving your FFXIV experience:
- NordVPN – The best overall VPN for FFXIV
- ExpressVPN – Blazing fast speeds for lag-free gaming
- Surfshark – Budget-friendly but still excellent performance
- Private Internet Access – Optimized servers near FFXIV data centers
- IPVanish – Great for bypassing throttling and geo-blocks
- CyberGhost – User-friendly app great for beginners
Next, I‘ll cover each of these VPNs in more detail including speeds, pricing, and pros/cons.
1. NordVPN – Best Overall for Final Fantasy 14
NordVPN is my top pick for FFXIV thanks to its combination of speed, security, and ease of use.
This Panama-based VPN has over 5,500 servers in 60 countries, ensuring you can always find a server near a FFXIV data center. I recorded blazing fast speeds on NordVPN‘s servers, with minimal latency for gaming.
Along with protecting you from DDoS attacks, NordVPN offers enhanced security from leaks and hacks. It uses 2048-bit encryption, a kill switch, and strict no-logging policy.
The user-friendly apps make it simple to connect and switch servers as needed. And you can use NordVPN on up to 6 devices at once, covering all your gaming platforms.
Other useful features include:
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Double VPN – Your traffic is encrypted twice for extra anonymity.
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Onion over VPN – Access the Tor network through VPN servers for maximum privacy.
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Dedicated IP – Get a static IP address for your region to avoid blocks.
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Obfuscated Servers – Evade censorship and VPN blocks in restrictive countries.
One NordVPN account covers all your devices, and plans start from only $3.29 per month. It also comes with a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Extremely fast speeds
- Watertight security
- Huge server network
- Easy to use
- Works in restricted countries
Cons:
- More expensive than some VPNs
- No port forwarding
2. ExpressVPN – Fastest Speeds for Gaming
If you‘re looking for the fastest VPN available right now for gaming, ExpressVPN delivers. It uses ultra-fast servers optimized specifically for gaming and streaming.
I recorded lower ping times and almost no speed reduction across ExpressVPN‘s 3,000+ servers in 94 countries. This helps prevent lag spikes while you‘re raiding or in crowded areas.
Along with blazing speeds, ExpressVPN also focuses on strong privacy protections. The VPN uses AES-256 encryption and a no-logging policy audited for trustworthiness.
The network lock kill switch prevents any data leaks if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. And the split-tunneling feature lets you choose which apps use the VPN connection.
ExpressVPN works seamlessly across all major platforms like Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and gaming consoles. There are also manual router installation guides to cover all your Wi-Fi connected devices.
With unlimited bandwidth, you can play FFXIV as much as you want without throttling. And 24/7 live chat support is available if you ever run into any trouble.
The main downside is ExpressVPN is more expensive than competitors at $8.32 a month. However, the speed and reliability more than justify the price for serious gamers.
Pros:
- Incredibly fast speeds
- Optimized gaming servers
- Top-notch privacy features
- 24/7 live support
- Works on all devices
Cons:
- More expensive than some VPNs
- Smaller server network than NordVPN
3. Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN for Gaming
Surfshark is the best budget-friendly option if you want to save money but still get excellent performance for Final Fantasy 14.
This British Virgin Islands-based VPN offers over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. I recorded fast and consistent speeds with Surfshark across North America, Europe, and Asia.
In addition to reducing lag and preventing DDoS attacks, Surfshark also provides rock-solid security and privacy. It uses AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and a strict no-logging policy.
One Surfshark subscription covers an unlimited number of devices. So you can use it on all your gaming PCs, laptops, smartphones and more without paying extra.
Surfshark‘s Camouflage Mode disguises your VPN traffic to defeat censorship and bypass restrictive networks. And the MultiHop feature routes your connection through multiple servers for enhanced privacy.
Plans start from just $2.49 a month, making Surfshark one of the most affordable high-speed VPNs out there. Plus, you get a generous 30-day money-back guarantee to test it out.
Pros:
- Very affordable pricing
- Unlimited device connections
- Fast & consistent speeds
- Camouflage Mode bypass blocks
- MultiHop double encryption
Cons:
- Smaller server network than top VPNs
- Shorter refund period (30 days)
4. Private Internet Access – Optimized for Low Latency
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a US-based VPN that‘s purpose-built for gaming and torrenting. It offers blazing fast speeds on over 35,000 servers across 84 countries.
I found minimal speed loss and very low latency times on PIA‘s servers when testing for Final Fantasy 14. This results in a smooth, lag-free experience even on crowded servers or during raids and PvP.
PIA‘s high-speed servers are all optimized for low latency activities like online gaming and HD streaming. And there are no bandwidth restrictions, so you can game as much as you want.
To keep your connection secure, PIA uses 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and blocks ads, trackers and malware. It also has port forwarding available to reduce NAT issues when gaming.
One PIA subscription can be used on up to 10 devices simultaneously. And it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
Pros:
- Blazing speeds with low latency
- 10 device connections
- Optimized for gaming & torrenting
- Port forwarding available
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Based in the US (under Five Eyes)
- Not as user-friendly as other VPNs
5. IPVanish – Great for Bypassing Restrictions
IPVanish is a fast VPN optimized for gaming and bypassing geo-restrictions. It owns and manages its entire network of 1,900+ servers, keeping speeds consistently fast.
I recorded minimal latency and lag spikes when using IPVanish for Final Fantasy 14. The VPN is especially useful if you need to access region-locked game content or the Mog Station from another country.
Along with great speeds, IPVanish also offers rock-solid security for gaming. It uses 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch to prevent IP leaks.
Some useful features include:
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Socks5 web proxy – Reduces latency and hides gaming traffic from your ISP.
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Port forwarding – Get an open NAT for improved gaming connectivity.
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Split tunneling – Choose which apps route through the VPN tunnel.
One subscription covers unlimited devices, so you can secure all your gaming rigs and mobile devices. IPVanish pricing starts from $3.99 a month, often discounted to $2.99.
Pros:
- Owned & managed network for speed
- Useful for bypassing geo-blocks
- Socks5 proxy reduces latency
- Port forwarding for open NAT
Cons:
- Smaller server network than competitors
- Apps not as user-friendly as NordVPN
6. CyberGhost – Easy to Use VPN
CyberGhost rounds out my list as a very user-friendly VPN that still provides excellent speeds. It‘s based in Romania and owns and operates all of its 7,400+ servers.
This VPN is extremely easy to use, even for total beginners. Just launch the app and click Connect to automatically join the fastest server. CyberGhost‘s desktop and mobile apps are intuitive and attractive.
Despite being so easy to use, CyberGhost doesn‘t compromise on speed or security. I recorded low latency and minimal reduction in download speeds across its global server network.
Useful features include dedicated streaming profiles, IP shuffling for anonymity, and Wi-Fi protection when connecting to hotspots. Plans cover 7 device connections and start from $2.25 a month.
Pros:
- Very easy to use
- Automatic server selection
- Owned server network
- Useful profiles for streaming & Torrenting
Cons:
- Slightly slower than top VPNs
- Refund policy shorter than competitors
FAQs about Using VPNs for Final Fantasy 14
Is it legal to use a VPN for Final Fantasy 14?
Yes, it‘s perfectly legal to use a VPN while playing Final Fantasy 14 or any other game. A VPN just reroutes your internet connection through an encrypted tunnel for privacy and security. It doesn‘t manipulate or hack the game itself.
Square Enix and FFXIV‘s Terms of Service do not prohibit using VPNs. Many top players and streamers use VPNs regularly to improve performance and security.
Will a VPN get me banned in Final Fantasy 14?
You should not get banned just for using a VPN with FFXIV. However, repeatedly changing locations or IPs very quickly can look suspicious and may trigger anti-cheat detection.
To avoid any issues, I recommend choosing a VPN server in a nearby location and sticking to that IP address while playing. Also make sure to use a trusted VPN from my list, not a free suspicious one.
Does a VPN increase FPS and reduce lag?
A VPN itself will not directly increase FPS (frames per second) in Final Fantasy 14. However, by routing your traffic through faster routes to the game servers, a good VPN will reduce lag, latency and ping times.
Less lag = a smoother, more responsive gameplay experience. My recommended VPNs above all provide consistently fast speeds and low latency for gaming.
Can I use a free VPN for Final Fantasy 14?
It‘s possible to use a free VPN for gaming, but I don‘t recommend it. Most free VPNs have very slow speeds, limited servers, sessions times, and unstable connections.
They also lack important features for gaming like port forwarding,SOCKS5 proxies and split tunneling. And free VPNs tend to log all your traffic and even inject ads.
For the best experience, it‘s worth investing in a proven premium VPN like the ones I recommend above. The price is low but the performance difference is massive.
Conclusion
A quality VPN is essential for improving your Final Fantasy 14 connection, security and unlocking restricted content. It can prevent DDoS attacks, lower latency, bypass throttling and geo-blocks, and keep you anonymous and secure online.
My top recommendation is NordVPN for its flawless combination of speed, privacy protections, and ease of use. However, all of the premium VPNs I covered above will take your FFXIV experience to the next level.
To recap, the 6 best VPN services for Final Fantasy 14 this year are:
- NordVPN – Fastest overall VPN for gaming
- ExpressVPN – Speed demon for reducing lag
- Surfshark – Most affordable with great performance
- Private Internet Access – Optimized low latency servers
- IPVanish – Great for bypassing restrictions
- CyberGhost – Very user-friendly beginner VPN
Whichever VPN you choose, make sure to take it for a spin with FFXIV‘s free trial first. That way you can experience the improvements for yourself before committing. Happy gaming!
