With an average of five million daily players, Valorant is one of the most popular first-person shooters around. Being free to play, it's incredibly accessible, but for many around the world it's totally inaccessible without using a quality Valorant VPN.
Some countries, like Iran and Syria, have outright banned the game, so spoofing your location with the best VPN for Valorant is your only option in these regions. Others, like the UAE, limit some features like voice chat due to restrictions on VoIP, but this too can be avoided with a VPN. You can even use a Valorant VPN to change location to play with friends around the world.
At Tom's Guide, the VPN team and I spend over 3,000 hours testing providers in all kind of situations, including performance when gaming. I've pulled together the five very best gaming VPNs that'll get you access wherever you are. If you just want a quick answer, though, just pick from the top three below:
The 3 best Valorant VPNs today
Recent updates
In my most recent update I've given this page a full refresh. The biggest change is that NordVPN has taken the #1 spot, dropping ExpressVPN down to #2. Surfshark remains an excellent bargain option at #3. Elsewhere, I've checked every fact and figure to make sure that everything is bang up to date.
Why should I use a Valorant VPN?
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As mentioned above, a number of countries have at least some restrictions on how players can access Valorant. Some countries like Iran and Syria have outright banned the game. Here, a Valorant VPN is the only way to play the game.
VoIP is highly restricted in some Middle Eastern countries due to tough laws that benefit state-run telecom companies, so the only way to chat with your team in these areas is to use a VPN. However, these restrictions aren't the only reasons you might want to use a VPN for Valorant.
If you're in a location that's far away from a Valorant server, connecting to a VPN server nearer to this could help speed up your ping. If you've had your IP address blocked for any reason, a VPN will also get you access again. And, of course, it can give solid protection against any potential DDoS attacks or lurkers on your network.
Finally, if you have online friends that live in different countries, it's effectively impossible to play with them because Valorant restricts what servers you can use by region. Using a VPN to get an IP address in their country can allow you to get online with them.
The five best Valorant VPNs today
NordVPN: the best Valorant VPN overall
NordVPN is arguably the biggest name in VPN, and for good reason. It's reliable, fast, has tons of servers and in my in-depth NordVPN review it came out as the very best provider out of all the VPNs I've tested.
When it comes to working as a Valorant VPN, Nord ticks all the boxes. In my testing it delivered scorching connection speeds of up to 950 Mbps which will ensure you won't be lagging mid-battle. And, with over 6,000 servers in 110 countries, you're bound to find a good location wherever you are in the world.
Its apps are also excellent, and you'll be able to download a version on just about any device you can imagine. While the map interface on its mobile VPN apps can be a little clunky on smaller screens, for PC gamers it'll be a comfortable, intuitive experience.
It's worth noting that on whatever device you're using, if you want a more stripped-back interface, rivals ExpressVPN and Surfshark both deliver more streamlined apps. This is, however, all down to taste.
What's more, it's also the best Netflix VPN on the market, unblocking more locations than any other provider we've tested, and you'll be able to tap into tons of other streaming sites like BBC iPlayer and Disney+ wherever you live.
While as an overall package it's not quite as easy to use as ExpressVPN, in terms of pure performance it's the best Valorant VPN out there right now.
Sign up now on the NordVPN website
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fun interface but might seem a little crowded for some users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Though simple to use, the map-like design might not work for everyone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest with an average speed of 950 Mbps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Effortlessly unblocks most content streaming platforms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Strong encryption with additional features like Threat Protection for safe streaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Reliable 24/7 customer support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Provides ample value for the price. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
ExpressVPN: the easiest Valorant VPN to use
ExpressVPN is a stalwart in the VPN industry, and consistently ranks near the top of my guides for all sorts of use. Using a VPN with Valorant is no exception. In my ExpressVPN review I found the British Virgin Islands-based provider really easy to use, and very reliable.
Speeds will be absolutely key for any gamer, and with peaks of 750 Mbps when using the Lightway protocol, it's seriously quick. It's worth noting a number of providers, including NordVPN and Surfshark, deliver faster speeds on an optimal connections, but if you're using anything less than a gigabit line you're very unlikely to feel any difference.
What makes up for that is ExpressVPN's super stable connections. In our testing it never dropped a connection, and when we tried to trick the software by ending processes, its kill switch kept us absolutely safe. Combined with solid AES-256 encryption, split tunneling, a choice of protocols, a verified no-logging policy and generally very stable app builds, it's perfect for the privacy and security minded.
You can't spend your whole life playing Valorant, though, and in your downtime, ExpressVPN still has tons to offer. It's an excellent streaming VPN, and it's able to unblock tons of Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube and loads more. No matter where you are, you'll be able to stream whatever you want with ExpressVPN.
Despite this excellent performance overall, it can't be ignored that it's twice the price of many of its rivals, clocking in at $6.67 a month (which includes 3 months free). that may well put a number of users off, but I still recommend ExpressVPN if you're looking for a simple option. compared to the rest, it's the easiest to get up and running.
Sign up now on the ExpressVPN website to sign up
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Simple, navigable design that’s easy on your eyes and straightforward to understand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Beginner-friendly, little to no expertise needed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Reliable and very fast, although some others deliver higher peak speeds. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Servers in 160 locations and 90 countries ensure limitless content | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Top-notch security with 256-bit AES encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Expert assistance is available 24/7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Slightly more expensive than other options | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Surfshark: the best cheap Valorant VPN
Surfshark tops my cheap VPN rankings, but don't let the bargain price fool you – in my Surfshark review, I found that the BVI-based provider really holds its own against much costlier services.
We'll start with the really impressive stuff. Surfshark is currently the fastest VPN on the market, and when I tested it out, I got speeds of up to 950 Mbps on a 1Gbps line. No matter how fast your base connection is, Surfshark can keep pace.
You'll get access to over 3,200 servers in a massive 100 countries, giving you the opportunity to connect almost anywhere in the world with the touch of a button. Surfshark also performs similarly to NordVPN when it comes to streaming, and it's super reliable, no matter what streaming site you're subscribed to.
One issue we found was that the kill switch could be tricked when we shut down connections in Task Manager – but our privacy was never compromised and this is very unlikely to happen in day-to-day usage.
With all of that combined, as well as its incredibly tempting price point, Surfshark is a fast, capable Valorant VPN that'll get you gaming in no time.
Sign up now on the Surfshark website to sign up
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Minimalistic, clean, and intuitive design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Beginner-friendly and easy to understand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Seriously quick and almost on par with NordVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Great at unblocking streaming apps and getting around censorship | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Kill switch isn’t the best, but everything else is excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Decent 24/7 customer support and tons of help articles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Cheap VPN with excellent value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Other Valorant VPNs I've tested
Overall, I think NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Surfshark will fit the bill for almost anyone looking for a Valorant VPN. However, I've tested over 100 VPNs in my time at Tom's Guide, and the following are also reliable, and may suit some users.
CyberGhost is an old hand in the VPN business, and its experience shows. In my full CyberGhost review it couldn't quite keep up with the big players, but those looking to enhance their gaming experience it's an excellent choice.
One standout feature is that the Romanian provider offers a number of dedicated servers for different uses. For example, there are torrenting VPN, and streaming servers which are tailor-made to deliver the optimum performance for those tasks.
If you're just looking for a VPN for Valorant, though, the depth and breadth of its servers will be very appealing. With a huge 9,700+ servers scattered around 91 countries, no matter where you are you'll be able to connect to a swift location. However, in my last test it wasn't quite a speedy as it has been in the past, clocking in at around 630 Mbps.
CyberGhost's apps quite simply aren't as polished as ExpressVPN's or NordVPN's, and while absolutely usable, it doesn't quite have that 'premium' feel. But, for the price and what you get for it, it's a good shout for a bargain Valorant VPN.
Sign up now on the CyberGhost website
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Very nice to use, with good customization. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Simple layout means it's great for beginners and experts alike. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Great performance, and only outsped by the very fastest. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Claims to have dedicated streaming servers, but sometimes failed to access Netflix and Disney+. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Good baseline tech with an audit from Deloitte. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Not bad, but customer support agents could be more helpful. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Excellent price considering what you're getting. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
In my Proton VPN review, I found the Swiss provider to be one of the most security- and privacy-conscious providers on the market, and also offer one of the best free VPNs – but don't think for a second it's all work and no play here.
Excellent connection speeds, a decent number of servers and very reliable apps and connections means Proton is a VPN you can rely on to deliver the goods as a VPN for Valorant. With peaks of 950 Mbps, it certainly won't be slowing you down.
It doesn't stop there, though. In our Netflix testing it came out in the top five, unblocking a whole host of locations including the UK, US, and Canada, and it's also able to access tons of other global streaming services.
While it's a little more expensive than most, it's a great choice for those looking to stay safe and secure online. Its Secure Core servers, for example, route your traffic through special bulletproof servers in Iceland, Switzerland or Sweden before sending you on your way to your destination. You won't want to use this feature while gaming, but it's evident that the provider cares about its users' privacy.
Sign up now on the Proton VPN website
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Intuitive and dynamic design with the dark mode as a standout | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Some desktop features may be too technical for regular users to understand | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Excellent speeds that are up there with the best | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks most sites on the paid subscription | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | State-of-the-art security with Swiss law protection and an independent audit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Decent response time with countless guides | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Not the most budget-friendly, but there’s a free plan for new users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Best Valorant VPN FAQ
Why should you use a Valorant VPN?
There are a number of reasons why many players will want to use a Valorant VPN.
For starters, the game is banned outright in a number of countries like Iran and Syria, meaning using a VPN is the only way to access the game. Other countries, like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, block VoIP features, meaning you won't be able to communicate with your party properly. Changing your location with a VPN is a super simple way of getting around this.
Even if you have full access to the game, a Valorant VPN will also provide protection from DDoS attacks from salty enemies, and will generally just keep you safer while playing the game.
Is it legal to use a VPN for Valorant?
Simple answer: yes.
There a no laws around using a VPN with Valorant (or any other games, for that matter).
However, be aware that Riot Games doesn't allow the use of VPNs for region hopping, and may consider it a bannable offense. So, use a Valorant VPN at your own risk, but know that if you use a quality provider, you're unlikely to be found out.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
