Sunday, January 31, 2021
You might already be familiar with virtual private networks — or VPNs — on PCs and smartphones, but they can be great tools for consoles like the Xbox too. Finding the best Xbox VPN is the key.
A solid VPN service allows you to go online anonymously, increasing security and privacy, while also unlocking content that may not be available in your country. They manage to achieve this by cleverly diverting your signal so that you appear to be in a different geographical location, and a common use case is watching content on sites like Netflix, that would normally only be available in another country.
While a VPN will also allow you to do this on your Xbox, you can take things one step further by unlocking access to games that might not be available in your country. You also get extra protection against DDoS attacks - a common method of cheating used by nefarious gamers to beat their online competition, often ruining the fun for everyone else.
While the use of a VPN to unblock content is, legally speaking, a gray area, we've rounded up some of the best options to help aid you in your research, but we don't officially condone it ourselves.
A VPN works by cleverly diverting your signal through different servers. As these servers are spread around the world, you're assigned a new IP address, and appear to therefore be in a completely different country.
This means that you can appear to be in whichever country you like, depending on what content you want to access, with the added benefit of increased privacy and security protection.
In practical terms, this means that you can access gaming content on your Xbox that's unavailable in the U.S., broadening your horizons from the comfort of your gaming chair.
How do you pick the best VPN for Xbox?
For gaming use cases, you might have slightly different concerns than you mgiht for VPN usage on your PC. Not all VPN services work on Xbox, so the first thing you need to look for is the console being listed among other compatibile devices. Fortunately, all of the VPNs on this list fit the bill.
Getting set up with a VPN on your Xbox requires a little more tinkering than simply downloading an app, so a provider with easy-to-follow instructions is preferable. A service that offers 24/7 live chat is also super beneficial if you're struggling.
Price is also a key consideration. Many reputable options are available for just a few bucks a month with the best deals usually being found with a longer-term plan. You can make the most of free trials and money-back guarantees to ensure your VPN is right for you before committing, too. For added value, get a VPN that works on multiple devices in addition to your console so you can get more for your money.
We've tested a bunch of VPN services, and have rounded up five of the best ones for Xbox below.
1. ExpressVPN: The absolute best VPN option for most people
ExpressVPN is our top pick for any Xbox user looking to get set up with a VPN. Its balance of speed, reliability, ease-of-use, and customer service make it a great option for most people.
2. Surfshark VPN: The best cheap VPN out there
With Surfshark there is no limit to how many devices you can connect at the same time which is great if you have a ton of tech. It's one of the more affordable options, so give it a shot today!
3. NordVPN: The most well-known VPN for security
You've probably heard of NordVPN. It's been around a long time and has been one of the most popular options for a while, offering a high-quality experience for not a lot of cash.
1. ExpressVPN
The best VPN service for Xbox users (and everyone else)
Compatible with: Xbox, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 3,000+ | Server Locations: 160 in 94 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros
- Servers in 160 locations
- 100 Mbps download speed
- Great customer support
- Flexible installation
Cons
- Generally more expensive than competitors
- Limited to five simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN tops most lists, and with very good reason — it's one of the best, most reliable, and speediest offerings currently available.
Based in the British Virgin Islands, it serves up a huge number of global servers - 3,000 across 94 different countries, to be exact - while automatically connecting to the best available one, for optimum speed and performance.
If you use your Xbox as a living room PC for web browsing and media, you'll be pleased to hear that ExpressVPN will unblock the likes of Facebook, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Twitter, Spotify and much more.
Beyond content unlocking, you can also feel reassured that your activity is safe and secure, thanks to 256-bit encryption, a no-log policy, zero-knowledge DNS and a kill switch for any dropped connections.
While there isn't a dedicated app available for consoles like the Xbox, you can easily take advantage of the company's MediaStreamer services, or install its settings directly onto your router. The latter will enable all devices on your home network to take advantage of it, which is an added bonus.
The availability of 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money back guarantee are the icing on an already tasty cake. Sure, it's one of the most expensive options around, but you get what you pay for.
ExpressVPN
This is our top pick for anyone looking to get started with a VPN. It offers a great mix of speed, reliability, outstanding customer service, and affordability. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so give it a shot today.
2. Surfshark
Best Xbox VPN for the money
Compatible with: Xbox, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Amazon | Servers: 1,700+ | Server Locations: 100+ in 63 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros:
- Over 1,000 servers
- 100% RAM-only servers for extra privacy
- Company based in British Virgin Islands
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited devices
Cons:
- Fewer features for advanced users
Despite its affordability, Surfshark has plenty of servers, with over 1,700 located across 100 locations worldwide. This provides fast, solid speeds, in a package that offers a private DNS, won't track your online activity, and is P2P friendly — the latter being ideal for regular file-sharers and torrent users.
Incredibly at this price point, there's no restriction on the number of devices you can use with the service, so you'll never be left wanting for more. Beyond this generosity, you also have access to most of the security features you'll ever need, including protection against malware, annoying ads, and web trackers, alongside a kill switch, private DNS and leak protection, and secure protocols including IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN.
There's even a useful camouflage mode that will stop your ISP from even knowing you're using a VPN service. With 24/7 support and a low monthly price, this is a great choice for most people, apart from advanced users who want to tinker around with a larger choice of settings.
Surfshark VPN
From $2.49 per month at Surfshark
You can connect as many devices as your heart desires at the same time and never worry about any of them being logged. Surfshark also offers a 30-day guarantee that you'll like the product, or it will give you your money back.
3. CyberGhost
Best Windows 10 VPN for flexibility
Compatible with: Xbox, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 6,700+ | Server Locations: 111 in 89 countries | Trial Period: 45 days
Pros:
- Over 6,700 servers available
- Based in Romania & Germany
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Lots of tweak options available
Cons:
- Connection speeds are slower than competition
- Support could be better
One of CyberGhost's biggest selling points is its huge collection of servers - more than 6,200 - spread across more than 110 locations and 89 countries, for true global coverage and solid speeds.
The support for the usual services are all present and accounted for, including Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and more, all of which are further bolstered by 256-bit encryption, DNS and IP leak encryption, a kill switch, a large selection of protocols, a no-logs policy, and more.
A total of seven devices can be supported at once, all of which can enjoy unlimited bandwidth, fast speeds, 24/7 support, and a very generous 45-day money-back guarantee. Connection methods include connecting your Xbox via connecting sharing, or our personal recommendation - installing CyberGhost directly on your router.
The 18-month plan significantly lowers the monthly cost, which is ideal for regular users. Check out our full CyberGhost VPN review for all the details.
CyberGhost VPN
From $2.25 per month at CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost makes using a VPN easy by helping you choose the best server to use for certain tasks, and it generally offers some of the best pricing around as well.
4. VPN Unlimited
Best Xbox VPN for privacy lovers
Compatible with: Xbox, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 500+ | Server Locations: 80+ in 50+ countries | Trial Period: 7-day trial, 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros:
- Generous number of devices supported
- Solid security features
Cons:
- Fewer servers than rivals
VPN Unlimited is one of the best Xbox VPN options for those who value their online privacy and security while watching content or gaming.
The service's main top-drawer feature is its DNS firewall, which can cleverly identify and deal with multiple cyberthreats automatically. While its collection of 500 global servers isn't as high as some rivals, it still unlocks all the main services you're likely to use. There's a very generous number of overall devices — ten in total — supported on its plan, which is more than most people will ever need.
Your Xbox can use the service directly via installation on your router, or connection sharing. If you've never done either before, then fear not, as there are clear instructions available online, alongside live chat support if you get stuck.
A 36-month plan drives down the monthly cost considerably, or you can fork out for a lifetime membership from $160 if you're not afraid of commitment.
VPN Unlimited
From $2.22 per month at VPN Unlimited
VPN Unlimited is one of the only larger players in the space that offers a legit lifetime license on top of monthly and annual plans. It's a great option to consider if you know it's the right option for you.
5. NordVPN
Best for a polished experience
Compatible with: Xbox, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, iPlayer, Amazon | Servers: 5,400+ | Server Locations: 80+ in 59 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros:
- Nearly 5,500 servers
- 2048-bit encryption
- Multiple plan options
- Fast speeds
Cons:
- Security breach in 2018
NordVPN is probably the most recognizable name on this list, due to its immense YouTube ad campaign, and it's also one of the most solid options to boot.
Standout features include its 5,000+ worldwide servers, which provide fast speeds and solid performance. As with other VPNs on this list, installation can be set up directly via your router, or connection sharing, and all of the key services are supported.
One of NordVPNs standout features is its Double VPN service, which sneakily sends your internet traffic through two VPN servers, offering an extra layer of privacy and anonymity. Other features include a malware and ad blocker, 2,048-bit encryption, a kill switch, browser extensions, DNS leak protection, and a no-log policy.
A 30-day money back guarantee, coupled with 24/7 live online support roundoff Nord VPN's feature list rather nicely. Be sure to check out our full NordVPN review now!
It's also worth noting that back in 2018 one of the company's servers was compromised. After investigating it, and the confirmation from Nord, it was understood that it was a single server with limited information being obtained.
NordVPN
From $3.71 per month at NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the most common and biggest names in the VPN space, and it also happens to be one of the best. It offers amongst the largest number of server options and some high-quality app experiences.
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