Best VPNs for Dota 2

Quick decisions are everything in Dota 2. However, if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has poor routing, the resulting lag could cost you the match. When you connect to a VPN, your traffic is encrypted and sent through the VPN’s servers instead of your ISP’s. This not only hides your real IP address, but it could also reduce your latency, giving you smoother, more responsive gameplay.

That’s not all a VPN can do: they also allow you to shrug off DDoS attacks and access region-locked services from anywhere. Thinking about streaming your online games or looking to play Dota 2 in countries where it’s not available? A VPN lets you do both of these things without having to worry about hackers or snoopers.

We’ll go into more detail on each of our recommended services below. But if you’re in a rush, here are short summaries of the best VPNs for Dota 2.

Best VPNs for Dota 2:

1. NordVPN: Our top choice VPN for Dota 2. Boasts a network of 5,000+ high-speed servers, customizable security features, and a no-logs policy. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Dota 2.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for Dota 2. Fast enough for lag-free gaming. With a strong commitment to your security and no connection limit, Surfshark is ideal for Dota 2 players.
3. IPVanish: High speeds, strong security, unlimited bandwidth, and a total lack of connection limits make this a great VPN for gaming.
4. ExpressVPN: A consistently high-speed service with powerful security features and more than 3,000 servers worldwide.
5. CyberGhost: Offers a wide range of privacy and security protections, very fast connections, and access to over 7,000 servers in 90+ countries.
6. PrivateVPN: A very fast service that keeps no logs and puts your security above all else. Free remote help and installation available.

How we found the best VPNs for Dota 2

With so many VPNs on the market, choosing one can be a daunting experience. However, we find that the best VPNs tend to be the most versatile. In other words, they can do more than just let you play Dota 2. For this reason, we decided to only recommend services that meet all of the criteria below:

• Offers access to a large network of reliable, high-speed servers
• Uses effectively uncrackable encryption (and various other security features) to keep your traffic secure
• Unblocks a wide range of popular region-locked services
• Does not log any information that could identify you
• Provides apps for all of the most popular operating systems

This is just an overview. You can read more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend later, but for now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made our list.

Best VPN for Dota 2: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Dota 2.

Best VPN for Dota 2

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Dota 2:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is our top choice for a Dota 2 VPN. It has one of the largest networks on the market, with over 5,000 servers in 60 countries. This makes it a prime choice for people who want to play Dota 2 free from any noticeable lag. That’s not all; NordVPN is extremely fast and boasts exceptional streaming ability, so once you’re done playing, you can use services like Netflix US and Prime Video regardless of your geographical location.

This service uses 256-bit AES encryption, an app-specific kill switch, and protection against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks to keep your traffic safe at all times. There’s also an ad-blocker, a malware-scanner, and special servers you can use if you’re in a country with strict internet restrictions. NordVPN doesn’t keep any logs at all which means that your activities cannot be traced back to you. Customer support is available via 24/7 live chat.

NordVPN provides easy-to-use apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions are also available. NordVPN works with select network routers via manual configuration.

BEST DOTA 2 VPN:NordVPN is our first choice. It offers a wide range of advanced security features, a huge network of high-speed servers, and a zero-logs policy. Further, all of its plans come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark has over 3,000 servers throughout 100 countries and is fast enough for lag-free gaming and streaming. What’s more, this service boasts excellent streaming ability, letting you securely access major platforms like Netflix US and Hulu from abroad. There’s no connection limit, meaning you can secure every device you own with a single account.

Using 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, Surfshark keeps your online activities private. There’s also automatic ad and malware-blocking, as well as a traffic scrambling feature that lets you bypass VPN blocking. Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, and provides 24/7 live chat-based support in case of any issues.

Surfshark has excellent multi-platform support, with apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. It even works with home routers (manual setup required) and has Chrome and Firefox browser extensions.

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark provides decent speeds and uses cutting-edge security and privacy features to keep you as anonymous as possible online. Additionally, this VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Take a look at our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish provides fast and reliable connections and unlimited bandwidth without any data limits. As such, it’s a highly versatile service that lets you play Dota 2 without any noticeable lag, but you’re also free to torrent or stream videos on platforms like Netflix US or ITV Hub. IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is more than most of its competitors.

This VPN packs a surprising number of security features, given how lightweight its apps are. There’s 256-bit encryption and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks, for instance, as well as a kill switch.IPVanish follows a strict no-logging policy, so once connected, you’re effectively anonymous. If you run into any problems, you can reach customer support via 24/7 live chat.

IPVanish offers Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Fire TV apps. If you’d prefer, you can also manually configure it to work on your Linux system or wireless router.

LAG-FREE GAMING:IPVanish boasts consistently high speeds, lightweight apps, a no-logging policy, and a strong focus on your security. Best of all, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has roughly 3,000 servers spread across 94 countries. This means it’s ideal for Dota 2 players since no matter where you are in the world, it’s easy to get a high-speed, low-latency connection. ExpressVPN allows you to do far more than game without lag; it works with major services like Netflix and Prime Video. This VPN service permits up to five simultaneous connections so you can protect all of your devices.

With ExpressVPN, your security is taken seriously. It features DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption, and a kill switch that immediately stops all traffic whenever your connection drops. There’s also a split-tunneling feature in case you’d rather that only certain traffic is encrypted. ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, although you can sign up almost anonymously using Bitcoin. Live chat-based support is available 24/7.

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. It also has Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions. ExpressVPN has custom firmware to simplify the process of installing it on your home router.

SECURITY-FIRST PROVIDER:ExpressVPN is a solid choice It offers the perfect combination of connection speed, security, and cloaking ability, so it’s an ideal VPN for gaming and playing Dota 2. This service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN that’s perfect for Dota 2. It offers access to more than 9,000 fast and reliable servers across 90 countries, so you don’t have to worry about lag. It’s also capable of securely accessing platforms like Hulu and BBC iPlayer, so Steam doesn’t pose much of a problem. Additionally, this service allows you to have up to seven simultaneous connections.

This VPN includes numerous security features, and as they’re all enabled by default, very little setup is required. There’s 256-bit AES encryption, protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, an always-on kill switch, and even a feature that blocks malware and ads. CyberGhost doesn’t keep any logs that could identify you. If you need any help, you can reach support 24/7 over live chat.

CyberGhost has apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions are available to download for Chrome and Firefox. CyberGhost can be manually installed on supported internet routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR Dota 2:CyberGhost provides high speeds, powerful pre-configured security features, and excellent unblocking ability, meaning it’s perfect for anyone looking to play Dota 2 safely. This service even includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has fewer servers than some of the services higher on our list (roughly 200 in 60+ countries) but it helps make up for it by providing better-than-average speeds. In fact, this service is fast enough for flawless 4K streaming, so you should be able to play Dota 2 without lag (assuming your base internet speeds are high enough). With up to 10 connections allowed, PrivateVPN lets you secure all of your devices simultaneously.

This service keeps your online activities hidden from snoopers using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (in the Windows app), and protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks. There’s also a stealth mode that lets you bypass VPN-blocking and play on any network you like. PrivateVPN is a completely logless service, so your privacy is in good hands. Customer support is available via live chat.

PrivateVPN has apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Fire TV devices. This service can be manually installed on Linux-based platforms and supported routers.

VERY HIGH SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, but it also takes your security and privacy very seriously, meaning it’s perfect for anyone looking to play Dota 2 anonymously. All of this service’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

How to unblock Dota 2 abroad

In a country where Dota 2 (or perhaps Steam) is unavailable? Don’t worry: it’s simple to unblock Dota 2 abroad with the right VPN. Just follow the steps below.

Here’s how to play Dota 2 from anywhere:

1. First, choose a VPN from the list above (we particularly recommend NordVPN).
2. Next, download the appropriate version of the app, install it, and log in.
3. Connect to a server in a country where Dota 2 is available. American servers are a strong choice, but you may find that choosing servers closer to your physical location helps reduce your latency.
4. Finally, restart Steam and try loading Dota 2 again. You should be able to play without any issues, but if not, we’d recommend trying a different server or contacting customer support for further assistance.

Disclaimer: Comparitech does not encourage or condone using a VPN to access content illegally. We advise researching your country’s laws and the terms of use for specific platforms before using a VPN to access their content.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for Dota 2

There are a few things to look out for if you’re thinking about gaming with a VPN connected. It might surprise you to learn that speed, while very important, is only one part of the equation. Below, we’ll cover the key areas we focused on while researching the best VPNs for Dota 2:

• Server options: Usually, the closer your server is, the better your connection will be. However, there may be times when you want to use a distant server (for instance, if you’d like to play exclusively with users in a different region). As such, we looked for VPNs with plenty of servers to choose from, ideally spread across at least 50 countries.
• Performance: There’s no worse feeling than losing an online game because of lag. To ensure you don’t experience any rubberbanding or random disconnections, we prioritized VPNs that performed well in our most recent speed tests.
• Cloaking ability: Some games simply won’t let you play if they realize you’re using a VPN. That’s why we looked for those with either a toggleable stealth mode or some form of traffic obfuscation built-in. As a bonus, this same functionality can help you access Dota 2, even in places where it might not usually be available.
• Security: Other players don’t always have your best interests at heart. As such, we required our top VPNs to secure your connection with 256-bit encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. A no-logs policy is a must-have too. Note that this is just a starting point; we strongly prefer providers with more advanced features.
• Pricing: Some VPNs try to get away with charging more without actually providing any features that could justify a higher price tag. Our top VPNs are all fairly priced, and to help save you money, we’ll always let you know if there is a discount code available.

Interested in learning more about how we put services through their paces? We have a detailed post explaining exactly how we test VPNs at Comparitech.

Playing Dota 2 with a VPN: FAQs