Competition in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is fierce, whether you’re a new player or a seasoned pro. The SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) system puts players up against others with similar abilities for a higher quality match, which is perfect for noobs but a nightmare for top-tier players. Fortunately, you can use a VPN to join servers in different time zones for a quieter time of day, giving you a better chance of finding a more laid-back lobby.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your data and protects your privacy by hiding your IP address. This enables you to join servers in other countries and appear to have a local IP address. A VPN also reduces throttling by your ISP, giving you a better connection and reducing lag.
This guide will show you how to get the best VPN for CoD MW2 and which server locations to connect to for the most balanced gameplay. Not got time to read the whole thing? Here’s a quick list of the best VPNs for MW2:
- NordVPNÂ Top VPN for Call of Duty: MW2 Offers a native app for PlayStation and Xbox, servers in 100+ countries, DDoS protection, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Gaming.
- Surfshark: Best budget VPN for MW2. Unlimited connections, solid obfuscation features, fast speeds, and low-latency servers.
- IPVanish: Router installation support, allows unlimited connections, and has 24/7 support. Fast, reliable servers and no bandwidth limits.
- ExpressVPN: Lightning-fast connection speeds, split tunneling, and over 3,000 servers in 100+ countries. Knowledgeable 24/7 support.
- CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly VPN ideal for Call of Duty: MW2. Dedicated gaming servers, super fast speeds, a kill switch, and a strict zero-logs policy.
- PrivateVPN: Customizable encryption for faster speeds, easy-to-use apps, and excellent unblocking abilities. Allows 10 connections.
Many VPNs claim to protect your privacy and offer a fast, reliable connection but most (especially free VPNs) limit your connection speed or leak information.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs for security and speed and this list only includes VPNs which are fast, reliable and are highly rated for privacy and security. Plus we only recommend VPNs which offer a full-money back guarantee allowing you to try them risk free.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?
NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for Call of Duty MW2 with no restrictions for a month.
There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
How we selected the top VPNs for CoD: MW2
VPN blocking techniques are becoming more and more sophisticated in preventing VPNs from accessing game lobbies. To ensure the VPNs on our list work consistently, we take several factors into consideration before we recommend them:
- How many server locations does the VPN have?
- Does the VPN have a strong obfuscation feature?
- What is the latency like on different servers?
- Does the VPN for CoD keep logs?
These are just a few of the questions we ask when testing VPNs. If you want to know more about the process, check out our methodology section below. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at the VPNs that gave us the right answers.
Best CoD VPNs: 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 Call of Duty.
No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | PrivateVPN |
Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | IPVanish.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | PrivateVPN.com | Ranking for CoD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Gaming reliability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good | Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 74 Mbps | Total number of servers | 6,000+ | 3,200 | 2,200+ | Undisclosed | 11,000+ | 200+ | Activity logs | No identifying data | No identifying data | Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $2.99 74% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months | $1.99 87% OFF + 4 months free | $6.49 Best MONTHLY deal | $4.99 SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
Best VPNs for Call of Duty: MW2
Here’s our list of the best VPNs for MW2:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our favorite VPN for Call of Duty. It’s a great all-rounder that’s capable of accessing Modern Warfare 2 from 100+ countries, with a network of over 6,000 servers. It’s also great for unblocking a variety of streaming services, and it has robust anti-spy and anti-malware protection. NordVPN also boasts double VPN servers, which encrypt your traffic twice for extra security.
NordVPN has native apps for all popular platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. You can also install it on a router to protect all your devices at once. NordVPN’s apps are very user-friendly and include a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and Obfuscated servers. Speeds are fast enough to enjoy lag-free matches, giving you a competitive edge over opponents.
You can use the service on up to 10 devices with no restrictions for a month, which is great if you want to try it out on all your devices or use it abroad. If you’re not happy with the service, just contact support within 30 days, and you’ll get a full refund. There’s also a 24/7 live chat available if you need help.
Pros:
- Able to simultaneously connect 10 devices at once
- Specific servers are optimized for certain tasks, e.g. torrenting
- Automatic wifi protection
- Great worldwide coverage
- Fantastic unblocking abilities
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Switching servers can be slow on occasion
Our score:
TOP VPN FOR MW2:NordVPN is our #1 VPN choice. Veteran provider with a solid set of security credentials, low-latency servers, wide server network and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a great CoD VPN for players on a budget. It doesn’t impose a connection limit like most other providers, so you can protect all your devices with one account. Surfshark’s apps come with a number of features, including DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a Whitelister that allows you to exclude certain apps from the VPN.
Servers are located in 100+ countries, which gives you plenty of choices for finding a low-latency connection. And, with over 3,200 servers, there’s always one nearby, no matter where you are. Surfshark also uses strong encryption and offers a strict no-logs policy.
Although Surfshark doesn’t have dedicated CoD servers, it’s still one of the fastest gaming VPNs around. You can test it out for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- No data caps
- Strong speeds and no connection limit
- Powerful security features and a zero-logs policy
- Impressive unblocking abilities
- Unlimited device connections
Cons:
- Fastest server option isn’t always correct (so try a few)
Our score:
BEST BUDGET MW2 VPN:Surfshark includes unlimited connections, DNS leak protection, and servers in 100+ countries. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish is a great choice for MW2 players thanks to its low-latency servers and robust security features. It has a network of 2,000+ servers in 75+ countries, so you’re sure to find a fast connection regardless of where you connect from.
IPVanish includes an unlimited device connection limit, allowing you to share the cost of a plan with friends and family. Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV are available. You can also install the service on routers.
IPVanish uses strong security protocols and offers a strict no-logs policy. The provider’s apps include a kill switch and DNS leak protection. You can also use the IPVanish SOCKS5 proxy to improve streaming speeds on MW2.
IPVanish offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and round-the-clock support.
Pros:
- No logs and no connection limit
- Hugely improved speeds lately
- Perfect for secure streaming, browsing, and gaming
- Owns all of its own servers
- Strong security protocols
Cons:
- Split tunneling on Android and Firestick only
- Apps don’t work in China
Our score:
ROBUST SECURITY:IPVanish has servers in 75+ countries, offers a SOCKS5 proxy, and unlimited connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of IPVanish.
4. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is capable of unblocking a variety of streaming and gaming services, as well as Modern Warfare 2. It has over 3,000 servers in 100+ countries, so you’re sure to find one with low latency. ExpressVPN also uses strong security protocols and keeps no logs of user activity, ensuring your privacy is protected.
The provider’s apps offer some useful privacy tools like DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling. You can also use the MediaStreamer feature to improve streaming speeds. While ExpressVPN doesn’t offer dedicated apps for consoles, you can install the service on select routers, allowing you to share your VPN connection with all the devices that connect to it.
Plans include 24/7 support, an eight-simultaneous device limit, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Encrypts all traffic to prevent ISP snooping and throttling
- Operates over 3,000 servers in 100+ countries
- Fast and reliable servers
- Strong security
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons:
- Extension only covers browser activity, need to install the app to cover the rest of your internet traffic
- Fairly low connection limit
Our score:
ULTRAFAST:ExpressVPN offers advanced privacy features like IPv6 leak protection, router support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN.
5. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is another excellent all-rounder that’s great for gaming. It has a network of over 10,000 servers in 100+ countries, so you’re sure to find one with a low ping time. CyberGhost You can use the service on up to 7 devices at once, which is enough for most gamers, and although there’s no PS4 or Xbox native app, CyberGhost supports SmartDNS, which can improve streaming speeds on consoles. To play MW2 with a VPN, CyberGhost offers detailed setup steps for router installation.
CyberGhost’s apps come with all the features you need for a safe and private gaming experience, including a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and an automatic wifi protection feature. You can choose from a range of pre-configured servers optimized for different activities like streaming or gaming.
If you’re not happy with the service, you can get a refund within 45 days. And there’s 24/7 live chat support if you need any help.
Pros:
- DDoS protection and a NAT firewall come built-in
- User-friendly yet versatile
- Huge network of high-speed servers
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons:
- Fewer advanced features for power users
- Doesn’t work reliably in China
Our score:
DEDICATED GAMING SERVERS:CyberGhost has servers in 100+ countries, apps include a kill switch, and it doesn’t collect logs. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of CyberGhost.
6. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a small but mighty provider that’s great for gaming. It has a network of 200+ servers, which is fewer than some of the other providers on our list. However, its servers are strategically located in over 60 countries and are carefully chosen to provide low-latency connections. They also have impressive unblocking abilities when it comes to geo-restricted services.
PrivateVPN apps are super easy to use and offer a kill switch and DNS leak protection. You can use the service on up to 10 devices at once. PrivateVPN doesn’t support router installations but allows you to set up the app on Windows or macOS as a personal VPN hotspot.
There’s also 24/7 live chat support available. And, if you’re not happy with the service, you can get a refund within 30 days.
Pros:
- Above average speeds are great for gaming
- No-logs policy and strong security features
- Works with Apex Mobile, Call of Duty: Warzone, and PUBG
Cons:
- Works with Linux but requires manual configuration
- Fewer servers than some of its rivals
Our score:
BEGINNER-FRIENDLY APPS:PrivateVPN offers tweakable encryption for faster gaming, desktop hotspot support, and a 10-device connection limit. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of PrivateVPN.
How to use a Call of Duty MW2 VPN
Getting started with a VPN for CoD is pretty straightforward, and you’ll be taking out noobs with your favorite rifle in no time.
Here’s how to use a Call of Duty MW2 VPN:
- Sign up for NordVPN, our top choice VPN for MW2. Alternatively, Surfshark, IPVanish, and ExpressVPN are capable alternatives.
- Download the VPN app for your PC or console.
- Connect to your preferred server location (ideally in a time zone that’s earlier than your physical location).
- Load up MW2 and start matchmaking with less-skilled players!
- Getting an in-game connection error? Connect to a different server location, and if the problem persists, contact your VPN’s support team for more help.
Modern Warfare 2 price, release date, and platforms
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 landed on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows on 28 October 2022. Depending on the platform, there are a few different game editions. On Steam and Battle.net, the standard edition of Modern Warfare 2 comes in at $69.99. For PlayStation and Xbox players, the standard edition costs $70 but includes the last and current generations of the game.
Both PC and console players can also opt for the Vault edition of the game, costing $99 with a wealth of extra bonus content. On top of the base game, you’ll also get:
- Red Team 141 Operators Pack (Ghost, Soap, Farah, and Price).
- FJX Cinder weapon vault for the M4.
- Season 1 Battle Pass and 50-tier skips.
- Ghost Legacy Pack for Modern Warfare 2019 and Warzone.
- Final Judgement Bundle for Vanguard and Warzone
- Khaled Al-Asad Bundle for Vanguard and Warzone
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – what’s new?
More than a decade after the original release of Modern Warfare 2 in 2009, Infinity Ward is back with a game remake that’s sure to please both newcomers and fans of the original.
The most significant change to Modern Warfare 2 is the improved graphics that take full advantage of the current hardware available. You’ll also find a new leveling system, an overhauled weapon inventory, and some tweaks to the campaign mode. There’s also a new co-op multiplayer mode called ‘Spec Ops,’ where you can team up with a friend to complete missions.
On the multiplayer side, Modern Warfare 2 comes with 15 maps, including classic ones from the original game. Infinity Ward has also confirmed a total of 51 base weapons available at launch and some of the most popular weapons from previous games. There are more than ten game modes, although the popular Gunfight mode isn’t included at launch.
Are there any downsides to using a MW2 VPN?
Using a VPN for MW2 is as safe and secure as using one for any other online activity. However, there are some potential downsides to consider before investing in a subscription:
- Potential speed loss: Some VPNs can slow down your connection due to their encryption methods, so you should always test the provider’s speeds before committing to a subscription.
- Compatibility Issues: Not all VPNs are compatible with every device, so you’ll need to ensure your provider can support the device or platform you plan to use.
- Game restrictions: Some games may not allow players to use a VPN, so you should always check the game’s terms and conditions before connecting your device.
Ultimately, using a VPN for MW2 is an easy and effective way to stay safe and secure while gaming. However, it’s important to do some research before investing in a subscription, as not all providers are created equal.
Choosing the best VPN for Call of Duty: Our testing methodology
As a gamer, finding a VPN that helps you rank up in Modern Warfare 2 is more complex than you might think. We aim to relieve some of the efforts with our testing criteria. We look at the following points before even thinking about adding a VPN to our list:
- Unblocking ability: The VPN should be able to access Modern Warfare 2 servers from anywhere in the world.
- Security and privacy: The VPN must use robust security protocols and a strict no-logs policy.
- Performance: We check the VPN’s speeds and ping times to see if it’s suitable for gaming.
- Ease of use: The provider should have easy-to-use apps that don’t require any technical know-how.
- Value for money: The VPN must offer good value for money, with no hidden catches.
When we put together our list of the best VPNs for Modern Warfare 2, we keep the above factors and our testing process in mind. This way, we can be confident that the service will enhance your gameplay rather than hinder it.
Modern Warfare 2 VPN: FAQs
Is it legal to use a VPN with Modern Warfare 2?
Yes, it is legal to use a VPN with Modern Warfare 2. However, we recommend you check with the game’s developer, Activision, to see if any restrictions exist.
Can I get banned for using a VPN with Modern Warfare 2?
There’s always a risk of being banned when using a VPN with any online game. However, as long as you’re not using the VPN to cheat, the chances of being banned are slim.
Can I use a free VPN with Modern Warfare 2?
You may find free VPNs that claim to work with Modern Warfare 2, but we recommend against using a free service. Free providers can’t be trusted with your data, and their networks are often slow and overcrowded.