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How to Use VPN on PS4 & 5 Best VPN for PS4 to Pick From
VPNs can help with latency and protect your data when playing online
11 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
PlayStation 4 doesn’t have native support forVPN. That means that you can’t go to the PlayStation Store to find, download, and install a VPN client like on Android or iOS.
However, you can still add VPN functionality to your PlayStation 4 in other ways.
Besides, A PS4 VPN comes in handy for several reasons, such as:
Our guide below shows the exact steps to help you use VPN for PS4 by sharing a Windows 10 VPN connection (Wi-Fi and wired), configuring DNS servers on PS4, and installing a VPN at the router level.
But you can’t start before getting equipped with a reliable VPN. Discover the 5 best VPNs for PS4, which we rated by security and speed, as well as gaming and streaming features.
World-class 24/7 support with 83% for a 3 years plan and 3 months free.
Amazing connection speed with 35% off and 3 months free for the 1-year plan.
Best security protocols with 83% off and 2 months free for a 2-year plan.
Can you put a VPN on a PS4?
Yes, you can install a VPN on your PS4. Despite Playstation not offering a native VPN, you can install a third-party client to secure your connection.
Keep in mind that some PS4 and PS5 games block VPN usage. That is generally for security reasons or to avoid in-game cheating.
For this reason, it’s advised you use a premium VPN that is capable to encrypt your traffic and make it appear as if you browse on local traffic.
Make sure to enable double VPN or obfuscation mode if your VPN client offers them.
How do I use VPN for PS4?
1. How to use VPN on PS4 on PC
Sharing your Windows 10 VPN connection with your PS4 through an Ethernet cable is the best option. You can easily switch VPN servers from the desktop client and control various gaming features, such as nativeport forwarding, DNS servers, VPN protocol, encryption mode, and proxy server.
The only downside is that you must keep your Windows 10 PC turned on while you play on PS4 through VPN, as well as keep it as close as the LAN cable allows it.
*If youcan’t run Command Prompt as admin, check out our quick fixes.
**You can check if your Windows 10 PC supports hosted networks usingnetsh wlan show drivers.
***If thehosted network can’t start, make sure to diagnose and fix the problem.
The wireless option is preferred when you don’t have the possibility to plug an Ethernet cable into your Windows 10 PC and PS4. Plus, you don’t have to keep the gaming console and desktop close together, as long as the router is nearby.
However, your Windows 10 PC must support hosted networks in order for this to work. If your Wi-Fi card is too old, you have tobuy a new Wi-Fi adapter.
On top of that, Wi-Fi connections aren’t as stable as Ethernet connections, which is a huge requirement for PS4 online gaming.
2. How to use a VPN on PS4 without PC
Setting up the exclusive DNS servers provided by the VPN client on the PS4 is an excellent way foravoiding geo-blocksand accessing restricted content on the web browser. You can unblock Netflix catalogs from other regions, watch Hulu or BBC iPlayer if it’s not available to your country, and so on.
Plus, the streaming quality and connection speed should be better because this method doesn’t use encryption. On the downside, it can’tprotect you from DDoS attacks, so you have to rely on the security features of your router.
Installing the VPN client at the router level is a great way to protect the devices of the entire household. Itredirects network traffic through VPN serversfor all connected devices.
That means that anyone connected to your Wi-Fi canhide their IP addressand geo-location, unblock streaming services, defeat censorship, reduce their ping while gaming, and so on.
However, your router must support VPN client mode in order for this to work (VPN server mode is something entirely different).
Otherwise, you have to install new firmware on your router that allows VPN client connections, but only if your router lets you set up custom firmware, such as DD-WRT, Tomato or OpenWRT (free and open-source).
Another solution is to buy a pre-flashed router with a VPN client ready to go, but this could turn into an expensive ordeal. Check out thebest VPN routers for gaming.
What are the best VPNs for PS4?
Private Internet Access– the biggest number of servers
Created by Kape Technologies,Private Internet Access (PIA)is the top VPN for your PlayStation 4. It has a huge network of VPN servers: more than 3,300 in 48 countries. You can use it tolower your ping in online games.
Furthermore, PIA supports OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols with up to 256-bit encryption. It also comes withport forwarding, split tunneling, a kill switch, as well as static and dynamic IP addresses.
The tool permits 10 simultaneous device connections. Or, you can easily set up the VPN client on your router using OpenVPN, since the router connection counts as only one. Also, PIA is thebest VPN for Windows 10 laptops.
What else you must know about PIA:
Private Internet Access
NordVPN– best server obfuscation feature
Made by Tefincom & Co., NordVPN is one of the most secure virtual private network solutions in the industry, and ideal for PS4 users. It covers more than 5,100 servers spread across 59 different countries.
NordVPN uses OpenVPN for data protection and puts emphasis on security. In addition to regular VPN servers, it has Double VPN, Onion-over-VPN, obfuscated, and P2P servers, along with Dedicated IP servers.
Plus,this VPN can protect your from virusesthanks to a malware blocker for web browsers called CyberSec. NordVPN is compatible with all major devices and can protect up to 6 devices at the same time. You can also set it up on your router or configure its Smart DNS servers on your PlayStation 4.
What else you must know about NordVPN:
NordVPN
Surfshark– best for unlimited connections
Developed by Surfshark LTD,Surfsharkis a popular choice among users who prefer a budget-friendly app that delivers the best VPN protection for PS4. It has more than 1,700 VPN servers in over 63 countries, each protected by private DNS.
You can use Surfshark to protect any number of household devices, so you don’t have to set it up on your router for more simultaneous connections. But you can still install the OpenVPN profile to share the VPN connection with your PS4.
Surfshark features OpenVPN and WireGuard, obfuscated and multi-hop VPN servers, split-tunneling mode, and a kill switch. You can also configure its Smart DNS servers on your PlayStation 4.
What else you must know about Surfshark:
Surfshark
CyberGhost VPN– most user-friendly apps
Owned by Kape Technologies,CyberGhost VPNis the best free VPN for PS4 because it offers a free trial for Windows and Mac. It has the most extensive server coverage on this list: more than 6,500 in 89 countries.
You can use CyberGhost VPN to secure your Internet connection with 256-bit encryption OpenVPN. Or, if you want to skip the encryption part, you can set up its Smart DNS servers on your PlayStation 4 to access geoblocked content effortlessly.
CyberGhost VPN has DNS leak protection,split-tunneling mode, trusted Wi-Fi networks, and a kill switch. It supports 7 simultaneous devices and can also be installed on routers.
What else you must know about CyberGhost VPN:
CyberGhost
ExpressVPN– best VPN protocol for high speed and security
Made by Express VPN International LTD,ExpressVPNis one of thefastest VPNs for streaming, and you can use it to share your VPN connection with PS4. It’s also possible to configure ExpressVPN Smart DNS settings on PlayStation 4, as well as to install the VPN client at the router level.
The service covers more than 3,000 VPN servers in 160 locations and 94 countries. It uses OpenVPN to encrypt your traffic and also comes with a kill switch and split-tunneling feature. Plus,ExpressVPN works in China.
What else you must know about ExpressVPN:
ExpressVPN
In conclusion, you can still set up a VPN on PS4, even if the gaming console doesn’t have native VPN support.
It all comes down to picking the best scenario: sharing your Windows 10 VPN connection in wired or wireless mode, configuring Smart DNS settings on PlayStation 4 without encryption, or installing the VPN at the router level.
Using one of the 5 best VPNs for PS4 that we described above, you will significantly improve your gaming experience by adding more security, removing lag, and accessing exclusive game deals available to other regions.
More about the topics:gaming,Playstation 4,VPN
Elena Constantinescu
Windows Software Expert
Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. With a firm grasp of software reviewing and content editing, she is always trying new things to improve her skill set.
Once in a blue moon, she steps aside from the desk to play with her bunny and to water her probably dead plants.
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Elena Constantinescu
Windows Software Expert
Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. She’s a software reviewer and content editor.
