How a VPN Can Actually Reduce Your Ping: a Guide to Optimized Routing

Gamers know every millisecond counts when it comes to ping. High latency means laggy shots, delayed movements, and frustrating losses. But here’s the twist: using a VPN might actually improve your ping instead of making it worse. While VPNs typically add a slight overhead, they can bypass ISP throttling, reroute congested networks, and even connect you to game servers through a more direct path. Here’s how the right VPN can turn into your secret weapon for smoother gameplay.

Why a VPN Can Lower Ping (Despite the Extra Hop)

At first glance, VPNs seem like they’d only increase latency—after all, your data has to travel through an extra server. But in reality, VPNs can optimize routing in ways your default internet connection can’t:

• Bypassing ISP Throttling: Some ISPs slow down gaming traffic during peak hours. A VPN encrypts your data, making it harder for them to detect and throttle your connection.
• Avoiding Congested Routes: Your ISP’s default path to game servers might be overloaded. A VPN can reroute you through a less crowded network path.
• Shorter Geographic Routes: If your ISP routes traffic inefficiently (e.g., sending data across multiple countries before reaching a nearby server), a VPN with a well-placed server can cut the detour.

When a VPN Won’t Help (Or Might Hurt) Your Ping

Not all VPNs are equal for gaming. Avoid services with:

• Limited server locations (far from you or the game server)
• High server loads (causing congestion)
• Weak encryption overhead (slower processing)

How to Choose a Gaming-Friendly VPN

Look for these features to minimize ping:

• Nearby Servers: The closer the VPN server is to you and the game server, the better.
• Low-Latency Networks: Providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN optimize for speed.
• No Bandwidth Throttling: Avoid free VPNs that cap speeds.

Step-by-Step: Testing if a VPN Lowers Your Ping

1. Check Your Baseline: Use ping or in-game stats to note your current latency.
2. Connect to a Nearby VPN Server: Pick one close to your physical location or the game server.
3. Test Again: Compare the new ping—if it’s lower, your ISP’s route was inefficient.
4. Try Different Servers: Some VPN providers let you ping servers before connecting (e.g., Surfshark’s quick-connect tool).

Real-World Examples: VPNs vs. ISP Routing

Case studies show how VPNs can outperform default connections:

• A European player connecting to a Paris-based Valorant server saw ping drop from 42ms to 29ms by using a VPN with a direct route, bypassing their ISP’s detour through Frankfurt.
• An Australian gamer reduced League of Legends latency from 68ms to 51ms by switching to a VPN that avoided their ISP’s congested Sydney node.

Optimizing Your VPN for the Lowest Possible Ping

Fine-tune your setup with these pro tips:

• Use WireGuard Protocol: Faster than OpenVPN—Private Internet Access (PIA) offers it as “NextGen.”
• Disable Unnecessary Features: Turn off ad-blockers or double VPN modes when gaming.
• Monitor Server Loads: Some VPN apps display server capacity—pick sub-50% loads.

While a VPN isn’t a magic bullet for high ping, the right one can shave off crucial milliseconds by cutting through ISP bottlenecks. Test different providers (most offer risk-free trials) and server locations to find your optimal route. Ready to stop lag from holding you back? Try ExpressVPN’s gamer-optimized servers today.