Best VPN for World of Warcraft
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Mindaugas Jančis
Writer
Launched back in 2004, World of Warcraft still remains one of the most popular MMORPGs out there. Over a million active users launch boot it up daily to take part in raids, grind for that good gear, or socialize with fellow guild members. Unfortunately, not everyone can enjoy WoW without issues.
Many schools and workplaces block World of Warcraft on their networks to prevent distractions. And it’s not accessible in certain countries, leaving traveling players frustrated. Of course, high ping is another common problem that results in lag so bad the game is unplayable. It’s often caused by ISPs throttling user speeds for engaging in data-intensive activities.
It’s nothing that a WoW VPN can’t fix. A quality service will not only bypass restrictions by changing your IP address but improve your ping for a seamless gaming experience by stopping ISP meddling. Of course, the best VPNs for World of Warcraft come with plenty of other perks – learn all about them below.
Top 5 best WoW VPNs:
- NordVPN – best VPN for WoW
- Surfshark – inexpensive and fast World of Warcraft VPN
- IPVanish – security-first WoW VPN
- ExpressVPN – VPN for World of Warcraft with excellent speeds
- CyberGhost – WoW VPN with dedicated gaming servers
The best VPN for World of Warcraft – our detailed list:
Whether you want to unblock World of Warcraft or fix lag issues, the VPN must check certain boxes. We’re talking about optimal performance, broad server networks, privacy-ensuring features, and such. Our top picks include these and other perks for the best MMORPG gameplay.
1. NordVPN – top-rated WoW VPN with exceptional performance
| Servers/countries: | 6300+ servers in 111 countries |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Compatible with: | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now up to 74% OFF + 3 months for free! 🔥 |
The best VPN for WoW is NordVPN. Lag spikes will be a distant memory, with blazing-fast speeds enhancing your sessions. And industry-leading security measures ensure you’re safe under wraps while gaming or browsing the net. All of it costs $3.09/month.
Performance. NordVPN includes several tunneling protocols – IKEv2, OpenVPN, and NordLynx. The latter is where the service shines, with it retaining over 80% of connection speeds. It means playing World of Warcraft will be smooth as butter, no matter which VPN server you’ve chosen, since the ping remains low because of it.
Network. Speaking of servers, there are over 6300+ of them scattered across 111 countries. You’ll always have a suitable connection point near you, and overcrowdedness won’t be a thing, either. It also lets you easily enter WoW realms not available in your region.
Features. If using a VPN in your current location isn’t allowed, then put obfuscated servers to good use. They hide the fact you’re using such technology in the first place, effectively bypassing restrictions. Meshnet is another neat perk you get with NordVPN, especially if you can’t have LAN parties anymore. It lets you remotely play with your buddies on the same network.
Security and privacy. Protection-wise, NordVPN is a great package. The provider doesn’t spy on its users (verified) and gives you all the tools you need to shield yourself from online surveillance. Next-gen encryption, 2 powerful kill switches, and leak protection are but a few of the perks you’ll enjoy.
To find out more, check out our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – extra secure VPN for World of Warcraft
| Servers/countries: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Compatible with: | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now up to 86% OFF + 3 months FREE 🔥 |
Quickly reduce latency in World of Warcraft with Surfshark. It’s fast and stable, packed with versatile features, and, most importantly – affordable, costing only $2.19/month. Plus, every account comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, letting you secure more than just your PC.
Performance. The reliable WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols are included on the roster, giving subscribers plenty of choices. We didn’t experience any speed drops with Surfshark while playing WoW during many tests. Another aspect that ensures low latency is Software Defined Networking (SDN), introduced with the Nexus update.
Network. Surfshark has 3200+ servers spread around the largest number of countries in the market – 100. Thus, changing your WoW server to almost any supported region is an option. And if you want to always have the same IP address while connected, take advantage of Static IP servers. Currently, they include Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, the UK, and the US.
Features. Only want to secure the World of Warcraft client? Bypasser, Surfshark’s split tunneling feature, lets you do just that. Your network blocks not only the game but the VPN as well? Camouflage and NoBorders modes are there to help. Need to stay virtually untraceable online? Enable the Rotating IP feature, and you’re good to go.
Security and privacy. Your identity is safe with Surfshark. The provider adheres to an independently-audited no-log policy, its whole server fleet runs on RAM modules only, and you’re protected by advanced protection. Plus, unlimited simultaneous connections mean your whole guild can secure itself with one account.
To find out more, read our in-depth Surfshark VPN review. Learn how it fares against the best in our Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison.
3. IPVanish – speedy and private WoW VPN
| Servers/countries: | 2400+ servers in 55 countries |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Compatible with: | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now up to 83% OFF + 3 months FREE! 🔥 |
Another WoW VPN you shouldn’t overlook is IPVanish. As the name suggests, you’ll become hidden, but that’s not the only thing this provider is capable of. Great connectivity, robust features, and easy-to-use apps can be yours with a single subscription.
Performance. The service comes with the fast WireGuard tunneling protocol, known for stable connectivity and superb speeds. IPVanish’s implementation of it works great, retaining up to 79% of initial connection speed. We were able to enjoy seamless World of Warcraft gameplay with almost no stuttering.
Network. The provider owns and operates the whole fleet of 2400+ servers in 55 countries. It might not seem like much, but it’s more than enough to get the job done. You can expect stable connections throughout. For the best performance, we recommend picking servers closest to you. While WireGuard does an excellent job, some ping issues might arise if you’re very far away from the server.
Features. Split tunneling is available for those who want to customize their VPN connection to work solely with WoW or other apps. IPVanish even throws Stealth VPN into the mix. It’s available via the OpenVPN protocol, making your VPN traffic indiscernible from regular traffic.
Security and privacy. The Leviathan Security Group has audited IPVanish’s technology and no-log policy. So, you’d be signing up with a secure service. Furthermore, you get a customizable kill switch to prevent data leaks, industry-standard AES-256 encryption, and an antivirus (for free).
Read our IPVanish review to find out more about its features.
4. ExpressVPN – VPN for WoW with a broad country coverage
| Servers/countries: | 3000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now up to 48% OFF + 3 months FREE! 🔥 |
ExpressVPN is excellent in many aspects. Yet, its efficient performance is what makes it such a great VPN for World of Warcraft. Forget about long loading times or the game freezing during raids with this provider for $6.67/month.
Performance. ExpressVPN’s tunneling protocol list is short and simple – Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. The fastest one among them is Lightway, retaining up to 77% of the initial connection speed. Now, couple that with 10 Gbps servers, and you won’t even notice that you’re using a VPN while playing WoW.
Network. A subscription to this provider grants you access to thousands of servers across 105 countries. Whether you’re traveling or can’t access the game due to restrictions, ExpressVPN will unblock WoW from anywhere. This VPN also offers a great feature for your personal security, which is RAM-only hardware. No data can be collected or stored on such servers.
Features. The service comes with several perks useful for World of Warcraft players. With split tunneling, you’ll be able to route only game traffic through the VPN tunnel. Port forwarding is another. When enabled, it connects the internet to chosen devices on your Local Area Network (LAN). This potentially increases connection speed and decreases ping to reasonable numbers.
Security and privacy. Protection isn’t left in the dust, either. ExpressVPN utilizes AES-256 encryption, along with the ChaCha20-Poly1305 cipher, for masking your data. And the service itself is very privacy-minded, as the court-proven and independently-audited zero-log policy indicates.
Check out our ExpressVPN review and find out more. See how it differs from the leader in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.
5. CyberGhost – World of Warcraft VPN with noteworthy speeds
| Servers/countries: | 11500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Money-back guarantee: | 45 days |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now up to 84% OFF + 4 months FREE! 🔥 |
Looking for a provider with gaming-focused features? Then CyberGhost is the VPN for all your World of Warcraft needs. We’re talking about dedicated gaming servers, a massive server fleet, and customizable applications.
Performance. Many games will benefit from CyberGhost’s superb speeds, not just this highly-popular MMORPG. The drops in performance are barely noticeable, and the connections remain stable even while connecting to places farther away. These results just go to show that the provider took extra care when implementing the WireGuard protocol.
Network. The fleet is solid, offering worldwide coverage with 11500+ servers in 100 countries. Less-than-average performance due to overcrowding definitely won’t be a problem with so many pieces of hardware. What’s more, CyberGhost includes specialized gaming servers for the ultimate World of Warcraft experience.
Features. What most users will enjoy is the service’s customizability. Smart Rules is a feature that lets you automate the VPN in several ways. You can set specific programs to open automatically once you establish a VPN connection. Or select a server or country you always want to connect to for a seamless gaming experience.
Security and privacy. Besides solid leak protection measures, CyberGhost is also armed with a robust kill switch and AES-256 encryption. The provider itself is pretty reliable, too. It hails from Romania and operates under a zero-log policy that a third party audited.
Learn more about the provider’s features in our CyberGhost review.
6. PureVPN – budget-friendly VPN for WoW
| Servers/countries: | 6500+ servers in 65+ countries |
| Money-back guarantee: | 31 days |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now 82% OFF + 2 FREE months! 🔥 |
Affordable pricing, extra wifi security, and a broad server network – that’s PureVPN for you. The money spent on this VPN for WoW is well worth it for the benefits you’re getting. Forget about lag during gaming for $2.14/month.
Performance. PureVPN is another provider that implemented the WireGuard tunneling protocol. And while it includes several other options, picking this one results in the smoothest WoW sessions. The service has also been updating its servers to 20 Gbps ones, so it’s taking steps to improve performance even further.
Network. Virtually relocating yourself to any region you want won’t be a problem. Not with the fleet of 6500+ servers in 65 countries under the belt. Getting a dedicated IP is an option, too, if you always want to connect to WoW from a specific location. You’re the only one with access to it, but it will, understandably, cost extra.
Features. PureVPN comes with split tunneling for routing VPN traffic via select programs. But it’s only available on Windows and Android. And if you need extra DDoS protection, you can get it for an additional fee.
Security and privacy. With PureVPN, you’re getting the necessary VPN feature trifecta. AES-256-bit encryption, kill switch, and leak protection are here to keep you anonymous. The service boasts a no-log policy with an always-on audit, ensuring no funny business is happening behind the scenes.
Read our detailed PureVPN review to learn more about its features.
7. Proton VPN – privacy-focused WoW VPN with great features
| Servers/countries: | 5200+ servers in 91 countries |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now up to 64% OFF! 🔥 |
One more World of Warcraft VPN worthy of your consideration is Proton VPN. It includes a sizable server fleet, handy features (one of which enhances performance), and advanced security measures to keep yourself hidden from prying eyes.
Performance. Proton VPN utilizes the WireGuard tunneling protocol, so there’s no wonder there are no issues in the speed department. And thanks to the proprietary VPN Accelerator technology, low latency is ensured across the globe. It actually works best with servers located farther away from you.
Network. 5200+ servers across 91 countries might not seem like much, but they pack a punch. You won’t run into an overcrowded connection point any time soon. And since most of the hardware is 10 Gbps, WoW lag will be a thing of the past.
Features. If you need total online anonymity, Proton VPN includes Secure Core and even supports Tor over VPN. Port forwarding is also there for boosting connection speeds, while the Stealth protocol keeps VPN usage hush-hush. Finally, split tunneling is available for custom VPN routing.
Security and privacy. No intruder will be able to see what you’re doing, thanks to AES-256 encryption. They’ll even have a harder time trying to crack it (impossible). Furthermore, Proton VPN is a trusted and highly-rated provider, seeing as it’s based in Switzerland and relies on a verified zero-log policy.
Check out our full Proton VPN review to learn more about this provider.
How we selected and tested these VPNs
Only some VPN services are great, and even fewer are suitable for World of Warcraft. Here’s what we paid attention to when picking providers for our list:
- Connection speed and reliability. High speed retention rates and low latency mean WoW will run smoothly without any lag to ruin the experience. These depend on the kind of protocol you pick and its implementation by the chosen provider. We tested and ranked them accordingly.
- Global server network. More connection point options ensure you don’t land on an overcrowded server, which would negatively impact speeds. It also grants access to a broader range of countries where WoW is available.
- Neat extras. Some providers come with features useful for WoW, like Meshnet, port forwarding, specialized gaming servers, etc. These, along with great performance, can significantly boost gameplay, so they weren’t overlooked.
- Privacy and security. Strong encryption, a powerful kill switch, and proper leak protection prevent your data from being exposed. We also looked for services with strict zero-log policies, with bonus points going to those which have been audited.
- Reasonable price. If the gaming VPN doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, includes plenty of features, and facilitates excellent performance on top of all this, it made our list. Paying an excessive amount of money for a bare-bones service just isn’t worth it.
Comparison of the best WoW VPNs
| Brand | Price (lowest price per month) | Servers | Logging | Kill switch | Split tunneling | Simultaneous connections |
| NordVPN | $3.09/month | 6300+ servers in 111 countries | No logs, independently audited twice by PwC | Yes | Yes | 10 |
| Surfshark | $2.19/month | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | No logs, independently audited by Deloitte | Yes | Yes | Unlimited |
| IPVanish | $2.19/month | 2400+ servers in 55 countries | No logs, independently audited by Leviathan | Yes | Yes | Unlimited |
| ExpressVPN | $6.67/month | 3000+ servers in 105 countries | No logs, independently audited by Cure53 | Yes | Yes | 8 |
| CyberGhost | $2.03/month | 11500+ servers in 100 countries | No logs, independently audited by Deloitte | Yes | Yes | 7 |
| PureVPN | $2.14/month | 6500+ servers in 65 countries | No logs, always-on audit by KPMG | Yes | Yes | 10 |
| Proton VPN | $3.59/month | 5200+ servers in 91 countries | No logs, independently audited by Securitum | Yes | Yes | 10 |
Why use a VPN for World of Warcraft
Despite the popularity, WoW isn’t accessible everywhere. Not all of its servers are available in some countries, while others can’t play the game at all. And on a smaller scale, the MMORPG is often blocked on school and work networks. A VPN helps bypass this by letting you change your IP address, thus, eliminating geo-blocks.
Tired of consistently high ping ruining the gameplay? A VPN for WoW can provide steadier connections which result in barely noticeable (or nonexistent) lag. It’s especially true if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has been throttling your bandwidth due to data-intensive activities.
Of course, we can’t forget the privacy aspect. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, torrenting, or simply browsing, no one should be privy to what you’re doing online. Virtual private networks shield you from online monitoring with high-end encryption methods. Thus, your identity and actions are completely invisible to everyone.
How to use a VPN with World of Warcraft
- Subscribe to a reliable VPN. We recommend NordVPN, the fastest service in the industry.
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Download and install the VPN client app on your PC.
- Launch the application and log into your account.
- Pick the fastest tunneling protocol the provider has.
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Select a VPN server closest to the WoW server you want to connect to.
- Connect to the WoW server.
- Enjoy the game.
I cannot connect to WoW through VPN – what to do?
Everything is set up and running, but now you can’t play World of Warcraft with the VPN? Well, several things might be happening here:
- You’re connected to an overcrowded VPN server.
- Your IP address and DNS requests are leaking, revealing your actual location.
- Your firewall or antivirus is doing too much of a great job and is blocking VPN traffic.
- The VPN software isn’t up to date, or the provider isn’t suited for WoW.
So, here’s what you can do about it:
- Disconnect from your current VPN server and pick another one. We also recommend trying another region altogether, just in case.
- Ensure all the necessary VPN security features are on and cycle through the available tunneling protocols.
- Whitelist the VPN client on your firewall and antivirus in their settings.
- Get the latest VPN software update.
Worst case scenario, your chosen WoW VPN isn’t cut out for the job. The best thing you can do is opt for a provider that is known to work with this MMORPG, like the ones we listed above.
Is a free VPN for World of Warcraft a good choice?
While you can play World of Warcraft with a free VPN, we strongly advise against it. More often than not, such providers are unreliable and come with certain limitations. These include but are not limited to:
- Strict data caps. You only get a certain amount of GB per month with free VPNs. And once you use everything up, your access to it will be blocked until the next month rolls around. Thus, you won’t be able to play the game for long.
- Throttled speeds. If WoW lag was already an issue, get ready for more frequent spikes and even disconnects from the game. Costless providers can’t have a single user hogging all the resources, so they reduce speeds across the board to prevent it.
- Tiny server fleets. Hopping into distant WoW realms will remain a dream since free VPN services only offer very few server locations.
- Data logging. Ever wonder how costless providers manage to stay afloat? Some do it by collecting data about you and selling it to third parties.
We understand the appeal of free VPNs. Especially if a WoW subscription already ate a lot of your monthly budget. Still, the gaming experience will be subpar at most. You’ll have a better time with freemium VPN services.
Conclusion
World of Warcraft VPNs is the most effective way to unblock the MMORPG, both on a small and bigger scale. And picking one with the latest tunneling protocols also takes care of high ping and lag. Still, not any service will do.
Only a few can compare to what NordVPN offers. Plenty of servers across the globe, the fastest speeds in the industry, and next-gen security features are but a few benefits. You’ll have a great time not only in WoW but during all online ventures as well.
FAQ
Are VPNs allowed on World of Warcraft?
While Blizzard doesn’t support VPNs, there are no rules against using such services in their Terms of Service. So, you can freely use a VPN with World of Warcraft for various reasons.
Does a VPN work with World of Warcraft?
Yes, VPNs work with WoW and plenty of other online games. In fact, they help players access the MMORPG in places where it is blocked. In some cases, providers like NordVPN also improve internet connections, eliminating WoW lag in the process.
Can Blizzard detect VPN?
The only way Blizzard can detect VPN usage is if a player is behaving suspiciously. That is, if their location keeps changing quickly and erratically without it being physically possible. Still, the company won’t ban you for doing so.
Can I be banned from World of Warcraft for using a VPN?
No, there are no rules against using VPNs for World of Warcraft in the game’s ToS. Blizzard doesn’t go out of its way to ban players simply for utilizing such technology.
Does an IP ban exist in World of Warcraft?
Yes, IP bans are a thing in World of Warcraft. But it’s very rare, and Blizzard tends to ban accounts instead. You can only receive an IP ban if you seriously violate the game’s rules.
Will a VPN increase WoW ping?
A VPN can eliminate latency issues and reduce ping in WoW, but only if you’re using a fast service. Plus, make sure to connect to a nearby server and pick the fastest tunneling protocols, like WireGuard.
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