5 Best VPNs for League of Legends in 2024: Play Lag-Free

Updated on: November 8, 2024
Fact-checked by Penka Hristovska
Gjurgjica Panova Gjurgjica Panova
Updated on: November 8, 2024 Writer
Fact-checked by Penka Hristovska

Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for League of Legends in 2024:

  • 🥇 ExpressVPN : It maintains the fastest speeds on the market for playing League of Legends lag-free and prevents ISP bandwidth throttling, which helps keep your ping stable and low. Plus, the VPN has servers in most LoL regions and can access them without any issues. ExpressVPN’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The best VPNs for League of Legends maintain low ping for smooth gameplay. They also offer servers in a range of LoL regions, including North America, Europe, and South Korea, and some even have servers in China (where competition is the fiercest).

Beyond this, it’s useful for a LoL VPN to offer protection against DDoS attacks and to be able to access LoL on restrictive networks such as campus Wi-Fi networks, so you can play anywhere. Dedicated IP addresses are an added bonus, as using a dedicated IP reduces the chances of triggering anti-cheat systems.

After testing the top VPNs on the market, I selected my favorites for League of Legends. Each has its own strengths, but ExpressVPN is my top choice — it maintains super fast speeds and low ping for smooth gaming and has a large server network that can access most LoL regions. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Visit ExpressVPN

Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for League of Legends

Editor’s Choice
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for League of Legends
Best VPN for League of Legends in 2024 (with very fast speeds & reliable region access).
Most of our readers choose ExpressVPN
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for League of Legends
Fast VPN for playing LoL in the NA region + a Chinese server location for LoL China.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for League of Legends
Great LoL VPN with dedicated servers for gaming (and helpful automation rules).
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for League of Legends
Good VPN for creating virtual LAN parties to play LoL securely with friends.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for League of Legends
Super affordable VPN for LoL gaming that offers 1-click connection options.

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company

🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for League of Legends

Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN
Approved by our experts
Most readers pick ExpressVPN
Servers in countries
105
Key Features
Industry-leading speeds
Number of devices
8
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
expressvpn.com
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

ExpressVPN is my top choice for League of Legends thanks to its proprietary protocol Lightway, which provides super fast speeds for lag-free games. I played a couple of ranked games in LoL, and my ping remained stable, even though my game lasted 1 and a half hours. You can also switch from 256-bit AES encryption to ChaCha20, which gives you faster speeds if you’re playing the game on an older PC.

🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for League of Legends

The VPN has a large server network spread across 105 countries worldwide, with servers in different LoL game regions. This includes 20+ server locations in the North America region, 50+ server locations in Europe, and a server location in South Korea. The servers can reliably access these regions without any issues.

ExpressVPN offers good security for safely playing LoL, including anti-DDoS protection on all of its servers. This means that if someone attempts a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack, which overwhelms a target with excessive traffic, the attack will hit ExpressVPN’s IP address instead of yours. Thanks to the anti-DDoS protection on the VPN’s servers that actively mitigates these attacks, the attacker won’t be able to disconnect you from the VPN server, preventing any disruptions to your play.

🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for League of Legends

This provider offers dedicated IP addresses for an extra cost. These IP addresses are available in 20+ countries, including ones where LoL has servers like North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. With a unique dedicated IP address, there’s a lower risk that you’ll trigger anti-cheat systems or face a ban for using a VPN with LoL, as your dedicated IP will only be associated with your account.

The VPN is also good for playing LoL on restricted networks, like campus Wi-Fi networks, that block access to the game and throttles your speeds. This is because the VPN hides everything you do online, so you can anonymously play LoL anywhere.

ExpressVPN’s plans start at $4.99 / month. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Bottom Line:

ExpressVPN is my top VPN for LoL —  its speeds are so fast that you won’t even notice you’re connected to a VPN. It has servers in many LoL regions, including North America, Europe, and South Korea, and it has anti-DDoS protection on all servers, meaning sore losers won’t be able to kick you off the game server. It also offers dedicated IPs from 20+ countries for more reliable access to the game. Its plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full ExpressVPN review

🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great for Playing LoL in the US

Servers in countries
91
Key Features
Excellent ad blocker
Number of devices
Unlimited
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
privateinternetaccess.com
Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.

Private Internet Access (PIA) is good for playing LoL in the North American region. The VPN has servers in every US state, including ones that are closer to Chicago (where LoL’s main server in the US is located) like Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Minnesota. This means that finding the fastest nearby server for playing LoL won’t be a problem.

🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great for Playing LoL in the US

PIA also provides fast speeds for lag-free LoL gameplay. In my tests, the WireGuard protocol option maintained low ping, and I didn’t experience any lag during team fights.

I like how PIA allows you to customize your connections for LoL. For instance, you can switch from 256-bit AES encryption to slightly faster 128-bit AES encryption, which can improve your speeds if you’re playing on unstable Wi-Fi, like college networks.

PIA has a server in China that can access the Chinese LoL region and maintains stable ping and great response times. It also offers dedicated IP addresses in 15+ countries, including in North America and Europe, but fewer overall than ExpressVPN. That said, I like that you can choose between the East and the West Coast in the US and 11 states, like New York and Atlanta.

🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great for Playing LoL in the US

Finally, PIA has anti-DDoS protection on all of its servers, and it comes with Identity Guard, which alerts you if your LoL account email address and password have been compromised in a breach. This gives you the opportunity to react quickly and prevent the possible loss of your account.

Private Internet Access has plans starting at $2.03 / month. Each plan is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access: Save 83% on the 24-month plan + FREE months!
You can save 83% if you act right now.

Bottom Line:

Private Internet Access has servers in each US state, making it easy to find the fastest nearby server for playing LoL in the region. It also has a server in China for Chinese LoL, lets you customize your connection for smoother gameplay on slow Wi-Fi networks, and has anti-DDoS protection. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Private Internet Access review

Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.

🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Dedicated Servers for Gaming + Automation Rules

Servers in countries
100
Key Features
Special streaming servers
Number of devices
7
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
Up to 45 days
cyberghostvpn.com
Editors' Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.

CyberGhost VPN offers dedicated gaming servers for smooth LoL gaming sessions. The servers are located in Germany, France, the UK, and the US and are optimized to offer very fast speeds and low ping, which is great for playing a MOBA like LoL. Plus, they’re super easy to find — they’re placed in the For Gaming tab. I also like that they all show you the ping time, so you can easily pick the one with the lowest ping.

🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Dedicated Servers for Gaming + Automation Rules

CyberGhost has regular servers in plenty of LoL regions that offer pretty great speeds for playing Summoner’s Rift online. These include 10+ US locations, 30+ European countries (fewer than ExpressVPN), and a server location each in South Korea and China.

I really like CyberGhost’s Smart Rules feature that lets you set automation rules that trigger the VPN to connect or launch apps. For instance, you can set the VPN to automatically connect to the fastest server location when you open the LoL app, or set the Riot client to launch after you connect.

🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Dedicated Servers for Gaming + Automation Rules

CyberGhost also offers anti-DDoS protection on all of its servers and has Identity Guard for keeping an eye on any data breaches on the dark web that might include your LoL account email and password. It offers dedicated IP addresses in 10+ countries for an extra cost, too, including in the US, the UK, and several European states like the Netherlands and Switzerland.

CyberGhost VPN’s plans start at $2.19 / month. Its long-term plans offer a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost: Save 83% on the 24-month plan + FREE months!
You can save 83% if you act right now.

Bottom Line:

CyberGhost VPN comes with dedicated gaming servers that provide a lag-free LoL gaming experience. The VPN has servers in many LoL regions, including North America, South Korea, and China, and offers convenient automation, so you’re always protected when playing. It also has anti-DDoS protection on all servers and offers an Identity Guard feature. The long-term plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full CyberGhost VPN review

Editors' Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.

4. NordVPN — Good for Hosting LAN Parties for LoL

Servers in countries
111
Key Features
Great malware blocker
Number of devices
10
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
nordvpn.com

NordVPN is great for creating LAN parties for safe LoL games with your friends. The Meshent feature lets you create a secure, encrypted connection between your own and your friends’ PCs that resembles a virtual LAN environment. This allows you and your friends to play LoL together as if you were all connected on the same local network, even if you’re in different parts of the world.

NordVPN’s Meshnet also reduces latency by allowing data to flow directly between you and your friends without unnecessary detours through the public internet. This means your in-game communication and actions are processed more quickly, which ensures smooth coordination during matches.

4. NordVPN — Good for Hosting LAN Parties for LoL

The provider has servers in 111 countries including LoL regions — 15+ US locations, the Middle East, Asia (South Korea, Japan, and Singapore), and multiple European countries.

This provider offers excellent speeds for playing LoL. I played a couple of Summoner’s Rift matches over its proprietary protocol called NordLynx, which is the fastest protocol that NordVPN offers, without any lag or disconnects.

NordVPN protects you from direct DDoS attacks on your IP address, but it doesn’t provide anti-DDoS protection like ExpressVPN does. This means that an upset gamer could launch a DDoS attack on your VPN connection, requiring you to reconnect.

NordVPN has plans starting at $2.99 / month. Each purchase is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

NordVPN has a unique tool that allows you to create virtual LAN parties for playing LoL with your friends from around the world. It also offers a large server network that accesses various LoL regions and great speeds for online play. Every plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full NordVPN review

5. Surfshark — Affordable VPN With Intuitive Apps

Servers in countries
100
Key Features
User-friendly apps
Number of devices
Unlimited
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
surfshark.com

Surfshark is an affordable option for League of Legends players, making it an ideal choice if you want to securely play the game on a budget. It’s also great for VPN beginners thanks to its intuitive apps and 1-click options. You can easily connect to the nearest server on the main dashboard and customize the quick-connect button to connect to any server for your LoL region.

The VPN provides good speeds for playing LoL online — I never had to deal with high ping and my games never froze while connected to its servers. That said, it’s not quite as fast as ExpressVPN.

5. Surfshark — Affordable VPN With Intuitive Apps

Surfshark’s server network is pretty large and includes servers in 20+ major US cities, South Korea, and the Philippines. The VPN has anti-DDoS protection on all servers and an IP Rotator feature that regularly changes your IP address without dropping the VPN connection. This makes it hard for LoL players from the other team to track you down and DDoS you.

Surfshark has affordable plans that start at $1.99 / month. Every plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

Surfshark offers affordable plans and intuitive apps for securely playing LoL. It maintains fast speeds for lag-free gameplay and offers servers in many LoL regions, like NA. Plus, the VPN has anti-DDoS protection and an IP Rotator that makes it hard for other players to track and DDoS you. All plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Surfshark review

Quick Comparison Table

VPN Starting Price # of Servers (Countries) Anti-DDoS Protection # of Dedicated IPs Simultaneous Connections Money-Back Guarantee
🥇1. ExpressVPN $4.99 / month 105 20+ countries 8 30 days
🥈2. Private Internet Access $2.03 / month 91 10+ countries Unlimited 30 days
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN $2.19 / month 100 10+ countries 7 45 days on long-term plans

14 days on the shortest plan

4. NordVPN $2.99 / month 111 15+ countries 10 30 days
5. Surfshark $1.99 / month 100 10+ countries Unlimited 30 days

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company

Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria

To find the best VPNs for League of Legends, I relied on our trusted testing methodology, which included testing numerous VPNs across a range of gaming-specific scenarios to evaluate their performance and reliability. Below are the criteria I used to test, compare, and rank the VPNs:

  • I tested for fast speeds while playing LoL. It’s important for the VPN to deliver fast speeds for lag-free LoL gaming. Each VPN on my list maintains fast speeds on nearby and distant servers, but ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds in my tests.Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
  • I checked for servers in popular LoL regions. The VPNs on my list have servers in LoL regions like North America, Europe, and the Middle East. A lot of them also have servers in South Korea and China.
  • I ensured the VPNs have anti-DDoS protection. Nearly all the VPNs I’ve listed include anti-DDoS protection on their servers. This ensures you’re protected even if another LoL player attempts to DDoS the VPN server you’re using.Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
  • I looked into security features. Every VPN on my list comes with industry-standard security features like an audited no-logs policy, military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, and a kill switch (which disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection drops). Plus, they all offer strong leak protection and reliably work with LoL on campus networks that restrict the game.
  • I chose VPNs that offer good value. The VPNs that I picked have affordable plans with generous money-back guarantees. Plus, they allow multiple simultaneous connections.

Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut

  • TunnelBear. TunnelBear is a secure and intuitive VPN, but it causes major slowdowns on distant servers. This means that you might experience some lagging while playing LoL, which can cost you, especially in ranked games.
  • PrivateVPN. PrivateVPN is a fast VPN that has anti-DDoS protection on all servers. However, it has a small server network with fewer servers in Asia and Latin America. This means less reliable access to LoL servers in these regions.
  • Proton VPN. Proton VPN has excellent security and maintains a very low ping on nearby servers. That said, the VPN causes some lag on distant servers that might cause you to disconnect mid-game.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I change my LoL region?

To change your LoL region, you can either pay for an account transfer or get a new account and start from scratch. If you opt for the latter, I suggest doing it with a VPN connected to that region.  A VPN can provide a more stable route if your local ISP routes are inconsistent or laggy.

My favorite VPN for League of Legends is ExpressVPN, as it has servers in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia, and it maintains low ping.

Can a VPN help with ping in LoL?

Yes, quality VPNs like the ones I recommend can reduce ping in specific situations. For example, if your ISP is throttling your speeds, a VPN can prevent that because it hides your online activities, so your ISP can’t lower your bandwidth because it sees you’re gaming online.

A VPN can also potentially improve your speeds when playing League of Legends by connecting you through a server that provides a more direct route to the game’s servers, reducing the number of network “hops” your data has to take. This can be especially helpful if your local ISP routes your connection inefficiently.

Can I use a free VPN with League of Legends?

Maybe, but I don’t recommend it. Many free VPNs offer few server location options and they’re often overcrowded, which affects speeds significantly. Instead, I recommend purchasing a premium VPN like ExpressVPN. It maintains super fast speeds and has a large server network.

Can I get banned for using a VPN with League of Legends?

No, you won’t be banned for playing League of Legends with a VPN as long as you adhere to the terms. Note that using a VPN or any other software to gain an unfair advantage in competitive play or engaging in unlawful activities could lead to a ban.

Quick Overview of My Top Recommendations:

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Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
The listings featured on this site are from companies from which this site receives compensation and some are co-owned by our parent company. This influence: Rank and manner in which listings are presented. 
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About the Author
Gjurgjica Panova
Updated on: November 8, 2024

About the Author

Gjurgjica is a cybersecurity writer who is driven by her passion for the written word and anything tech-related. When she is not in the role of a Safety Detective, she can be found wrapped in a comfy blanket, binge-watching her favorite shows.

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