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Updated Sep 2026

Best VPN for Valorant (2026)

Valorant's Vanguard anti-cheat and regional matchmaking make VPN use a mixed bag — a VPN can shift you to a different regional server pool, but Riot's systems are known to flag suspicious region-hopping, and Vanguard's kernel-level driver can interact unpredictably with some VPN network adapters.

Our top pick:NordVPN9.2/10

What matters for valorant — how we scored each VPN

Primary criteria: Latency and jitter added by the VPN — jitter matters more than raw ping for a tactical shooter — compatibility with Vanguard's kernel-level anti-cheat, and server locations near Riot's regional data centers. Beyond this core requirement, we weighted overall score, privacy, and price.

1
NordVPN

The proven choice for most people.

Best Overall
9.2/10
Excellent

NordVPN has the largest verified server network, consistently fast speeds, and a independently audited no-logs policy. It costs more than Surfshark but the reliability gap is measurable — especially on streaming.

96%

Speed kept

137

Countries

$3.09

/mo 2-yr plan

  • 9,300+ servers in 137 countries — the widest real network we've tested
  • Independent no-logs audits by Deloitte, most recently reconfirmed Feb 2026
  • Meshnet feature lets you connect your own devices without extra cost
  • More expensive than Surfshark or Private Internet Access

30-day money-back guarantee

2
Surfshark

Unlimited devices. Honest price. No surprises.

Best Value
9.0/10
Excellent

Surfshark covers unlimited devices for around $2.49/month on the 2-year plan. Speed is slightly behind NordVPN but more than sufficient. The unlimited simultaneous connections policy alone makes it the obvious choice for households or anyone with more than 5 devices.

91%

Speed kept

100

Countries

$2.49

/mo 2-yr plan

  • Unlimited simultaneous connections — covers every device in your household
  • Around $2.49/month on 2-year plan — still one of the best price-to-feature ratios we've found
  • CleanWeb blocks ads, malware, and trackers (works across all apps, not just browser)
  • Slightly lower speed retention than NordVPN — 91% vs 96%

30-day money-back guarantee

3
Mullvad

No email. No account name. Flat €5/month. That's it.

Best for Anonymity
8.7/10
Very Good

Mullvad is the only mainstream VPN with genuinely anonymous accounts — you get a random number, not an email address. Flat €5/month with no multi-year lock-in. If maximum privacy is the requirement, this is the answer.

89%

Speed kept

90

Countries

5.50

/mo annual

  • Anonymous account creation — number only, no email, no name, no tracking
  • Accepts cash payments for complete financial anonymity
  • Flat €5/month — no confusing discount tiers or introductory pricing traps
  • No streaming optimization — unreliable on Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer
4
ExpressVPN

The fastest VPN we've ever tested. At a price.

Fastest Speeds
8.6/10
Very Good

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN we've tested and the easiest to use — and a 2026 pricing overhaul dropped its 2-year Basic plan to $2.79/month, undercutting NordVPN rather than costing nearly double.

98%

Speed kept

105

Countries

$2.79

/mo 2-yr plan

  • Fastest speeds we've recorded — 98% speed retention on nearby servers
  • Lightway protocol (proprietary, open-source) is genuinely fast and audited
  • Consistently unblocks all major streaming platforms
  • Multi-tier plan structure (Basic/Advanced/Pro) makes it easy to pay for features you don't need

30-day money-back guarantee

5
IPVanish

Unlimited connections. WireGuard speeds. US jurisdiction.

Best for Unlimited Connections
8.2/10
Very Good

IPVanish delivers fast WireGuard speeds with unlimited simultaneous connections. The US jurisdiction and a 2016 incident where they logged user data (under previous ownership) are real concerns — but two independent no-logs audits since (2022, 2025) have meaningfully rebuilt credibility.

88%

Speed kept

113

Countries

$2.19

/mo 2-yr plan

  • Unlimited simultaneous connections — covers every device in your home
  • Fast WireGuard speeds — 88% retention in testing
  • 3,400+ servers in 113 countries
  • US jurisdiction (5 Eyes member) — highest legal exposure of any VPN

30-day money-back guarantee

Valorant VPN comparison table

Feature
NordVPN9.2/10
Surfshark9/10
Mullvad8.7/10
ExpressVPN8.6/10
IPVanish8.2/10
Our Score9.298.78.68.2
Monthly Price$3.09/mo$2.49/mo€5.50/mo$2.79/mo$2.19/mo
Servers9,300+4,500+696+3,000+3,400+
Countries13710090105113
Simultaneous Devices10Unlimited510Unlimited
Speed (tested)730 Mbps (96%)695 Mbps (91%)680 Mbps (89%)755 Mbps (98%)670 Mbps (88%)
No-Logs Policy
Independently Audited
Kill Switch
Ad Blocker
Streaming
Torrenting / P2P
Port Forwarding
Obfuscation
Double VPN
RAM-Only Servers
JurisdictionPanama (outside 5/9/14 Eyes)Netherlands (EU jurisdiction)Sweden (EU jurisdiction, but no-logs is verified)British Virgin IslandsUSA (5 Eyes member)
Money-Back Guarantee30 days30 daysNone30 days30 days

Data verified April 2026. Prices reflect lowest available plan per month (billed upfront).

Frequently asked questions

Does Vanguard block VPN use in Valorant?

Vanguard doesn't block VPNs outright, but its kernel-level driver monitors system network behavior closely, and some users report connection or matchmaking issues when running certain VPN client software alongside it. WireGuard-based VPNs tend to cause fewer conflicts than older OpenVPN clients.

Can I get banned for using a VPN in Valorant?

Riot's terms of service prohibit using a VPN specifically to circumvent regional restrictions or manipulate matchmaking, and this has resulted in penalties for repeat offenders. Using a VPN for general privacy or DDoS protection carries lower risk than using it to region-hop for competitive advantage.

Will a VPN reduce ping in Valorant?

Rarely, under normal conditions — a VPN adds a network hop, which typically increases latency rather than reducing it. The exception is if your ISP routes you inefficiently to Riot's nearest data center; a VPN with a server closer to that data center can sometimes help in that specific case.

Do you earn commissions on these recommendations?

Yes. We earn affiliate commissions on some links. Our rankings are set by test data collected independently. Commission rates do not affect ranking position. Commission rates for each recommendation are published in individual reviews.

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