On a gaming PC the VPN app runs on the machine itself, so the choice comes down to split tunneling, a kill switch and a nearby server. All four picks list Windows apps.
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NordVPN
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A PC is the easy platform. Unlike PlayStation and Xbox, it runs a VPN app directly, with no router or hotspot in between. The questions that matter here are different: which apps go through the tunnel, whether your launcher and anti-cheat tolerate it, and how much delay it adds. For the wider picture (DDoS risk, throttling, region access) see our best VPN for gaming guide. This page covers the PC specifics.
What changes on a PC
Question
Why it matters on PC
Which apps use the tunnel?
Split tunneling lets the game use the VPN while a launcher or browser connects directly, or the reverse.
Does the game launcher still work?
Steam, Epic Games and Battle.net each open their own connections. Test sign-in and downloads with the VPN on.
Will anti-cheat accept it?
Some anti-cheat systems and publishers restrict VPN traffic. Check the game’s own rules before ranked play.
How much ping does it add?
A VPN usually adds a little delay. A nearby, low-load server and WireGuard-based protocols keep it small.
Split tunneling on Windows
Split tunneling sends some apps through the VPN and the rest outside it. For gaming, the common uses are keeping a large game download off the tunnel, or keeping one game on it. We list only what each provider says on its own site.
Source: each provider’s own pages, checked 2026-10-08 (ExpressVPN[1], NordVPN[2], Surfshark[3]). CyberGhost’s Windows exclusions apply to websites, not apps, so it cannot keep a single game off the tunnel.
Launchers and anti-cheat
Steam, Epic Games and Battle.net sign in over their own servers, and a VPN changes the address they see. If a launcher stalls or asks you to verify your account, connect to a server in your own country first. Do not switch servers mid-download.
Anti-cheat software is the part we cannot promise. Systems differ, and a publisher can restrict VPN traffic in its rules. Read the game’s support page before you rely on a VPN in ranked or tournament play, and test in a casual match first.
Keeping ping low
Pick a nearby server. Distance adds more delay than protocol. Choose a server close to the game’s host region, not necessarily close to you.
Use a WireGuard-based protocol. NordVPN’s NordLynx, ExpressVPN’s Lightway and Surfshark’s WireGuard are built for low overhead. Compare them in our WireGuard vs OpenVPN guide.
Test both ways. Play a match with the VPN off and on, and keep the server that plays best. If your connection was already fine, the VPN may only add delay.
Which to choose
If you want
Choose
Why
One game on the tunnel, the rest off
NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Surfshark
Per-app split tunneling on Windows
One account for a whole household
Surfshark
Unlimited simultaneous connections
The simplest app
CyberGhost or ExpressVPN
Few settings to get wrong
Final Verdict
For one game on the tunnel and the rest outside it, choose a provider with per-app Windows split tunneling: NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Surfshark. Then connect to a nearby server, test your ping both ways, and check the game’s anti-cheat rules before ranked play.
Install the provider’s Windows app, sign in and connect to a nearby server before you launch the game. The VPN covers the whole PC, so no console-style router setup is needed. If you use split tunneling, add the game to the list of apps that use the VPN, then start the launcher.
Does split tunneling work with Steam, Epic Games and Battle.net?
Split tunneling works on the app or executable you choose, so you can add a launcher or the game itself. NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark list Windows split tunneling on their own sites. Test sign-in and a small download after you set it, because launchers open several connections.
Will a VPN get me banned by anti-cheat software?
It depends on the game. Some anti-cheat systems and publishers restrict VPN traffic, and a VPN does not change that. Read the game’s support page and rules before you connect, test in a casual match, and stop using the VPN in ranked play if the publisher forbids it.
How much ping does a VPN add on PC?
A VPN usually adds a little delay, because traffic takes an extra hop. A nearby, low-load server and a WireGuard-based protocol keep it small. Play a match with the VPN off and on, and keep whichever setting plays better.
Do I need a kill switch for PC gaming?
A kill switch blocks traffic if the tunnel drops, so your home IP is not exposed to the lobby mid-match. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost each list a Windows kill switch on their own sites. Turn it on before you play.
Can one VPN account cover my PC and my phone?
Yes, with any of these four. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, NordVPN covers 10 devices and CyberGhost covers 7. ExpressVPN covers 10 to 14 depending on plan.
What does a gaming VPN for PC cost?
Long-term plans run from $2.19 to $3.49 per month across these four. Surfshark starts from $2.49/month and ExpressVPN from $2.99/month, all on their longest terms.
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