5 Best VPNs for Apex Legends in 2024 (Fast Speeds and Low Ping)
Apex Legends VPN Key Points
- The best VPN for Apex Legends can help you play the game with maximum security and lightning-fast speeds on any device of your choice.
- Not just any VPN for Apex will do the job. You need a service with fast server speeds, stable connections, and top security features.
- Apex doesn’t ban users for using a VPN. However, using a VPN to exploit some of the game’s features can get you banned.
Our Testing has shown that NordVPN is the best VPN for Apex Legends.
Released in 2019, Apex Legends surpassed 25 million players by the end of its first week. Over two years later, this free-to-play game is still one of the most popular battle royale games available online. It enjoys a fan base of over 100 million players worldwide.
However, not all players around the globe can experience the same gameplay experience. Depending on your location, you might be unable to access certain features, or the game can be slow and lagging. In some countries, the game isn’t available at all. Most concerning of all, there has been an increasing problem with DDoS attacks and in-game cheaters.
Although this might seem like a staggering number of problems, there’s a simple and efficient way to resolve all of them. With a VPN, you can access Apex Legends without annoying performance issues or security threats. This page will help you learn everything you need to know about using a VPN to play Apex Legends.
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Best VPNs for Apex Legends – Our Shortlist
- NordVPN – Best VPN for Apex Legends.
- Surfshark – Feature-packed but light. High performing and affordable.
- AtlasVPN – A great budget choice.
- PrivateVPN – Easy-to-use Apex Legends VPN.
- ExpressVPN – One of the most robust VPNs in the industry.
Why Do You Need a VPN to Play Apex Legends?
Using a VPN service when playing the game can provide numerous benefits and advantages. Here’s what the best VPN for Apex Legends can do for you:
- Fix Apex Legends Lag – High ping and laggy gameplay can quickly ruin any online gaming experience. With a reliable gaming VPN for Apex Legends, you can reduce the annoyingly high ping and fix lag. This will not only make your gaming sessions more enjoyable but make you a more menacing opponent on the battlefield.
- Get Easier Apex Lobbies – Like all other online games, Apex has online lobbies of varying difficulties. For example, servers in South East Asia are notoriously difficult. On the other hand, servers in Europe, particularly Belgium and the Netherlands, are known as fairly easy. You can use a VPN to access these Apex Legends game servers and avoid skill-based matchmaking.
- Game Safely – A VPN hides your real IP address and keeps you private when you play Apex Legends. This provides you with great privacy from hackers, doxxers, and DDoS attacks. So, you can play Apex Legends with complete peace of mind knowing that your privacy and security won’t get compromised.
- Avoid ISP Throttling – Tying into the previous point that the VPN hides your real IP address, your Internet Service Provider can’t throttle your Internet connection based on your IP. If this is the underlying issue behind your high ping and slow connection speeds, the VPN connection will directly improve your connection this way as well.
- Access Apex in Banned Locations – Admittedly, the list of countries where Apex Legends is banned is quite short. It includes locations such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, and a few others. Still, if you want to play from these countries, you can use a VPN to change to a suitable server and access the game.
Apex Legends VPN Comparison
NordVPN | Surfshark | AtlasVPN | PrivateVPN | ExpressVPN | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | AtlasVPN.com | PrivateVPN.com | ExpressVPN.com |
Ranking for Gaming | 5/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 |
Avg. Speed | 46,4 Mbps | 40,1 Mbps | 35,9 Mbps | 43,6 Mbps | 42,2 Mbps |
Server count | 5400+ | 3200+ | 750+ | 200+ | 3000+ |
Logs | No-logs | No identifiable logs | No identifiable logs | No logs | No identifiable logs |
Suitable for Games | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Devices supported | Windows MacOS Android iOS Gaming Consoles SmartTVs | Windows MacOS Android iOS Gaming Consoles | Windows MacOS Android iOS | Windows MacOS Android iOS | Windows MacOS Android iOS Gaming Consoles SmartTVs |
P2P Traffic | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Best Deals | 63% OFF + Gift | Save 81% | 83% OFF | Save 85% | 3 months FREE |
Best VPNs for Apex Legends – Our Detailed List
1. NordVPN
🌐 Website: | nordvpn.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | Panama |
📍Servers/Countries: | 5800+ servers in 60 countries |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | Get 68% off + 3 months extra |
No matter if you’re a casual Apex player or an elite gamer, NordVPN is the best VPN for Apex Legends you can get. This industry-leading VPN offers more servers than any other pick on this page, with over 5,500 servers in 60 countries. It was the fastest VPN on all of the UK and US servers. It also ranked second on SEA servers, behind only PrivateVPN.
Apart from delivering impressive speeds, NordVPN maintained low lag and ping of around 20 to 50 ms on all nearby servers, sometimes boasting a ping of under 20 ms. It also had the lowest ping on remote servers. This is in large part due to its excellent in-house protocol called NordLynx.
To add to all of this, NordVPN is much more than a top-tier gaming VPN. You can use it to unblock streaming services like Twitch, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and others. It’s also a great VPN for torrenting.
To be fair to the other selections on my list, NordVPN does lose the comparison to my other picks when it comes to certain aspects. For instance, it only offers six simultaneous connections. This means that you can’t connect all your devices without any limitations like you can with Surfshark and Atlas VPN.
NordVPN Speed Test for Gaming Results
Speed Test | NordVPN |
---|---|
Website | NordVPN.com |
Average Speed – North America (United States) | 46,4 Mbps |
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom) | 45,2 Mbps |
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore) | 35,3 Mbps |
Best deal | 63% OFF + Gift |
Pros:
- The fastest Apex Legends VPN you can get
- Superb compatibility for consoles and all other gaming platforms
- Apex VPN with the biggest server network
- Military-grade encryption and protection against DDoS attacks
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Fewer simultaneous connections (6) than Surfshark
- Not as budget-friendly as Surfshark
2. Surfshark
🌐 Website: | surfshark.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | The British Virgin Islands |
📍Servers/Countries: | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | Save 84% Now! |
Surfshark offers noticeably fewer servers than NordVPN but still has a very respectable network of over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. It’s very capable of providing private and secure gaming with reliable DDoS protection. It also allows split tunneling and has a kill switch feature.
While not as fast as NordVPN, Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs you can get. It will only slow down your connection up to around 10%. It does generally deliver a higher ping than NordVPN. However, this wasn’t enough to produce any lag. I had a smooth experience in Apex Legends while playing it using Surfshark for several hours during the test.
Surfshark has great apps that you can use to play Apex Legends on any device, access loot boxes, and unblock the game in restricted regions. It doesn’t have an in-house protocol like NordVPN but supports a handful of standard options, including WireGuard.
With all of these features in mind, Surfshark also eclipses NordVPN in two not-so-insignificant categories. It allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices. What’s more, every Surfshark subscription plan is more affordable than a NordVPN plan.
Surfshark Speed Test for Gaming Results
Speed Test | Surfshark |
---|---|
Website | Surfshark.com |
Average Speed – North America (United States) | 40,1 Mbps |
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom) | 39,2 Mbps |
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore) | 35,8 Mbps |
Best deal | Save 81% |
Pros:
- Above-average speeds and minimal lag when playing Apex
- More affordable Apex VPN pick than NordVPN
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- A fast and light WireGuard protocol
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Slower than NordVPN
- Smaller server network than NordVPN
3. AtlasVPN
🌐 Website: | atlasvpn.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | United States |
📍Servers/Countries: | 1000 servers in 49 locations |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | 85% OFF + 3 Months FREE! |
With its 750+ high-speed servers worldwide, Atlas VPN offers speeds fast enough to ensure a smooth-as-butter performance in Apex Legends. It supports the WireGuard protocol on all of its featured locations. However, compared to the four Apex VPNs on my list, it is by far the slowest VPN overall.
Across all of my testing parameters, Atlas VPN was about 5% to 10% slower than the rest of my selections. This speed difference is most obvious in SEA servers. On these locations, Atlas VPN is over 20% slower than the best-performing PrivateVPN.
Like Surfshark, Atlas VPN also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, a very convenient option. Furthermore, its subscription plans are very budget-friendly.
If you’re a competitive player who wants the best speeds, Atlas VPN might not be the best pick. Still, it offers advanced leak protection, a no-logs policy, and even some features that no other brand has managed to bring to the table. With all of this in mind, it’s a well-balanced VPN overall, great for those on a budget and casual Apex players.
Speed Test | AtlasVPN |
---|---|
Website | AtlasVPN.com |
Average Speed – North America (United States) | 80 Mbps |
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom) | 68 Mbps |
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore) | 61 Mbps |
Best deal | 83% OFF |
Pros:
- Above-average speeds with low ping in Apex Legends
- Unlimited device support
- DNS leak protection and a kill switch
- Unblocks streaming services
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- VPN with the second-fewest servers on this top-five list
- Slow speeds compared to my other selections
4. PrivateVPN
🌐 Website: | privatevpn.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | Sweden |
📍Servers/Countries: | 200 servers in 60 countries |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | Save 85% Now! |
PrivateVPN is more than deserving of this high rank. It’s an excellent VPN service that even outperforms my top VPN pick in some aspects. With an average speed of 40,2 Mbps on its Singapore servers, PrivateVPN offers the fastest server speeds when connected to remote servers in SEA.
But, PrivateVPN’s fast remote speeds aren’t the only aspect in which it excels over its competitors. With an average uptime of 99,98%, it is also the best-performing VPN when it comes to this metric. So, if you plan on playing Apex Legends for hours on end, you can count on PrivateVPN to maintain your VPN connection without any issues.
PrivateVPN supports the WireGuard protocol, which I recommend you always use when playing the game. I found it delivered the best performance on both PC and mobile. You can also count on a kill switch and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Of course, this doesn’t set PrivateVPN apart from its competitors, which also offer these standard features.
Unfortunately, what does set it apart from my other picks is its small server network. PrivateVPN has only around 200 server locations. Compared to NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, this seems like nothing. This is a bit disappointing, but you still have 63 countries to pick from.
PrivateVPN Speed Test for Gaming Results
Speed Test | PrivateVPN |
---|---|
Website | PrivateVPN.com |
Average Speed – North America (United States) | 43,6 Mbps |
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom) | 45.9 Mbps |
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore) | 40,1 Mbps |
Best deal | Save 85% |
Pros:
- Excellent average speeds on Apex Legends, especially on SEA servers
- 99.98% uptime, great for long Apex Legends gaming sessions
- Simple and easy-to-use apps for all major platforms
- Support more simultaneous connections than NordVPN and ExpressVPN
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- VPN with the smallest server network on my list
- Slower than NordVPN on both UK and US servers
5. ExpressVPN
🌐 Website: | expressvpn.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | The British Virgin Islands |
📍Servers/Countries: | 3000+ servers in 94 countries |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | +3 months FREE! |
If you want to play games like Apex with fast speeds and great security, ExpressVPN is a fantastic pick. With a network of over 3,000 servers, ExpressVPN has some of the fastest average speeds around.
It consistently delivered connections with a ping of under 50 ms. On many servers, it kept the ping under 20 ms. Needless to say, these are superb numbers for any online game, including Apex Legends.
As you can see in the table below, ExpressVPN can pretty much match NordVPN’s speeds on SEA servers. However, it is about 10% slower than NordVPN on US and UK servers.
If you’re an Apex Legends Mobile player, its in-house Lightway protocol will outperform any protocol Atlas VPN, Surfshark, or PrivateVPN can offer. It’s light, easy on the battery, and great for mobile gaming.
However, there’s a reason why ExpressVPN is my fifth pick and not higher up the list. It is the most expensive out of the five VPNs on this page and offers the fewest simultaneous connections. These are certainly big faults that will understandably persuade some to go for one of my other picks.
ExpressVPN Speed Test for Gaming Results
Speed Test | ExpressVPN |
---|---|
Website | ExpressVPN.com |
Average Speed – North America (United States) | 42,2 Mbps |
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom) | 40,9 Mbps |
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore) | 38,1 Mbps |
Best deal | +3 months FREE |
Pros:
- Delivers fast speeds for Apex with very low lag
- Lightway protocol is great for playing Apex on mobile devices
- You can easily unblock Apex Legends and other games from anywhere
- Premium security features
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Most expensive Apex VPN on my list
- Offers the fewest number of connections (5) out of my top five picks
Testing Methodology: How We Selected and Tested the Best VPNs For Apex Legends
When selecting the five best VPNs for Apex Legends, I took into consideration a set of specific criteria I use whenever I’m testing VPNs for games. Perhaps, going down this list will help you pick a service that best fits your needs. With that in mind, here are the key aspects I take into consideration:
- Speed – Fast speeds and ping are imperative for a pleasant Apex Legends gaming session. Because of this, the overall speed and stability of the VPN is the most significant factor I used when ranking the services above.
- Server Network – A VPN with a large server network provides you with plentiful connection options. While the server network size isn’t a deal-breaker, the more servers the VPN has, the better.
- Device Compatibility – Apex Legends is available on PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Android, and iOS. If you want to play Apex Legends on multiple devices, you want a VPN that supports any device you want to game on.
- Security Characteristics – To keep you safe from DDoS attacks and other threats, the VPN should come with strong security traits. This includes military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and other protection features.
- Additional Factors – Extra aspects such as service price, customer support, app design and intuitiveness, and others are also worth considering. Besides the four main factors above, these features can have a big impact on your overall user experience.
How to Set Up and Use a VPN For Apex Legends
Whether you want to play Apex Legends on your PC, gaming console, or Android phone, installing a VPN app is a pretty simple task. Here’s a quick five-step guide on how to set up a VPN and start playing Apex Legends safely:
- Choose one of the best Apex VPNs (My top recommendation is NordVPN).
- Download the appropriate app for your device.
- Log in and choose one of the VPN servers (With most VPNs, connecting automatically will ensure you pick the fastest server).
- Wait for the app to signal that the VPN connection has been established.
- Launch Apex Legends and enjoy!
How to Pick the Best VPN Server For Playing Apex Legends
Picking the best Apex Legends VPN server is a subjective choice, as it depends on several distinct factors. In some cases, you might have to try out several VPN servers to find the one that delivers the best VPN connection. That said, to help you with this, here are a few ways how to pick the best server:
- Server Location – The server should be located as close as possible, both to the game server and your real location. Connecting to the nearest server will minimize the distance that data has to travel between your device and the Apex Legends server. This will reduce latency and improve your gaming experience.
- Server Speed – Choose a server that has fast speeds and low latency. This will ensure that your connection is reliable and responsive while playing the game.
- Server Capacity – Lastly, the server should have plenty of available capacity. This will ensure that the server can handle the amount of traffic generated by gaming, which can help prevent lag and other connectivity issues.
Can I Use a Free VPN for Apex Legends?
It is possible to use a free VPN for Apex Legends, but it is not the best idea. There’s a long list of reasons why I always recommend using a premium VPN over free VPNs. To name a few, I’ll start with the slower speeds most free VPNs offer. This results in increased lag, which can be frustrating while playing the game.
Moreover, free VPNs usually offer limited server locations, which means that you may not be able to connect to a VPN server location that is geographically close to the Apex server. But, as a privacy and online security aspect, the safety factor of free services is what worries me the most.
Free VPN providers often have weaker encryption and may not be as secure as paid VPNs. Additionally, some services will log your activity and sell your data to third parties, which can compromise your privacy. Some free VPN services even contain malware or other malicious software that can compromise your device and steal your data.
So, if you don’t want to pay for a premium service, what’s the best alternative? My answer is – get a free plan from a reliable VPN. For example, Atlas VPN offers a great free plan with three free servers and 5 GB per month. It’s not a lot, but you can rely on the fact that you’re using a secure VPN with reliable servers and strong security features.
Apex Legends Still Lagging With a VPN? – Here Are A Few Useful Tips
Using a VPN for Apex Legends can help lower your lag and improve your gaming experience when playing Apex Legends. But what if the game’s still lagging, even with a VPN? Here are several tips you can try to get the fastest speeds in Apex Legends:
- Check Apex Legends Servers – The first thing to do is to see whether other Apex Legends players are experiencing the same issue. Check Reddit player forums to get the latest info on any servers that might be down at the moment.
- Ensure Your Device Meets the Minimum Requirements – Sometimes, the game might lag because the device you’re using doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements. In this case, consider upgrading your device or lowering the game settings. Additionally, close any unnecessary programs running on your device to free up resources and improve your gaming experience.
- Use a VPN Server Close to the Game Server – The farther away the VPN server is from the Apex Legends server, the higher the latency will be. To minimize lag, connect to a VPN server that is geographically close to the game’s server.
- Optimize Your Network Settings – Make sure your network settings are optimized for gaming. You can do this by disabling background apps and ensuring that your router firmware is up-to-date.
- Use a Wired Connection – Wi-Fi connections are generally slower and less stable than wired connections. If you’re playing Apex Legends on your PC or console, use a wired connection to minimize lag and improve your overall gaming experience.
Related reads:
- Best VPNs for Valorant
- Best VPNs for Overwatch
- Best VPNs for League Of Legends
- Best VPNs for Lost Ark
- Best VPNs for PUBG Mobile
Apex Legends VPN FAQs
Can I play Apex Legends Mobile with a VPN?
Yes, you can use a VPN to play Apex Legends Mobile. Apex Mobile is available on both Android and iOS. The five best VPNs will also enable you to play Apex Legends Mobile and enjoy a smooth gaming experience.
Can I Use a VPN to Switch Apex Servers?
Yes, you can use a Virtual Private Network to switch between different game servers in Apex Legends. That said, keep in mind that using a VPN to bypass region locks is against the game’s terms of service, so use it at your own risk.
Can You Get Banned on Apex for Using a VPN?
Going by the info from EA’s forums, you won’t be banned for using a VPN for Apex Legends. However, using a VPN can get you banned in certain situations. This includes using a VPN to get an unfair advantage or to bypass region locks.
Can I Lower Ping in Apex Legends By Using a VPN?
Yes, if you connect to a VPN server that is located closer to the game server, you may see a decrease in ping time. Additionally, if your ISP is throttling your connection to the game server, a VPN can help bypass these restrictions and reduce your ping.
Best VPNs for Apex Legends – A Quick Sum Up
Apex Legends is one of the most entertaining online battle royale games you can play. And, because it takes very little to ensure a smooth and safe gaming experience, it seems a shame not to take the extra step and use a VPN for Apex Legends. With a VPN, you will unlock an unrestricted gaming landscape and protect your devices from potential security threats.
I’ve thoroughly tested each of the VPNs I recommended above to make sure they can provide you with an unfailing service for playing Apex Legends. If you can’t decide between the five best VPN services I’ve featured on this page, I recommend going with my top choice – NordVPN. It’s the best Apex Legends VPN overall and a great choice for all other online activities.
Cybersecurity and VPN researcher