5 Best VPNs for Dota 2 – Low Ping Gaming in 2023

If you’re trying to avoid lag, high ping, and DDoS attacks when playing Dota 2, a VPN can certainly help. However, most VPNs are slow, lack servers where you need them, and are not safe enough.

To lend a helping hand, I tested 30 VPNs to find the best ones for Dota 2. I analyzed average speeds, ping, server networks, and security features, and ranked my choices based on these factors.

ExpressVPN is my top pick because it’s extremely fast, offers top-notch security, and has plenty of servers. It’s even backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try playing Dota 2 with ExpressVPN totally risk-free. If you don’t like it, you can get a full refund.

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Best VPNs for Dota 2 — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Ultra-Fast Speeds to Play Dota 2 Lag-Free

ExpressVPN gives you super-fast speeds to play Dota 2 without lag. I tested ExpressVPN servers in the US, Australia, and Singapore and got an average download speed of 50 Mbps, and a ping of less than 40 ms. The Lightway protocol enables all the protective features of a VPN without compromising speed. There’s even a built-in speed test for the best performance. Since the minimum requirement for the game is only 512 Kbps, you’ll never have to worry about high ping and lag.

ExpressVPN has superfast speeds to play Dota 2 with low ping

The server network is impressive, letting you access geo-restricted games from anywhere. All locations I tried unblocked the game in less than 20 seconds. Moreover, the connections were stable, and I got optimal performance while playing the game. ExpressVPN is one of the rare VPNs that will even work in China. You can play Dota 2 hassle-free even if it’s not currently available in your country.

It has strong security features to keep you safe while you game. AES 256-bit military-grade encryption (via OpenVPN) protects your data from hackers, and IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection prevents DDoS attacks. The Network Lock (automatic kill switch) cuts off your internet if your VPN connection drops out, while RAM-only servers wipe clean on every reboot. Split-tunneling ensures only the traffic you choose is encrypted. Your gaming sessions will be safe and secure.

With its Mediastreamer feature, you can use the VPN connection on any WiFi-enabled device. It’s easy to use — it took me less than 10 minutes to set it up on my Xbox. This means you can play geo-restricted games on your gaming consoles.

ExpressVPN is a bit expensive — its cheapest plan is $6.67/month. However, it often offers coupons with generous discounts, so you can save considerably on your subscription cost. Since all the plans come with the same features, it’s best to go with long-term plans. You can even pay with Bitcoin for extra anonymity.

You can test ExpressVPN with Dota 2 totally risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy, you can get a full refund. I tried out this guarantee by contacting support via 24/7 live chat. After a brief conversation with no pressure to stay, the agent approved my request. The money was back in my account after 3 days.

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2. IPVanish — Unlimited Connections to Play Dota 2 on Any Device

IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections to cover all your devices with just a single subscription. During my IPVanish tests, I connected my Windows computer, Linux laptop, and Macbook to the same New York server at the same time, and could access the game without any issues. There were no sudden dropouts or slowdowns at all. This means that you can play Dota 2 on multiple devices.

With IPVanish’s unlimited connections, you can play on all your devices

Speeds are blazing-fast to enjoy the game without interruptions. When I tested its US servers in Atlanta, Sterling, and Seattle, I got a ping of less than 50 ms, and my download speeds hovered at 35 Mbps. This is more than enough to play without lag. You will have an ultra-smooth gaming experience.

With IPVanish’s military-grade encryption, you don’t have to worry about DDoS attacks as hackers won’t be able to intercept your data or locate your network. Moreover, IPVanish offers IP and DNS leak protection to protect your anonymity. Nobody will be able to track you while you play.

Since it has a comparatively smaller server network, I was concerned it wouldn’t unblock everything. However, it worked with Dota 2 and other games just fine.

I found IPVanish to be pretty affordable. You can get a subscription for as low as $2.49/month if you purchase a yearly plan. The monthly plan comes at a significantly higher price but has all the same features. So, you’ll get the best value with a long-term plan.

It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it, you can get a full refund without having to contact anyone. Simply log in to your account and cancel your subscription from there. I tried this and got all my money back within 4 days, hassle-free.

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3. CyberGhost — Gaming-Optimized Servers for Low Ping

CyberGhost has gaming-optimized servers to play Dota 2 with low latency. While testing CyberGhost, I tried locations like Miami, Phoenix, and Manchester, and easily connected to all of them on the user-friendly app in under 10 seconds. All the connections were reliable, and I got a server with ping as low as 48 ms. You’ll be playing the game with low ping.

CyberGhost has gaming-optimized servers for fast and reliable connections

It has excellent connection speeds to handle MOBA games. I got an average speed of 30 Mbps — much higher than the minimum requirement. There were no sudden FPS drops or other performance issues. With CyberGhost, you can have a lag-free gaming experience.

The security is rock solid to prevent anyone from tracking your online activity. It effectively masks your real IP address, so hackers can’t initiate DDoS attacks against you. DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection is included, as well as a kill switch. Then there’s the military-grade encryption, which makes your data practically impenetrable. All this is enabled automatically, so no one will be able to interfere with your connection.

Speaking of the subscription cost, I do find its monthly plans a bit expensive. However, that’s not a problem since you can get it for $2.19/month when you sign up for 2 years. CyberGhost also accepts Bitcoin as an alternative payment method.

You can try all of CyberGhost’s features with Dota 2 for free, using its 45-day money-back guarantee. The extended guarantee only comes with long-term plans, but often there’s also a 1-day free trial. If you’re not satisfied, you can get your subscription fee back. I contacted support using the 24/7 chat feature. The agent approved my request immediately, and I wasn’t pressured to stay. The refund was issued within 5 days.

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4. Private Internet Access — Impressive Server Network To Play Dota 2 From Anywhere

PIA has a huge server network to play Dota 2 from anywhere. I tested PIA servers in Austria, Brazil, and Sweden and got optimum connections for the game every time. This means that you can access geo-restricted games and easily switch between servers to play with friends.

PIA’s worldwide server network let you play Dota 2 from anywhere

Speeds are decent for lag-free gaming. Out of all the servers I tested, I got an average above 25 Mbps (50 times the minimum requirement). The ping was always below 60 ms. You won’t experience high ping or in-game delays.

Security features are excellent to protect you from malicious threats. I appreciated the military-grade encryption and kill switch to keep my data safe and prevent DDoS attacks. Your true identity will never be exposed while you game.

It’s based in the US, part of the 5-Eyes Alliance that allows some surveillance. Luckily, it doesn’t keep any logs, so this isn’t a concern.

The VPN offers both monthly and yearly plans, but short-term plans are somewhat costlier. With a long-term plan, you can cover your devices with PIA for just $2.03/month.

In addition, you can play Dota 2 while backed by PIA’s 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it, you can claim a full refund. After using this service for a while, I contacted support using the live chat feature. I told them why I didn’t need the VPN anymore, and the agent approved my request. I got my money back after 6 days.

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5. PrivateVPN — Top Security To Prevent DDoS Attacks

PrivateVPN has fantastic security features to defend you against cyber threats, like OpenVPN encryption. It effectively masked my WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 in my PrivateVPN tests, meaning no one can see your real info while gaming. This prevents DDoS attacks and also keeps third parties from tracking your online activity. This means that you can game with full anonymity.

With PrivateVPN’s robust security, you never have to worry about DDoS attacks

The connection speeds are good enough for low-ping gaming and 4k streaming. I tried 8 different locations, including Denver, Santiago, and Vienna, and all of them delivered speeds of over 20 Mbps. The ping rate of each server is displayed, so it was easy to find the best one available. While the speeds weren’t as fast as ExpressVPN, you’ll still have smooth gameplay even in competitive situations.

While my initial disappointment stemmed from the limited server network, I soon realized that this concern was not significant. I was pleasantly surprised to find dependable servers available exactly in the locations I needed, alleviating any worries I had.

Prices are reasonable, but its long-term plans offer the best value for money. If you sign up for 2 years, you can get PrivateVPN for $2/month.

You can play Dota 2 with PrivateVPN for free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. To put this guarantee to the test, I contacted live chat support and asked the agent to cancel my subscription. My refund request was approved in under 5 minutes, and the money was back in my account within a week.

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Quick Comparison Table: Dota 2 VPN Features

Tips on How to Choose the Best VPNs for Dota 2

When it comes to gaming, a VPN can go a long way. However, it’s important to pick the right service. Here are a few things you should look out for when choosing a provider:

• Number of servers — Go with a VPN that has a large server network. This gives you access to geo-restricted games and lets you play with friends from different locations. With some games, you could get better deals on in-game purchases, but be sure to check the terms of service before doing this.
• Speeds — Speed is another important thing to keep in mind for lag-free gaming. A fast VPN improves response times and fixes lag.
• Low ping — You want a VPN with a low ping rate so that you avoid FPS drops and laggy gameplay. A VPN with servers close to the game servers usually has a lower ping.
• Compatibility — Choose a VPN that is compatible with all your devices. This includes your gaming consoles, mobile phones, computers, and laptops. Also, you want to make sure that the VPN works well with other services and games, such as Dota Underlords.
• Security — Stick to a VPN with robust security. Look for features such as an automatic kill switch to prevent accidentally exposing your IP, military-grade encryption to make your data unhackable, and IP leak protection to ward off DDoS attacks.
• Privacy — Select a VPN that keeps your online gaming private. Some VPNs keep tabs on your online activity, and this data can be used to identify you.

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How to Use a VPN to Play Dota 2 with Low Ping

1. Sign up for a VPN service. I recommend ExpressVPN because it has ultra-fast speeds for low ping, robust security for protection against malicious threats, and a vast server network to access the game from anywhere.
2. Download the VPN. Launch the app on your preferred device.
3. Select a server location. Choose one that’s located near the game server. This will improve response times.
4. Click connect. This will give you a new IP address based on your chosen server’s location.
5. Conduct a ping test. Anything below 100 ms is fine.
6. Start playing Dota 2!

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FAQs on VPNs for Dota 2

How can I reduce my ping in Dota 2?

You can use a VPN to reduce ping in Dota 2. All you have to do is pick a server that’s located near the game server you’re trying to connect. This will ensure faster response times and low ping. The same applies to reducing ping on the SEA (South East Asia) server.

There are many other benefits gained from using a VPN, like playing with friends with your home country, securing your connection, and installing updates from a specific region.

Can I use a free VPN for Dota 2?

Free VPNs are not recommended for gaming. They can do more harm than good as they have high ping, insufficient server network, and are not safe enough.

It’s better to get a premium service such as ExpressVPN. Not only is it fast and secure, but it also has an impressive server network.

Some free VPNs have weak privacy policies, and have been caught selling on user’s data. Security features may be lacking, and you could be hard-pressed to find any reliable support if things go wrong.

Will I get into trouble for playing Dota 2 with a VPN?

You won’t get banned just because you’re playing the game while connected to the VPN. That said, Steam could take action if you’re using a VPN to disguise your location for game content, or to make in-game purchases at a lower price.

I don’t condone doing anything that can be grounds for a ban. Also, I recommend sticking to reputable and safe VPNs for a flawless gaming experience.

Is it possible to play Dota 2 in China with a VPN?

Yes, provided the VPN works in China. If you stick to a tried-and-tested VPN like ExpressVPN, you shouldn’t encounter any problems. However, you should always check the rules and regulations for VPNs and playing Dota 2 in your location.

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Get the Best VPN for Dota 2 Today

Dota 2 is one of the greatest MOBA hits, and there’s a lot to like about this game. To enhance your gaming experience, a VPN helps fix high ping, prevents DDoS attacks, and keeps you safe while you play.

ExpressVPN is my favorite for Dota 2. It has lightning-fast speeds, a huge server network, and best-in-class security, letting you play the game safely from anywhere with zero lag. You can test out ExpressVPN with Dota 2 completely risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it, you can get all your money back.

To summarize, the best VPNs for Dota 2 in 2023 are…