How To Use a VPN on Playstation (PS4/PS5) for Gaming

VPNs have become more of a necessity for everything online these days. You’d think gaming is an area where VPNs aren’t needed, but you’d be wrong. Even when you have a dedicated gaming console like PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, a VPN connection can offer multiple benefits. However, the lack of native support can be a challenge. Worry not; I’ve got you covered in this detailed guide on how to use a VPN on PS4/PS5.

Why Should You Use a VPN on PlayStation for Gaming?

Here are a few reasons to use a VPN on PlayStation for gaming. Some of these points are related to the many benefits you get from using a VPN, whereas others talk about the state of privacy/security today.

• Better Access: Similar to how it works on other devices, VPNs allow your PlayStation to access geo-blocked content. For instance, if a title you want is available only in the UK but you live in the US, you can access the said content by using a UK-based VPN server. This feature also comes in handy if you live in a region with too many restrictions. You may reap more benefits in this regard if you use your PS4 or PS5 to access other media content, such as movies, videos, music, etc.

• Enhanced Security/Privacy: Like other devices, gaming consoles are also targeted by threat actors. It means you need an extra layer of privacy while using online gaming services. Using a VPN offers a convenient solution because a) it changes the IP address corresponding to the location and b) it adds an additional encryption layer. You are likely to protect your account/network from threats such as DDoS attacks as well.
• Increased Performance: Your online gaming experience depends on many factors, including how the ISP dictates the terms. In many cases, your ISP may throttle some services, or you may be living far away from the online gaming server. In both these instances, choosing a VPN service with a higher-performance server can help you improve the gaming experience. I have found this option useful in the case of 4K/8K streaming via PS5/PS4.

In addition to these benefits, a VPN can help you get around some common hurdles.

• For instance, you might face IP address-based bans or restrictions from some servers. By using a VPN, which essentially masks your IP address, you can overcome these restrictions.
• Promotions are another reason to try VPNs on your PlayStation. Many a time, promotions become available in specific regions. You can access these benefits by changing the location via a VPN.
• Some VPNs integrate ad-blocking DNS to get rid of advertisements and trackers. So, having such VPNs on your PlayStation can offer some additional benefits.

I have found a VPN handy in bypassing ISP-based throttling. While I use my PS5 for YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix, VPNs make the experience way better. So, if any of these reasons appeal to you, you can try one of the methods I have covered.

Set up VPN on PS4 or PS5

We have already established that PlayStation does not offer native support for VPNs. Though both PS4 and PS5 offer some level of network customization, VPN configuration is not one of them. However, all hope is not lost.

Depending on the devices you have and the network setup, you can choose between three ways to set up a VPN-based connection on PS4 or PS5. Because we never make any changes to the PlayStation itself, the steps remain the same.

#1 Windows Method

You can rely on this method if you can connect a Windows PC to your PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. It also means you need a VPN connection that you can run on a Windows PC. Here is how you can go about it.

We can use two methods on Microsoft Windows to set up a VPN on PlayStation: Ethernet and Wi-Fi. I will talk about the Ethernet option first.

• Once you have turned on your PC, open the VPN client and connect to the server you want to connect to. Your device must stay connected to the VPN throughout the process.
• Now, use an Ethernet cable to connect your Windows PC to the PS4 or PS5. I recommend using one of the newer cables if you want the best speed and reliability.
• Open the Start Menu and search for Control Panel. Once you open Control Panel, navigate to Network Settings > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings.

• Given an active VPN connection, you should see a new device on the list. Look for a device with the name VPN in it. Right-click on the adapter name and choose Properties.
• Go to the sharing tab of the Properties window and check the option titled “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”.
• Now, use the drop-down menu to choose the Ethernet connection that you have shared with your PS4 or PS5.

By turning on this option, you essentially allow any device connected via Ethernet to access the VPN network. So, you can access your PS4/PS5 and set up Ethernet-based Internet however you like. Ensure that you don’t set up any proxy servers during the setup.

However, if you don’t want to rely on Ethernet cables, you have another solution. Here is how you can use the Wi-Fi Hotspot function to share a VPN-enabled connection to your PlayStation.

1. Like you did before, connect to the desired VPN server on your Windows PC.
2. Open Settings on your Windows PC and navigate to Network > Mobile Hotspot
3. Turn on Mobile Hotspot and configure the network details, such as the SSID and password
4. Go to Control Panel > Network Settings > Network & Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings.
5. Choose the VPN adaptor > Properties > Sharing > enable “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.”
6. This time, however, you need to choose the Mobile Hotspot connection from the drop-down menu.
7. This should enable VPN access for devices connected through Mobile Hotspot.

Like we did earlier, you can set up Wi-Fi-based Internet on your PlayStation.

#2 Mac Method

Things are a little different if you have a Mac instead of a Windows PC. However, you can use the same way of network sharing to get things done.

• Similar to how we did things on Windows, you need to use the corresponding VPN client to connect your Mac to the desired server. It should remain connected.
• Make sure that your Mac is connected to the PlayStation using an Ethernet cable.
• Open System Preferences and go to General > Sharing.
• Click Internet Sharing from the menu and use the drop-down menu to choose Ethernet against the option named “To computers using.”
• Ensure that you have turned on Internet Sharing. You should see a green light indicator, which means the sharing is active.

• You can now head over to your PlayStation and set up the Internet connection. You don’t have to set up any proxy server.

As long as your Mac is connected to the VPN, your PlayStation will also have access to the VPN. However, it must be noted that VPN-based Internet Sharing on Mac works only when you use the PPTP/L2TP protocol.

#3 Router Method

One limitation with both the Windows and Mac methods is that you need to keep your computers turned on and VPN enabled. It may be inconvenient for many. However, you can solve this problem by opting for a router-based method. This method will enable VPN at the network/device level. Here is how you can set up everything.

You need access to a few things to use this method:

1. A Wi-Fi router with support for VPN configurations at the network or device level.
2. A VPN service that is compatible with router-level VPN configuration; not all do so.
3. A fast-enough Internet connection that won’t become sluggish over VPN.

If you have all these, you can proceed using the steps given below.

1. First, you must check whether your current VPN subscription is compatible with routers. Some VPNs that you can use at a router level include ExpressVPN, Surfshark VPN, and NordVPN. However, even if these services have a free version, they might not offer router-level support.
2. If the VPN supports router-level configuration, you must download the VPN configuration file. Given that OpenVPN is one of the most compatible configurations, you can download the OpenVPN files to your computer. Some VPNs may allow you to download server details instead.
3. You now need to access the Wi-Fi router’s dashboard. You can access this by entering the router’s default IP address. In most cases, the IP address would be 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. It is always better if you can check the product label.
4. Once the page loads, you can log in using the administrator credentials. Then, navigate to Settings > Advanced or Network > VPN to access the VPN configuration settings.
5. You need to create a VPN connection profile to set everything up. During this process, you can either upload the OpenVPN files you downloaded or enter the details manually. These options may change depending on the router manufacturer and model.
6. Some routers may also allow you to select where the profile is active. That is, you may be able to pick the devices whose traffic will be routed through the VPN network.
7. Save these settings and turn on the VPN connection from the main page. Please keep in mind that the initial connection may take a few minutes.

Now, you can connect your PlayStation to the network using Ethernet or Wi-Fi and enjoy VPN-enabled access to the Internet. Keep in mind that some VPN-enabled routers, such as the ExpressVPN Aircove, might offer advanced control over how the VPN functions. For instance, you can create device groups and select which server those devices connect to.

Such advanced VPN routers would be a great choice if you want advanced control over VPN for PlayStation.

Top 5 Best VPNs for PS4 and PS5

Let’s now talk about the best 5 VPNs for PS4 and PS5. Because VPNs don’t natively support PlayStation 4 or 5, they don’t advertise that way, either. Nevertheless, you can choose a VPN that offers the best benefits I mentioned in the beginning.

#1 NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the most recommended VPNs for PlayStation because of its powerful infrastructure. The versatile server collection ensures maximum speed/performance along with latency. Setting up NordVPN on all devices, including Wi-Fi routers, is an easy task as well.

#2 ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another VPN service that you can choose blindly. The company is known for its collection of high-quality, low-latency servers spread across the world. It also uses hybrid protocols for enhanced speed and performance. You can also get products like Aircove and Aircove Mini from ExpressVPN.

#3 Proton VPN

This Switzerland-based VPN is a privacy-centric option you can choose for PlayStation. Like the competitors, Proton VPN also offers an impressive collection of servers. It also offers a VPN Accelerator feature that can improve the gaming experience by a long shot.

#4 Surfshark VPN

Surfshark VPN is also a great option for VPN-assisted gaming on PlayStation. Users love this VPN service for its unlimited connections and bandwidth. So, no matter how many games you want to download, you are on the safe side. It also offers one of the highest cost-to-value propositions.

#5 CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another option you should check out while choosing a VPN for PlayStation. This VPN service, though not as popular as others, offers optimal environments for streaming and gaming. You will also love its huge collection of servers and affordable pricing.

These VPNs are known for factors other than the speed of the VPN. For instance, all of them are audited at regular intervals, making them a great choice for privacy fanatics. Similarly, you don’t have to worry about resource sharing and associated slowdown, either.

Free vs. Paid VPN: Which Is Better for PlayStation

Here’s how free and paid VPNs fare against each other in the context of PlayStation configuration.

Feature	Free VPN	Paid VPN
Speed	Often slow, limited bandwidth	Fast, reliable, no data caps
Server Locations	Few servers, crowded or far	Many locations worldwide
Data Limits	Strict caps (e.g., 1-10GB/month)	Unlimited usage
Gaming Performance	Lag, high ping, risk of drops	Smoother ping, better stability
Privacy/Logs	May log or sell data	Audit-backed no-log policies
Features	Basic, few extras	Extras like Smart DNS, streaming unlock
Setup Support	Little or none	24/7 live help, setup guides
Router Compatibility	Rarely supported	Most support it

As you can see, a paid VPN service is clearly the better option for PlayStation. Speed, latency, and support for routers are major aspects that make a difference while using a VPN for PlayStation. In particular, the VPN must have router support, as this feature allows you to manage a VPN connection without putting the whole network through VPN tunneling.

I don’t mean to say that you can’t find reliable free VPNs that work with PlayStation. However, even when you ensure compatibility, performance may not suit your needs. Also, if you plan on using the VPN for needs like content streaming, it makes sense to go for a paid plan.

Wrapping Up

I hope this guide helped you understand the process of using a VPN on PlayStation (PS4 and PS5) for gaming. However, as I said, the VPN will also help you with accessing geo-blocked streaming content. You can’t ignore the privacy and security-centric benefits, either. Given that routers offer increased support for VPNs, setting one up won’t affect the rest of the network traffic, either.