An Xbox is a connected device so why on earth would you leave it unprotected? Why would you want other people to know which games you’re playing, with whom you’re chatting, and so on?
Even though it’s a gaming console, the Xbox One will also benefit from a VPN connection, which will keep your online whereabouts private while at the same time protecting you against nasty attacks.
Of course, you don’t want a VPN only for you Xbox — a good VPN service will keep your entire home and/or office protected, while at the same time allowing you to surf the web anonymously, download files with BitTorrent, stream movies and TV shows, and so much more.
So without further ado, here are the best VPNs for Xbox (that could also protect your computers and other devices):
Pros
Cons
- 5,000+ servers in the network
- Easy to use - install it and forget it
- One license is good for up to 6 devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Chrome extension is just a proxy
Summary
Its network includes more than 6,200 servers spread across 111 countries, which directly translates into faster speeds. NordVPN is also very secure, relying on the strong 256-bit encryption combined with secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec). But as a user, you get a seamless experience with all this technology "doing its thing" in the background.
NordVPN is well suited to pretty much every task you throw at it — whether it's accessing a banned site from some country that filters out the internet, torrenting, accessing streaming services, or just wanting to keep a low profile on the web. It also doesn't keep any logs.
We highly recommend NordVPN to anyone looking for reliable service.
Pros
Cons
- Feature-rich yet easy to use
- One of the best VPNs around
- Strong no-logging policy
- Reliable support you can reach 24/7
- Limited number of servers in Africa and the Middle East
- Kinda pricey
Summary
ExpressVPN has great desktop apps for Windows and Mac, mobile apps and browser extensions. Also, it is well suited for video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and others.
However, what makes it stand out is its ease of use. We can't emphasize this enough. One could tell a lot of time has been spent making sure even the advanced features are easily accessible. And we love it for that. Plus, let's not forget ExpressVPN's speed which tends to leave other services in the dust.
Pros
Cons
- It's super fast!
- Works with Netflix, BBC and others
- Easy to use apps, browser extensions
- You can try it for free!
- Some advanced features are not configurable
- Not the best for high-censorship countries
Summary
Furthermore, thanks to the availability of browser extensions - Hotspot Shield is also one of our top choices for Chrome and Firefox VPNs.
Your privacy is equally well protected, with the software only collecting some anonymized that help continually improve its service.
There is one caveat though - it won't work in high-censorship countries like China. If you don't need that in the first place, we highly recommend Hotspot Shield.
As that's typically the case with most VPN services out there, the longer you commit - the better deal you get. However, what makes Hotspot Shield even better is the fact that it offers a 7-day free trial of its service. A few other top VPN providers do the same. Plus, its money-back guarantee lasts for 45 days, making for a risk-free purchase. Cause, you can always get your money back. Sweet and just the way we like it.
Pros
Cons
- Reliable download and upload speeds
- Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Lets you use it on unlimited number of devices
- Low number of servers in Africa and Australia
Summary
You can rely on it for streaming and torrenting, with included extra features like CleanWeb and MultiHop, delivering a that much better — and more secure — experience.
Surfshark, the company, is based in the British Virgin Islands and with its zero-logs policy makes for a powerful combo to anyone looking to keep its web whereabouts under the radar.
The service is easy to use and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
Cons
- One the best VPNs for torrenting
- Works well with Netflix
- Simple setup on all popular devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Doesn't work with BBC iPlayer
- Doesn't work in China
Summary
Its desktop apps are not among the prettiest ones, but they get the job done. The important thing is that installation is easy and straightforward, and that no logs are kept by the company.
When it comes to pricing, IPVanish is somewhere in the middle — it's not the most affordable option but also not the most expensive one. As noted, it will be most appreciated by heavy BitTorrent users, and — related — Kodi fans.
There are two ways of protecting your Xbox with a VPN:
Solution #1: Connecting Xbox to VPN through your router
This is the easiest way to connect your Xbox to a VPN, but it requires a compatible router and a VPN that can work with it. And the good news is that all the best VPNs are up for the task.
The problem is — if that’s really a problem — there are no apps for most routers and you will have to manually set up your router in order to benefit from increased security. Nevertheless, it is all worth the effort considering the increased security and privacy you’ll be benefiting from at the end.
Also, most VPNs provide you with detailed, step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow even for tech newbies.
Then, once your router has been set up to work with a VPN, the next step is to connect your Xbox to the network. After that, all data your console receives and sends will be routed through a secure channel.
Solution #2: Connecting Xbox to a VPN through your PC
The other way to connect your Xbox to a VPN is to rely on your PC/Mac Internet connection. This setup will require that your Xbox and PC (or Mac) are connected with an Ethernet cable. Also, you will have to install a VPN app on your computer before starting to configure your Xbox.
Once that part is done, go to the “Network & Internet” section to “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection” and tick the “Select a private network” box. Something similar has to be done on a Mac.
Why connect your Xbox to a VPN?
The right question should be – why not? You’ll get the anonymity we (all of us) deserve and perhaps even a slightly faster connection with your ISP not being able to tell that you’re playing online games. In fact, as far as they are concerned – you are just accessing some secure website, while VPN is doing “its thing” in the background. And that thing involves encrypting all the data coming to and from your computer and other devices.
Whether you need a VPN for online gaming (your Xbox) or something else — like torrenting or accessing streaming services from abroad — you should…
Get a VPN for everything!
Think beyond your Xbox – get a VPN that sings along all of your devices. You’ll want the one that works for:
- Accessing content that could otherwise be restricted in your physical location.
- Preventing tracking and minimizing your digital footprint so that no one can track you online (at least not that easily).
- Avoiding throttling from your ISP – which is known to happen when you’re torrenting or accessing video streaming services.
- Bypassing firewalls in a workplace, university, school and so on.
- Bypassing censorship in places like China, North Korea, countries in the Middle East, and even Turkey and Russia.
- Securely connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots – with a VPN encrypting all the traffic coming to and from your devices.
The bottom line is – get a VPN for everything. The top contenders (which will also make Xbox gaming more secure) include the following:
