VPN for Valorant – How to Choose and Use for Gaming Without Limits
Valorant has become one of the most popular multiplayer online games, with almost 25 million active players and over 63 million hours watched on Twitch. But despite its vast server network and advanced security features, the game comes with certain privacy-related issues. Looking for a decent solution to reduce ping time, avoid geographical limitations, and prevent privacy challenges when playing Valorant? Read along to find out how to address these problems with the help of a reputable VPN service.
How to use a VPN for Valorant: A quick guide
If you don’t have time to read the whole article, jump into our quick guide on how to use a VPN for Valorant without compromising your connection speed.
- Choose a reliable VPN like VeePN, which comes with over 2,500 servers in 89 locations and offers excellent connection quality.
- Choose the preferred pricing plan and create your VeePN account.
- Download and install the app on your device.
- Pick the optimal VPN location in a supported Valorant region.
- Turn VeePN on and enjoy the game without connection drops and security issues.
Now, let’s consider the most compelling reasons to use a VPN when playing online games like Valorant.
Main reasons to use a VPN for Valorant
Here’s a more detailed look at why it’s worth using a VPN for Valorant.
To avoid security issues
Valorant is relatively safe since it offers a powerful security feature, Vanguard. It works as an external antivirus program you install on your device to scan the system, discover software other players may use for cheating, and prevent potential risks. But this application isn’t bulletproof, as you may still fall victim to a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack or malware targeted against gamers. In other cases, you may suffer from privacy violations. According to some Reddit users, Valorant players can even get stalked through their rank and match history:
Can we start punishing people who use the Tracker Overlay to stalk through people’s rank/match history to be toxic?
byu/smartfeller145 inVALORANT
And that’s where a VPN steps in. It creates an extra security layer by encrypting your traffic and securing your online activities, including in-game chats and VoIP calls. Also, premium VPNs like VeePN come with additional security features like NetGuard (which prevents unwanted monitoring and detects malware-infected links), Kill Switch (which shields your private data when the VPN connection is down), and DNS leak protection.
Try VeePN’s VPN and Antivirus bundle for Windows now – protect your online gaming experience at all levels!
To get around unfair IP bans
Valorant creators, Riot Games, can punish users for cheating, hacking, and other violations of the game’s Terms of Service. Here are the most common reasons for Valorant bans:
- Engaging in hate speech and threatening other players in the game’s chatting system
- Sharing personal information about other players
- Spreading spoofed links leading to malicious websites
- Impersonating Valorant support service in phishing attacks
- Cheating and exploiting during gameplay
- Using third-party software that impacts the gaming experience of other players
If a player is involved in any of these violations, Riot permanently bans their IP address. It means that a certain IP can no longer reach the game’s servers – and the offender can’t play the game anymore.
But not all the bans are fair. It happens that a player is punished wrongfully or by mistake. Here’s one example of an unfair ban reported by a Reddit user:
If this happens to you, a VPN can help you regain access to the game. It replaces your IP address and conceals your digital identity, allowing you to bypass unreasonable bans.
Disclaimer: VeePN doesn’t encourage using a VPN in any way that would potentially violate the Terms of Service of other platforms. For more details, please read the VeePN Terms of Service.
To address limitations when traveling
While Valorant is available in most parts of the world, the game’s servers currently operate in the following locations:
North America | 🇺🇸 The US (California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, Virginia) |
Latin America | 🇨🇱 Chile (Santiago) 🇲🇽 Mexico (Mexico City) |
Europe | 🇫🇷 France (Paris) 🇩🇪 Germany (Frankfurt) 🇸🇪 Sweden (Stockholm) 🇵🇱 Poland (Warsaw) 🇪🇸 Spain (Madrid) 🇹🇷 Turkey (Istanbul) 🇬🇧 The UK (London) |
Asia and Pacific | 🇦🇺 Australia (Sydney) 🇧🇭 Bahrain 🇭🇰 Hong Kong 🇮🇳 India (Mumbai) 🇯🇵 Japan (Tokyo) 🇸🇬 Singapore |
If you’re temporarily visiting a country where the game is partly or fully unavailable, consider using a VPN to overcome geographical limitations. When running your traffic through a remote VPN server, you change your virtual location and can browse, stream, and play games as if you were at home.
To prevent Internet throttling
Did you know that your Internet service provider (ISP) can be responsible for slower Internet speed? Even big Internet providers like Verizon, AT&T, Xfinity, and Comcast often apply Internet throttling – the technique allowing them to limit customers’ traffic and bandwidth. So if you encounter unexpected lags and connection drops when playing Valorant, chances are your ISP is throttling you.
To overcome unreasonable traffic limitations, use a powerful VPN service. With its help, you can get your Internet speed and device capacity back to normal since your ISP won’t see what you’re up to online. And as a result, they won’t have any reason to apply traffic restrictions.
Wondering whether your ISP is throttling you? Check out our recent blog post to learn how to do it in a few simple steps.
To reduce ping time
The optimal ping time for online games like Valorant is approximately 50 ms or less. But when a ping spike occurs, this time may suddenly increase to over 200 ms, resulting in an annoying lag. Now, can a VPN actually reduce your ping and help you avoid spikes when playing?
All in all, it can – but only under certain conditions. The thing is, a VPN slightly reduces your connection speed. It happens because of the traffic-intensive encryption process required for your online security. At the same time, your ISP’s channels your traffic moves through can also cause increased ping. Meanwhile, premium VPNs may offer even better connection quality, resulting in improved ping and latency.
For more details, read our recent article about the best Internet speed for gaming.
To avoid in-game lags
Lags are delays and slow speeds players often face due to increased ping and poor Internet connection. This problem isn’t unique to any online game – and sadly, Valorant is no exception here. As mentioned, a VPN reduces Internet speeds a bit, potentially leading to occasional slowdowns. But you can avoid this problem by choosing the right tunneling protocol.
VPN protocols are rules regulating how your data travels between your device and servers. Premium VPNs like VeePN come with the most stable, reliable, and secure protocols to date. But when playing an online game, stick to the fastest protocol to avoid unwanted lags.
WireGuard® is your best bet here – it’s the most modern tunneling protocol, ensuring increased performance without compromising your privacy and security. Other possible options for lag-free gaming and streaming include OpenVPN UDP and IKEv2/IPsec.
Now, is there a chance your account will be banned for using a VPN when playing Valorant? Let’s take a quick look at the legal aspects of VPNs for online gaming.
Is it legal to play Valorant with a VPN?
The quick answer is yes – using a VPN for Valorant is perfectly legal. VPNs are among the most effective tools against DDoS attacks and other threats you may face when playing online games. At the same time, any cheating activities and unfair tricks that violate Valorant’s Terms of Service may lead to a ban, regardless of whether you’re using a VPN or not.
That said, it’s OK to use a VPN for Valorant and other games in most parts of the world, including the US, the UK, and EU countries. But note that in particular regions with strict Internet censorship, the use of VPNs may be partly or fully limited. So, it’s important to check whether using a VPN is legal in your country.
Can you use a free Valorant VPN?
When choosing a VPN to play Valorant, turning to a free service provider may be tempting. But in fact, “free” VPNs also come at a certain cost – and in most cases, it’s your Internet privacy. If you’re using such a service, it may appear to be ineffective, offering weaker security features and insufficient connection quality. Moreover, a free VPN may appear to compromise your privacy by collecting and selling your personal information to third parties.
So, instead of putting your private data and cybersecurity at risk, prioritize reliable paid VPN services that follow a transparent No Logs policy. To be more specific, let’s figure out how to pick a perfect VPN for Valorant.
How to choose the best VPN for Valorant
When choosing a VPN to play Valorant securely and lag-free, pay attention to the following factors:
⚡️ Connection speed. For a smooth online gaming experience, good Internet speed is essential. Make sure the chosen VPN service provides the fastest VPN protocols, such as WireGuard® and IKEv2.
🌐 Server network size. Check whether your VPN has a sufficient number of servers in multiple locations. This results in enhanced Internet freedom and better performance since servers are less loaded.
🔓 Privacy and security features. Apart from good speeds and stability, a decent VPN service should come with basic cybersecurity and privacy features, including anti-monitoring, ad-blocking, and anti-malware functionality, as well as AES-256 encryption.
💻 Compatibility with various devices. Prioritize VPNs that support all major devices and operating systems, including a VPN for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Some reputable providers, including VeePN, also offer solutions for smart TVs, gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, and even Wi-Fi routers.
📄 No Logs policy. Reliable VPNs follow a strict No Logs policy, meaning they don’t collect and sell customer data, such as connection and activity logs (your session duration, device details, search history, online requests, communications, and more).
💁♂️ Customer support. Any trustworthy VPN provider should offer a responsive customer support service via a 24/7 live chat, email, and other channels.
💰 Pricing plans. Finally, ensure a select VPN service comes with affordable and flexible subscription plans. Also, you can try most premium VPNs with a free trial or money-back guarantee.
With that in mind, consider VeePN – one of the fastest and most reliable VPN services out there. Here’s how to start using our Valorant VPN in a few easy steps.
How to play Valorant with a VPN
Follow these steps to get started with VeePN and play Valorant while avoiding privacy issues, connection lags, and access limitations.
- Create a VeePN account. Enter the official VeePN website, choose the most suitable pricing plan, and sign up.
- Download and install the app. You can use VeePN on up to 10 devices simultaneously with a single account.
- Run VeePN. Open the app and log into your account.
- Choose server location. Select the best VPN location for Valorant from the 89 options available, or use the Optimal Location feature for the best performance.
- Configure the app’s settings. Choose VPN protocol and enable additional privacy and security features in the app’s settings.
- Turn your VPN on. Press the large button at the center of your screen. From now on, your IP will be replaced with an anonymous address, and your online traffic will be protected with reliable encryption.
- Head to the Riot website and install the launcher. Create your account to get started. Note that you will need around 30GB of free space on your device to install Valorant.
- You’re all set! Log into your Riot account and play Valorant safely.
💡 Pro tip: If you can’t enter your Valorant account with the VPN turned on, do not despair. Follow these simple tips to troubleshoot your VPN connection:
- Clear your browser’s search history, cache, and other data.
- Open the Riot website through the private window with the VPN turned on.
- Change your VPN server.
- Try another VPN protocol.
You can learn more details on how to fix your VPN connection and access the desired content here.
FAQ: VPN for Valorant
Valorant is a 5v5 multiplayer tactical shooter which involves two teams (the attacking one and the defending one). This online game was developed by Riot Games for Windows in 2020. The gameplay resembles the Counter-Strike series, with some mechanics and features similar to this classic shooter. Valorant is set in the near future, where several groups of agents fight each other, using various weapons and unique skills.
High ping in Valorant occurs due to poor connection speed, limited device capabilities, and Internet throttling imposed by your ISP. To avoid the latter challenge, you can use a fast and secure VPN service like VeePN. Check out this article to learn more.
To connect to a Valorant server located in Europe when traveling to another region, follow these steps:
- Sign up for a credible VPN service like VeePN.
- Download and install the VeePN app on your device.
- Connect to the best VPN server for Valorant, be it in Stockholm, London, Paris, Madrid, or else.
- Turn your VPN on and head to the Riot Games launcher.
- Log in to your Riot account to play the game.
For more information, read this blog post.
Yes, reputable VPNs like VeePN can enhance your Valorant gaming experience. A VPN is an effective way to avoid security challenges, connection problems, unfair bans, and other limitations associated with Valorant. For more details, read this article.
You can bypass a Valorant region lock when traveling with the help of a premium VPN service like VeePN. It allows you to change your IP address and get the preferred virtual location. Play Valorant, surf the web, and stream content as if you were at home. Read this article to find out more details.
No, Riot will not ban you for using a VPN, as it’s a perfectly legit way to avoid scams, hacks, DDoS attacks, and other threats associated with online gaming. But you can get banned for breaking Valorant rules (with or without using a VPN). Learn more in this article.
Yes, a VPN is a legal way to enhance your gaming experience, ensure security, and avoid ping spikes while playing online games. VPNs are allowed in most parts of the world, excluding several countries with strict censorship laws.
VeePN is freedom