Originally released in 2013, PlayStation 4 is still recognized as a solid gaming console that continues impressing users around the world. The great selection of features and the great compatibility of the PS4 as it is commonly known, have helped players to enjoy a versatile experience. The console has surpassed all expectations and it has achieved remarkable sales figures. PS4 delivers great performance and apart from allowing you to enjoy fantastic games online and offline, it offers the possibility of streaming media content from a variety of sources. You can also play DVDs and Blu-ray, share games and sync content across Sony devices. While Xbox One offers similar functionality, PS4 is preferred by many users due to its convenience and affordability.
In spite of all the advantages that PS4 offers, there are a few downsides to consider. Users often come across restrictions that have an impact on the variety of content that can be accessed. Some games are locked to specific regions, meaning that they can only be played within that particular location. For instance, if you happened to purchase a North America version of a game, you wouldn’t be able to play it outside that region. Not being able to access the same services as other users, simply because of your location can be very frustrating. Apart from experiencing restrictions when it comes to games, users also deal with geo-blocks that affect the online content they can access from services like Netflix.
Geographical restrictions prevent you from playing certain games or watching the content you want. Even if you live in the US, but travel abroad, you will find that you won’t be able to access the same content that you get at home. This is the reason why many PS4 users rely on VPN services to change their IP address and appear as if they were in a different location. Regardless of where you are, when you connect to a VPN you can make websites and online applications believe that you are connecting from a different country. If you have a subscription with Netflix US, Hulu or other service subject to geo-blocks and travel to another location, you can connect to a server in the US and get access to your favorite content.
Apart from offering the chance to unlock games and content from streaming services, a VPN offers security for your online data. All your traffic is directed through an encrypted tunnel, which makes it less vulnerable to online attacks. This is a great advantage for PS4 users, considering that Sony PlayStation Network has been compromised in the past. With a VPN, you can enhance the protection of your data and prevent DDoS attacks and other issues. Another advantage of VPN services, believe it or not, is that they can give you a faster and more stable experience. Although VPNs tend to slow down your internet connection, there are services that offer efficient routes that allow you to reduce lag when you connect to a gaming server.
While a VPN can offer many benefits for PlayStation 4 users, it should be noted that it is not possible to set up a VPN service directly on your console. PS4 and other similar devices, don’t support the connection protocols that let you configure a VPN connection. However, you can share your computer’s online connection to the PS4 through Windows Network Sharing, or use a Wi-Fi router. As long as your router supports VPN (usually this will require you to update or “flash” the firmware to DD-WRT or Tomato), you will be able to enjoy the protection and flexibility that a VPN offers, across all your devices. Once the router is running a VPN connection, you just need to enable PS4 Wi-Fi and connect to the router. Many VPN providers offer detailed guides and support to complete the set up. Below, you will find a list of the best VPNs for PlayStation 4.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is ideal for PS4 and for gaming in general thanks to the incredible speeds that it offers. They are also known for their professional customer service and excellent software that is compatible with all major platforms. You can connect to servers in 87 countries and if you are more concerned about speed than anything else, you can rely on their SmartDNS solution. While SmartDNS doesn’t protect your traffic with encryption, it lets you change your IP address to bypass geo-blocks with great speed. They don’t keep logs of your online activities.
PureVPN
PureVPN is known for offering customers a wide variety of global locations to connect to. They have servers in 141 countries, which ensures that customers from any location can find efficient routes that suit their requirements. The provider also offers a great level of security to protect your data from eavesdroppers and hackers. They don’t keep logs of your online traffic and accept anonymous payment methods. PureVPN offers detailed guides that will help you to set up their service on your PS4 console.
VyprVPN
With Golden Frog’s VyprVPN, you can enjoy access to a reliable and fast network of servers that covers over 50 countries. Since they are a tier-1 provider that owns and controls its infrastructure, they can offer great speeds and consistent performance. VyprVPN is an excellent choice for gamers thanks to its advanced technology that defeats firewalls and Deep Packet Inspection. VyprVPN also protects your data from online attacks and snooping. It provides great speeds for playing your favorite games and streaming content on your PS4.
Buffered
Buffered is designed to make things simple when you want to bypass online restrictions and protect your data. The service is relatively new in the industry, but it has already earned recognition thanks to its solid technology that can unblock content from popular streaming services. It is also great for online gaming due to the speed and reliability that it offers. They have servers in 37 countries and since they don’t keep any logs, they are a solid choice to protect your privacy.