Gaming VPN
Playing with friends on another region's server, logging in while travelling, or a dorm network that spikes every evening — HZVPN lets you try a different route and puts your game traffic in an encrypted tunnel. It isn't a magic ping reducer, so here is what it can and can't do.
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Where a VPN can help in games
In an online game, your data first passes through your local ISP and then hops across networks to the game server. If one of those hops takes a detour or is congested, you see high ping, spikes or disconnects.
With a VPN, data is encrypted and sent to the HZVPN server you pick, then on to the game server. A different path can be better or worse, so what matters is being able to compare and switch easily.
Skip the congested stretch
If your ISP's route to the game server takes a detour or gets busy at peak hours, an HZVPN server closer to the game server can sometimes give a more direct path. For Japanese servers you could start with our 41 servers in Japan; for US servers, the 59 in the United States. Judge the result by the ping your game shows.
An extra layer of encryption on dorm, café and hotel Wi-Fi
On a shared network, whoever runs it may see which game servers you connect to and for how long. Once HZVPN is on, that traffic is encrypted and they only see a connection to a VPN server.
Try a few locations for the same game
Ping mostly depends on distance and route quality. HZVPN doesn't limit how often you switch, so before a match you can connect to two or three locations in turn, note the in-game ping and keep the steadiest one.
Away from home, compare against a familiar route
On a trip, the local network may be a long way from the servers you usually play on. Connecting to a server location you know gives you a baseline, so you can tell whether the problem is the local network or the game server itself.
What a VPN can't do — up front
Games are the most network-sensitive thing you do online, so expectations matter. Three things worth knowing before you start.
It can't shorten physical distance
Adding a server to the path usually makes the trip longer, not shorter. If your normal route to the game server is already good, higher ping with a VPN is expected — just disconnect and play directly.
Switching regions can break a game's rules
Many games split servers, prices or releases by region, and their terms limit tools that change your apparent location. Read the game's terms of service before using a VPN to join another region; the account risk is yours.
Shared IPs can trigger login checks
Many people share each VPN server. Some game platforms ask for email or phone verification when your login IP suddenly changes. Sticking to one usual location instead of hopping around cuts down on these prompts.
Which devices you play on
HZVPN currently has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux. Here is how that maps to common gaming devices.
PC and Mac games
With the Windows (11 or later) or macOS (11 or later) app connected, both the launcher and the game go through the encrypted tunnel. Connect first, then open the launcher.
Mobile games
Works on Android 9+ and iOS 13+. Mobile games can drop when your phone moves between Wi-Fi and mobile data, and the VPN connection has to be re-established too — just reconnect.
Game consoles
HZVPN has no console or router app yet, so it can't be installed on a console. If you mostly play on a console, HZVPN won't affect it either way.
Downloads and patches
Big game updates can run to tens of gigabytes. A VPN adds a detour and a little encryption overhead, so on a trusted home network you can disconnect while patching and reconnect afterwards.
Get started in 3 steps
Sign up and download
Create an HZVPN account on our website, then download the app for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS or Linux.
Pick a server location
Choose one of 43 server locations in the app and tap connect. If it doesn't feel right, switch to another any time.
Open the app you want to use
Launch the game and check the ping in its network or settings screen. If it's higher than without the VPN, try another location or simply disconnect.
How to tell whether a VPN actually helps your game
Go by numbers, not feel. Play one round without the VPN and note the ping and any spikes. Then connect to HZVPN, pick the location nearest the game server, and play another round to compare.
Some starting points: for Japanese servers try Japan (41 servers) or South Korea (8); for Hong Kong or Taiwan servers try Hong Kong (29) or Taiwan (7); for Southeast Asian servers try Singapore (24); for US servers try the United States (59).
If every location is slower than going direct, your own route to the game server is already decent. The issue is more likely Wi-Fi signal, your device or the game server, and a VPN won't fix that.
If one location is clearly steadier, make it your usual one. Changing your exit IP all the time is more likely to set off the platform's security checks.
HZVPN features that matter for gaming
We only list features HZVPN actually has today. If a feature isn't listed here, please don't assume it exists.
43 server locations, 265 servers
Servers in 43 locations across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa — 265 in total. Pick whichever location is closest to the game server you play on.
Switch locations any time, no limit
Choose another location in the app and it reconnects. There's no limit on switches, so you can run several ping tests in a row.
One account, several devices
Your phone, tablet and computer can all sign in with the same HZVPN account. Devices online at the same time: 3 on VIP, 5 on SVIP (the app shows the current limit).
Free servers once you sign up
Free servers are available as soon as you sign up. Test how your usual game behaves with the VPN before deciding whether to upgrade.
Where the free servers are today
United States
Japan
Hong Kong
Singapore
Germany
Canada
France
Thailand
United Kingdom
Frequently asked questions
Will a VPN lower my ping?
Not necessarily. Ping can only drop if your normal route takes a detour or is congested and the path through an HZVPN server is more direct. In most cases a VPN adds a little latency. Test with and without it and go by the number your game shows.
Which server location should I pick for gaming?
The one closest to the game server — for example Japan for Japanese servers, Singapore for Southeast Asian servers, the United States for US servers. Check the in-game ping and switch if it's not good; HZVPN doesn't limit switches.
Can I get banned for joining another region's server through a VPN?
That depends on the game. Some allow cross-region play, others restrict it in their terms. HZVPN can't decide for the game publisher, so read the game's terms of service first.
Can I use HZVPN on a game console?
Not at the moment. HZVPN has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux plus a command-line tool, but no console or router app.
Can I play on the free servers?
Yes. Free servers are available once you sign up; right now they are in United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Canada, France, Thailand and United Kingdom. The free tier has fewer locations than the paid tiers, so if the one you need isn't there, look at VIP or SVIP.
Game updates download slowly with the VPN on. What should I do?
On a trusted network, disconnect while the update downloads and reconnect afterwards. Encryption and the extra hop make large downloads a bit slower than a direct connection.
Ready when you are
Sign up for an HZVPN account to use the free servers. Upgrade later if you need more server locations or more devices online at once.
Server numbers come from our server list (43 locations, 265 servers). They change with maintenance; the app always shows the current list.