The Best Nintendo Switch VPN To Upgrade Your Gaming Experience
If it takes forever for your Nintendo Switch to download a game from the Nintendo eShop, or if you’re constantly experiencing in-game delay/lag in multiplayer online games, don’t fret, you’re not the only one going through this.
We, however, have the solution; a Nintendo Switch VPN. With a VPN, you can enjoy faster download speeds and gain an advantage over other online gamers. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts and routes your internet traffic through its own encrypted servers. When you connect to a server, you will be assigned a new IP address, and your true IP address (and location) will be concealed. As a result, you can enjoy increased online privacy and anonymity while also having access to geo-blocked content.
Our Top VPNs for Nintendo Switch
- NordVPN: Best overall pick
- Surfshark: Best price
- CyberGhost: Best for seamless browsing
- ExpressVPN: Best for speed
- IPVanish : Best for multiple devices
Why Use a VPN When Playing Switch
There are numerous reasons why you should use a VPN with your Nintendo Switch. Some people use VPNs to connect to foreign servers and participate in matches with players from other countries. You might also want to communicate in a different language or find better games at inconvenient times of the day. Otherwise, a VPN can be useful if you want to access servers for titles that aren’t available in your country. VPN allows you to download and update games at lightning speed while keeping your identity safe online.
A VPN can also help you reduce ping and lag, which is especially useful if you’re playing competitive multiplayer games or an MMO. VPNs can also protect you from DDoS attacks, which could cost you a win or be disqualified from a game. If you’re into online gaming tournaments, take notes!
Additionally, people use VPNs to get around local network restrictions that prevent them from playing games. Maybe the network administrator has blocked game servers at your school or workplace, but using a VPN via a hotspot can get around these restrictions and get you back to gaming on your Nintendo Switch.
ISPs in some countries block online gaming to prevent people from communicating P2P. Voice over IP (VoIP) services, for example, are restricted in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which means that games with multiplayer chat may be blocked. On rare occasions, the government prohibits certain video game titles on moral or religious grounds.
A VPN encrypts your data to prevent local network administrators, ISPs, and governments from tracking what you do online. Because of this privacy, you can access censored or restricted Nintendo Switch games without fear of being monitored, which means you can play multiplayer games with a live chat function without fear of repercussions.
In a nutshell, a good VPN service can help you with lag and other issues. It can change your IP address to a specific region for faster uploading and better connectivity.
The Best VPNs for Nintendo Switch
Since not all VPNs are suitable for Switch devices, we suggest careful consideration of all your options before choosing your Nintendo Switch VPN. To make this process easier for you, here is a list of some of the best VPNs that are available globally.
NordVPN
Without a doubt, NordVPN is completely worth getting for securing your online privacy, protecting your online data, and overcoming various barriers imposed on your cyberspace, including but not limited to geo-restricted content and ISP throttling.
The VPN is fairly well-designed to conceal your online activities while working flawlessly for torrenting and streaming a variety of different content.
Since NordVPN is based in the data-retention-free jurisdiction of Panama, it has a strict no-logs policy and includes features such as military-grade encryption, Internet Kill Switch, Onion Over VPN (Double VPN), and optimized apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and other platforms. However, we would be remiss if we didn’t notify you that NordVPN is not exactly the fastest when it comes to switching servers. Still, it offers decent security and privacy combinations, and solid compatibility with routers. Moreover, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee you can use if you’re not satisfied with Nord. You will be but it’s nice to know that a VPN has your back.
Our readers get 66% off the 2-year plan ($3.99/month).
Read our NordVPN review.
Surfshark
This British Virgin Islands-based VPN has grown from 100 to 3200+ servers. To begin with, Surfshark is a secure VPN that provides strong encryption, speed, unblocking capability, privacy, and much more. Surfshark guarantees that it keeps no logs of users’ personally identifiable information, claiming that Cure53’s independent audit is valid. It is safe to use and has excellent security features. It gains an edge over other service providers with its ad and malware blocker.
Surfshark can also unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other websites. It provides easy-to-use apps for beginners with a minimalistic design and is one of the few premium VPNs that allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
Score our exclusive 82% off deal and get 2 months free.
Read our Surfshark review.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a VPN provider based in Romania that is owned by Kape Technologies, previously well known for including adware in its downloads. After thoroughly examining the VPN’s ownership, security, and privacy policies, we are confident that this VPN is risk-free to a large degree. It also has a plethora of security features and is one of the most user-friendly VPNs available. It provides interactive apps and helpful live chat assistance. CyberGhost offers over 6,000 servers in 89 countries for Nintendo Switch gaming. However, if you’re living in the UAE or China, CyberGhost might not be the best option for you. It can be used on up to seven devices at the same time and has a strict no-logs policy.
CyberGhost is offering a special discount for AddictiveTips readers at $2.15/month.
Read our CyberGhost review.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the industry’s leading VPN brands, with astounding speed and a name for dependability and security. With its simple interface and multi-platform compatibility, it is a good choice for both newcomers learning about VPNs and seasoned users of this technology. With 3,000+ servers in 94 countries and AES-256-Bit encryption, it commands a global appeal among streaming and privacy-conscious users. It allows you to access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and all other major streaming services. It is also easily compatible with a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and many others.
Get 49% off with our special ExpressVPN deal.
Read our ExpressVPN review.
IPVanish
This VPN allows a consistent gaming speed on the Nintendo Switch. There is a zero-logs policy included, and live chat support is available 24/7. Although it does not provide browser extensions, it does provide instructions on how to manually set up its VPN on your existing router. IPVanish, which has 1,900 servers in 75 regions, allows you to unblock all types of Nintendo Switch content. It provides fast browsing and streaming speeds, and the unlimited bandwidth means you won’t have to deal with a throttled connection when gaming. IPVanish allows you to connect up to ten devices at once and can be manually configured with routers. It provides apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV.
Check out our deal and get 65% when you sign up for IPVanish ($3.75/month).
Read our IPVanish review.
How to use a VPN on Nintendo Switch
Since its release in 2017, Nintendo Switch remains one of the most popular handheld gaming consoles. It’s a fantastic little console that allows you to play both new and classic games on the go.
However, as is with any gaming console, if your connection is slow or throttled, your gaming experience will suffer significantly. This is where a Nintendo Switch VPN comes into play. A VPN can help you not only play games on your Nintendo Switch console smoothly, but it can also help you access geo-blocked games. Isn’t that every gamer’s dream?
Let’s get into how to get your VPN set up:
Through a router
Setting up a VPN on your router is super simple. You don’t need to be a tech whiz to get through the whole thing.
The best part is that you can share a VPN connection with every device in your house. You don’t have to be concerned about a provider’s limited simultaneous connections. Some of the most reputable VPNs provide a reasonable number of connections with a single subscription. So, for a Nintendo Switch and any other device at home, installing a VPN on your router is your best option.
Begin by logging into your router and adjusting its settings. You’ll need to gain access via your product manual or service provider to make the necessary changes to install a VPN on your router. Most routers require you to first enter their IP address into your search bar and log in. The steps you take to configure your router are entirely dependent on the firmware of your router. Some routers, such as many Asus models, include built-in VPN functionality. Others will require you to reconfigure their settings in order to redirect their traffic to a VPN server. Once you’ve finished configuring your router VPN, test it to see if the connection works. You’ll be able to access your router’s settings at any time.
Share the connection through your PC/MAC device
Sharing a connection via your PC or Mac will secure all of the devices available at home, just like a router. If you can’t that install a VPN on a router, this is a great alternative.
If you’re using Windows, choose the Start button, then Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Add a VPN connection. Choose Windows as your VPN provider (built-in) and save. Choose the VPN connection and then Advanced options if you need to edit the VPN connection information or specify additional settings, such as proxy settings.
If you’re a Mac user, select the Apple menu > System Preferences, then Network. Click the Add button in the list on the left, then select VPN from the Interface pop-up menu. Click the VPN Type pop-up menu, then select the type of VPN connection you want to create based on the network you’re connecting to. Give the VPN service a name, then press the Create button. L2TP is an extension of the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol that internet service providers use to enable VPNs over the internet. The Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) protocol suite is a collection of security protocols. IKEv2 is a protocol that establishes an IPSec security association.
For the VPN connection, enter the server address and account name.
Click Authentication Settings, then enter the information your network administrator shared with you. If your network administrator has instructed you to do so, click Advanced to enter additional information such as session options, TCP/IP settings, DNS servers, and proxies. The additional information you can enter is determined by the type of VPN connection you are establishing.
Click Apply, then OK.
Use VPN through DNS on your Nintendo Switch
Internet users prefer to change their geographic location by using Smart DNS. In fact, streamers all over the world would love to keep their local channels active while accessing geo-restricted content.
Navigate to the Settings menu on your Nintendo Switch. Find Internet Settings by tapping on Internet. Your device will now search for all nearby Wi-Fi connections. Select a network and then Change Settings. Navigate to DNS Settings and select Manual. Remove the numbers from the Primary and Secondary DNS zones. Fill in the ones supplied by your Smart DNS proxy service. Your DNS settings on your Nintendo Switch have been successfully configured.
More than Gaming with a Switch VPN
Gaming isn’t the only thing the Switch has got going. When you need a break from Mario Kart or Zelda, you can use your VPN’s global network of servers to access global streaming services ranging from Hulu to BBC iPlayer. The Switch can also be used to access some of your favorite programs. The hybrid console can stream content from YouTube, Hulu, and other services, and it can also be connected to a TV for a better viewing experience.
As of now, however, the only way to get Netflix on your Nintendo Switch is to install Android on the system. Suffice it to say, this is not the recommended method because it requires you to actually hack your Switch.
You can use the Hulu app to stream movies and television shows on your Switch without risking your console with the Netflix workaround. You can also use the YouTube app on Nintendo Switch to watch your favorite channels and other free content.
If you enjoy anime, you can download the Funimation and Pokémon TV apps for the Nintendo Switch, with the latter offering free access to previous seasons of Pokémon.
So the next time someone asks, “Can you use a VPN on Nintendo Switch?”, direct them to this guide!
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
