Microsoft’s Xbox has a story of over 15 years in the gaming industry and the latest step in the evolution of this console is the Xbox One, which combines a gaming platform with a home entertainment system. Since the Xbox One supports a wide variety of options including streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and YouTube, it is worth considering using a VPN to unlock content that may not be available in your location. You may have come across messages telling you that a video on YouTube is not available in your country. If you try to access Hulu from outside Japan and United States, you will also be informed that the service is not supported in your location. Furthermore, Netflix offers different content in every country where it operates and some subscribers get less variety and quantity than others.
With a VPN, you can bypass geographical blocks and enjoy more TV shows and movies by simply connecting to a server in a country where the media is available. Defeating geo-blocks to get access to more content is a great advantage of using a VPN but there are other ways in which Xbox One users can benefit from this technology. If you are an avid gamer and want to be able to play the latest titles as soon as they come out, a VPN allows you to connect to servers in the locations where the games are released first. Connecting to a VPN server in a different country while you are using your Xbox One, will also allow you to access sales and discounts that are only available in that specific region. It is a practical way to save money on the games that you love since you can purchase games using a different currency where the exchange rate is in your favor and get better value for money.
Another good reason why Xbox One user should consider using a VPN is security. VPNs are not only effective when it comes to bypassing geographical restrictions and disguising your IP address. They also encrypt your online traffic, keeping it private because nobody else will be able to see what you do online. A VPN can protect you from hackers, attacks from malicious players, cyber criminals and other threats. Although when you use a VPN your connection tends to slow down due to the encryption used to secure your internet traffic, there are high quality services that ensure that you don’t notice a significant difference. These fast solutions keep the speed loss at a minimum and in some cases, they even offer servers optimized for gaming that offer efficient routes that can improve your ping times.
Top VPN Picks for Xbox One
Before revealing the list of the best VPN services for Xbox, it is important to note that while there is no native support for VPN clients on the Xbox, it is possible to enjoy the advantages of a VPN on you console. The set up is not as straightforward as with other platforms but there are two ways in which you can run a VPN on your Xbox. The first option is to configure a VPN on a network router and connect your Xbox to it. You can flash a router with DD-WRT or Tomato, but it is also possible to find routers that are ready to run a VPN. Some providers even sell routers that are already configured with the VPN service. Another option is to share your computer’s VPN connection with your Xbox (and other devices) by adjusting some settings.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the leading solution for Xbox users due to its ultra fast servers and high level of encryption. The provider is known for offering incredible speeds and top quality VPN clients for all major platforms. They have servers in over 90 countries, which gives you many options to bypass restrictions and enjoy great gaming deals from around the world. You will be able to access different regions and enjoy efficient speeds, as well as strong protection for your privacy. In addition, ExpressVPN sells routers that come with the vPN already installed, which is very practical.
NordVPN
NordVPN has built a solid reputation as one of the most secure solutions in the VPN industry and it has earned the trust of privacy conscious users thanks to its zero logs policy. It also offers features like double hop encryption, Tor over VPN and a kill switch that ensures that your IP address is not exposed, even if the VPN connection suddenly drops. In addition, NordVPN supports up to six simultaneous connections so you will be able to use the service in a variety of devices. To make things easier when you want to run the service on your Xbox, NordVPN offers VPN routers that are ready to be used.
VyprVPN
VyprVPN is a tier-1 provider, meaning that it is in charge of its own network of servers. This allows them to provide incredible speeds and stable connections for gaming. VyprVPN is a service created by Golden Frog, a company with many years of experience in the internet. VyprVPN has earned the trust from players from around the world and it has been the preferred VPN solution in many gaming events. They have servers in over 60 countries and offer protection against DDoS attacks, which is another reason why they are an excellent choice for Xbox.
PureVPN
With PureVPN, you can enjoy a seamless gaming experience and at the same time, boost the security of your connection. This Hong Kong-based provider offers shortcuts to access gaming servers around the world and it has one of the largest networks in the industry. Currently, they have more than 750 servers in over 140 countries. PureVPN’s service is optimized for gaming and it is designed to be highly responsive and reliable. Thanks to the high security that PureVPN offers and the features that allow you to bypass blocks effectively, this VPN is another top pick for Xbox.
