Best VPN for Steam: How to bypass country restrictions and get cheaper games

Steam’s online store is full of games that will keep you entertained. But you can also access the gaming platform using a VPN service, which can have some advantages.

A VPN keeps you secure and anonymous online, as your IP address is hidden and your locati on can even be changed. We will explain in more detail later what the best VPN providers for Steam are and how using them could be worthwhile for you.

1. Benefits of using a VPN service

2. The best VPN providers for Steam

3. Limitations of VPN services on Steam

Benefits of using a VPN service

Many providers allow you to use the VPN on multiple devices at the same time and stream content in HD or even 4K quality. Depending on the service, you can choose from over 100 countries and thus bypass possible restrictions such as censorship or game availability in your region.

Using a VPN provider on Steam is especially useful if you want to buy a specific game on the platform, but the price is much more expensive in your own country. Even if a game has an earlier release date elsewhere, you can adjust your region to gain access.

Another advantage is that you can even enjoy multiplayer games on Steam with friends from other countries if you use a VPN service. Your actual location can easily be changed to match that of your fellow players to access the same game when that would otherwise not be possible.

The best VPN providers for Steam

The best VPN services for Steam include NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, CyberGhost VPN and Express VPN. All of these providers offer comprehensive protection while you surf the Internet and play on Steam.

Nord VPN even scans your downloads for viruses and makes sure you are warned about leaked data. The provider is also known for having a high security standard and being compatible with many platforms.

CyberGhost VPN is one of the cheapest VPN services and focuses primarily on high speeds, which is an advantage when using the Steam gaming platform. Surfshark even allows you to use an unlimited number of devices with a VPN and you get malware protection and a tracker and ad blocker included.

You can even test the advantages of ExpressVPN, such as the high download speed and the large selection of servers, for free for up to 30 days. If you are not convinced by the service during this period, you will receive your money back in full.

NordVPN

• Number of countries: 111
• Available servers: 6419
• Number of devices: 10
• Streaming in 4k possible?: ✔ And
• Streaming in HD possible?: ✔ And

To the offer

CyberGhost

• Number of countries: 100
• Available servers: 9500+
• Number of devices: 7
• Streaming in 4k possible?: ✔ And
• Streaming in HD possible?: ✔ And

To the offer

ExpressVPN

• Number of countries: 94+
• Available servers: 3000+
• Number of devices: 5
• Streaming in 4k possible?: ✔ And
• Streaming in HD possible?: ✔ And

To the offer

Surfshark VPN

• Number of countries: 100
• Available servers: 3200+
• Number of devices: Unlimited
• Streaming in 4k possible?: ✘ No
• Streaming in HD possible?: ✔ And

To the offer

Limitations of VPN services on Steam

It is important to note that the use of VPN services is not permitted on all platforms. VPN services are generally legal in Germany, but their use is primarily intended to increase the security of your data, for example when you log into public WiFi networks and your connection is encrypted there.

Even if you need VPN providers for research purposes or if you work from home and want to access a company network, the services are beneficial. However, the situation is different for platforms like Steam, which want to prevent users from bypassing geographical restrictions.

In the official Steam Terms of Use The use of a VPN service on Steam is prohibited and can result in your account being blocked. It states:

You agree not to use IP proxies or any other method to disguise your location, to circumvent geo-restrictions on game content, to order or purchase at prices not applicable to your region, or for any other purpose. If you violate this prohibition, Valve may terminate your access to your account.

Steam User Agreement under A. Payment Authorization

So if you change your location using a VPN provider in order to save money when buying cheaper games, you risk, in the worst case, no longer having access to your purchased and saved games. However, such measures are quite rare and, similar to the issue of account sharing, are hardly ever enforced.

You can also use a VPN service on your PlayStation 4 and 5. We explain in detail in our guide what advantages and disadvantages this can bring in the PS Store. You can also find out how you can take advantage of the free offer from Hide.me VPN in our instructions.

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