It's frustrating that PlayStation locks your region when you create your account. So you need to make another to access geo-restricted games and streaming apps. Luckily, there's an easy way to change your virtual location.
After extensive testing, ExpressVPN proved to be the best VPN for PlayStation. It offers native apps for PS4 and PS5. Plus, it has many fast servers, so that you can enjoy streaming and gaming without buffering or lag. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it comes with a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee. Editors' Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
When signing up, your PlayStation assigns a permanent region, limiting your access to different games and streaming platforms. You can create a new user account on your console to change your PSN region. After that, you can use a VPN to buy games on your new international PSN account.
VPNs also let you play with friends from other countries by connecting to that country's game server. Choose a server closer to you and the game's server for the fastest speed and lowest ping.
Warning. Remember that you cannot transfer PS store credit from one user to the other. If you wish to download DLC for any game, you need to get it from the region you originally purchased that game from. Note that PSN rules and regulations vary within each region.
Note that I do not recommend creating a PayPal or Amazon account with a fake address from that country. It violates their respective T&Cs and can lead to a permanent PayPal/Amazon account ban. It can also complicate purchases with sales tax.
ExpressVPN is also one of the fastest VPNs in the market. I could play Fortnite without lag and stream Parks and Recreation in 4K on my PS4 without buffering. I got an average ping of 40 ms while playing multiplayer. With a ping that low, you can play competitive online games and watch your favorite shows without any interruptions.
The only drawback of the VPN is its relatively higher cost. Its lowest-priced plan is $6.67/month. However, ExpressVPN offers frequent discounts of up to 49%. I got a sweet deal when I signed up, which included 3 months of free service.
All subscriptions are backed by a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested this refund policy by contacting customer service through the 24/7 live chat and requesting my money back. They promptly answered, and after confirming my account details, they issued a refund. It landed in my bank account after just 3 days.
Extended subscriptions also have a 45-day money-back guarantee, letting you evaluate if the VPN is for you. If you want a refund, just contact a customer service agent via 24/7 live chat or email and answer a few short questions. When I tested it, they quickly processed the request, and I got my money back in my bank account within 5 days.
PIA offers 29,650 servers worldwide, so you have plenty of choices to find ones with optimal ping for gaming. Plus, its app shows the latency next to each server, making it easier for you to connect to the best one for a lag-free experience. Among the 53+ US servers, I tested 5 that showed the lowest ping, and they worked without a hitch. With so many servers, it's possible to buy games from the PSN store of any country and stream popular platforms in HD from anywhere.
With its proprietary NextGen VPN Network servers, you get faster gaming and streaming speeds. These servers are built from the ground up with new 10Gbps network cards, so you get reliable connections, fast speeds, and low ping. I could play Call of Duty: Warzone online with a ping of about 60 ms.
A minor drawback is its customer service. When attempting to use the 24/7 live chat, I experienced a delayed response. After waiting 15 minutes, I finally connected with an agent, only to be abruptly disconnected. However, the response I got through email was thorough and insightful, delivering the solution I was seeking.
NordVPN's fast speed and unlimited bandwidth are ideal for uninterrupted gaming and quality streaming on PlayStation. Video games, particularly online multiplayer ones, can consume a lot of data. Unlimited bandwidth ensures you can play as long and often as you want without worrying about hitting a data limit. My speeds stayed above 98Mbps (from a base connection of 102Mbps), testing servers nearby in France and the UK.
At $2.19/month, you can use Surfshark on your PlayStation and every other device in your household, which is great for large families. Plus, it's compatible with the most popular operating systems. I tested Surfshark by streaming Netflix simultaneously on my PC, various smartphones, and Android smart TV without a drop in performance. It provides flexibility to protect all devices without having to disconnect one for the other.
All connected devices will benefit from the security and privacy features of Surfshark, like AES 256-bit encryption and IP/DNS leak protection. You're protected whether gaming on your PlayStation or browsing on your smartphone.
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to strict testing methodology.
The VPNs I selected are confirmed to work with PlayStation and have servers in the necessary countries. They offer low latency and a global network. Compatibility with various router brands ensures easy installation. This was confirmed through the following checklist.
One major advantage of setting up a VPN on your router is that it protects every device linked to that router, PlayStation included. Yet, it's crucial to highlight that not every router can accommodate a VPN.
For those aiming to link their PS4 or PS5 to their router, the most advisable approach is to locate the guidelines tailored to your precise model on your VPN provider's official site. Alternatively, you have the option to acquire a VPN router that comes pre-configured, allowing you to bypass these setup steps if desired.
No, you will not lose access to your PlayStation games if you change your region. You can still play them on your old PSN account where you originally purchased them. Just switch users and sign in to the old account.
Yes. You can create an account in the region with the earliest release date for your favorite games to get the fastest access. New games usually come out in the Asia-Pacific region first. But to buy these games, you need a local payment method from that region. To do that, you can set up a VPN on your PlayStation and buy PSN gift cards.
Not really. Free VPNs often fall short regarding compatibility, speed, unblocking content, data limits, and privacy. To ensure an enjoyable gaming experience on your PlayStation, a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is a more reliable option.
Free VPNs can rarely be installed on PS or routers, leading to long or impossible setup. Their slower speeds can result in lag during gaming and streaming. Plus, free VPNs struggle to securely access geo-restricted content on streaming platforms, impose strict data limits, and may interrupt gaming and other online activities with ads while potentially misusing or selling user data.
Alternatively, you can watch content on your console by downloading streaming apps. To access apps unavailable in your region, you can use a VPN on your PlayStation to bypass restrictions and access the desired content.
No, changing your email on PS4 will not cause you to lose everything. Your game progress, purchased content, trophies, and other account information are tied to your PlayStation Network (PSN) account, not your email address. By changing your email, you are simply updating the contact information associated with your account.
Doris is a tech writer and a cybersecurity researcher for vpnMentor. She is enthusiastic about educating people about their rights to online freedom and provides actionable ways to protect their data.
Have you ever felt the sting of being unable to access exclusive PS4 games or discovering new titles yet to be released in your region? Or did you miss out on incredible content from foreign streaming services? If geo-blocks are altering your PlayStation experience, then employing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) might be your game-changer.
Like streaming services, the PlayStation Store also varies its library from one country to another, offering a treasure trove of unique RPGs in Japan and an array of streaming apps in the US, for instance. And, yes, many people are frustrated with being unable to access everything they want.
At Comparitech, we have researched and tested many VPNs to guide you through the intricacies of accessing foreign content on your PS4. Whether you crave unrestricted access to international PS Stores or wish to maneuver around app restrictions, we have found the best VPNs for the PS4.
Various forums recommend creating an Amazon or PayPal account in the desired region using a fictitious billing address, but we strongly advise against this. Not only is this method more complicated, but it can also make things more expensive if your fake address is in a state or country with a sales tax.
There are significant advantages to installing a VPN on your router. Firstly, a router only counts as one connection, no matter how many devices are on your network. Additionally, every device that uses that router will be automatically protected and have access to the same range of geo-locked services.
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