“Call of Duty: Warzone” is one of the world’s most-played games online. Activision found the perfect mix between Call of Duty’s brand and Modern Warfare’s level of play. It’s a match made in digital heaven.
The game is preferred by millions of avid players everywhere on the planet. The players get sorted into groups of those with a similar skill level. This is possible thanks to Activision’s SBMM (skill-based matchmaking). The idea is that playing against opponents who are more or less as good as you will give you the best possible experience. However, a VPN will bypass this restriction.
Our staff tested several premium VPNs to find the ones that will give you the best possible Warzone experience. Here’s what they found.
Important! While Warzone’s Security and Enforcement Policy does not explicitly prohibit the use of VPNs, using them to gain an unfair advantage over fellow players may lead to penalties on your account. So, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the most up-to-date Warzone’s terms and conditions to avoid unintentionally violating any rules.
Top 5 Warzone VPNs – Quick list
If you are already familiar with the VPN market or are short on time and want the gist of this article, here’s our quick list. We will describe each option in detail later on in this article.
- NordVPN. Our top pick for Warzone has excellent speeds and an extensive server network that includes specialized servers.
- Private Internet Access. The largest server fleet in the market provides plenty of options to play Warzone.
- Surfshark. Known as the top-notch budget option, Surfshark’s service leaves nothing to be desired.
- ExpressVPN. The usual suspect for every task that needs a VPN, ExpressVPN is also great for Warzone.
- PureVPN. A top VPN that doesn’t get the attention it deserves will also enhance your Warzone playing significantly.
Why use a VPN with Warzone?
Please note that while neither Infinity Ward nor Activision has officially confirmed the use of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) in Warzone, it is widely believed to be in place. This is particularly evident for highly skilled players who may consistently encounter formidable opponents or even hackers more frequently than anticipated.
Matchmaking in Warzone takes into account not only skill but also factors such as location and time of day. Some players may take advantage of this by using a Warzone VPN to virtually mask their location, potentially increasing their chances of facing less challenging opponents during gameplay.
Using a VPN can also be a way of avoiding ISP throttling. Most ISPs will suppress your connections if you consume high bandwidth for streaming, gaming, or torrenting. However, with a VPN, they can’t monitor your online activity or slow down your connection.
Lowering bandwidth results in high ping which negatively affects your gaming experience due to poor speeds. Thankfully, a VPN will help you avoid throttling, thereby lowering your ping, and enabling you to enjoy seamless gaming. DDoS attacks are common among gamers. Some players may become salty after losing and could take revenge by launching a DDoS attack. In such a case, they overload your network with excess traffic to deter you from accessing online services. But with a VPN, your IP address is masked, making it hard for bad-doers to disrupt your internet traffic.
The best five VPNs for Warzone today – Detailed list
1. NordVPN
Excellent VPN for playing Warzone. It’s super secure, user-friendly, and offers impressive speed and a large server network.
Has around 6,800 speedy VPN servers in 113 countries
Dependable threat protection (malware, tracking, and ad blocker)
Super-secure encryption; AES-256 bits
Feature of kill switch is customizable
Split tunneling feature with effectiveness
Owns multi-hop VPN for double encryption
Provides seamless Onion over VPN functionality
Adheres to solid policy for no-logging
Each account allows users to connect to ten devices at once
No-question-asked money-back policy of 30 days
Pros
- Intuitive design and user-friendly
- Offers unlinted bandwidth and traffic
- Supports latest and high speed protocol; Wireguard
Cons
- Torrenting support is missing on some servers
NordVPN’s server network has nearly 6,800 nodes in around 113 countries. The connections have low latencies (if you’re physically close), unlimited bandwidth and traffic, and excellent security features.
NordVPN’s incredible speeds come from NordLynx, the vendor’s proprietary VPN protocol. It’s the result of adopting WireGuard early. WireGuard is the latest, most advanced, and most efficient VPN protocol. However, it has yet to become the industry standard because it has a few problems regarding user privacy. NordVPN solved those problems and turned them into a thriving, high-speed VPN protocol. This feature makes NordVPN one of the best VPNs for online gaming.
NordVPN allowed us to retain 90 to 99% of our baseline internet speeds. Of course, the best retention was in the nearest servers, but other nodes further away performed very well.
Besides the features that make NordVPN the best Warzone VPN, this service has plenty of extra features that can enhance all your digital activities. And it all comes at an affordable price.
So, with the extensive network, excellent security features, incredible speeds, and the NordLynx protocol, NordVPN is the VPN you want if you’re an avid Warzone player.
2. Private Internet Access (PIA)
All of its servers have unlimited data and speeds, meaning you can play Warzone without experiencing any lags.
Server network of 33,000 VPN nodes spread across 91 countries
Peer to Peer connection supportive servers
Ensures robust encryption with AES 128-bits and 256-bits
Solid protection against malware and adware with in-built MACE
Enforces a policy of zero logs
Runs on RAM-only VPN servers
The split tunneling feature works as expected
Boasts a feature-rich kill switch
Each account allows connection to unlimited simultaneous devices
30 days full money-back guarantee
Pros
- Top-notch encryption
- Enough speed to play Warzone without lags
- Unlimited bandwidth and data
Cons
- There is no app exclusion or whitelisting
PIA (Private Internet Access) VPN has an incredible number of 33,000 servers available for clients, covering 91 countries. It’s the largest VPN network. Bandwidth is unlimited and supports plenty of VPN protocols, including Wire Guard, which is the fastest.
Our pings with PIA were 40ms, on average, which is very good for playing.
The extensive choice of servers in PIA facilitates finding and unlocking bot lobbies so you can have a more relaxed experience.
The security features in PIA are outstanding, too, so your privacy and anonymity will remain safe as you enjoy your favorite online game.
3. Surfshark
One of the most popular budget options on the market that stands among the top premium VPN services when it comes to quality and speed.
Boasts more than 3,200 VPN servers in 100 countries worldwide
Runs on RAM-based servers (best for privacy)
No users usage data logging
Robust data AES-256 (government-grade) encryption
Supports Peer to Peer traffic on servers
Smart kill switch feature with enhanced security
Functional CleanWeb ad and malware blocking feature
Split tunneling with dependable effectiveness
Each account allows an unlimited number of connections at once
30 days of no-questions-asked refunds
Pros
- Extremely cheap option
- Ram-based servers
- Impressive customer support you can count on
Cons
- Not as fast as other top VPNs
Surshark is a relatively new VPN that’s upsetting the market by offering a top-notch service at a meager price.
The pings we had with Surfshark were ridiculous at 10ms on average. However, the security features are among the best in the industry, the speeds are fast, and it also offers a WireGuard-based VPN protocol, as the fastest providers currently do.
Surfshark gave us about 73% of our baseline internet speed, which is good enough to play Warzone or even support an HD video stream if needed.
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections to the VPN, which is almost unique in the business. Other features include a kill switch, obfuscated traffic, and much more.
4. ExpressVPN
This top-rated Warzone VPN service offers superfast speeds, a lot of locations worldwide, and excellent support.
Has a VPN network covering 107 countries with over 3,000 fast servers
TrustedServer technology (for better security)
Secures connection with AES-256 data encryption
It keeps no traffic usage logs on users
A split tunneling functionality that just works
Boasts Network Lock (kill switch) feature
Supports Tor over VPN
Peer to peer traffic allowed on servers
Each account allows connection to eight simultaneous devices
Tested 30 days refund policy
Pros
- A high level of security for both apps and servers
- Works well for all Warzone gaming
- Blazing-fast speed reduces lag and ping times
Cons
- It is priced higher than the market average
ExpressVPN is the most prominent name in the VPN world. We always find it excels at any task that needs a top-notch VPN, and Warzone was no exception.
The network includes more than 3,000 servers in about 107 countries. Bandwidth is unrestricted, and it’s swift.
Our pings were 8 ms on average, so this is the fastest option, rivaling even NordVPN and Surfshark. This number means that, as you play, you won’t notice all your traffic going through a VPN.
This VPN also has the advantage of extensive compatibility. You can use it in lots of hardware that no other VPN supports, so if you are keen on protecting your PS4 or PS5 with a VPN, ExpressVPN is the way to go.
The one thing that we like less about ExpressVPN is its price. It’s more expensive than the market average. However, it needs not to be a deal-breaker if you like this vendor’s performance because its price is above average.
5. PureVPN
A complete VPN service that boasts impressive speed to enhance your Warzone gaming experience.
Has a network of over 6,300 VPN servers spread in more than 80 countries
Secures internet traffic with robust AES-256-bit encryption
Dedicated servers for Peer to Peer traffic
It boasts split tunneling feature
Effective kill switch
Ensures no users logs are maintained
Web/DNS leak protection
24/7 live chat reliable support
Each account allows connection to ten simultaneous devices
31-day refund guarantee
Pros
- No limit for bandwidth and data
- Firm security and privacy policy in place
- Supports port forwarding
Cons
- The apps have a little clunky interface
Last but not least on our list is PureVPN. OpenVPN and Wire Guard are available with this provider, which is why it’s so fast and safe.
The network has servers in nearly 80 countries, a crucial feature for Warzone players. In addition, each accessible country gets you access to a new playing lobby, so a network this big expands your paying possibilities significantly.
How to choose the best Warzone VPN
The VPN market is overcrowded these days. Unfortunately, most options you can find cannot help you with your Call of Duty Warzone experience. Remember that this is a demanding and competitive FPS online game, so only the best gaming VPNs will do the trick.
So how did we find that handful of excellent VPNs to enhance your Warzone playing? We hear you ask.
Well, speed is a priority. If your game keeps lagging, you’ll keep getting killed before you can react to your enemy’s moves. But some other factors also matter, such as,
- Server network. We want our VPN to give us a quick fix to get into new lobbies. That means we need an extensive server network.
- Online security. Safety will keep DDoS attacks away from you so that other players can’t cheat by trying to overwhelm your connection. This is because good VPNs hide your IP address.
- Service and price. Value for money is essential. The VPNs we picked for you are at an average cost (except for Surfshark and PureVPN, which are below). But their service is way better than most vendors that charge the same fees.
- Low ping: A lower ping gives you a smooth gaming experience; the opposite is true. Ideally, your connection should have a low ping indicating that it’s fast enough to handle high bandwidth activities. When choosing a VPN, go for the one with a ping of less than 100ms.
- Fast speeds: A reliable VPN should provide you with remarkable speeds. Testing the speed of a VPN should tell you how fast you will be downloading your game updates. Check out our recent VPN speed test.
- Router support: Most gaming consoles, such as PS4, PS5, and Xbox, don’t allow direct installation of VPN apps. However, with a VPN-compatible router, you can configure the VPN in the router to protect all your household devices, including your gaming console.
- Money-back guarantee: Whichever VPN you settle for, ensure the provider offers a reliable money-back guarantee. This shows they trust the quality of their service. Also, it gives you the freedom to get your money back if you’re trying the service for the first time and do not like it.
- 24/7 customer support: Top-performing VPNs have top-notch customer service. When choosing a VPN, ensure their support team is reachable across multiple channels, including live chat, email, or phone numbers.
Installing a VPN for Warzone
Have you never used a VPN before? Don’t worry. Don’t let all the technical jargon scare you. Using a VPN is one of the simplest things you can do. Let us explain to you how to use a VPN to play Warzone.
Pro tip: Since it’s a game similar to Fortnite to an extent, the same process also works for Fortnite and other games.
Installing a VPN on a Windows computer
Playing Warzone with a VPN on a Windows computer is very easy. You can get started in a few easy steps:
- Subscribe to a VPN. NordVPN is our top one for this task because it has many servers and high speeds.
- Go to your VPN’s official website and download the Windows installer to your computer.
- Execute the installer you downloaded in the previous step. It would be in the “Downloads” folder unless you customize your browser.
- Perform the installation. This means you’ll merely need to click the “Next” button until it becomes the “Finish” button.
- Launch your newly installed VPN client. If you want to play in a bot lobby, choose a country where Warzone is less popular (more on later).
- Click on “Connect.”
- Start playing!
Installing a Warzone VPN on consoles
Unlike PCs and phones, setting up a VPN on a console can be challenging, especially for the non-tech savvy. However, that should be an issue if you follow our guide. There are two approaches to configuring a Warzone VPN on consoles:
PC method
The PC method is often preferred because it’s easy. However, this method slows down your internet connection because of the higher latency since your PC and console share the same network. Here’re the steps:
- Select a reliable VPN and connect to a server network, preferably where Warzone is less popular.
- Go to your computer’s network settings and turn on the ‘Mobile Hotspot’ option
- Change your adapter options and access the ‘local area connection’.
- Locate the VPN’s network connection and right-click to access ‘properties’.
- Allow sharing your computer’s connection via the sharing tab
- Select the network to share. Click the name of the mobile hotspot under home network sharing connection and select OK
- Connect your gaming console to the hotpot
Router method
This is the second way of connecting your console to Warzone VPN. To successfully complete the setup, you must identify specific instructions for your router model since they vary across different routers.
- Go to the configuration page
- Sign in with your VPN details
- Head on to the setup page and select router
- Select your router model and Download firmware from the drop-down menu
- Visit your web browser and enter the router admin IP address (mostly 192.168.0.1)
- Go to the left column and click Administration
- Select firmware upgrade, then upload the downloaded file in step iv
- Follow the on-screen steps until the firmware upgrade is done
- Connect your gaming console
Is NoLag a good VPN to play Warzone?
NoLag is a popular VPN among Warzone enthusiasts. This VPN is built expressly to help you find bot lobbies easily and is very friendly. Consequently, many Warzone players looking for a VPN do not search for one and pick NoLag from the start.
If a quick and easy solution is all you want, NoLag is a good option.
However, we don’t recommend you use NoLag. The first problem with it is the price — it’s expensive. The annual plan costs about 5 USD monthly, much more than NordVPN or Surfshark. And both options are much better in terms of quality, security, and functionality.
Also, a good VPN, like the five options listed above, gives you many additional useful features for many other tasks. So while NoLag will work with Warzone, you are paying more for less service and quality. So why should you want that?
VPNs you should never use to play Warzone
Some VPNs are not very good, even worse if you want to play Warzone. So let us share with you some of the services we would advise you to avoid to play Call of Duty Warzone:
- BeetVPN. It’s too slow, and it keeps user logs, so it’s terrible for privacy.
- NoLagVPN. The service is too basic but more expensive than many premium options.
- Betternet VPN. Collects user data to sell to other parties. It has a history of spreading malware.
- Hola VPN. It’s not a VPN but a glorified proxy server known to hijack users’ resources.
Free VPNs are tempting options because they are free. But they are not such an excellent choice for Warzone for many reasons.
First, free VPNs have very few servers, low speeds, and unreliable connections. Their functionality is almost always poor, and they won’t help you enhance your Warzone experience. Also, most free VPNs keep extensive user logs they later sell to advertisers and other data miners. That is their business.
Consequently, using a Free VPN creates more privacy and security problems than it solves. And it will take a lot of work to find one with the speed and reliability to play Warzone.
What are bot lobbies and SBMM?
Bot lobbies are inexperienced players with no prior knowledge of navigating the game. They often have a low kill count; hence more experienced players can identify and kill them, gaining more experience. They are preferred among gamers who want to rise through the ranks faster compared to playing against more experienced players.
Skilled-based matchmaking (SBMM), as the name suggests, brings together gamers with the same experience or skill. However, the developers claim that the game doesn’t use SBMM and argue that the game matches opponents based on location, ping, and wait time. However, gamers have uncovered that they are mostly matched based on kills and death averages, basically the foundation of SBMM. Despite being a good competition, some players prefer playing against easier targets.
Countries with bot lobbies in the Warzone Universe
Some regions in the world have a relatively low number of Warzone players. You need more players in these territories to develop lobbies matching everybody’s skill level. The system deals with this problem by replacing human players with bots, which are weaker players. And which countries can you easily find a “bot lobby”? These:
- Hawaii
- Egypt
- Argentina
- Sri Lanka
- Singapore
If you choose a server in your VPN located in one of those territories, you’ll be able to find easier lobbies quickly.
Other ways to get accessible bot lobbies in Warzone
On top of using a VPN, there are other techniques for getting accessible bot lobbies in Warzone:
- Play early in the day: Joining the game during off-peak hours when fewer players are online can result in less crowded lobbies, making it easier to find bot-filled matches.
- Research the location: Changing your in-game location to regions with less skilled players can increase your chances of getting easier lobbies. Look for locations where high-skilled players are less likely to be present.
- Disable crossplay: If you’re playing on a console, competing against players on PCs with a higher field of view (FOV) might put you at a disadvantage. Disabling crossplay can limit your opponents to other console players, potentially resulting in easier lobbies.
- Play with a full party: Playing with a full squad of 4 players, especially if some have a lower K/D (Kills/Deaths) ratio, can also lead to easier lobbies with more bot-filled matches.
The best VPN locations for Warzone
Despite having a VPN, you can struggle to find the best locations to give you the utmost experience on Warzone. In most cases, choosing servers that are close to dedicated servers will often yield the best experience.
We have developed a methodology for choosing the most ideal VPN location for Warzone:
- Choose a location where it’s an unusual time to play video games, like 5 AM. This usually means fewer players will be in the lobby, making it potentially more accessible for you to play. However, you might still encounter tough players during this time.
- Choose a server relatively close to your location. Far servers can lead to high ping and poor experience. However, the closest servers may not necessarily give you easier lobbies. Look for a server location that strikes a good balance.
- US servers are generally good for Warzone, especially if you are not in the US. The ping is usually not higher than 100ms, and the lag is manageable. NordVPN is a recommended VPN for US servers, as it has servers in 15 different cities in the US.
- There are also reports that Egypt and Singapore are good locations for Warzone. Egypt, Middle East, and European locations may be suitable for players in the Americas, while Singapore is recommended for those in Europe.
VPN not working with Warzone: Troubleshooting tips
If you’re experiencing problems when playing Warzone, there’re a few tips to troubleshoot the issue:
- Check your firewall – Your firewall could sometimes be blocking the VPN connection. So, check in the firewall settings whether your VPN has been blocked.
- Verify your antivirus – Antivirus programs may flag VPNs as malicious programs. Therefore, confirm whether the antivirus prevents the VPN from launching a secure connection.
- Clear cache – Your PC’s DNS cache might use the old IP address. Clearing the cache erases its memory, thus updating to the new IP address.
To clear the cache on Windows:
- Click Start> Run
- Type “cmd” then click Enter
- Type “ipconfig/flushdns” and then Enter
To clear the cache on Mac:
- Go to Applications, then Utilities
- Access Terminal
- Type “sudo dscacheutil-flushcashe;sudo killall- HUP mDBSResponder” without the quotes
- Enter your password when prompted
- Choose a reliable VPN – If you’re using a free VPN, it’s time to upgrade to a premium brand with more top-notch features. Free VPNs are often slow and have limited features.
- Contact the support team – The VPN’s customer support can help you solve any issue you may encounter with their service. They’ll guide you in solving the most common issues experienced by most players.
FAQs
Activision’s terms of service make no mention of VPNs. So you are free to use a VPN with Warzone without fearing punishment.
You can get easier lobbies by telling Warzone servers you’re in a location with less skilled players. Some notable examples include Argentina, Hawaii, and Egypt, as they don’t have professional Warzone players, and their skill level is low. Ultimately, the best way to find easier lobbies in Warzone is to practice and improve your skills, as this will allow you to perform better in any lobby you join. It may also be helpful to play when there are fewer players online, as this can reduce the pool of opponents you will be matched against.
Absolutely. There is no limitation whatsoever. However, it’s advisable to use obfuscated servers to avoid being blacklisted.
Yes. However, the ban is likely due to violating the terms of service. Fortunately, you can create a new account and use a VPN to hide your identity.
