To play with less experienced CoD players and enhance your skills, you need a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN hides your IP address when you’re connected to its servers playing Warzone, allowing you to find easy bot lobbies and boost your stats. After testing over 30 VPNs, I found that ExpressVPN is the best Warzone VPN due to its blazing-fast speeds. You can get ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can easily request a refund. Play Warzone with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: The Best COD Warzone VPNs in January 2023
Play Warzone with ExpressVPN
Why You Need a VPN When Playing Call of Duty: Warzone
Although game developers often deny its existence, many believe that online multiplayer games, including Warzone and Warzone 2.0, use skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) to match you against similarly-skilled opponents. The downside of this is that, as your gaming skills improve, your lobbies become more difficult. This makes it harder to win, move up the ranks, and generally have fun while playing Warzone online. However, your location and the time of day can heavily influence who you’re matched with while playing Warzone. This is online at certain times of day (usually in the morning and late at night), so the matchmaking algorithm struggles to match you with players of a similar level. You can stay connected to easy bot lobbies even when you travel out of your country if you use one of the top VPNs on the market. A quality VPN virtually changes your location and hides your IP address, enabling you to connect to a favorable lobby to increase your chances of winning. Not only that, you can reduce ISP bandwidth throttling with a VPN. This is when your Internet Service Provider limits your use of bandwidth-heavy activities like downloading or streaming. A quality VPN such as ExpressVPN stops this by masking your activity with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and IP protection. You can buy ExpressVPN with confidence as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If the service doesn’t meet your expectations, it’s easy to claim a refund. Access better Warzone lobbies with ExpressVPN
The Best VPNs for Call of Duty: Warzone
1. ExpressVPN — Superfast Speeds for Lag-Free Call of Duty: Warzone Games
Key Features: ExpressVPN provides ultra-fast speeds that allow you to play Call of Duty: Warzone and Warzone 2.0 without lag. I experienced exceptional speeds of over 200Mbps — only a 7% drop from my baseline speed and a far cry from the 3Mbps minimum recommended for online gaming. This means you’ll be able to play Warzone without interruptions and download large updates without delays. With 3000+ servers in over 94 countries giving you access to Warzone lobbies, ExpressVPN allows you to play against your friends back home while traveling abroad. After testing many of ExpressVPNs local and long-distance servers, I found that you can access bot lobbies no matter where you are in the world. Based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), ExpressVPN is under no obligation to share your data with governmental organizations and will keep your information safe and secure at all times. Being outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance combined with a strict no-logs policy makes ExpressVPN one of the best VPNs you can buy, ensuring that you are completely anonymous while playing Call of Duty: Warzone. ExpressVPN has the following security features that ensure you stay protected while playing Warzone:
256-bit encryption disguises your data so it can’t be read by third parties Independently-audited no-logs policy ensures none of your activity is stored Kill switch to cut your connection in case of an accidental VPN termination Proprietary Lightway Protocol delivers maximum protection and lightning-fast speeds IP masking protects against DDoS attacks and ISP throttling
You’ll be able to play Call of Duty: Warzone on up to 5 devices simultaneously with ExpressVPN, including your laptop, consoles, and PC. Using ExpressVPN’s router app, you can easily play Warzone on your Xbox (One, One S, One X, and Series S) and PlayStation (4 & 5). These premium features make ExpressVPN slightly more expensive than other VPNs at $6.67/month, but it’s still a great deal as you’re getting 49% off of the annual subscription (+3 months free). You can buy ExpressVPN in confidence since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. To verify this policy, I sent ExpressVPN’s customer service team a direct message through its 24/7 live chat. I received a response within minutes confirming the refund. I received the money back 3 days later. Play Warzone with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Gaming Servers Reduce Latency While Playing Warzone
Key Features: CyberGhost has many optimized gaming servers around the world, including the US and the UK, for you to use when playing Warzone. Changing your IP can help you to find lower-skilled bot lobby players and reduce the latency you experience. Each of its servers are organized by ping, meaning that you can choose CyberGhost’s best servers for lag-free Warzone 1 & 2 gaming without having to scroll down the list and find one yourself. I had ping as low as 12ms, resulting in a smooth gaming experience with no noticeable lag. 9633+ servers in over 91 countries enable you to access bot lobbies without congestion caused by overcrowded servers. During tests, I had excellent ping on local CyberGhost servers, and the more distant servers that were tested. Each server gave reliable connections and allowed hours of interruption-free gaming. Note that if you attempt to access a bot lobby on an especially distant server, you may experience significant speed drops, leading to laggy play. CyberGhost gives a smooth Warzone experience thanks to its stellar security protections such as:
IP masking to protect against DDoS attacks Audited no-logs policy so your traffic is never saved AES 256-bit military-grade encryption to ensure your personal data is unreadable to hackers Always-on kill switch prevents data leaks if your server connection is lost IKEv2, Open VPN, and WireGuard protocols so you can choose the connections that work best for your needs.
You can use CyberGhost on up to 7 devices simultaneously, letting you play Warzone on your PC and consoles. While testing CyberGhost, I connected my Windows PC, an Android phone, iOS phone, and a PS4 to CyberGhost’s servers without issues or lag. The only minor con I identified is that CyberGhost’s short-term plans are more expensive than other top VPNs. However, its long-term plans are much cheaper and come with a 45-day money-back guarantee — the longest on this list. You can get CyberGhost for as little as $2.19/month, which is a great price considering that it provides gaming-optimized servers. You can download CyberGhost risk-free using its 45-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, getting a refund is no problem. I messaged CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat to see if you can get your money back as easily as promoted. In less than 10 minutes, I received a response stating that my refund was being processed with no questions asked and had the money back 4 days later. Play Warzone with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — A Vast Network of Servers Enable Bot Lobbies From Anywhere
Key Features: Private Internet Access has 35000 servers in over 84 countries, the largest network of servers on this list. This allows you to connect to various locations in CoD: Warzone countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Brazil, and Germany. Due to its vast network, PIA is one of the best VPNs for reducing the chance of overcrowded servers and finding the best bot lobbies to improve your rankings. This VPN makes heavy use of virtual servers, which can bring added performance benefits during gaming as it offers you a wider range of available servers. When I tested PIA with servers a few hours behind my timezone, I was happy to see that my ping remained below 70ms. This means that, even if you travel outside your usual country, you can connect to a server in a favorable timezone and play uninterrupted Warzone battles. PIA lets you customize the following security options to perfectly tailor your Warzone experience:
256-bit military-grade encryption safeguards your connection An audited no-logs policy ensures your activity is never monitored or stored A toggleable kill switch prevents data leakage in case of a connection drop OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IPSec protocols provide strong speed and security, depending on your preferences.
For as little as $2.19/month, you can play Call of Duty: Warzone on up to 10 devices simultaneously. PIA allows you to join lobbies with your family and friends at a fraction of the cost without compromising your privacy, security, or accessibility. Unfortunately, PIA’s interface is a bit complicated for VPN novices due to a variety of customization options and advanced features. However, PIA provides extensive installation guides for all compatible devices to make it easier for you to access its servers and play Warzone. If you are a user who is comfortable with VPN tech, PIA may be the perfect choice for you, as it’s great to have more control over your settings. Get PIA using its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your PIA subscription, you can easily get a full refund. To see if you can get your money back, I emailed PIA using its email support service requesting a refund. My refund request was processed within an hour with no questions asked, and I had the money back 6 working days later. Play Warzone with PIA
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices for Call of Duty
Key Features: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I was particularly impressed with the high performance of every server I tested. Just because a VPN has thousands of servers doesn’t mean they all work. Servers can still struggle to unblock local sites — and some can even fail to connect completely. However, I easily connected to a COD: Warzone server and got loaded into a lobby quickly. Because NordVPN has 5456+ servers in 60 countries, I was able to get excellent speeds and low ping no matter what time I connected. NordVPN includes a smart DNS feature, which you can use with devices that don’t natively support VPNs (like smart TVs and gaming consoles) while playing Warzone. Although I found NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, I could still connect in just a few seconds. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption A kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly Built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker Fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server.
You can stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $3.49 per month. To ensure that you’ll really get your money back, I tested NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. Play Warzone with NordVPN NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds With COD: Warzone
Key Features: Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription (which means you can game with your entire household!). I tested Surfshark’s unlimited connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD and lag-free gaming. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default Diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers) Kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default) IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you (and those you share your account with) can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds and ping for playing COD: Warzone with friends. You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.05. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Play Warzone with Surfshark Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
6. PrivateVPN — Easily Find Low Ping Servers to Improve Your Connection While Playing Warzone
Key Features: PrivateVPN provides the ping rate of each server in its list, making it easy for you to find the best connection and play Warzone without lag. I found low ping servers in seconds, meaning that you’ll be able to access Call of Duty without having to search PrivateVPN’s vast server list or experience connection issues during gameplay. With 200+ servers in over 63 countries, PrivateVPN has the smallest server network on this list. However, you can still use PrivateVPN to access easier lobbies and play Call Of Duty without experiencing overcrowded servers or error messages. In my testing, PrivateVPN was never detected as a problem by Warzone’s anti-cheat system, ensuring that you avoid bans and can continue to improve your skills.
PrivateVPN offers a ton of advanced security features such as:
IP masking protects you from mid-game DDoS attacks A kill switch cuts your connection in case of server instability A no-logs policy that doesn’t track or store your activity or personal information 256-bit encryption protects your traffic from snoopers
It’s worth noting that PrivateVPN doesn’t offer a Smart DNS function, which makes it a little more complicated to set up on a console. However, I was able to follow the simple online instructions to configure it to my router in under 15 minutes. Once set up, my PlayStation and every other device I connected to the router were immediately protected by the VPN without any further hassle. For only $2.00/month, PrivateVPN has a lot to offer, despite its smaller server network. Install PrivateVPN using its 30-day money-back guarantee to play Warzone risk-free. I tested PrivateVPN’s money-back guarantee by emailing support. They got back to me within 2 hours, and after one follow-up email, they approved the refund, which I received about a week later. Play Warzone with PrivateVPN
7. IPVanish — Unblock Call of Duty: Warzone on All Your Devices Simultaneously
Key Features: With IPVanish’s generous unlimited connections with one subscription, you’ll be able to play Call of Duty on all of your devices simultaneously without limits. I found that you can download Warzone on your PC, laptop, Xbox, and PlayStation and use IPVanish without any slowdown or fear of being suddenly disconnected in the middle of a heated battle. IPVanish has 2000+ servers in over 75 countries, allowing you to access easier Call of Duty lobbies wherever you are in the world. This large network of servers will ensure that you don’t experience any connection issues — you can always connect to servers at a reasonable distance from you to reduce your ping if it’s too high.
For $2.00/month, you get premium security to protect against DDoS attacks, Swatting, and other targeted threats while you play online. These include:
256-bit encryption makes your personal information indecipherable An optional kill switch protects your traffic from connection failure Independently-owned server network for improved security and maintenance.
Like PrivateVPN, IPVanish doesn’t offer a Smart DNS option. Fortunately, I was able to get its router setup completed in under 15 minutes and connected all my household devices to it without issue. The online help pages are extremely clear, and its 24/7 support center was on hand if I got stuck. Every subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try IPVanish risk-free. Requesting a refund with IPVanish is the most simple process of all my recommended VPNs, as all you have to do is go to your online dashboard and click to cancel. Once I did this, it was immediately approved and I had the money back in 4 days. Play Warzone with IPVanish IPVanish unblocks: Steam, Twitch, Netflix, Showtime, Discovery+, Paramount+, ITV Hub, ESPN, Vudu, and more.
Comparison Table: 2023’s Best Warzone VPNs
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How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Call of Duty: Warzone
Although there are several VPNs that have perfected streaming Netflix US and other services, VPNs that are good for gaming are few and far between. The following are some of the main factors I used to see which VPNs are best for finding easier lobbies in Call of Duty: Warzone and Warzone 2.0:
Fast speeds: You need lightning-fast speeds to play Call of Duty without losing your game due to connection issues and lag. Low ping: Ping is the latency (or lag) you encounter while playing online — the lower, the better. Connecting to a VPN generally introduces a little extra latency, but the best VPNs for gaming have developed server infrastructure that keeps it to a minimum (depending on the distance to the server you’re connected to). Variety of servers: Wide server availability ensures you can play Warzone with reliable connectivity no matter where you’re located. Security: Advanced features like AES 256-bit encryption and IP masking reduce the risk of DDoS attacks while playing Warzone online. Privacy: RAM-based servers, IP & DNS leak protection, and strict no-logs policies ensure you remain anonymous and can play Warzone risk-free. Device compatibility: Warzone can be played on your Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, so you need a VPN that is compatible with all of these devices. You should also be able to set up a connection on your router or via a PC hotspot in case you want to connect your console to a VPN. Simultaneous connections: So you can play Warzone on all your devices.
Play Warzone with ExpressVPN
How to Use a Warzone VPN in 3 Simple Steps
Access Warzone with ExpressVPN
How to Choose the Best VPN for Warzone
Here is a list of features you should consider when searching for a Warzone VPN to find bot lobbies and avoid SBMM:
DDoS protection: Choosing a VPN with DDoS protection like ExpressVPN is essential in 2023 as without DDoS protection, you’re more susceptible to cyber attacks that often occur while gaming. DDoS attacks can outright crash your game, denying you access to Warzone and its servers for hours at a time. Low ping rate/latency: When choosing a VPN, it’s important to find servers that are fast and ordered by ping. This will save you a lot of time when connecting to a Warzone VPN, as you won’t have to search through lists of hundreds of servers to acquire fast speeds for uninterrupted gaming. Smart DNS or Router configuration: If you want to play Warzone on a gaming console (including Xbox and PlayStation), you need a VPN that either allows Smart DNS connections or has its own router app. Good price: A VPN subscription can get very expensive depending on the VPN you choose. However, all VPNs on this list are among the best monthly VPNs and can be acquired for just a few dollars per month. Reliable money-back guarantee: In the event that the VPN you choose can’t consistently access Warzone or Warzone 2.0 in your country, you need to be able to get your money back quickly. Fortunately, every VPN on this list has a tested money-back guarantee.
Play Warzone with ExpressVPN
How to Play CoD: Warzone on Any of Your Devices
Since it works on a variety of devices, there are multiple ways to access Call of Duty: Warzone and find easy lobbies, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Mac (with an Intel Chip using BootCamp). However, you can’t get Warzone on mobile yet because this version is in active development (supposedly launching in May 2023). Play Call of Duty with ExpressVPN
What are bot lobbies and SBMM?
A “bot lobby” is a group of unskilled players that are unable to play successfully. The best Warzone VPNs give you access to these bot lobbies, making it easier for you to climb the leaderboard and gain experience without ruining your kill/death ratio. SBMM is skill-based matchmaking, which means that you will only usually be pitted against players of a skill set that is similar or greater than your own. Although the creators of Call of Duty: Warzone and Warzone 2.0 have never officially confirmed the existence of SBMM, it’s hard to dispute its existence. There has been plenty of testing online that proves players are consistently placed in lobbies with others of the same or greater skill level. Splitting playlists between a ranked mode with SBMM active and a casual mode without SBMM is a compromise that many players would like to see happen. However, there’s no word from the developers on whether this might happen.
How does a VPN stop SBMM in Warzone?
It’s possible to avoid skill-based matchmaking and access easy bot lobbies in specific countries and at certain times of the day with low latency and high-speed VPN.My top choice for bypassing Warzone SBMM is ExpressVPN. If you live in a country known for easy bot lobbies (such as Argentina, Hawaii, or Egypt), you can even access these bot lobbies when you travel outside your country with a VPN. Since a VPN disguises your true identity, the SBMM algorithm will have a tough time matching you with players of a similar skill level. Just connect to a server in the location you need and start your battle! The same concept applies to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, as well as many other modern shooters, meaning a VPN can be an invaluable tool in all your favorite online multiplayer games. Note that using a VPN to access bot lobbies in a country outside of your residence may breach Activision’s Terms of Use. I do not condone using a VPN for any illegal activities.
What are the best VPN locations for Warzone?
If you reside in countries such as Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Singapore, you may have access to the easiest bot lobbies. You can connect to servers anywhere in the world using a VPN, so you’re not left out when you travel outside of your country. Play Warzone early in the morning and late at night when there are fewer people playing since accessing Call of Duty at quieter times increases your chances of avoiding SBMM and finding bot lobbies.
Can a Warzone VPN prevent speed throttling?
Yes, you can use a quality gaming VPN like ExpressVPN to prevent speed throttling caused by ISPs. Using a VPN to play Call of Duty, you’ll be able to hide your internet activity from ISPs using military-grade encryption, IP & DNS leak protection, and strict no-logs policies. This makes it much harder for your ISP to see what you’re doing and throttle high-bandwidth activity, meaning that your game won’t experience slower speeds and lag.
Will a VPN increase my ping?
It’s difficult to determine whether a VPN will increase your ping. If your ISP is routing your traffic in an unoptimized way, a VPN with a fast global network like ExpressVPN may help reduce your ping. The main factor that influences whether a VPN will increase your ping is how close you are to the VPN’s server, and how close that server is to the Warzone game server. How many people are using the same VPN server as you can also have an impact, as congestion can cause increased latency. To increase the likelihood of getting a low ping rate, there are 3 options: Be aware that if your internet speed is slow before using a VPN, it could get slower and make it more difficult to access Warzone. This is because some VPNs can cause a speed reduction when rerouting your connection through its servers.
Can I get banned for using a VPN with Warzone 1 & 2?
It depends. There’s no explicit statement in Activision’s T&C about VPNs, so it’s unlikely you’ll get banned from using Call of Duty: Warzone with one of the gaming VPNs on this list. Many users download VPNs to stabilize their connections and reduce lag, and it’s difficult for Warzone to determine why you are using a VPN. However, Warzone’s Security and Enforcement Policy states that using any software to gain an unfair advantage over other players or to improve their stats is against its rules and could lead to a ban. If you’re a high-profile gamer or a professional player, I recommend you assess this risk and reach out to Warzone support for extra clarification to ensure you don’t get banned.
Can I play Warzone on Mac, Android, or iPhone?
Yes, you can play Warzone on some Mac models. However, you need to ensure your Mac has an Intel chip since Warzone won’t run on an M1 Mac. Some Intel chips also won’t have fast enough integrated graphics, so it’s worth Googling your own model before downloading the game. Warzone Mobile is also still in development for Android and iPhone, allegedly due to launch in May 2023.
What do I do if my Warzone VPN isn’t working?
If your Warzone VPN isn’t working, you should disconnect from your current server and connect to another nearby server. The top Warzone VPNs listed above are excellent options when needing to switch servers due to their vast server networks. However, if this doesn’t solve the problem, can:
Update your VPN. Uninstall the VPN and reinstall it on your device. Contact customer support for help. Download a trustworthy and reliable VPN, such as ExpressVPN.
Can I use NoLogVPN to play Call of Duty: Warzone?
No, you shouldn’t use NoLogVPN to play Call of Duty: Warzone. Despite its name insinuating that it’s a VPN, NoLogVPN has none of the security of the best Warzone VPNs. A configuration of the OpenVPN protocol, NoLogVPN was designed specifically for Warzone players and their needs. However, you will not be able to access streaming platforms or get any advanced security features, such as military-grade encryption, ad & malware blockers, kill switches, or split tunneling. If you purchase a NoLogVPN subscription, you will be paying the same, if not more, than you would when using one of the best Warzone VPNs — without any benefits.
Can I use a free Warzone VPN?
No, you should not use a free VPN to access Call of Duty: Warzone. Having tested many free VPNs in the past, I’ve found that they cannot protect your IP address and location from being intercepted by ISPs, prying eyes, and potential hackers. In addition, without security features like military-grade encryption and DDoS protection, you’re much more likely to experience cyber attacks that can steal your information and ruin your Warzone games. But not only that, free VPNs often sell user data for additional profit. They’re also often unable to overcome Warzone’s anti-cheat system and tampering software – which could cause you to get banned and lose access to Call of Duty: Warzone completely.
Play Call of Duty: Warzone With a VPN
Due to Warzone’s suspected SBMM algorithm, you’ll often find yourself placed in frustrating matches with highly-skilled players, which can make it difficult to get a win. With a VPN, you can change your real IP and connect to a server in a country of your choice to access easy Warzone bot lobbies. After testing over 30 VPNs, I found that ExpressVPN’s superfast speeds and Lightway protocol make it the best VPN for playing Warzone. Download ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unhappy with your subscription, you can get a full refund by messaging its customer service team. Play Warzone with ExpressVPN
