5 Best VPNs for FFXIV (Final Fantasy XIV) in 2024

Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) is a super-popular multiplayer online game with millions of users. So, it is no surprise that many players experience constant lags, high ping, and increased latency due to overcrowded servers, in addition to matchmaking issues. In addition, even though FF14 is available everywhere, Korea and China have their own region-locked versions that are only accessible locally. 

To play Final Fantasy XIV with low ping and latency and access the Korean and Chinese versions, you'll need the best VPN for FFXIV. A VPN allows you to avoid IP bans, minimize lagging by playing on less crowded servers, avoid bandwidth throttling, access servers better suited for your skills, and avoid frequent DDoS attacks.

In this guide, we'll discuss the best FFXIV VPNs, explain how to play FFXIV with a VPN, discuss why you need a VPN, share some guidelines for choosing one, resolve your doubts about using free options, and answer some important FAQs in the end.

Best FFXIV VPNs - Our Shortlist 

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for FFXIV in 2024
2. Surfshark – FFXIV VPN with Lots of Server Locations
3. ExpressVPN – Fully Automated VPN for Final Fantasy 14
4. CyberGhost VPN – Final Fantasy 14 VPN with Specialized Gaming Servers
5. Private Internet Access – Advanced & Highly Customizable VPN for Gaming

How to Play Final Fantasy XIV with a VPN

Once you find and subscribe to a gaming-friendly VPN, you need to install its app and connect to a suitable server. With your connection encrypted, you can launch FFXIV. Here's our full guide on how to set up a VPN for FFXIV:

1. Subscribe to a VPN that works well with FFXIV (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN app on your gaming device(s).
3. Launch the VPN app, and when prompted, log in using your credentials. 
4. Select a VPN server in a location near your desired FFXIV servers.
5. Download FFXIV (if you haven't already) and log in to your account.
6. And you’re done! Now, you can start playing Final Fantasy XIV. 

At the time of writing this guide, FFXIV's data centers are available in North America, Japan, and Europe. The farther you are from your selected data center, the slower your connection will be. We recommend you pick a data center near your physical location and connect to the closest VPN server near those game servers.

The Best VPNs for FFXIV in 2024

To find an option aligned with all your needs, you should follow the criteria we established in our guide to the best gaming VPN services. That said, the first and foremost criterion you should look for in a VPN is a wide server network that covers many regions, including North America, Japan, and Europe.

Having access to plenty of servers will ensure reliable performance and fast speeds, along with low ping and controlled latency. Moreover, you should look for features like a capable kill switch (to help prevent data leaks), secure VPN protocols, and bulletproof data encryption.

Your VPN should allow you to offer enough simultaneous connections and also be compatible with multiple devices (routers, especially - if you play FFXIV on a console). Let's not forget a fair price, plenty of value, and a generous money-back guarantee. Lastly, the VPN must offer 24/7 customer support. 

Based on the criteria mentioned above, here are the 5 best VPNs for playing Final Fantasy 14 in 2024:

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for FFXIV in 2024

NordVPN is the best VPN for Final Fantasy XIV, featuring high-end privacy and security. It has a large server network, with 6,300+ servers in 110+ countries, and offers FFXIV server IPs in North America, Europe, and Asia. It offers one of the most extensive server networks, making this VPN more than suitable for gaming on any type of device.

This is one of the fastest VPN services, with the power to keep your ping and latency under control even when using remote servers. If you pick the right server, NordVPN will help you get an extra-smooth gameplay experience.

NordVPN offers top-tier security and privacy features, including AES 256-bit/ChaCha20 encryption, a kill switch, secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec), DDoS protection, and more. As such, you can rest assured that NordVPN will protect your privacy and upgrade your digital security while playing Final Fantasy XIV or any other online game.

This provider allows you to have up to 10 simultaneous connections and is compatible with many devices. You'll find its modern-looking and easy-to-use apps on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, dedicated streaming devices, and even routers (a solution for PS and Xbox consoles).

NordVPN starts at $3.09/month (2-year subscription). Also, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can try it risk-free. Lastly, there's 24/7 customer support via live chat in addition to a range of other support channels. 

2. Surfshark – FFXIV VPN with Lots of Server Locations

Surfshark is an excellent VPN for FFXIV with extensive coverage, making it suitable for playing on different FF14 game servers, including those in North America, Japan, and Europe. It has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries that support super-fast Internet connection speeds and reliable performance.

Thanks to its wide coverage and fast speeds, Surfshark allows you to reduce ping and latency in FFXIV, no matter which game server you use. That said, if you notice that your chosen FFXIV server is laggy, you can simply try connecting to a different VPN server in the same area.

Not only will you get fast speeds with this provider, but you'll also get excellent protection and security. Some of the features that Surfshark offers include military-grade encryption (AES-256, ChaCha20), secure protocols (WireGuard, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN), a kill switch, MultiHop, dedicated IPs, and more. 

Surfshark allows you to have an unlimited number of connections simultaneously and is compatible with many devices, including laptops, PCs, gaming consoles, routers, and more. With this provider, you can play FFXIV on as many devices as you want, whenever and wherever you want.

The lowest you can pay for Surfshark is $2.29/month for its 2-year subscription. Like most premium VPN providers, it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and it comes with responsive and knowledgeable 24/7 customer support. 

3. ExpressVPN – Fully Automated VPN for Final Fantasy 14

ExpressVPN is another solid VPN provider thanks to its wide network that covers 100+ countries with thousands of servers. This includes areas housing the game's data centers, including North America, Europe, and Japan. You'll be able to switch from server to server and find the one that suits your skills best while keeping your FFXIV ping low and latency stable. 

This provider is among the fastest VPNs, offering lightning-fast speeds and reliable performance on all servers, no matter how far away they are from you. You'll also get secure VPN protocols (Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec), military-grade encryption (AES-256, WolfSSL), and more.

In addition, ExpressVPN offers a capable kill switch mechanism, which will keep your data and Internet connection safe even if you temporarily disconnect from your VPN. There's also obfuscation, which means that no one will see your VPN traffic. Those features are enabled in the background, allowing ExpressVPN to do the hard work of securing your online traffic all on its own.

This VPN allows you to have up to 8 simultaneous connections, and it's compatible with a wide range of devices, including computers, phones, tablets, streaming devices, and more. It also supports plenty of routers, which is how you can obtain a VPN connection on your PlayStation or Xbox.

ExpressVPN's annual plan is priced at $6.67/month. Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try out ExpressVPN's services risk-free and see if they fit your needs. Lastly, you'll get reliable 24/7 customer support via live chat. 

4.  CyberGhost VPN – Final Fantasy 14 VPN with Specialized Gaming Servers

CyberGhost is a reputable VPN that works with Final Fantasy XIV and has one of the largest server networks on the market. Expect thousands of servers in 100 countries, many of which match the FFXIV server locations in Japan, Europe, and North America. This makes it excellent for minimizing ping and keeping latency low.

This provider offers reliable performance and medium-fast speeds. CyberGhost also has specialized servers for gaming, P2P file sharing, and streaming. You can use its gaming-optimized servers to achieve good ping for FFXIV a little more successfully than with its normal servers, but the gaming servers are only available on Windows devices. 

CyberGhost offers strong security and privacy, including secure VPN protocols (WireGuard, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN), a kill switch, strong encryption, and DDoS protection. It doesn't offer obfuscation, so it might not work optimally in countries with heavy Internet censorship - something to keep in mind.

In addition, you're allowed 7 simultaneous connections with CyberGhost, and you can use it on a wide range of devices and platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, streaming devices, and there's also support for routers.

Lastly, you can pay only $2.03/month for this VPN. On top of that, CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans and a 14-day money-back guarantee on its monthly plan. You'll also get reliable 24/7 customer support via live chat. 

5. Private Internet Access – Advanced & Highly Customizable VPN for Gaming

Private Internet Access (PIA) has a network of bare-metal servers covering the entire world, offering thousands of servers in 90+ countries. It has plenty of coverage in regions where FFXIV's servers are located, including Europe, North America, and Japan. You can use it to lower your FFXIV server ping and latency, but you'll have to tweak your settings to get the best performance.

PIA allows you to modify your VPN protocols and choose the fastest one to get the lowest FFXIV server lag possible. However, this will require decreasing your security and privacy settings. Without that, PIA delivers medium-fast Internet connection speeds yet reliable performance. 

This provider offers all the security and privacy features needed to protect you online and keep you safe from DDoS attacks, among other common frustrations. It comes with a capable kill switch, secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPsec), strong encryption (AES-256, ChaCha20), obfuscated servers, and a no-logs policy. 

Additionally, you'll get unlimited simultaneous connections so that you can protect all your devices at the same time. The provider is also compatible with a wide array of devices, including laptops, PCs, gaming consoles, routers, and more. 

PIA has a great price as well - only $2.03/month for its monthly plan. It provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, as well as 24/7 customer support via live chat with fast response times.

Should I Use a VPN for FF14?

A VPN allows you to bypass overcrowded servers, helping you reduce your ping and latency. As such, VPNs can be quite beneficial when playing games such as FF14. That said, you can expect many other benefits as well, so let's check them out:

• Minimize Ping and FFXIV Lagging – To get the smoothest experience when playing Final Fantasy 14, you should connect to VPN servers close to your desired game servers.
• Prevent and Bypass IP Bans – If you violate the game's Terms and Conditions, you might receive an FFXIV IP ban. To get unbanned from FFXIV, use a VPN to change your IP address.
• Stay Away from DDoS Attacks - DDoS attacks happen when hackers flood your IP with requests, blocking your Internet access temporarily. A powerful VPN with strong security and privacy features can protect you from these attacks, as well as doxxing. 
• Bypass Regional Blocks – Your local FFXIV game servers might not be suitable for your skill level. To avoid this, you'll need to connect to different ones using a VPN.
• Get Away from Overcrowded Servers – Final Fantasy XIV is very popular, and like many games, its servers sometimes get overwhelmed by traffic. You can use a VPN to connect to a different game server to avoid FFXIV crashing due to server congestion.
• Ensure Your Online Anonymity: A VPN strips your original IP address and encrypts your data. It allows you to use the Web and play online games with an increased level of anonymity.
• Fight Back Against Bandwidth Throttling – ISPs can see your activities and how much data you use. When you consume larger amounts of data while playing games, your ISP can slow down your Internet. Use a VPN with strong encryption to hide your gaming activity.
• Play FFXIV Safely on Public WiFi – Public networks are unsecured, and it's easy to be hacked when connected to them. An FF14 VPN will encrypt your data and activities so you can play FFXIV safely.
• Bypass Price Discrimination – Some games display different in-game prices depending on your location. You can use a VPN to get the best deals.

How to Choose the Best FFXIV VPN?

You'll want to lower your ping and eliminate latency, which means you should focus on finding a VPN with a large server network and fast speeds. That said, don't forget about the basics either - you'll need strong protocols, robust encryption, and support for all your devices. Here's more information:

• Sizable Network of Servers – Having a global server network is an important consideration because the larger the network, the wider the access to FF14's servers and content. VPNs with more locations are also less prone to overcrowding, consequently providing better connections.
• Gaming-Friendly Speeds and Low Ping – You want a VPN that can lower FFXIV high ping and keep latency stable. This requires super-fast connection speeds and reliable server performance.
• Privacy-Protecting Kill Switch – If your VPN connection encounters any issues, a kill switch will cut your Internet until VPN protection is reestablished to prevent data leakage.
• Dependable VPN Protocols and Strong Encryption – You want a service with uncrackable AES-256 encryption and robust protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. This will ensure your security and privacy are upheld.
• Sufficient Number of Simultaneous Connections – Look for a VPN that allows multiple simultaneous connections so you can use it on multiple gaming devices at once.
• Native VPN Software – Having apps for the major gaming platforms that run FFXIV will allow you to play Final Fantasy XIV on all your devices. Router support is especially helpful for connecting game consoles that don't natively support VPNs.
• Budget-Friendly Price and Lots of Value - A high-end VPN doesn't have to cost a lot. To get the lowest price possible, we recommend investing in a long-term subscription plan.
• Generous Money-Back Policy – Having a money-back guarantee is important so you can try out the VPN before fully committing to it.
• Knowledgeable Customer Support – If you run into any issues, having customer support available 24/7 is crucial.

Can a Free VPN Minimize Ping in FFXIV?

Even though a free VPN for FFXIV might reduce your ping and latency up to a certain point, it will always leave you wanting for more. In other words, there are many reasons why we can't recommend free VPNs, especially for gaming.

Free VPNs are not safe at all and don't offer the necessary privacy features that will protect you from DDoS attacks and IP leaks. They come with minimal functionality and services, which are not suitable for multiplayer RPGs like Final Fantasy XIV.

Some of the limitations you'll face with a free VPN include low data caps, bandwidth, and speed restrictions, and small server infrastructures. Most free providers offer only a few dozen (or fewer) servers in 2-3 countries, which is not ideal if you want to avoid overcrowding and play with low ping and latency.

Thus, your best bet for achieving low ping, reduced latency, and smooth FFXIV gameplay is to subscribe to a premium VPN. Check out our list of the best VPN providers that can ensure a lag-free gaming experience while protecting you from DDoS attacks. And if you wish to play it safe, you can get a premium VPN's trial, offering premium features for a limited time.

That said, a great option is to test NordVPN for free. You can activate its free trial on Android and use it for 7 days. Aside from that, NordVPN also has a 30-day money-back policy in place for all its supported devices.

Final Thoughts

Hugely popular games like Final Fantasy XIV are plagued by overcrowded servers, DDoS attacks, and unsatisfied players who can't enjoy the game without considerable lag. If you want to unlock FFXIV's full potential and play with no restrictions, you need to find a suitable VPN with powerful security and privacy features.

You can optimize your gameplay experience with NordVPN, which is the best VPN for FFXIV because it has thousands of servers across the world that will give you unrestricted access to any game server. ALso, this provider will deliver smooth gameplay with low latency and ping, as well as the peace of mind that you’re protected from DDoS attacks.

That's all for our guide on choosing the best VPN for FFXIV. If you have more questions or remarks, please share them with us via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!