Fortnite is not just a game; it’s a sign of the times. It’s the game that millions of users play worldwide regardless of age, culture, language, religion, or physical location. Although, most successful games attract a faithful audience from the ranks of gaming enthusiasts. But for Fortnite, you needn’t be a gaming expert, a geek, or a power user. Fornite is for everybody, and that’s why everybody loves it.
However, the Fortnite experience is not smooth for every user, and there are plenty of issues around it. Things like DDoS attacks, ISP throttling, IP bans, and other common digital age bugs also show their ugly faces among Fortnite players.
However, there’s no need to worry or quit playing your favorite online game. Each of those issues admits a solution, and the answer is the same in every case: a VPN. A premium VPN service will eliminate all your Fortnite headaches and provide a smooth and thoroughly enjoyable playing experience. And besides enhancing your Fornite life, the VPN will increase your digital privacy, anonymity, and security. So you end up winning in every respect, and even in some things you were probably neglecting previously.
But how is it possible for a VPN to do all this magic for you? Can any VPN do this? Can free VPNs work as well? Which are the ones better suited for Fortnite players, and why? If any of those questions are on your mind, you have found the right article to read. Follow through with us, and you’ll know the answer to those and many more questions.
The top five best VPNs to play Fortnite – Quick list
Maybe you already know a thing or two about Fortnite and VPNs. So if you are already aware of the benefit of having a VPN in general and for Fortnite in particular, and you only need to know the best VPN for the Fortnite experience, here’s our quick list. Readers who want to learn all this information in further detail can find it after this section.
- ExpressVPN: The overall best VPN for Fortnite players. The biggest name in VPNs is also perfect for an uninterrupted gaming experience.
- NordVPN: One of the best VPNs in the market also delivers the goods on the Fortnite front. NordVPN’s high speeds and reliability make it an excellent choice for playing Fortnite.
- Private Internet Access (PIA): A friendly VPN for newbies that boasts the largest server network in the VPN-verse. And also a VPN with a proven commitment to user privacy.
- Surfshark: The budget option in our list gives you top-notch service for a meager price. This VPN has made a lot of noise in a short period.
- AtlasVPN: A good VPN with a freemium business plan. AtlasVPN is one of the very few free VPNs on the internet offering top-notch functionality.
Why do I need to use a VPN to play Fortnite?
As mentioned earlier, Fortnite users worldwide find plenty of issues to deal with so that they can keep playing. You can make them all go away with a VPN. Following are some of the most prominent and universal issues Fortnite players face.
1. Bypass IP bans
It’s always great to play fair and win fair, right? However, there’s something to be said about breaking the rules and collecting additional wins, even if you have to bend the rules slightly. Of course, we would not condone such behavior, but it’s a lot of fun for many users. And as long as you don’t get caught, what’s the problem?
The problem is getting detected because that’s when your IP address gets banned by Fortnite, and you are outside the game’s community and can’t play anymore. A VPN will change your IP address as far as the Fortnite’s servers are concerned so that you can rejoin the game.
2. Avoid ISP throttling
Some ISPs keep a close eye on what their clients do online. If they find them using a great deal of bandwidth, such as when watching digital video streams, they limit the resources allocated to the user. That’s called “throttling.” The same happens during intensive gameplay. Consequently, you’ll find that your favorite internet hobby is ruined because your ISP is not allowing you to use your resources for it.
But, your ISP can’t figure out what you’re doing with a VPN because it encrypts all your traffic. Moreover, the best VPNs (like those in our list) obfuscate the traffic, tricking your ISP into believing it is HTPPS navigation, but they still won’t have a clue.
3. Reduce ping
Your ping time is the internet equivalent to physical distance. A VPN will “teleport” your computer to another place in the world, where your VPN server is based. So a VPN gives you the chance to play from a VPN server with a shorter ping time to the Fortnite’s servers. That will make you closer for every practical purpose, and everything will be faster, smoother, and better for you.
4. Evade restrictions in repressive jurisdictions
For example, maybe the internet at your office or university blocks Fortnite. Or perhaps you live in Iraq, China, or other countries in which the game is banned. Excellent VPNs will fix this issue for you to play wherever you are if it’s a country or a specific place in your city.
5. Avoid DDoS attacks
Hackers are still around. They still like to make DDoS attacks, and you could be the target of one or several of those. Unless you’re within a VPN data tunnel, in which case, they won’t be able to find you.
You’ve probably already had to face one or several of those issues if you’re reading this. However, the solution exists, and you can quickly implement it by getting a VPN account.
The top five VPNs for Fortnite in 2022 – Detailed list
After discussing the benefits you get with a Fortnite VPN, let’s move on to the best choice you can use.
1. ExpressVPN
The best Fortnite VPN known for its blazing-fast speeds, huge choice of servers to unblock Fortnite, and stealth browsing to evade IP tracking.
3000+ servers in 94 countries
AES-256 encryption
P2P support
TrustedServer technology (RAM-based servers)
Kill switch
Split tunneling
Web leak protection
Strict zero-logs policy
24/7 support via live chat
Supports 5 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Incredible speeds
- Supports routers
- Ensures robust online security
- Unblocks most streaming platforms
Cons
- Expensive subscription plans
ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there for Fortnite players. We’re not surprised. ExpressVPN is probably the biggest name in the VPN-verse. It’s been around for a long time, always leading the way, offering the highest possible quality.
The connections to ExpressVPN servers are high-speed, reliable, and secure. The security is top-notch with AES-256 encryption. And it offers a lot of additional features like custom VPN tunneling protocols, split tunneling, traffic obfuscation, and more. So whatever any good VPN can do, ExpressVPN can also do it in style.
There’s just no way to go wrong with this vendor. It will give you everything you need to solve any Fortnite-related problems you can have and then some.
You can choose a server from 3000 options in over 94 countries, so the selection is extensive.
This VPN can bypass the restrictions from even the most hostile environments — China, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, you name it. With ExpressVPN, you can use your internet connection as if you were in the world’s most liberal country regarding digital rights.
2. NordVPN
With top-notch security and lightning-fast speeds, NordVPN works great for seamless Fortnite gameplays anywhere globally. Its range of features and server obfuscation make it a must for avid gamers in repressive regions.
Over 5,000 servers in 60 countries
AES 256-bit encryption
RAM-based server network
P2P optimized servers
Customizable split tunneling
Customizable kill switch
Strict no-logs policy
Double VPN
Ad and malware blocking feature
Supports 6 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Reliable connections with incredible speed
- Tremendous cross-platform support
- Dedicated apps for routers
- Dedicated Tor support
Cons
- Desktop app may be overwhelming for new users
NordVPN is incorporated in Panama, a privacy-friendly country and a great place to start a VPN. The server network includes 5,400 nodes in 60 countries. So, it has plenty of servers everywhere, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.
We have often found NordVPN the best VPN for HD video streaming and gaming tasks. Of course, ExpressVPN came out on top in the Fortnite category, but NordVPN remains an excellent choice.
The network’s size guarantees that you can have a smooth playing experience regardless of your physical location. In addition, you can always find a server that will improve your system’s performance. And since the servers in NordVPN are so fast and reliable, everything will run very smoothly.
The encryption algorithm at NordVPN is AES 256-bit (the VPN standard and the military and intelligence standard worldwide). In addition, the service includes many additional features like a kill switch, obfuscation, split tunneling, and much more. Every feature is top of the line, and it’s beneficial for your digital security.
And the price is very reasonable. Considering the plethora of features NordVPN offers, the price is more than fair, giving you a service above the average for a fee in the middle of the road.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA)
A user-friendly VPN that supports intensive activities like streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Hence, it’s great to enjoy a limitless Fortnite experience.
Thousands of servers in 84 countries
Two-way encryption (AES 128-bit/256-bit)
Supports P2P
Split tunneling feature
No-logs policy
Blocks trackers and malware
Web leak protection
24/7 customer support
10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Huge server network
- Unblocks most geo-restricted sites
- Has open source apps
- Supports multiple devices
Cons
- US-based location which is part of 5-Eyes Alliance
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a US-based VPN. It’s outstanding in the market because it has the largest server network. In addition, its apps are user-friendly, so it’s a perfect option for the newer VPN users who have not had any previous experience.
Then there’s the server network. Believe it or not, the network has nearly 30,000 servers in more than eighty countries. You couldn’t test every server in this network even if you spend the rest of your life trying it.
Security is excellent with PIA, and its commitment to privacy has been tested by fire during court cases.
4. Surfshark
An incredibly fast and secure VPN provider for Fortnite players looking for a budget-friendly VPN with top-notch features.
Over 3,200 servers in 65 countries
AES-256 encryption
RAM-based server network
Supports P2P
Ad and malware blocker
Kill switch
Split tunneling
MultiHop mode
Camouflage mode
Unlimited simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Incredible cross-platform compatibility
- Affordable pricing plans
- Unblocks most geo-blocked services
- Responsive customer support
Cons
- Distant servers sometimes offer slow speeds
This Dutch VPN is a relative newcomer to the VPN-verse. However, Surfshark is disrupting the market by offering a top-notch service that can compete with NordVPN and ExpressVPN at a fraction of the price. Furthermore, this VPN is so affordable that Surfshark will fit within the tightest one even if the budget concerns you.
The server network includes more than 3200 nodes in 65 countries, so it’s as plentiful as any other choice on the list (except for PIA).
Some reviewers consider Surfshark the next-generation VPN service because of the AES-256 GCM encryption. We’re not so sure about that. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are at least as advanced, if not more, than Surfshark. But it remains a great option to play Fortnite.
Other features in Surfshark include split tunneling, traffic obfuscation, ad blocking, and a kill switch.
5. Atlas VPN
The best free VPN to access Fortnite. Even upgrading to premium subscription plans is quite affordable. Plus, its SafeSwap feature is especially beneficial to avoid tracking and DDoS attacks while gaming.
750+ servers across 44 locations
AES-256 encryption
Split tunneling
MultiHop feature
P2P support
Kill switch
Malware and ad blocker
Keeps no data logs
Unlimited simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Supports 2 simultaneous devices for free users
- No speed limits with free plan
- Impressive connection speeds
- Affordable subscription plans
Cons
- Fewer server locations
- No live chat support for free users
Another newcomer on the list, Atlas VPN, hails from the US. It has a smaller server network of only 750 servers in 38 countries. The network size is not impressive compared to our previous options. But AtlasVPN has other advantages, and it can still give you enough server choices to play Fortnite.
The main advantage of AtlasVPN is that it’s one of the very few top-notch VPNs that offer a freemium plan. So yes, you can have the full power of AtlasVPN without paying any fees. You get all the bandwidth you can use, and the only limitation you’ll have as a free user is a data cap of 10 GB per month.
If you need a VPN to support a digital task heavy in video and multimedia, 10GB will probably not be enough. However, a more conservative set of activities in which you don’t have any torrents active, watch many videos, etc., could fit well with the 10 GB cap.
Will 10GB be enough for you to play Fortnite to your heart’s content? Well, that will depend on your playing habits, but you can always have a look at AtlasVPN and see how it works for you. After all, it’s free.
The security in Atlas VPN is good because it keeps to the same encryption standards as every other decent VPN in the industry. In addition, it offers split tunneling, a kill switch, and an IP rotator (SafeSwap) feature. So, it’s even easier for you to dodge IP bans.
How did we test and choose these Fortnite VPNs?
The VPN market is overcrowded. There are many providers out there, with more popping up. They all say they’re the best by far, but only a handful of them can support their claims with their performance.
So how do you find the good ones? Well, you don’t have to. Our staff already did that work for you. However, choosing a good VPN is not easy. Testing each one takes time, resources, and expertise, and sometimes you even need to have team members in some of the most sensitive international locations. But, don’t worry because we have already found the best five options and included them in our list.
How did we choose these great five top VPNs to play Fortnite in 2022, we hear you ask? By taking the following criteria into account:
Server network
A good VPN needs to have an extensive server network that includes many countries. Numbers count because they prevent any single server from overloads, and the variety of countries gives you access to different internet experiences.
Speed
Using a VPN will always cost you some speed. The encryption and the traffic routing take a bit of time. However, it shouldn’t cost you as much speed so that you will notice it. That needs a VPN with fast connections. Also, let’s not forget that we’re talking about gaming, and gaming always needs high bandwidths so that you can keep up with your games in real-time.
Security and privacy
Some new use cases have risen recently for VPNs. However, the first and foremost use case is to ensure your security and privacy online. A VPN that doesn’t excel at this task is not worthy of its name.
Additional features
VPNs are supposed to do two things: encrypt and spoof your IP address. That’s it. However, the best services in the industry (like those we’ve chosen for you) will give you a lot more features that are also useful and help enhance your digital experience. For example, a kill switch, multi-hop connections, split-tunneling, ad blocking, traffic obfuscation, BitTorrent support, options in VPN tunneling protocols, and other extra features can potentially change the game for you. And we don’t mean Fortnite only, but the whole game.
Price
Keeping yourself safe shouldn’t break the bank for you; that’s what a budget-friendly VPN ensures.
ExpressVPN is the most costly option on the list –not expensive; it charges more because it offers more. On the other side of the spectrum, we have Surfshark, which you can have for as little as 2.80 USD monthly without sacrificing your service’s high quality or additional features.
And the other three options are very reasonable. AtlasVPN even has a free option. It’s limited, but it gives you the complete service. So there’s no excuse. VPNs are necessary in our current times for every privacy-savvy user. And money is no reason to lack one.
Will Fortnite ban me for using a VPN?
No, you won’t get banned from Fortnite because of using VPNs. Using a VPN to play is within the game’s rules because the Terms of Service do not forbid it.
However, it would be best if you used your VPN wisely. Having a VPN will make it easier to you to bend or break some of the rules. But, of course, if you get caught doing that, then you could get a ban. But when that happens, don’t try to blame your behavior on your VPN.
However, if you get a ban from Fornite for trying to play dirty, a VPN will help you. Since the bans are placed on IP addresses, and a VPN can offer you an unlimited variety of IP numbers, your IP ban won’t harm you. But we encourage you to be fair. Winning a clean game is always more satisfying.
Using a VPN to play Fortnite
Using a VPN to play Fortnite is an easy thing to do. Just follow these steps:
- Pick a premium VPN and join it. ExpressVPN was the best we could find.
- Find and install the app that ExpressVPN, or the VPN you picked, offers for your device.
- Launch the app. Log in using your account’s credentials.
- Find a server in the VPN network close to your gaming server’s location. Connect to that server.
- Start playing Fortnite!
Fortnite keeps kicking me out! How can I stop that?
Some users find that they come across the annoying message:
We hit a roadblock. You were removed from the match due to internet lag, your IP or machine, VPN usage, or for cheating. We recommend not utilizing VPN or proxy services while attempting to play Fortnite.
If this is happening to you, it’s because of one of the following reasons:
- Using the wrong VPN. The cause for this could be that you picked a VPN that is not suited to play Fortnite, or your software needs updating.
- Bad network connection. If your internet connection can’t give you at least 3Mbps, the Fortnite servers will kick you out.
- Conduct-ignorance on Fortnite. Fortnite is tolerance-oriented. That means you’re not supposed to abuse any other player. So follow the etiquette and don’t be a bully.
- IP ban. Your IP is banned. It happened because you cheated, bullied, shared your personal information, or did anything else that’s not allowed.
That “roadblock” message is not the end of the world, and it doesn’t need to be the end of your Fortnite experience. Try the following fixes:
- Choose a premium VPN from our list.
- Update your VPN app to the latest version.
- Try a different server in your VPN network.
- Restart your router, so your internet connection gets refreshed.
- Change your IP address using a VPN server.
So, where are Fortnite’s servers located?
The game keeps its servers in the following places:
- Australia
- South Korea
- Tokyo, Japan
- Singapore
- Mumbai, India
- Paris, France
- Frankfurt, Germany
- Ireland
- London, UK
- Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Canada
- The USA states of Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, and California
What is the best Fortnite server location I can choose?
It all comes to the lowest ping. But, of course, having the lowest possible ping requires you to be close to Fortnite server locations or to use a wired connection. Doing the latter is a technical nightmare, so we don’t encourage you to try.
However, there’s a better way to do this if you have a good VPN. First, your VPN must-have plenty of servers for you to choose from. Within your VPN settings, you need to pick the fastest possible protocol (Lightway in ExpressVPN, WireGuard in the rest, if available). Then choose a server in your VPNs network located in the same city as one of Fortnite’s servers. For example, London, Frankfurt, and Paris are good choices. Or servers in California within the US can also help.
Can a VPN reduce ping in Fortnite?
Yes, a VPN will lower your ping so you can enhance your Fortnite’s performance. The previous paragraph gives you the essentials you need to know.
The key is to configure your VPN app to use the fastest VPN protocol and then pick a VPN server near Fortnite’s servers.
So which is the fastest VPN protocol? Of course, those protocols called WireGuard or based on the WireGuard project will be the best for you because they’re the most modern and faster VPN tunneling protocols. But beware of this: some vendors have chosen funny names for their WireGuard-based protocol. ExpressVPN, for instance, calls it Lightway.
The other thing is to choose a VPN server that’s physically near the Fortnite servers. So, connect to a VPN server in California, London, Frankfurt, Paris, or Tokyo.
Can I use a free VPN to play Fortnite?
You can indeed use a free VPN to play Fortnite. However, unless it’s Atlas VPN or another premium VPN with a freemium plan, we don’t advise you to do that.
There are many problems inherent to free VPNs (except, as noted, with good, reputable freemium ones). They come in two flavors: privacy and functionality.
Let’s start with functionality. Unfortunately, free VPNs do not have enough resources that you’ll find in top-notch VPNs. So while you could get a free VPN to pull this trick for you, it would not make your experience any better. On the contrary, it would barely work in the best-case scenario.
Then there’s the privacy issue. Most of the free VPNs on the internet have a business model in which they make ends meet by selling their user activity logs to third parties. Yes, this means they will track you carefully and then sell your history to somebody else. That creates a privacy problem that you neither need nor want.
So here’s the bottom line on free VPNs and Fortnite: they won’t make your experience better and keep you safe. So there’s no reason even to try one.
Wrapping up
Fortnite is a lot of fun. If you want to play it, you should, and nothing should stop you. No, even the Fortnite ban, geo-block restrictions, or anything else should ruin Fortnite for you! You can be sure that you’ll keep playing at your leisure if you have a premium Fortnite VPN service working for you.
Let’s be very clear: suppose you live in China, where the country has banned the game, and that the Fortnite authorities banned your IP, you cheated, and you got banned. Again. Even in this hostile scenario, you will be able to keep playing Fortnite if you just pick the correct VPN. ExpressVPN is our top pick, but you have the other four in this article that will work.
Additionally, VPNs do not only enhance your Fortnite playing. But it will also improve your overall digital lifestyle by making it safer, more anonymous, and more private. Excellent VPNs also give you many additional features to help you with almost every other activity you do on the internet.
So the cards are on the table, and the conclusion is obvious: with the budget and free options on our list, there’s no reason not to have a good VPN, least of all money. A VPN is a must-have tool in this day and age. Yes, it will make Fortnite better for you. But it will also keep you safe online. And that’s what matters the most.
FAQs
Kind of. Using a VPN is not against the terms of use. So Fortnite allows for VPNs. However, Fortnite also says that it doesn’t like them very much.
NordVPN is very good for Fortnite. But ExpressVPN and Surfshark are excellent too. These VPNs have managed to integrate the latest WireGuard tunneling protocol into their service.
The one that is closest to one of Fortnite’s servers.
No, you can’t. Using Lutris, you can install and use the Epic Games Launcher on Linux, but that’s as far as you can get. If you want to play Fortnite from a Linux system, you’ll have to wait until Epic Games decides the same.
