5 Best VPNs to Change Steam Region in 2024 - TechNadu (2024)

Steam is the world's most popular video game distribution service, with millions using it to buy and run games. That said, based on your Steam region, new releases may be unavailable or more expensive. Gamers also have to deal with fluctuations in ping and latency, the inability to access bot lobbies in certain games, as well as stay clear of in-game IP bans.

All of those issues can be resolved using a VPN. By re-routing your data, a VPN helps you reach a much smoother gameplay session, sidestep various types of bans, protect yourself from DDoS attacks, and bypass ISP throttling. Plus, a capable Steam VPN can unblock new games and unlock cheaper prices.

In this guide, we'll talk about the best VPNs for Steam. We'll also show you how to change your region on Steam with a VPN, explain why you need one, how to pinpoint the best one, and how to resolve technical issues. Then, we'll discuss whether you can get banned for using a VPN, how to unlock Steam games early, and we'll answer some FAQs as well.

Best VPNs for Steam - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for Steam in 2024
2. Surfshark – Gaming-Friendly Steam VPN with Lots of Servers
3. ExpressVPN – Ultra-Capable VPN for Privacy and Low Latency
4. CyberGhost – VPN with Special Gaming Servers on Windows
5. Private Internet Access – Customizable VPN for High-End Users

How to Change Steam Region with a VPN

Your goal is to connect to a suitable VPN server, which is when you have to begin the process of making a purchase using a payment method from the country you want to change your Steam region to. Follow these steps to make things easy:

1. Sign up for a VPN that works with Steam (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN on your gaming device.
3. Connect to a VPN server in the Steam region of your choice.
4. Access the Steam app/website and add any item to your shopping cart.
5. Click 'Purchase for myself' to proceed to the 'Payment Method' screen.
6. Choose one of the credit card options from the dropdown box.
7. Click on the 'Country' dropdown box to change your Steam country.
8. Follow the prompt to 'Convert Store and Wallet' to the new region.

Changing your Steam region requires a payment method from that country and a valid billing address. Moreover, you can change your location on Steam once every 3 months. Some of the best locations are Turkey and Argentina, where games are typically much cheaper. However, we recommend connecting to the VPN server closest to the Steam region you want to switch to for the best result.

Keep in mind that TechNadu does not support using VPNs against Steam’s regulations. Once you unblock Steam and change store locations, buying games from another region at a cheaper price may result in a permanent ban. You should also check your country's VPN regulations, just to be safe.

The Best VPNs to Change Your Region on Steam in 2024

To find the best option available, refer to the criteria we created in our best VPN for gaming guide. First, you need a VPN with a large global network, including servers in countries where Steam games are released earlier, like New Zealand and Australia. Obfuscated servers are crucial to minimize the chance of you getting detected and banned by Steam.

If you play games like Warzone, Fortnite, PUBG, and MW2, look for servers in Serbia, Egypt, Lithuania, and Singapore for access to bot lobbies. Reliable performance and fast speed are also important for reducing ping and stabilizing latency.

As far as security, your VPN should also have strong encryption, advanced protocols, and a kill switch. An ideal VPN should support different devices (like computers, smartphones, tablets, and routers) and allow many simultaneous connections. Lastly, your VPN should offer a fair price, generous money-back guarantees, as well as 24/7 live chat support.

Based on these requirements, here are 5 best Steam VPNs to change your country in 2024:

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

NordVPN is the best VPN for changing your Steam region, offering more than 6,400 servers spread across 111 countries. This includes 190+ servers in Australia and 20+ servers in New Zealand, which will give you earlier access to newly released Steam games. Moreover, concealing your activities is simple with its obfuscation mode, available across most of its servers.

Additionally, NordVPN has servers in countries with bot lobbies. You can connect to Egypt, Singapore, Lithuania, or Serbia, which all have easy matches for PUBG, Warzone, MW2, and Fortnite. This VPN for Steam offers its NordLynx protocol for fast and stable performance. It's one of the fastest providers currently available, managing to deliver low ping and controlled latency.

For security, NordVPN offers military-grade AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch that drops your Internet if the VPN disconnects, ensuring your data and activities are always secure. Moreover, it maintains a strict no-logs policy.

NordVPN offers up to 10 simultaneous connections and it's ideal to play Steam games on multiple platforms, as it supports many devices like Steam Deck, computers, tablets, and smartphones—as well as routers.

All that is available at $3.09/month for NordVPN's 2-year plan. Last but not least, if you don’t like what NordVPN has to offer, they will gladly offer you a refund provided it’s within 30 days of your purchase. And if you need help with anything, their 24/7 live chat support is available to you.

2. Surfshark – Gaming-Friendly Steam VPN with Lots of Servers

Surfshark is a gaming-friendly and user-centric Steam VPN with 3,200+ fast servers in 100 countries. This includes servers in Australia and New Zealand, so you will be able to play new Steam games early. To make sure you aren’t caught doing so, you can conceal your network activity with obfuscation (Camouflage Mode).

You can use Surfshark to join bot lobbies for Warzone, Fortnite, MW2, and PUBG by joining servers in Serbia, Egypt, Singapore, and Lithuania. This VPN delivers amazing performance as well. So, you can expect low ping and no latency issues.

Thanks to the combination of AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, you can rest assured that your privacy will be well-protected. It also offers advanced protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec and protects against DDoS attacks. There's also a no-logs policy, so not even this provider will know what you do online.

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. It's available on every platform that supports Steam, like smartphones, tablets, computers, and Steam Deck. It can be installed directly on your router, too.

Right now, this VPN is priced at $2.19/month (2-year plan). That said, if you are not satisfied, you can ask for a refund thanks to their 30-day money-back guarantee. All in all, Surfshark is a high-quality service, which is also evident from its 24/7 live chat support.

3. ExpressVPN – Ultra-Capable VPN for Privacy and Low Latency

ExpressVPN is an ultra-powerful provider with thousands of servers in 105 countries, including Australia and New Zealand, which get first access to game releases due to time zone differences. This VPN offers automatic obfuscation on all servers, so you’ll be able to avoid detection and potential Steam bans.

This provider also has plenty of servers in regions with bot lobbies. You can connect to Singapore, Egypt, Lithuania, or Serbia and enjoy easier matches in games like Warzone, Fortnite, MW2, or PUBG. It also delivers impressive performance, so it handily reduces ping and keeps latency under control.

Your privacy will never be an issue as ExpressVPN uses military-grade AES 256 and WolfSSL encryption. There's also a kill switch that will preserve your identity if the VPN connection fails. When it comes to security, you can choose between three VPN protocols: Lightway, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN.

Moreover, it allows you to establish 5 simultaneous connections.ExpressVPN is available on all platforms that support Steam, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and Steam Deck.

This VPN's annual plan costs $6.67/month. There's also a 30-day refund guarantee in place, so you can try ExpressVPN for gaming without any risks. Lastly, ExpressVPN has a professional 24/7 customer support team to help you solve any problems you encounter.

4. CyberGhost – VPN with Special Gaming Servers on Windows

CyberGhost is a reliable VPN with thousands of servers in 100 countries, including 200+ servers in Australia and 10+ in New Zealand which will give you earlier access to games. Unfortunately, though, this VPN offers no obfuscation. However, there are special gaming servers on Windows.

Moreover, CyberGhost servers are available in countries like Lithuania, Egypt, Serbia, and Singapore, which offer access to bot lobbies for games like Fortnite, PUBG, MW2, and Warzone. This VPN provides low ping and minimal latency, which gives you an edge when you play Steam games.

CyberGhost offers 3 VPN protocols: IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. The latter offers the best speed, although it is not the safest option. CyberGhost uses AES-256 encryption to protect your data and has various features that’ll protect you from DDoS attacks. This includes IPv6 leak protection and a kill switch as a failsafe if something goes wrong with the VPN connection.

CyberGhost allows up to 7 simultaneous connections. It is available on all devices compatible with Steam, including computers, Steam Deck, smartphones, and tablets. You can also install it on a router.

The lowest you can pay for CyberGhost is $2.03/month (2-year plan). CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee (on their longer-term plans) if you are not satisfied. But before canceling, make sure to first contact their 24/7 live chat support, which may be able to quickly resolve your problems.

5. Private Internet Access – Customizable VP{N for High-End Users

Private Internet Access (PIA) has a global network of thousands of servers in 90+ countries. This includes servers in Australia and New Zealand, so you can get the earliest access to new games. You’ll have no issues avoiding detection while changing Steam regions because PIA offers obfuscation through its Shadowsocks proxy.

Conveniently, it has servers in regions where bot lobbies for Steam games are available. For example, you can easily connect to Singapore, Serbia, Egypt, or Lithuania to join bot lobby matches for PUBG, MW2, Fortnite, and Warzone. Compared to other Steam VPNs, PIA offers slower speeds but is very consistent, so latency and ping are handled just fine.

PIA is very customizable, which may be daunting to new users. It offers two encryption levels: AES-128 (to focus on speed and performance) and AES-256 (to get airtight security). It supports OpenVPN, IPsec, and WireGuard protocols.

On top of that, this VPN has a kill switch that will protect your data in the event of a VPN failure.It also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which is rare. This VPN supports all Steam devices, including Steam Deck, computers, tablets, and smartphones. Plus, you can set it up on your router.

PIA costs $2.03/month for its 2-year plan. As expected, PIA offers a 30-day refund guarantee to unsatisfied users. But, if you are experiencing technical difficulties, your problems may quickly be resolved by their professional 24/7 chat support.

Why Do You Need a VPN to Change Your Location on Steam?

A VPN helps change your virtual location, prompting Steam to think you're elsewhere. With a foreign payment method at hand, you'll get to change the region on Steam. However, you can expect many other benefits as well, including the following:

• Lower Ping and Minimal Lagging – By connecting to a VPN server close to the game server, you can improve ping and lag issues for smoother gameplay.
• Bypass IP-Based Gaming Bans – Gamers can receive IP bans on their Steam accounts for violating game rules. A VPN will let you use a new IP to trick Steam, so you can keep playing.
• Protect Yourself from DDoS Attacks – Being exposed to DDoS attacks and doxxing attempts is common in online gaming. Hide your IP address with a VPN for extra protection.
• Easy Access to Bot Lobbies – If you want to improve your ranking in games like Warzone or PUBG, you can use a VPN to join bot lobbies for easier matches.
• Access Geo-Restricted & Blocked Games – Due to Steam’s region restrictions, some games may be unavailable in your country. Also, Steam itself is often banned on school and workplace networks. A VPN will fix all these issues.
• Gain Access to Betas & Early Releases - By changing your virtual location, you can start playing new titles ahead of your time zone, as well as gain access to early betas.
• Game Safely on Public Wi-Fi – Using a public WiFi network leaves you open to hacking. Encryption provided by a premium VPN will keep you safe.
• Bypass ISP-Induced Bandwidth Throttling – Some ISPs intentionally slow your speed during heavy bandwidth usage. VPNs bypass ISP throttling, ensuring a fast and stable connection.
• Avoid Overcrowded Game Servers – Steam games like Warzone automatically connect you to the nearest server, which could be overcrowded, leading to tougher competition and impacting speed. Use a VPN to connect to any server you’d like.
• Get Lower Game Prices – Prices can vary greatly based on your location. Accessing Steam from another region may net you better deals.
• Claim Free Weapons, Cosmetics, and Skins – You can use a VPN to obtain region-specific items and skins in certain games.

How to Choose the Best VPN for Steam?

You need to focus on getting a gaming-friendly VPN with plenty of servers, fast performance, reliable protocols, support for all devices, and knowledgable customer support. Here's everything you need to keep in mind:

• Evenly Distributed Server Network – A good VPN must have a sizeable server network. This will allow you to access bot lobbies and easily change your country on Steam. Plus, you’ll want it to have Steam server locations in countries with earlier time zones so you can access new games sooner.
• Obfuscated Servers – Obfuscation makes it harder for Steam to track your activity, so you can change your Steam region and bypass geo-restrictions without getting banned.
• Fast Speeds and Gaming-Friendly Performance – To play online games without high ping or latency issues, you’ll need a VPN with high-speed, consistent connections.
• Reliable VPN Protocols and Robust Encryption – A VPN with military-grade AES-256 encryption will scramble your data and make it unreadable to third parties. It should also employ advanced VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN or WireGuard, for the best speed and security available.
• Always-On Kill Switch – A kill switch is your last line of defense that will disable your Internet in case your VPN connection is compromised.
• Numerous Simultaneous Connections – The best VPNs will let you connect multiple devices at once. Ideally, look for unlimited simultaneous connections.
• Gaming Device Support – A solid VPN should have native software for every platform that supports Steam. This includes Steam Deck, computers, smartphones, and tablets. It should also work on routers.
• Wallet-Friendly Price - There's no need to overpay for a VPN. We recommend spending your money on a long-term subscription, as that's where you'll find the steepest discounts.
• Liberal Money-Back Policy – Any decent VPN will have a money-back guarantee so that you can test it out without committing.
• Helpful Customer Support – A VPN should offer 24/7 live chat to help you solve any problems. You'll also want email support and comprehensive installation guides.

Can You Get Banned for Using a VPN on Steam?

Yes, you can get banned for using a VPN on Steam - as per the platform's legal documentation. More precisely, you're not allowed to alter your Web connection or hide your IP addresses, which is Steam's way of preventing people from bypassing geo-blocks.

That said, if you use a VPN to optimize your connection and get a lower ping, your Steam account won't get banned. The only time you're risking a ban is if you do anything against any game's rules. Remember that Steam monitors your gameplay and can sanction you quite easily.

Why Is Steam Not Working with a VPN - How to Fix?

There's a number of reasons why Steam might encounter an issue when you enable your VPN. For example, there could be an issue with your connection, you're using an overcrowded server, or you need to try a stronger VPN protocol. Let's go over some actionable tips:

• Test Your Baseline Web Connection: Disable your VPN and see if your baseline connection works. If you encounter issues, you might want to contact your Internet provider.
• Restart Your Equipment: Keep your router unplugged for around 30 seconds and restart your gaming device as well, which will also restart your VPN.
• Check for Software Updates: Make sure that your software is up-to-date, which includes your device's operating system, your VPN app, Steam, as well as any Steam games you have installed. It's essential to keep everyhing up-to-date for optimal peformance.
• Go with Another VPN Server: Rememeber to pick a VPN server that corresponds to the location of your Steam account. Most VPNs give you multiple locations in a single country, so try how other servers work (see if you pick a less crowded option).
• Switch to a Different VPN Protocol: Don't risk a Steam VPN ban by using a low-end protocol. Our strong recommendation is to stick to OpenVPN and AES-256. Alternatively, you can go with WireGuard, paired with ChaCha20.
• Adjust Your Firewall/Antivirus Settings: Check if your cyber-security software is blocking VPN connections. If that's the case, you need to add your VPN to your cyber-sec application's list of exceptions.
• Remove Additional VPN Applications: It's never a good idea to have multiple VPNs installed, as that can create a software conflict. Therefore, focus on a single VPN only and remove any extra applications you have installed on your device.
• Turn to Your VPN for Help: If nothing else helps, it's time to turn to your VPN for assistance. Visit your VPN's website and check which communication channels you can use.

How to Use a VPN to Unlock Steam Games Early

You can unblock Steam games early using a VPN by connecting to a server in a region where the game is already released. Usually, this means countries in earlier time zones, like New Zealand or Australia. Since games are usually unlocked at midnight, gamers in the US and Canada can use Steam VPNs to access them up to 10 hours before they are available locally.

Furthermore, some game developers release games early in their country of origin, often for beta testing. This lets them easily monitor the launch and quickly solve any bugs that may arise. This doesn’t happen with every game, though, so we advise you to do your research. To unlock Steam game titles early, just follow these steps:

1. Use Steam to pre-order your game.
2. Preload your game.
3. Exit the Steam application and disconnect entirely from the service.
4. Start your VPN app.
5. Connect to a VPN server in Australia or New Zealand.
6. Restart Steam.
7. Download additional game files or updates.
8. Now you can play Steam games early!
   

We highly advise that you don’t purchase and download Steam games from a different region. Steam may detect this and quickly ban your account for violating their Terms of Service.

Can You Use a Free VPN for Steam?

Yes, you can use a free VPN for Steam, but we don't recommend going that route. Since they don't use advanced VPN protocols, you will likely get higher ping and latency, which will negatively impact your gaming. On top of that, they are known for collecting and selling user data to ad agencies.

Free VPNs also impose bandwidth limits. So, you need to be picky when downloading and playing new Steam games, as you can quickly spend your monthly data. Free VPNs offer no obfuscated servers and frequently have terrible encryption. This will easily get your free Steam VPN banned.

What you can try instead is a trial of a premium VPN. For example, you can try NordVPN for free on Android for 7 days. On other devices, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee. To discover more options, visit our central guide to the best VPN providers.

Final Thoughts

Despite its worldwide popularity, the Steam Store still imposes geo-blocks and IP bans, spikes up your ping and latency, and third-party launchers make it harder to access bot lobbies. Also, you're at risk of a DDoS attack and ISP-induced throttling. However, you can fix all those issues with a VPN, which will also allow you to change your Steam region.

The most effective option is NordVPN, whose worldwide servers make it easy to reroute your data, lower your ping, eliminate latency, and more. Also, it's the best VPN for Steam, as it allows you to switch to a new country with ease, unblock games early, and ensure you're not tracked online.

Now you know everything about selecting the best VPN for Steam. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to comment below. Thank you for reading!