Checking out Black Friday gaming deals? These are the VPNs you need to secure your lobbies
Missing out on these VPN deals is an instant game over
If you plan on combing through the Steam store – or other reputable online marketplaces – for AAA titles or nostalgic favorites, you’ll be glad to learn there is a way to save even more money. How? Well, with one of today’s best VPNs, of course.
VPNs are handy software that spoofs your location and tricks the sites you visit into thinking you’re somewhere else in the world. As a result, you can check out region-specific deals to find the biggest and best savings and have more money to spend on DLC and content packs afterward. Better yet, the Black Friday VPN sales are in full swing. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through the best bargains.
How can a VPN help?
While plenty of folks will be hitting the stores in person today (and over the rest of the Black Friday weekend), there’s plenty of bargain-hunting to be done online from the comfort of your gaming chair. The issue here, however, is that sites can use geo-restrictions to serve up different prices in different regions.
We’re in the thick of sales season and there are some seriously juicy tech discounts just waiting to be snapped up. Check out the latest hot picks in our Black Friday deals hub.
It might sound unfair – and it somewhat is. After all, folks in some parts of the world ultimately end up paying more for the same game and content. It’s the same premise that limits certain shows and movies to specific Netflix libraries, based on location.
A VPN’s geo-spoofing power makes short work of these restrictions, however, and you can even use them to turn the tide in your favor by shopping around for the best gaming sales. Generally, I’ve found that prices tend to be cheaper in the Brazil, Argentina, and Turkey markets – but it’s worth doing some digital globe-hopping, too.
Step-by-step guide
The how of this process might seem complicated at first, but let’s break it down into pieces:
- First things first, you’ll need to pick a VPN and download the app for your platform of choice. This is usually quick and easy – just follow along with the on-screen instructions like you would with any other app.
- Once you’ve logged in, connect to a VPN server overseas, wait a moment, and you’re ready to scour the sales. Your VPN has assigned you a shiny new IP address based in the same location as the server you chose – and that’s what the sites you visit will see, too.
- Now for the fun part. If you’re hunting for a specific game, DLC, or piece of gaming kit, it’s worth opening up the outlets it’s listed on and refreshing the pages when you connect to a new VPN server, to see if the prices differ massively. If you’re just browsing, hoping to spot an unmissable bargain, be sure to check out those region-specific sites, too!
If you’re spoofing your location to check out the Black Friday sales, bear in mind that some outlets and sites require you to use a payment method that has been verified in the same country.
My VPN recommendations
1. NordVPN - from $2.99 per month
The best VPN for most gamers
NordVPN is our #1 gaming VPN and an absolute show-stopper when it comes to price. It's incredibly quick, has all the tools you need to protect your gaming sessions, and servers in a whopping 111 countries – perfect for spoofing your location and doing some digital bargain hunting. Take advantage of today's Black Friday discount and grab a 2-year plan for just $2.99 a month, an extra 3 months of coverage, and a handy 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. ExpressVPN - from $4.99 per month
The best VPN for beginners
ExpressVPN is an ideal pick for VPN newbies looking to maximize their Black Friday savings. Its apps are nice and easy to use and you'll have no trouble unblocking sites (and streaming platforms) from around the world. It's nice to see ExpressVPN joining in the fun with a discount this year – 2-year plans are now $4.99, with an extra 6 months free. Plus, you'll be covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind.
3. Surfshark - from $1.99 per month
The best cheap (and fastest) VPN
Surfshark is the ultimate low-cost VPN – but that doesn't mean it's low quality. In fact, it's the fastest VPN on the block right now, which makes it a great pick for gaming, streaming, and torrenting. Servers all over the world, in 100 countries, make geo-hopping a breeze, too. Don't miss out on Surfshark's Black Friday pricing, which knocks 2-year plans to just $1.99 a month, plus an extra 4 months for free, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
River is a Tech Software Editor and VPN expert at TechRadar. They’re on-hand to keep VPN and cybersecurity content up-to-date and accurate. When they’re not helping readers find the best VPNs around (and the best deals), River can be found in close proximity to their PS5 or being pushed about the countryside by the lovely Welsh weather.