Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attackers rely on getting your IP address to send an army of botnets. Luckily, you can change and hide your IP address by connecting to the thousands of servers on any of my preferred VPNs for DDoS protection.
On top of that, I chose the Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that feature a kill switch, which prevents IP/DNS leaks whenever the VPN connection drops.
Otherwise, the hacker could briefly see your actual IP and launch an attack on you.
You also get industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption technology across the board. That way, your live traffic can’t be decrypted to find your actual IP address or other personal details for other online attacks.
In line with that, I ensured these VPNs are engineered against DDoS attacks. Because even though they have all the other features above, there must be native support against DDoS attacks.
So, let’s get to it.
Getting DDoS-ed on Gaming or Chat Servers? Fight Back With My Top VPNs!
Sadly, online games and chat servers are ruined by cheap players who resort to DDoS attacks to win, threaten, or silence you. Non-gamers also have their fair share of DDoS attacks when accessing platforms that should be free for all.
That’s not good enough, and it’s time to fight back. Use these VPNs to get started today.
- NordVPN – Connect to 5500+ servers in 60 countries to escape DDoS attacks easily. Also, you get double kill switches for the ultimate protection against IP leaks, spoofing, and hijacking attempts.
- ExpressVPN – Enjoy reliable DDoS protection on ultra-fast, obfuscated servers. Thus, you throw hackers off your VPN-protected traffic trail and get better ping and speeds on a secure internet.
- Surfshark – Protect all the computers in your establishment or gaming devices in your guild against DDoS attacks with a single Surfshark subscription. You still get unlimited bandwidth and access to all 3200+ servers!
- PIA – Leverage robust security on servers in 84 countries to browse the web securely without fear of getting DDoS-ed. Plus, the servers are optimized for up to 10Gbps speeds.
- PureVPN – Combine quantum-resistant servers with DDoS protection for the ultimate protection package against DDoS hackers.
The overview of my top DDoS-preventing VPNs above shows you everything you need to know at a glance. However, some VPNs have additional security provisions against DDoS attacks, while others may be out of your price bracket.
So, continue reading to learn how each VPN provider compares and make the best decision.
Review & Comparison Guide: My Top VPNs for DDoS Protection
I selected VPNs with DDoS protection enabled on their servers, robust encryption, and additional security features like the internet kill switch.
Below, you’ll see how these VPNs compare against one another.
NordVPN – Get DDoS Protection on 5500+ Servers
NordVPN has DDoS protection enabled by default on all 5400+ servers in 59 countries. Also, you get DDoS protection across any protocol.
Additionally, gamers wanting to avoid DDoS attacks will appreciate the in-house NordLynx protocol for its:
- Impressive speeds comparable to WireGuard
- Better security, engineered for NordVPN’s servers and systems
- Great DDoS protection
I’ve had no issues with gamers threatening me with DDoS attacks when playing Ranked Mobile Legends’ games over NordVPN.
So, I’m confident in what this provider offers under the fast NordLynx protocol.
NordVPN also provides extra protection against hackers monitoring your VPN IP address with its Double VPN technology.
This feature allows you to hop from an initial VPN-assigned IP address to another, losing anyone tracking you in the trails.
However, this comes with a noticeable speed drop.
Likewise, Surfshark and PIA offer something similar and faster than NordVPN’s Double VPN with their multi-hop server technology.
Even so, NordVPN still has the edge over ExpressVPN and PureVPN, which don’t have this feature.
Also, only Surfshark and PIA offer something similar.
Likewise, the massive server count ensures you can connect to local servers and browse the internet while still staying protected against DDoS attacks.
In addition to the essential DDoS protection, NordVPN still uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption. This makes it impossible to hack your live VPN traffic and find details like your IP address, which could be used in a DDoS attack.
Speaking of IP addresses, NordVPN still includes a VPN kill switch.
In comparison, it’s the only VPN provider besides PIA to offer a double kill switch option.
- Internet kill switch. Prevents the device from transmitting internet data once your VPN connection drops.
- App kill switch. Can be configured to stop internet access for specific apps/programs when the VPN connection drops.
In other words, your real IP address doesn’t leak if there’s ever a connection loss to the VPN remote server. Instead, your device goes offline till the VPN reconnects successfully.
On top of that, NordVPN is an audited no-logs VPN provider.
So, hackers can’t breach its servers to collect your information (including your actual IP address) since NordVPN doesn’t collect that.
On top of that, NordVPN lets you protect six devices against DDoS attacks simultaneously. It’s also one of the most affordable VPN providers.
Still, grab these NordVPN discounts for huge savings and a 30-day risk-free trial.
Pros
- 5500+ servers with DDoS protection
- AES 256-bit encryption technology
- Double kill switches against IP leaks
- Audited no logs policy
- Double VPN to spoof VPN trail
- NordLynx protocol for speed and security
Cons
- Double VPN can significantly impact speed
Try NordVPN Now
ExpressVPN – Enjoy DDoS Protection and Ultra-Fast Obfuscation on 3000+ Servers
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gamers or anyone looking for robust DDoS protection against hackers without taking a noticeable speed hit.
The VPN provider enables DDoS protection by default on all its servers and across all protocols. Additionally, it brings obfuscation to all its servers and protocols.
So, you already throw the majority of hackers off since they don’t see that you’re using a VPN-assigned IP. Thus, they launch their attacks typically, and ExpressVPN’s servers bounce them off.
Thankfully, I got to test ExpressVPN’s DDoS protection against some gamers I met in a Discord game room and had a field time frustrating the unsportsmanlike gamers who thought they could bully me with a DDoS attack.
In fact, ExpressVPN built a lightning-fast, advanced, and highly secure Lightway protocol to ensure security without sacrificing speed.
Also, it’s the only VPN provider to develop a security protocol from scratch.
Thus, it’s not surprising it can offer obfuscation and DDoS protection and still manage surreal speeds. However, ExpressVPN doesn’t have a multi-hop technology (like NordVPN’s Double VPN).
Despite that, ExpressVPN doesn’t joke around with AES 256-bit encryption technology on its servers. It builds on that with a Network Lock kill switch that prevents internet data from leaking to online servers if you lose connection to the remote VPN server.
Or in other words, hackers won’t see your actual IP address even if the VPN connection goes down for a minute.
Moving on, ExpressVPN is one of this list’s most vocal no-logs providers.
In fact, it’s been audited by two security firms (Cure53 and PwC) to prove these claims. Besides PureVPN, only ExpressVPN underwent multiple audits on this list.
On top of that, Turkish authorities seized some ExpressVPN servers and didn’t find anything on them. So, you can rest assured that hackers can’t collect your IP address from ExpressVPN’s servers, either.
While it’s laudable that ExpressVPN offers DDoS protection on five simultaneous devices, it presents the least multi-logins on this list.
Even NordVPN edges it out with one more (at six).
Also, the ultra-fast obfuscation on DDoS-protected servers from ExpressVPN comes at a comparatively high price.
So, grab these ExpressVPN discounts while they last to get better value on your subscription.
Pros
- 3000+ servers with DDoS protection
- Employs AES 256-bit encryption
- Network Lock kill switch against IP/DNS leaks
- Twice audited no-logs policy
- In-house Lightway protocol for speed and DDoS protection
Cons
- Relatively expensive VPN provider
- No multi-hop technology
Try ExpressVPN Now
Surfshark – 3200+ Servers Plus Unlimited Device Protection Against DDoS Attacks
The most significant selling point for Surfshark is protecting unlimited devices against DDoS attacks from one subscription.
In comparison, only PureVPN and PIA come close, as they offer ten simultaneous connections. Still, that pales in comparison.
This makes Surfshark the best option for
- A gaming guild who wants an affordable VPN service against DDoS attacks
- Students looking for affordable VPN options for a group buy
- Any other group that needs a budget, excellent value VPN for DDoS protection
Luckily, Surfshark doesn’t sacrifice security to make this happen.
It uses the same AES 256-bit encryption across all its protocols and servers and offers a reliable kill switch on all platforms.
Speaking of protocols, Surfshark doesn’t have an in-house protocol like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. This isn’t a serious dealbreaker, but it would’ve been great for a VPN of this standing.
However, Surfshark isn’t as fast as NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
That doesn’t mean the VPN provider is slow, considering its slowest servers are optimized for 1Gbps speeds.
Meanwhile, Surfshark offers shared static IP addresses for gamers who don’t want to be caught and banned for server-hopping.
Other providers on this list only provide dedicated IP addresses, a paid add-on to the basic subscription package. In contrast, ExpressVPN doesn’t even have any dedicated IP service.
Also, Surfshark pioneered a Rotating IP feature that changes your IP randomly within a connected server location.
That way, hackers never have a lock on your VPN-assigned IP for long. Also, you don’t have to manually reconnect to other servers to get a new IP address.
On top of that, Surfshark rivals NordVPN’s Double VPN feature with its multi-hop server technology.
Basically, that allows you to connect to a preferred server location by first hopping through another one. Thus, you confuse anyone trying to follow your VPN connection trail since they don’t see what server you’re connected to now.
Fortunately, Surfshark also adds a no-logs promise that’s been audited by Cure53. So, that tightens another loose end which DDoS hackers could’ve used to get your real IP address.
Surprisingly, despite all its offers, Surfshark still maintains one of the most affordable VPN plans.
Likewise, you can save more with Surfshark discounts and get a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don’t like the service.
Pros
- 3200+ servers with DDoS protection enabled by default
- Robust AES 256-bit encryption
- Kill switch for IP/DNS leak prevention
- Audited no-logs VPN provider
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Multi-hop technology for improved protection
Cons
- Not as fast as ExpressVPN
Try Surfshark Now
PIA – Access Robust DDoS Protection on Secure Servers
PIA offers hundreds of thousands of IP addresses to choose from across 84 countries. The best part is that all these VPN-assigned IP addresses are automatically DDoS protection-enabled.
Likewise, it’s similar to other VPN providers on this list with its AES 256-bit military-grade encryption to prevent live web traffic decryption.
Thus, your live traffic can never be hacked to discover personally-identifying details like your actual IP address.
Meanwhile, PIA also offers two kill switches to bolster this encryption.
- VPN kill switch. Prevents internet traffic from transmitting once the VPN connection drops.
- Advanced kill switch. Prevents mistakenly connecting to the internet without first enabling the VPN.
That makes it the second VPN provider (besides NordVPN) to offer extra customizations on the kill switches. It’s also the second provider (alongside Surfshark) on this list to provide a toggle-able VPN kill switch in the iOS app.
In contrast, other VPN providers built the kill switch into the iOS app system, enabling it by default.
However, I’m concerned that PIA hasn’t been audited for its no-logs claims. Though, its code is open-source, so users can self-audit it.
Still, it’ll be great to have an independent security audit from a reputable firm to confirm that the provider doesn’t log any data.
Fortunately, that doesn’t limit the provider’s ability to offer faster speeds on its DDoS-protected servers. Even though it doesn’t have an in-house protocol like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, it tweaked its WireGuard protocol for impressive speeds.
Speaking of speeds, PIA’s ingenious multi-hop technology combines with a SOCKS5 proxy setup for the best speeds on this security application.
Thus, you can lose a DDoS hacker tracking your IP address in the VPN tunnel and get better speeds than with similar NordVPN or Surfshark settings.
So, gamers can escape throttling while connecting to faster game servers and escape DDoS attacks at the same time.
Likewise, non-gamers can stream media content faster over the VPN while retaining robust DDoS protection.
On top of that, PIA allows up to ten multi-device logins.
Plus, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Don’t forget to grab this HUGE PIA SAVINGS for better value on your subscription.
Pros
- DDoS protection on all servers in 84 countries
- Reliable AES 256-bit encryption
- Double kill switches against IP/DNS leaks
- Open-source VPN software
- Fastest multi-hop technology
- Ten simultaneous device connections
Cons
- No third-party data-logging audits
Try Private Internet Access Now
PureVPN – Next-Level DDoS Protection With Quantum-Resistant Servers
PureVPN offers DDoS protection on its 6500+ servers in 76+ countries. It even employs quantum-resistant servers in addition to its AES-256-bit protection to doubly protect you from hackers.
But there’s a catch.
PureVPN wants you to pay extra for DDoS protection.
So, while it’s impressive at what it does, this is different from how the other top VPNs handle this security aspect.
This also proves you shouldn’t just trust that a VPN offers DDoS protection because it brings robust encryptions and protocols.
Moving on, PureVPN is the only provider besides ExpressVPN to have been audited twice for its no-logs claims. Thus, you can rest assured your IP address, and other personally-identifying information can’t be found on its servers.
Plus, PureVPN maintains a reliable kill switch to mitigate IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks if you ever lose connection to the VPN remote server.
However, it’s the only provider without an answer to the extra server protections which other VPN providers offer.
In contrast, NordVPN has the Double VPN feature, and PIA and Surfshark use multi-hop technology. Even ExpressVPN, which doesn’t have those, still comes close with its automatic obfuscation on all servers.
Fortunately, you can log in on ten devices simultaneously with PureVPN. However, remember to buy the DDoS protection add-on to get this feature.
So, I recommend these PureVPN discounts to save on your subscription.
Pros
- 6500+ servers with DDoS paid add-on support
- AES 256-bit encryption protocols
- Twice audited of no-logs claims
- Ten simultaneous device connections
- Reliable kill switch against IP/DNS leaks
Cons
- Offers DDoS protection as a paid add-on
Try PureVPN Now
How I Chose the Best VPNs for DDoS Protection?
I streamlined a list of 25+ VPN providers I tested for DDoS protection to the top five that made this list based on speed, security, robust encryption, server count, and dedicated DDoS protection.
So, you can choose from any of my top providers and rest assured of getting total security against DDoS attacks. Otherwise, look at the selection criteria below to decide for yourself.
DDoS Protection
This sounds obvious, but not all VPNs offer DDoS protection, and some don’t enable it by default. Even if they come with the correct protocols and encryption, it’s essential to check that your preferred VPN provider is engineered against DDoS attacks.
For example, PureVPN’s basic package doesn’t protect you against DDoS attacks till you buy the paid add-on.
Secure Servers
Every VPN server comes with a unique IP address which helps keep hackers away from your real IP that they could use to DDoS you. That’s why you need a VPN provider with many secure servers that assign you new IP addresses.
Likewise, a higher secure server count gives you the chance to:
- Enjoy online gaming from a nearer location (and get lower ping) while getting DDoS protection.
- Unblock content like home with DDoS protection on top.
- Secure your internet browsing experience from preferred web server locations without fear of DDoS attacks.
Security & Privacy
Reliable VPNs for DDoS protection feature robust encryption against IP and DNS leaks, which could reveal your IP address to hackers.
Likewise, they ensure your live traffic can’t be hacked to see sensitive data passing through the VPN tunnel, such as your real IP address.
For this, always look for AES 256-bit encryption. You can also test for leaks with a service like ipleak.net to be sure your choice VPN offers strong encryption.
Likewise, your chosen VPN must be a no-logs provider.
Otherwise, your connection logs (which include your actual IP address) may fall into the wrong hands.
On top of that, ensure your chosen VPN offers a kill switch.
This safeguards your internet activity and actual connection data if you ever lose connection to the VPN remote server.
Can You Use a Free VPN Against DDoS Attacks?
Free VPNs are as good as no protection against DDoS attacks since they don’t encrypt your internet traffic enough to prevent IP leaks.
Thus, DDoS hackers can still find your computer’s actual IP address and send their army of botnets there.
Likewise, free VPN providers collect logs to sell to third parties.
So, these logs can be hacked to get your connection credentials.
With that, hackers can either hijack your computer for a botnet attack or launch the attack to your IP address range.
Luckily, you get affordable options like Surfshark to protect unlimited devices against DDoS attackers. Surfshark is already one of the cheapest VPN providers if price is a consideration.
When Won't a VPN Help You Against DDoS Attacks?
VPNs won’t protect users against a DDoS attack already underway, one present on servers, or attacks on external servers. Thus, a VPN isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution against all DDoS attacks.
As discussed in our comprehensive guide to DDoS attacks, here are some instances where a VPN won’t help.
- The attack is already underway. VPNs can help prevent a DDoS attack, but they’re not the go-to solution when one has already been launched.
- The attack is present on the server. A DDoS attack present on a server (game server, web server, etc.) will affect all users connected to that server. So, the best bet is to disconnect and try other servers.
- The attack is present on an external server. For example, if a gaming company’s servers are DDoS-ed, you can’t get in with a VPN. After all, it’s not your server being affected, so the affected parties have to solve the issue on their end.
- The hacker knows your IP address. You can’t use a VPN to prevent DDoS attacks when a hacker already knows your IP address. That’s why you should always have your VPN enabled so your real IP never leaks.
- Your VPN isn’t reliable enough. Free VPNs or paid VPN providers not engineered against DDoS attacks will cause problems. When in doubt, choose NordVPN.
How Does a VPN’s DDoS Protection Work?
Hackers launch a DDoS attack by:
- Obtaining the IP address of the target.
- Sending a large botnet to spam the IP address.
- Consequently, forcing the affected IP address server to overload, crash, and be unable to handle web requests.
Thus, you’re denied internet services to which you’d otherwise have access.
Following that attack flow, the best way to stop a DDoS attack is to prevent the hacker from finding the user’s IP address.
So, a VPN helps by:
- Assigning users a new IP address that’s different from their original IP address
- Encrypting the VPN connection so that the actual IP address doesn’t leak
- Engaging a kill switch to prevent IP address leaks whenever the VPN briefly disconnects
Any DDoS attack launched by the hackers goes to the VPN’s servers rather than the user’s computers. Fortunately, reliable VPN providers are prepared to handle and deflect such attacks daily.
How to Setup a VPN Service Against DDoS Attacks?
You need to enable the kill switch, choose suitable protocols, and connect to a secure server on a reliable VPN provider to get DDoS protection.
I detail the steps to follow in the headings below.
Enable the Kill Switch
A good DDoS-preventing VPN provider will have a kill switch enabled by default. However, checking that the setting is toggled on doesn’t hurt.
For most providers, you’ll only find the setting in their PC and Android apps.
They’ll have it built into the iOS app by default, automatically enabling it whenever you connect to a remote server.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to check that it’s there.
Choose Preferred Protocol
Fortunately, my top VPNs have DDoS protection on all servers and protocols.
So, you can choose the best one for your connection needs.
For example:
- WireGuard/NordLynx/Lightway: Preferred for the best balance of speed and security.
- OpenVPN: Often used for obfuscation on most VPN providers.
- IKEv2: Preferred mobile-friendly VPN that’s great for reconnecting on dropped connections.
You can learn more about VPN protocols or leave it set at Automatic for the VPN provider to make the best decision.
Connect to a VPN Server
Connecting to a VPN server assigns you a new IP address, encrypts your internet connection, and gives you the DDoS protection you’ve been setting up.
Here’s how.
- Choose a reliable VPN provider. I prefer NordVPN.
- Click the “Quick Connect” button to automatically get the fastest server in the best location.
- OR search for a preferred server location.
- Double click on the chosen server location.
- Wait for a connection confirmation.
Interesting Reads:
Does NordVPN Have DDoS Protection?
Does Atlas VPN Have DDoS Protection?
40+ DDoS Statistics, Facts, and Trends
Does PrivateVPN Have DDoS Protection?
Does Surfshark Have DDoS Protection?
Does PureVPN Have DDoS Protection?
Does a VPN Stop DDoS Attacks? (+ DDoS Security Tips)
Does IPVanish Have DDoS Protection?
Does Private Internet Access Have DDoS Protection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a VPN Protect You From DDoS Attacks?
Reliable VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark can protect you from DDoS attacks with their DDoS-protected servers featuring AES 256-bit encryption.
However, free VPNs can’t protect you against DDoS attacks since they lack reliable encryption and will expose your actual IP address to hackers.
Still, reliable VPN providers may not protect you against DDoS attacks already on the server, attacks already underway, or hackers who already know your IP address.
What’s the Best VPN for DDoS Protection on Android?
NordVPN is the best Android VPN for DDoS protection.
AES 256-bit encryption is enabled on all its 5500+ servers engineered against DDoS attacks.
Likewise, the easy-to-use Android VPN packs reliable protocols, a toggle-able VPN kill switch, and diverse protocols for the best speed and security against DDoS attacks.
Furthermore, NordVPN supports Android gamers against DDoS attacks with its NordLynx protocol for lower ping, faster gaming speeds, and DDoS-protected servers.
Does NordVPN Protect Users From DDoS?
NordVPN’s 5500+ servers have DDoS protection enabled by default and are all responsive to the kill switch, which prevents IP leaks when the VPN connection drops. Also, NordVPN employs AES 256-bit encryption on all servers and protocols to keep users’ real IP addresses away from DDoS hackers.
Is ExpressVPN DDoS Protected?
ExpressVPN’s obfuscation on all servers already throws hackers off your VPN trail, so they don’t know how to work around your strong IP from ExpressVPN.
Plus, ExpressVPN’s 3000+ secure servers offer DDoS protection on all protocols.
Likewise, the VPN provider uses a Network Lock kill switch to prevent IP and DNS leaks which could otherwise reveal sensitive information to hackers.
With a no-logs promise, ExpressVPN tightens the DDoS protection ship on all sides to prevent critical breaches.
Does Surfshark Have DDoS Protection?
Surfshark provides native DDoS protection across all supported devices, protocols, and servers. It boosts this with the addition of a kill switch and AES 256-bit encryption to further secure your actual IP address.
Get DDoS Protection Today
Break away from the shackles of gamers who threaten others with DDoS attacks and hackers who resort to intimidating online users with the same.
With NordVPN’s DDoS protection, robust AES 256-bit encryption, and an audited no-logs policy, it’s the best bet against these attacks.
Don’t forget to grab NordVPN discounts for better value and enjoy the 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee.
