5 Best VPNs for xCloud in 2024 - (Access from Anywhere) (2024)

Best VPN for xCloud

There aren’t too many VPNs that check all the right boxes from the get-go.

That especially goes for VPNs that can unblock and access xCloud.

However, I love just about everything about NordVPN – as I use this VPN every single time I want to game over xCloud.

Since ping and latency are the biggest points of concern for any VPN, let me start with that.

And yes, I’ve done a round of speed tests, so here’s what you can expect from this VPN provider.

If you check just below, you’ll see the baseline data for my Web connection.

More precisely, you’ll see that my ping value is at 8ms.

Also, my download speed is 478 Mbps, while my upload speed is 48 Mbps.

I got the results running a speed test without having any VPN active in the background.

And now, check the image below to see how NordVPN performs.

My ping value increased just a tiny bit to 10ms.

Aside from that, NordVPN introduced barely noticeable throttling to my download and upload speeds.

Either way, I got to access xCloud (even from abroad, from a country with no access to Xbox’s Cloud Gaming) without any slowdowns or anything similar.

Now, this is where I want to share a helpful tip.

NordVPN gave me such fast speeds because I used the IKEv2 protocol.

IKEv2 is a well-known yet somewhat old protocol known for its ultra-fast performance.

It doesn’t offer the highest level of privacy protection, but that doesn’t matter for xCloud.

I also regularly use NordLynx, one of NordVPN’s unique features.

So, if you do care about privacy, NordLynx is a perfect combination of security and speed – as this is a brand-new protocol built upon WireGuard (the “hottest” VPN protocol right now).

While IKEv2 has limited platform support, NordLynx is available across all NordVPN apps.

That means you’ll find NordLynx on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

So, if you decide to go with NordVPN and install its app, make sure to inspect its settings.

By default, OpenVPN or NordLynx will be active.

Feel free to switch that to IKEv2, if available.

Your second-best option for xCloud is NordLynx.

Speaking of NordVPN’s apps, you’ll find them on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, among other platforms.

Since xCloud is Web-based, that means you’ll get to unblock and access it from practically any device.

NordVPN also gives you 6 simultaneous connections, which seems generous enough.

That means you can use xCloud on your computer, phone, or tablet – at your home or anywhere in public (if you have a fast-enough Web connection).

Plus, NordVPN offers more than 5,000 servers.

They’re spread evenly across the world, giving you a nice shot at finding a server in a country where xCloud is available.

Remember to aim for a nearby server to get the best possible performance.

I’ll also mention that NordVPN is known for its advanced security features.

If you’re a gamer who wants high-end security and DDoS protection, you can hide your gaming session using two secure servers at once (that feature is called “Double VPN”).

Then, split tunneling is available on Windows and Android.

Using that feature, you can send xCloud-related traffic through NordVPN’s servers, letting you access and unblock your game library whenever you want.

However, all your other traffic can flow the regular way, without any slowdowns.

If you’re worried that NordVPN will cost you a fortune – then, worry not!

Even though its monthly plan is on the expensive side, NordVPN’s long-term subscription plans bring hefty discounts.

So, if you pay in advance, you’ll find truly massive savings here.

With all of that said, I am sure you can see why NordVPN is my #1 recommendation.

This is the best virtual private network for xCloud right now – and I warmly recommend it.

Looking for a way to save on NordVPN?

Click HERE!

Frankly speaking, ExpressVPN has been one of my personal favorites for quite some time.

Aside from NordVPN, this is actually the VPN I use most often for streaming.

However, due to its fast performance, ExpressVPN is a very versatile VPN, which I now use for gaming as well.

Speaking of its performance, let’s show you what to expect.

Once again, you can check my baseline stats below.

I have a high-speed connection, so any VPN-induced slowdowns aren’t a concern.

However, what is always a concern when playing games is latency and ping.

As you can see, this VPN performed marginally better than NordVPN, as it increased my latency by only 1ms (to 9ms in total).

That’s precisely why this is one of the best VPNs for xCloud.

Still, there’s no point in hiding that ExpressVPN introduced some throttling to my Web connection, decreasing my download speed more noticeably.

That’s the reason why NordVPN comes first – and ExpressVPN comes second.

Of course, it’s always possible to dive into settings and check what’s there.

So, in terms of ExpressVPN, you’ll see the following protocols: Lightway, OpenVPN, L2TP, and IKEv2.

So, there’s plenty to choose from.

For streaming games via xCloud, I recommend using IKEv2, which works without a hitch.

Aside from that protocol, you can try your luck with Lightway, which is ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol that combines speed and security.

Another great thing about this VPN is its platform compatibility.

You’ll find a range of highly polished and very easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and more.

ExpressVPN also offers custom firmware for routers, which is very easy to install and use.

There are also other reasons to pick this VPN.

It gives you 5 simultaneous connections and over 3,000 servers.

Those are spread evenly across the world, and for the most part, they correspond to countries where xCloud is currently available.

You should also know that all of ExpressVPN’s servers are all-in-one servers.

That means that you’re not limited to picking a gaming-ready server.

Instead, all 3,000+ of them let you unblock xCloud.

And on top of that, they work great for streaming media or even downloading torrents.

The only thing I wish to see somewhat improved about ExpressVPN is its pricing.

Even though this VPN brings a lot of value overall, long-term plans don’t dramatically reduce the VPN’s standard price.

When it comes to this VPN, it pays off to get a long-term plan.

That’s how you’ll keep ExpressVPN’s price manageable while getting some extras.

That includes up to 3 extra months added to your subscription.

All in all, considering you’ll get a 30-day money-back policy, there’s no reason not to spend your money on this xCloud-friendly VPN.

And trust me, that’s going to be an investment you won’t regret.

Find the biggest discount on ExpressVPN by using my sign-up link.

There aren’t too many fully-featured VPNs that boast specialized gaming servers.

CyberGhost offers those, so I had to include it in my guide to the best xCloud VPNs.

Before I tell you something important about CyberGhost’s gaming servers, let’s first talk about its performance.

So, I’ll remind you of my baseline stats, which you can check below.

You can see that my ping went up just a tiny bit (from 8ms to 10ms), while my download and upload speeds remained fast and steady.

If you want high-end speeds, this VPN won’t let you down.

What’s interesting is that I used a “standard” CyberGhost server.

That’s because this VPN offers gaming servers only on Windows.

I can’t tell you exactly why that is, but CyberGhost’s apps for other platforms simply don’t bring that feature.

So, if you want to access xCloud via Windows, great for you.

However, there’s no reason to give up on this VPN, as its standard servers do a magnificent job of unblocking xCloud.

No matter which server I tried, I always got outstanding results.

Then, know that CyberGhost brings native software for just about any platform out there.

I can also tell you that those apps receive regular updates.

If you get a long-term subscription, you can expect refinements and new features quite often.

This VPN is also generous when it comes to simultaneous connections.

You’ll get up to 7, making it easy to pick just about any device and access xCloud.

Of course, installing this VPN on a router counts as a single device or connection.

That way, you can connect your Xbox and cover your entire household at once.

I shouldn’t forget to mention that you’ll get more than 7,000 servers.

Aside from gaming-ready servers, you’ll find standard, streaming, and P2P-friendly servers.

All of those are scattered across the world, so you won’t have a hard time accessing xCloud.

If you care about more advanced features, a kill switch is there.

That feature shuts down your Web traffic if you disconnect by accident.

The VPN will reconnect you automatically, so you won’t notice a single problem.

In other words, you get a smooth xCloud gameplay experience.

And lastly, let’s talk about CyberGhost’s pricing.

Even though you can pay monthly, that option will cost you quite a bit.

But if you want to save (quite a lot), I strongly recommend spending your money on a long-term plan.

If you’re hesitant to get a long-term plan, CyberGhost offers a very relaxed 45-day money-back policy, which none of my other recommendations offer.

You’ll reserve your right to change your mind during that time frame.

That means getting your money back is not an issue.

To get the lowest possible price, use my exclusive sign-up link.

The best VPNs for xCloud (or – Xbox Gaming Cloud) come with dozens of high-end features and massive server networks.

However, that doesn’t have to translate to an overly complex interface.

A great example is Surfshark.

If you’re a beginner to VPNs, I strongly recommend Surfshark.

It brings a very polished interface without complicated terminology.

On top of that, this is a one-click solution to playing games via xCloud.

Before I dive into Surfshark’s features, I’ll let you know about its performance.

Once again, I’ll show you my baseline stats first.

This VPN kept my ping (and latency) in check.

However, it decreased my download speed a bit.

So, it’s clear that Surfshark isn’t the fastest VPN for xCloud.

Still, that’s not an obstacle if you have a relatively fast Web connection.

In other words, you can afford to lose some of your download speed, even when using xCloud.

What’s special and unique about Surfshark is its limit on simultaneous connections.

In fact, there isn’t one.

You can connect as many devices as you want.

And speaking of devices compatible with Surfshark, that list is endless.

The VPN offers native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even a range of media streaming devices.

Aside from that, you can install it on compatible VPN routers.

In terms of unblocking xCloud, Surfshark offers around 3,200 servers in 65 countries.

All of them support gaming, but they also work for media streaming and torrenting.

So, if you’re in a country where xCloud isn’t available, you’ll have an easy time finding a server that grants you access to Microsoft’s cloud gaming service.

And though Surfshark is simple and fully automated, it doesn’t skimp on advanced features.

It brings a kill switch across all of its supported devices.

There’s split tunneling (letting you create a tunnel for your VPN data and another one for your regular data) as well, but only on Windows and Android.

Surfshark’s monthly price is on par with its competitors.

However, massive discounts await in long-term subscription plans.

In other words, Surfshark brings pretty much anything you might expect out of the best VPN for xCloud.

It even throws in a few extras to make things more interesting.

Check for the lowest price here!

Lastly, I recommend Private Internet Access (PIA).

Many of you searching for the best VPN for xCloud might be looking for a bit more capable VPN, which is where PIA comes in.

This is an incredibly powerful VPN that promises optimized performance and fluid speeds.

Speaking of which, I’d like to show you what you can expect.

Here’s my connection’s baseline data.

As you can see, my ping went up by 1ms, which is barely noticeable.

Aside from that, my download and upload speeds remained fast, which is a fantastic achievement for any VPN.

With that said, know that you can expect speedy performance and smooth xCloud streaming.

Still, I need to warn you about something.

When it comes to PIA, you need to dive into its settings and optimize your VPN connection.

By visiting PIA’s settings, you can switch between OpenVPN and WireGuard.

IPsec is also on board, but only on iOS and iPadOS.

Furthermore, there’s plenty to fine-tune regarding each of those protocols.

For example, you can choose from two types of data transports for OpenVPN (UDP or TCP).

Then, you can select a level of encryption (AES-128 or AES-256).

You can pick a custom local or remote port and even force PIA to send your data via smaller packets.

With PIA, you can even decide not to use a VPN protocol.

That’s because this VPN offers support for Shadowsocks and SOCKS5, giving you incredibly fast speeds and the ability to unblock xCloud on any device.

Still, know that you won’t get any encryption that way.

In comparison to the VPNs found above, PIA is more generous when it comes to fine-tuning.

You also get over 30,000 serves (that’s not a typo!) across 75+ countries, as well as support for up to 10 simultaneous connections.

All of those features are available via PIA’s modern-looking apps.

I also need to mention that PIA isn’t any less affordable than my previous recommendations.

However, incredibly steep discounts await those looking for a long-term VPN plan.

You can count on PIA’s live-chat support (available around the clock) in case of any issues.

And you’ll even get 30 days to change your mind, as per PIA’s currently active money-back policy.

Don’t forget to check PIA’s lowest price by clicking HERE.

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