Quick judgments are critical in Dota 2. However, if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has insufficient routing capabilities, the resulting latency may cost you the match. When you connect to a VPN, your communication is encrypted and routed via the VPN’s servers rather than through the servers of your ISP. This not only conceals your true IP address but may also lower your latency, resulting in more fluid and responsive gaming.
This is not all a VPN can do: it also protects you from DDoS assaults and enables you to access region-locked services from any location. Are you considering broadcasting your games online or playing Dota 2 in places where it is not yet available? A VPN enables you to accomplish each of these things anonymously and without fear of hackers or snoopers.
With so many VPNs available, selecting one might be a difficult task. However, we’ve discovered that the best VPNs are often the most adaptable. In other words, they are capable of far more than just allowing you to play Dota 2. As a result, we’ve chosen to only suggest a service that matches all of the following criteria:
- Provides connectivity to a huge network of dependable, high-speed servers.
- Effectively uncrackable encryption (along with a variety of other security measures) is used to safeguard your communications.
- Unblocks a large number of popular regionally restricted services.
- Does not keep track of any information that may be used to identify you.
- Provides applications for all major operating systems.
Best VPN for Dota 2
NordVPN
NordVPN is our number one recommendation for a Dota 2 VPN. It operates one of the industry’s biggest networks, with over 5,000 servers in several countries. This makes it an excellent alternative for anyone looking to play Dota 2 without experiencing any apparent slowness. That’s not all; NordVPN is lightning fast and has unmatched unblocking capabilities, which means that after you’re done playing, you can access services like Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu regardless of your location.
This service protects your traffic at all times using 256-bit AES encryption, an app-specific kill switch, and protection against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks. Additionally, there is an ad-blocker, a virus scanner, and specific servers for usage in countries with tight internet restrictions. NordVPN maintains no records, which means that your online activity cannot be traced back to you. Customer service is accessible through live chat 24 hours a day.
NordVPN offers simple-to-use client software for Linux, Android, Mac OS X, Windows, and iOS. It is compatible with a limited number of network routers through manual setup.
How to unblock Dota 2 when traveling
Are you located in a country where Dota 2 (or maybe Steam) is not available? Not to worry: with the correct VPN, it’s rather straightforward to unblock Dota 2 when traveling. Simply follow the instructions outlined below.
- To begin with, choose the VPN suggested above (we particularly recommend NordVPN).
- Following that, download and install the correct version of the program, then log in.
- Connect to a server in a country that supports Dota 2. While American servers are a good option, you may find that selecting servers located closer to your actual location helps minimize latency.
- Finally, restart Steam and attempt to load Dota 2 once more. You should be able to play without incident, but if not, we suggest attempting to connect to a different server or contacting customer support for help.
Disclaimer: PrivacyExplore does not advise or condone the use of a VPN to gain unauthorized access to content. We recommend that you read the rules and terms of service of certain platforms in your location before using a VPN to access their content.
Is it possible to play Dota 2 with a free VPN?
While free VPNs are appealing, they are often a terrible option for gaming. These services often have a higher user base than their (typically very restricted) networks can handle, resulting in incredibly poor speeds – not ideal while playing a fast-paced game like Dota 2. Additionally, free VPNs sometimes have severe bandwidth restrictions, which means you may be thrown out of a match halfway through. If you experience too many disconnects, you will be pushed into a low-priority matchmaking queue with trolls, griefers, and rage-quitters.
Additionally, be aware that free VPNs are often less secure than premium VPNs. Researchers tested over 280 free VPNs and concluded that over 40% of them included malware. Even those that did not use encryption were not necessarily safe, as 18 percent did not use any encryption at all, leaving their users completely exposed. Finally, free VPNs are not always transparent about their data handling practices. While many commercial providers refuse to record personally-identifying information, free VPNs seldom have any issues with selling information about your actions to advertising.
To ensure the privacy of your online activity, we suggest choosing a reliable VPN service with a user-first logging policy and a track record of privacy protection.
Will I face repercussions for using a VPN with Dota 2?
There seems to be some uncertainty around the legality of using a VPN to play Dota. This is due, in part, to the extremely restrictive clause following in Steam’s subscription agreement:
“You agree not to use IP proxying or other means to conceal your location, whether to bypass geographical limits on game content, to buy at prices that are not relevant to your location, or for any other reason. If you do so, Valve has the right to cancel your access to your Account.”
Steam has recently revised its position, stating that just playing a game while connected to a VPN does not constitute a reason for a suspension. It’s worth noting that using a VPN to purchase games cheaper is still a violation of the subscriber agreement, though Dota 2 is a free-to-play game, so you should have no trouble installing it while connected.