Despite being a massively-popular MMORPG, Black Desert Online isn’t available in many countries due to licensing issues. And those lucky players who can immerse themselves into the war between Calpheon and Valencia often report high ping and heavy lag. It’s certainly not something you want in such an immersive, action-packed title.
Most, if not all, BDO issues can be solved with a VPN. This software breaks down geo-blocks by letting you connect to a region where the game is available. And since your internet traffic is routed through the most optimal servers, low latency and zero to no lag are also achieved. Of course, there’s more to the best VPNs for Black Desert – learn about it below.
Top VPNs for Black Desert: shortlist
- The best VPN for Black Desert Online9.7
- Black Desert VPN with no device limit9.3
- Affordable VPN for Black Desert Online9.2
- Speed-focused VPN for BDO8.7
- Black Desert VPN with versatile servers8.6
Why do you need a VPN for Black Desert?
As we briefly discussed, Black Desert Online has its fair share of issues. European and North American players can freely play on each other’s servers, while adventurers of other regions are locked in their original ones. So, exploring the world with international adventurers isn’t possible without some meddling on the player’s part.
To add salt to injury, you don’t have to purchase BDO to play it in certain countries. Places like Korea and Japan get it for free, but in English-speaking areas like the EU, North America, and South America, you must buy it first.
Finally, Black Desert is an enormous game that requires a lot of bandwidth due to some of its real-time mechanics, like the weather and day and night cycles. Naturally, this causes latency issues. Now throw ISP internet throttling into the mix, and BDO might become almost unplayable due to slow connections.
An appropriate gaming VPN takes care of this by encrypting your internet and changing your virtual location. It hides your online activities from snoopers, eliminating any ISP meddling. Furthermore, you can connect to another country, letting you hop into regional servers or where BDO is free-to-play. In most cases, VPNs also decrease ping by routing your traffic through the shortest route, considerably stabilizing gameplay.
The best VPN for Black Desert Online: detailed list
- NordVPN – top VPN for Black Desert with the fastest speeds in the industry, large server list, and top-notch security measures
- Surfshark VPN – Black Desert VPN with unlimited connections, WireGuard-fuelled speeds, and great geo-block bypassing capabilities
- Atlas VPN – a low-cost VPN to play Black Desert from anywhere and easily change your virtual region
- ExpressVPN – performance-focused Black Desert Online VPN with stable connectivity, a sizable server fleet, and commendable privacy features
- CyberGhost – a good VPN for Black Desert with servers optimized for online gaming
A reliable VPN for Black Desert must have an extensive server network, along with fast connections for lag-free gaming. Besides the essential security features to ensure no IP or DNS leaks occur, the service should also support multiple devices. BDO is available on PC, mobile, and Xbox and PlayStation consoles, so it’s best if the VPN also works on them. Here are the 5 best VPNs for Black Desert Online.
1. NordVPN – best VPN to play Black Desert
60
5800
24/7 live chat, Email
- Superb speeds and stable connectivity
- Excellent geo-block bypassing measures
- Independently audited and secure
- Only 6 simultaneous connections
NordVPN is our top VPN for Black Desert Online. Its sizable network of 5800+ RAM-only servers in 60+ countries includes such regions as Korea and Japan, letting you quickly change in-game servers. Furthermore, it’s one of the fastest VPNs, meaning you will finally enjoy seamless gameplay without high ping to ruin the experience.
NordVPN also offers air-tight security. Threat Protection takes care of ads & malware, while split tunneling can be used to route only BDO traffic through encrypted servers. The provider is even capable of circumventing the Great Firewall of China, all thanks to obfuscated servers.
There are dedicated applications for all major OS, including Android TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick. NordVPN even supports Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles, though you’ll have to install the VPN on your router for that.
You can see how well NordVPN works with Black Desert Online for 68% off. Your subscription is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no risk. Or test it all first with the free 7-day trial, available on Android.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark VPN – Black Desert VPN with great performance
100
3200
24/7 live chat, FAQ
- Infinite connections
- Largest country selection
- Steady speeds thanks to WireGuard
- Some features cost extra
Surfshark is a great VPN for Black Desert that doesn’t limit simultaneous connections. Secure every device you own and reap the benefits of the fleet of 3200+ RAM-only servers across 100+ countries. Plus, commendable performance is this provider’s strong suit – you won’t have trouble playing BDO lag-free during peak times.
As for security and privacy, you’re in for a treat. Surfshark is packed with handy features such as CleanWeb, Bypasser (split tunneling), MultiHop (double encryption), and more. And its Camouflage and NoBorders modes ensure you can access Black Desert from anywhere, even internet-restrictive countries.
The provider works on all major operating systems, along with streaming peripherals like Amazon Fire TV. Console support isn’t neglected either – Surfshark is compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series S & X, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. But as with NordVPN, you’ll have to configure the VPN on your router first.
Get Surshark with a 83% discount and enjoy Black Desert Online to the fullest. The 30-day money-back guarantee insures all subscriptions, and a 7-day free trial is also on the table. You can get it from the Google Play or Apple App Store.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. Atlas VPN – fast and cheap VPN for playing Black Desert
42
1000
Email, tickets, FAQ
- Lag-free gaming
- Bypasses restrictions with ease
- No device limit
- No router support
Another cost-effective solution for all your BDO problems is Atlas VPN. It has no issues circumventing restrictions with a fleet of 1000+ servers in 42+ countries. The provider also boasts a great implementation of Wireguard, facilitating stable connectivity and fast speeds no matter which server you pick.
Atlas VPN doesn’t neglect security, either. Besides the essentials, subscribers can utilize SafeBrowse (ad & malware blocker), MultiHop+ (maximum untraceability), and split tunneling. There’s even a Data Breach Monitor that alerts you about data leaks.
The service offers apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Amazon Firestick. Unfortunately, Atlas VPN doesn’t support routers, but you can still use it on consoles. You just have to create a hotpot via your PC first and then connect your gaming device to it.
Atlas VPN can be yours for 85% less. A 30-day money-back guarantee has your back in case you want a refund. There’s a great free version, too, but it comes with a 5 GB/month data cap and only three server locations.
For a deeper investigation of Atlas VPN, read our Atlas VPN review.
4. ExpressVPN – versatile Black Desert Online VPN
94
3000
24/7 live chat, email
- Top-notch security
- Solid connection speeds
- Robust toolkit
- Expensive
ExpressVPN is a good VPN for Black Desert, too. Its fleet covers 94+ countries, making jumping from one regional BDO server to another easy. And with the in-house Lightway protocol, low latency is guaranteed during all data-intensive activities, not only while gaming online.
Your internet ventures are secured by military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a robust kill switch. Furthermore, ExpressVPN offers Threat Manager, split tunneling, and even port forwarding for boosting game speeds. The built-in Stealth VPN feature also ensures you can dive into Black Desert Online from anywhere.
ExpressVPN includes easy-to-use apps for all major platforms. Playing BDO on Xbox and PlayStation is also possible since the provider supports these gaming consoles. Of course, as is the case with most devices that don’t support this software natively, you’ll have to configure the VPN on your router first.
You won’t have to pay much with a 49% discount. Take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee or the 7-day free trial. The latter is available on Android and iOS devices.
For a deeper investigation of ExpressVPN, read our ExpressVPN review.
5. CyberGhost VPN – Black Desert VPN with gaming servers
100
9360
24/7 live chat
- Massive server list
- Servers optimized for gaming
- Independently-audited no-logs policy
- macOS and iOS have fewer features
You can boost your BDO experience with CyberGhost. The provider boasts 9360+ servers across 100+ countries, making it easy to bypass geo-blocks. Furthermore, the connections are powered by WireGuard – now pick dedicated gaming servers from the list, and Black Desert will run as smoothly as butter.
CyberGhost protects its users with industry-standard encryption and a reliable kill switch. On top of that, there’s an ad & malware blocker, highly-customizable split tunneling, and ID Guard Monitoring. With DNS and IPv6 leak protection keeping your real identity safe, leaks won’t be a problem, either.
Regarding device compatibility, CyberGhost has dedicated applications for all the operating systems you’d expect. Console owners aren’t left in the dust, too, with support for PlayStation and Xbox devices.
Play Black Desert Online freely with CyberGhost with 84% off. You won’t suffer any losses if, in the end, the provider isn’t for you, thanks to the 45-day money-back guarantee. A 7-day free trial is also available on iOS if you want to take it out for a spin first.
For a deeper investigation of CyberGhost, read our CyberGhost review.
VPN for Black Desert Online: comparison
| Provider | NordVPN | Surfshark VPN | Atlas VPN | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost |
| Price | $3.49/month | $2.30/month | $1.82/month | $6.67/month | $2.03/month |
| Network | 5800+ servers in 60+ countries | 3200+ servers in 100+ countries | 1000+ servers in 42+ countries | 3000+ servers in 94+ countries | 9360+ servers in 100+ countries |
| No-logs policy | Independently-audited no-logs policy | Independently-audited no-logs policy | No-logs policy | Independently-audited and court-proven no-logs policy | Independently-audited no-logs policy |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Simultaneous connections | 6 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5 | 7 |
| Device support | All major OS, routers, consoles, and more | All major OS, routers, consoles, and more | All major OS | All major OS, routers, consoles, and more | All major OS, routers, consoles, and more |
It’s not surprising that NordVPN is the best VPN for Black Desert. It facilitates the best speeds, breaks through geographical restrictions in one go, and offers a versatile toolkit practical beyond online gaming. Plus, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, considering what you’re getting.
How we tested VPNs to play Black Desert Online
Not any run-of-the-mill VPN service will do for Black Desert. To ensure players have the best experience, we curated our top list according to specific criteria:
- Global network. Housing lots of servers across a great number of countries ensures you get access to the regional in-game servers you want. And if low latency is your goal, then having plenty of connection points near you also helps with that.
- Unblocking capabilities. BDO isn’t available in many regions and is free to play in select areas. We only recommend VPNs that easily bypass geo-blocks not only of online games but other services as well, like streaming platforms.
- Performance. Lag and high ping issues will only be exacerbated if the VPN doesn’t facilitate great speed. Our top Black Desert VPNs are among the fastest services in the industry, with very minimal connection speed drops. You can check them out via the VPN speed testing tool.
- Compatibility. You can play Black Desert on PC, mobile, tablets, and even gaming consoles, depending on what’s convenient for you. The providers we picked offer either dedicated apps for these platforms or support the devices via manual VPN configuration on a router.
- Ensured security. A VPN must also protect your online identity from potential threats, like doxxing or DDoS attacks. The toolkit must include such essentials as a kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and leak protection measures.
- Price. All the BDO VPNs come with reasonable pricing options, especially considering the features you’re getting. Plus, they protect the plans with money-back guarantees, making subscribing risk-free.
Dive into Black Desert Online without restrictions with NordVPN. The provider bypasses geo-blocks with ease, boasts the fastest speeds in the industry, and houses an extensive server list. Best of all, you get it for an affordable price.
How to use VPN to play Black Desert Online
- Subscribe to a reliable BDO VPN. Our top recommendation is NordVPN, now 68% off
- Download the VPN software and install it on the device of your choice. If you want to play Black Desert on consoles, follow the provider’s router installation guide
- Sign into your VPN account and connect to the server you want
- Log into Black Desert Online and play like you usually would
VPN not working with Black Desert Online: solutions
So, everything is up and running, but you’re still having issues with BDO. Either the game is still laggy, or you’re in the same ol’ boring server you’ve been trying to escape from. Trouble is afoot, yet have no fear, it’s likely something you can fix yourself. Here’s what might be happening:
- You’re connected to an overcrowded server
- Your IP address or DNS requests are leaking
- You’re not using the latest tunneling protocol
- Your antivirus or firewall is blocking VPN traffic
- The VPN software is out of date
- Your router’s TAP drivers got corrupted in the process if you tried installing several VPNs on it
Now, the potential fixes:
- Connect to another VPN server and try a different in-game region altogether
- Check for IP and DNS leaks, and enable all the VPN’s security features
- Switch to a recommended protocol (usually WireGuard) or a proprietary one if there’s an option
- Whitelist your VPN in your firewall and antivirus settings
- Update your VPN client
- Install new TAP drivers on your router
Worst comes to worst, contact your VPN’s customer support. Maybe there’s a problem on their side, or the VPN simply isn’t suited for Black Desert Online.
Do we recommend a free VPN for Black Desert Online
No, we advise steering clear of free VPN software. Such services barely bypass any kind of blocks, and the rare one that does will only make lag worse. You can blame strict limitations for this, as costless providers need to throttle speeds and severely restrict bandwidth to ensure the VPN remains functional for all users.
Furthermore, you’ll be putting your security and privacy at risk. Most free VPNs are notorious for logging data and selling it to various third parties. Some even fail to ensure your confidentiality by using outdated encryption or offering weak features. There have been cases of malware masquerading as legitimate VPN services.
If playing BDO completely free is your goal, the best option is signing up for free VPN trials and combining them with money-back guarantees. For example, NordVPN has a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you use the full service for well over a month. If you like it, continue the subscription; if not, cancel and try another provider.
Conclusion
You’ll be fully ready to immerse yourself in Black Desert Online with a premium VPN. A trustworthy service will unblock access to the game, let you change in-game servers, and take care of high ping. Most of all, it won’t cost a fortune to do so.
We’ve found that NordVPN is the best VPN for Black Desert. It doesn’t break a sweat circumventing regional blocks, comes with an expansive server fleet, and facilitates neck break speeds for a lag-free gaming experience. Plus, it offers a top-notch security suite for a low price.
What’s the best VPN for Black Desert, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below!
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FAQ
How to play Black Desert Online in restricted countries?
You can play Black Desert Online in restricted countries with a VPN. Subscribe to a recommended VPN, install the software, and connect to a country where the game is freely available, like the UK, US, Korea, Japan, etc.
Can I play BDO with a VPN?
Yes, you can play BDO with a VPN. In fact, this software lets you jump to regional in-game servers and, in some cases, fixes high-ping issues. And if Black Desert is unavailable in your country, a VPN helps bypass geo-blocks, getting you access to this MMORPG.
Can you fix ping with a VPN?
Yes, using a VPN can improve your ping by sending data packets through a more direct route. A notable gameplay improvement is especially the case if your ISP was throttling your bandwidth before. Still, you have to pick a provider that facilitates minimal connection speed drops for the best performance, such as NordVPN.
Will I get banned for using a VPN with Black Desert Online?
No, you won’t get banned for using a VPN with BDO. Pearl Abyss, the developer of the MMORPG, has stated that utilizing such technology to access and play the game is perfectly okay.
