You've just strapped on your Meta Quest 3, ready to dive into a Horizon Worlds session — but the game is region-locked. Or you're on a hotel Wi-Fi with your Apple Vision Pro, trying to access your home Plex library. This is where a VPN becomes the thing actually worth buying for your VR setup.
Beyond unlocking content, a VPN encrypts your traffic on public networks and shields your IP address from DDoS attacks in competitive multiplayer games like Population: One or Breachers.1 We've combed through the research from Comparitech and ZDNET, tested the top services, and found the three VPNs that deliver the best experience on both Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.
The Best VPNs for VR at a Glance
| Pick | Best For | Speed | Privacy | VR Setup |
|---|
| NordVPN | Overall | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Router / Sideload / Hotspot |
| ExpressVPN | Streaming | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Router / Sideload / Hotspot |
| ProtonVPN | Privacy / Vision Pro | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Direct App Store (Vision Pro) |
�� NordVPN — Best Overall for VR
NordVPN is rated #1 for VR by Comparitech, and for good reason.1 Its massive network of 6,000+ servers across 111 countries means you can almost always find a fast, uncongested node — critical when you're pushing high-resolution VR video through a headset.
Why it wins for VR: NordVPN supports OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, giving you the speed you need for latency-sensitive VR gaming. It also offers dedicated apps for Windows and macOS, which you can use to create a VPN hotspot for your Quest or Vision Pro. For the truly committed, NordVPN provides detailed guides on flashing VPN firmware directly onto your router — so every device in your home, including your headset, is protected without any per-device setup.1
Setup on Meta Quest: Sideload the NordVPN APK via SideQuest, configure a VPN-enabled router, or share a VPN-tethered PC hotspot. Setup on Apple Vision Pro: Install the NordVPN iPad app from the App Store — it runs in compatibility mode on visionOS.
Get NordVPN →
�� ExpressVPN — Best for Streaming in VR
If your primary VR use case is streaming — think Netflix in a virtual cinema, or accessing BBC iPlayer on a giant floating screen — ExpressVPN is your pick. Its Lightway protocol is engineered for low-latency streaming, and its server network covers 105 countries with reliably high throughput.1
Why it wins for streaming: ExpressVPN consistently delivers the fastest speeds in independent tests, and its apps are dead-simple to configure. On the Meta Quest, you can sideload the APK or set up a VPN hotspot from a PC in under five minutes. For Apple Vision Pro users, the iPad-compatible app installs directly from the App Store with no workarounds needed.
Setup on Meta Quest: Sideload via SideQuest or use a shared VPN hotspot from your computer. Setup on Apple Vision Pro: Download the ExpressVPN iPad app from the App Store.
Get ExpressVPN →
�� ProtonVPN — Best for Privacy & Apple Vision Pro
ProtonVPN is the privacy-first choice, and it's the only VPN on our list that ZDNET explicitly tested and confirmed working on the Apple Vision Pro via the App Store.2 Based in Switzerland (a jurisdiction with strong privacy laws), ProtonVPN operates a strict no-logs policy and offers a free tier — though for VR use you'll want the paid plan for faster speeds.
Why it wins for Vision Pro: ZDNET's hands-on testing showed that ProtonVPN installs seamlessly on the Vision Pro as a compatible iPad app, with the full VPN-on-demand feature working correctly.2 For privacy purists who want to access their home network while traveling with the Vision Pro, ProtonVPN's Secure Core architecture routes traffic through multiple servers for extra protection.
Setup on Meta Quest: Sideload the ProtonVPN APK or configure a VPN router. Setup on Apple Vision Pro: Direct install from the App Store — no sideloading required.2
Get ProtonVPN →
Why You Need a VPN for VR
VR headsets are essentially powerful computers strapped to your face, and they face the same security risks as any connected device — plus a few unique ones:
- Regional locks: Many VR games and apps (especially on the Quest platform) are geo-restricted. A VPN lets you access your home library while traveling or unlock region-exclusive content.
- Public Wi-Fi: The Quest 3 and Vision Pro are designed to be portable. Hotel, airport, and coffee shop Wi-Fi networks are prime targets for packet-sniffing attacks. A VPN encrypts everything.1
- DDoS protection: In competitive VR multiplayer games, revealing your IP address can lead to targeted DDoS attacks that knock you offline. A VPN masks your real IP.1
How to Set Up a VPN on Your VR Headset
Apple Vision Pro (Easiest)
Open the App Store on your Vision Pro, search for your chosen VPN (ProtonVPN, NordVPN, or ExpressVPN all offer iPad-compatible apps), and install. Enable VPN-on-demand in settings for always-on protection.2
Meta Quest 3 (Three Methods)
- Sideloading via SideQuest: Download the VPN APK from the provider's website, sideload it using SideQuest, and install it directly on the Quest. Works for NordVPN and ExpressVPN.1
- VPN-enabled router: Flash your router with VPN firmware (NordVPN offers guides for this). Every device on your network — Quest, Vision Pro, smart TV — is automatically protected.1
- PC hotspot: Connect your PC to your VPN, then share that connection as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Connect your Quest to that hotspot. Simple and effective.1
We may earn a commission if you purchase through our affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. All picks are independently researched and tested.
