Call of Duty Warzone and the newly released Warzone 2.0 use a system called skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) to pair you with players who are equally skilled as you. As fun as it is, it can be tiring sometimes.
With a Warzone VPN, you can get bot lobbies where you can play with bots and new players to climb up the leaderboard. A VPN will also help reduce lag if your ISP has been throttling your connection and avoid DDoS attacks.
There are plenty of VPN services on the market, which can make it difficult to decide which one is best for Warzone.
After some testing, we’ve created a list of the best 5 ones you can use to bypass Warzone’s SBMM.
In the same vein, for those exploring the latest in the Call of Duty series, such as CoD Modern Warfare, choosing the right VPN can greatly enhance your gaming experience. Discover our top VPN picks for CoD Modern Warfare in our detailed guide.
Top 5 best Warzone VPNs
- ExpressVPN – Best Warzone VPN in 2024
- Surfshark – VPN for Warzone bot lobbies with unlimited simultaneous connections
- NordVPN – COD Warzone VPN with ultimate security
- Private Internet Access – VPN for COD bot lobbies with 10000 servers
- IPVanish – Advanced VPN for playing COD Warzone
Here are some of the things that we believe make a VPN good for Warzone:
- Number of servers – How many locations you can connect to.
- Speed – What speed you get with the VPN.
- Security – How secure the VPN is.
- No-log policy – How safe it is to use the VPN.
- Price – How affordable the VPN is.
The best VPNs for Warzone in 2024
The best VPN for Warzone should have a large number of servers so you can easily connect to locations that have the best bot lobbies. Here are our top 5 picks for Warzone VPNs:
1. ExpressVPN – Best overall VPN for accessing Warzone bot lobbies
- Large server network helps with finding bot lobbies
- Lightway makes sure you get low ping
- Router app lets you play Warzone on consoles
- More expensive than other top VPNS
ExpressVPN is the best candidate for Warzone VPN because it has a huge global presence and all of its servers are RAM-based. Its proprietary protocol Lightway gives incredibly fast speeds and low ping while playing Call of Duty. You can immensely improve your Warzone experience and get access to the best bot lobbies with ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ servers.
| Location | British Virgin Islands |
| Number of servers | 3000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Price | from $4.99/month |
The Lightway protocol provides lightning fast speeds and top-notch security when you’re gaming. Its no-log policy has been proven in courts and by independent firms numerous times.
ExpressVPN has features like split tunneling, a tracker blocker, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. It’s also one of the few VPNs that has an app for routers which makes it convenient to connect your gaming consoles to it.
With its server network spread out in 105 countries, you can easily find bot lobbies and nearby servers to lower your ping. To learn more about its servers, check out our review of ExpressVPN.
You can find Warzone bot lobbies in Egypt.
The only thing that may deter people from buying ExpressVPN is the high price tag. Its plans cost from $4.99/month and you get a 30-day money-back guarantee with it.
2. Surfshark – Warzone VPN you can share with your friends
- Has servers in almost every location with bot lobbies
- WireGuard gives less ping
- Inexpensive Warzone VPN
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Based in a 14-Eyes country
Surfshark is one of the fastest and cheapest Warzone VPNs. With over 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, finding bot lobbies should be a breeze. Its main protocol is WireGuard, which makes it almost just as fast as ExpressVPN. It also arms you with a bunch of advanced security features so you can safely play Warzone and avoid DDoS attacks.
| Location | The Netherlands |
| Number of servers | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Price | Starting from $1.99/month |
Some of the most useful features Surfshark provides are unlimited simultaneous connections, Multi-Hop servers, a kill switch, Rotating IP, and an ad and tracker blocker.
Surfshark’s security features will protect you from DDoS attacks in Warzone.
No matter where you’re located, you’ll easily find a server to reduce your ping while gaming.
Having unlimited simultaneous connections means you can use it on as many devices as you want. You and your friends can split the cost and use it on all of your PCs to play against easy players in bot lobbies.
Surfshark’s app may not be as minimalistic as ExpressVPN’s, but it has a clean UI that makes it incredibly easy to use.
If you want to learn more about the differences between our top 2 Warzone VPNs, check out our comparison review of Surfshark and ExpressVPN.
You can get it from $1.99/month. It even has a free 7-day trial version for smartphones and desktop.
3. NordVPN – Most secure VPN for COD Warzone
- P2P-optimized servers give low ping in Warzone
- 5000+ servers make it easy to find bot lobbies
- NordLynx gives fast speeds in COD Warzone
- No trial version except for Android
Most gamers would know about NordVPN since it’s been sponsored by so many YouTubers and Twitch streamers. It uses a modified form of WireGuard called NordLynx which makes it great for Warzone. The speed, security, and server availability it offers all allow you to improve your Call of Duty experience.
| Location | Panama |
| Number of servers | 7,000+ servers in 113 countries |
| Price | Starting from $3.46/month |
Just like ExpressVPN and Surfshark, NordVPN has also had its no-log policy audited by independent firms.
It has a wide selection of advanced security features including Double VPN, P2P-optimized servers, an ad blocker, and DNS leak protection.
P2P-optimized servers, in particular, are useful when it comes to playing Warzone. They’re capable of handling large data so when you use them with the game, you get low ping and stable performance.
Use NordVPN’s P2P servers to get low ping in Warzone.
You can use NordVPN on 6 devices simultaneously.
The VPN is currently available from $3.46/month and every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It has a free 7-day trial version for Android.
4. Private Internet Access – Warzone VPN that has the highest number of servers for bot lobbies
- Cheapest Warzone VPN
- Offers customization options
- Huge server network
- Company is based in a Five-Eyes country
If you’re not a beginner and you want more control over your VPN, we recommend getting Private Internet Access. With over 10000 servers in 84 countries, you can rest assured that you’ll never run into lag issues while playing Warzone. Finding bot lobbies won’t be difficult, either.
| Location | Colorado, USA |
| Number of servers | 30,000+ servers in 91 countries |
| Price | Starting from $2.03 per month |
PIA offers tons of customization features, including the option to change the look of the app’s main screen. If you’re a more advanced user, you can tweak the security settings to make your Call of Duty experience even better.
It offers multiple protocols, including WireGuard and OpenVPN. All of its infrastructure runs on RAM and the no-log policy has been audited by one of the Big Four firms Deloitte.
You also get two types of kill switch and DNS leak protection. These features ensure that you don’t become a victim of a DDoS attack while you’re in the middle of an important match.
Private Internet Access has a powerful kill switch to keep you safe while you play Warzone.
If all you want to do is get into easy bot lobbies, then PIA will be an excellent choice. Because it has servers in 91 countries, you can find a nearby server that gives you access to an easy lobby.
Note that PIA isn’t just for advanced users and customization features are optional. You can get it from $2.03 per month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. IPVanish – Configurable VPN you can use to play in Warzone bot lobbies
- Global server presence makes it easy to find bot lobbies
- P2P-optimized servers for fast speeds
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Based in the USA
- Doesn’t have RAM-based servers
IPVanish is similar to Private Internet Access in that it’s configurable, based in the US and has servers in over 70 countries. It has multiple protocols including WireGuard which ensures you don’t experience any lag while playing Warzone. To provide optimal experience while playing Call of Duty, IPVanish lets you connect to P2P servers.
| Location | Florida, USA |
| Number of servers | 2,400+ servers in 100 countries |
| Price | Starting from $2.19/month |
Unlike other top VPNs, IPVanish owns all of its servers which makes them safe and secure. They’re not run on RAM, but they’ve been audited by external firms.
The large range of servers in 100 countries will help you find bot lobbies no matter where you’re located. It comes with a kill switch, split tunneling, military-grade encryption, and DNS leak protection.
IPVanish has tons of security features you can play around with.
Just like Surfshark, IPVanish also has unlimited simultaneous connections so sharing it among your friends can help make it more affordable.
Currently, IPVanish is priced from $2.19/month. You get a 30-day money-back guarantee with your purchase so you can try out the VPN before you make a big commitment.
Methodology: how we tested these VPNs
Choosing the best VPNs for Warzone can be difficult because there are too many on the market. We had to test several different services before finalizing our list. Here are the factors we considered while testing these providers:
- Number of servers – The more servers the VPN has, the easier it’ll be for you to find bot lobbies. Having more servers will also allow you to find nearby servers so you get less ping and reduced lag.
- Speed – If your ISP tends to throttle your connection, using a VPN will help avoid it. Our top VPNs provide fast speeds so you get less ping, allowing you to enjoy your Warzone matches without any lag.
- Security – All our top VPNs are completely secure and have a multitude of security features to make sure your online data remains safe and you can avoid DDoS attacks.
- No-log policy – All of the VPNs on our list have been externally audited and have strict no-log policies. You’ll never have to worry about these services recording your data.
- Price – The best Warzone VPNs should be affordable and provide good value for money. The VPNs we’ve selected all have inexpensive packages and offer excellent features.
Why should you use a Warzone VPN?
Using a Warzone VPN will help you get into bot lobbies, avoid DDoS attacks, find better servers that lower your ping, and more. It’s one of the best ways to circumvent ISP throttling and get better speeds. Let’s take a look at these reasons in detail:
- Finding bot lobbies – By changing your location, you can find easier lobbies to get into, allowing you to have fun while leveling up more quickly.
- Getting reduced ping – A VPN will route your online traffic through a less congested server, resulting in reduced ping and lag.
- Playing on the go – If you’re traveling to a country where Warzone isn’t available, you can use a VPN to get access to it by changing your location.
- Avoiding DDoS attacks – You can get kicked out of servers because of DDoS attacks if you play Call of Duty regularly. A VPN will alter your IP address, making it harder for attackers to target your actual IP.
Maximize your gameplay with strategic insights and tools. Whether you're facing restrictions or looking for a competitive edge, our curated guides offer solutions:
- Master Throne and Liberty with a VPN – Navigate around regional blocks and dive into Throne and Liberty no matter where you are.
- Unlock CoD Modern Warfare 3 with a VPN – Sidestep SBMM and enhance your CoD MW3 experience using a reliable VPN.
- Enhance Fortnite Play with Lower Ping – Say goodbye to lag in Fortnite with our guide on reducing ping through VPNs and more.
- Strategies to Minimize Ping – Delve into our guide for actionable steps to reduce ping and smooth out your gaming sessions.
How to use VPN to get bot lobbies easier
Using a VPN to get bot lobbies in Warzone is easy. Here’s what you need to do:
- Choose a VPN that meets your needs.
- We recommend ExpressVPN because you can easily find bot lobbies with its 3000+ RAM-based servers.
- Download and install the VPN on your device.
- Connect to a nearby server.
- Launch Warzone and start shooting!
What are SBMM and bot lobbies?
Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) pairs you with similarly skilled opponents in a match while bot lobbies are matches where you play with less skilled players. In bot lobbies, the people you go up against may sometimes be bots and other times lower ranking players.
The purpose of SBMM is to make sure Warzone remains fair, competitive, and challenging for everyone.
As you level up in the game, you become more skilled and it gets less and less fun playing with players who aren’t on the same level as you. Depending on how skilled you are, SBMM matches can be intense.
Bot lobbies provide a more casual environment. It’s perfect for people who just want to relax. You can also use them to level up your stats more easily and complete challenges.
SBMM takes into consideration a whole range of factors including your kill/death ratio (K/D), win/loss ratio, location, timezone, in-game stats, and more. All these factors determine how skilled your opponents will be.
A VPN is one of the best ways to get into bot lobbies in Warzone and Warzone 2.0. Note that this practice isn’t supported by Activision, so technically, you could get into trouble but there haven’t been any cases of someone getting banned because of it.
It may cause other players to look down upon you, though, as it’s considered cheating by many, especially if you only use bot lobbies to level up. At the end of the day, avoiding Warzone’s SBMM is considered an exploit.
Which VPN location is best for bot lobbies in Warzone?
Some of the best VPN locations for bot lobbies in Warzone are located in Africa, East Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Connecting to servers in the following locations will increase your chances of finding bot lobbies:
- Egypt
- Tokyo
- Seoul
- Riyadh
- Chile
- Cape Town
- Singapore
- Madrid
Keep in mind that it’s not just the location that’s important, the time matters too. You’d have to connect during a time period when servers aren’t busy. For example, most people would want to play Warzone at night, perhaps from 8 PM to 2 AM.
During this time, it would be difficult to find bot lobbies. What time you should connect depends on where you’re located.
If you’re in the USA, for example, and you want to find bot lobbies in Tokyo, you could try connecting when it’s 8 PM in your location because then it would be 10 AM in Japan.
Note that there are many other factors that determine who you get to play with. Changing your location may not always help you find bot lobbies as Warzone’ SBMM also looks at your in-game stats, K/D, and more.
Though with a premium VPN like ExpressVPN, you’d have better luck finding bot lobbies as it has good quality servers that are updated regularly.
Conclusion
Warzone’s SBMM system can be exciting but it can be a bit too much if all you want is a casual match. That’s where a bot lobby comes in.
By changing your IP address with a VPN, you can get access to easier lobbies where you can play against lower ranked players or bots.
After testing several services, we found that ExpressVPN works best with Call of Duty Warzone and does an excellent job of getting you into bot lobbies.
SBMM exists for a reason and it’s unfair to use bot lobbies only to level up. You should only use them when you get tired of SBMM and want to have a casual match.
Frequently asked questions
ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for Warzone 2.0. It has 3,000+ RAM-based servers and many of them are located in countries where you can easily find bot lobbies. It uses a highly secure and fast protocol called Lightway so you can avoid DDoS attacks and ISP throttling as well.
Egypt, Argentina, and countries in East Asia have some of the easiest Warzone lobbies. Most Warzone players are located in the US, China, and the UK, so connecting to anywhere outside of these countries will help you find bot lobbies.
Yes, a VPN lowers your ping in Warzone by creating a direct route between you and the game server. Only a VPN with good quality servers will be able to do it, though, and it also depends on how close you are to the server.
Yes, a VPN will help you get into bot lobbies in COD MW2. It’ll change your location and you can connect to a server in a place where there aren’t a lot of players. This way, you’ll get paired with bots.
There’s no way to turn off SBMM in Warzone, but you can increase your chances of getting in bot lobbies by playing at an off-peak time. You could also use a VPN to connect to a server where there aren’t a lot of players.
ProtonVPN is a good free VPN for Warzone, but we recommend sticking to a premium service like ExpressVPN. Most free VPNs sell your data to advertisers and they’re not safe to use. Plus, they have limited features and servers so you may not be able to find bot lobbies with them.