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Best VPN for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2: Bypass SBMM Easily!

In 2019, Activision published what’s considered among the best shooters of the time – Call of Duty Modern Warfare. This was a series reboot that brought realistic shooting, gut-wrenching gore, and punchy gun sounds while still retaining its old-school appeal.

This game was a colossal hit, only for Modern Warfare 2 to repeat the same trend. In fact, COD MW2 has the most sales in the entire series, both because of its amazing single-player campaign and of course, because of the multi-player mode that many people enjoy.

However, people are looking for the best VPN for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 because of one serious issue called SMM or skill-based matchmaking. Players often get put in hard lobbies where they can’t get a kill, which prevents them from ranking properly and unlocking new achievements.

Today, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the best Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 VPN in 2024 and show you how to get easier lobbies for faster ranking.

The best VPNs for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2:

  • ExpressVPN
  • CyberGhost VPN
  • NordVPN
  • Surfshark VPN
  • Private Internet Access

Why Should You Use the Best VPN for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2?

Let’s start with the basics. Not long ago, I came up with a guide about the best VPN for COD Warzone where I explained why using a VPN service is beneficial for this type of game. While Modern Warfare 2 is very different because it’s not a battle royale title, it still has the same issues.

Here’s why you should use a VPN while playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.

Bypassing SBMM and Getting Easier Lobbies

SBMM is a system designed to put you in lobbies with players of your skill level. This should, in theory, prevent pairing very skilled players with first-time players and balance out the game. The bad thing is that the system isn’t working perfectly because many players complain about hard lobbies.

That’s because SBMM actually doesn’t use just your skill level as a parameter. In my investigation, I found that it also uses your country and time zone, which is great. Why? Well, because the best VPN for COD Modern Warfare 2 lets you change your country online!

Many players use this trick to change their online location to somewhere else, which tricks SBMM and gives them easier lobbies or even bot lobbies where they can rank faster and get better rewards. This can be done by using a VPN with lots of worldwide servers, which I’ll talk about in a minute.

For now, it’s important to mention that the best VPN servers to bypass SBMM in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 are located in Turkey and Egypt. Players have reported getting easier lobbies in these countries, especially early in the morning when there aren’t many players playing.

Avoiding ISP Throttling

Aside from SBMM and its issues, ISP throttling is a pretty common thing when gaming online. ISP throttling is when your ISP intentionally slows down your internet connection during bandwidth-hungry activities. This is done to prevent network congestion and increase network stability.

However, ISPs have big network infrastructures, so throttling your internet connection isn’t particularly beneficial, as they can handle significantly more load. The goal is to make you pay the same price while consuming less bandwidth, which is a bit unfair.

With a VPN for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, you can avoid this issue by changing your IP address. Simply connect to a VPN, conceal your IP, and secure your connection, which will prevent the ISP from seeing your activities and imposing any limits or slowing down your internet speed.

Preventing DDoS/Swatting Attacks

DDoS attacks come from tech-savvy and envious players who want to kick you out of the game. Yet, they can be executed if a person sending the attack knows your IP address, which is always the case when not using a Virtual Private Network service.

Every player can see your IP address, which leaves you vulnerable to cyber-attacks like DDoS or even swatting attacks. DDoS attacks will send a large number of data packets to your network, which overloads it and disrupts your entire connection, kicking you out of the game as a result.

Swatting attacks are even more dangerous. A gamer who knows your IP will be able to find out your address too, so he can report a suspicious event in your home, making the local special forces barge in through your doorstep as a result of a false alarm.

There are a few notable cases of swatting attacks that nearly lead to a lethal outcome. That’s why using the best VPN for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 is a must if you’re looking to preserve your privacy and prevent toxic players from finding out your location.

With a VPN, you’ll hide your original IP, encrypt your connection, and make it completely untraceable even by the most skilled hackers.

Best VPN for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2: Top 4 Picks for 2024

To be able to bypass SBMM, you’ll need a VPN with lots of fast-speed servers that provide unlimited bandwidth and enough security measures to keep you anonymous online. I cherry-picked the providers that will give you that – and more – so let’s take a look at them now.

NordVPN
Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router

 6300 servers

 111 covered countries

 30 days money-back guarantee

 10 simultaneous connections

Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router
Monthly price
2,99 $
27 MONTHS
4,99 $
12 MONTHS
11,99 $
1 MONTH
Our opinion: Excellent choice for privacy and anonymity
Speed
Security
Features
Ease of use
Customer support
Value for money
SEE MORE
1
ExpressVPN
Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router

 3000 servers

 105 covered countries

 30 days money-back guarantee

 8 simultaneous connections

Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router
Monthly price
6,67 $
15 MONTHS
9,99 $
6 MONTHS
12,95 $
1 MONTH
Our opinion: One of the best VPN out there!
Speed
Security
Features
Ease of use
Customer support
Value for money
SEE MORE
2
CyberGhost
Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router

 12000 servers

 100 covered countries

 45 days money-back guarantee

 7 simultaneous connections

Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router
Monthly price
2,19 $
26 MONTHS
6,99 $
6 MONTHS
11,99 $
1 MONTH
Our opinion: Strict no-log policy, cheapest VPN service
Speed
Security
Features
Ease of use
Customer support
Value for money
SEE MORE
3

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN COD
© ExpressVPN

If you’re looking for a VPN for gaming on Xbox Series X, PS5, or your PC, look no further than ExpressVPN. This is the best VPN for COD Modern Warfare 2. It has everything you need, starting with 3,000 servers in 105 countries that provide blazing-fast performance and speeds.

ExpressVPN has 10 Gbps servers and this infrastructure allows you to maximize your native internet performance for smooth and enjoyable gaming. Moreover, the provider has servers in both Turkey and Egypt, making it easy to bypass annoying SBMM and get easier or bot lobbies for fast ranking.

As the best COD MW2 VPN on this list, it also offers impeccable security. You get 256-bit encryption once you connect, but also in-built IP/DNS leak protection coupled with an automatic kill switch that will prevent your IP from leaking while dominating the game.

In addition, ExpressVPN sports a protocol called Lightway, developed by ExpressVPN for the best possible performance and security. This provider works on a boatload of platforms and devices, letting you play MW2 safely on both gaming consoles and Windows, which is awesome.

If you live with a family member who also plays games online, you’ll be happy to hear about the 8 simultaneous connections that it offers. This means that both or all of you can play Modern Warfare 2 or any other game online with protection from ExpressVPN at the SAME time!

ExpressVPN has no downsides that will ruin your gaming experience. It’s a feature-rich provider that prides itself on having functionalities like SmartDNS, TrustedServer Technology, and even its proprietary private DNS for the highest level of privacy.

Sure, it isn’t free, but its 49% discount and 3 free months make it an excellent deal. Besides, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, so if you want, you can get a refund if you don’t see it working for you.

Visit ExpressVPN

Pros

  • The fastest performance for lag-free gaming
  • Includes servers in Turkey and Egypt
  • AES-256 encryption
  • It’s good for avoiding DDoS/swatting attacks
  • 8 simultaneous connections
  • Works on PS/Xbox consoles

Cons

  • No multi-hop connections
  • Expensive monthly plan

2. CyberGhost

CyberGhost COD
© CyberGhost

A splendid Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 VPN like CyberGhost shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s an affordable VPN service that has a whopping 12,000+ servers in 100 countries, making it among the largest providers on the planet.

Not only that, but CyberGhost perfectly understands gamers’ needs, and thus, offers 10 Gbps servers for those wanting to play with no lagging and stuttering. I found this provider to be great for getting bot lobbies on MW2 as it has servers across Egypt, Turkey, and Eastern European countries.

Connecting to a server in CyberGhost is easy and with WireGuard support, connections are lightning-quick. Moreover, CyberGhost offers its apps for all gaming-related platforms, making sure you can install it on your PS5, PS4, Xbox consoles, and of course – the ultimate gaming machine like a PC!

Aside from a no-logs policy, this service boasts AES-256 encryption that works in conjunction with an automatic kill switch and IPv6 leak protection. Even an ad blocker is included here and I found it useful for blocking pop-ups and ads on streaming websites.

CyberGhost offers dedicated streaming and torrenting servers as well. Thus, if you get tired of playing, you can always enjoy watching Netflix US abroad or unblocking foreign TV channels for additional entertainment.

The only notable downside of this COD MW2 VPN is that it won’t work in China, so if you’re living there, you’ll need something like ExpressVPN or NordVPN instead. And one nitpick is that its Windows app isn’t as intuitive for newcomers, which can be rectified by using a VPN and getting used to it.

Finally, CyberGhost packs a 45-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans and you can get its longest plan for a price that’s almost 3 times cheaper than ExpressVPN. I won’t say the exact price but make sure you check out the cheapest deal available below.

Visit CyberGhost

Pros

  • 12,000+ worldwide servers (including Egypt and Turkey)
  • Dedicated streaming servers work with Netflix
  • WireGuard VPN protocol
  • Cheap long-term plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Ad blocker is included

Cons

  • Fails to bypass the Great Firewall of China
  • Mac and iOS apps have fewer features

3. NordVPN

NordVPN Gaming
© NordVPN

NordVPN is another VPN you can use to play Modern Warfare 2 online. Its modern applications can be utilized on pretty much any platform, with its feature-richness being the highlight of the provider. However, above all, it has 5,500+ servers in around 60 countries, which is important for this case.

On the server list, you’ll find plenty of servers in Turkey, although Egyptian servers aren’t available. Still, Turkish servers are very fast and can be used to avoid SBMM and get easier or bot lobbies in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.

NordVPN is almost as fast as ExpressVPN due to its WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol. Combined with up-to-date server infrastructure and lots of servers, overcrowding isn’t a thing here, which allows you to maximize your performance at any given time and prevent ISP throttling.

I think NordVPN is fairly easy to use as well and its security features are easily accessible. You can use Double VPN servers for doubling your encryption, for example, but also connect to the fastest server that will make things smoother while protecting you with 256-bit AES encryption.

Needless to say, NordVPN has a kill switch that works perfectly but you also get other awesome functionalities like obfuscated servers, Threat Protection, and Dark Web Monitor. COD MW2 players will like Meshnet, a feature for joining and hosting 100% secure LAN parties for gaming or business.

In addition, the provider has a no-logging policy and RAM-based servers that will wipe every bit of data upon each reset. The provider has cheap long-term plans while its monthly plan is on the expensive side. This, combined with VAT in some countries can lead to a small price increase.

But still, you can check its cheapest deal below and get a 30-day non-conditional money-back guarantee for ALL subscription plans. Try this VPN for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 now or check our NordVPN test and review here to find out more about it.

Visit NordVPN

Pros

  • Extremely well-equipped with security features
  • Meshnet is useful for secure LAN parties
  • RAM-based servers for the highest privacy level
  • It has fast-speed servers in Turkey for bypassing SBMM in MW2

Cons

  • No servers in Egypt
  • More expensive in some countries (value-added taxes)

4. Surfshark VPN

Surfshark Warzone
© Surfshark

Surfshark is a VPN you can indulge in if you’re a passionate CODMW2 player. As one of the best VPNs for Modern Warfare 2, Surfshark includes 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including Turkey, Egypt, and many others. What’s more, the provider is performing well, thanks to the WireGuard protocol.

We like that Surfshark is easy to use, making it easy to connect to the server. Once you do that, you can go online and play the game safely. Surfshark isn’t the fastest option but its 10 Gbps servers are still performing quite nicely. Alas, it’s slower than the previous three providers.

One thing to note is that it includes antivirus and an ad blocker. This is handy when watching TV channels online or accessing many streaming services. Privacy-wise, the VPN keeps no logs and comes with a few third-party audits. This makes the VPN extremely trustworthy.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 players will like Surfshark’s security. Apart from 256-bit encryption, the VPN includes a kill switch to prevent IP leaks, as well as full DDoS protection. Privacy-aware players will appreciate RAM-only servers that make the entire service much more robust.

Needless to say, getting easier lobbies and avoiding SBMM is simple with this VPN – we’re talking from our experience. This is even better when you consider that you get unlimited connections with each subscription. As such, you can share your subscription and enjoy MW2 on different PCs simultaneously.

When it comes to pricing, Surfshark won’t empty your wallet like a big, few-liter petrol engine. It’s priced modestly, at just over $2 a month for the longest plan. Rest assured, a 30-day refund policy is here for every plan, ensuring you can receive your money back if you’re not impressed.

Pros

  • Affordable 2-year plans
  • Available in 100 countries
  • Great for DDoS protection

Cons

  • Not the fastest VPN for Call of Duty MW2
  • Expensive monthly plans
  • Very rare issues with the kill switch

How to Bypass SBMM in Modern Warfare 2 Using a VPN

With the selection of VPNs for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, let me show you how to use any of them to bypass SBMM in this game.

The first thing to do is get a VPN subscription, which I hope you did before reading this part. It’s as easy as clicking on the red button above (under any provider you like), choosing a subscription plan, and making a payment. After that, simply install the app, sign in, and you’ll be good to go.

Once you set up a VPN on your device, it’s time to connect to a server in another country. I’ll use ExpressVPN, which is my favorite VPN service for gaming.

ExpressVPN Windows App 1
© 01net.com

As said, to bypass SBMM in COD MW2, you’ll need to connect to a server in Turkey or Egypt, although many people reported that some Eastern European countries will also work. Don’t take my word blindly for it.

You have servers in 105 countries with ExpressVPN if you go for that provider, so make sure you experiment on your own as well.

For this case, I’ll connect to a server in Egypt, for example. This can be done by opening the server list on the three horizontal dots, clicking on All Locations, and selecting “Middle East and Africa”. You’ll see Egypt right there, so double-click on it to establish a connection.

ExpressVPN Egypt IP
© 01net.com

From here, you need to open up Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and start playing online. You should be able to get easier lobbies or even bot lobbies and bypass SBMM successfully.

Summary

Using the best VPN for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 grants you the ability to get easier lobbies and prevent SBMM from impacting your gameplay experience. In addition, with the ability to hide your IP and encrypt your connection, you can avoid cyber-attacks and ISP throttling typical for online gaming.

The choices we recommend include ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, NordVPN, and Surfshark. These are tested solutions for playing Modern Warfare 2 that work flawlessly and provide the best performance, fastest speeds, and unlimited bandwidth for uninterrupted gaming sessions.

Make sure you check out their cheapest available deals through our site to be able to save money on your next VPN subscription.

Visit ExpressVPN


FAQ

If you still aren’t sure about using a VPN with Modern Warfare 2, let me answer a few important questions to brighten things up.

Will a free VPN work with Modern Warfare 2?

Yes, you can play this game with a free VPN but with many caveats. First, they don’t provide optimal performance for gaming due to outdated server infrastructure and small server networks. For this case, they also don’t have servers in Turkey or Egypt, so bypassing SBMM is virtually impossible.

Generally speaking, free providers are known for limits in terms of bandwidth and performance, which is often associated with their free nature. If you decide to go this route, prepare to sacrifice unlimited bandwidth for a few gigabytes a month coupled with slow and unstable connections.

While this will let you play Modern Warfare 2, the gameplay will be choppy, laggy, and limited according to the amount of bandwidth you have left. Not to mention that free providers like Hola VPN and Betternet are known for storing logs and selling personal data to third parties.

Practices like these are common in free VPNs who are looking to gain profit from your personal information. Thus, to avoid getting yourself in an uncomfortable situation, it’s best to get a premium provider like ExpressVPN or even CyberGhost, Surfshark, and NordVPN.

Can I get a ban if I use a VPN with COD MW2?

Checking Activision’s terms of service, I didn’t find a single clause where the use of a VPN is prohibited. Many players use it to play Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and so far, we haven’t heard of a single case where players have been banned for this practice.

As such, you can freely use a VPN for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 without the fear of getting banned and losing your account permanently.

Is SBMM in Call of Duty games bad?

SBMM is not necessarily bad and some users on Reddit reported that it’s working just fine, with some improvements that the game developer made recently. However, SBMM is crippling for some players who want an easier gaming experience for faster leveling up.

With SBMM that matches you with similarly-skilled players, that sometimes isn’t possible, as you’re facing a greater challenge. However, once you bypass SBMM, you can get much easier lobbies and bot lobbies that’ll let you rack up kills and gain ranks faster, getting better gear as a result.

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