Using a VPN ensures third parties can’t track your online activities. It also allows you to bypass censorship restrictions, browse the web freely, and access blocked content. We tested several VPNs to determine the best VPN for Windows. These are our top picks. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use VPN with lots of useful features and a vast server network, we recommend NordVPN. The NordVPN Windows client is incredibly user-friendly, and its fast speeds make it suitable for gaming, streaming and downloading. Windows is the most targeted operating system. Not just from viruses and malware but also advertisers, hackers, the government, your internet service provider (ISP), and even Microsoft, who devise schemes to collect your personal data. Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to secure your privacy. It encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address, ensuring prying eyes can’t track your online activity. We conducted extensive tests to determine the best VPN for Windows. These are our top five picks.
Top 5 Best VPNs for Windows: Our Recommendations
To determine the best VPN for PC, we assessed several VPNs for their speed, security, privacy, server network, ease of use, and price. The five VPNs highlighted in the table below are our top picks. *While all these VPN providers have a no-logging policy, some of them — like CyberGhost — collect some anonymized personal data. Continue reading to learn more about why these are some of the best VPNs for Windows.
1. NordVPN: A secure Windows VPN packed with many features
Features:
Easy to use 5,200+ servers in 59 countries Responsive customer support Military-grade encryption Supports the fast and secure WireGuard protocol through NordLynx 24/7 customer support
NordVPN is our overall best VPN for Windows. It has over 5,200+ servers in 59 countries. You have thousands of servers to choose from to bypass censorship and access the web privately. NordVPN operates 10GBps servers, while most VPN providers offer 1GBps servers. With such lightning-fast speed, you can stream movies and games or download torrent files with no lagging or interruption. We tested NordVPN on a 100MBps connection, and the speeds dipped by only 2Mbps to 20Mbps on nearby servers. NordVPN provides top security with multiple protocols, including its WireGuard-based NordLynx. It protects you from ads, malware, and trackers. NordVPN uses RAM-based servers to deliver fast speeds and guarantee no logging. It also has additional security features like Double VPN, Dark Web Monitor, Dedicated IP, Meshnet, Obfuscated servers, split tunneling, Onion Over VPN, and so much more. If you encounter any issues, NordVPN offers 24/7 chat support so you can get quick assistance. Check out our in-depth NordVPN review to learn more about this VPN.
2. Surfshark: A premium Windows VPN at an affordable price
Features:
3,200+ servers in 100 countries Blazing fast speeds on all servers Supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols Uses RAM-only servers; no permanent storage of user data Affordable
Surfshark is one of the most budget-friendly Windows VPNs. It is also one of the fastest VPNs for Windows. In our tests with a 100MBps connection, we got 90MBps — a significantly small drop in speed. Surfshark has an impressive server distribution network, with 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. Its speeds are suitable for gaming and streaming, even on distant servers. Surfshark uses RAM-only servers, and it’s independently audited to back its no-logs policy. Surfshark offers AES 256-bit military-grade encryption and supports three secure protocols. It has an automatic kill switch to protect your privacy if your connection suddenly drops. It also comes with Private DNS and leak protection and supports split tunneling. Surfshark has many other useful features like CleanWeb, which blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attacks. Its NoBorders mode allows you to bypass censorship restrictions. Surfshark is affordable, lightweight, and simple to use. You can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee to test the VPN before committing. Check out our thorough Surfshark review to learn more about this VPN.
3. ExpressVPN: A fast and secure VPN for Windows
Features:
High-speed servers in 94 different locations Based in the British Virgin Islands Supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP VPN protocols The cheapest plan starts at $6.67 for 15 months 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN has been around for some time and is still one of the best VPNs for Windows. It has 3,000+ servers in 94 countries. Its speeds are impressive, clocking in at 90 MBps when we tested it on a 100 MBps connection. Such high speeds and its extensive server network earned ExpressVPN a place on our top five list of the best VPN for Windows. ExpressVPN is perfect for gaming, streaming, and downloading. It can unblock Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and many other streaming platforms. ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for streamers and content creators who prioritize speed and security. ExpressVPN supports multiple VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, and its open-source, proprietary Lightway protocol. ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer technology, so data is wiped off its RAM-only servers after every reboot. It also has various features like split tunneling, kill switch, Threat Manager (blocks trackers and malware), and Private DNS. Our ExpressVPN review contains more information about this VPN.
4. CyberGhost: A simple and effective VPN for Windows
Features:
7,400+ servers in over 91 countries; strong presence in the U.S. Fast speeds Simple user interface 14 and 45-day money-back guarantees 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly and affordable VPN for Windows. The company is based in Romania, which has privacy-friendly data retention laws, and it’s not part of the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliances. CyberGhost has 7,900+ servers in over 91 countries. Its high number of servers is partly why CyberGhost is a fantastic VPN for PC. It allows you to bypass geo-restrictions easily to streaming sites, news, and other online platforms. CyberGhost can unblock streaming sites; it has servers optimized for Netflix and other streaming services. There was a negligible difference in our connection speed when we connected to nearby servers, but the speed was poor on distant servers. CyberGhost supports secure VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN. It has some remarkable features like split tunneling and data monitoring. Although it has a no-logging policy, CyberGhost collects some anonymized personal data. CyberGhost is quite affordable, but if you’re on the fence, you can try it for free with their 45-day money-back guarantee. For more information about this VPN, its features, and its performance, read our detailed CyberGhost VPN review.
5. Private Internet Access: A hassle-free Windows VPN
Features:
33,000 servers in 84 nations; strong presence in Europe and the Middle East Supports all major encryption protocols Moderately affordable Clean interface that’s easy to use 30-day money-back guarantee
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a VPN for Windows specifically designed for privacy. It’s owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost. While it offers excellent security, this is not the fastest VPN on our list. Our connection speeds dropped noticeably when using this VPN, whether we opted for close or faraway servers. Private Internet Access has 33,000+ servers across 84 countries — with a strong presence in Europe and the Middle East. Private Internet Access is based in the U.S., which raises concerns about data sharing with law enforcement. However, in court, PIA has stood by its no-logs policy more than once. This VPN has several useful features like built-in ad and malware blocking, dedicated IPs, split tunneling, and a kill switch, and it is open source. If you are a minimalist, you will love PIA’s Windows app. This VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service before committing. Our comprehensive Private Internet Access review contains everything you need to know about this VPN.
How We Picked the Best VPNs for Windows
There are several things to consider when choosing a Windows VPN. You may prioritize particular features over others. But we can all agree that these are the key things every top VPN for PC should have.
Security
The best Windows VPNs offer strong encryption and secure VPN protocols. Some other security features we looked out for include ad and tracker blocking, malware protection, kill switch functionality, DNS leak prevention, no-logs policy, and location. While some of the VPNs above have a wider array of security features than others, they all meet our minimum requirements for security.
Speed
A slow VPN can make it impossible to stream, play games, or even access apps and pages. That’s why we extensively test VPNs for their speed. We also assess their ability to bypass geo-based restrictions and access streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. You’ll find detailed information about the speeds of the VPNs above in our VPN reviews.
Ease of use
Overly complex apps can be a put-off for some people. It’s important to be able to figure out how a VPN app works at first glance. All the apps we highlighted above are easy to use, allowing you to connect to the web with just a few clicks.
Price
For many products, a low price tag usually indicates sub-standard quality, but that doesn’t hold in the world of VPNs. Some cheap VPNs are among the top-rated VPNs for PC. We highlighted VPNs with various prices above, so whether you’re looking to skimp a few bucks or have a big budget, you’ll have multiple options.
Server network
When you choose a VPN with a vast server network, you can connect to servers in different parts of the world to unblock content on streaming sites and other platforms. All the VPNs we’ve assessed have extensive server networks, but some have a wider reach than others. Note: Most VPNs offer a limited-time money-back guarantee. We recommend you take advantage of this to try the service before committing to it.
How to Install a VPN on Windows
Installing a Windows VPN on your device is a straightforward process. You can either download and install the VPN client or set it up manually from your device’s settings.
1. How to install a VPN client on Windows 11
You may not find some of these VPNs at the Microsoft Store. We recommend getting the app directly from the provider’s website and installing it. Here’s how to go about it:
2. How to set up a VPN on Windows 11 manually
Some VPNs don’t have accompanying software. So, you’ll have to set up the connection manually using the Windows built-in VPN settings. Even if your provider has a VPN client, you can also set it up this way.
For more information, read our guide to setting up a VPN connection on Windows.
Free VPNs vs. Paid VPNs
In the quest to find the best VPN for Windows, you may consider a free VPN, especially if you’re on a slim budget. While they may seem like a good choice, we don’t recommend using a free VPN for the reasons outlined below.
Questionable security
Free VPNs don’t offer the same guarantee of safety as premium ones. There is an ever-present possibility that they could sell your personal information to generate revenue. The high cost of maintaining a VPN network means free VPNs usually have substandard security and do not come with additional features like premium VPNs to safeguard your safety and privacy.
Slow speeds and bandwidth limit
Free VPNs usually have a data cap and are slower than premium VPNs. To prevent their network resources from getting overstretched, free VPN providers have a daily or monthly bandwidth cap for each user. While this may not be an issue if you’re simply browsing web pages, the data cap makes it impossible to stream or download content online.
Limited server network
Free VPNs tend to have a small server network. This means there are no servers near your location or in particular parts of the world. As a result, you may be unable to access certain content. Free VPNs are also more likely to fail at bypassing geo-restrictions on Netflix and other streaming platforms or circumventing censorship restrictions in countries like China or Iran.
The Best Free VPN for Windows
Not everyone can shell out a few dollars each month for a VPN. So, if you must use a free VPN, check out our list of the best free VPNs for PC. We tested several free VPNs to determine the top providers you can trust. ProtonVPN is one of the VPNs that emerged on top.
ProtonVPN: A secure VPN with a free version for Windows
ProtonVPN is a free VPN offering great speed and excellent security. This VPN is the brainchild of the same cybersecurity veterans behind ProtonMail, which is considered the world’s most secure email. ProtonVPN is a premium VPN, but it has a free option. The free version of Proton comes with unlimited data, hundreds of servers in three countries, and decent speeds. You can access streaming sites, download content, and play video games with ProtonVPN for free. ProtonVPN’s no-logs policy extends to free users. It also comes with a kill switch and supports split tunneling.
Why Choose a VPN for Windows 11?
Windows users stand to enjoy several benefits from using a VPN, including increased privacy and unrestricted access. Below, we briefly highlight three of the biggest advantages of a VPN.
A VPN allows you to access the geo-restricted content on streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Netflix. Streaming sites usually have a different content library for each country. Using a VPN gives you unrestricted access to streaming content from all over the world. It also allows you to enjoy great discounts and save money. Check out our article on the advantages of a VPN to learn more about why you need a VPN for your Windows PC.
VPNs to Avoid for Windows PC
Not all VPNs are suitable for Windows. Some of them aren’t compatible with the operating system, and others have other issues with their functionality. These are some of the VPNs Windows users should avoid.
Conclusion: The Best VPN for Windows
Using a VPN on your Windows device can help to protect your privacy and enhance your online experience. You can access geo-restricted content, escape censorship and bandwidth throttling, and browse the web anonymously. The VPNs we’ve highlighted above are the overall best options for Windows devices. If you’re considering using a VPN on your other devices, here are some guides to get you started.
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