

Updated · Oct 13, 2022
Updated: October 13,2022
Want a more secure and private experience when you use the internet?
A virtual private network is what you need.
But, what’s the best VPN for Windows?
How does it all work?
Here are the answers:
Good speeds
Easy to use
Supports torrenting and streaming
PrivateInternetAccess VPN for Windows 10 is also compatible with Windows 8.1 and both the 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. Unfortunately, no free trial is available.
You get fast speeds delivered from 78 different countries and can connect 10 computers or devices at the same time.
PIA has three good plans that save you more money the longer you commit. Every plan is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. In addition, there are extras like dedicated IPs.
The VPN software for Windows is very easy to use. Once signed up, just install the software, enter your credentials, and a click of the on button will engage all the key features.
WireGuard is a newer VPN protocol. It is cleaner and also more efficient than previous technology. For the user, this means faster speeds and fewer connection drops.
You can let PIA do its thing automatically or choose a server location yourself. Above all, it is excellent for getting around geo-restrictions. For example, viewing the US version of Netflix from the UK. Furthermore, you can even purchase a dedicated IP from a location of your choosing as an add-on.
Whether you’re using the VPN for PC gaming or intensive torrenting, the best speed that can be provided is the one you’ll get. PIA promises not to deliberately throttle speeds for any reason. There is also no data cap, so you can use as much bandwidth as you want.
Not only does PIA protect your identity and location; it also provides safe surfing features when you’re on the web. When turned on, it blocks annoying ads on webpages, tracking cookies, and malware.
Occasionally a virtual private network might lose its connection. Normally, this would be a vulnerability, but PIA has an in-built kill switch that stops sending traffic altogether until a new connection is found.
PIA has a zero traffic logs policy, which has been supported up for over a decade with zero cases of user information being spread. As a result, you are anonymous to outsiders, your ISP, and the company itself.
Our PIA VPN testing puts its speed ahead of the industry average, which is great if you intend to do a lot of streaming or downloading, not just casual web browsing. As is the case with most VPNs, choosing VPN servers closer to home provides faster results.
Whether you’re using the VPN for laptop or desktop purposes, setting up on Windows couldn’t be easier.
To begin with, you’ll need at least 8.1 to be compatible with the software. Then, right-click the tray icon, or when fully open you’ll see tabs down the left-hand side.
Location can be chosen automatically, or you can choose it yourself. Meanwhile, latency is shown next to each server, so you have an idea of the impact on speed it’ll have.
Other tabs let you configure your network, connection type, (OpenVPN, WireGuard, etc), type of encryption, web browsing privacy (adblocking, etc), and more.
As well as being a top VPN for Windows, PIA also has apps for Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Furthermore, you can use plug-ins directly in your web browser, including Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
PIA has a strong support system, offering 24/7 live web chat, email ticketing, and lots of help pages.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a fast and simple VPN Windows 10 and 8.1 users can use, you could do worse than Private Internet Access. And, the pricing is excellent.
30-day money back guarantee
Split tunneling
Optimized for streaming
Finding a modern VPN for Windows 7 is getting more difficult by the day. NordVPN, however, has your back - it’s one of the best VPNs for Windows of all types. The user-friendly software is compatible with:
While NordVPN doesn’t offer a free trial, its 30-day money back guarantee is not to be scoffed at. You can choose from three plans:
Unless you only intend to use the VPN for a short period of time, a two-year commitment is clearly the most cost-effective choice.
Whether you’re using the VPN client for Windows 10 or earlier versions, Nord provides a wealth of features. Some of the best ones include:
This feature lets you choose which traffic should be routed through the VPN and which can be left as normal. In Windows, you’ll find this tab directly down the left-hand side. You can then populate a list with programs that have the VPN disabled or enabled. Just click ‘Add App’ to browse for the program.
Turn CyberSec on in the Windows app to be protected from malicious websites. This includes phishing sites, dangerous ads, malware, and other threats, as you browse.
NordVPN detects streaming video and flawlessly maintains or switches between relevant servers to prevent buffering.
The software’s kill switch can be set to run globally or for specific programs only. Then, if your VPN connection is lost, those programs will shut down to prevent your real IP being shown.
NordVPN uses its own NordLynx protocol and OpenVPN to ensure fast speeds. It has a network of servers reaching over 5,200 and covering 60 countries.
Testing shows it to be above average, although any VPN will knock down your regular top speed.
The downside is that using OpenVPN here requires a lot of extra steps and file downloads that will confuse newbies.
Setting up the VPN for computer or laptop use is easy. Just download the Windows client from the site - installation takes seconds. You’ll be asked if you want to get Nord’s password manager too, but this can be skipped.
There are lots of useful settings but if you just want to let the software work its magic, click ‘Quick connect’ and it will choose the fastest server. Alternatively, choose your location from the list. This includes P2P servers, so you can download things like torrents quickly.
When hidden to the Windows Tray, right-clicking can turn the VPN on or off.
In addition, the Windows app supports custom DNS, so you can manually configure your device for DNS servers outside of NordVPNs.
There’s no doubt NordVPN is a VPN computer users can appreciate, but it also supports all your mobile devices, Android TV, and others. There’s even a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox to protect your traffic when browsing but not for other applications.
NordVPN support staff are available 24/7 via live chat and will typically respond in minutes. You can also send direct emails.
If you just want to brush up on your knowledge, there’s an FAQ section and many help pages with useful info.
In short, NordVPN is one of the best VPN for Windows 7 options. Overall, it has all the features you need for a fast, secure, and easy-to-use VPN experience.
7-day free trial
Great Windows interface
MultiHop support
Surfshark is not just one of the best VPNs for Windows 10, its software is backwards compatible with Windows 8 and 7 as well. There’s both a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you see precisely how easy it is to use with no financial commitment.
Surfshark does not demand long commitments, offering three plans including a rare six-monther. However, the cost-benefit is clearly in the two-year plan. Furthermore, you’re protected regardless of the plan you choose, thanks to that money-back guarantee.
Here are some of the top features available with Surfshark for Windows:
256-bit AES encryption is used to protect your data. Moreover, IKEv2 and IPsec are the software’s standard protocols. On the other hand, you can use OpenVPN if you prefer.
The VPN software for Windows features MultiHop. This is a way of further disguising the true origin of your IP, by connecting to multiple countries at once.
If you have certain programs you don’t mind connecting to with your real IP or they don’t work with a VPN, the Whitelister tool lets you choose those which the VPN can ignore. And, for everything else, a Kill Switch will stop your connection immediately if the VPN fails, even temporarily.
Surfshark’s unique no logs approach means they don’t store your personal data at all because they use RAM-only servers.
Surfshark does well in speed tests, boasting 3,000+ servers, covering more than 60 countries. While it promotes the capacity for 1Gbps, there are many variables including the server location and your own network capabilities.
Nonetheless, its average speed in North America is over 100Mbps, well above average. This can accommodate P2P sharing and streaming, as well as intense gaming. There are even dedicated servers for torrenting.
Setting up your Surfshark VPN connection, Windows 10 or below, is a straightforward process. Simply choose your desired plan and create an account, then download the Windows software from the site.
Once installed, all you really need to do is hit ‘Connect’ and it will choose the fastest server based on your geographic location. You can now minimize the program and check the status from the tray.
You can also browse the list of countries in the main window if you want your traffic to appear like it's coming from a specific place. For example, if you want to bypass region-locked content.
You can save your favorite servers and locations, meanwhile the static IP option will keep you with the same IP address for as long as possible.
Besides its VPN clients Windows 10, 8, and 7 users can download, Surfshark also has similar apps for macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, and Fire TV Sticks. You can even reserve VPN functionality for just web-browsing, with extensions for Firefox and Google Chrome.
You get unlimited simultaneous connections on multiple devices.
You can reach customer support 24/7 via web chat. They also have an FAQ page and other content to help answer your less urgent queries.
In conclusion, Surfshark is one of the best PC VPN solutions, fully supporting Windows 10, 8, and 7.
Great speeds
Suitable for gaming and streaming
Split tunneling
ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable provider with a wide range of servers across the world. It can handle torrenting, streaming, and get around those annoying geo-restrictions. Windows operating systems that can use ExpressVPN: Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. Before you can proceed, you will need a subscription, as there are no free trials.
Despite lacking a trial period, there’s no-risk 30-day money-back guarantee.
The three available plans are:
As you can see, committing to longer periods nets you more savings in the long term.
Whether you’re looking for the best VPN for laptop or desktop use, ExpressVPN has all the features you need built into the Windows software.
ExpressVPN has built-in leak protection and numerous IP and DNS leak tests back this up. In other words, you’ll never get accidentally exposed while using the VPN.
Should the VPN fail to route traffic correctly, a catch-all kill switch is engaged. This blocks all your internet traffic until a safe connection can be established.
If you do want to use your regular IP address for certain programs, you can choose these by configuring the split tunneling feature.
Although there is a no-logs policy, you will be prompted when installing the Windows app to share ‘non-personally identifiable information’ with the company to help them improve the service. They promise never to share this data with third parties.
Furthermore, none of your browsing data is logged, so you get a truly private network.
ExpressVPN Windows is fast and stable. Additionally, it will prompt which server is the fastest to connect to. Servers cover over 160 locations, so wherever you are you’ll get a chance at top speeds.
The average drop is around 20%, which is well within the average speed range for VPNs. We tested Netflix, gaming, and simultaneous connections and found no major speed issues.
Regardless of which supported Windows OS you’re using, getting started is easy. First, you’ll need to log in to your web-based account to get the activation code. Then, when you’ve installed and opened the program, you can paste it in to unlock its features.
Follow the prompts and click ‘Yes’ when your PC asks if you want the software to ‘make changes’ to your system.
You can launch on startup or at your choosing. The easiest way to start the VPN is to simply click the large power icon and it will connect to the most optimal server.
Clicking on the three dots under this location lets you manually choose a location from the list or by using a search bar. Further options are found in the top left by clicking the three lines.
ExpressVPN PC users are joined by apps for:
If you’re having trouble using the VPN for Windows 10 or below, you can check the help pages on the site or contact staff. There’s an email ticketing platform, as well as a responsive 24/7 live chat. This is the best option if you have an urgent query.
In short, ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers on the web. And, for good reason. The Windows experience is particularly intuitive, and we can’t fault any of its features. It’s fast, stable, and will accommodate all types of internet use.
Excellent for torrenting
Up to 45-day money back guarantee
7 simultaneous connections
CyberGhost VPN has a dedicated Windows app suitable for Windows 10, 8.1 and 8, as well as Windows 7. It uses the ever-popular WireGuard protocol across thousands of servers to ensure all your internet activity is fast and secure.
CyberGhost’s Windows plan comes with a 24-hour free trial with all features unlocked.
In addition, it has two different money-back guarantees. If you opt for a monthly plan, you get 14-days of risk-free use. Moreover, all the other plans have a generous 45-day guarantee. Here’s how much it costs:
Clearly, if you aim to be a long-term user, the three-year plan is much more cost-effective.
Here are the top features available on Windows:
Whatever you use this top VPN for Windows for, CyberGhost promises it is none of their business. Their servers do not keep logs.
Whether it’s 7 PCs or any other devices, you can run CyberGhost on up to 7 systems at once – protecting everyone in the family.
The kill switch is automatic and there are measures to prevent DNS leaks even when connected. At the first sign that privacy has been lost, internet traffic is cut.
CyberGhost’s security is paramount, encrypting your connection with the highest AES 256-bit military-grade encryption. Further, the modern WireGuard protocol ensures quick and clean connections with over 7,000 servers in over 90 countries.
If you want the best VPN for PC use, it must be fast! Although the initial connection time can be a bit slow, once a session has started speeds are good. Our own testing found less than a 20% speed drop-off for the best servers, though your own speeds will vary based on location and ISP performance.
Overall, this is an above-average VPN.
The VPN for Windows 7 and above is both simple and advanced enough to accommodate experienced users. We really liked that it displays the precise location of each server, the distance from your location, latency, and its load. To simplify - if the server is good for you.
Furthermore, there are servers dedicated for streaming and torrenting, so you’re reassured there’s no speed throttling or glitches if these are your chosen activities.
Setting up is as easy as clicking the giant button on the right, which will find the fastest server. It will run on autopilot from there.
More advanced settings can be found by clicking the three dashes in the top left. You can also set up ‘smart rules’ including:
Other platforms CyberGhost supports include:
It’s also possible to configure at the router level, with the right firmware.
CyberGhost support is responsive and knowledgeable. You can send an email support request, which requires you to fill out several fields so they can reply in a quick and helpful manner. However, your best option is the live chat feature, which is accessible from any page on the site.
There are many guides available, including those dedicated to the Windows software.
To sum up, CyberGhost is some of the best VPN software for Windows 10 and below. Meanwhile, it’s beginner-friendly, has all the features you need, and performs at a top level. Our only qualm is that sometimes it can freeze when disconnecting.
Lots of features
Port Forwarding
MultiHop and NeuroRouting
Perfect Privacy is a leading contender if you’re looking for the best VPN for Windows 10. Its sophisticated software provides all the features you could need, including Multi-Hop, NeuroRouting, and a configurable Kill Switch.
Although there isn’t a free trial, the no-risk 7-day money-back guarantee is an assurance that you can get out of any financial commitment. Perfect Privacy’s three plans are:
Let’s take a closer look at the features you’ll find on Windows 10:
Not only is it Perfect Privacy’s policy not to record your data, it says its servers are set up in such a way that it’s not even possible to do so.
A nice add-on, TrackStop keeps its eye out for malware, dangerous or unsuitable websites for children, and remote attacks. In addition, it can block annoying ads while you browse the web.
If your router supports the newer and faster IPv6, Perfect Privacy will automatically assign you IPv6 IP addresses for your VPN on a computer or other Windows device.
Multi-Hop is an exclusive feature for Windows users and some of the other apps. It sends your traffic through multiple locations making it even more difficult to be traced.
Perfect Privacy uses a dynamic routing approach based on your currency activities, sending your traffic to the fastest and most secure servers on the fly.
In the rare chance that your connection to the VPN is lost the kill switch springs into action, blocking all traffic until it is safe again. This is configurable within the VPN client for Windows 10, allowing you to choose any programs you don’t wish to be subject to the kill switch.
Perfect Privacy supports multiple protocols depending on your needs, starting with the popular OpenVPN and IPsec for strong encryption. There’s also SSH2 and support for SOCKS5 proxies if you need faster speeds and port forwarding for effective torrenting.
Speed results are on the lower end of the average industry range, so we wouldn’t advise it for the most intense users. But a single user that occasionally streams or games should still have an ok experience.
The Perfect Privacy VPN clients for Windows are familiar and easy to set up once you have your login details. You can go with the fastest server for you, based on its algorithm. However, scrolling the other available servers can be beneficial if you want to hide behind a particular location.
You can even see the available bandwidth of each location, which is a sign of whether your speed will be heavily affected. I.e., if there’s not much bandwidth available, expect a slower experience.
Perfect Privacy support lags behind a lot of the competition. While staff is knowledgeable, there is no live chat support and email responses can take several hours. In the meantime, you may wish to check out their FAQ and help pages if your query isn’t urgent.
To conclude, there’s no doubt that the VPN software for Windows 10 is a worthy entry. Compared to similar services, however, its longer-term plans are a little pricey. Moreover, the lack of live chat support really let us down.
Free plan
Good pricing
Secure from government censorship
TunnelBear is one of the best VPN for Windows 10 solutions. The software works instantly and has access to thousands of stable servers.
One of the best VPN for Windows 10, free of charge, the starter plan gives you 500mb a month to play with. If you like the software, you can easily upgrade to one of the following affordable plans:
There’s also a teams-based plan starting at $138 per year for two members and reaching 199 members for $13,731.
You get priority support and unlimited devices linked to each member. This version comes with a 7-day free trial.
TunnelBear boasts the following significant features:
Security features include the highest level 256-bit encryption method used by the military.
As well as a clear no-logs policy, TunnelBear is one of the few providers to publish independent security audits.
The TunnelBear VPN computer software is always vigilant with its VigilantBear kill switch feature. Consequently, if you stop receiving a private connection it will halt your internet traffic to prevent leaks.
TunnelBear is so sure of their service that it even boasts the ability to mask traffic from countries like China, whose governments are adept at detecting VPN use.
If you are based in the US, TunnelBear doesn’t provide the fastest speed because it doesn’t have a strong foothold there. You could see drops higher than 70%. To clarify, that doesn’t make it unusable but there are better options out there for US users.
Meanwhile, those in Canada (where it’s based) and Europe seem to get a faster experience, so don’t write it off if you’re non-US.
As a Windows 10 VPN provider, the software is as simple as turning the slider on. Firstly, you’ll be connected to the fastest server for you. But, you can browse through the list manually and choose the location you desire.
If a session becomes slow or weak, the software will automatically hop to another server rather than disconnecting and risking a leak.
One interesting feature is the ability to create a list of trusted networks to connect to the VPN. This is useful for households or business environments with multiple ISPs/networks.
To check the status of the VPN connection or jump to another location, just right click the icon in the Windows tray.
TunnelBear is not just a VPN Windows 10 users can appreciate, it provides apps for Mac, iOS, and Android. You can block online tracking independently of the apps by using the Blocker Chrome extension as well.
TunnelBear offers direct email and ticketing for support. While responses aren’t slow, a live web chat would go a long way.
To conclude, TunnelBear is one of the more affordable VPNs you can use on Windows and the ‘forever free’ plan is particularly appealing. That way you can test out the service fully or use it from time to time more casually. Nonetheless, the downside is it’s not very good at bypassing geo-restrictions for the likes of Netflix etc.
Send encrypted emails
Lots of protocols
Individual and business accounts
TorGuard is not your run-of-the-mill Windows 10 VPN provider, its software and other apps include everything from private emails to advanced stealth protocols. Moreover, you can torrent and stream without restrictions from more than 3,000 global VPN servers.
Individual users will want to opt for one of the Anonymous VPN plans. All plans come with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Business users get access to secure email accounts and HIPAA compliance:
Here’s just a handful of the prominent features from the TorGuard windows 10 VPN provider:
TorGuard does not just limit you to a single protocol. Depending on your preferred option or the best method for your internet usage, you can choose between:
It also supports Internet Key Exchange v2/ IPSec.
As well as secure protocols, some of the best encryption methods are also used. This includes 256-bit AES, obfuscation, Stunnel, and Shadowsocks. The latter allows you to bypass mass government firewalls, like the great firewall of China.
TorGuard stands out with its private PGP encrypted email system. This is only available on higher plans or as a separate add-on. Only those who know your key will be able to decrypt your messages.
Plans range from $8.95 a month for 10GB, to $64.95 for 100GB.
TorGuard manages some of the best speeds in the VPN for PC industry. This thanks to its large server coverage and many protocols. Whether you’re Netflix unblocking or torrenting large files, you’ll automatically get the fastest server. Moreover, there’s always a drop from your non-privatized speeds, but with Tor this is negligible
TourGuard is one of the best Windows VPN solutions for spanning versions 10, 8.1, 7, and the v4.7.1. The only downside is these all must be operating at 64-bit. The 32-bit operating systems are unsupported.
The small app is very easy to get started with. By default, you’ll be shown details of the fastest server in your region. Click the giant connect button and your entire network is almost instantly privatized.
Alternatively, click the recommended server to open a list of each one available. You can scroll or filter based on region, server load, or by dedicated IP (if your plan includes these).
Options include launching TorGuard at launch and selecting your preferred ‘tunnel type’. I.e., OpenVPN, OpenConnect, or WireGuard.
Oddly, you can do much the same by right clicking on the tray icon, but closing the main window exits the software altogether instead of minimizing to the tray as you’d expect.
In addition to being one of the best VPNs for Windows 10, Tor Guard is suitable for almost any device. This includes Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and even routers.
TorGuard has fast 24/7 customer support, which you can reach via live webchat. In addition, there’s an email option and a support center with FAQs and help pages. You can also check the community forum where you can ask less urgent questions.
TorGuard is fast, comes with unique features, and is competitively priced. It’s particularly good at accommodating businesses and those that need truly private email like journalists and whistleblowers. The downside is the basic plan does not unlock Netflix and other streaming services.
Great speeds
10GB free plan
Good for torrenting and P2P
Windscribe offers a fully functional VPN for desktop or laptop users, whether you’re on Windows 10 or still using 8 or 7. We recommend this over the extension for Chrome because it will keep you protected when other applications access the internet as well.
Windscribe has some very competitive pricing and is one of the few with a free plan:
You can also add-on dedicated IP addresses for a yearly fee, though this only applies to premium plans:
All plans offer a three-day money-back guarantee, so be sure to test things quickly to decide whether to keep it.
We especially like Windscribe’s variety of protocols and its, overall, high level of encryption. You can choose from OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. In addition, there’s support for SOCKS.
The AES-256 encryption with SHA512 auth and a 4096-bit RSA key, is essentially the strongest encryption you can find. Data leaks are not going to happen.
Not to be confused with macOS, Mac spoofing for a VPN on computer systems is a way of hiding your system’s manufacturer Media Access Control (MAC) address for the network. Even if you clear your cookies, some sites use this as a way to identify you.
Windscribe also supports port forwarding, which makes it ideal for torrent users that want to upload as well.
R.O.B.E.R.T is Windscribe’s safe browsing feature. It blocks outside IPs and websites with ads and tracking codes.
As well as a standard no logs policy, Windscribe claims to not be able to identify you based on the server you’re using or the time you’re using it. Being based in Canada (a Five Eyes nation), however, means it could be open to sharing ‘intelligence’.
The VPN software for Windows lets you choose the exact programs to run on the VPN and which to leave for your regular network to handle.
The Windows version blocks all connectivity outside the tunnel to further eliminate leaks.
Windscribe has great coverage, with servers in 110 cities, across 63 countries. Speed is generally good, with US users using US servers getting as little as 10% in speed loss according to our testing. This is some of the best Windows VPN software in that respect.
We love how intuitive the software is, without overwhelming those new to VPNs. You can set it up to launch and even connect on startup, never having to worry about the program again. However, under the hood are settings for:
Everything is well laid out via tabs on the left-hand side, and some of the more complex settings have useful explainers.
Windscribe also has dedicated apps for:
To contact the support team, you must use the email support ticket system, which is notoriously slow. Although there is a live chatbot, this will just point you to somewhat relevant help pages. For a service that has a lot of great features, the support sure is a letdown.
To conclude, aside from lackluster support, Windscribe is easy to use and has all the features you need from VPN for desktop. Pricing is good and speeds are fast in North America, too. Elsewhere, however, you’re going to get an average to poorer experience. The fact is it has a free 10GB plan is a huge plus.
Avoid deep packet inspections
Great support
Strong security features
VyprVPN’s goal is for you to set up the Windows software and forget about it. It features a kill switch and the ability to automatically connect to the fastest server, as well as public Wi-Fi protection.
This Windows VPN provider is one of the few that does not offer a single monthly contract. You’ll have to commit to at least two months, though this option gives you one of those for free.
There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee for Windows users (iOS and Android users excluded).
Even on unknown Wi-Fi networks, such at public venues, VyprVPN protects your traffic.
If you’ve set up automatic switch on or your VPN connection on Windows 10 goes down, all internet and network traffic is automatically blocked when the kill switch is enabled.
You can either instantly connect to the fastest server for your current location or view ping information for any other server, so you know which will be the fastest and most convenient.
Vypr’s own DNS protection system protects you from man-in-the-middle attacks and does not log any DNS requests.
Chameleon
Chameleon is Vypr’s way of getting around VPN blocking, as some sites and governments are adept at discovering VPN use. It does this by scrambling packet metadata. This will affect speed, however.
VyprVPN is not the best VPN for Windows 10 in terms of speed. It clocks a loss of speed between 50% and 80%. You can make up to 30 simultaneous connections, however.
The fastest results are in Europe, while the slowest were in the US and Asia. Some of this will depend on your own location to the server and its load, but comparatively, it’s just not as good as most of the others.
Getting your VPN for computer or laptop started requires your login details and you can connect to the fastest server right away. On the other hand, you can scroll the list for a location of your choosing.
There’s a tab to ‘customize’ certain options, including ‘Always on’ settings, preferred protocol, kill switch, and public Wi-Fi protection.
There are also apps for:
VyperVPN has great customer support that replies within minutes via the 24/7 live chat option. You can also spell things out in more detail via email, but this will take longer for a response.
The team is fast and helpful. There are also a bunch of VPN guides to learn some things yourself.
In short, if it wasn’t for below-average speeds, VyprVPN would be one of the Best VPN for PC and laptop users on Windows. All its other features are top-notch.
Using a VPN for desktop or laptop purposes on Windows is easy, and we found the best options to be software-based. Above all, this allows inexperienced users to configure things via a simple interface. Most programs will also allow experienced users to tweak advanced settings and apply customizations.
While browser extensions are quick and easy, these only apply to the web. If you want security while using other applications, software is the best choice. Setting up at the router level is even more difficult and sometimes requires you to purchase a preinstalled version.
So, if you’re wondering how to use a VPN on Windows 10 or later versions (if compatible), simply register an account or purchase a plan if there’s no free trial. Then log in and you’ll usually be greeted with a window of locations and/or servers and an ‘On’ switch.
Turning the VPN on will typically connect to the closest and fastest server for your actual location. The status can be found in the tray if you close the main window.
Scrolling through the other locations lets you be more specific. For example, if you’re based in Europe but want access to a US server to view their version of Netflix, choose one of the servers in the US.
Some, but not all Windows VPN software will have dedicated servers for efficient streaming and P2P sharing, such as torrenting. There will also be tabs or an expandable options link to reveal more settings.
Depending on the program this could include a kill switch and whitelist/blacklist, custom DNS, and safe browsing options.
The best VPNs for Windows protect you while browsing the web and using programs that require the internet.
Choosing the best VPN for Windows will depend on the version of the operating system you use and the features you require. So, here’s what to look out for and why:
Firstly, you must check if your operating system is compatible. For example, some VPNs may promote Windows 8 as an option, but then only support 8.1.
If you don’t like clutter, the best VPN for Windows software should allow you to minimize to system tray. Here you can right click and carry most of the core functions without opening the whole window.
It’s no good having a program for Windows that doesn’t support all the features the VPN provider offers. Fortunately, those on our list tend to provide extra features for Windows users not less.
However you use your VPN, speed is an important factor. If you stream services like Netflix, game online, or torrent. You will want to look for VPNs that are known for having little impact on speed.
All the best VPN Windows solutions we reviewed have excellent encryption and are great at preventing leaks. That could be rendered, however, useless without a good kill switch.
Split tunneling is also a key feature for those that do not want to use a VPN for every single application
Beware of Windows VPNs that try to sneak in extra software or toolbars during installation. If that’s the case, there should at least be check boxes to opt-out. If not, it might be worth looking elsewhere.
VPNs are not particularly expensive, but you should not be paying more than $12 a month on a monthly rolling contract.
We hope our rundown and guide will help you choose one of the best VPN Windows users can buy. Whether you want the best VPN for PC or any other Windows devices, there’s something for everyone on this page.
So, get that VPN and get the peace of mind that comes with internet privacy!
Still not sure about the best Windows VPN for you? We answered some of your commonly asked questions below.
While free services don’t quite live up to the hype of their paid counterparts, there is a free VPN software for Windows 10 and older OSs worth considering.
Currently, the best free VPN for PC or laptop is TunnelBear. It has a starter plan that gives you 100% free access to its service with a limit of 500mb a month. While that might suit casual VPN users, it’s not a long-term solution.
However, truly free VPNs are buggy, lack features, and are much worse to use than TunnelBear.
Ideally, you should go for one of the premium plans if you’re serious about round-the-clock network privacy.
Unfortunately, not all the best VPN software for Windows supports the older Windows 7 OS. Our research shows NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and TorGuard are compatible.
All things considered, however, NordVPN is the best VPN for Windows if you’re still using the 7th incarnation. It’s fast, and has lots of useful features on the Windows app.
It’s a tough battle for the position of best VPN for Windows 10. Nonetheless, when it comes down to features, ease of use, and overall performance, we must give the edge to ExpressVPN. Especially due to its speed.
Keelan Balderson
A qualified journalist and longtime web content writer, Keelan has a passion for exploring information and learning new things. If he's not writing or pushing his own brands, you'll find him watching pro wrestling or trying not to rant about politics online.
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