The best VPN for Windows: Expert tested and reviewed

What is the best Windows VPN in 2024?

ZDNET’s top pick for a Windows VPN in 2024 is NordVPN. NordVPN combines excellent speed, an expansive server list, and security with an easy-to-use Windows app, making it a great option starting at $3.59 per month.

When you connect to Wi-Fi in an airport, hotel, school, or coffee shop, you don’t want your data running over a public hotspot that could be corrupted in a thousand different ways. It’s thus important to know your VPN solution can be trusted.

ZDNET has extensively tested VPN software for years. We’ve conducted hands-on speed tests, checked server availability and connection stability, and examined the most important aspects of VPN clients, including user-friendliness, security, and streaming service access.

With that in mind, these are our recommendations for the best VPNs for Windows in 2024. We have tested them all and published reviews, considering how they perform on Windows machines, their price points, and how each vendor approaches security.

The best VPNs for Windows in 2024

Show less

NordVPN

Best VPN for Windows overall

NordVPN has distinguished itself as one of the fastest VPNs on the market and is our top choice as a VPN for Windows machines.

The user interface works well on Windows, and during testing, we found that connections were fast and stable. NordVPN offers some of the best speeds on the market, up to 10 simultaneous connections, and a server network offering locations in 111 countries.

NordVPN also has solid capabilities beyond a basic VPN service. Its P2P sharing functionality makes it an excellent VPN for torrenting and there are options for a dedicated IP address, double VPN, and Onion over VPN. You can purchase add-on services, including a password manager and encrypted cloud storage, and it’s one of the few VPN providers offering identity theft and cyber extortion coverage.

Also: NordVPN review

Beyond Windows, NordVPN supports all the most popular platforms, making it a good option for securing various devices. If you have trouble setting up the VPN, live chat is available, and customers report they appreciate the support.

Plans begin at $3.59 per month, with three months of free access added to two-year plans. One-year plans start at $4.59 per month. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test it for a month and get a full refund if it doesn’t work for you.

NordVPN specifications: Windows support: Windows 7 or higher | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 111 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Email address and billing information only | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

ExpressVPN

Best Windows VPN for speed

ExpressVPN has server locations in 105 countries, which is a considerably larger network than many of the other top VPN providers.

In ZDNET’s recent speed tests, we found that ExpressVPN marginally surpassed NordVPN in overall speed and had minimal speed loss, and the performance was predictably consistent with many of its servers located worldwide.

ExpressVPN is one of the most widely used VPN providers for a reason. It supports a wide range of platforms and protocols and is easy to set up and use on just about any device, including Windows.

Also: ExpressVPN review

ExpressVPN is up there with NordVPN in terms of its user interface, and just like its competitor, it has a kill switch that protects your privacy should your connection suddenly drop. It’s one of the fastest VPNs, although its higher price point and a lack of unlimited simultaneous connections should be taken into account. Still, customers say this is an excellent VPN with a fantastic customer support team.

The best deal is for a one-year ExpressVPN plan at $6.67 per month with three months of free access. Ignore the promotional material, however, as this pricing has been consistent for years.

ExpressVPN specifications: Windows support: Windows 7 or higher | Simultaneous connections: 8 | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 105 | Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

Surfshark

Best budget Windows VPN

Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market, providing a solid experience for a range of budgets.

In addition to great VPN functionality supported by the Wireguard protocol, it offers a clear, attractive user interface and unlimited connections. We particularly like the pause function, which allows you to stop the VPN for five minutes, an hour, or more — a useful feature if you need to access a service local to you, for example.

Although download speeds were solid in our testing, we did notice that they tended to be slower than some competitors, and connection requests took longer as well. Still, considering its price point, you can’t go wrong with Surfshark as a long-term Windows VPN that won’t put a dent in your wallet every year.

Also: Surfshark VPN review

Customers report Surfshark is a trustworthy VPN service with a great support team, although some users have reported billing issues.

Plans start at $1.99 per month on two-year plans, with four months of free access added to the length of the contract. You can also opt for one-year ($2.99 per month) or monthly options ($15.45) and additional tiers that include antivirus protection and Incogni data removal.

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

Proton VPN

Best free Windows VPN

Proton VPN is one of the best VPN solutions out there for the privacy-conscious.

Made by the developers of ProtonMail, Proton VPN places security and privacy at the heart of its operations and is protected by Swiss privacy laws. It is also open-source, which means anyone can review and audit its code. The firm’s privacy policy is clear, and there are frequent transparency reports.

Also: Proton VPN review

Speeds are reasonable, although they are sometimes slower than other VPN servers. We like the user interface and the fact that paid subscribers support a free plan. Many customers say they like this secure service, although there are complaints regarding the free service tier (take that how you will).

Proton VPN is priced at $4.49 per month on a two-year contract. One-year subscriptions cost $8.66 per month, whereas a month of access is available for $9.99.

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

IPVanish VPN

Best Windows VPN for unlimited simultaneous connections

IPVanish is a solid, highly flexible product with a helpful user interface and fast connection times. It’s compatible with Windows 7 and above; however, you might have to use the VPN’s legacy app for older versions of the operating system.

Windows users will appreciate how highly configurable IPVanish is. Its app makes choosing the optimal server for your VPN connection a breeze by providing ping times and server load information. As a bonus, this VPN is an excellent choice for Kodi users.

While connection times were excellent with IPVanish during our testing, the transfer speed sometimes lagged behind competitors, and the user interface won’t appeal to everyone. Despite this, customers say they like the VPN’s price point and report an overall positive experience, with many noting that streaming services work well.

Another bonus? Every account supports unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a great option if you want to protect devices other than your Windows PC.

Also: IPVanish review

You can sign up for a two-year plan at $2.19 per month, with three months free. Alternatively, a yearly plan will set you back $3.33 per month, or a month of access will cost you $12.99.

Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company. For more information, see our Editorial Guidelines.

IPVanish VPN specifications: Windows support: Windows 7 and up | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers | Logging: None, except billing data | Locations: 75 | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS

Show Expert Take Show less

Best VPN for Windows	Price	Simultaneous connections	Locations
NordVPN	$3.59/month with a two-year plan plus three free months	10	111
ExpressVPN	$6.67/month with a one-year plan plus three free months	8	105
Surfshark	$1.99/month with a two-year plan plus four free months	Unlimited	100
Proton VPN	$4.49/month with a two-year plan	1 (free) / 10	91
IPVanish VPN	$2.19/month with a two-year plan plus three free months	Unlimited	75

Note: The information presented in this table is accurate as of our last publish date. Prices, ratings, and other details may have changed since then.

A Windows VPN service is a virtual private network solution that encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address, and provides you with a relatively anonymous and secure connection while you’re online.

With the right VPN, you can browse the internet without being tracked and access geo-restricted content and streaming services while you’re away from home. VPNs are not a silver bullet for security, but rather a valuable layer that can protect your sensitive data and mask your online activities.

Also: What is a VPN and why do you need one?

How to set up a VPN on Windows

ip-vanish-home-page — Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

When you’re ready to try a new VPN on your Windows machine, you must first download the corresponding app from your VPN provider’s website or other official sources.

Next, run the installer. For this example, we are installing IPVanish on a Windows-based Lenovo laptop. You may need to provide permission for the installation software to finish.

ip-vanish-install-windows-2 — Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Then, sign in using your VPN account credentials or a device authorization code. Your VPN will now be active, and you can select the country server you want, change any further settings, and more.

ip-vanish-install-windows — Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by the ZDNET team. We’ve been reviewing VPNs for years, have spoken with their management and their users, and have developed a generally favorable impression.

ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can’t test from all locations. Every home, every community, every local ISP, and every nation has a different infrastructure.

We analyzed the best VPNs for Windows using the following criteria to help you make an informed decision:

Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags.
Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and possibly even a smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you need a service that allows at least five or six simultaneous connections.
Security: There’s no point using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensure the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements and patching reported bugs.
Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
Geo-blocks and streaming: We know VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you’re away from home. We ensure that our top recommendations perform well given these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while streaming.
Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps.
Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough — at least 50 or so — to provide variety.
Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee, and mobile users are offered a seven-day trial.
Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

Choose this VPN for Windows	If you want…
NordVPN	The best Windows VPN overall. NordVPN combines great speeds and stability with an expensive server network and plenty of additional options to bolster your online security.
ExpressVPN	A speed-driven VPN. While expensive, ExpressVPN has some of the best speed test results in our reviews and is a solid VPN service with an easy-to-use user interface.
Surfshark	An affordable VPN. Surfshark isn’t always as quick as its competitors, but it does offer reasonable speeds across a decent server network and at a price point suitable for most users.
Proton VPN	A security-first free VPN. Proton VPN is our only open-source option, and its developers heavily emphasize security and user privacy. Its network and speed is what we consider reasonable, and the free plan is enough to get you started.
IPVanish	Unlimited connections. IPVanish does not limit how many devices you can connect to the VPN at the same time, and it is also highly configurable.

When you are selecting your new Windows VPN, you should consider:

Compatibility: You will need a VPN that works with the Microsoft Windows operating system. Thankfully, the majority of VPNs will support Windows, one of the most popular operating systems, by default.
Cost: You need to consider the overall cost of your new VPN plan. Try to take advantage of promotions, but ignore countdown timers — they typically are just marketing tools. While top-notch VPNs can cost upwards of $10/month, many are available for only a few dollars. We generally recommend that free VPNs are avoided — with several exceptions — as they may sell your data.
Streaming and geoblocking: If you intend to use your Windows VPN for streaming content, ensure that the VPN can accommodate your favorite services, especially if they are located in another location. It can be a cat-and-mouse game, especially if you’re away from home, so it is worth researching whether or not your VPN has issues with accessing specific streaming services. Also, keep in mind that streaming with a VPN legally is a gray area.
Device connections: When you’re paying for a Windows VPN, you might also want to use the service across multiple devices, such as on an Android smartphone or Mac. We recommend you sign up for a plan with support for at least six devices. Thankfully, many paid VPN plans now offer unlimited connections and are compatible with the most popular operating systems.
Contract length: You also need to decide how long you want a VPN. If you opt for a two-year term (or longer, with some VPN providers offering up to five years) you tend to secure the best prices, but there are other options available. After you’ve made a selection, you typically have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Apps and extensions: When selecting a VPN, you might want to try out its accompanying mobile apps and extensions to ensure you’re getting the most out of your subscription. Some VPNs, for example, have great desktop software but lack in the mobile app department, which may not be as intuitive or easy to use.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, and no. Windows 11 includes a VPN client, but it isn’t suitable for the average user.

If you’re connecting to your corporate VPN server, then you can use Windows’ built-in client. If, however, you want to connect elsewhere, you need a separate VPN service. Microsoft has a guide for setting up the built-in VPN client, but we recommend that most users opt for a standalone VPN, which will save you the legwork and will generally provide you with more features.

Yes — as long as you’re running iOS or Android on your phone. All the VPNs we recommend support multiple simultaneous connections for just this reason. Once you sign up for a service, you can generally run the VPN client on multiple devices at once, and we prefer to showcase VPNs that provide at least five simultaneous connections, or more.

There are several vendors that provide free VPN plans. You can opt for a free VPN for Windows before signing up for a paid service, as this will give you the opportunity to learn about VPN software and potentially test out a VPN before making the leap.

That said, we do not recommend downloading free VPNs that harvest your information or are ad-supported, as this negates the whole point of using a VPN to improve your privacy and security. At present, we suggest that you try out Proton VPN or Windscribe if you want a free plan — but keep in mind that while they are supported by paid users, these services are limited.

If the services we’ve profiled in our best Windows VPNs list don’t quite do it for you, no problem. There are a number of other services with a level of security and performance to meet your needs.

Source link