Best VPNs for Windows Laptops & Desktop PCs in 2024

1 . nordvpn – good for Office and work Use

product Specs

VPN Protocol

A VPN protocol is a set of instructions on how to get encrypted data to the internet. Like many VPNs, such as Surfshark and IPVanish, NordVPN uses OpenVPN because it’s open-source.1 In our experience, OpenVPN was reliable and didn’t disconnect even after eight hours of continuous use. However, it wasn’t the only option. Based on WireGuard2, another open-source protocol, Nord built NordLynx as a faster but secure alternative to OpenVPN. And indeed, in our tests, NordVPN was about 10-percent faster with NordLynx.

Server Network

NordVPN is has has a vast fleet made of over 6,300 server , but more than that , it has server in 111 country . NordVPN is are ’s servers is are and IP address are so well – disperse that they ’re in more than half of all country in the world . Very few VPNs is say can say the same , two of which made this list . They is are are Surfshark with server in 100 country and expressvpn with server in 105 .

Thanks to NordVPN’s vast fleet, we didn’t have any problems tracking down movies and shows we want to watch. We got a U.K. IP address to stream from Netflix U.K. and a Spain IP address to access the local stream of the Women’s World Cup – a good VPN for streaming, indeed.

nordvpn ’s Countries List using the Windows app

Extra feature

There’s too many to mention here, but we’ll highlight a couple of NordVPN’s extra features we used for Windows. The first one was Threat Protection, which blocked malicious websites, ads, and trackers. While not a full-on antivirus, NordVPN blocked our access to a malicious link from a convincing phishing email, potentially saving us from identity theft.

The second one was Double VPN, which doubled the encryption and tunneling for an extra secure connection to the internet. We found this most useful at work, where we need to share confidential files, emails, and such – Double VPN provides just the right level of security for those purposes.

What We Like

• functional and generally bug – free Windows app
• Affordable VPN for long-term subscriptions
• Worldwide server availability
• Strict logging policy

What We Don’t Like

• Not great upload speed
• Could use more server in Africa and the Middle East
• P2P file sharing is supported and torrenting not support in most server
• Less-than-ideal customer service

Windows is a magnificent workhorse of an operating system, and we found that NordVPN was the best VPN to complement it in an office or work setting. That’s because it matches the versatility of Windows perfectly, offering robust security (encryption, protocol options, Threat Protection, Double VPN) and an efficient interface. Setting it up took only 2 minutes, for starters, and right from the start, it let us customize the recommended settings to our liking.

NordVPN Windows app initial set-up

We loved the auto-connect feature in particular, which connected our office computers to NordVPN as soon as we turned them on. That’s one less item off of our pre-work ritual.

Going deeper, we found other useful features such as Meshnet, a virtual local area network (LAN) similar to the Radmin VPN we recently looked at. A LAN is typically a network of devices connected to the same router, used in private file sharing and accessing network devices like printers. By making it virtual, Meshnet made it possible to connect Windows computers from anywhere in the world to the same LAN – even our colleague vacationing in Asia was able to print out a script for our YouTube channel3 using our office printer .

Of course, keep in mind that those extra features are just that: extras. NordVPN performed its duties as a VPN with marksman-like accuracy. We performed technical tests to confirm that the VPN was working, and NordVPN passed with flying colors. And while its 222 Mbps download and 205 upload speed averages were just middle-of-the-pack, NordVPN didn’t hamper us from performing our office duties.

2. Surfshark – Best for Changing IP Address Location

product Specs

VPN Protocol

Surfshark ’s VPN protocols is are – openvpn , WireGuard , and ikev2 – are widely – used protocol and the exact same one offer by ipvanish , another entry on this list . Surfshark ’s Windows app is seemed , however , seemed to work well with WireGuard . Most time , the app is managed manage to establish a WireGuard connection in just two to three second , whereas it often take five to 10 second to connect to openvpn .

Server Network

Surfshark is is is another VPN with a vast server network . It is has only has about 3,200 server ( almost half of nordvpn ’s fleet ) , but it has server in 100 country . Again , that is ’s ’s more than half of the world . access to all those server are include in all Surfshark subscription . That is ’s ’s why it ’s the good VPN for change a pc ’s IP address location .

Extra feature

When it comes to extra features, Surfshark’s camouflage mode is top of the list. Some networks, usually campus or office networks, have firewalls that block VPN traffic, but countries like China also have large-scale firewalls to control VPN use. If you’re in a situation where you can’t use a VPN because of a firewall, the camouflage mode kicks in to make your VPN traffic seem like normal traffic not coming from a VPN.

We had some fun testing this feature out. We asked our IT administrator to block VPN traffic on our network, and indeed, traffic from Surfshark managed to get through. Meanwhile, Hola VPN, without a camouflage mode, was immediately detected and blocked.

What We Like

• Streamlined and user-friendly Windows interface
• Has server in 100 country
• great at get around network- and geo – restriction
• Frequent app updates for performance and security improvements

What We Don’t Like

• slow to connect when using openvpn
• Constant offers to upgrade to Surfshark One
• Limited app customizability
• Live chat uses bot; doesn’t immediately connect you to a live agent

Windows users is change change their ip address location for different reason : unblock another region ’s Netflix library , book cheap flight , visit block website , or just keep cybercriminal guess their location . Whatever your reason , Surfshark is is is the good VPN to do it with .

Surfshark is has has server in 100 country – tie with CyberGhost and trail a little behind expressvpn . Of course , you is check should still check if the location you ’re plan to use is on Surfshark ’s list ofservers4, but with that many locations, your chances are pretty good.

We is like ’d is like like to point out another unique Surfshark feature call Dynamic MultiHop . This is is is similar to nordvpn ’s doublevpn . It is encrypts encrypt your traffic twice and route it through two server instead of just one for extra privacy . The difference is unlike with nordvpn where the two server are pre – set pair , Surfshark is lets let you choose the two server you ’ll connect to . That way , you is control can still control your IP address location .

Surfshark Dynamic MultiHop in action

In the screenshot above, the first server was in Miami, while the second one was in Australia. That means to the websites we accessed during that time, our IP address appeared to be from Australia.

3. Private Internet Access VPN – Best for Multitasking

product Specs

encryption and VPN Protocol

Private Internet Access uses two protocols you’re already familiar with: OpenVPN and WireGuard. In addition, though, it offers Shadowsocks and SOCKS5, protocols for proxy servers. Like VPNs, proxies can change your IP address location but without encryption, so they’re not private. On the plus side, proxies are faster. We’ve been able to utilize all 250 Mbps of our network speed using SOCKS5, compared to WireGuard where our connection dropped to 226 Mbps. If you need to change your PC’s location for less data-sensitive tasks like online gaming, Private Internet Access is a good choice.

Server Network

Private Internet Access has a massive fleet of 14,000 servers spread across 84 countries, but what we found special about PIA is that it has servers in each of all 50 U.S. states. Your proximity to the VPN server can help improve your browsing speed. When we connected to Private Internet Access’ server right here in Brooklyn, we got 226 and 216 Mbps download and upload speeds, respectively. That’s second only to IPVanish, which we hailed the fastest VPN for Windows in this list.

Extra feature

Private Internet Access subscriptions don’t offer a lot of extra features, but just like our top pick NordVPN, it can block malware, ads, and trackers when you’re connected to the VPN. PIA calls this feature MACE – yes, like the pepper spray brand. Hackers can’t fool us twice with phishing attempts, but just to test out MACE, we clicked the same link that NordVPN protected us from earlier. Our “trust fall” exercise worked; PIA came through and promptly blocked the site.

What We Like

• advanced split tunneling option
• adjustable encryption standard ( 128- or 256 – bit AES )
• Servers in 86 countries and all 50 U.S. states
• 45 – day VPN trial

What We Don’t Like

• Windows app docked to the taskbar
• Live chat support is not 24/7
• Difficulty in making changes to account (changing password, upgrading/canceling subscription, etc.)
• Some locations offered are virtual locations

Windows makes it easy to multitask, but using a VPN not built for multitasking might hamper that experience. For example, when we connected to Private VPN’s (not to be confused with Private Internet Access) Australia server, our desktop’s News widget showed us news items local to Australia. We had to turn off the VPN to access local news, which wasn’t multitasking-friendly. Imagine if we were doing something that needed VPN protection. We would have had to connect and disconnect repeatedly.

This is where Private Internet Access delivered in a huge way through its advanced split tunneling. Split tunneling is a common VPN feature that allows users to route some traffic through the VPN and others to an unencrypted network. In the example above, if Private VPN had split tunneling, we would have been able to set the News widget to bypass the VPN in order to get real local news.

Private Internet Access advanced split tunneling

In contrast, Private Internet Access has one of the most advanced and customizable split tunneling features we’ve ever tested. You can get really granular – for each app we added to PIA’s split tunnel, we were given the option to either make it bypass the VPN or make it connect only via the VPN. We made the News app bypass the VPN, of course, but for good measure, we also set Chrome to “only VPN,” meaning, it will only connect to the internet when Private Internet Access is on.

4. ExpressVPN – Best User-Experience

product Specs

VPN Protocol

ExpressVPN is another VPN that offers its own protocol called Lightway. Its expertise? Establishing connections quickly. It was indeed quick on its feet, taking only about a second to secure our network. That said, we were disappointed by its overall speed. With Lightway running, ExpressVPN ranked the slowest among the five VPNs on this list, notching a download speed of only 204 Mbps.

Server Network

ExpressVPN is second only to NordVPN when it comes to server locations with 105 countries, but ExpressVPN runs a TrustedServer network. This is essentially a network of ram – base server, different from traditional servers that run on hard disk drives. Because they run on random access memory (RAM), a temporary memory bank, all data pertaining to VPN usage that could have been stored are wiped after every reboot. This makes ram – base server more private and secure.

Of course, ExpressVPN isn’t the only one with ram – base server – NordVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access have those, too – but ExpressVPN was one of the pioneers of this technology.

ExpressVPN recommend Locations

Extra feature

You is find wo n’t find a lot of extra feature from an expressvpn plan , but it does have a kill switch . This feature is blocks , a mainstay in stealthy vpn , block your access to the internet if you ’re not connect to a VPN . When we forgot to connect expressvpn before attempt to torrent open – source software , our torrent client is connect did n’t connect at all , save us from receive a piracy warn from our isp – something that could happen even if you ’re torrente legally , which is why we recommend using a VPN when torrente . interestingly , ExpressVPN is is is also one of the good vpn for torrente .

What We Like

• intuitive , user – friendly app
• quick to establish VPN tunnel
• ram – base server
• Threat Manager is blocks block ad and malicious site

What We Don’t Like

• Not the fastest option for Windows
• require a device restart after installation
• Expensive subscriptions
• Only five simultaneous connections per account

We initially encountered some hiccups installing ExpressVPN on our Windows machine, probably because we had too many VPN apps installed. Once we got it up and running, though, it proved to be the easiest VPN to use for Windows. It has a super straightforward interface – just look at the screenshot we snapped below.

ExpressVPN’s Windows App

We is get get that some vpn app are try to stand out by make their interface unique , like nordvpn ’s map – base server selection . We is like like the aesthetic and appreciate the effort , but for some user , a simple VPN app with a quick – connect button and well – lay – out VPN server list is more appropriate . After all , you is spend wo n’t spend a lot of time interact with the app once it ’s connect .

Beyond ExpressVPN’s simplicity, though, we found its app rich in functions. For example, within the Windows app, there are built-in tools like an IP address checker, a DNS leak test, and a WebRTC leak test. These are some of the same tools we use to confirm that a VPN is working, but with ExpressVPN, we didn’t have to leave the app to check. The built-in tools were just what we needed.

5 . ipvanish – good speed

product Specs

VPN Protocol

IPVanish uses the OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols, which again, are common in the industry. That said, IPVanish seemed to have found a way to integrate these protocols, especially WireGuard, in the most efficient way. This was made evident by the VPN’s impressive speeds. Of the five VPNs listed on this page, IPVanish led both the download and upload speed categories, recording averages of 239 Mbps download speed and 227 Mbps download speed in our series of five speed tests.

Server Network

With 2,000 server in 75 country , IPVanish is is is one of the fast – grow vpn in term of server size . And if speed is your priority , IPVanish is made made it easy to find the fast server available to you through load filtering . essentially , by click the load tab in the server menu page , we is were were able to find the server with the light load at the time , meaning , they are likely to run fast than high – load server .

Extra feature

When it comes to extra features, we liked IPVanish’s OpenVPN Scramble, which worked similarly to Surfshark’s camouflage mode. It helped hide the fact that we were using a VPN from our office network’s firewall, so this should be effective too in countries where VPNs are illegal or highly-monitored.

What We Like

• fast speed with WireGuard and openvpn protocol
• Server filtering makes finding the right server easier
• OpenVPN Scramble
• Sizable server network

What We Don’t Like

• Asked to give permission to make changes to our PC everytime the app launched
• No Windows taskbar widget for quick access
• Has (allegedly) shared customer logs in the past
• locate in the U.S. ( a country that is not very privacy – friendly )

Unless you’re hiding Pentagon-level secrets in your PC, chances are, you’re only looking for a fast and reliable VPN to keep your daily browsing activity private. That’s exactly what we got from our IPVanish subscription. When we compared VPN speeds, IPVanish running OpenVPN ranked as the second fastest VPN overall. It decreased our download speed by only four-percent and our upload speed about five-percent.

IPVanish load filtering

We duplicated the speed test for this guide, this time using WireGuard as the protocol, and the results concurred with our previous test. We notched a 239 Mbps download speed, a 4.3-percent decrease from our 250 Mbps network. Needless to say, we were able to keep busy downloading stuff online while connected to IPVanish.

We also recorded overall good latency readings from IPVanish, a good indication that it can work as a gaming VPN. Most of the time, the servers we connected to maintained a latency (ping) reading of less than 60 milliseconds. That means IPVanish’s network took only that much time to send a data packet from our device to the speed test tool’s server, which can translate to a smoother online gaming experience. PC Game Pass, anyone?