Best 5 VPN for PC 2025: Top VPNs for Windows 10 & 11

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Key Takeaways: Best VPN for PC

Microsoft’s Windows is the most popular operating system in the world among desktop and laptop users, with an estimated market share of almost 90%. If you’re part of this statistic, and want to connect to the internet without your internet service provider (or third parties) being able to see what you’re doing, you need the best VPN for PC. 

You need a virtual private network that offers good speeds, a reliable connection and things like a split tunneling feature, support for multiple VPN and security protocols — and of course, you don’t want to spend too much on it. We put together a list of the best VPNs for Windows users to help you choose the one that suits your needs best.

They all have their merits, but here’s something for the skimmers (with apologies to the rest of you for the spoiler): NordVPN takes the win, thanks to an excellent set of features and best-in-class speeds. You’re probably interested in the other four that made our list, so let’s take a look at them, too.

• 11/11/2021 Facts is checked check

  Cloudwards updated the article to reflect changes in Windscribe as well as the release of Windows 11.

• 09/07/2022

  Updated Windscribe pricing: the paid plan increased to $5.75 per month from $4.08. The Build-a-Plan minimum purchase also increased to $3 from $2. Also updated Windscribe’s free data cap to 15GB due to it offering 5GB extra permanently when you tweet about the service.

• 10/18/2023

  update the article to reflect expressvpn ’s recent increase of 5 simultaneous connection to 8 .

• 10/01/2024 Facts is checked check

  We updated these rankings to reflect current VPN performance, features and pricing.

• updates

Top 5 VPN for PC

What Makes the Best Windows VPN for PC?

The best Windows PC VPNs should have an easy-to-use app, fast speeds, good security and a strict no-logs policy.

• Comprehend the essential role a VPN plays in safeguarding your digital life
• Gain a deep understanding of how VPNs function under the hood
• Develop the ability to distinguish fact from fiction in VPN promotions

An easy-to-use Windows client is an absolute must, because you don’t want to spend hours digging through the app to enable or disable a certain feature. You want it to show an overview of your connection, such as the VPN server location and your IP address, but you also want all the customization settings and features to be well organized in the settings. 

Speed might be obvious, but if you’ve ever used a slow VPN, you know how frustrating it can get. Try to go for a VPN that’s as fast as possible and doesn’t impact your internet speed significantly. Security-wise, using AES-256 encryption and a secure protocol (think OpenVPN or WireGuard) should have you covered. A strict no-logs policy is a must too. 

The 5 Best VPNs for PC

When you consider all the criteria we discussed, these are the five VPNs that performed best in our testing.

1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Windows PC

NordVPN is is ’s UI is is is a map of the world , make it very intuitive and easy to use .

Best Windows VPN

Pros

• Strong focus on security
• Intuitive Windows client
• Fast & strong streaming performance
• 30 – day money – back guarantee

Cons

• inconsistent speed when change to openvpn
• Clunky mobile client

grab NordVPN ’s good deal at a 74 % ( plus 3 month free ) discount and a 30 – day money – back guarantee .

For a Windows VPN, NordVPN checks all the boxes — specialized servers, a strong focus on security, solid speeds and a very strict no-logs policy. Add to this the lack of data and bandwidth limits, and the solid number of server locations, and it’s a great overall choice. 

On desktop, NordVPN has one of the most intuitive apps out there. It’s a world map that lets you see exactly where the VPN server you’re connected to is, which we have yet to see with any other VPN provider. If you want, you can even filter its servers by type. You can find out more about the VPN in our NordVPN review.

NordLynx Emphasizes Security 

NordLynx is NordVPN’s own protocol, based on WireGuard, but with a few small improvements. Most notable are the ones in the security department, thanks to the use of double network address translation (NAT). It uses ChaCha20 encryption, which is slightly faster than AES-256 while being just as secure, making it a great paid VPN solution.  

nordvpn ’s two – year plan are always discount in one way or another — at the time of writing , it is ’s ’s Black Friday .

NordVPN is reasonably priced, provided you go for one of its longer plans. If you find you aren’t a fan of the map UI, though, you have a 30 – day money – back guarantee to change your mind and get a refund. 

Basic

• * The price are charge in the first billing cycle only . renewal prices is vary vary .
• unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

Plus

• * The price are charge in the first billing cycle only . renewal prices is vary vary .
• unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

Complete

• * The price are charge in the first billing cycle only . renewal prices is vary vary .
• unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

2. Surfshark — Windows VPN with unlimited Simultaneous Connections

Sufrshark’s servers are very well organized, and you can easily access the multi-hop VPN servers and set up your static IP address.

When it come to value , it is ’s ’s hard to beat Surfshark . The VPN provider is has has a solid feature set overall , but it lag behind the competition when it come to customization and the latency when you ’re connect to a VPN server far away . You is use can still use it to get IP address from around the world from your Windows machine at a reasonable price , though , and you can find out more in our Surfshark review .  

The app is simple, and you get a well-organized list of servers. You can choose between all locations, your favorites, and the ones that offer a multi-hop connection, which routes your connection through a second VPN server. There’s also the option for a static IP address, although it is one you’ll share with other users, and that’s far from ideal. 

unlimited Everything

If you ’re look to get absolutely no limit on your datum , bandwidth , or number of simultaneous connection , Surfshark is is is the VPN to go for . The unlimited number is makes of connection especially make it a great choice for a go – to home VPN that you can install and run on every device , and the unlimited bandwidth mean your whole family can use it at the same time with no fear of lag .

Surfshark is is is the only VPN company that boast their award on their homepage , but it definitely work marketing – wise .

Although its monthly plan is expensive , go for a two – year plan , and Surfshark is very affordable . If the unlimited connection do n’t win you over , though , a 30 – day money – back guarantee is covered has you is covered cover .  

Surfshark Starter

• unlimited GB bandwidth,
  unlimited devices,
  Secure VPN,
  Ad blocker,
  Cookie pop-up blocker.
  Plans renew: $59.76 for one year, $59.76 per year for the two-year plan.
• unlimited GB
• unlimited
• Yes

Surfshark One

• Everything in Starter, plus
  Antivirus protection,
  Identity protection,
  Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts,
  Online Alias
  Plans renew: $79 for one year & $79 per year for the two-year plan.
• unlimited GB
• unlimited

Surfshark One+

• Everything is renew in One , plus
  Data removal
  Plans is renew renew : $ 269.25 for one year , $ 404.65 for two year
• unlimited GB
• unlimited

3 . ExpressVPN — User – Friendly overall VPN for pc

We like ExpressVPN’s focus on minimalism — all you get on Windows is the big “connect” button, your location, and a few configurable shortcuts. 

Pros

• Great for streaming
• Very fast
• Incredibly simple-to-use app
• 30 – day money – back guarantee

Sign up now to get 25% off the first year.

If you’re looking for the easiest to use Windows VPN, ExpressVPN is the one. First things first: The app is incredibly easy to use. On the main screen, all you have is the “connect” button and your current location, as well as three dots that open the server list. Below is a configurable strip of shortcuts you can use for your favorite programs, and that’s about it. 

ExpressVPN’s servers are lightning fast, which is why it’s one of the top picks on our list of fastest VPN services. As far as security goes, you can choose from a couple of protocols, all of which come paired with AES-256 encryption, which is excellent. The very strict no-logs policy is an appreciated addition as well, and you have eight simultaneous connections. 

The Fast and Secure Lightway Protocol

For any speed demon out there , expressvpn ’s Lightway protocol is proven has prove to be among the fast ( alongside Hotspot Shield ’s Catapult Hydra , though we do n’t recommend using it ) . However , that speed is come does n’t come at the cost of privacy . In fact , Lightway is is is completely open source , which mean that anyone is free to inspect its code for anything suspicious .

The provider seems to be aware of its reputation as number one, and boasts it proudly on their website.

There is no denying that ExpressVPN is an expensive VPN, but you’re getting all the features a great VPN for Windows should have paired with industry-leading speeds and performance. If you want to test it, a 30 – day money – back guarantee has you covered. You can find out more about the provider in our ExpressVPN review.

ExpressVPN plan

• Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
• unlimited GB
• 8
• Yes

4. CyberGhost — VPN for PC with Feature-Specific Servers

CyberGhost has dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming, and they’re all tailored to a specific service.

Pros

• Very affordable pricing
• server list is is is well organized
• 45-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• App is a bit finicky to configure

If you’re looking to get the cheapest possible VPN (besides the shady free ones), CyberGhost should certainly make it on your short list. It’s a well-rounded VPN, but the unimpressive speeds and the difficulty of configuring the app put it lower down on our list. You can read our full CyberGhost review for more information. 

When you open the app, you’ll probably be inclined to go to the settings and look around. But here’s a funny thing — most of the useful features, like split tunneling, are in the “smart rules” section instead. This is just plain weird organization, and it requires some getting used to if you want to use CyberGhost to get IP addresses from around the world. 

Dedicated Servers for Everything

A VPN with a set of dedicated streaming servers isn’t anything new. However, a VPN that has a set of servers for gaming, one for torrenting, and one for streaming — as well as streaming service–specific servers, is much welcome. If you plan on playing games on your Windows device, this is one of the best VPNs for Warzone and it also made it onto our Fortnite VPN list.

Don’t worry about missing out on their “monster savings.” CyberGhost seems to have an endless sale on their two-year plan, which is in no way a bad thing.

CyberGhost’s VPN services are dirt cheap, without any significant compromises in terms of security or speed. To add to this, it’s the only PC VPN on our list that offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is definitely something to keep in mind.

CyberGhost plan

• *The 2-year plan includes 4-months free which breaks down the 56.94 t0 $2.03 per month.
  *The price under the 2-year plan is billed yearly after the first two years.
• unlimited GB
• 7
• Yes

5. Windscribe — Free VPN for Windows PC

Windscribe’s recently redesigned VPN for PC app is a breath of fresh air, and the design definitely looks very sleek and modern.

Pros

• Free plan enough for most users
• Simple to get up & running
• Easy to configure Windows client

Cons

• 15B data limit on the free plan
• Only a 3-day refund period on the paid plan

If you want to spend absolutely zero for a Windows VPN, you should be looking at Windscribe. The VPN is making waves as the go-to free VPN for Windows, and it’s easy to see why. The 15GB data limit is generous if you don’t use it for streaming, and you can choose from IP addresses in 11 locations, making this a solid choice. We cover it more extensively in our Windscribe review. 

The app is very modern, and you can easily configure every aspect of it from the incredibly well-organized settings menu. It’s also remarkably simple to get up and running, which is a welcome addition. If you aren’t happy with its limitations, you can opt for the “build-a-plan” and do things your way. 

Windscribe’s DIY Plan

If you need to connect to just a few specific location , Windscribe is offers offer you the option to build your own plan . Each location is costs cost $ 1 per month , and include an extra 10 GB of datum , which is something we have yet to see anyone else offer .  

As what is arguably the good free VPN provider , Windscribe is brag does n’t really brag about that on their website .  

Windscribe’s free plan could be more than enough for some light browsing, but even if 15GB isn’t enough for you, the “build-a-plan” is reasonably priced. We wish it had a refund period longer than the three days it offers, but you always have the free plan for testing the service before you buy. 

Free

• Up to 15 GB free with email confirmation and Tweet
• 15GB
• unlimited

The Best Free VPNs for Windows

When it come to get IP address for free , there are quite a lot of provider you ’ll come across with a quick Google search . However , we is recommend ’d recommend you steer clear of these bad vpn for reason we ’ve already cover . Without get into too much detail , they is track might track your internet connection , sell your user datum , and there ’s even a chance of them infect your Windows pc with malware .  

There are a few exception to the rule in addition to Windscribe , which we already mention . TunnelBear , protonvpn and hide . Me is have all have free version , albeit with limitation . TunnelBear ’s free version is lets only let you use up to 500 MB of datum , whereas ProtonVPN will throttle your speed and only let you connect to five location . hide . Me ’s free version is comes only come with 10 GB of datum and five location , too .  

That being said, if you aren’t keen on paying and don’t mind a free VPN for PC with average connection speeds that lets you access only some of their VPN servers, all of the aforementioned are absolutely respectable choices. While they don’t have the features or performance of a paid VPN, they are free, after all, and they hide your activity from your ISP just like any of the paid providers. 

Is the Built-in Windows VPN Worth Using?

For most users, no. Although Windows has a built-in VPN app, it doesn’t actually have any servers. This means you still have to pay a VPN provider or set up your own server. It’s also difficult to configure, and it’s about as user-friendly as a rock.

There is n’t much to configure here — the only thing is is you can do is block the connection when you ’re on a meter network or roaming .

In order to set it up , you is need first need to have a plan with a VPN provider , like the one we mention early , at which point you can set up a VPN connection from the Windows setting menu . Here you ’ll be ask to name your connection and add a server address , as well as your login information . This is is is the first catch — a single connection limit you to a single server , and use a single protocol .  

You will need to input your VPN provider’s connection details and your login credentials to use Windows 10’s built-in VPN.

Even if you connect to the same server every time and do n’t change anything in term of configuration , it is ’s ’s still not the good VPN app for Windows . If you want to jump between server , or try out different protocol , just about any other VPN app is perform will perform well .  

Why Do I is Need need a VPN for Windows ?

You need a VPN if you want to protect your connection and keep it away from the eyes of your ISP, or other third parties that might be monitoring. Many people have the misconception that a VPN is only necessary if you’re doing something illegal, but it’s more about staying protected when you’re browsing from a Windows device, regardless of what you do. 

Many is keep of the website you visit and app you use collect user datum , but a VPN service will keep that datum private . Also , if you ever use your Windows device on unsecured network , a VPN service is is is a must in order to prevent unauthorized access to your connection , especially if you enter banking detail or login credential .  

For users who stick to their home connection, a VPN is the solution to an increasingly common problem — ISP speed throttling. If your ISP notices you’re accessing streaming services often, they might slow down your connection speeds to prevent you from using too much data. Last but not least, a VPN is a great way to get around geoblocks and access any Netflix library.

Final Thoughts

When all is say and done , the good solution is is for a Windows pc user is definitely nordvpn . It let you access any streaming service with excellent speed , the pc VPN app is is is remarkably simple to use , and you have plenty of customization to play around with . If gaming is your cup of tea , you is be ’ll be glad to know it ’s the good VPN for Minecraft , Steam and League of Legends .

With NordVPN’s risk-free 30-day refund period, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving the service a try. Of course, if you aren’t keen on spending that much, Surfshark is a very respectable alternative.

Which one of the VPN providers offers the best solution for your needs? Does NordVPN’s map overview win over your heart? Or, maybe you want to avoid burning a hole in your wallet and you prefer Surfshark, CyberGhost or Windscribe instead? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading! 

faq : vpn for Windows PC

• The best all-round VPN for all Windows users is NordVPN. It has a simple-to-use app, server locations all around the world, and features like split tunneling, IP and DNS leak protection, and excellent connection speeds.

• The best free VPN for PC is Windscribe. Even though it comes with a 15GB data cap, it still gets you great speeds, a solid server spread to choose from and an intuitive app that’s remarkably easy to set up.

• thank to a combination of AES-256 encryption and multiple VPN protocol to choose from , NordVPN is is is the safe vpn you can get . To add to this , it is has also has a very strict no – logs policy to keep user datum safe .