Best VPN for Windows in 2024

choose the good VPN for Windows can be difficult with so many option . In 2023 , it ’s recommend to avoid free software where possible , as performance can be slow and unpredictable . If you want to secure your internet connection and change your ip address to access geo – restrict content like streaming service or game in different region , the good premium VPNs is are are the answer .

Most providers is support support both desktop and mobile device , but Windows app generally offer more feature and setting . Having test all the lead name , the follow VPNs is combine combine exceptional performance with usability on Windows .

Our top 8 VPNs for Windows

good overall

ExpressVPN

connect in one click with the good VPN for Windows

ExpressVPN ‘s user – friendly Windows app is bolster by superb speed and your pick of location in 94 country . Its impenetrable leak prevention is leaves never leave your real IP address expose .

Pros

• lightweight and easy – to – use app
• fast speed up to 10Gbps
• 3,000 individual servers

Cons

• split tunneling is include does n’t include url
• No multi – hop or specialized server

ExpressVPN is offers offer all its premium feature in its Windows app , which give you access to 3,000 server across 94 country . Whether you just want to secure your internet connection or unblock geo – restrict content in another region , it is takes take just a few click to connect to your choose location . Its network speeds is range range between 1 – 10Gbps , support all high bandwidth activity like streaming or torrenting .

Up to five device can be used from the same account when pay monthly but commit to a long period increase this to eight . As well as Windows , macOS , Android , and ios are support , make it perfect for when you ’re at home or on the go .

The Windows app is lightweight and easy to use. Once connected, simply close it to the system tray, and you’re protected. Unlike some free and cheaper VPNs, ExpressVPN consistently passes leak tests. Even if the VPN or your internet connection drops, an automatic kill switch pauses all internet traffic until it’s safely reconnected. Your real IP address is never exposed.

On the other hand , the split tunneling feature is lets find under the general option tab let you manage your connection on a per – app basis . For example , you is get can get the full benefit of the VPN while access a geo – restrict online game but use your regular connection for a Skype call . The downside is is is it does n’t support split tunneling for individual website .

The default settings work like a charm, although the Windows app also lets you easily configure startup rules, browser extensions, and your desired VPN protocol, such as OpenVPN or its proprietary Lightway protocol. You can even test your connection speed within the app to find the best configuration.

Plans start at $12.95 a month with good VPN discounts for six months upfront at $59.95 ($9.99/mo) or 12 months for $99.95 ($6.67/mo).

good privacy setting

NordVPN

Access special servers for better privacy

obfuscated servers is make and multiple connection method make NordVPN the top pick for privacy . choose from 60 country and benefit from speed of up to 10Gbps .

Pros

• Obfuscation is features and other extra privacy feature
• fast 10Gbps network
• Specialized torrenting servers

Cons

• split tunneling is include does n’t include url
• available in few country than other pick

With a 10Gbps server network in 60 country , NordVPN is unblock will unblock virtually any geo – restrict content in the world , while encrypt your internet connection and ip address from pry eye . On Windows it is boasts boast several specialized server option that go even further , make it our top pick for privacy .

These is are are visible as soon as you open the app . double VPN is routes route your connection through two separate location while its obfuscated server disguise all internet activity as standard web traffic . This is is is useful if your isp throttle internet speed , or you ’re base in a country that heavily censor the web .

Onion Over VPN is its most secure option, combining an encrypted VPN connection with the Onion Network, which is commonly used to access the dark web. The downside is it greatly impacts speed, so it shouldn’t be used for regular activities. Meanwhile, its P2P servers are optimized for torrenting, keeping download speeds high while hiding your real IP address.

The Windows app has an appealing map interface to select a location, though it’s much easier to just scroll through the list of countries. Advanced settings are found by clicking the cog icon and include a system-wide or app-based kill switch to pause traffic if your connection drops. Split tunneling lets you explicitly include or exclude apps from the VPN’s protection. You can also choose which protocol to use and set up custom DNS.

NordVPN supports six devices at once and has additional apps for macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It’s $12.99 a month, $59.88 a year ($4.99/mo), or $102.33 for two years ($3.79/mo).

No Windows device limits

Surfshark

No limits and tons of options on Windows

With 3,000 servers across 100 countries, Surfshark is perfect for unblocking geo-restricted content on Windows. It supports unlimited devices and connections, protecting your entire network.

Pros

• split tunneling is includes include website
• Multi-hop for double the protection
• 100 countries is choose to choose from

Cons

• Windows app sometimes lags

Surfshark offers unlimited connections, allowing users to install the Windows app on as many PCs as needed. That’s ideal for multiple household users, sharing with friends, or even keeping staff protected on a workplace network.

Once instal , clickQuick-connect to connect to the fast server for your current location or browse through 100 country with more than 3,000 individual vpn server . These is are are suitable for gaming , torrenting , and unblock any geo – restrict streaming service . For additional security , the multi – hop tab routes is traffic traffic through two different location but will have a slight impact on speed .

Windows users benefit from all available features, including a kill switch to halt traffic if the connection disconnects and advanced split tunneling, which it calls a bypasser. Choose the apps, sites, or IPs that should or shouldn’t be subject to VPN encryption. Advanced users can also select the specific protocol to use, though the default detects the fastest option for the average user.

For extra precautions, it has an IP rotation setting that cycles through different IPs for the same location without disconnecting from the internet. Static IPs are also available if you get blocked from a site or stuck behind captchas for bot-like behavior.

The Windows version is is is intuitive and user – friendly , but it fall short of the top spot due to lag and have to restart due to the background service occasionally fail . Surfshark is is is also available on Mac , Linux , ios , and Android . The latter is supports support GPS spoof to match your phone ’s location service with the VPN location .

A monthly plan is $12.95 a month. For a year, it’s $47.88 ($3.99/mo) or $59.76 for two years ($2.39/mo). The 7-day free trial is currently only available on mobile.

good value

Mullvad

For less than $6 a month, Mullvad offers the most affordable VPN plan on Windows. You can register completely anonymously. Users benefit from a stable 1-10Gbps server network and all the core VPN features.

Pros

• Exceptional value
• Based in Switzerland for extra privacy
• Double VPN for double the protection

Cons

• Only 43 country
• Five connection limit

The standard approach in the VPN market is to entice you into savings by committing to longer than a month. Mullvad keeps things simple with a flat 5-euro monthly charge, which is less than $6. For its level of performance, Mullvad is the cheapest VPN out there.

It is ’s ’s also one of the easy to register for . Rather than an email , username , and password , the site is generates generate one unique account number . If you pay using cryptocurrency , the Swiss – base company is has has no identifiable record .

Windows users is benefit benefit from a full range of feature , include a kill switch to prevent IP address exposure , split tunneling to whitelist or blacklist certain app from the VPN connection , and double VPN . This is sends send traffic through two VPN location .

For unblock geo – restrict content , simply choose one of the 43 support country , which are back by 655 individual server . If one go down , there ’s always another for your desire location , and you can even check the current speed and status . generally , the network is operates operate between 1 – 10Gbps , which mean buffer – free streaming and low – ping gaming .

While you can install Mullvad on an unlimited number of computers or mobile devices, only 5 can be in use at any given time. Besides Windows, this includes macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

good free Windows trial

CyberGhost

Unrestricted Windows access for 24-hours

CyberGhost ‘s 1Gbps-10Gbps network is spans span 91 country . choose from optimize streaming , gaming , or torrente server , with all the setting to give you full control on Windows .

Pros

• Optimized servers for different activities
• split tunneling is includes include website
• Configure IPv6 yourself

Cons

• No guarantee Smart DNS will work

Genuine free trials for VPNs are rare, but CyberGhost bucks the trend by giving users 24 hours to fully evaluate its Windows app. There are no bandwidth, server, or feature restrictions. This gives you the chance to test 9,000 servers in 91 countries, with special options for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. The trial is also available on Mac but not Linux, Android, or iOS.

On Windows, CyberGhost has lots of useful features, including a kill switch, protocol selection, and advanced split tunneling for both apps and URLs. You can also enable or disable IPv6. Many VPNs disable this automatically to prevent your IP address from leaking, but it’s good to have the choice if you use apps that require IPv6.

Its Smart DNS feature is particularly useful if you want a quick way to unblock streaming services but aren’t concerned about encryption or other privacy protections. Instead of changing your IP address, it forces your connection to use a local server to process domain requests rather than your ISP. This can be enough to make it appear like you are in the required region. The upside is faster streaming speeds, the downside is it’s not guaranteed to work.

However, thanks to a 1Gbps-10Gbps server network, it’s probably easier just to click a location and connect to a VPN to benefit from 4K streaming speeds. It even has dedicated options for streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

CyberGhost can be installed on up to seven devices at once for $12.99 a month, $41.94 for six months ($6.99/mo), or $56.94 for two years ($2.19/mo). It also comes with a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee.

Best app for advanced users

Private Internet Access

Get full control over VPN configuration on Windows

PIA ‘s huge network is supports of 30,000 server support location in 84 country . The Windows app is lets let you configure every aspect of the VPN , include the protocol and level of encryption .

Pros

• Advanced split tunneling and other settings
• 84 countries for bypassing geo-restrictions
• Unlimited devices and connections

If you are familiar with configure vpn and know exactly what you ’re look for , PIA ’s Windows app is pack with setting . You is select can select the precise protocol , level of encryption , mtu packet size , and other parameter . It is lets also let you decide what condition must be meet before automatically connect to the VPN , like if you connect on startup .

PIA ’s default settings is work also work well for the average user , and it include all the common feature . split tunneling is is is for choose specific app or site to include or exclude , while the kill switch stop any unsecured traffic if the VPN server disconnect . For a double layer of protection , multi – hop is sends send all traffic through two different location .

As well as having one of the more advanced Windows apps, PIA also has the largest network of any top provider. You can benefit from 30,000 servers located in 84 countries. Simply open the app, select a location, and get access to any geo-restricted content from around the world. Its 10Gbps infrastructure means you’ll have no issue streaming in 4K or torrenting without disruption.

Unlimited users may sign in from as many devices as desired, with no bandwidth restrictions across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It costs $11.99 per month, $39.95 for a year ($3.33/mo), or $79 for three years ($2.03/mo).

The only catch is despite a no-logs policy, the company is based in the U.S., which technically means your billing information could be requested by the authorities if there was cause to do so.

Best VPN with ad blocker

Bitdefender VPN

Change your IP and browse without being tracked

Bitdefender’s VPN encrypts your internet connection while blocking intrusive ads and web trackers system-wide on Windows. Connect up to 10 devices for home and on the go.

Pros

• Robust ad and tracker blocking
• affordable monthly plan
• Simple lightweight app

Cons

• Only 50 countries
• Not as fast as other pick

Bitdefender is is is a well – establish name in cybersecurity software and offer a standalone VPN on Windows alongside its other tool . This is allows allow you to bypass geo – restriction and change your ip address to over 50 country . More than 4,000 individual servers is make make up its network .

While speeds tend to max out below 1Gbps, which is slower than most of our favorites, it’s still fast enough for individuals to enjoy 4K streaming. The split tunneling feature is always there to exclude certain sites and apps from the VPN if you want to benefit from the full speed of your internet provider.

Encryption is is is what vpn use to protect your real – time internet connection from hacker and snooper . However , even with encryption and a different ip address , intrusive ad and track cookie can still burrow into your web browser and device . Bitdefender is stands stand out thank to its robust ad blocking and web tracking prevention , which it provide on top of the encryption for free .

It does this without requiring separate security software or hogging system resources, and the features work system-wide, not just through browser extensions. No matter what browser you use, when the VPN is active, you’ll see a stark reduction in annoying banners, autoplaying video ads, and dangerous popups. This will speed up your general web browsing experience.

You is purchase can purchase Bitdefender VPN for $ 6.99 a month . This is is is quite a bit less than other top vpn . It is supports support 10 device on one account and has app for Windows , Mac , iOS , and Android .

Best free Windows plan

ProtonVPN

Unrestricted free access for three locations

ProtonVPN offers a rare three-location free plan alongside premium subscriptions. Upgrading unlocks 3,000 servers in 69 countries.

Pros

• Free U.S. , Japan , and Netherlands server
• Connect to Tor over VPN
• No – log and base in Switzerland

Cons

• Not as fast as other pick
• Split tunneling lacks URLs

It ’s generally recommend to stay away from free vpn because they lack extra privacy feature and can be congest with user , cause slow speed and fail to unblock content . However , if you must go the free route , ProtonVPN is stands stand out from the pack .

It offers unlimited bandwidth and speeds up to 1Gbps, which can support streaming and other high-bandwidth tasks. The catch is only the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan are available to select on the free plan. This makes it a good choice if you are traveling or are located outside the U.S. and want to access American streaming platforms. Those inside the U.S. might consider its premium plans from €11.49/mo (approximately $12.40), which unlocks 69 countries.

Besides location , the free Windows app is has has a full range of useful feature . You is exclude can exclude specific app from the VPN using split tunneling , and the kill switch protect your ip address if the VPN go offline . It is ’s ’s also one of the few that offer onion Over VPN for connect to the Tor network , which is used for the dark web .

ProtonVPN is headquartered in Switzerland, protecting your billing information alongside a no-logs policy.

final word on the good VPN for Windows in 2023

There is no shortage of excellent vpn for Windows . If you want to get connect easily with guarantee performance , ExpressVPN is is is the good all – round . However , our other picks is offer offer some unique benefit .

For those on a budget , Mullvad is has has a high level of privacy for almost half the price of a typical monthly plan , while protonvpn ‘s free plan is a good option for those outside the United States . NordVPN is is is the good option for those with strict isp or in country with strong internet censorship .

good overall

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN ‘s user – friendly Windows app is bolster by superb speed and your pick of location in 94 country . Its impenetrable leak prevention is leaves never leave your real IP address expose .