Best VPNs for Windows: Fast, Secure and Reliable Protection

The Windows operating system has dominated the desktop market for decades, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely immune to security threats. Strong passwords and a quality antivirus program are essential parts of protection; however, as soon as you connect to the internet, your data and personal information can still be at risk.

According to our tests, NordVPN is the best choice VPN for Windows. It offers easy installation, malware protection, 10 simultar connections, and over 7,156 servers in more than 118 countries. An ideal option for secure and anonymous browsing.

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A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your data, meaning no one can track your online activities or access sensitive information. If you are looking for the best VPN for Windows, you are in the right place. Based on extensive tests conducted on Windows computers, we have found that some VPNs perform significantly better on this operating system than others.

Our evaluations focus on connection speed, security, and ease of use to provide you with the most reliable recommendations.

Why is VPN Essential for Windows Users?

Using a VPN on Windows is crucial for privacy protection, as internet service providers (ISPs), advertising companies, and government agencies can monitor your online activities. A VPN encrypts all your internet traffic, meaning no one can see the websites you visit, the files you download, or the services you use.

This not only provides peace of mind but also gives you greater control over your personal data.

Another reason why every Windows user should use a VPN is to ensure a secure connection to public Wi-Fi networks. Hotels, cafes, and airports may offer convenient free internet access, but without any protection, they can become an easy target for hackers who may intercept your login credentials or sensitive information. A VPN creates a secure encrypted tunnel for your data, effectively eliminating the risk of such attacks.

In addition to security, a VPN also offers anonymity while browsing the web and the ability to bypass geographical restrictions. Whether you want to watch content available only in another country or gain access to blocked services, a VPN allows you to connect through servers in different locations.

This means you can enjoy the same level of internet freedom and convenience at home and while traveling, without worrying about surveillance or restrictions.

How to Identify a Quality VPN for Windows

Before introducing our top picks for the best VPNs for Windows, let’s focus on the key features that a good VPN should have. These requirements are essential not only for Windows but also for other operating systems.

Data Protection and Encryption

A fundamental aspect of any good VPN is a high level of security. A VPN should use a modern encryption protocol, such as AES-256 or an alternative like ChaCha20. In addition, it should operate on a reliable VPN protocol like OpenVPN or WireGuard. These technologies ensure that your IP address remains hidden and your data is protected from attacks and tracking.

A Large Number of Servers and Global Coverage

A VPN should have a sufficiently large number of servers to handle the influx of users without slowing down. It doesn’t need to have thousands of servers, but it should be capable of offering servers in more than 75+ countries, ensuring access to geo-restricted content and blocked websites.

Key Features for Windows Users

In addition to basic encryption and connection protection, a VPN should include advanced features that enhance user experience. Some of the most useful features include:

• Kill switch – disconnects the internet when the VPN connection drops
• Split tunneling – allows you to specify which apps use the VPN connection and which do not
• Ad, tracker, and malware blocking
• Virtual LAN (Local Area Network) – ideal for local gaming and file sharing
• Multi-hop – increases anonymity by routing your connection through multiple servers

Don’t worry, all these features will be explained in detail when describing individual VPN services. What’s important to know is that every VPN in our selection offers at least one of these features.

Comparison of the Best VPNs for Windows

Now, let’s take a look at an overview of our recommended VPNs for Windows and explain why they are among the best on the market.

The Best VPNs for Windows Compared

* While connected to a 150 Mbps internet connection

1. NordVPN – Ideal VPN for Office and Remote Work

BestSafeVPN Score
9.9 / 10

Current Offer
Up to 74% off + 3 extra months for free

Specifications NordVPN

• Multihop (double connection): Yes
• Camouflage Mode: Yes
• Kill Switch: Yes
• Split Tunneling: Yes
• Netflix Support: Yes
• Torrenting: Yes

VPN Connection Protocols

A VPN protocol defines how encrypted data is transmitted over the internet. NordVPN uses the open-source protocol OpenVPN, which is also popular among services like Surfshark and IPVanish. Our tests showed that OpenVPN is reliable and stable, with no disconnections even after eight hours of continuous use.

In addition, NordVPN offers its own protocol, NordLynx, based on the WireGuard technology. The advantage of NordLynx is its faster speed while maintaining top-level security. During testing, NordLynx was approximately 10% faster than OpenVPN.

Server Infrastructure NordVPN

NordVPN operates more than 7,159+ servers in 118+ countries, meaning its coverage spans over half of the world. Only a few other VPN services, such as Surfshark (100 countries) and ExpressVPN (105 countries), offer similar reach.

Thanks to this extensive server network, we were able to switch IP addresses as needed without any hassle. A UK IP address allowed us to access Netflix UK, while a Portugal IP let us watch the local Men’s World Cup broadcast.

Additional Features NordVPN

NordVPN offers a wide range of extra features, and we tested the most important ones available for Windows:

• Threat Protection: This feature blocks harmful websites, ads, and trackers. While it’s not a full antivirus, Threat Protection managed to prevent access to a dangerous phishing link in a suspicious email.
• Double VPN: This technology doubles the encryption and routes data through two servers, providing an additional layer of security. It’s particularly useful when working with confidential documents or sending sensitive emails.

Pros NordVPN

• Reliable and stable Windows app with no crashes
• Affordable pricing for long-term subscriptions
• Extensive server coverage worldwide
• Strict no-logs policy

Cons NordVPN

• Slower upload speeds
• Limited number of servers in Africa and the Middle East
• P2P file sharing limited to specific servers
• Average customer support quality

Experience with NordVPN in Office Use

The Windows operating system is known for its versatility, and NordVPN complements it perfectly with its simple yet advanced security features. Installing the VPN took only two minutes, and users can customize the recommended settings right from the start.

The auto-connect feature was particularly convenient – our office computers automatically connected to NordVPN upon startup. This saved us time and eliminated the need to manually activate the secure connection.

Meshnet – Advanced Networking Feature

Meshnet acts as a virtual local area network (LAN), similar to the Radmin VPN tool. A LAN typically connects devices through the same router and allows file sharing or access to printers. Meshnet lets you create a virtual LAN that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. One of our colleagues on vacation in Asia was even able to print a document on our office printer seamlessly.

Speed and Performance NordVPN

During technical tests, NordVPN performed flawlessly, handling all basic VPN tasks with ease. The average download speed reached 137 Mbps, while the upload speed was 122 Mbps. Although these numbers are not record-breaking, they were more than sufficient for everyday office tasks.

2. Surfshark – The Best Choice for Changing Your IP Address

BestSafeVPN Score
9.7 / 10

Current Offer
Up to 87% off + 3 extra months for free

Specifications Surfshark

• Multi-Hop Connection: Yes
• Camouflage Mode: Yes
• Kill Switch: Yes
• Split Tunneling: Yes
• Netflix Support: Yes
• Torrenting: Yes

Supported VPN Protocols

Surfshark supports the three most popular VPN protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. These protocols are widely used and are also available with competitors like IPVanish. In the Windows app, the WireGuard protocol delivered the best performance. It usually took just 2-3 seconds to establish a connection, whereas OpenVPN often required 4-6 seconds.

Server Infrastructure SurfShark

Surfshark has about 3,200 servers across 100 countries. Although this is fewer than NordVPN’s server fleet, being present in over 100 countries ensures nearly global coverage. All Surfshark plans include access to the full server network, making it an excellent choice for changing your IP address location.

Unique Features SurfShark

One of Surfshark’s standout features is Camouflage Mode. This feature is perfect for situations where VPN traffic is blocked, such as on school or work networks, or in countries with strict internet controls, like China. 

Camouflage Mode disguises VPN traffic as regular web traffic.

During testing, we asked our IT administrator to block VPN connections on the network. Surfshark was able to connect without issue, while other VPNs like Hola VPN, which lacks this feature, were immediately detected and blocked.

Surfshark Pros

• Clean and easy-to-use Windows interface
• Servers available in 100 countries
• Excellent at bypassing network and geographic restrictions
• Frequent app updates for improved performance and security

Surfshark Cons

• Slower connection when using OpenVPN
• Frequent prompts to upgrade to Surfshark One
• Limited customization options in the app
• Live chat support initially connects to a bot instead of a live agent

Surfshark for IP Address Change

Windows users often change their IP address for various reasons – accessing Netflix libraries from different countries, getting cheaper flights, visiting blocked websites, or staying protected from tracking. Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for these needs.

With servers in over 100 countries, Surfshark competes with CyberGhost and is only slightly behind ExpressVPN. If you need a specific location, chances are high that Surfshark has a server there.

Dynamic MultiHop Feature

Another unique Surfshark feature is Dynamic MultiHop, which is similar to DoubleVPN from NordVPN. Your data is encrypted twice and routed through two servers instead of one for enhanced privacy.

Unlike NordVPN, where the server pairs are pre-set, Surfshark allows you to choose any combination of servers.

For example, in the screenshot below, we selected Paris as the first server and Singapore as the second. To the websites we accessed, our IP address appeared to be from Singapore.

Thanks to its vast server network and robust security features, Surfshark is an ideal choice for users looking to change their IP address and ensure safe, unrestricted internet access.

3. Private Internet Access – Perfect VPN for Multitasking

BestSafeVPN Score
9.5 / 10

Current Offer
Up to 85% off + 2 extra months for free

PIA VPN Specifications

• Multihop: Yes
• Camouflage Mode: No
• Kill Switch: Yes
• Split Tunneling: Yes
• Netflix Compatibility: Yes
• Torrenting Support: Yes

Encryption and VPN Protocols

Private Internet Access (PIA) supports popular protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, familiar to most users. Additionally, it offers Shadowsocks and SOCKS5 proxy protocols. These proxies can change your IP address like VPNs but don’t provide encryption, making them less secure but faster.

In our tests, the SOCKS5 protocol allowed us to reach a full 150 Mbps download speed, whereas WireGuard recorded 129 Mbps. If you need a fast connection for less sensitive activities, like gaming, PIA can be an excellent choice.

Server Network Private Internet Access

PIA operates an extensive network of 18,651 servers in 91+ countries, with a special perk of servers available in all 50 U.S. states.

Proximity to a server often improves browsing speeds. When we connected to a server in New York, we achieved 131 Mbps download and 138 Mbps upload speeds.

The only VPN that outperformed PIA in this test was IPVanish, which holds our top spot for the fastest VPN on Windows.

Additional Features PIA VPN

Although PIA doesn’t come with a wide range of extras, it provides effective protection against malware, ads, and tracking scripts. This feature, called MACE, works similarly to ad-blocking tools but with the added bonus of filtering out phishing attempts. To test its efficiency, we clicked on a suspicious link previously blocked by NordVPN.

PIA stepped in and successfully prevented access to the page, proving its robustness against phishing scams.

Pros Private Internet Access

• Advanced split tunneling options
• Adjustable AES encryption (128-bit or 256-bit)
• Servers in over 91 countries and all U.S. states
• 45-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• The Windows app pins itself to the taskbar
• Live chat support is not available 24/7
• Account management (password changes, upgrades, cancellations) can be tricky
• Some servers use virtual locations

Multitasking Capabilities

Windows is designed for multitasking, but not every VPN can handle multiple processes seamlessly. When we connected to Private VPN’s Australian server (not to be confused with PIA), our news widget started displaying Australian content.

To see local news, we had to disable the VPN entirely—frustrating if we needed to stay connected for security reasons.

PIA’s Split Tunneling in Action

The split tunneling feature allows users to decide which traffic goes through the VPN and which connects directly to the internet. In our example, split tunneling could have allowed the news widget to bypass the VPN and display local content without interruptions.

PIA’s split tunneling is one of the most flexible and customizable we’ve seen. For each app we added to the split tunnel, we could choose:

1. Bypass the VPN
2. Use only VPN-protected connection

We set the news widget to bypass the VPN and configured Chrome to connect exclusively through the VPN. This way, our browsing remained secure, and we didn’t have to worry about accidental disconnections.

This level of control is invaluable for users who need a seamless multitasking experience while maintaining online security.

4. IPVanish – Best Connection Speeds

BestSafeVPN Score
9.3 / 10

Current Offer
Up to 83% off

Technical Specifications IPVanish

• Multi-hop: Yes
• Camouflage Mode: No
• Kill Switch: Yes
• Split Tunneling: Yes
• Netflix Support: Yes
• Torrenting: Yes, for example, with uTorrent

Supported VPN Protocols

IPVanish uses standard protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2, which are commonly used in the VPN industry. However, their implementation of WireGuard stands out for its efficiency.

This is evident from the VPN’s excellent speed test results. Out of the five VPNs compared, IPVanish performed the best in both download and upload speeds:

• Average download speed: 138 Mbps
• Average upload speed: 131 Mbps
  These results were obtained through five independent speed measurements.

Server Infrastructure IPVanish

IPVanish operates more than 2,400 servers in over 75+ countries, making it one of the fastest-growing services in terms of network size. For users prioritizing speed, IPVanish offers a server load filtering option.

By selecting the “Load” tab on the server page, you can quickly identify servers with the lightest load, which typically provide higher connection speeds compared to overloaded servers.

Additional Features IPVanish

One standout feature is OpenVPN Scramble, which works similarly to Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode. This feature hides the fact that you are using a VPN from firewalls, such as those in office networks.

This can be crucial in countries where VPN usage is heavily restricted or even banned.

Pros IPVanish

• High connection speeds with WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols
• Easy-to-use server filtering based on server load
• OpenVPN Scramble feature for disguising VPN usage
• Extensive server network across multiple countries

Cons IPVanish

• Requires permission to make changes to the system each time the app is launched
• No Windows taskbar widget for quick access
• Has been accused of sharing user logs in the past
• Based in the U.S. (a country with stricter data-sharing policies)

Speed and Reliability

If you’re not looking for a VPN to encrypt classified government documents but instead want a fast and reliable service for everyday private browsing, IPVanish is an excellent choice. In speed tests, the OpenVPN protocol only slowed down download speeds by 3,7% and upload speeds by around 5% compared to the regular connection.

WireGuard Speed Test

When repeating the tests with the WireGuard protocol, we recorded a download speed of 138 Mbps, representing only a 4% decrease from our original 145 Mbps speed.

During the test, we had no trouble downloading large files or streaming high-quality videos.

Latency and Online Gaming

IPVanish also impressed us with its low latency, which is crucial for online gaming. Most servers we connected to showed latency below 52 ms. This means the data packets traveled between our device and the test server very quickly, resulting in a smooth gaming experience.

Perfect for Xbox Game Pass, PS5 or Steam sessions.

If you’re looking for a fast and reliable VPN for general use, including gaming and streaming, IPVanish stands out thanks to its speed and flexible server infrastructure.

5. ExpressVPN – Best User Experience

BestSaveVPN Score
9.7 / 10

Current Offer
Up to 61% off + 6 extra months for free

VPN Protocol

ExpressVPN offers its own protocol called Lightway, designed for lightning-fast connections. During our tests, it took only one second to connect to the network. However, we were somewhat disappointed by its overall data transfer speed—download speeds reached only 112 Mbps, making ExpressVPN the slowest among the five VPNs we reviewed.

Server Network Express VPN

ExpressVPN operates servers in 106+ countries, placing it second only to NordVPN. It uses an innovative TrustedServer technology, running solely on RAM-based servers. Unlike traditional servers that rely on hard drives, RAM servers use temporary memory, meaning all data is erased with every reboot. This approach enhances privacy and security.

ExpressVPN was one of the pioneers of this technology, although other services like NordVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access have also adopted it.

ExpressVPN Recommended Server Locations

The service offers optimized servers for different locations and use cases.

Key Extra Features

While ExpressVPN doesn’t boast a wide range of extra features, it does include a critical Kill Switch that cuts off internet access if the VPN connection drops. This feature protected us from unencrypted internet access during an open-source software download, preventing potential warnings from our internet provider.

Pros ExpressVPN

• Clear and easy-to-use app
• Fast connection establishment
• RAM-based servers for increased privacy
• Threat Manager blocks ads and malicious websites

Cons ExpressVPN

• Not the fastest option on Windows
• Requires a device restart after installation
• Higher subscription costs
• Limited to 8 simultaneous connections per account

Installation and Usage Experience

The installation of ExpressVPN on Windows was simple and hassle-free. Once launched, the app worked flawlessly and proved to be very user-friendly. The interface is straightforward, featuring a quick-connect button and a well-organized list of server locations.

Built-in Tools in the App

The ExpressVPN app for Windows includes handy tools such as an IP address checker, DNS leak test, and WebRTC leak test. These features allowed us to verify that the VPN was functioning correctly without needing to switch to external websites for testing.

How to Choose the Best VPN for Windows: Our Methodology

If you’re looking for a VPN for Windows, top contenders include NordVPN, Surfshark, Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish. You might be wondering how we arrived at this selection.

For over five years, we’ve been testing and reviewing VPN services, updating our list of the best VPNs at least once a year. Thanks to our strict selection and testing criteria, we’ve built a solid foundation for in-depth comparisons of individual services.

Our testing was conducted on several Windows devices, including both laptops and desktop computers. We evaluated 15 leading VPN services and focused on identifying which ones perform best on this platform. We assessed user-friendliness, the app interface, available features, and overall connection performance.

The result was a clear determination of which VPN is best suited for specific purposes on Windows:

• IPVanish: Outstanding connection speed
• NordVPN: Ideal for office and work use
• Surfshark: Best for changing IP addresses on Windows
• Private Internet Access: Great for multitasking
• ExpressVPN: Most intuitive user experience

Conclusion

Since the 1990s, Windows has been one of the most popular operating systems for desktops and laptops, thanks to its user-friendly interface and compatibility with a wide range of devices and apps. Regular updates from Microsoft have helped ensure performance improvements and increased security, contributing to its global success.

However, built-in tools like Windows Security and Microsoft Defender might not always be sufficient against sophisticated cyber threats. Protecting your personal data and online activities from potential misuse is crucial, especially with the growing number of cyberattacks.

A VPN for Windows is an excellent solution. It encrypts your internet connection, making your online behavior invisible to outsiders, hides your IP address, and helps you bypass geo-restrictions. This makes VPNs particularly valuable for users working on public Wi-Fi or accessing remote servers.

Besides securing your connection, a VPN can also prevent your internet provider from tracking your activities. Many VPNs offer additional features like ad blocking and malware protection for an extra security boost.

For anyone seeking greater privacy while browsing or working online, investing in a VPN such as NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, or IPVanish is a smart choice. These services provide intuitive controls, reliable protection, and peace of mind during your online activities.

FAQ About Best Windows VPNs