Switzerland has a free and open internet. The country boasts a digital space without substantial reports of government-imposed restrictions or widespread surveillance. But there’s some nuance here, and a VPN for Switzerland protects you from falling under the government’s radar.
It handles other threats, including the ever-present dangers of hackers, identity theft, and data breaches. Additionally, a VPN ensures unhindered access to websites and content. This becomes especially valuable when you find yourself outside Switzerland and wish to stream content on local platforms like SRF or ZDF.
But while the VPN market offers a ton of choices, not all providers are created equal. In this article, we will take you through the top VPN options for Switzerland and what each brings to the table.
Top 5 best VPNs in Switzerland – our shortlist
- ExpressVPN – best VPN for Switzerland overall
- CyberGhost – superb VPN for streaming, torrenting and gaming
- NordVPN – highly versatile VPN option for Switzerland
- Surfshark – great Swiss VPN for unlimited devices
- Private Internet Access – largest fleet of servers
The Best VPN for Switzerland — Our Top 5 Picks for 2024
We’ve tested dozens of VPN providers to narrow down to the best options for Switzerland. Each provider on this list comes with high-quality features, impressive performance, expansive networks, and excellent unblocking capabilities.
The shortlist focuses on premium VPNs for Switzerland, even though there’s a case for a few decent free VPN services. Later on, we’ll highlight the reason for this. Let’s get down to it.
1. ExpressVPN
- Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands.
- Server count: 3,000+ in 94 countries, including Switzerland.
- Standout feature: TrustedServer technology.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, routers, browsers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 8 devices on 6 and 12-month plans.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
The fan-favorite ExpressVPN beats other options to top the Switzerland VPN leaderboard, even though it’s a little pricier. But you get what you pay for.
As the best VPN in Switzerland, ExpressVPN offers a sizeable network comprising 3,000+ servers in 94 countries. It’s not the largest collection ever, but with several servers in Swiss locations, you can be sure of stable connections — whether you’re connecting from within the country or abroad.
We’re especially blown away by ExpressVPN’s speeds. It’s widely considered the fastest VPN on the market, and for good reason. Barely impacting your original connection speeds, you can stream videos in 4K resolution and download files faster than when on other providers.
In addition, the VPN shines at accessing geo-blocked content. Connecting to Swiss servers from outside the country lets you enjoy content on local platforms. Looking to watch Formula 1 live stream for free on RTS? You can do so instantly.
International platforms come with tougher blocks but pose no issues for ExpressVPN. It lets you follow along with your favorite TV shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others.
ExpressVPN’s base is privacy-friendly, but that’s just a start. The provider offers RAM-only servers and a strict no-logs policy, so there’s no chance you’re leaving traceable information behind. Plus, it protects your data from snoopers with military-grade encryption. And thanks to a kill switch and airtight leak protection, your device won’t expose sensitive information.
The provider supports a wide range of devices and platforms. One subscription lets you protect up to 8 devices at the same time.
A 30-day money-back guarantee backs your purchase. You get a straight refund in the unlikely chance that you’re unimpressed by the best VPN in Switzerland.
2. CyberGhost
- Jurisdiction: Romania.
- Server count: 9,600+ servers in 91 countries, including 182 in Switzerland.
- Standout feature: In-house managed NoSpy servers.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 7 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: Up to 45 days.
CyberGhost doesn’t always get the props it deserves for the affordable long-term pricing that comes with its excellent service.
The provider has a massive collection of over 9,600 servers spanning 91 countries. That includes Zurich and Huenenberg locations, with 87 and 95 servers each. Consequently, you have loads of options to get a Swiss IP address from anywhere in the world.
CyberGhost uses 10 Gbps infrastructure, and WireGuard, known for blazing-fast speeds, comes along. So, expect fast connection speeds for browsing, streaming, and gaming. The VPN offers specialized servers for the latter activities, optimized for buffer and lag-free experiences.
It’s also P2P friendly, and torrenters can use one of its dedicated servers for secure downloads and seeding.
If you plan on using CyberGhost for streaming, you’ll find it an excellent choice. The VPN bypasses geo-restrictions, including those on local and international streaming services. As a result, CyberGhost unblocks Netflix USA and Switzerland, but also BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and others. You get the best results from using dedicated servers for each platform.
CyberGhost’s Romania headquarters rivals Switzerland for data privacy. AES 256-bit encryption and automatic Wi-Fi protection means hackers and other shady actors cannot access your data. Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost uses RAM-based servers that wipe off after each reboot.
Plus, the provider has a strict no-logs policy, verified by independent auditors.
You can install CyberGhost on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. Router support means you can use it on several other devices, like game consoles. The provider permits seven simultaneous device connections.
CyberGhost expresses its confidence in its service by providing a 45-day money-back guarantee.
3. NordVPN
- Jurisdiction: Panama.
- Server count: 5,800+ servers in 60 countries, including 100+ in Switzerland.
- Standout feature: Custom NordLynx protocol built around WireGuard.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chromebook, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 6 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
NordVPN has become a household name for privacy providers, and it’s not all down to savvy marketing.
There are 5,800+ servers to choose from across 60 countries. That’s not the most impressive country spread we’ve seen. That said, it means you get plenty of servers in each country — Switzerland alone has more than 100 options in Zurich.
You don’t get many faster alternatives to NordVPN. The provider offers lightning-fast connection speeds, guaranteeing smooth performance even on not-so-nearby servers. That’s thanks to next-gen server infrastructure and custom NordLynx protocol, a play on WireGuard.
There’s much to love for torrenters in Switzerland. You can not only torrent on all NordVPN servers, but it also offers tons of specialized servers for the activity.
NordVPN excels at evading restrictions on websites and online services. It’s what makes it an excellent VPN for vacations or trips abroad. You can tune in to enjoy local TV content on Zattoo or watch the free MotoGP live stream from anywhere.
Similarly, the VPN breezes past geo-blocks on popular streaming services, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
It’s great in other areas, but NordVPN made a name as a feature-rich privacy-centric VPN. It comes with bank-level encryption to keep snoopers out, with Double VPN providing an extra layer when you need one. Other guarantees include a kill switch, leak protection, ad and malware blocker, and a verified logless policy.
You can use NordVPN with a wide array of devices, and the VPN currently supports up to 6 devices simultaneously on one account.
A 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try it out risk-free and get a refund if unimpressed.
4. Surfshark
- Jurisdiction: The Netherlands.
- Server count: 3,200+ in 100 countries, including Switzerland.
- Standout feature: Nexus with SDN technology for multiple server connections.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Surfshark has a budget VPN tag that belies how versatile and feature-packed it is. With good value for your money, you also get one of the best VPN providers around.
You can connect to any of the VPN’s 3,200+ servers in 100 countries with one click. With so many locations covered, you’re spoiled with secure options in Switzerland and neighboring countries for when you’re on a trip away.
Surfshark lags behind ExpressVPN and NordVPN in terms of speed but is by no means a slow VPN. The effect on performance is not very noticeable, especially while connected to nearby servers. Plus, the provider offers OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Surfshark is currently upgrading its infrastructure to 10 Gbps — and with that will come faster speeds.
For now, you can watch videos in higher definition quality, buffer-free. Speaking of which, Surfshark is an excellent VPN for streaming. It effortlessly unblocks foreign Netflix libraries, as well as those of BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and Prime Video. In addition, the provider lets you hop on regional platforms like ZDF and Arte, even if you’re on the other side of the world.
Surfshark doesn’t compromise on keeping your online traffic under the radar. It features virtually unbreakable AES 256-bit encryption, an audited no-logs policy, and a kill switch. Besides several other advanced functionalities, Surfshark also offers CleanWeb, which keeps ads, trackers, and malware away.
The VPN is generous, allowing you to protect an unlimited number of devices at the same time on one subscription. There’s also a 30-day refund policy, so you have enough time to make up your mind.
If you’re having trouble deciding which VPN to use in Switzerland, take a look at our Surfshark vs ExpressVPN duel.
5. Private Internet Access
- Jurisdiction: The United States.
- Server count: Servers in 84 countries, including Switzerland.
- Standout feature: Choice between AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit encryption.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Rounding up this list is the US-based Private Internet Access, a provider heavy on online security and light on your pocket.
PIA stands out in terms of its server network. The monster collection exceeds all the other VPNs for Switzerland combined. While it’s an American-centric VPN, there are loads of servers distributed across 84 countries, including Switzerland.
The provider will win no awards for speeds, but it’s far from snail-slow. Good thing PIA has so many servers — you can easily find a faster option, especially as each server comes with a latency label. For the best performance, you should use WireGuard.
With PIA, you can unblock websites and online services in Switzerland. That includes local TV channels and streaming services, gaining access to news, sports, and entertainment. However, the VPN is hit-and-miss when it comes to bypassing geo-restrictions on global platforms. That said, you can watch Netflix US from Switzerland hassle-free.
Private Internet Access doesn’t know what you’re doing online — and neither does anyone else. While the provider’s US base raises a few eyebrows, it has proven that it doesn’t store identifiable logs on its servers. Besides, RAM-only servers wipe your digital tracks after a reboot.
The VPN implements industry-standard encryption trusted by American defense agencies. It also has a kill switch to prevent exposure when the VPN connection drops. In addition, PIA’s MACE gets rid of pesky ads and blocks malicious websites.
Private Internet Access has apps for computers and mobile devices and supports plenty more. Like Surfshark, one subscription is enough to handle every device you own simultaneously.
You can try the VPN to see if it suits your preferences, backed by a 30-day refund policy.
How We Ranked The Best VPN for Switzerland — Our Methodology
Our ranking methodology is rooted in thorough research and assessment, ensuring that you can make an informed choice when it comes to safeguarding your online activities within or outside Switzerland. Here are some of the factors we considered for this list.
Privacy and Security
The foundation of any VPN is its ability to protect your data and privacy. A VPN must offer a robust shield against cyber threats, surveillance, and censorship. We considered encryption standards, tunneling protocols, no-logs policies, as well as other standard and advanced features.
Server Network
A VPN needs a widespread server network to access global content and maintain fast connection speeds. We considered the number of servers, server locations, and whether they offer dedicated servers for specific tasks like streaming or torrenting. Plus, each provider has servers in Switzerland so that you can enjoy local content from abroad. The more, the better.
Speed and Performance
We conducted speed tests to ensure that the VPNs on our list maintain fast and stable connections, which is crucial for seamless streaming, gaming, or general browsing.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions
A top-tier VPN should consistently provide you with unrestricted access to streaming platforms, websites, and online services regardless of your location. We rigorously tested VPNs for their effectiveness in bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing content from different regions, including local Swiss content.
Ease of Use and Support
A user-friendly interface is essential. We assessed providers for their ease of installation and use on various devices and platforms, making sure that users of all technical levels don’t have a hard time.
And because excellent customer support is vital for addressing any issues or concerns, we evaluate VPNs based on their support channels and response times.
Why You Need a VPN for Switzerland
Switzerland is globally known as a haven for privacy, neutrality, and digital security. But those rigorous privacy laws alone are not enough to protect your personal information. You still need a VPN, whether you’re within or outside Switzerland.
For one, Switzerland is seeing a significant increase in cybercrime rates annually. Hackers, identity thieves, and other bad actors steal sensitive, personally identifiable data from residents to make a profit. It’s a global issue that people in Switzerland are also vulnerable to.
A quality VPN protects your data with high-level encryption, providing a near-invincible line of defense against hackers and other shady operators. It masks your IP address and assigns you another, making sure that prying eyes cannot track your online activities.
That IP-masking property translates to other benefits. For instance, you get to access websites and streaming services that would ordinarily not be available when you’re in Switzerland. And when you travel outside the country, a VPN lets you get a Swiss IP address to enjoy local content from anywhere.
Can You Use a Free VPN for Switzerland?
You can use a free VPN for Switzerland, but we don’t recommend it. Sure, free VPNs might initially seem appealing due to their cost-saving nature. However, they often come with significant limitations and potential risks that can outweigh that benefit.
To begin with, you typically get slower connection speeds, resulting in frustratingly slow internet browsing and streaming experiences. What’s more, many free VPNs impose data caps, restricting the amount of data you can use each month. That can be particularly problematic if you’re looking to stream content or engage in data-intensive activities.
Moreover, their ability to reliably bypass geo-restrictions on Swiss websites or streaming platforms is questionable. More critically, some free VPNs may log your online activities, compromising your privacy. They sell that data to third parties to make a profit.
In contrast, reputable paid VPN services offer faster speeds, stronger security measures, and better access to exclusive content from Switzerland or abroad. They also have dedicated customer support and a commitment to user privacy, often employing a strict no-logs policy.
You can hop on an affordable VPN instead if pricing is a significant consideration.
Conclusion
Switzerland is a renowned online privacy-friendly country, but that’s only part of the story. As it’s not immune to the rise in cybercrime globally, you still need to worry about keeping your data safe from hackers and other malicious actors.
A quality VPN masks your online traffic from prying eyes and protects your sensitive information. It also provides access to exclusive Swiss and international content from anywhere. Our #1 recommended VPN for Switzerland is ExpressVPN, with its excellent combination of performance and features.
